Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Chapter 507: Chapter 349 Big Fei Likes You

Yu Fei’s transfer to Seattle spread rapidly.

If Bucks fans couldn’t believe it would happen before the incident, what about fans of other teams?

They certainly wouldn’t believe it either.

Because the Supersonics were the worst team in the Western, and the Bucks had just completed a back-to-back championship, had a healthy salary space, and many strong young players still under rookie contracts, for someone aspiring to surpass Michael Jordan, he absolutely shouldn’t leave the Bucks.

But Yu Fei left anyway.

The reason was the Supersonics faced relocation, and he decided to answer the call of his hometown elders, doing his utmost to change this impending event.

This quickly triggered a chain reaction, and Yu Fei’s negative reputation was reversed in an instant, even fans of teams that he had once severely beaten sent him their blessings.

“How many players would give up the chance for a three-peat, and commit to a bottom-dwelling team with the goal of saving their hometown team? I mean, will we see something like this happen in the next 100 years? Everyone knows I have issues with Frye, but this action has made me his fan, as long as he doesn’t become a rival to my Celtics in the finals in the next three years, I will support him to the end on this matter.”

Notable Yu Fei critic Bill Simmons wrote in his column.

As those close to Yu Fei had predicted, transferring to the Supersonics had a decisive impact on his public image.

In early July, the moment Yu Fei and his entourage arrived in Seattle, the airport was swarming with all the influential local media and thousands of fans.

They roared Yu Fei’s name as if disciples witnessing the descent of their deity.

There were also crowds from the “Save Our Supersonics” organization chanting the slogan that had spread throughout the league.

Only this time, the slogan had an additional name.

“Frye, save our Supersonics!!!”

“…!!!”

Yu Fei was interviewed by the “Seattle Times” on site.

“We all know, you were tremendously successful in Milwaukee, what prompted your return to Seattle?”

Yu Fei smiled, speaking in a comforting pace and tone, “Before anyone cared where I played ball, I was just a kid from the western part of the State of Washington. It’s where I’ve walked, where I’ve run, where I’ve cried, and where I’ve bled. It has always held a special place in my heart.”

Upon hearing his words, the reporter from the “Seattle Times” trembled with excitement: “Clay Bennett is a born and bred Oklahoman, everyone here knows he wants to take the team away, and we also face the issue with the arena, these problems might cause us to lose the Supersonics, Frye, do you have a solution?”

Yu Fei said, “Mr. Bennett has promised me that he will work with me to find a way to keep the Supersonics here. We will sort this out before the team’s contract with Key Arena expires.”

Yu Fei’s seemingly ordinary statement revealed a huge piece of news to the public.

He had not come merely out of passion; he had a plan.

“Frye and Bennett have reached an agreement, the Supersonics will stay in Seattle until the summer of 2010?”

People whispered amongst themselves.@@novelbin@@

The interview was over, and Yu Fei was ready to leave the scene with the help of security, but the fans were too enthusiastic.

In the end, Yu Fei jumped onto the grassy slope outside the airport, the center of attention, took the microphone from a reporter, and shouted, “Let’s save the Supersonics together!”

Before Yu Fei started saving the Supersonics, people first saw his astonishing business value.

On the first day back in Seattle, Yu Fei’s camp announced partnership deals with major local brands continuously.

Meanwhile, the Supersonics were addressing various matters they had agreed upon with Yu Fei in advance.

First off, they fired the would-be permanent PJ Carlesimo and then signed George Karl, the Bucks’ championship coach, to a 1+1 two-year contract (just like Yu Fei).

Next, they encountered problems when signing Kwame Brown and Raja Bell.

The main issue was on Bell’s side.

Orlando offered Bell a large 4-year, 36 million US dollar contract.

This was beyond what the Supersonics could meet, which put Bell in a dilemma.

Yu Fei told him, “Remember what I said to you? Make the best decision for your family.”

After apologizing to Yu Fei, Bell signed with the Magic.

The biggest beneficiary of this incident was Kwame Brown, whose contract thus became larger.

The Supersonics offered him a 2-year, 16 million US dollar contract.

Like Yu Fei and Karl, this contract also had a player option for 1+1.

Before the dust had settled on the Raja Bell signing issue, the Supersonics encountered trouble with signing Carter.

As the only All-Star of the SuperSonics, Rashard Lewis did not want to stick with a failing team, nor did he wish to become the first star of the Oklahoma City Supersonics after relocation, so initially he decided to terminate the remaining two years of his contract this summer.

But then, Yu Fei came.

Because of this, Lewis entertained some bold ideas.

It’s no secret that Big Fei is a ball-dominant star, and he meshes extremely well with stretch bigs.

So who is the league’s top stretch big? Of course, it’s Rashard Lewis.

Last season, playing as a power forward, Lewis averaged 22 points with a three-point shooting percentage of 39%.

COMMENT
0 comment

Vote
3 left

SEND GIFT