The first game of the preseason ended in a loss for the Rockets, and the next two preseason games were on the road, with the Rockets traveling to Dallas to take on the Mavericks and then flying to San Antonio against the Spurs.

Rudy Tomjanovic's strategy did not change, and continued to focus on the outside, so the Rockets continued to lose two games.

Yao Ming's performance in these two games is still very average, and he didn't even start the game against the Spurs.

In the starting game, Yao Ming got 2 points and 7 rebounds on 1-of-5 shooting, and in the game without starting, Yao Ming only played 11 minutes, did not score, and only grabbed 1 rebound.

This kind of performance obviously can't satisfy domestic fans and the media in North America.

"The first foreign champion Lang did not perform well, and Houston may choose parallel goods."

"China's compatriots selected by Qiao may become the new parallel goods? Nepotism comes at a price! ”

Similar reports are not uncommon, and even some reporters will stop Qiao Hai outside the rocket training hall and ask similar questions, but Qiao Hai's handling method is simple and rude, and he refuses to answer.

As for the domestic criticism, Qiao Hai can only say that some fans in China have too high expectations for Yao Ming, who has just entered the NBA.

You know, for Yao Ming, the NBA is a new environment, and the basketball here, whether it is confrontation, rhythm, or his personal way of playing, is different from when he was in the CBA.

Compared to the NBA, which is completely different from the CBA, Yao Ming obviously needs time to adapt.

……

In the fourth preseason game, the Rockets returned home, and the opponent was still the Spurs.

In this game, the performance of the Rockets was still bad, and Steve Francis on the outside completely became a cancer, holding the ball and not passing the ball in various singles.

Tang Shuai didn't seem to have any intention of stopping Francis from playing crazy singles, and at this time, even Qiao Hai couldn't figure out Tang Shuai's thoughts.

"What the hell is Rudy thinking?"

Leading the team to play and arranging tactics and strategies is the business of the team's head coach, although Qiao Hai is puzzled, he can't intervene, unless after the start of the regular season, Tang Shuai's results are still so bad, Qiao Hai can reach out and intervene, and even fire Tang Shuai.

Of course, Qiao Hai also knows very well that it is difficult for Tang Shuai to be fired.

In terms of honor and prestige as head coaches, Tang Shuai and Qiao Hai are of the same level, Qiao Hai has three championships, two best coaches, Tang Shuai also has two championship trophies, and an Olympic gold medal.

From the perspective of the Rockets alone, Tang Shuai led the Rockets to win two consecutive championships, and he also played for the Rockets when he was a player, and even his No. 45 jersey was retired from the Rockets.

From the perspective of rockets, Tang Shuai's importance surpasses Qiao Hai.

Or to put it another way, if Qiao Hai and Tang Shuai have a conflict at this time, there is no need to think about it, it will definitely be Qiao Hai who gets out of class.

Therefore, for the tactical play of the rocket at this time, Qiao Hai could not intervene, he could only remain patient.

……

On October 25, Qiao Hai flew to New York, and Stu Jackson received Qiao Hai as the host, and he personally went to the airport to pick him up.

Outside New York International Airport, it was very windy, but the weather was hot.

Qiao Hai looked at Stu Jackson in front of him, opened his arms, and directly embraced him.

"Long time no see, Mr. President."

Stu Jackson was amused: "Haha, you guy! ”

The two got into the car, the car drove to the NBA headquarters, and the two inevitably talked about the Grizzlies.

"You guy, I haven't asked you yet, I left the grizzly not long ago, why did you leave with me?"

Qiao Hai spread his hands: "Didn't you read Time Magazine?" ”

Stu Jackson was stunned for a moment: "I didn't see it." ”

"That issue in August, you buy a copy and read it, and everything will be understood."

Stu Jackson smiled and shook his head: "Okay, okay......"

Then, Qiao Hai changed the topic: "What is the general manager meeting held by the alliance this time to discuss?" ”

Stu Jackson said: "The expansion of the army, you know, the Hornets moved out of Charlotte, and the league promised to add a new team to Charlotte, and this meeting is actually to convene all the general managers and vote." ”

"Okay, then I'll vote no."

Stu Jackson glared: "I was just about to remind you that it is better to vote yes, this vote is actually just a formality." ”

Qiao Hai shrugged: "I'm just kidding." ”

"It's better to be like this." Stu Jackson shook his head again, and then, as if remembering something. "By the way, are you interested in becoming the owner of an NBA team?"

"Boss?" Qiao Hai paused, then shook his head very quickly: "I don't have that much money, I can't afford to support an NBA team." ”

"Don't be a big boss, just be a small boss?"

"Little boss?"

Seeing that Qiao Hai had some questions, Stu Jackson nodded and continued: "That's right, this expansion is an opportunity for you, you can pull a consortium, be a small boss yourself, and then work part-time as the president and head coach of the team, which is much better than you working for others." ”

Qiao Hai frowned, still thinking.

"For this expansion, the boss of the new team needs to come up with 300 million US dollars, as the expansion fee, you can't take it alone, but you can pull a big boss, he will take the big head, and you will take the small head." Stu Jackson casually handed Qiao Hai a copy of the information.

"Then, he has the lion's share, and you take a small part of the stake with the money you put out, and your personal value."

Stu Jackson pointed to the information in Qiao Hai's hand: "The official news from the league's side, Larry Berdra has a consortium, and there is a consortium led by Robert Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, and it is currently the bidding of these two consortiums for the time being, you can consider it." ”

Qiao Hai was still thinking, and after a while, he gave an ambiguous answer: "I'll think about it again." ”

Stu Jackson nodded: "You think about it, this opportunity is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, except for Charlotte's team in the league, there may be no expansion plan in the future." ”

……

The NBA headquarters, the general managers of 29 teams, have already arrived.

Johi saw Mitch Kupchak, and also saw Billy Knight, Buford, not Popovich.

Therefore, Qiao Hai didn't see any acquaintances, and on this occasion, it was still very lonely to stand alone, so Qiao Hai decided to find someone to talk to, between Biline Knight and Kupchak, Qiao Hai chose Kupchak.

"Mickey, long time no see."

"Long time no see." Mitch Kupchak is not as enthusiastic about Qiao Hai as he was at the beginning, after all, the Lakers have achieved success, and Rick Carlisle has done a good job, so he naturally doesn't need to hold Qiao Hai so much.

However, Qiao Hai was very happy with Kupchak's change, at least, he didn't need to keep rejecting Kupchak's invitation to him.

Qiao Hai chatted with Kupchak for a while, and then the meeting began.