On Feb. 10, the final game before the All-Star Weekend, the Grizzlies took on the Phoenix Suns on the road.

After the last loss to the Grizzlies, the Suns gradually warmed up, and before the Grizzlies, the Suns achieved an 8-4 record, and the team's overall record came to 27-19, which has been out of the dangerous position of eighth in the West, and has pressed the SuperSonics and the Kings down to sixth in the West.

However, against the Grizzlies, who are currently in the top two in the West, the Suns still have little chance.

In this game, although they failed to win another 20 points and 30 points, the Grizzlies suppressed the opponent throughout the game, leading by 5 points in the first quarter to 10 points in the second quarter, and then the Grizzlies maintained a 10-point lead until the end of the game.

And just like that, in the end, the Grizzlies won 104-92 to snap their 11th straight win.

The winning streak continued, but it was also the All-Star Weekend in 2000, when most of the Grizzlies' players and coaches would have a week off.

Therefore, most of the players and coaches were transferred back to Vancouver with the team's special plane, and several other players transferred directly from Phoenix to Oakland.

This includes Maddie, who participated in the All-Star Game and the Slam Dunk Contest, and Sean Marion, Mike Bibby and Brad Miller, who participated in the Rookie Challenge, a total of four.

Qiao Hai did not return to Vancouver either, he made other arrangements, and also transferred directly from Phoenix to Los Angeles.

……

After a few hours of flight, the plane landed at the Los Angeles airport.

Qiao Hai dragged his small suitcase, took out a pair of sunglasses, and put them on directly.

It's still a little cold in Los Angeles in February, so Qiao Hai should wrap himself tightly with a scarf, in Los Angeles, Qiao Hai still has to be careful, he doesn't want to be discovered by the Lakers fans here, and then shouted, and suddenly a group of people surrounded him.

If it's all his followers, it's okay to say, I'm afraid that there are fanatical fans of the Lakers or fans of Phil Jackson and Jerry West, and it won't be a wonderful thing to surround him and send a few old punches when the time comes.

Dragging his suitcase, Qiao Hai walked outside the airport.

Dialed a phone call, this time in Los Angeles, Qiao Hai contacted Kevinding in advance and asked Kevinding to arrange a car to pick up the airport, this time he was going to the headquarters of HOOP Sports, because of his identity, Qiao Hai obviously couldn't go as the boss, so he could only go as the head coach of the NBA Grizzlies.

The purpose of going can only be to accept an exclusive interview.

Therefore, we must arrange a special car to pick you up.

Qiao Hai came in a low-key manner, he made a phone call and found the location of the pick-up car, Kevending stepped down from the co-pilot, opened his arms and gave Qiao Hai a hug: "Boss, welcome to Los Angeles." ”

Qiao Hai was a little surprised, and Kevending came to pick him up in person.

"Good work, Kevin."

After a hug, Qiao Hai made a greeting.

Kevending doesn't feel hard, HOOP Sports is on the right track, occupying a large share of online sports media, and the news reports on the website are also in accordance with Qiao Hai's requirements, not boasting, not picking on saliva, only doing professional basketball reports.

Although doing so will make HOOP sports less topical, Qiao Hai knows that fans who really love basketball don't like those media reports that are picky and hyped up, compared to professional media are more popular with fans.

For Kevinding, he doesn't like those spoily reports, but before in the Los Angeles Times, he had to do some similar reports, to cause topics, to cause war of words, and so on.

Now at HOOP Sports, he can finally do professional basketball reporting.

After a few polite sentences, Qiao Hai got into the car, and the car drove directly to the headquarters of HOOP Sports, an office building opposite the Los Angeles Times Building.

We only occupy one of the floors, but this floor is enough for the office of the media department, and half is allocated to the network department.

When Qiao Hai arrived, we also held a small welcome ceremony, and the reporters from the media department welcomed Qiao Hai at the front desk.

Of course, most of the reporters don't know that Qiao Hai is still the boss of Hoop Sports, and only a small number of them know that Qiao Hai came to this trip, not only to be interviewed, but also to inspect the work, because Qiao Hai is the boss of Hoop Sports.

Journalists who knew Qiao Hai was the owner of Hoop included Adrian Wonarowski, the deputy editor of Hoop Sports, and John Hollinger, the site's director of operations.

Therefore, after the welcome ceremony at the front desk, Qiao Hai entered the small conference room with Kevending, Adrian Wonarowski, and John Hollinger.

From an outsider's point of view, Qiao Hai is going to be interviewed by the three major reporters of hoop sports.

On the surface, hoop sports was co-founded by Kevin Ding, the former editor-in-chief of the sports section of the Los Angeles Times, Adrian Wonarowski, a former Yahoo sports expert reporter, and John Hollinger, an NBA data expert.

So, there was talk and laughter in the small conference room.

Qiao Hai is holding a commendation meeting for hoop sports: "Kevin, do a good job, I have also seen the report on the website recently, and there are reports of 30 teams in the league, which shows that your report has been spread." ”

Kevending nodded: "Basically, Los Angeles, New York, San Antonio, these big cities, we have full-time reporters, we also have full-time reporters in Vancouver, and we also have reporters who can move freely, plus the cooperation we have reached with Sports Illustrated, we can also use the news sources of Sports Illustrated." ”

Then, Qiao Hai turned to Adrian Wonarowski: "Adrian, I have also read a few of your reports, are they well-informed enough?" ”

Qiao Hai refers to the fact that before the league announced the All-Star vote, Adrian Wonarowski released exclusive news, announcing that Vince Carter will be the vote king, and Maddie will be the West vote king, no one believes that Vince Carter will beat Shaquille O'Neal to become the vote king, and no one will believe that Maddie will beat O'Neal to become the West vote king.

But as soon as the results came out, Carter was indeed the league vote king, and Maddie was indeed the western vote king.

Adrian Wonarowski's accurate advance report directly shocked a crowd.

Qiao Hai praised him, and Adrian Wonarowski smiled: "I happen to have a few acquaintances in the information department of the alliance, so I got the news a little earlier than the others." ”

Qiao Hai suddenly realized, and thus also solved the mystery of why Adrian Wonalovsky would become the god of Wo in later generations.

And finally, John Hollinger.

Hoop Sports has recently published a lot of data-based analysis articles, all of which are written by John Hollinger, one of which analyzes the reasons for the rise of the grizzly bear, Qiao Hai read it, and the analysis is reasonable.

Therefore, for Hoop Sports to do professional basketball reporting, John Hollinger is the top priority.

"John, I've read a few of your data analysis articles, and the analysis is good, I think the website can make a data column to attract some traffic."

Everyone nodded, since it is a professional sports website, then John Hollinger's data analysis must be fully used, and opening a column is the right thing.

After saying the words of praise, Qiao Hai was about to arrange work.

We are on the right track, but many of the things that Qiao Hai envisioned before have not yet been implemented, and this time Qiao Hai is here to arrange tasks and work.

"Kevin, you go and call the head of the network department."

Kevindin nodded, and quickly left the small conference room and called the head of the network department, a balding middle-aged white man named David Romano.

David Romano also knew Qiao Hai's identity, said hello at the door, and sat down.

"David, I looked at the pages of the website, the style is concise, and it is very good." It's still the old rule, as soon as you come up, you will praise two sentences first, and David Romano will immediately have a red face and look very happy.

Then, Qiao Hai said: "But we need to develop new business now, and we have to add a column to the page of the website." ”

"Speak, please." David Romano nodded.

"We want to add a column, members can log in to the website, and then through their own member accounts, enter the column, have the right to write comments and publish columns, no matter who, as long as it is a real-name authentication user, can post on our website."

As Qiao Hai spoke, Kevinding's eyes lit up.

Qiao Hai had mentioned before that he wanted those well-known coaches and players in the league to open a column on the website, at first he thought that Qiao Hai was going to use a lot of money to sign some coaches and players, but now when he heard Qiao Hai's idea, he knew that Qiao Hai should not be ready to spend this money.

A special column has been opened, and everyone can post.

If you think about it carefully, if you have a little hype, there will soon be NBA professional players who will open columns on the HOOP website, and there will also be NBA coaches, league commentators, and expert reporters who will come to hoop to open columns.

In the middle of the small conference room, Qiao Hai continued: "It is best that the page style of this column can be different from the style of the original website, separate them, leave only one link, the style must be more concise, and the operation must be simpler......

This sentence shows Qiao Hai's greater ambition, he actually wants to treat this column as a new project, attached to hoop sports, and also wants to attract traffic through hoop sports.

David Romano kept nodding his head and writing it down with pen and paper.

Qiao Hai turned to Kevin Ding again: "Kevin, your task is to spend a sum of money to sign a few coaches, players and media experts to open the market first. ”

Kevin Ding nodded, he is now the general manager of Hoop Sports, these things should naturally be done by him, now, Hoop Sports' funds are not a problem, after they attracted traffic, many advertisers came to the door and bought several advertising spaces on the Hoop website, which also made Hoop Sports profitable.

Finally, Qiao Hai said to David Romano: "The network department should arrange some people to keep an eye on the columns, and in addition, give me a special account, which is the best account to be able to manage the columns." ”

David Romano also nodded: "Understood, Mr. Joe." ”

This time, Qiao Hai came to Los Angeles, firstly, to inspect the work of Hoop Sports, and secondly, to arrange the column properly, and now that the two things have been completed, he has nothing to do.

However, Qiao Hai will not return to Vancouver so early, he will stay in Los Angeles for a few days.

In the afternoon, when he was idle, Qiao Hai accepted an exclusive interview with Kevin Ding, and after asking a few questions that didn't hurt or itch, Kevin Ding spent an hour sorting out the interview draft and sent it directly.

This is the difference between online media and traditional print media.

Online media can publish articles at any time, while traditional print media, even if there is any news, can only wait for the next day to publish the article.

The report of the interview with Qiao Hai was sent out, and the headline of the report was: "NBA's youngest champion young marshal visits hoop headquarters!" ”

A color photo of Qiao Hai is also attached, in which Qiao Hai is wearing a Versace suit with a red background plate with the hoop sports logo.

As soon as the report was published, the number of views surged.

Qiao Hai was idle, he wandered around the hoop headquarters for a long time, and the reporters of hoop sports were surprised, this Qiao Hai was hanging around casually, how could he make him the boss of hoop? Akira is upset.

If Qiao Hai knew what these reporters thought, Qiao Hai might smile and say, "I'm sorry, I'm really your boss." ”

After hanging around the hoop headquarters for a long time, Qiao Hai was sent to the hotel by special car in the evening.

That night, he received a phone call, and the caller surprised Qiao Hai.

"Mickey? Long time no see, how's it going? ”

It was Mitch Kupchak who called, and after Qiao Hai won the championship with the Lakers last season, they had no contact, and then Mitch Kupchak suddenly called, and had to make Qiao Hai think more.

"Joe, long time no see, I'm fine, and I know that you kid is also very good."

After saying hello, Qiao Hai was not polite: "What, Mickey, is there something wrong with the call?" ”

"Can't you call if you're fine?" Mitch Kupchak asked rhetorically.

Qiao Hai smiled: "There is an old saying in the Celestial Empire, it is called "If you have nothing to do, you will not go to the Three Treasures Palace", I have been working in Vancouver for almost a year, and you don't have a single electricity, and now you suddenly call, there must be something." ”

Mitch Kupchak laughed twice: "You're in Los Angeles?" ”

"Yes."

"Let's meet, in half an hour, Miss Lin."

Miss Lin restaurant is a Western restaurant that Mitch Kupchak prefers, it just so happened that Qiao Hai hadn't eaten dinner yet, someone had a treat, he naturally didn't refuse, he was fully armed, and went out to take a taxi.

Miss lin's restaurant is not far away, it is said that the owner is a celebrity from the Celestial Empire, but Qiao Hai has never seen the owner of this restaurant, but it must be said that the Western food in this Western restaurant is really authentic, and it is no wonder that Michi Kupchak has to come to this restaurant every time he has a treat.

Joe Hay arrived, and when he entered the door, he saw Michkupchak waving at him.

Moved over and sat down directly across from Mitch Kupchak: "What, Mitch, is there anything you can't talk about on the phone, and you still have to meet?" ”

Mitch Kupchak is also an old fritter: "Doesn't this happen to be in Los Angeles?" Thinking of asking you out and inviting you to dinner, it's not a big deal, eat first, and talk about it later. ”

Qiao Hai smiled, didn't say anything more, and directly started ordering.

Someone treated, Qiao Hai was not polite, called the waiter, and made a mess: "French truffle foie gras with green apple cheese and caviar, Gula-style traditional beef bisque with rye bread, lemon-fried salmon with French yogurt sauce, and a piece of medium-rare filet mignon." ”

Michkupchak didn't care, Qiao Hai finished ordering, he also ordered two dishes at random, and asked the waiter to serve a bottle of Lafite.

One person poured half a cup and toasted to Qiao Hai staggeringly.

Chatted about some digressions, these two people really haven't seen each other for a long time, they don't have anything in common, and they chatted and chatted, so they had nothing to say.

Michkupchek was helpless, which led to the main topic of his invitation to Qiao Hai for dinner this time.

"Joe, you may not know that Mr. Jerry West is in semi-retirement, and now everything in the Lakers is in charge of me."

Qiao Hai nodded, but he was complaining in his heart, who is responsible for the affairs of the Lakers team.

Seeing that Qiao Hai was indifferent, Mitch Kupchak was also helpless, so he could only get straight to the point: "Joe, I heard that the transfer affairs of the Grizzlies are all decided by you?" ”

"Yes."

"I'd like to talk to you about a deal."

It turned out to be a deal, and Qiao Hai understood.

He didn't speak, waiting for Mitch Kupchak to finish: "We want to get Chauncy Billups, we don't know what kind of offer is needed." ”

actually fell in love with Billups, Qiao Hai pondered for a long time before saying: "Mickey, it's not that I don't give you face, Chauncy is not for sale." ”

"Not for sale?" Mitch Kupchak is a little weird, Billups is playing off the bench with the Grizzlies, how can it be not for sale? Could it be that Qiao Hai just doesn't want to make a trade with the Lakers?

Mitch Kupchak is also helpless, if it is not necessary, he really doesn't want to negotiate a deal with Qiao Hai, but there is no way, Phil Jackson has a crush on Chauncey Billups, and now the Lakers' triangle offense lacks a fulcrum, and they need to find a player who can control the pace and distribute the ball.

Billups is a master of rhythm and is clearly up to the task.

If the Lakers can get Billups, then Phil Jackson can safely play Bruce Bowen at the starting No. 3 position, and now, Phil Jackson can only let Scott Pippen play the starting No. 3 position.

But obviously, it is impossible for Qiao Hai to trade Billups, let alone the Lakers.

Hearing Michi Kupchak's puzzled rhetorical question, Qiao Hai explained on the face of this meal: "Although Chauncy is a substitute, he will be the starter in the future, so Chauncy is not for sale." ”

In the end, Qiao Hai also said sorry: "I'm sorry, Mitch, this trade really can't work, other things can be discussed, such as Sammack for Bruce Bowen, we can take a draft pick." ”

Mitch Kupchak was helpless, and finally rejected Qiao Hai's proposal.

Bruce Bowen is the main rotation of the Lakers' No. 3 position, which is very valued by Phil Jackson, and is obviously not for sale.