Receiving a call from Mark Barak, vice president of the alliance, Hayes was very surprised. David Stern asked him to meet at noon on February 27 for lunch.

After receiving the call, Hayes's first thought was that he didn't want to go. He doesn't like to eat with people he doesn't know, and that feeling is very restrained.

Lunch? What do you mean? Could it be that Stern also wants to recognize me as his godson? I'm already strong. At this meeting, some fans may say that I am taken care of! Hell, how can I take care of it?! Hayes was in a bad mood.

The game between the Bobcats and the Knicks was on the 28th, and Hayes had to fly to New York a day earlier to see Stern. When Hayes told Jordan, Van Gundy and others about the situation, everyone was overjoyed.

Jordan smiled: "Chuck, this is a good thing, don't worry, Stern will meet a few players from time to time every year." He sees you, maybe to praise you for your performance this season, which is good for you. His words can make you popular and bring countless benefits. The league has always wanted to have players as influential as me, Kobe Bryant and James didn't do well, and now he must have taken a fancy to you. ”

"I just don't want to be called Stern's godson." Hayes laughed.

"If you really become his godson, maybe we can play like the Cavaliers' football team in the future!" D'Antoni laughed. showed a yearning look.

Hayes sweats, is that interesting?

"The Cavaliers' kind of bad team was able to make it to the Finals last season, and as long as Stern likes the Bobcats, it will be a lot easier for us to make the Finals." Jordan said excitedly.

Van Gundy didn't say anything, other than that it was a good thing. The NBA also has some unspoken rules, and everyone knows it.

In order to meet Stern in a better spirit, Hayes arrived in New York early and checked into the Hilton Hotel. The next day, he arrived at the Olympic Building at the appointed time. He doesn't like flatterers, but David Stern's face has to be given.

The United States has such a question: which is the longest-lasting "dynasty" in NBA history?

A: Celtic dynasty; B: Lakers Dynasty; C: Bull Dynasty; D: Miscellaneous.

This is a "detailed question" that once appeared in this year's American "Sports Illustrated", many fans have chosen A, the reason is that the Celtics won 8 championships in one breath in 1959~1966, more than the Lakers' 5 championships in the 80s, the Bulls' two "triple championships" in the 90s, and more "continuous", the answer is of course this!

Only "hardcore" fans have chosen D, who believe that one of the NBA's longest dynasties is the "reign" of today's league commissioner David Stern, which has lasted for 20 years.

Yes, it's David Stern, the NBA president with the little glasses and gray hair.

If a player says, "I'm just ignoring David Stern, I just want to play basketball." "Then he's going to be an idiot, and if Stern doesn't like it, he can't play basketball with a star-studded audience. The Kings were eliminated by the Lakers that year is the best example.

Led by the female secretary, Hayes took the elevator to the 15th floor, and after turning a corner, stopped in front of David Stern's office. The secretary knocked on the door and ushered Hayes into the room. "Mr. President, Mr. Hayes has arrived."

"Hello, Chuck Hayes." Stern got up from his chair and shook Hayes's hand very politely. His suit is crisp and looks exceptionally energetic.

"Hello, Mr. President."

"You may be seated! Want to drink something? Stern said gently.

"Coffee bar. Thank you. Hayes said to Miss Secretary. Miss Secretary made Hayes coffee, put it on the table and left.

Hayes sat on the couch, and Stern sat across from him, looked at Hayes for a moment, and smiled, "Chuck, you're an amazing player." ”

"Thank you." Hayes laughed.

"You're not very physical, but you're making it impossible for your opponent to guard against. This is only your third season, and your role in the team is already comparable to that of a Hall of Fame superstar. Can you tell me what your goals are? Stern said casually. This makes the atmosphere of the conversation between the two very relaxed.

"My goal is to lead the team to win and try to bring out the best in each player and make five people play like one. Speaking of personal goals, I hope to retire with as many championship rings on my hands as Bill Russell. Hayes laughed.

"The person you admire is Russell? It's no wonder you don't value personal data as much. When the experts say to me about you, the most they say is that you are a great team player. When it comes to teams, you deserve the word great. David Stern said.

Stern's praise was very useful to Hayes.

"Thank you again for the compliment." Hayes smiled wryly. President, it's time for you to get down to business, right? What are you looking for me for?

Stern took a sip of water and said slowly, "I used to preach personal heroism. Hopefully there will be a player in the league who can achieve Jordan's accomplishments, but no one has done it. Ask me a question, Chuck, what do you think of the ratio of American basketball to European basketball? Who is better and who is worse? ”

Hayes thought for a moment and said: "With all due respect, American players have the advantage in terms of physical fitness and individual ability, but unfortunately most of the offense and defense are fighting separately, and they have been overtaken by European balls in terms of tactical use." The United States has played very hard in the international arena against European teams such as Greece, Spain, Russia, and Lithuania, as well as Argentina. ”

"I think so too. There are many, many young people in the United States who like to chase league stars, and if they are chasing a star who is arrogant and ignores the team's record for the sake of statistics, it will be difficult for American basketball to improve in the future. The NBA's operations have also reached a bottleneck. Now I'm starting to think about promoting the importance of team basketball in the league. Stern laughed, "You don't seem surprised when I say that. ”

"Should I be surprised?" Hayes laughed.

"You're confident. How do you think of yourself and Kobe and LeBron? Stern laughed too.

"I'm stronger than them." Hayes said without modesty.

"Can you tell why?" Stern's smile widened.

Hayes took a sip of coffee and talked about it: "I'm more well-rounded, although I'm only 198cm tall, but as long as I'm on the court, I can easily grab double-digit rebounds, I can attack inside and out, and I have an advantage in any way when I am misplaced defensively, which is the reason for my high shooting percentage, and most importantly, I am suitable for various tactical systems and can make my teammates stronger." The Lakers and Cavaliers coaches arranged appropriate tactics for Kobe Bryant and James, allowing other players to assist them at the expense of their personal abilities, which is the gap. Also, I never complain about my teammates when I lose. ”

Stern nodded. He felt that what Hayes had said made a lot of sense.

In fact, in all fairness, Hayes' teammates are much better than James'. James wouldn't be weird if he didn't complain. However, in the eyes of outsiders, Hayes's teammates are a group of rookies and substitutes for each team, all of whom became stronger because of Hayes to the Bobcats.

"So how do you think the current alliance compares to the alliance of the 90s?" Stern asked again.

The league has grown to what it is today because of Stern, can I say it badly? Hayes thought for a moment and said with a smile: "The current alliance is much better than before. Very successful. Although some people say that the current game is not as fierce as in the past, it is not good-looking, and the kind of play like fighting in the past is the real NBA. But I don't think so. The game of basketball was invented as a form of entertainment, not for two groups of enemies to find an excuse to fight. In the 90s, basically every team had one or two thugs, and once there was a conflict, there would be thugs up to do it, and the referee would not blow it. Many local fans like it, think it's exciting, like excitement to watch boxing and wrestling, what NBA? Foreign fans may not like to watch such games. The NBA has been able to go global precisely because of the reduction of violence on the court. Players can play safely and more smoothly offensively, rather than constantly worrying about being crippled by a guy like Ranbier when they burst into the interior for layups. ”

Hayes spoke his mind. This is also in his heart, he loves basketball, enjoys the feeling of playing basketball, and he does not want to end his career because of a malicious foul by a group of rogue players. In the old league, a lot of talented people left the court due to injury.

"Chuck, you said again that my heart went. The idea that I put the NBA in the world is to put an end to violence. I did it, so the NBA's popularity went up, and the players' salaries went up. Although in the United States, the NBA can only rank third among the four major sports, but looking at salary and wealth, the NBA league is already the first of the four major sports leagues in the United States! Stern laughed. He is very satisfied with his ability to operate. "Now, I want to make a little bit of a change in the league. You're the one I chose. You don't have any vices, you are not arrogant, and your popularity is good. I want you to build an image of the NBA as decent, selfless, and clean. Can you teach young people who want to play basketball how to win games instead of just being on the court? You become the face of the league, and the Bobcats will become the league's most talked-about team! ”

Stern was very direct.

"I think I can do it." Hayes and Stern looked at each other, swallowing and foaming, but still decided to say what they had been thinking about all the way. "I have a suggestion, perhaps...... It can make the alliance better. ”

"What advice?"

Hayes relentlessly and said seriously: "I don't know if there is a similar unit in the league now, last year the league had a 'betting referee' Tim Donahi incident, and his behavior disgraced the entire NBA. In the league, there have indeed been cases of deviant whistles and star whistles. There are a few star players in the league who often go on offense without being blown off, and they will be sent to the free throw line with a little physical contact, which really makes the star stats more beautiful, but it's not fair! I think the NBA's influence can only be enhanced if the game is played on the basis of absolute fairness and the fans can't find fault with it. The NBA's slogan is now 'Where Miracles Are Born.'" If you want to be a decent player, can you change the slogan to something like 'fair and fair play'? ”

Stern was stunned. He didn't expect Hayes to make such a suggestion!

Hayes let go. Want me to be an image spokesperson? Then the first thing I want to do is to make this league cleaner! To hell with "body hair fouls" and "star whistles"! I don't need these damn benefits!

(To be continued)