On Feb. 21, there was no game at the Staples Center.

Christopher gave himself a vacation and went to his brother Marcella's house for dinner in the evening.

The family has Marcella Antonini, his wife Lisa, daughter Ida, son Francisco, and Francisco's lover Milani.

Both Francisco and Milani work at a sports equipment shop in Marcella.

The two have their own house and two children, but they often come to their parents' house for dinner.

It should be said that it is a very simple but happy life of ordinary people.

Marcella also has a son who works as a truck driver, and he doesn't come back from running transportation all year round.

After Christopher was released from prison, he would occasionally go to his brother's house for dinner, and the brothers needed to keep in touch with each other.

After eating, the two sat on the sofa as usual to watch the basketball game, today's focus battle, Cavaliers vs Magic.

Marcella and his brother said, "Magic will win tonight, I bet on magic." ”

Christopher said, "Are you still gambling?" ”

Marcella looked back at Ada, who was helping her mother clean up in the kitchen.

He said softly, "I'll play once in a while." I was approached by two kids in New York, and they had a way, and I bet on them on the phone. And you know, I have news. ”

Christopher said, "Are you really using Ida as a source of information for betting?" You're going to hurt her. ”

Marcella exclaimed, "Of course I won't! Ada never knew about these things, and you weren't allowed to say that! Otherwise, I want you to look good at Chris! ”

Christopher shook his head, and was about to say something, when Ida came over and said, "Uncle, how is the business of the red-headed boots lately?" ”

Christopher said: "Very good, very good. Our strategy was very successful, and Linda was overwhelmed by the recent recruitment of a new chef. ”

Ida said, "That's good, thanks to... Thanks to your efforts, the emperor has paid off. ”

Ida wanted to talk about Smart, but her father didn't seem to like her old Tessmat, so she changed her tune.

Christopher said, "It's thanks to Mr. Smart, but he seems to have been in some trouble lately." ”

Ida was nervous for a moment and said, "What's the trouble with him?" ”

Christopher said, "You're his personal assistant, don't you know?" ”

Ida shook her head and said, "I've been busy with the media department lately, and Mr. Smart hasn't told me anything. ”

Christopher said, "I heard from Linda, uh... It seems that the Clippers must make the playoffs, otherwise Mr. Smart will not be able to do his position as general manager. ”

Ida exclaimed, "No, no... Is it impossible to make the playoffs? It's been a difficult season. And, in the first season, there's no reason to have to make the playoffs..."

Christopher said, "I don't know, Linda heard it from the VIP room. Maybe it's a kind of assessment for him, I think Smart has been sullen lately. ”

Ada also discovered that Min Congda has been locking himself in the office lately.

I seem to be troubled by something indeed.

It stands to reason that the team that counted down before has been good this year.

It's impossible not to make the playoffs.

But thinking that Smart was airborne, maybe he really brought some promises and agreements.

After that, Ida was a little depressed, and she didn't watch TV, so she went upstairs and went back to her room.

Marcella saw her daughter like this and asked urgently: "What were you talking about just now, what can't you make the playoffs, Smart can't be the general manager?" ”

Christopher spread his hands and said, "It's Linda who said it, anyway, that's what it means." It's important for him that the Clippers make the playoffs. ”

"What does it have to do with me?"

"It's not about you, but it's about Ada. You can see it, right? ”

"I can't see it! Besides, you think I can make the difference between winning and losing NBA games? ”

"Can't you?"

Marcella shook her head and said, "If I have so much energy, I can still sell sports equipment?" Of course, it's okay to have a little impact in a certain game. But only one or two games, I can't help the Clippers get to the playoffs, it's up to them. ”

"Where's the key game?"

"It depends on who the referee is, there is a certain possibility."

"You should think about Ada."

"If you say it again, I'll tell you to get out of my house, watch the game, stinky boy!"

……

On February 25, on a special plane from Los Angeles to Phoenix.

The Clippers travel to Phoenix today to prepare for tomorrow's game on the road against the Suns.

The Clippers have been in so-so form lately, winning against the Kings only to lose to the Bobcats and Pistons in quick succession.

Both of these losses were reversed by the Clippers, indicating that they were too relaxed on the court.

The Clippers have a 30-26 record and have moved up to ninth place in the West.

However, there is still a 2.5-win gap with the eighth-place Spurs.

Next, the Clippers will face the Suns, a strong team, on the road.

I also have to play Jazz and Thunder, all of which are hard bones in the West.

There was a five-game streak starting in March, and it was still difficult to try to make the playoffs.

The coaching staff has not received an order from management to go all-in on the playoffs.

At the trade deadline, he also got Thorton in exchange for a non-defensive Nick Young who likes to throw three-pointers.

This kind of fancy young man, Dunleavy really doesn't like it.

Straight to the bench and let Ricky Davis play as the starting small forward.

As for Min Congda's intentions this season, Dunleavy was a little confused.

Do you continue to experiment with the lineup like this, scatter it, or tighten up and rush?

Min Congda's mind is not on the team lately, and it is said that he is locked in the office all day and doesn't know what to do.

This time I went on an away trip to Phoenix, and Min Congda, as the general manager, did not follow.

Listen to Baron Davis, this guy went clubbing in Santa Barbara again.

Spend all day and drink, sing every night, what kind of general manager is this.

As a result, the morale of the team fluctuated, and everyone had a lot of energy, but they couldn't get together.

Because there is no goal, and if there is no goal, it is to hit wherever it goes.

This made Dunleavy a little distressed, this group of young people was obviously very talented.

Once on the plane, Dunleavy heard players talking behind him.

Gasol Jr. said to Randolph next to him, "Hey Zach, you know what, I heard that Mr. Smart is dying. ”

Randolph was wearing headphones to listen to a song, but when he heard it, he took it off and said busily: "What? What did you say? ”

"I heard that Mr. Smart is dying, it was the back kitchen of the training center who said it."

“What？ This... Why? What's going on? ”

"I don't know, but I heard that he's dying, and my last wish is to see us make the playoffs."

Gasol Jr.'s words were heard by Curry in the back, and he hurriedly stood up and said, "Impossible, how can Mr. Smart die if he is so good?" What I've heard is that if we don't make the playoffs, he's going to quit and go back to his hometown to sell tractors. ”

"And who said that?"

"Vincent from the Device Management Center, he said he signed an agreement before coming to the Clippers."

"Why didn't Mr. Smart press us and make us desperate for the playoffs?"

"I don't know, maybe he's really going to die..."

"Shut up! It's resignation, it's not death, don't spread it. ”

Dunleavy couldn't sit still when he heard these conversations, and said, "What are you talking about?" Who said Smart was going to die and resign? ”

Kim Hughes on the side raised his hand and said, "I also heard it, it seems to be true, this time we must enter the playoffs before Smart can stay." ”

Dunleavy looked at Kim Hughes in some surprise, as well as the players who kept babbling like market aunts.

He suddenly realized that everyone didn't seem to want Smart to go, and they all wanted him to stay.

Including Lao Deng himself.

For more than half a season, Smart has won everyone's respect and love with his actions.

A general manager who doesn't mess around is really valuable.

"Be quiet, be quiet! What are you arguing about, what are you talking about? No matter what the rumors are, whether he's dead or alive, whether he's going to stay or not, anyway, we're going to make the playoffs, right? ”

Everyone fell silent, and then said in unison, "Yes!" ”

The Clippers suddenly have a target, for the "checkmate" Min Congda.

(End of chapter)