As the team with the most luxury tax penalties in the NBA so far, the Knicks in 2001 gave the "mid-range king" Alan Houston a six-year $100 million maximum salary contract is notorious.

Even though Alan Houston has been retired for three seasons, he still occupies more than $15 million in salary space for the Knicks last season.

Although from the beginning of this season, the junk contracts of Alan Houston and Anfernee Hardaway have been terminated,

However, under the condition of basically maintaining the main lineup, Lin Fei was signed naked with the highest salary, which also made this season's New York Knicks inevitably bear the high team luxury tax again.

The new 06-07 season league salary cap is $56.16 million, and the luxury tax line is $64.35 million.

And the Knicks' highest-paid player in the new season is still Stephen Marbury, reaching 17.18 million US dollars.

Lin Fei's maximum salary contract is 16.85 million US dollars in the first year, ranking second in the team.

Jalen Rose's $14.6 million is in third place, and the former Michigan Five Tigers and the most improved player of the season are long gone.

Sending off Alan Houston and Anfernee Hardaway has brought in Jalen Rose, who is now one of the league's highest-paid low-performing players this season due to injury at the age of 33.

Plus Eddie Curry's $8.17 million, Quentin Richardson's $7.53 million, and Jamal Crawford's $7.2 million......

The total salary of these six players alone has reached 71.5 million US dollars, exceeding the luxury tax by more than 7 million.

Combined with the rest of the role players and rookies, the Knicks have a team salary of more than $85 million this season, more than $20 million more than the luxury tax.

The NBA has a normal luxury tax ratio and a super luxury tax rate, because since the 2003-04 season, the Knicks have touched the luxury tax line for four consecutive seasons.

For such serious breaches of the rules, penalties will be imposed in accordance with the super luxury tax proportions.

For every $1 dollar that exceeds the luxury tax line, a fine of $1.5 will be imposed.

As a result, the luxury tax that the Knicks need to hand over to the league's headquarters this season has exceeded $30 million again for the second year in a row.

And that's when dealing with veteran players like Marrick Ross and boldly using rookies.

After paying a high luxury tax for three consecutive years, but finishing at the bottom of the East for three consecutive years, it is completely understandable that Knicks fans hate and anger James Dolan.

And for James Dolan, who is stupid and has a lot of money, these luxury taxes are nothing at all, after all, the Knicks' market value is soaring every season.

Now that Lin Fei has joined, Knicks fans have also regained hope, and the more than 30 million US dollars in luxury tax in the new season may really be able to exchange for a place in the Eastern Conference playoffs.

The league has a total of three key games scheduled for the opening day of the 06-07 season.

In addition to the New York Knicks and Los Angeles Lakers games, there are two other games that are Dallas Mavericks vs. Houston Rockets and Denver Nuggets vs. Miami Heat.

As the champion of last season, the opening game of the Heat's home court will naturally hold a championship ring awarding ceremony.

And Lin Fei has now joined the Knicks, and this championship ring will not be collected until he travels to Miami.

Madison Garden Plaza was bustling, and at half-past six in the evening, the arena was already full on all four sides of the auditorium.

As far as the eye can see, many local Knicks fans have put on Lin Fei's new No. 22 jersey, and various banners and slogans are also echoing each other.

Warmly welcome and look forward to NBA superstar Lin Fei's debut at the Knicks.

And Mildew, who was born in Pennsylvania and came to settle in New York with his father Scott Swift since he was a child, was naturally overjoyed that Lin Fei joined the Knicks.

In this opening game, Mildew has been waiting for too long, and tonight he came to the front row of the scene, wearing Lin Fei's No. 22 jersey to cheer for his idol.

Sitting next to Mildew was his girlfriend and agent Qin Dongmei.

Qin Dongmei has now officially graduated from Stanford University, and in order to support Lin Fei's career, she also came to New York to start a sports agent company in Manhattan.

Mildew's father, Scott, as a senior stock investor, also has close business contacts with Lin Fei and Qin Dongmei.

With the release of his first single "Tim McGraw" in June, after becoming popular, Mildew also officially released his first music album of the same name on October 24 under the active planning of the signing company: "Taylor Swift".

Now that the new album has been released for only a week, the physical version of the record has sold more than 40,000 copies, ranking 16th on the Billboard Top 200 albums in the United States.

The advent of the 12 songs on this album made 16-year-old Taylor Swift finally a smash hit and had a certain reputation in the music circle of the United States.

And the scandal between Xiao Moldy and Lin Fei was naturally re-hyped by the major media, chasing the wind and adding fuel and vinegar.

Seeing Mildew and Qin Dongmei sitting on the sidelines in the front row watching the game tonight, curious fans naturally couldn't help but speculate:

"Mildew really came to see Lin's game, it seems that the scandal between the two of them is not groundless!"

"What's the situation? Mildew is actually with Lin's girlfriend Qin? The two of them seem to be communicating happily, shouldn't they be rivals in love? ”

"Although that Qin is good-looking, he is just a high-achieving agent, how can he be worthy of Lin? Our mildew is a super talented girl, and he and Lin are the best match! ”

"I've listened to all the songs in the moldy album, and there is a song "Descendants of the Dragon" that feels very good, and the background is Oriental mythology, is it a song for Lin again?"

"Let's start the game quickly, I can't wait to see Lin running on the court in a Knicks jersey!"

"Although we may not be able to win the Lakers under Yao Ke's combination in tonight's game, Lin's Knicks debut will definitely be able to score high points, not to mention Kobe Bryant!"

"If it weren't for Lin's limited shooting power in the Heat last season, the scoring champion may not be Kobe's turn, and the scoring champion in the new season should be the competition between Lin and Kobe!"

In a luxury box on the top of the museum, Knicks boss James Dolan sat on the sofa with his legs crossed, a cigar in his mouth condescendingly, and a big belly puffed out with a chic and proud belly.

"A new era for the Knicks is coming, and I have a hunch that Lin will be able to score at least 50 points tonight!"

"Tell Isaiah Thomas that this opener is for Lin, and the Knicks can lose, but Lin must be given unlimited fire rights to unleash his most terrifying potential!"

James Dolan had the same idea as the fans at the scene, everyone came to see Lin Fei's performance.

Tonight, not only was the Madison Garden Square Arena crowded, but also outside the arena, and the heat was unprecedented.

With Lin Fei, there is the Knicks' absolute box office guarantee and star appeal, and the team's derivative products will sell more hotly, and Dolan, as the boss, will naturally earn more.

Of course, what fans are looking forward to tonight is in addition to Lin Fei's debut in the Knicks, and the effect of Kobe Bryant and Da Yao teaming up.

There is also a predetermined hit show, and Charles Barkley will make good on his promise to kiss the skin drum of a little female donkey in front of the fans in front of the fans.

As tonight's live commentators, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith were also ready backstage in advance, and 10 minutes before the start of the game, they officially performed the performance of the little mother ~ donkey skin drum.

"Haha, although Charles loves to talk about cannons, he really dares to say and do, I'm convinced!"

"3 years ago, it was because Da Yao kissed the female donkey skin drum, and now it is because Lin wants to kiss the female donkey skin drum, and it is still performing at the game site, it seems that Charles is destined to be planted in the hands of the players of the Celestial Empire!"

"I also watched the live broadcast of the final of the World Championships at that time, who would have thought that with such a huge advantage, Mi Guo Mengqi could still be killed by Lin?"

"For Lin's century-old half-time three-point kill, Charles's live performance of his mother's donkey skin drum can be regarded as an alternative tribute, right?"

"Haha, I can't wait to witness the love between Charles and the she-donkey!"

In the midst of the discussions of the fans at the scene, Erin Andrews, a beautiful ESPN reporter on the sidelines, also took the initiative to interview Lin Fei:

"Lin, what do you think of Charles Barkley's next performance of kissing the little donkey? After all, without your magic three points at the World Championships, there would be no great show tonight! ”

Lin Fei shook his head and smiled, and said humorously into the microphone:

"It is a great honor to be able to witness the love between Charles and Donkey on the spot, and this opening match is destined to make the fans even more memorable because of Charles's performance!"

"If Charles and Kenny want to keep betting on tonight's match, I'd be more than welcome!"

As the lights in Madison Garden dimmed, a bright stage light hit the logo area in the center of the stadium from the roof of the stadium, and Chaplin's film score sounded mischievously.

The 20,000 fans at the scene and the Knicks and Lakers players standing on the sidelines were all smiling with their aunts on their faces, looking forward to Fliggy's next explosive performance.

As the bright light focused and moved, Kenny Smith led a gray-haired female donkey who was neither fat nor thin, and slowly walked out of the players' tunnel, and the little female donkey even had a big red flower tied around her neck.

It's like a mule in a movie from the Celestial Empire era with a daughter-in-law getting married.

Madison Garden Square burst into laughter, and then the little female donkey was led by Kenny Smith to the center circle of the court, and the bright light of the column hit the female donkey with precision.

"Dear ladies and gentlemen, I believe you will not forget the noble Sir Charles's talk in the TNT live broadcast room at the men's World Basketball Championship finals in early September!"

"Originally, I also didn't believe that the Celestial Empire men's basketball team could reverse the dream of the United States to win the championship, but Lin's supernatural three-point shot not only changed that game, but also contributed to tonight's performance!"

Amid the cheers and applause and heckling at the scene, Kenny Smith did not sell any more, and spoke aloud into the microphone in his hand:

"Next, we invite our dear Sir Charles to present his most sincere and passionate performance: the story of the flying pig and the little she-donkey!"

In the laughter of countless fans at the scene,

The pot-bellied Charles Barkley wore Lin Fei's Knicks No. 22 jersey and slowly walked out of the players' tunnel with a big belly.

When he walked to the sidelines, he came up and hugged Lin Fei, as if he had said something in Lin Fei's ear.

Then, under the focus of the strong light of the stage, he walked to the center of the court, stood in pairs with the little female donkey, and said loudly with the microphone in his hand:

"Ladies and gentlemen, I shouldn't be the only one who feels that this little female donkey has beautiful eyebrows, right? If a fan wants to give him a kiss instead of me, you can raise your hand right now! ”

Kenny Smith, who was standing on the side, smiled and replied: "Charles, this beautiful little female donkey only belongs to you, and we will never rob you!" ”

Driven by the atmosphere of the fans chanting "KISS", Barkley stared at his round eyes with an exaggerated expression, spread his hands and bent down, leaning sideways and raising his mouth.

The leather drum towards the little female donkey slowly greeted it......

The high-definition four-sided screen above the head also clearly captured the close-up shot of Barkley's kissing the skin drum of the little female donkey, and the scene was thunderous.

In the square outside the arena, tens of thousands of New Yorkers also gathered at this time, laughing and watching Charles Barkley's crazy performance.

"My, God, kissed, this time it was really kissed, haha, Charles Barkley, this guy can't live without a donkey for the rest of his life!"

"Why is this little she-donkey so docile? If it were a bull, it might have kicked the flying pig away with just one hoof, right? Then the plot is good-looking! ”

"If Barkley really fights this donkey, I don't know who will win!"

"This she-donkey must weigh at least four or five hundred pounds, right? Barkley at the peak of his combat power may be able to directly knock down this she-donkey with one punch, but now, I'm afraid Barkley is no longer an opponent! ”

"Haha, I don't think Charles's wife will let Fliggy touch her again for at least 1 year, right?"

At this time, the LOGO area of the court, the center of the beam focus, before Barkley could get up after kissing, the little female donkey seemed to be frightened, took two steps forward in a panic, and then directly burst out of a crisp fart.

"Poof!"

The rich smell hit his face, impartially, and sprayed directly on Barkley's face.

Buckley's expression seemed to freeze, and his eyes were round and his mouth was pursed, which was extremely exaggerated.

The Lakers and Knicks players on the sidelines watched it really, and they all couldn't stand up with a straight smile, and the little female donkey's fart was completely a precise response after being teased by Barkley.

Kenny Smith immediately trotted up to meet him, gloating and handing the microphone to Barkley's eyes, with a smile on his face, eager to interview him about his feelings at this time:

"OMG, Charles, I haven't had time to ask you what it tastes like to kiss the little female donkey's skin drum, and I can't help but want to ask you what it feels like for the little female donkey to fart!"

Barkley's frozen expression lasted for a few more seconds, and he sniffed and stared at Kenny Smith, unable to hide his murderous eyes:

"Kenny, this is amazing, I highly recommend you try it too!"

In the uncontrollable laughter of the fans at the scene, Charles Barkley looked at Lin Fei on the sidelines, and said with a little provocation:

"Lin, my performance is over, I hope you won't drop the chain next!"

"If you don't get 50 points tonight, neither I nor the little donkey will accept it!"

The beam hit Lin Fei's face on the sidelines, Lin Fei picked up the microphone handed by Andrews and said with a smile:

"Charles, I'll score 60 points tonight, can you partner with your little donkey to perform again?"

Lin Fei's rhetorical question pushed the embarrassing problem back to Barkley, and in the cheers of the fans at the scene, Barkley spread his hands and smiled:

"If you really get 60+ tonight, I can promise to treat you to a fragrant roasted donkey leg after the game!"

Kenny Smith glared at Barkley with an exaggerated expression, and pretended to be shocked: "Charles, the little female donkey is so cute, you actually want to eat it?" ”

"But then again, can you give me a little bit too?"

With Ross Barkley's pre-match performance coming to a successful conclusion, the atmosphere at Madison Square Square was brought to a climax, and the two TNT gold medal commentators returned to the commentary stage.

In addition to the two on-site commentators, Patrick Ewing, the former king of New York, also sat in front of the commentary podium, as a guest commentator, and Barkley and Smith jointly commented on tonight's Knicks vs Lakers focus opener.

The time soon came to seven o'clock in the evening, and at the referee's whistle, the game officially began.

The starting five on the New York Knicks' side are:

Point Guard (PG): Stephen Marbury,

Scoring Guard (SG): Lin Fei,

Small Forward (SF): Trevor Ariza,

Power Forward (PF): David Lee,

Center (C): Eddie Curry.

The starting five on the Los Angeles Lakers' side are:

Point Guard (PG): Derek Fisher,

Shooting Guard (SG): Kobe Bryant,

Small Forward (SF): Luke Wharton,

Power Forward (PF): Al Jefferson,

Center (C): Da Yao.

In the offseason, the Lakers not only traded Odom from the Rockets for Da Yao to form the Yao Ke combination, but also re-traded the old Derrick Fisher.

And in a trade dominated by Famar, Turiaf and first-round picks, he got power forward Al Jefferson from the Boston Celtics.

The Lakers roster in the new season can be described as a major change, and like the Knicks, it will also take a long time to run-in, and it remains to be seen how strong the team can really play.

Sitting in the Lakers' sideline head coach's seat, "Zen Master" Phil Jackson has a calm demeanor, obviously much higher than Isaiah Thomas.

Tens of millions of Tianchao fans have been waiting in front of the TV for a long time, waiting for the game to begin, and after a long four-month offseason, the new season has finally arrived.

"Is Barkley going to laugh at me? I can't look at this guy in the face anymore, and when I see him, I think of a donkey! ”

"Barkley is working so hard, Phineas should indeed play well tonight, at least not a 50+?"

"In the Timberwolves and Heat before, Lin Fei's right to shoot was restricted, and now he is the boss of the Knicks, can he let go of the game? You'll have to do it 25 times tonight, right? ”

(End of chapter)