thefictionvixens Chapter 10: New Contract Negotiations, Playoffs Begin!
Chapter 10: New Contract Negotiations, Playoffs Begin!
(Correction Notice: For those who are following the story, I have made a small change here. The ten-day short contract for the main character has been replaced with a two-way contract.)
"I think Wu Qian is today's MVP!"
Curry smiled and answered without hesitation.
"boom!"
"Click..."
Reporters around him quickly jotted down the sentence; the hype surrounding tonight's game was already off the charts.
If you add Curry's caption, the traffic will explode!
The reporter quickly followed up, "MVP? But it's obvious, you're the MVP of this game, 51 points in the playoffs!"
Curry chuckled. "If it weren't for Wu's game-tying three-pointer, we'd be on vacation by now, wouldn't we?"
"You know what? With those last 8.6 seconds left, I was already making plans for my offseason!"
"But Wu sank that incredible and unbelievable game-tying three-pointer; without him, there would have been no victory!"
"Wu deserves the MVP award for this match!"
The reporters in the audience got their answers and were satisfied.
Another viral headline!
Another reporter stood up immediately after Curry answered, asking, "Stephen, given Wu's performance in this game, will the team choose to give him a guaranteed contract immediately?"
The latter didn't mince words either; as the team's star player, his remarks were also very important.
"Wu is a very good player! And it's obvious that his performance today would have made him worthy of being signed by most teams!"
"Of course, the team has its own plans, and whether or not to sign a player is a decision for the team's management."
Although Curry is the star player, he is also a leader who is focused and serious about playing basketball.
He won't interfere with the team's operations.
A few minutes later, Wu Qian also sat down in the interview seat.
"Wu, congratulations on your first game! You scored 15 points and had 2 steals in just five minutes, shooting 5-for-5. How much annual salary do you think you deserve?"
The reporter came up to them without any politeness.
In their eyes, there are no star players, only news headlines.
"I'm sorry, I can't answer your question. My value doesn't depend on me, but on what the team believes I can deliver!"
Wu Qian's answer was watertight, and he also spoke fairly fluent Chinese.
To stay in the NBA and play, besides excellent skills, learning American English is essential.
Otherwise, if they can't even understand the tactics and communication, wouldn't standing on the field disrupt the team's chemistry?
In the playoffs, the most terrifying thing is not failing to score points, nor is it having a weak defense.
Rather, you disrupted the team's chemistry, affecting not only one person but the entire team.
The teaching assistant beside Wu Qian, who was about to translate for him, raised an eyebrow slightly as he listened to Wu's fluent and indiscriminate answers.
This progress...
Is it that fast?
This is naturally the result of hard work.
First and foremost, language is the first stepping stone to unlock the door.
Wu Qian already had a good foundation, and he studied English diligently. In addition, he was an English tour guide in his previous life. The combination of these two factors is why he speaks fluent English.
When the reporter didn't get the answer they wanted, they began to change the subject.
"Wu, Curry praised you as the MVP of this game. Without your three-pointer, the team wouldn't have had a chance to make the playoffs!"
A suggestive answer, once answered, could become a blockbuster selling point.
This is what a journalist is like!
Wu Qian shook his head: "No! Stephen is the MVP of this game. He scored 51 points, accounting for more than a third of the team's points."
"And it's not that we can't win without me, it's that we can't do without any one of our team members!"
"Dream Chaser scored 11 points; without his 11 points, we still wouldn't have won!"
"Rooney only scored 3 points, but without his seven rebounds, we might not have had overtime!"
"Therefore, the victory is not the achievement of one person, but the result of the team's collective effort!"
As a player from China, Wu Qian naturally had these kinds of impressive words to say.
The reporter was naturally disappointed and did not get the answer they wanted.
They'd rather have a rookie deliver an incredible performance and declare himself MVP.
pity......
Of course, the reporter's questions did not end there.
"That incredible game-tying three-pointer you made today will likely be one of the top ten plays of the year. Did you anticipate that before you took the shot?"
Wu Qian smiled, and although his smile was hidden behind a mask, his joy was still evident.
"I don't think anyone could be certain of scoring from a shot like that, but... I was lucky, and the ball went in!"
Cole, standing beside Wu Qian, had a slight flicker in his eyes upon hearing Wu Qian's words.
Luck?
The scene from this morning replayed in his mind, that three-pointer that pierced the entire court...
Was it really just luck?
As Cole looked at Wu Qian's face, the admiration in his eyes deepened.
The reporter's harassment was far from over.
"As a two-way contract player, your performance today absolutely deserves a standard contract from the Warriors!"
"What level of salary do you think the team will promise you for next season?"
"You'll be playing for free for every game from now on! If the team's promises don't satisfy you, will you play seriously for the team to win, or for your personal stats?"
After today's match, almost no one would think that Wu Qian didn't get any playing time.
Five minutes and fifteen points, especially considering the Warriors' current injury-plagued team.
Given this situation, Kerr would never deny him a chance!
"I'm sorry, I can't answer your question. On the court, I just want to do my best, that's all!"
Wu Qian is currently only a two-way contract player.
In other seasons, players on two-way contracts wouldn't even have a chance to make the playoff or playoff roster.
However, due to the impact of masks this season, players on two-way contracts will not only avoid the team's luxury tax threshold, but will also be able to make the team's playoff roster.
However, the salaries of players on two-way contracts are calculated up to the last game of the regular season. Regardless of their performance in the play-in tournament or playoffs, they do not receive any salary.
In addition to the cumulative bonus for major playoff wins, there is also a meal allowance for away games.
There was no other income!
"If other teams show interest in you after the playoffs..."
The reporters wanted to continue asking questions, but were interrupted by a sudden voice.
"Hey, listen, my players are tired! Let's call this a day!"
Cole's appearance promptly interrupted the reporter's attempt to get to the bottom of things.
Wu Qian also took the opportunity to flee the scene, receiving new instructions before leaving.
"Wu, Miles wants to talk to you!"
Miles, the current general manager of the Warriors.
Myers was instrumental in facilitating the Durant trade and was a key figure in the Warriors' two championships!
"good!"
Datong Center, General Manager's Office.
"Knock knock..."
"Please come in!"
Miles saw the person approaching and immediately flashed his signature smile.
"Wu, you were fantastic tonight!"
"Oh, thank you!"
"Come, please sit down!"
A freshly brewed cup of coffee was placed in front of Wu Qian.
"Wu, I've called you to discuss the contract issue for next season!"
Miles had a smile on his face.
Wu Qian took a small sip of coffee, nodded, and did not speak.
At this point in time, it's highly likely that the only thing being done is to stabilize the situation.
After all, he only played one game, and although he performed well, it may just be a flash in the pan.
Moreover, it's currently the playoffs, so there's no way to resolve the contract issue.
At the very least, the transaction channel must be opened before a formal contract can be signed.
as predicted,
"Wu, I can't give you a definite answer right now regarding the size of your contract for next season."
"But don't worry, the team will definitely give you a satisfactory contract after all the games are over!"
Miles's words were simple.
There's no way to provide a contract right now, and you can't prove that your product isn't counterfeit.
The lessons learned from Wiseman are still fresh in our minds…
If you perform well after the team's season ends, you'll have a guaranteed contract.
Poor performance...
We'll just have to see how things go!
Miles had assumed that Wu Qian would ask him to make some kind of verbal promise, and if necessary, he wouldn't mind making a verbal promise to appease the young man.
A verbal promise is not a contract!
But the young man opposite him was unusually calm, simply nodding in response.
"Manager Myers, I understand the team. Contracts should be judged by on-court performance!"
Wu Qian was very pleased to see this attitude.
It would be great to discuss salary with him after the series is over!
After all, he only has one goal now: to win the next playoff game and average 20+ points per game.
Not only can you advance to the second stage of the system, but you can also have a proper discussion about salary.
Miles raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised that Wu Qian was so agreeable, and quickly stood up with a smile.
"I'm really looking forward to your next performance! You've had a long day, you can go home and rest now!"
That statement was quite accurate, but Wu Qian still felt exhausted.
Although he only played for five minutes, even in the second overtime when both sides were out of options, the defensive intensity was still very high.
Five minutes of that intensity is even greater than ten minutes of playoff games in China!
The two are not even in the same league.
He started his shooting practice at 4:09 a.m. today, but he was exhausted.
"Okay, Manager Miles."
........
At the same time, a Chinese TikTok app.
[A young Chinese player made all five of his three-point attempts, scoring 15 points with extremely high efficiency! He even made Morant cry!]
[A young Chinese player sinks an incredible game-tying three-pointer at the buzzer, a shoo-in for one of the NBA's top ten plays of the year! Leading his team to a comeback victory against the Grizzlies]
[Shocking! Chinese basketball players can also deliver dominant performances in the NBA, even making Dillon cry!]
[Leading the team to the playoffs, the future face of Chinese basketball! The Warriors have promised a lucrative contract, potentially worth tens of millions annually!]
Each outrageous headline, accompanied by an incredible surge in traffic, instantly became the hottest topic on the platform.
"That was truly amazing! If I had scored, I could brag about it for the rest of my life! A last-minute equalizer + an incredible play + the best goal of the entire match—greatness needs no further explanation!"
"Another blowout? Take him away and test him to see if he's been doping. Let him have another chance when he's defenseless; he can still score against my Red Stone!"
"Exactly, he just got a few open three-pointers for free, and they're hyping him up like this? He'd beat the GOAT to a pulp!"
"What are you bragging about?"
"Goat? You mean the crab roe from the Eight Steps of the Sky?"
Of course, behind the hype lies the pessimism of countless fans.
Many believe it will be nothing more than a flash in the pan!
Wu Qian, far away in the United States, was unaware of these comments and continued his training without wavering.
After all, although they successfully overcame the Grizzlies and entered the playoffs as the eighth seed in the Western Conference, but...
That year, the top team in the Western Conference was the Utah Jazz!
The Utah Jazz boast a star-studded roster, with future Cavaliers legend Donovan Mitchell and this year's Defensive Player of the Year, French tower Gobert.
It has both inside and outside!
Of course, two positions are just average.
But this year's Jazz are a championship team!
Mike Conley is a versatile player who can organize, shoot, and remain calm.
He was consistently overshadowed by Curry, Thompson, Harden, and others in the Western Conference, missing out on the All-Star game for fourteen consecutive years.
He is considered the strongest non-All-Star player.
But in the 21st season, he was selected as an All-Star!
Also, there's Sixth Man of the Year Clarkson, white shooter Joe Ingles, Bojan Bogdanovic...
Compared to the Warriors, their roster depth is simply a game-changer!
The Warriors' key perimeter scorers, Thompson, Oubre, and even Damian Lee, are all unavailable...
What's even more difficult is that the Utah Jazz's home arena is consistently ranked among the most intimidating home courts for NBA players!
Not only because it's the second tallest arena in the NBA, where players on flat ground are prone to altitude sickness!
It's also because of the design of the home stadium!
The stadium is designed with a dome-shaped acoustic design, which makes it difficult for sound waves to dissipate from the venue.
In addition, given its size and capacity of 18,000 people, the boos from the fans can reach over 110 decibels in the players' ears at any moment!
In practical terms, 110 decibels means car horns blaring in your ears and helicopters buzzing overhead...
The volume reached a terrifying level!
Kobe once airballed three shots from here!
Westbrook got into a fight with fans after being insulted by unsportsmanlike players; even Michael Jordan had a meltdown here...
The Warriors just had a fierce battle with the Grizzlies, and they still have a full day of games to play today...
"Winning will be very difficult!"
Wu Qian shook his head, refusing to think about it.
So what if they're strong?
In 21, the Clippers, without Leonard, still managed to win four straight games. Anything is possible!
"Practice!"
The team has to travel to the Utah Jazz's home arena, Salt Lake City, today.
The later a team is confirmed for the playoffs, the less time it has to rest and adjust!
There was only a one-day interval in between.
The following day, at the Winet Smart Home Stadium.
Atlanta, TNT headquarters studio.
"Hey fatso, the Warriors vs. Jazz game is about to start, the players are warming up, same old routine, who's your pick?"
Shaquille O'Neal lay comfortably on the sofa, his tone relaxed but with a hint of fatigue.
This is the fourth match they've commentated on today!
Although it was only 7:30 a.m. local time in Salt Lake City, it was almost 10 p.m. in Atlanta!
"Ugly duckling, I guarantee Mitchell can score 30 points against the Warriors, and Gobert can make them cry for their mothers!"
"Beep!"
Barkley pressed the red switch in front of him, and the studio turned red.
"Really? Have you forgotten that the Warriors have a Chinese player who put on a phenomenal performance!"
"You fatso, that was just a flash in the pan!"
"If that Chinese player can score another fifteen points against the Jazz on that hellish high-altitude plateau, I'll kiss a donkey's ass!"