Philadelphia International Airport.

The date is April 3, 2006.

The 2005-2006 NBA regular season is less than 15 days away.

The members of the Philadelphia 76ers stepped out of the plane, all looking exhausted, and many yawned as they walked into the long connecting corridor.

Another away trip, after spending half a year in the NBA, Chen Mu gradually adapted to such a rhythm of life.

Over the course of the season, flying back and forth, competing in games across the United States, sometimes facing brutal back-to-backs, and even a few teams going back-to-back triples due to scheduling issues.

This long season has a great drain on the players' physical fitness, and Chen Mu has the impression that since playing basketball, he has never experienced such a long continuous game.

But all this will be over in 15 days.

Although the record has improved by leaps and bounds after the All-Star break, the 76ers have too many "debts" before.

As things stand, the 76ers theoretically have the potential to catch up with the Bucks, but only if the Bucks can only win one game at most.

And the 76ers must not lose a game.

After having the Australian champion Bogut, the Bucks' inside and outside strength has become stronger and more balanced, with Mike Reed, TJ Ford, Bobby Simmons, and Margloyle, and the Bucks' starting lineup has both offense and defense.

On the bench, the Bucks also have a number of talented players such as Mo Williams, Chalibel and Joe Smith, and their record in the second half of the season is also amazing.

The most critical thing is that the last game of the season is the 76ers at home against the Bucks.

If the Bucks had won more than two games before that, or if the 76ers had lost a few games, would they have to go all out to win this last regular season game?

The whole team is thinking about this.

For Chen Mu, whether to play in the playoffs or not, although it is a matter of glory, is not a fatal matter. At least at the beginning of his career, it doesn't make much sense whether or not to make a luxury round trip to the playoffs.

Because this summer, Chen Mu still has two very important things to do.

The first thing is that it will be held in China in September, and as a member of the Chinese youth men's basketball team, Chen Mu is bound to participate in the U18 Asian Youth Championship.

In the last competition, the Chinese team missed a great opportunity to win three consecutive championships, and did not even enter the finals.

According to the previous training and warm-up games, Chen Mu was likely to sit at the end of the bench and wave a towel, but during the training in the United States, he suddenly stood out and came to the NBA for development, which made Chen Mu's reputation in China rise all of a sudden.

All fans are looking forward to whether this power forward, who has already played in the NBA at a young age, can show absolute dominance when he returns to Asian basketball.

This expectation is both a motivation and a pressure.

"If I don't win the championship, I'll probably be torn to pieces by the domestic fans......"

As soon as he thought of this, Chen Mu was both excited and apprehensive.

He knows very well that after half a season of experience in the NBA, his strength has undergone earth-shaking changes, and with his current technical and physical condition, he will definitely be able to block and kill the Buddha and kill the gods when he returns to the Asian youth arena.

But looking at the team list, except for Chen Mu and Chen Jianghua, the rest of the players have less kung fu with the ball, even if Chen Mu's own ball holding level is half-hanging, the standing strategy is okay, and the dribble will be exposed.

In recent years, the level of Asian men's basketball has been greatly improved, and South Korea, Iran, and Japan all have good strength. In particular, the outside players' ball-holding attack and three-point ability are even stronger than the Chinese team.

As an inside player, Chen Mu is very aware of the importance of outside strength. If the team's outside line can't hand the ball to their own hands, even if they incarnate Yao Ming, they can't cover the sky with one hand.

This trip to the Asian Youth Championships can be said to be Chen Mu's battle for his reputation in China, if he can lead the team to win and win beautiful data, his reputation in China will definitely go to a new level.

In addition to the Asian Youth Championships, there is another thing, which is also the top priority of Chen Mu this summer.

"Billikin, what are you telling me to talk about......?"

Returning to the center of the team with doubts in his heart, Cheeks announced that he would take a half-day break, Chen Mu said goodbye to his teammates, and agreed with Iguodala to meet in the equipment room the next morning, and then walked to the office of team manager and president Billy King.

"Please come in."

Chen Mu knocked on the door, Billy King's trademark nonchalant voice rang out, and he walked into the room, where a TV was playing ESPN's analysis program.

“…… There are a lot of big fish this offseason, the 2003 Super Platinum Generation's contract extension issues, Ben Wallace of the Year Defensive Player, All-Star center Magloyer, Mavericks Jet Terry ......"

NBA expert Bill Simmons spoke eloquently, and a detailed list of free agents, restricted free agents, and even a number of stars with unexpired contracts but player options appeared on the screen.

"A few young men in 03, if nothing else, they should stay in the team, after all, the team is building a squad with them as the core, and staying in the team can get the highest contract treatment, no matter what aspect you consider, staying in the team is the most correct choice."

"But other free agents are not necessarily, some of them are good, some of them have great potential, but they have not yet reached the level of the core of the team, and it is very difficult to get the maximum salary. If you test the free agent market, you may be able to go to a team with more development prospects, and when the contract amount is about the same, you may be able to stimulate more energy in a different place. ”

As he spoke, Bill Simmons drew a pen on the list in front of him and continued: "For example, the 76ers' undrafted rookie Chen, HOHO, this kid does have incredible energy. Averaging two doubles per game, firepower on the offensive end, and almost no defense at all, haha, who do you think of? ”

The answer is no one! No NBA player in my database started his career in this way, no! ”

Simmons's statement was extremely dramatic, as if he was talking about a historical epic, and he slapped the table excitedly and said: "Big guys, young people, excellent physical fitness, strong rebounders, how would a coach ask for this kind of player?" ”

"Defend! You kid don't want to attack with the ball, go up and defend for me! ”

Imitating the angry appearance of NBA coaches on the sidelines, Simmons' performance made both Chen Mu and Billy King chuckle.

"Remember Tyson Chandler's rookie season? Kenyon Martin? Dwight? Or even Kevin Garnett? In their rookie season, they ran around the court like deer, patching up defenses everywhere, wiping the butts of star players, sending shocking hot pots, and rarely singled with the ball. ”

"And what about the Chinese kids? He's shooting with the ball! Oh my God, I've never seen such a strange player, maybe he's spent a lot of time with Webb, he's a freak who can pass the ball! ”

"I can't predict what kind of player he's going to become, but I can be sure that as long as there are no major injuries, this kid will definitely be another guy who will change the definition of the power forward position, there's no doubt about that! As for the defensive end, at least he's in good shape, isn't he? ”

"Mr. Cheeks, if you happen to be watching our show, or Mr. Billykin, if you see the show too."

Simmons turned his head to look at the camera, as if he was talking to Billy King across the TV, and said seriously, "Keep this kid!" If the boss disagrees, go ahead and move the board. If the board disagrees, call all the shareholders and convince them! ”

"If you're a 76ers fan, write to the team, email them, call them. Let them do whatever it takes to keep this kid! If this kid had gone to LeBron's side, or Dwight's side, would you dare to imagine his anger when he returned to Philadelphia? In the next five years, no, ten years, ten years, you don't want to break out of the east! ”

"Remember the battle for revenge after leaving the Suns? This kid is a beast! So Mr. Billikin, keep him, as long as the starting salary does not exceed 10 million, I think it will be worth it! ”

Simmons was still talking, but the TV was turned off by Billikin.

That's right, in the past period of time, especially in the second half of the season, Chen Mu's birth has attracted the attention of the whole league.

In fact, like Chen Mu, there are not many players in the history of the NBA who have gone from being undrafted players who are not cared about to suddenly bursting into the light and playing a Cinderella-like fairy tale performance on a certain team.

But most of those players have one trait:

They've got their bodies and their skills set, they've got a killer in a certain way, and they've just met the right team for them, so they can shine.

But Chen Mu is different, his technical flaws can be seen by a fan, but his age and potential, as well as the eye-catching Chinese market behind him, are so eye-catching.

Doing his best to keep Chen Mu is not a difficult choice for a team manager to decide.

"I don't like you."

After a long silence, Billikin spoke, "You and I are well aware of this. ”

Chen Mu did not respond, judging from Billikin's attitude towards himself all along, this manager seems to have some kind of prejudice against him.

"But business is business."

Saying this NBA golden sentence, Billy King stood up and handed a document to Chen Mu, and then Gu Zi walked to the window and said: "We have a big problem with the salary structure, Mashburn's contract is still counted on our head, and now there are a total of 30 million contracts in the team, and Chris's contract is almost 20 million." ”

"Samuel, McCouch, McGee, three guys who weren't playing for us at all, took a total of $20 million from me this year. The rest of the players are all below the middle class base salary or rookie contracts. ”

"At the end of the season, Salmons' contract is expiring."

Turning around, Billikin looked at Chen Mu, without a trace of expression on his face, and said indifferently: "You have also seen the documents, the meaning of the shareholders is very clear, they want to praise you as the Yao of Philadelphia, whether you have the strength or not, I have to do what they want, match any offer and leave you behind." ”

"Theoretically, the season isn't over yet, I shouldn't have a contract renewal conversation with you, and if the league finds out, we're all in trouble. The reason why I asked you to come here is to let you see the confidence that shareholders have in you. The second is to hope that you can live up to their expectations and play a performance that is in line with your own value. Third......"

A treacherous brilliance flashed in Billkin's eyes, and he hesitated for a moment and continued: "Our draft pick this year will not be too good, and there are no particularly attractive good seedlings participating in the draft. But the year after that, in 2007, if we could take Greg, or Kevin Durant, or even Horford......"

"The 76ers will rise again!"

The meaning of Billikin's words was very clear, but Chen Mu didn't want to argue with this guy more, and he had already made up his mind in his heart that he would continue to fight according to his own ideas no matter what.

Isn't basketball all about having fun and winning?

Putting down the papers, Chen Mu got up and said goodbye to Billy King, and when he walked to the door, he turned around as if he remembered something, and wondered: "Mr. Jin, can you tell me why you don't like me?" ”

Billikin was silent for a moment, raised his eyes to look at Chen Mu, a powerful desire for control erupted in his eyes, and he gritted his teeth slightly and said, "It's the same reason I don't like Aaron." ”

"Understood."

Chen Mu nodded, and then smiled slightly: "I like Philadelphia very much, and I like my current teammates, even if I don't like you, I am willing to stay, but ......"

Recalling Iverson and his boxing celebrations on the field, and the spirit of never admitting defeat that erupted in his small body, Chen Mu felt a surge of blood in his heart and continued: "I want to win, even if you match me with four passers-by to play, I will do my best to win!" Rotten? I can't accept it! ”

After saying these resounding words, Chen Mutou left Billikin's office without looking back, and slammed the door shut.

Inside, Billy King snorted coldly and looked down at the second page of the classified documents.

"Find the right moment to clean up Alan Iverson without causing resentment among the people of Philadelphia."

Time flies.

Fifteen days later, April 17, 2006, the Vacgiovia Center Arena.

The Philadelphia 76ers' final game of the season is about to begin.