Chapter 520: This is just a prank
If LeBron James was the happiest person, then Kevin Durant was the second happiest. Although he and Yang Mo weren't directly competing for the top spot in the league, Yang Mo had at least dealt him a beating before. If he didn't stand up and show off now, how could he justify the frustration he had felt back then?
"I think Yang made the right decision. He has so many assets and he obviously has greater talent in movies. He should go into the entertainment industry instead of staying in the NBA. In addition, I think those who claim that he can surpass Michael Jordan are just kidding. No one in the world can surpass Michael. If there really is one, then it can only be LeBron James!"
Kevin Durant's words are equivalent to tying himself and LeBron James to the same chariot. They have a common enemy, that is Yang Mo.
Taking advantage of Yang Mo's retirement, they banded together and acted arrogantly, which made Yang Mo very unhappy. It also caused some fans to dislike them. Some fans even shouted: Why didn't you dare to say anything when Super Yang beat you?
These sarcasms were obviously of no use to them because they knew that Yang Mo had retired and would never come back, so they were fearless.
By then, the Knicks had finally lost Game 5 48-108. Their incompetence had successfully underscored Yang Mo's greatness, a score achieved even after the Celtics had deliberately held back. Had the Celtics maintained their high-intensity defense and not subbed out their starting players, the result would likely have been 150-20, or even worse.
After watching this game, the Knicks couldn't help but miss Super Yang even more. When they had Yang Mo, they already knew his greatness. But only after losing him did they realize his incredible greatness. And now, this great player has announced his retirement. For Knicks fans, this is more cruel than a daydream—at least a daydream is just a dream. But what happened to them was a stark loss and then a loss.
At this time, the New York Financial Times reported a strange news. They found that a group of mysterious accounts were constantly absorbing MSG stocks that retail investors had run away from, and this group of accounts obviously pointed to the same company... Baofeng Entertainment Agency.
This news quickly sparked widespread discussion, and as the discussion intensified, Lu Xueman grew restless. She feared others would learn of her intentions and manipulate the price, driving up MSG's stock price. After all, the shares they had already acquired, combined with those they had already acquired, were still barely enough to surpass those of the Dolans, making it impossible for them to seize the initiative.
Soon, some people linked this behavior to Yang Mo's inexplicable retirement. It was immediately understood that Yang Mo was using this injury to gain control of MSG. This idea instantly reversed the grief of the New York people. The New Yorkers didn't care who would ultimately become the majority shareholder of MSG. They just wanted Yang Mo to continue playing for the Knicks. As for business matters, they were indifferent.
New York fans were unconcerned, but James was a bit panicked. He had thought Yang Mo had truly retired, but it turned out to be a shady ploy. Feeling manipulated, he immediately criticized Yang Mo: "What Yang did was so unjust. He resorted to such . I think the league's top brass should intervene. How can the same person be allowed to be both a player and an owner? It's unfair."
James threw a hot potato to the league's top brass, but they ignored it completely. They were initially concerned about the huge losses Yang Mo's retirement would cause the NBA, but now, with a sudden turn of events, they've learned that Yang Mo wants to become a team owner. They won't stop him; they might even secretly support him. After all, if they want to expand the NBA's global business, they must rely on Yang Mo. He's not only the league's most influential but also its most powerful superstar.
The league officially supports Yang Mo, and New Yorkers support her even more. All New Yorkers who hold MSG shares almost automatically sell their stocks. They know that this will cause them to suffer certain economic losses, but compared to leaving behind a city hero, they are of course more willing to accept the latter.
So, on the seventh day, Lu Xueman completed her reversal of control. That afternoon, she convened a board meeting and decisively announced her appointment as chairman, leaving James Dolan with no right to object. Ultimately, the two engaged in a lengthy negotiation after the board meeting, ultimately leading Lu Xueman to acquire all of his shares at a price below market value. From then on, James Dolan, who had once controlled half of New York sports, was completely eliminated.
The next day, MSG's stock price soared. On the third day, MSG announced that it would sell the Rangers and all non-basketball-related businesses, leaving only the New York Knicks and Madison Square Garden, cashing in nearly a billion dollars.
After cutting most of its businesses, MSG's stock price did not fall, but continued to rise because they had confidence in the Knicks and believed that the Knicks had the ability and strength to reach new heights and achieve glory.
Finally, on Lu Xueman's fifth day at MSG, Yang Mo was discharged and interviewed by reporters. He said that everything Lu Xueman announced before was just a prank, a belated April Fool's joke on everyone.
Although this prank was very unkind, it still made all New Yorkers laugh. They liked the happy feeling and even more the pleasure of regaining what they had lost.
The US government was clearly confused and intervened in the investigation. However, the results showed that everything was in line with the normal laws of the financial market, because Lu Xueman was a very meticulous person and there was no way anyone could find any evidence against her.
Soon, Lu Xueman, as the new head of MSG, made a series of appointments. First, she promoted Isaiah Thomas to the position of president of the Knicks, concurrently serving as general manager. Furthermore, Stein became the primary head coach, while Larry Brown, who had recently resigned from the Jazz, became the secondary head coach. John Stockton and Karl Malone became assistant coaches.
Yang Mo made a quick decision. He signed Isaiah Thomas and Jeffries to long-term contracts, along with Tony Allen and Turiaf. As for the others, they were either not renewed or put on the trade table. Yang Mo's goal was clear: he wanted to build a team of tough guys, not cowards who would cower in the face of difficulties.
"The Knicks will compete for the championship next season, and we have about an 80% chance of winning. But right now, I need to recruit some help," Yang Mo said directly from the TNT live broadcast station. "I hope the players who join the Knicks are men who are eager to win. We don't need cowards who run away from the battlefield. So... if you want to win a championship, you crave victory, welcome to join the Knicks. This will be the best choice for you to build a brilliant career."
Yang Mo put the advertisement on TNT, and actually he said it during the live broadcast of the finals. TNT TV station had no objection to this. In fact, they had spent more than five million in remuneration to invite Yang Mo to the show, and they also established the rule that Yang Mo would not be restricted in what he said.
"Super Yang, the long offseason has arrived. What activities will you have?" Charles Barkley, who finally saw Yang Mo in the live studio, couldn't help but get excited. His words trembled. This was his idol.
"I will make two or three movies, and at the same time I will attend some business activities." Yang Mo replied with a smile. He also knew that Charles Barkley was his fan.
"Will you improve your basketball skills?" asked Kenny Smith on the side. Kenny Smith used to be a staunch hater of Yang, but after being slapped in the face by Barkley again and again, his attitude became much more low-key, and he even seemed to be turning from a hater to a fan.
"I will improve my mid-range shooting. I hope that next season I can be truly invincible." Yang Mo said lightly, his tone still so domineering.
At this time, Kenny Smith did not dare to say that Yang Mo was arrogant anymore, not only because Yang Mo was sitting next to him, but more because he had fulfilled all the arrogant words Yang Mo had said before, and this was the basis for his arrogance.
"How far do you think you are from Michael Jordan now?" Charles Barkley asked his inner thoughts. As a person who has been suppressed by Jordan all his life, he, like Stockton and others, is looking forward to Yang Mo surpassing Jordan and becoming the new generation of basketball god.
"Six championship rings." Yang Mo raised his empty fingers, looking very confident.
"I believe you can achieve it, come on!" Charles Barkley said excitedly, as if he was going to win the championship.
At this point, host Collins finally spoke up. He felt that if he didn't speak up, Charles Barkley would turn the entire broadcast into a personal interview with Yang Mo. While fans might not have much of a problem with this, considering it was Yang Mo's television debut, it was still a Finals game, right? They had to show some respect to the players on both teams .
"Yang, you have played against both teams in the finals. Who do you think has a better chance of winning?" Collins asked, finally bringing the question back to the game.
"Although I have defeated both teams before, I still prefer the Lakers. The Celtics have encountered a lot of resistance in the East, and they are no longer as physically strong as the Lakers." Yang Mo said simply.
