June 4, Bay Area, San Francisco International Airport.

Zhang Yu and Stevens walked out of the airport side by side. Stevens was dragging a small suitcase. Zhang Yu was wearing sunglasses, but he was still recognized by passers-by. People kept saying hello to him, and he smiled and replied with a greeting.

Someone in the sea would shout "Let`go, Warriors" excitedly, and Zhang Yu also responded with a fist. It took the two of them a long time to complete this short journey.

Two days later, the Warriors and the Heat's finals were about to begin. Stevens was idle and came to the Bay Area to watch the finals. Zhang Yu came to greet him in person.

After walking out of the airport, Zhang Yu took Stevens to a business Mercedes-Benz parked on the side of the road. He opened the trunk. Stevens put his suitcase in, got into the co-pilot, fastened his seat belt, and said with a smile:

"The fans in the Bay Area are very enthusiastic."

Zhang Yu said proudly:

"It's not the first time you've been here. We have the best fans in the world! The day we advanced to the Western Conference Finals, the fans were really enthusiastic. At twelve o'clock in the middle of the night, they were still blocking outside the Oracle Center to celebrate, surrounding my car and not allowing me to leave. They had to give me speeches. There was no microphone. I shouted for ten minutes before they let me go."

But Stevens shook his head and said:

"Come on, the Bulldogs fans are the best fans in the world. NBA fans can't do it, they are not pure enough."

Zhang Yu did not refute, he nodded slightly:

"You're right. I still remember that after we won the championship for the first time, when we returned to school, all the students celebrated all night. My apartment was full of people. I was pulled to various parties all night and drank a lot of beer. Every student looked at me with admiration. I could never experience that atmosphere again... This time, the Bulldog won the championship, and you also became a hero of Butler University. What do you feel? Isn't it very pleasant?"

"It's a little bit, but the biggest feeling is that I was relieved. I finally won the championship and did not disappoint the expectations of all teachers and students in the school." Stevens shrugged and said softly.

In March 1, this year, the Bulldogs overcome all the difficulties and are invincible. Finally, after four years, they won the NCAA Championship again.

This also allowed Butler University to completely consolidate its status as a prestigious university. The Bulldogs are not only able to win the championship with Zhang Yu and Curry, nor are they short-lived. Even if Zhang Yu leaves, they will still be the champion.

Stevens' reputation reached its peak, and he became a famous young coach in the United States and received widespread praise from the industry.

Compared to Zhang Yu, who was in his twenties, the age when Stevens led the team to win the championship at the age of 37 is more easily accepted.

What's more, Stevens is a white man from the middle class of Indiana and has played college basketball. He has a handsome and gentle appearance. He is simply the most perfect college coach template and has won the love of many fans.

After the Bulldogs won the championship this time, many businesses even found Stevens and wanted him to be the spokesperson, but he declined.

He just wants to be his own coach and does not want to be involved in business endorsement.

...

Stevens sighed and then said:

"But the feeling of winning the championship is indeed different. When the Bulldogs didn't win the championship two years ago, NBA teams invited me to coach, but it gave me more of an attempt. But after the Bulldogs won the championship this year, more teams invited me to coach immediately, and their sincerity was much greater than before."

"It's a pity that I just invited Steve to the Warriors as the chief assistant coach last summer, otherwise you can come and help me..." Zhang Yu said regretfully.

Stevens glanced at Zhang Yu with contempt:

"Even if Steve Cole, I wouldn't come to the Warriors. I'll be the assistant coach for you if I don't do it. Why are you so proud of your face?"

"The Warriors are the defending champions! Can they be the same as those bottom teams?"

"Even if the Warriors are dynasty teams, the assistant coach is also an assistant coach. Unless you ask me to be the head coach of the Warriors, I will take office tomorrow."

"Ahem, forget it... After hearing what you said, you no longer plan to continue coaching the Bulldog?" Zhang Yu asked.

Stevens paused, nodded slightly, turned to look out the window, with a little reluctance in his eyes, but more of it was determined:

"The challenge of college basketball is too low, especially after you lead the team to win two consecutive championships, Butler University is famous throughout the United States, and it is no longer difficult to recruit students. Every year, it can recruit many talented high school students. As long as you don't know the truth, your grades cannot be bad. Just follow the steps and play. This is also the reason why many prestigious schools have been prosperous for decades..."

"But the NBA is different. NCAA is pure basketball. NBA is more like a business, but there are the strongest players in the world and the highest competitive level. No one knows who the next rising superstar is. Without a captain, even the Spurs will be blacklisted. It is difficult to win the NBA championship than in the NCAA. Every season is turbulent and unpredictable. Only such a game is interesting..."

"It's not difficult to win the NBA. I won the championship in three years after I came to the NBA." Zhang Yu said.

"..." Stevens was silent and said after a while, "You freak!"

Zhang Yu laughed proudly:

"Haha, okay, let's talk about the serious business. Which teams invite you to coach? Let's listen, I can give you some advice."

"If you don't ask, I plan to tell you and ask your opinions... mainly the three teams of Celtics, Suns and Nuggets, among which the Celtics have the greatest sincerity. The Suns and Nuggets just sent me an interview invitation." Stevens said.

"Celtics, Nuggets, Sun..." Zhang Yu murmured thoughtfully, "What do you think?"

Stevens said:

"What I want to coach the most is of course the Pacers, so there is no need to move, but the Pacers reached the Eastern Conference semifinals this year, and Vogel's coach position is very stable... I currently prefer to go to the Celtics. Danny Angie has come to Indiana to interview me several times. She is very sincere and promised that if I am willing to coach the Celtics, he will never interfere in my coaching and will build a team lineup according to my requirements."

"It sounds very good, what about the contract? What kind of contract is he willing to give you?" Zhang Yu asked.

"Danny Angie promised that as long as I take over the Celtics' coach position, the team and I will sign a six-year contract of at least 20 million." Stevens replied.

Zhang Yu nodded slowly:

"Danny Angie is really sincere. Six years is the longest period of a coaching contract. 20 million is not much, but it is also very good for a rookie head coach who has never coached an NBA team. It seems that he really believes that you can lead the Celtics to a revival."

Stevens snorted:

"What is a rookie coach? The NBA's tactics are much simpler than the NCAA. Give me a chance, and I will not do worse than you!"

"Is that?" Zhang Yu looked at Stevens with a smile, "You also said that the NBA is a business world. Those big-name stars will not obey you like college students. In the Bulldogs, everything is up to you, and all your instructions will be faithfully executed."

He paused and continued:

"But in the NBA, coaches are at the bottom of the ecological chain, and super stars are definitely above coaches. Some veteran players dare to unite to fight against the coach, and the management is pressing on it. You have to use whoever you want to use. After all, sometimes you can't buy tickets to win, but stars can sell tickets. Even if you can't play well for a few games, you may be dismissed. Are you sure, do you like this utilitarian environment?"

Stevens was silent for a moment and said:

"As long as Danny Angie's promise is counted, I can control the team and I have the confidence to achieve good results."

Zhang Yu smiled and said:

"Donovan is amazing enough? He accepted the invitation from the Magic in 2007. He only played with the Magic for 6 days, but gave up his salary of $5.5 million and returned to Florida to coach his "obedient child". Mike Montgomery coached Stanford for more than ten years and his winning rate in the NCAA reached an astonishing 70%. In 2004, Chris Mullin poached the Warriors and worked for two seasons, then went back in shame. Not to mention Rick Pitino, he went to the Celtics and also held the position of president. He did a mess. You think, when they came to the NBA, were they confident that they could lead the team to achieve good results?"

Stevens turned his head, looked up and down at Zhang Yu, and said:

"Why do you always pour cold water on me? You coach the Warriors, aren't you doing a good job?"

"Can that be the same? I am the Warriors boss. I have the final say on everything about the Warriors. It is easier than coaching the Bulldogs at the time." Zhang Yu said.

"..." Stevens was speechless and said for a while, "Then according to you, the NBA head coach is simply a hell-difficulty job. I should stay at Butler University, right?"

Zhang Yu tilted his head to look at the rearview mirror and said:

"Of course not. I just want you to have a clear understanding of the job of NBA head coach. Although I have never encountered these pressures, my coaching staff are all experienced. I am actually still conservative. Coaching is the most humble profession in the NBA. None of them, only those players who look at water dispensers have lower status than us, unless you are a very prestigious and experienced coach."

"But you are not. No matter how good your grades are in the NCAA, you are a rookie head coach when you go to the NBA. Danny Angie's promise may not be useful. He may be fired at any time... In short, if you want to come to the NBA, you have to be mentally prepared to take on everything, especially the Celtics are not able to do it now, and there will definitely be more and more losses. At that time, the first one for fans to scold you is you, and you will face a lot of pressure."

Stevens chuckled:

"Super pressure? What I am most afraid of is pressure. Those who don't know how to scold the ball. At worst, I will go back to Indiana and continue coaching the Bulldogs."

Zhang Yu praised:

"Very good, since that's the case, then go to the Celtics!"

"You think Celtics are my best choice, too?"

"No, the Nuggets are your best choice, but the Celtics have the greatest sincerity, so you can only go to the Celtics."

"Why?"

Zhang Yu explained slowly:

"The Nuggets are a small club. George Carl resigned. He lacked stars in the team and had no requirements for performance. His playing style is biased towards the team and was easier to control. However, the Celtics are a giant team that won the championship a few years ago. The boss, management, and fans have requirements for the results. It is impossible to play badly for too long. Moreover, in such a giant team, Danny Angie is not very effective in speaking. There are too many celebrities in the team history and the management is mixed. If you go to the Celtics, you must play quickly, otherwise Danny Angie will find it difficult to protect you."

Stevens nodded slightly, and Zhang Yu continued:

"But since Danny Angie is sincere, this opportunity cannot be missed. This is the first principle of the rookie head coach. You will never miss the opportunity to coach a team. Not to mention the Celtics, even the Kings and Timberwolves have to go if you have a chance."

"Okay, I understand. After the finals, I will contact Danny Angie and sign a contract with him."

"Yes, but you don't sign a six-year contract with the Celtics. If you sign a four-year contract, your annual salary will be about $4 million, otherwise you will suffer a loss. I got the news that Danny Angie should be planning a big deal. The Celtics' reconstruction speed will be very fast. You don't have to wait too long, and you should be able to achieve results." Zhang Yu said.

"I get it." Stevens nodded.

"Don't blame me for not reminding you that when the Warriors and the Celtics meet, I won't show mercy. Garnett's incident makes Stephen and the others hate the Celtics very much." Zhang Yu smiled.

Stevens snorted:

"I need your men to show mercy? A season is nothing more than playing two games. I will remember how many points you win me. I will return them all in the future!"

"Haha, okay, I'll wait!" Zhang Yu laughed, "But before that, I'll win a few championships first, hoping that the Celtics can reach the finals, but it's just a regular season match. It's so boring."

"You have been thinking long-term enough, so let's think about how to beat the Heat first. James is in a very hot state now. Have you thought about the tactics to deal with the Heat?" Stevens said.

At this time, Zhang Yu had already driven into the Glenview community. He slowed down and said:

"Of course, I will have a meeting with the coaching staff tonight, determine the tactics, and then let the team practice for two days... Do you have any suggestions?

Stevens raised his right hand and rubbed his chin:

"The Heat's tactics this year have changed a lot compared to last year, and your tactics have to be changed, but the Heat's tactics are too single and lack changes, so it is easy to restrain them. If I were you, I would first target Wade. He is now the Heat's biggest shortcoming!"


Chapter completed!