"It's me. I think you know why I'm calling you.”
Auerbach was very satisfied that Barkley recognized him with just two sentences.
"Wish me a merry Christmas in advance? Or did he want to ask if there were any fun strip clubs in Houston?”After the initial surprise, Barkley also regained his composure.
He could guess why Auerbach called him. There were already rumors on the Rockets.
The team's management no longer had any hope for the current squad, thinking that they were too old and too slow.
They decided to tear down the lineup and start rebuilding.
Olajuwon was the team spirit, and Drexler was the hero of the championship, so it was naturally impossible for them to be targeted.
Barkley, who still had the strength to fight and was still quite popular, naturally became their first target.
"Charles, if you want to continue being such a bastard, I'll hang up the phone immediately!”
" I called you purely out of respect," Auerbach said, a little annoyed." Out of respect for a veteran and a top star player in the league.”
"Top star player?" " Then I think you've dialed the wrong number, sir," Barkley said with a smile." You should have called Charles Barkley from three years ago."”
"So Barkley has become a weak, incompetent, and self-destructive trash? Then I really called the wrong person.”" Hmph!" Auerbach snorted." I thought that warrior who only rests after death was still alive."”
Hearing his own words, Barkley's eyes lit up again. He said seriously,""Mr. Auerbach, just tell me what you want.”
"Come to Boston, let's do something big together!”Auerbach went straight to the point.
"Something big? Playing as a reserve for your precious rookies? Although I quite like Linlong, as for the substitute, forget it. He'll play as a substitute in Houston!" Barkley rejected Auerbach. He was already 35 years old, and he was long past the age where he could eat anything he wanted.
"If you're not a substitute, I can guarantee you a starting position and enough playing time, including a tactical position! I'm calling you because I really respect a warrior and a great player. Charles, you know that my comeback is definitely not for some low-level thing like the playoffs!”
Auerbach deliberately paused to attract Barkley's curiosity before continuing,"
"Champion! My goal is to be the champion. Otherwise, I will never come back. I am confident that I can create a championship lineup this year! We need you. We need a real superstar and veteran. As long as you agree, I'll do everything I can to bring you to Boston!”
Auerbach could clearly hear Barkley panting on the other end of the phone.
The words 'championship' were too tempting for Barkley.
If it weren't for the fact that Boston's current lineup was a little too lousy, Barkley might have agreed directly.
After a long silence, Barkley finally said,""You give me respect, and I'll give you trust! Starting lineup, playing time, tactical position! If you can do it, I'm willing to change teams again!”
Barkley did not mention the championship.
He had become much more realistic and no longer trusted blindly.
He agreed to Auerbach because the Rockets wanted him to play as a substitute, which had crossed his bottom line.
And…Barkley really liked Linlong!
He felt that Linlong could inherit his mantle!
At Barkley's age, he would always have a desire to teach these young people and bring him forward.
Auerbach hung up the phone in satisfaction and called the manager's office of the Houston Rockets.
"Deal!”
At the same time, Auerbach walked out of the office and called Linlong, who was training, to follow him in.
When Antoine Walker saw this scene, he immediately guessed what had happened.
"Looks like after today, I won't have to see this detestable Asian again! I wonder who will replace him to assist me? Could it be Ji De? Or Mutumbo?"
Walker thought happily. He had more strength in his shots.
In the office, Auerbach asked Linlong to sit down and said calmly,""The team may be welcoming some big changes recently. Your role in the team will also change. Can you accept it?”
Lin Long shrugged." As long as I can play basketball, I don't care what I do. Blue collar? Dirty and tiring work? I don't care. I'll do everything the team wants me to do.”
"Come on, kid." Auerbach laughed." It's just the two of us here. Let's get straight to the point!" Tell me what you're thinking, and I'll tell you what I'm thinking! I can tell you clearly that you are very important! You are the player I value the most. In my heart, you are the most important person after Larry! You are the core figure who can rebuild the Boston Dynasty. So, speak your heart.”
Linlong's heart pounded uncontrollably.
The most important person after Larry Bird!
Anyone would be excited by these words.
"I'm telling the truth!" Linlong said. I'm willing to do everything for the team. As long as he could play! I'm willing to do anything, and I can do anything!”
"Then, what about playing small forward? Are you willing to play outside?"
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