svetikya Chapter 69 3 PM, Calm and Still
Chapter 69 3 PM, Calm and Still
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2009年2月19日，下午14:50。
There are only ten minutes left until the NBA trade deadline.
The locker room was unusually quiet; even breathing was deliberately suppressed.
The only sound came from the television set on the wall, where ESPN's star reporter Woj was broadcasting the last-minute trades at his characteristically fast and nerve-wracking pace.
"The Sacramento Kings just traded away..."
"The Chicago Bulls are currently playing against..."
Every news report was like a heavy hammer blow, striking the nerves of every fringe player present.
In this ruthless business alliance, this is the countdown to trial.
Nate huddled in the corner, clutching his old Blackberry phone tightly in his hand.
His eyes were glued to the screen, as if afraid it would suddenly ring.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the locker room, Randolph, the tough guy who usually rampages around the paint and doesn't back down from anyone, was sitting nervously in his chair.
Although Li Xiangbei had already turned off his phone and thrown it into the cabinet, he still couldn't help but look back at the tightly closed cabinet door every few seconds.
He didn't even dare to look up at his teammates, his mind filled with images of himself wearing a Clippers jersey and being booed at Staples Center.
However, in the center of the locker room, the scene was completely different.
Li Xiangbei lay on the massage chair with a white towel covering his face. He showed no signs of tension and even swayed his legs casually to the rhythm of the music playing in his headphones.
His teammates secretly watched him, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
They knew that this "vote king" was not for sale and was the future of the team.
But his vacation-like attitude still evokes both envy and a bit of... awe.
He wasn't pretending to be asleep.
He genuinely doesn't care.
Because the outcome of the game is already decided.
……
Time passed second by second.
14:59:50.
14:59:55.
15: 00.
On the television, the suffocating reporter suddenly stopped speaking and made a final concluding gesture towards the camera.
"Alright, ladies and gentlemen, the trading deadline has arrived!"
"According to our latest information, the New York Knicks made no moves in the final hour. Yes, they retained their full pre-All-Star roster. No one left."
"call--"
At that moment, a unified cheer erupted in the locker room.
The camera zoomed in on Randolph.
His legs, which had been trembling, suddenly stopped.
This over two-meter-tall, 260-pound black fat man sat in the chair.
His eyes instantly reddened.
He rubbed his nose hard, trying to hide his disheveled state after surviving the ordeal.
This is not weakness; it is the lingering affection of an old man who has had enough of the cold stares during his wanderings, and his appreciation for the partnership between him and Li Xiangbei.
"Damn it...that scared the hell out of me..." Randolph muttered.
Nate jumped up, about to cheer and celebrate that he had saved his job.
"Quiet."
Li Xiangbei removed the towel from his face and sat up.
He merely glanced at Nate indifferently, his eyes devoid of joy, only displaying a sense of matter-of-fact calm.
Nate shut up immediately.
……
Just then, the locker room door was suddenly pushed open.
General Manager Donnie Walsh walked in.
Behind him followed head coach Mike D'Antoni, who looked stern, and his assistant coaching staff.
The locker room, which had just relaxed, instantly tensed up again, and everyone stood up abruptly like schoolchildren who had done something wrong.
Walsh looked around, his eyes sweeping over everyone before finally settling on Randolph and Li Xiangbei.
"Sit down, everyone."
"I know what you were worried about. I also know how much gossip is circulating outside."
He paused, his tone becoming serious.
"Listen, in order to keep this roster and give you guys a chance, I turned down a lot of tempting offers. I even argued with the owner about it, risking the team's future salary cap space."
So, don't make me regret it.
"From today onwards, there are no excuses. There is no 'adjustment period' or 'locker room conflicts.' If we don't play well, if we don't make the playoffs this season... believe me, no one in this room, including myself, will be spared."
This is a weighty military order.
The air grew heavy again, and the pressure weighed on everyone's hearts like a mountain.
Randolph's heart, which had just been at ease, was now in suspense again. He felt a heavy weight on his shoulders—the weight of responsibility.
……
Just when everyone was holding their breath, a soft laugh broke the silence.
Li Xiangbei stood up from the massage chair.
Donnie.
Li Xiangbei walked up to the general manager who held the power of life and death, his face bearing that signature, enigmatic smile.
"Don't look so sad. Wrinkles make you less handsome."
Walsh was taken aback, clearly not expecting this kid to still dare to joke at this time.
Li Xiangbei spoke in a relaxed tone, as if they were discussing dinner.
"Don't worry about the playoffs. It's not worth your time."
He leaned closer to Walsh, lowered his voice, but made sure everyone could hear him:
"You should have the marketing department start a meeting right now—to discuss how much to raise playoff ticket prices. After all, these guys are worth a different amount of money now."
This sentence instantly transformed that "pressure" into "the trouble of making money".
Walsh looked at the young man in front of him, and his tense lips finally relaxed.
"You brat..."
Walsh cursed, but his tone was affectionate.
"Get back to training. If you lose, I'll confiscate all your shoes."
Walsh turned and left, his back looking much more relaxed.
……
After the senior management left, order was restored in the locker room.
Li Xiangbei walked over to Randolph, who was still in a daze and had slightly red eyes.
He didn't hug her like in the movies, nor did he say anything cheesy like "I still love you."
That's something only women do.
He simply nudged Randolph's enormous sneakers with the tip of his foot.
"Hey, Zack."
Li Xiangbei's tone was as calm as if he were asking about the weather.
"I told you it was nothing, look at your pathetic self."
Randolph looked up at Li Xiangbei and suddenly felt an unusual sense of kinship.
I'm hungry.
Li Xiangbei touched his stomach.
"What should we eat tonight? I want the most expensive steak at that restaurant. Medium-rare, bone in."
Randolph sniffed hard, holding back his tears.
He grinned widely, revealing a set of pearly white teeth, and laughed like a 300-pound child.
"Eat! Eat the hell out! It's on me! All you can eat! Eat as much as you want! We can eat the whole place dry!"
Nate and his teammates gathered around, pushing and shoving each other and cheering.
Li Xiangbei walked at the front, followed by this group of thugs.
From this moment on, he was no longer just a super rookie; he was the absolute godfather of this team and the only faith of this group of scoundrels.