Because he was facing an ancient god, Edison was extremely cautious.
"Hello David, I'm mainly looking for you for one thing. Do you think it's possible for Elton Brand to leave the Clippers and come to the Magic?" Edison knew that when talking to such a cunning person, it's best to be direct and don't talk.
Make twists and turns, and don’t say a word if you can finish it in one word. Because you can’t play tricks on them, and you may get yourself into trouble if you’re not careful, and going straight can reduce their room for deception. (ps: This point also applies to
As a college student who has just stepped out of school, you won’t be able to outsmart your colleagues when you first start playing scheming, so don’t look into lurking in the office or anything like that. Just go straight and keep things simple. If you are simple, they can only be simple to you. Just wait and see.
It took me 1 or 2 years to start learning how to deceive people.)
"Elton, let me think about it..." The other end of the phone fell into silence as he spoke, and "ta-da" came from the receiver from time to time, as if Falk was tapping the receiver while thinking.
A full minute passed, and Falk still didn't reply to Edison. If it weren't for the sound of breathing coming from the receiver, Edison would have thought the call had been interrupted.
"This old guy started fishing, but I'm not that easy to take the bait." Edison said secretly, and then he broke the silence, "Mr. Falk, are you still listening to the phone?"
"Oh, Paul, I'm listening, and I'm still thinking about the possibility of Brand leaving Los Angeles."
"Seeing that you have been thinking about it for so long without any results, then this matter must be difficult to handle. If it really doesn't work, forget it. In fact, I am just asking, and I don't have any special ideas." Edison took retreat as an opportunity to advance.
"In fact, it's not difficult, but it may be very troublesome. You know Brand is now the team's number one, the 'captain' in everyone's mouth. Both head coach Dunleavy and manager Elgin Baylor think highly of him.
He regards him as the hope for the future, and the team owner Sterling is also very satisfied with him, so it is not easy to get him." Falk did not change in any way because of Edison's attitude, and his speaking speed was still slow.
Yes, it seems that what he is talking about has nothing to do with him, as if he is talking about the dog next door.
Although Falk said a lot, Edison grasped the key point sharply.
"When you say it's not easy, you mean that the Clippers won't let go, not that Brand won't come?" Edison was once bitten by a snake and was afraid of well ropes for ten years.
"That's right."
"Let me see... Mr. Falk, I hope Brand comes to Orlando. I think the two of us should be traveling together now."
"Haha, Paul, I think Brand is pretty good in Los Angeles."
"Los Angeles is good, but the Los Angeles Clippers are not a good choice. There is no reputation, no achievements, no exposure, and no higher contract."
When Falk heard this, he narrowed his eyes and said, "Haha, Paul, what you said is very interesting, please continue."
"Mr. Falk, based on Brand's current performance, how big a contract can he get when he renews his contract?" Edison did not follow Falk's idea, but asked a question. He knew
He couldn't just say it himself, he also needed to listen to Falk's words and then analyze his true thoughts from his words.
"The league's maximum salary is 20 million." Falk's tone was very firm.
In fact, after Edison asked this question, he knew that he was stupid. If you ask Falke how much contract his players should be given, aren't you waiting to be fooled? You must know that this old man made the whole world believe it.
Danny Ferry is the second Larry Bird. The Clippers selected him with the second pick, and then the Cavaliers gave him a 10-year guaranteed contract, which will last until retirement...
"Maybe, but if it were me, it would be between 70 million and 80 million in five years. With his current situation, it is impossible to give him 20 million." Edison counterattacked calmly, and what he said was exactly
Later, when Brand renewed his contract, the Clippers offered 70 million, but the 76ers offered 80 million. In the end, the captain made the eastward move.
"Impossible, you paid too little."
"It's a lot less. I think you have a good idea. If you insist on saying 20 million, I can't do anything about it. But it makes no sense for us to continue arguing about this issue. Maybe we should find some more constructive topics."
"For example..."
"How can Brand get a bigger contract? According to me, it really reaches 20 million, and according to you, it is more than 20 million."
"continue."
"For a player, the size of the contract he can sign is seven points based on strength and three points based on reputation. Now that Brand has strength, what he lacks is fame, and the Clippers will never be able to give him this."
At this point, Edison completely let go and began to elaborate on his views at length.
"If a player wants to gain fame, it is nothing more than exposure, or media attention. The more media attention and coverage, the more popular the player will be, and the easier it will be for the boss to give a big contract when signing a contract.
Fame is unfair in itself. Some places have inherent advantages. Los Angeles is a good city, the entertainment center and media core of the world. A city with millions of people has nearly a thousand newspapers and media. It is said that the players who play here
There is no lack of exposure. But unfortunately, in this city, many people only recognize one team, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Clippers will always be just a background, so in my eyes, it is better to go to other small cities
, at least there he will be the only representative of the city."
Edison knew this very well. One of the important reasons why Lin Xuanfeng could be so crazy later was that he was in New York. Any local report could spread across the United States. This was unmatched by other cities. If he was in New York,
In a small city, no one cares about him.
"Since the city cannot have a positive impact on the team, let's look at other aspects. Results, teams with good results, and teams that go further in the playoffs will of course attract more attention from the media and fans.
But it's a pity that the Clippers are not a strong team. It was ten years ago that they last entered the playoffs. And their boss is very stingy, so the team continues to lose talents, not to mention the recent ones.
It’s Bobby Simmons, the league’s most improved player last season. The Clippers’ owner was reluctant to give him a contract with an annual salary of 8 million. So I don’t think such a team can achieve any decent results in the future. Maybe every year
Making a run at the playoffs is their biggest pursuit."
"The last thing is playing style. Those who play well and please the fans can easily get big contracts. No matter you have a gorgeous and unrestrained playing style, breakthrough assists are like an antelope hanging its horns, making people unpredictable, just like Hardaway, White
The kind of chocolate; he still started out by dunking, and only scored ten points in a game, but every one of them was thunderous and impressive, just like Kemp. But it is a pity that neither of them is compatible with Brand, he can only memorize
He turns around and scores with a hook shot, rushes to the free throw line and makes a layup or a direct mid-range shot. Although it is very efficient, it has no sensory impact at all. The current audience does not like such players."
"With no geographical advantage, his playing style is not attractive, and the team's record is poor, how can such a player sign a maximum salary contract. But it's different when he comes to Orlando. Although Orlando is a small city,
The population and city size are not comparable to New York, Chicago and Houston, but the media attention of the Magic is definitely among the top three in the league. The number of reporters who come to interview and take pictures at every game is the most in the league." Edison's absolute persuasion is not enough.
, then cited an astonishing statistic, "Next season, the number of Magic games broadcast nationwide will reach 39, including 30 home games. This number is the first in the league, far ahead of the second-ranked Heat. And soon
As for boats, they only have a measly 13 games, which is only one-third of ours. So although we are a small city, our exposure rate is definitely not low.”….
Listening to Edison talking about the relationship between the Magic and the media in a slightly arrogant tone, Falk did not feel that he was bragging. Indeed, as he said, the Magic's current exposure rate is really the first in the league. Originally, this team
The game is very passionate, with one attack every 8 seconds. The game is full of high-speed advancement and various quick attacks. In addition, there are 5 or 6 alley-oops and 20 dunks in one game. It is really eye-catching.
It has to be exciting. Therefore, in the selection conducted by ESPN last season, the Magic was the most popular team among neutral audiences.
The team itself has already attracted the enthusiasm of the broadcasters, but this is not over yet. With Edison's continuous personal explosion, he has staged many good shows at home in a season, constantly expanding the attraction of the Water House Center, and making the team more attractive.
The audience couldn't stop. There was even a time when the ratings during halftime of a Magic home game would be higher than the game, because some people would turn to the channel at this time to see if there was any entertainment performance by Edison. Therefore, it is said that the broadcast of the Magic home game now comes with an advertising contract.
They are all different from others. They are all the work of Edison alone.
"Except the media..."
"As for personal style and team performance, I won't bother you anymore. I think Brand can also show off his skills in the city of lobs. And with your current configuration, at least it will be a team in the second round of the Eastern Conference.
, and even reaching the finals is possible. So Brand is also indispensable for attention." David Falk interrupted Edison and took over the conversation.
"Yes, so coming to Orlando will definitely increase Brand's attention, and he can sign a more generous contract in the future. And I heard that Brand has always wanted to return to the East."
"Sounds good. I think I can talk to Brand. I think it won't be a big problem. Just wait for my reply."
"Then do it as soon as possible."
After hanging up the phone, Edison let out a sigh of relief and drank a glass of water. "After talking so much, my voice is almost hoarse."
After David Falke on the other side hung up the phone, he squinted and tapped on the table, thinking carefully about the conversation between Edison and him. After a long time, David Falke snapped his fingers, and a look appeared on his face.
With a knowing smile, he said, "Boy, I have figured out your plan, but you are right. The Magic are indeed much better than the Clippers, and Brand's future will be brighter, so I will accompany you."
