After defeating the Spurs, on the outskirts of Cleveland, there was a golf course called Lackey Country Club.
Lin Yu changed into a casual sports suit, and under the guidance of the waiter, stood on an open lawn, not far away from the sparkling Lake Erie.
In front of him was a figure much shorter than him. That was the Cavaliers' boss, Daniel Gilbert, who made his fortune in the online lending business.
"Lin, have you ever played golf?"
Dan Gilbert did not turn around, he just turned his head and looked at Lin Yu.
Lin Yu smiled silently and shook his head.
"Then I can only say that you should learn golf, especially after you get a big contract worth tens of millions of dollars. This little golf ball will help you open the door to the upper class society."
With that said, Dan Gilbert put the ball on the grass, swung it, and made it in one go.
Lin Yu didn't quite understand it, and he didn't have the time to study it now.
His sudden appearance at this golf course was an invitation from Dan Gilbert. Lin Yu was not sure why Dan Gilbert invited him, so he could only guess secretly.
Could it be that Dan Gilbert, a native of Detroit, doesn't have such a deep connection with James that he wants to talk to me to determine whether to trade James or me?
Shaking his head secretly, Lin Yu felt that it was unlikely.
"Well, it seems that you are not interested in this thing, so I won't waste your time. Let's get straight to the point. I came to you because I want to explain the team's decision to you as a team owner."
Lin Yu nodded slightly, and he probably understood that Dan Gilbert wanted to be both a man and a man.
However, he would like to hear what explanation Dan Gilbert, a Jew, can give.
"You may not know that before your game against the Spurs, probably in the morning, LeBron James, myself, his team, and the fan representatives brought in by his team met in my office."
"First of all, LeBron said that the differences between him and you are irreconcilable because the two of you are fighting for the ball..."
Lin Yu raised his right hand and interrupted Dan Gilbert: "Correction, Mr. Gilbert, the difference between LeBron and I is not about the ball rights. In fact, the ball rights I fought for were originally
It should belong to me."
"The established fact is that in the time when I was able to get the ball that I deserved, which was November and the first half of December, we had a great record, but after LeBron took those balls back, we
Then I started losing.”
Lin Yu didn't say much, he just explained why the difference between him and James was not about ball ownership. He knew that Dan Gilbert was also a smart man and knew very well what the real difference between him and LeBron was.
"I get it, Lin, but what I want to tell you is that LeBron showed me his attitude. The team must make a choice between you and him."
"I also want to tell you that I really want to choose you and send LeBron away in the trade, but the fan representatives brought by LeBron's team have very strongly expressed their attitude that they do not want to see LeBron leave Cleveland.
Leaving home."
Lin Yu nodded. He understood very well that even if he performed so well in the Cavaliers and led the team to win Cleveland's first trophy from the four major professional sports leagues, it would be difficult for him to get a higher reputation in the Cleveland area than LeBron.
Fan support.
Not to mention, the fan representatives who met with Dan Gilbert were brought in by James' team.
"Mr. Gilbert, I don't want to hear lies. I want to know why you want to choose me?"
Dan Gilbert smiled: "I'm from Detroit, I don't have the sense of regional glory that Cleveland people have, and you make me more money."
He turned around, asked the caddy for another golf ball, and then continued: "Actually, without the investment in the team from advertisers from China, it would be difficult for my industry to survive this very cold winter.
It’s holding on.”
Lin Yu also smiled. He understood what Dan Gilbert meant. The financial crisis in 2008 obviously affected Dan Gilbert, who mainly focused on lending business. However, the Chinese advertisers brought by Lin Yu
Bringing tens of millions of dollars in revenue to the Cavaliers every year.
This eased Dan Gilbert's crisis.
So, in fact, he hopes that the team can keep Lin Yu.
But after Lin Yu forced the palace, James got the news and decisively forced the palace, which left Dan Gilbert with no choice.
Lin Yu can also understand why Dan Gilbert chose James between money and James.
Because the way for sports clubs to survive is not the amount of investment from outside, but their foundation, and the foundation is the most important.
What is their foundation?
They are local fans, and for the Cavaliers, they are fans in the Cleveland area.
Even without doing any questionnaires, Detroit native and Jewish man Dan Gilbert knows very well that no matter how hard Lin Yu tries, his influence in the Cleveland area will not be higher than that of James.
For example, the Chicago Bulls naturally selected Derrick Rose with the No. 1 pick instead of Michael Beasley, the most promising offensive weapon in the draft and the perverted scorer in the NCAA.
Also, why do the New York Knicks keep Stephon Marbury, who is already bad and can no longer be bad, and why do they want to trade for Carmelo Anthony in the future?
Similar examples include Michael Jordan having had enough of the Charlotte Bobcats; the Rockets have always wanted to get Chris Bosh, although they have never been successful; the Lakers have wanted to get Kawhi Leonard, and Paul George has always wanted to
Returned to Los Angeles to play, but in the end, they all went to the Clippers...
The influence of local players in the local area is really too great.
Lin Yu nodded to express understanding.
Dan Gilbert smiled helplessly: "Having said so much, I just hope you can understand the team's decision. Next, the team will give you about half a month to perform well and win.
This will attract more interest.”
"If possible, I will also ask Danny (Ferry) to give you a chance to choose your next home."
Lin Yu continued to nod. If he could really choose his next club on his own, then Dan Gilbert would show him real respect, and Lin Yu would understand the Cavaliers' decision more.
However, compared with the time when he left the Celtics, Lin Yu was not too angry about leaving this time.
The reason is self-evident, and he himself feels that it is time for him to leave.
At the beginning, the Cavaliers felt that the combination between him and James was another OK combination with tacit understanding and close relationship.
After more than two months of regular season, everyone recognized the reality.
After leaving Laqiaobo Country Club, Lin Yu returned to the villa he rented in Cleveland. He had asked Amanda Gray to contact the landlord of the villa to prepare to cancel the lease.
At the same time, Danny Ferry also officially listed Lin Yu on the trading market and accepted price inquiries from all parties.