Michael Jordan announced his retirement 5 minutes after winning the FMVP. The sensation caused was not limited to the NBA, but was a major event in the entire world of sports.
Even the ongoing Football World Cup has to make way for Michael Jordan on this day.
Since the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Jordan has been the spokesperson for a widely watched sport.
The name Jordan is actually much bigger than basketball or the NBA. Jordan¡¯s global influence and commercial value, at least at this stage, can be said to be basically no athlete can see his back.
Looking only at the commercial value brought by influence, Jordan single-handedly turned Nike into a super sports brand that rivals Adidas and has even begun to surpass Adidas.
Starting from 2000, according to the agreement with Nike, Jordan gave up Air Jordan¡¯s voting rights and operational participation rights, and turned profit dividends into sales dividends.
In 2000, Jordan's sales dividend was more than 56 million U.S. dollars. Last year, due to the 911 terrorist attacks, it dropped to less than 40 million U.S. dollars. Last year, Christmas, a large-scale promotional holiday, saw bleak sales But returning to normal will happen sooner or later, and it is inevitable. will keep rising.
Before the 1980s, the popularity of basketball around the world was quite limited. If Irving, Barry, Malone, Magic, Big Bird, etc. are the cornerstones of modern basketball, then Jordan is the real one who transformed basketball. The competition turned into a world-class favorite.
This achievement is very similar to the fact that the head of state likes to play basketball and makes basketball one of the mainstream sports
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On June 16, 2002, the 39-year-old Jordan won the Finals MVP, breaking the historical record of the oldest Finals MVP held by Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. The previous one was 38 years and two months before Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, but Jordan postponed it. At 39 years and 4 months.
By the way, at the age of 39, he scored 42 points in the finals, setting a record for the oldest person to score 40+ points in a single game in the finals and playoffs.
After winning FMVP, Jordan chose to retire, ending his career perfectly.
Both things were very sudden. Although Zhang Hao only averaged 26 points per game, his overall performance was definitely better.
It¡¯s just that, judging from the situation in the finals, without Jordan, there is a high probability that the Sonics will not be able to beat the Bulls.
Jordan chose to retire after winning the FMVP, which annihilated some comments that questioned who the FMVP should be.
Jordan¡¯s retirement this time is extremely legendary. Public opinion generally believes that it is more legendary than his retirement after three consecutive championships in 1993.
Some comments also emerged at this time. Some media speculated that Jordan retired because he did not want to see Zhang Hao win three consecutive championships and maintain the achievement of "the only three consecutive championships in the modern basketball era".
But there are many people who refute this statement, because even if he wins three consecutive championships, Zhang Hao will not be able to win three consecutive FMVPs. The second Jordan has already taken it. The 40-year-old Jordan will most likely not get it, and it will not affect Zhang Hao's inability to win three consecutive FMVPs and the most important thing is, even if Zhang Hao completes three consecutive championships, Jordan is also one of the founders of the dynasty, and there is no reason to 'keep' it.
??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????Really can win three consecutive championships and get one of the FMVPs can only make Jordan's career brilliance continue to increase.
Who would say that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar¡¯s two championships at the age of 40 and 41 are not valuable?
Even if Jordan is not selected for the All-NBA Team this season, the 39-year-old Jordan is still regarded as one of the best shooting guards this season.
With the attention of sports fans around the world, on June 20, 2002, after participating in the SuperSonics' championship parade, Jordan officially confirmed his decision to retire announced on the night of the 16th through a press conference, and stated that he would never come back again. .
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This time Jordan retired, compared to the sudden end of his peak period in 1993, which confused the fans and panicked the NBA; compared with the frustration and unwillingness of the fans who were forced to retire in 1998, it is much more perfect.
When Jordan chooses to retire at this time, more people will send their blessings, and there will not be too much reluctance.
At this age and this way of retiring, I can¡¯t imagine how it could be better.
"The choice Jordan made at that time was very good, in all aspects, very good.
On June 21st, t.n.t Sports Channel produced a live show with Barkley as the host and Jordan as the guest.
After talking about some things, Barkley got to the point: "Michael, why don't you play for another year? With Akers, I think you can definitely win another three consecutive championships, so that you can surpass Magic." The number of championships."
Jordan crossed his legs arrogantly: "No, I don't want to be a substitute like some people and just get a championship ring."
Barkley exploded: "Who do you think got a championship? You have no idea how badly you were tortured by me that year?"
&nThe road to recruiting special players is bumpy, but in terms of reinforcing role players, business is booming with the coaching staff, with veterans and free agents coming for trial training every day.
The Sonics are quite competitive in the free market. For veterans, there is hope of winning the championship. Even without Jordan, the Sonics may be strengthened through the introduction of free agents or trades.
For free agents, the Sonics¡¯ space of more than $10 million is also very attractive.
Zhang Hao pays attention to these things every day and often goes to the office to communicate with the management and coaching staff. However, players with big contracts are very cautious. It doesn¡¯t matter if they are rebuilding the team, they can just try their best to recruit people.
But they are the two consecutive defending champions, and except for Jordan's retirement, the core lineup has basically been maintained.
?This requires more caution.
Zhang Hao is not in a hurry, the free market has just begun
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After a busy day, accepting interviews, and following the coaching staff to select free agents and veterans for trial training, Zhang Hao was finally free in the afternoon.
When I got home, April, Britney, and Little Loli made dinner together. We had guests tonight.
Zhang Hao greeted warmly: "Oh, Sam, are you back from your trip?"
Cassel responded with a bright smile. He knew that even in private, Zhang Hao could not have this enthusiasm for everyone.
Cassel ignored the word ¡®travel¡¯ and responded: ¡°I went to test the free market and got an offer of 7 million annual salary. I came back and prepared to sign a contract.¡±
"Testing the free market? Didn't your wife Sasha say that you two would travel to South Africa together Forget it, just treat it as if you were traveling. 7 million is a bit low"
"That's almost it. My salary has never been high."
"" Zhang Hao was speechless. How did he feel that this guy just ran out and wandered around for a while, and then came back and said what he guessed about the salary that other teams could offer?
And maybe I guessed too low.
In the past two years, Cassel has received unprecedented exposure, and his strength has also been more recognized.
With his style of play, he is only 33 years old at the beginning of the new season, and his free market prospects are very good.
Zhang Hao has seen rumors that many teams want to introduce Cassel. The annual salary of US$7 million is basically the lowest price.
Looking at Cassel, Zhang Hao couldn't say, "Can you raise the price a little bit?" He could only ask, "Sam, how many years do you want to sign the contract?"
This time it was Cassel¡¯s turn to be stunned for a moment and responded: ¡°Can I still choose this?¡±
Zhang Hao tilted his head and nodded: "Okay."
Cassel was stunned, but he didn¡¯t ask any more questions. He thought about it and said, ¡°Three years, three years!¡±
Zhang Hao responded: "That's good. Three years later, in the summer of 2005, you will be 35 or less than 36 years old. With your playing style and your physical condition, you can probably still get a good contract."
It was said that Zhang Hao took out his cell phone and sent text messages to Larry Harris and Howard Schultz.
Soon, the two workaholics responded and agreed to the contract extension.
"Okay Sam, the contract extension is completed. They should talk to your agent tomorrow about the details, but they must retain your bird rights first and then renew your contract after the signing is completed."
"Is this enough?" Cassel felt so sloppy, a three-year contract with an annual salary of 7 million!
"Yes," Zhang Hao responded, put away his phone, and said to Cassel: "Stay for dinner tonight? If you want to stay, come and help. By the way, call Sasha."
Cassel, who has experienced the warmth and coldness of human kindness, is very good at troubleshooting and asked: "You have guests coming tonight, right? Will they disturb you?"
"No, Kobe comes to visit my house. He talks little, so don't worry. If you and Sasha come too, it will be more lively."
"Kobe? Are we going to bring in Kobe?"
Zhang Hao thought back to the two wonderful years of partnering with Jordan "I think so! I just have business to discuss with him"
I like to play basketball too much. What should I do if I am too powerful? What should I do to update the fastest. (Remember the website address: www.hlnovel.com