Chapter 267: Fighting in the Air

"Feilong, welcome back."

An hour later, Zhao Dong arrived at the Knicks headquarters. Owner James Dowland and the management were waiting for him. They were very happy to see Zhao Dong back.

"Feilong, take a look first."

Neil Grant invited Zhao Dong and Old Nelson to the office, introduced the current team's lineup, and asked Zhao Dong to express his views.

"OK."

Zhao Dong took over the lineup list and looked at it.

Inside: Ben Wallace, Danny Fortson, Barkley, Kevin Willis, Larry Johnson.

Outside line: Zhao Dong, Billups, Latrell Sprewell, Hu Weidong, Mobley, Charlie Ward, Rick Bronson.

"Some deals have only been negotiated and have not been completed, but generally there will be no changes." Grant said.

Zhao Dong nodded, this is the twelve-man roster for the new season.

"Charlie didn't leave?"

He asked when he saw Ward's name.

"There's no right deal."

Shrugging his shoulders, Grant said with a smile: "Rick Bronson is just making up the numbers. There are really no suitable players to trade. Larry Johnson cannot be traded, and the contract is in bad hands."

"Larry is still capable of averaging more than ten points per game, but his efficiency in the low post is a little lower, but he can still play as a substitute." Zhao Dong said.

As a low-post player, Larry Johnson's shooting percentage was only a little over 40%. In his peak period, his shooting percentage was over 50%. Now it has dropped by ten points.

He handed back the list and said with a smile: "As long as the league does not agree to let the postman go to the Lakers, our lineup will still be very competitive."

"As long as you agree." Grant said happily.

Then he added: "The madman has a bad personality. It's up to you to deal with this."

"give it to me."

Zhao Dong nodded, glanced at Old Nelson next to him, and said with a smile: "I will definitely not let him lock the coach's throat."

"Pfft!"

Grant laughed.

Old Nelson shook his head helplessly and laughed, and said: "I coached this young man before when I was with the Warriors. At that time, he was not so unruly."

Then he dropped the topic and said: "As for the inside, as far as I know, Ben Wallace has been practicing extra during the offseason. His strength has reached the top of the league. I believe it will not be better than Karl Malone at his peak. The upper body strength is poor.

In terms of defensive skills, he has been receiving coaching from Oakley this offseason. Pass-wise, I also asked him to keep it going. His condition and ability should steadily improve, and he has the potential to become our inside gate. At the same time, his passing ability in fast breaks will also improve. "

"I am a hard-working person." Zhao Dong nodded.

Last season, because of Ben's passing ability, he didn't play very well in the fast break, but he feels that he can't expect too much from Ben's passing ability this season. After all, he is not his talent. It depends on Billups.

Old Nelson continued: "Danny Fordson has also been practicing during the offseason, practicing the rebounding skills you taught him. He often goes to some wild courts to train his ability to observe the placement of rebounds. Then he and the big guys Ben trains defensive skills together. In terms of hard work, he is not inferior to Ben, but his temper is a bit grumpier.

His condition should generally be improved compared to last season. After another season of training, I believe he can still be used. "

Zhao Dong smiled and said: "As long as he can play 35 minutes and control fouls well, his rebounding will be very useful to us."

Nelson smiled and said: "Last season he could only reach 23 minutes. Recently I took a look at his rebounding skills. It is true that his actions are not as intense as before. The number of fouls will be controlled, and he should be able to reach it in 30 minutes.

Ben Wallace has no problem with 35 minutes. As long as Fordson can reach 30 minutes, our inside line is completely sufficient. Barkley, Kevin Willis, and Larry Johnson share the remaining 36 to 40 minutes, one against ten. In a few minutes, the quality will be more guaranteed. "

He then talked about the issue of Billups, saying: "I think this young man still has potential. Under your high pressure in the playoffs, his performance is better than in the regular season, which shows that his adaptability is still there. Yes, you can continue to cultivate it.

Feilong, after you control the number of Billu's shots, the problem of organization and your own offense has improved. This season you should continue to suppress his shots and let him focus more on organization. "

"I know how. This rookie has to continue to practice his shooting. By the way, has he practiced more during the offseason?" Zhao Dong asked.

"Additional training is still going on now."

Speaking of extra training, Nelson smiled and said: "Under your pressure, let alone the young people on our team, many young people in this league are doing extra training and want to improve their strength in the offseason.

Some of the players reported by the media include Allen Iverson, Kobe Bryant, Duncan, Marbury, and Ray Allen, all of whom were with you for one year, as well as Kevin Garnett, Vince Carter this year, and Mike Bibby. , there are news reports about additional training. "

Zhao Dong smiled and said: "I noticed that Jordan guy didn't go to Las Vegas for vacation?"

"Yes, he should be the one who trains the most in the offseason. At the age of 35, he can still train like this. His willpower is indeed rare. Even if his condition declines in the new season, it will not be too big. The Bulls Still one of our strong enemies," Nelson said.

"The Spurs, Bulls, Lakers, plus our Knicks, I think these are the top four in the new season. The championship will be produced among these four teams." Zhao Dongdao.

Grant nodded and said: "The lockout is still ongoing, and I don't know if the Jazz's black-and-white deal has been concluded. Which team these two go to will definitely have a chance to make that team a variable."

"It's possible." Zhao Dong smiled.

"Feilong, your boxing match with Tyson?"

After chatting for a long time, Grant became concerned about Zhao Dong again.

"Don't worry, Nair, the possibility of my injury is very small and it won't affect the new season." Zhao Dong assured.

He still has the reward for winning the Eastern Conference finals, a chance to recover from a serious injury, of course he is sure of it.

The next day, it was announced that Zhao Dong and Tyson were negotiating for a boxing match. During the lockout period, this should be one of the most explosive news related to the NBA.

Suddenly, countless media published headlines on the matter, and a large number of NBA players also came forward to express their opinions.

"I bet that Feilong fights Tyson just to get beaten." O'Neal came out immediately.

"I will go to the scene. If there is a handicap, I will place a bet. I will bet on Michael Tyson KO Feilong." Jordan got out of the training hall and accepted an interview with the outside media.

Some professional heavyweight world boxing champions have expressed their views on this matter, such as Holyfield, who defeated Tyson in 1996.

As a good friend of Tyson, when interviewed by the media, he said: "I am not optimistic about Feilong challenging Michael Tyson. He is a giant in front of Tyson, but his taller body will make him become Tyson's boxer." target.

He is indeed very fast, I am sure he can run faster than Tyson, but boxing is not about who can run faster, pure speed is useless.

His bench press data is definitely much higher than Tyson's, but the strength required for boxing is not absolute strength. That will only make his blows slow and stiff, causing his blows to continuously hit the air, and then in the air. Countless gaps will be revealed after hitting the air.

He has not even received professional boxing training. I don't know why he challenges Tyson. This is a stupid decision. "

Some media interviewed Zhao Dong on the phone and asked him if he had any response to Holyfield's words. Zhao Dong said: "I will KO Michael Tyson."

This sentence caused an uproar in the sports world and the professional boxing world.

Although Tyson's reputation plummeted after his comeback, his strength is still strong. In the eyes of professionals, Zhao Dong, a cross-border basketball player, is definitely not something that can be provoked.

Tyson had only been knocked out twice before. He bit his ear in 1997, and his second loss to Holyfield was not considered a KO.

The first time was when he was KOed by Douglas in 1990. In a boxing match in Tokyo, he was KOed after ten rounds. Douglas, who KOed Tyson, was trash and was incomparable with Tyson's strength.

Afterwards, some media broke the news that on the night before the boxing match, someone arranged many Japanese women for Tyson. Tyson failed to manage his crotch well, and then the biggest upset in boxing history occurred.

The second time he was KOed was by Holyfield in 1996. It was a technical knockout, also known as TKO.

These two KOs were actually not completely convincing.

Now a guy who plays basketball says he can KO Tyson. You can imagine the sensation.

"Arrogant!"

The former heavyweight hegemon and legend of professional boxing, George Foreman uttered this word when facing the media, and then did not bother to say a second sentence.

Heavyweight world boxing champion Lewis also accepted an interview with the media because of Zhao Dong's words, saying: "In the professional boxing world, especially the heavyweight boxing world, facing the top world boxing champion, even if Michael is gone now World title, but a Chinese should learn how to be humble.

I think Michael Tyson will use his most terrifying and devastating attacks to teach the Chinese how to be humble. "

"Humility? I hope Mr. Lewis can come in front of me and show his humility to me in person. That would make me very happy."

Zhao Dong immediately responded through the media.

Regarding Foreman's "arrogant" word, his response was: "If I KO Tyson, I hope Foreman can swallow this sentence back."

"I will go to the scene. I want to see with my own eyes how the arrogant Chinese man struggles under Tyson's punch." Lewis responded.

As for Forman, he did not respond to Zhao Dong's words, perhaps because he did not bother to respond at all.

But this was not considered intense. The most intense thing was Tyson's response.

Tyson was in New York. He was angered by Zhao Dong's words. When interviewed by the media, he said angrily: "He wants to KO me? He is just a piece of shit, a maggot that eats shit..."

In a fit of rage, he swore.

Tyson was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and grew up in a slum. He was expelled from high school and was no better than an illiterate. For him, swearing was a common occurrence. It was nothing at all. He just started talking.

When he was defeated by Holyfield in 1996, he swore harshly at his friend and some reporters. He even wanted to be rude to reporters, which ultimately led to him not being able to get a boxing license in every state in the United States.

For him, this was a normal thing, but not for Zhao Dong, and certainly not for Lindsay.

Wall Street, headquarters of Storm Investment Fund.

"President……"

One of Lindsay's assistants hurriedly knocked on the door of Lindsay's office and reported Tyson.

Lindsay was furious, how could she allow the person she loved most to be insulted by a prisoner using the most filthy language?

"Immediately arrange for someone to investigate everything about him. I want to get evidence that can send him to jail." She immediately issued the order, and her men immediately started taking action.

"Husband, don't have a boxing match with that guy, I'm going to send him to jail." She called Zhao Dong again.

"ah?"

Zhao Dong was training and no one told him about this. He was startled when he heard it.

Later, when Lindsay told the story, he was a little angry, but considering Tyson's background, he didn't find it strange. It is also common for swear words to be used in NBA games, so he advised:

"Forget it, don't get along with him, just teach him a lesson. Otherwise, I'll blow his head off in the ring and let you vent your anger?"

"Then I still have to collect his information. Next time I scold you, I will send him to the dock and let him be riddled with lawsuits for the rest of his life. I will make him bankrupt even if he pays legal fees." Lin Daodao.

"Okay, you figure it out." Zhao Dong laughed.

However, in a subsequent interview with Fox TV, he said angrily: "Michael Tyson, apologize to me immediately before the sun disappears, and be humble, otherwise I will blow your head off."

"Feilong, if you don't apologize, I will only KO you in the boxing ring." Tyson's response was more forceful and direct.

Frank Warren, who was sitting at the negotiating table, had a headache after receiving the news. I am still negotiating, why are you causing trouble?

In this boxing match, Zhao Dong actually took the initiative. Now there are no influential boxers willing to fight Tyson, and his negotiations are very difficult.

The appearance fee he paid Tyson was US$12 million, while Zhao Dong's team asked for double the appearance fee. This is the advantage of having the initiative. You are begging me to fight, not me begging you to fight.

"Mr. Frank, negotiations are terminated pending an apology from Michael Tyson," Wells said.

"What?" Warren was stunned.

"Please remember, Mr. Warren, Feilong doesn't need this boxing match at all, not at all." Wells said this coldly, and then left with the negotiation team.

Frank Warren immediately rushed back to Tyson's training gym to deal with the matter.

"Frank, there is no way I can apologize to him, otherwise I will lose face." Tyson shouted immediately when he saw Warren.

"Do you know his identity?" Warren shook his head and asked helplessly.

Tyson's momentum immediately dropped, like a deflated rubber ball, and he said helplessly: "The signature of the NBA, the owner of the Jets, the owner of Feilong Sports, a rich man."

"Not only is he rich, but you won't forget how he punished Karl Malone, right? Do you want him to punish you like that?" Warren asked.

"I……"

Frank Warren asked: "Is your face more important, or the boxing match? Do you know how much I spent on your boxing match? If you ruin this boxing match, who is responsible for my losses?"

Also, don’t you want to make a comeback? Or do you want to attend court hearings every day?

You touched a girl's butt yesterday. As long as his people find that girl, that girl will definitely be willing to become their witness, and then send you to the dock and jail, and squeeze a lot of money out of you. Also, if you had a fight with a security guard the day before yesterday, you might also end up in the dock.

There are countless things like this happening to you, don’t you have them in your heart? In the United States, you don’t need me to teach you who you can and cannot offend, right?

Michael, don’t think that because he is Chinese, he can abuse you at will. If he spends money at will, he can kill you.

You must learn to be humble in front of rich people. "

Tyson said angrily: "I just scolded him, and there is no other grudge. It is impossible for him to use these methods against me, right? Frank, you are too nervous!"

"He won't, but won't the people around him also? His wife controls an investment fund with an investment scale of up to 20 billion US dollars, and her every move affects the movement of hundreds of billions of dollars. She is now the top person on Wall Street in New York. Investor, do you think she will watch you insult her husband in the most filthy language? If she says a word, a large group of rich and powerful people will rush up to help her crush you to death."

Frank Warren said angrily.

Tyson was stunned. He didn't know this situation and murmured: "It turns out that Feilong is really a freeloader."

"Brainless guy, is this your focus?"

After hearing what Tyson said, Warren put his head in his hands and was completely speechless.

"I'm sorry. I just drank some wine and said some bastard words to Feilong. I now express my most sincere apology to him..."

An hour later, Tyson's apology appeared on a New York television news program and spread around the world.

"Bang bang bang bang bang..."

In the private training hall, Zhao Dong punched the heavy sandbag one punch after another.

After fighting for half an hour, we started training on air strikes again.

Air strike training is to practice boxing skills and is the most important part of boxing training.

"With Feilong's core strength being so strong, as long as his boxing skills reach a first-class level, his boxing power will definitely reach an incredible level."

"The latissimus dorsi muscles still need training, and his punch speed is not fast enough."

"His punching speed has reached the top level. If it is faster, the explosive power will be even more terrifying, making his punching power even greater."

"Now Feilong's maximum punching power has reached 542 pounds. If it is increased to 600 pounds, Tyson may not be able to withstand his punch."

"With Feilong's potential, it can be lifted to 600 pounds or even higher."

"As long as you fight hard, no one's head on this planet can withstand a 600-pound blow. It's hard to hold 500 pounds."

"Fist speed is not an issue, what he lacks now is precision."

"What is most lacking is the overall quality of boxing. He needs actual combat training now. His physical fitness is very strong. I have never seen him collapse from fatigue. Starting from tomorrow, arrange a twelve-round actual fight every day. Find more first-class players." The sparring boxers came over, and two of our sparring partners were injured."

"A first-class sparring fighter is a first-class boxer in his own right. Where can I hire one if I don't have connections? Then I need to ask Mr. Arum to find one."

"This is his job, let him know."

A group of trainers and coaches surrounding Zhao Dong were talking.

Negotiations between Zhao Dong and Tyson resumed. This time the negotiations were stopped, which had some impact on Frank Warren.

He was worried that if the NBA league lifted its suspension, the cross-border battle between Zhao Dong and Tyson would not be possible. In order to complete the game as soon as possible, he chose to make concessions in many aspects to speed up the negotiation process.

By the end of November, negotiations led by Frank Warren and Arum were finally completed.

Zhao Dong's appearance fee is US$24 million, twice that of Tyson.

In terms of other income, such as pay TV income, 60% of it is divided between Zhao Dong and Tyson in a ratio of 6:4.

The boxing match will be held in London, England, which is a third place for both Zhao Dong and Tyson, which is fair.

The game is scheduled for January 1, 1999, and Zhao Dong is not allowed to make a comeback in the NBA before then.