On June 26, 1998, at 16:00 in the afternoon, many fans were watching in front of the TV, waiting for today's "The Oprah Winfrey Show".
As the labor-management agreement was still in dispute, many media wanted to interview Michael Jordan to see his attitude.
In the end, the local media in Chicago once again took the lead.
Michael Jordan, dressed in a dark gray suit, looked in a good mood.
Perhaps Michael Jordan was still holding out hope that the Bulls could continue to chase the championship.
After waving to the audience in the studio, Michael Jordan triggered a cheer.
After he sat down, he found that there was another chair next to him:
"You invited other people today. It seems that I am no longer the protagonist!"
Michael Jordan joked with a smile, and shouts of "Michael Jordan" were heard in the studio again.
Even if he didn't win the championship this year, no one would blame him.
Moreover, Chicago fans are more supportive of Jordan.
They want to see revenge and everyone expects the Bulls to win the championship again.
Oprah, wearing a purple dress and with her hair tied up, smiled and waved her hand, signaling the crowd to be quiet, then said with a smile:
"The youngest Finals MVP, Clay-Lee! Mike, I hope you enjoy this show!"
Clay Lee, dressed in a black suit, also waved to the audience in the studio, which also caused cheers from everyone.
When he sat down next to Michael with a smile, the booing became even louder.
Michael Jordan rubbed his brow, turned his head and said to Oprah:
"You invited this little guy?"
Lee didn't care about Mike's words.
Instead, he said with a smile,
"This is a conversation between champions!"
The background of the studio is also very interesting.
On one side is the scene of Michael Jordan winning five championships, and on the other side is a photo of Clay Lee calmly raising a finger and pretending to be cool at the Delta Center Arena.
"Let's talk about this year's championship first. I witnessed the buzzer-beater with 0.9 seconds left. The United Center suddenly became very quiet!"
"Mike, tell us about your feelings at that time!"
Oprah was not polite either.
She came on stage and started to expose the scars with a smile.
Cheers also rang out from the studio.
Everyone loved to watch the fun.
Michael Jordan smiled and shook his head, then said seriously:
"I admit that I made a mistake. I should have grasped the time well and should not have left any chance for the opponent."
"That game changed the series, but I believe the Bulls still have a chance to come back, and we need to be nervous in the regular season."
"I don't want to make any excuses. Although the Bulls are no longer young, I think our understanding of the game is better, or to another level!"
Michael made a higher gesture, and the atmosphere group in the studio followed suit with applause.
There was nothing wrong with bragging about losing a game.
Noticing Lee smiling and shaking his head, Oprah quickly added fuel to the fire:
"Lee, it seems that you don't agree with Michael Jordan's point of view. Tell me what you think about that game!"
Seeing that Michael was still unconvinced, Lee didn't hesitate and said seriously,
"Competitive sports are very cruel. Not only do they require a competitive mentality and a strong will, but they also require sufficient physical strength."
"I want to thank the Indiana Pacers, and of course, they may also be grateful to me, after all, the Knicks eliminated the Bulls."
The atmosphere team in the studio saw Michael Jordan start to purse his lips and then started to cheer loudly.
"The fact is, the Bulls are too old, and the Knicks are younger. Maybe Jordan has reached another level, but I will use my abundant physical strength to bring him back to reality."
"Don't give me a chance, or I will win no matter how many times we fight!"
Everyone cheered and fanned the flames.
Michael Jordan tilted his head and responded without Oprah asking any questions:
"Your style of play lacks aggression and you shoot too many three-pointers. I watched the finals and if Karl Malone had made the free throws, it would have been hard to say whether we would have won the championship!"
The unlucky Malone was teased again, and everyone laughed.
After missing key free throws for two consecutive years, Malone became the object of everyone's ridicule during the offseason.
Although the media has recently started to talk about "what ifs", Lee doesn't care and continues to respond with a smile:
"But in the end I won the game, I won the championship, I don't care how many three-pointers I shot, anyway, I won!"
Noticing that Michael wanted to say something, Lee smiled and quickened his speech, teasing:
"What I want to say is that not every player has extraordinary talent like Michael Jordan!"
"Bang!" "Bang!"
"Continuously play low, then ignore the defense, quickly turn towards the baseline, complete the backhand in the air, and stick out your tongue easily!"
"Then keep your posture, watch your opponent fall, shoot calmly, and then the basketball falls into the basket, and pat the defender after landing!"
"Don't provoke Black Jesus!"
"NO! He is the only one in the league who plays like this. My style of play is more universal."
"I hope that young people will be inspired by this year's playoffs and realize that a three-pointer can kill a game as long as the ball goes into the basket!"
Lee imitated the expression of Michael Jordan, causing the atmosphere group in the studio to burst into laughter.
Michael Jordan smiled and shook his head, and immediately asked back:
"Listen, young players must maintain the ability to think independently!"
"50% three-point shooting percentage? Universal? Are you serious?"
Seeing that the two were still going to argue, Oprah covered her forehead in a pretentious manner and laughed and said:
"OK! Let's take a break and be back soon!"
"."
Friday afternoon's episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show left fans delighted.
The two of them did not give in to each other in the show, and their completely different basketball philosophies also made the spectators laugh.
After learning about Clay Lee's "superstar-standard childhood", Michael Jordan also expressed his wish:
"I want to win another championship!"
This is the first time Michael Jordan has made a public statement since Phil Jackson's departure.
Chicago fans were delighted.
They wanted to see the Bulls maintain their lineup and continue playing.
They wanted to see the sixth championship banner raised over the United Center.
Unfortunately, after this episode was broadcast, the media reporters who were watching the show did not get to interview the Bulls management.
It was obvious that the two sides had different ideas.
The Bulls owner still holds a negative attitude towards continuing to spend a lot of money to let Michael Jordan play.
During the show, everyone tacitly avoided talking about the labor-management agreement.
Michael Jordan will not accept a pay cut.
This is the will of the players' union.
As the most successful superstar, Michael Jordan must take the lead.
As the newly crowned FMVP, Clay Lee naturally wants a super maximum salary similar to that of Kevin Garnett.
The players are all in the same camp.
Everyone just wants to make a lot of money.
Limiting salaries and cutting salaries are all bad options and are the product of compromise.
After the show, there are of course dinners for social events.
The Drink, a fashionable nightclub that was just opened in downtown Chicago last year, has become the first choice for everyone.
It has a luxurious bar, a spacious dance floor, a private lounge and fancy cocktails.
After its opening, it attracted many celebrities.
The Bulls management staff were also there, and this was an opportunity for Michael Jordan to ease the relationship with the other side.
Although Nike's Mark Parker did not receive a promotion or a pay raise recently, the signing of Lee has also won him unanimous praise internally.
At this time, he was chatting happily with a professor from the University of Chicago Law School.
The black professor who likes basketball has always been a loyal fan of Michael Jordan.
"Let's listen to the opinions of experienced people, Lee, don't you want to go to law school? The University of Chicago is also a good choice!"
Mark Parker, holding a glass of wine, called out to Lee, tilted his head to indicate that he was going to the dance floor to have some fun, and asked him to accompany this enthusiastic fan.
The scene was not noisy, and the music was not as loud as in a black nightclub.
The law school professor, dressed casually, looked amiable and clinked glasses with Lee with a smile:
"I really want to see Michael's perfect farewell. To be honest, I watched Game 4 on TV and didn't eat for the whole day!"
"But I like to see different types of young stars grow. Lee, congratulations on winning the championship!"
When Lee saw this person, his memories started churning.
After clinking glasses, he also joked,
"Perhaps imperfection is a good thing. Maybe we can watch him play basketball again!"
As soon as the two finished talking, Michael Jordan, who was a little drunk, came over, put his arms around their shoulders and said loudly:
"Damn choice! Come play golf with me for a few days!"
It seemed that he had another falling out with the Bulls management, so Michael Jordan simply stopped thinking about it and decided to indulge in the world of golf.
Lee glanced at the Bulls players who were leaving the field behind him, and immediately realized something:
"No player can be above the management, not even the best player in history"
In the last few days of June, major sports media finally caught the eye of Michael Jordan.
At the Cagliari Country Golf Club in Lemont, Michael hosted a charity golf tournament, inviting friends and celebrities, but did not accept interviews for several days.
The blue sky, white clouds and green grass, the beautiful environment can really make people happy.
Lee, whose golf skills were terrible, played a supporting role the whole time, which made Michael Jordan very happy.
It seemed that he was in a good mood when he saw Lee's performance.
Charles Barkley, who was twitching and swinging throughout the game, became the happy pill for everyone.
In early June, the glide Drexler officially announced his retirement, and the old Big Three disbanded.
Considering Olajuwon's condition, Barkley might become a big player.
Unlike Lee who was just a cameo, Barkley came to Chicago mainly to recruit Pippen, the conscientious second-in-command.
Barkley, who also has poor golf skills, would chat with Lee, but he had no intention of joining the Knicks:
"I have no interest in playing with Oakley. He doesn't like me and I hate him too!"
Lee, who was just there to watch the show, adjusted the white hat on his head and sent his best wishes to the veteran who is still chasing the championship:
"Perhaps I will be successful in recruiting you this time, but I am not optimistic about your cooperation! I wish you good luck!"
"."
Playing golf is of course just a pastime, and this activity is mainly for making friends.
Everyone knows that Lee has signed a bunch of endorsements recently and has become a walking US dollar.
Identity and background are important, but US dollars are also important.
At least people would smile at him.
Even though he was from New Mexico, no one laughed at Lee.
Play golf during the day and gamble or play cards at night.
When they get bored, they get together to play ball, and when they get drunk, they have a party.
After a whole week, Lee couldn't hold on even though he was full of energy.
July 1, 1998, Priority Sport headquarters on LS Street in Chicago.
Agent Mark Bartelstein watched Lee sign contracts with lifeless eyes, constantly imagining the future:
"This is just a preliminary cooperation. Everyone likes New York very much. For sponsors, this is the best advertising city."
"We will continue to receive sponsorship. You should hire an assistant. I don't want to receive breach of contract reminders. Lee, you need to pay attention too!"
McDonald's is the most generous, offering US$10 million for three years.
There are also many specific requirements, and the contract includes bonus clauses.
Every time a new product is released, Lee has to shoot an advertisement and then participate in activities organized by McDonald's:
McDonald's All-Star Game, McDonald's training camp, McDonald's charity game, etc.
Pepsi is also very generous, at least more generous than Sprite.
After becoming the official beverage sponsor of the NFL, the other party continued to spend money, 10 million US dollars in 5 years, part of which is a bonus clause.
The contract with Spalding Basketball doesn't have many requirements, just shoot some commercials, and it's just 5 years and 5 million US dollars.
Some clothing and cars are given away as gifts.
Dodge performed well in the French Rally in early June, and just as the Knicks won the championship, it gave away a new "Champion" commemorative edition car.
Lee signed these contracts and saw that there were still many contracts on the side.
He looked at the contract with Nintendo in his hand and was confused for a moment:
"I can understand gaming companies, but why do these high-calorie food companies believe that athletes endorsing their products will have a positive impact on sales?"
Mark Bartelstein shrugged.
For these absolutely rational people, buying food is just about taste and ingredients:
"Maybe if the tastes aren't too different, fans will support their own stars?"
"."
Lee accepted all the US dollars sent by sponsors after being selected by Mark Bartelstein.
After a busy morning, Lee, who was preparing for lunch at noon, stood up and straightened his clothes.
Looking at his dark circles under his eyes in the mirror, he couldn't help rubbing his eyebrows:
"I've been hurt by alcohol and sex again. I have to quit drinking during the off-season."
...
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