Anthony the Reborn

Chapter 54 The Lobbyist

After the Nuggets finished the game with the Cavaliers, they had a full four-day rest against the Los Angeles Clippers in the next game. The meeting between Anthony and owner Kroenko was also scheduled for his meeting with Vandeweghe the day after.

In the afternoon of this day, Anthony was taken directly to his manor by Kronko's driver.

The sun is shining and the autumn air is crisp. On the golf course on the second floor, Kronko is playing recreational golf with his business partner, Joseon John of Detroit Motor City.

Guided by the security guard, Anthony soon arrived at the golf course, but because the golf was still being played there, the security guard did not let Anthony pass immediately, but found him a chair and asked him to sit next to him.

This dozen lasted a full two hours. Anthony watched them from the sidelines. He knew that a businessman like Kroenko obviously had his own ideas, so although he was bored, he could only wait.

"Buzz..."

At this moment, there was a sound of a car motor from the direction of the door.

Anthony turned his head to look at the door, and saw two Mercedes-Benz cars driving in, and it seemed that there were guests coming.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Anthony couldn't help frowning. Kroenko was too busy, and he probably didn't have time to see him after this continued. He was thinking about whether to come back at another time.

at this time.

"Hey, Mello."

A voice suddenly sounded from the ear.

Anthony looked up, and Kronko was standing beside him, looking at him with a smile, maybe he had focused on the door before, but he didn't notice it.

Anthony hurriedly stood up from his chair and said nervously, "Boss, I didn't notice you coming..."

"It's okay, I kept you waiting for so long..." Kronko was very polite.

At this moment, the security guard came to Kronko's side and said, "Boss, Boss Rick is here."

As soon as Anthony heard that it was the boss of another company, he still knew the importance, so he quickly said, "Boss, why don't you get busy first, I'll wait."

Kronko glanced at Anthony, rubbed his hand on the stubble of his chin, and after a while, he said to the security guard, "Let Rick wait for me for half an hour, saying that I'm not finished here."

"Yes, boss."

After the security guard finished speaking, he walked towards the building.

Hearing Kroenko's answer, Anthony's heart suddenly warmed up. Kroenko was able to hang out the boss named Rick for him for half an hour. It is one aspect to attach importance to the team, and at the same time, he can also see the importance he has for Anthony. value.

At this moment, another security guard brought Kronko a chair.

"Sit down." Kronko said and sat down on the chair.

As soon as he sat down, he turned to the security guard and said, "Mike, get a chair, and then pour two more cups of brewed coffee."

The security guard nodded and walked towards the house.

"Come on, Melo, what do you want from me?" Kroenko looked at the Rolex watch in his hand, looked up at Anthony and said.

"Boss, I heard that Coach Bzdelik has resigned?" Anthony knew that the word dismissal was too sensitive, so he changed it.

Kronko glanced at Anthony, and then said: "Yes, Derek is not feeling well. Before the game yesterday, he found me and said he hoped to go home for a while."

As soon as Anthony heard it, he immediately felt that this was a lie, but this kind of thing is not the key at this time, and he didn't care. He continued: "Boss, is there anyone for the new coach of the team?"

As soon as Anthony finished speaking, the security guard had moved over to a small table, and someone else took a brewed coffee, put two coffee cups on the table, poured hot coffee on it, and then stepped aside.

Kroenko gestured for Anthony to drink his coffee, then picked it up himself.

Anthony said "thank you" and picked up the coffee, and glanced at Kronko, seeing that he was not in a hurry and didn't know what he was thinking.

Kronko took a sip of coffee, put down the cup unhurriedly, and then said, "Melo, are you here to recommend me a candidate for a new coach?"

Anthony looked up at Kroenko. A businessman is a businessman. Before he even opened his mouth, he was guessed what he was coming for. He smiled shyly and said, "Yes, I have some ideas and want to talk to the boss."

"Speak, I will take your opinion into consideration." Kronko also said with a smile.

Anthony felt warm again when he heard that, with a boss like Kroenko, the future of the Nuggets is worth looking forward to.

"Boss, when we played the preseason game in Phoenix last month, we had the upper hand at the beginning, but then the Suns replaced a player named Barbosa in the third quarter, and the two sides suddenly became evenly matched. Yes, during this process, I happened to be on the technical stage preparing to substitute, and I saw a rather interesting scene at that time."

Anthony paused when he said this, and took a peek at Kronko's expression.

"Which scene?" Kronko pressed.

Seeing that Kroenko was interested, Anthony smiled and continued: "It was in the second quarter, and the Suns' assistant coach Mike D'Antoni suggested to the head coach Frank Johnson to replace Barbosa, but rejected by the latter."

"Oh?" A look of surprise flashed in Kronko's eyes.

"Later, the Suns still played Barbosa. I think the coach named D'Antoni must have persuaded Johnson during the halftime break, and this will happen later." Anthony continued.

After listening to Anthony's words, Kroenko dragged his chin and fell into deep thought.

The meaning of Anthony's words is very clear. What he wants to express is that D'Antoni has the ability to judge and put it into practice, which is a very rare skill among the coaches.

For a long time, Kronko still didn't speak.

Anthony continued: "Boss, I have read the history of our Nuggets team. In the history of our team, it used to be a team based on bombardment tactics, and it achieved quite brilliant results. Even the current Nuggets General Manager Odd is also a famous scorer in the history of the Nuggets."

Kronko looked up at Anthony, his eyes seemed to throb, but he still didn't say anything.

Anthony saw that Kronko seemed to be still hesitating, and he finally decided to use his trump card as a lobbyist this time: "Boss, I know that the team's record is one aspect, but the more important aspect is the fans' respect for the ball. team support."

Anthony paused as he spoke, and took another sneak peek at Kronko.

"Go on." Kronko finally spoke again.

"The support of the fans is the guarantee of the attendance rate. If our team's offense remains at the current level, or at a higher level, I think it will be difficult for the attendance rate to increase if there are no particularly good results. Yes, but..."

When Anthony said this, he changed the subject: "D'Antoni is responsible for the offense in the Suns. In other words, he is very good at bombardment tactics. If the team can play crazy offense, regardless of whether the record is good or bad. It must be a very good guarantee!"

Anthony pointed out what the bosses care about most here, money, and the bombardment tactics played very well. He remembered that the Suns team where Nash was in was popular all over the world at that time, and the attendance rate of any arena was full. Who doesn’t like it? Looking at the gorgeous offense, all kinds of dunks and lobs, isn't that what you spend money to watch?
However, Kronko's expression was completely unexpected by Anthony.

Kronko just smiled and didn't show much interest.

Anthony's heart suddenly turned cold. This... what's going on?
He picked up the coffee and took a sip slowly. Under Anthony's puzzled expression, Kroenko said slowly: "Melo, you may not know, Mike, he once served as our team's manager in the 98-99 season. Head coach."

"What?!" Anthony was really taken aback. Even though he traveled here, he couldn't know everything about everyone. For D'Antoni, he only knew that he played a gorgeous offense when he was in the Suns. , but he never thought that this bombardment master actually served as the head coach of the Nuggets!

Pit...

It's no wonder that Kronko is so calm.

It seems that this journey of lobbyists is going to return in vain...

"Kiki only came here in 01, so he doesn't know about it. He once suggested D'Antoni to me. Although your two starting points are different, your ideas are the same."

Anthony's heart was a little confused at this time. He thought that as long as he talked about money, Kroenko would probably listen to him, but he didn't expect that the ship would capsize in the gutter...

Are you going to give up like this?
Not reconciled!

Anthony clenched his fist, he still wanted to fight for it again.

"Melo?" Kronko saw that Anthony had stopped talking, and called him.

"Boss, people will improve, and I know that besides the coach, the key to bombardment tactics is to have an excellent point guard. I think Nash of the Mavericks will be a perfect choice of personnel." Anthony Decided to put all his eggs in one basket.

"Steve?" Kronko's tone showed that he knew about Nash.

"Yes, Steve's style of play is very suitable for bombardment tactics. His passing vision and scoring ability are perfect. The only flaw is that he is physically disadvantaged on defense. The reason for the reuse, but if our team is determined to shoot, then defense is not something we should consider at all." Anthony said all the words in his heart in one breath.

"Steve's current status in the Mavericks is not low, and the difficulty of trading is not small." Kronko said hesitantly.

Hearing Kroenko's tone, Anthony was overjoyed. Obviously, Kroenko was moved, but he was a little apprehensive.

"Boss, there is only return if there is investment. I know that no matter how much I say, it is something on paper. I think as long as the boss can trade for Nash and let D'Antoni take over, I will work hard to bring the team to the finals. If I do No, the boss can trade me at that time!" Anthony also fought hard.

Kroenko's pupils closed suddenly, and he looked at Anthony in amazement. Although Anthony's talent has only played a few games, he just tied Chamberlain's 43-year historical record yesterday, which is obviously very high. Kroenko has also seen the immediate combat power, and it is completely against the sky. Trading Anthony, Kroenko is not an idiot, so naturally he would not do it, but now that Anthony has said so, he is really a little moved.

"Boss, Boss Rick is getting impatient." At this moment, the security guard suddenly came to Kronko and whispered something in Kronko's ear.

Kronko stood up and said to Anthony: "Melo, you go back first, I will fully consider what you said, you can play with peace of mind, and I will try my best to make you fulfill your promise this season."

After Kronko finished speaking, he strode towards the house under the leadership of the security guard.

Anthony also stood up, looking at the back, thinking of what Kroenko said just now, with a faint anticipation in his heart.

(End of this chapter)