Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter discusses a contentious negotiation between NBA players and management, which ended in discord without a consensus. Despite prior disputes, this was the first time negotiations delayed a game. Players' union president You Yin made a remark that put the labor side at a disadvantage, emphasizing the high salaries of players but downplaying their expenses. The public's sympathy leaned toward the owners, framing the situation as a conflict between wealthy players and billionaires. The negotiations focus on revenue sharing, with players seeking to increase their share from 57% to 63%, which the owners oppose. The NBA entered a lockout on July 1, closing arenas, websites, and preventing teams from holding training or trades, impacting international competitions and causing financial strain on some players. Amid this, rookie Brad Miller received a contract offer from the Raptors, while Yang Rui engaged in discussions about stock investments with his friend Thomas Bentley, who foresaw a market crash. Yang Rui reflected on his past and sought profitable investments to grow his funds independently. The chapter concludes with Yang Rui meeting Thibodeau, who shared his successful betting on a World Cup match, sparking Yang Rui's interest in casual betting.

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