Pope of Basketball.

Summary

. Yang Rui lived in Toronto, enjoying time with Thomas and chatting with Scarlett on the Minions app. As December arrived, the All-Star Game was canceled, increasing pressure on players following a ruling that employers weren't required to pay salaries during the lockout. Yang Rui's value remained high, having signed a lucrative contract with the Raptors. On December 23, Stern warned that if no agreement was reached by January 7, the new season would be canceled. Tensions rose within the players' union, led by Patrick You Yin, as high-salaried players resisted pay cuts. The financial stakes were high for both players and the league, with losses totaling hundreds of millions. A timely call from Kevin Johnson helped shift attitudes, leading to a new labor deal that redistributed superstar salaries to lower-tier players. The Timberwolves, burdened by Garnett's massive contract, faced significant challenges. By January 20, a 204-day lockout ended, and the new season was set to start on February 5. Key changes included a luxury tax and longer rookie contracts. Jordan's retirement marked the end of the Bulls dynasty, prompting a flurry of trades and signings. Luo De Man struggled to find a team due to past injuries and reputation issues, while the Timberwolves aimed to avoid luxury tax penalties through an illegal contract with Qiao Shi Mi Si. The resulting scandal led to severe penalties, including the loss of draft picks. The Knicks and Warriors executed a major trade, with the Knicks acquiring Si Pu Lei Wei Er to strengthen their roster, forming a powerful "Big Three." .

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