Chapter 321: First Round (3)
With the Cavaliers adjusting their defensive strategy, the results came quickly.
Young’s defensive ability was already considered top-tier in the league. Once he took on the task of guarding the Bucks’ second option, Middleton, he immediately shut down Milwaukee’s most dangerous perimeter scorer.
Freed from heavy defensive duties, James went on a rampage offensively. With only Giannis Antetokounmpo left to shoulder the load, the Bucks soon found themselves overwhelmed and collapsed.
“It really has to be you,”
James said contentedly as he sat on the bench.
In the previous game, the Cavaliers had blown out the Bucks on the road. Now, back at Quicken Loans Arena for the decisive Game 7, they once again firmly controlled the tempo.
“That hurdle’s cleared,”
Young said as he drank water to replenish his energy.
“Philadelphia should be much easier next,”
James muttered.
“Without Embiid, the Sixers are just being propped up by Simmons and LeVert. Making it past the Heat was already a blessing for them.”
The Cavaliers had just received word that the Eastern Conference’s third-seeded 76ers had finished their series against the sixth-seeded Heat, with Philadelphia emerging victorious.
They won the series 4–2.
With that, all first-round matchups officially came to an end.
In the East, the second round would feature Celtics vs. Raptors, and Cavaliers vs. 76ers.
In the West, it would be Kings vs. Rockets, and Warriors vs. Spurs.
“This is basically the best possible outcome,”
Chen Yilun said, nodding as he looked at the bracket in front of him.
Although this year marked the peak of the “James Harden + Chris Paul” duo, Paul still carried that almost mystical second-round buff. Chen Yilun wondered whether he’d be lucky enough to witness it again.
As for the Warriors–Spurs rematch—whether it was the already-formed four-star Warriors or the Spurs’ new Big Three—
either side would have to shed some skin to make it to the Western Conference Finals.
Over in the East, the 76ers making it to the second round was already something to be thankful for. They likely wouldn’t be able to stop the Cavaliers.
The real trump card was in Boston’s hands.
Facing this year’s stacked Boston Celtics, even a LeBron James going all out would have a hard time winning.
...
“Boss!”
Prince knocked on the door and stepped inside.
“There’s a visitor.”
“Oh? He’s here already?”
Chen Yilun nodded, remaining firmly seated.
“Bring him in.”
Soon, Prince led in a somewhat hesitant Grunfeld.
“Ernie! Welcome, welcome!”
Only after Grunfeld entered did Chen Yilun slowly stand up to shake his hand.
Grunfeld had already anticipated this attitude, so he didn’t react much. After all, he was practically on the verge of becoming a discarded piece himself. There was no pride left to maintain.
It was rather bittersweet. Grunfeld had served as the Wizards’ General Manager since 2003.
From the original Wizards Big Three led by Gilbert Arenas to the current Big Three, every iteration had been built by this legendary GM.
Fifteen long years in the position made Grunfeld comparable to Pat Riley, Danny Ainge, and Buford, ranking him as the league’s fourth-longest-tenured general manager.
However, after the Wizards were eliminated in the first round, the team’s owner had already prepared to fire Grunfeld and appoint a new General Manager to deal with DeMarcus Cousins’ contract.
This was standard procedure. Cousins had been acquired through a trade personally handled by Grunfeld, and having him negotiate the contract would naturally involve complications.
Bringing in a new, unrelated General Manager would make things far easier.
Once again, the familiar league drama of discarding someone after they’d served their purpose played out.
“What brings you here today?”
Chen Yilun asked after pulling Grunfeld over to sit on the sofa.
“Do you need something?”
Facing Chen Yilun’s obvious feigned ignorance, Grunfeld gave a bitter smile.
“I came to ask Mr. Chen for a job.”
“What?!”
Chen Yilun stood up in mock surprise, raising his voice.
“You came to me for a job? Weren’t you doing just fine with the Wizards? Why come looking for me?”
“Mr. Chen, please don’t joke with me,”
Grunfeld said with a bitter smile.
“There’s no place for me in Washington anymore. Mr. Chen, this old man really has nowhere left to go. I hope you’ll take in this worn-out body of mine.”
“It’s already decided?”
“Yes.”
Grunfeld nodded.
“The board has made its decision. When the offseason starts, I’ll resign on my own. At least that way, I can leave with some dignity.”
“Oh my…”
Chen Yilun sighed deeply.
“That’s just heartless. You’ve been with the Wizards for so many years—if nothing else, you’ve put in the work. And they’re firing you over this?”
“Exactly.”
Grunfeld clearly had a lot of pent-up bitterness and finally found someone to talk to, pulling Chen Yilun into a long conversation.
“I’d be happy to have you join us, but…”
Chen Yilun paused before continuing.
“Our General Manager, Divac, only took the position last year. He hasn’t done anything wrong, so I can’t really ask him to step aside. If you come here, you’d probably have to start as an assistant GM.”
Hearing this, Grunfeld quickly waved his hands.
“That’s fine, that’s fine. A defeated general has no right to talk about bravery. I stopped hoping for a General Manager position long ago. Mr. Chen being willing to take me in is already more than enough.”
A faint, almost imperceptible smile appeared at the corner of Chen Yilun’s mouth.
“Ernie, I’m glad you think that way.”
He took out a cigarette case, handed one to Grunfeld, and continued,
“I fully support you joining us. After Blackstone left, we’ve been short an assistant GM anyway. You can take over his duties for now and get started.
Later, I’ll find you an even better position.”
As he spoke, Chen Yilun patted Grunfeld on the shoulder.
“Ernie, you’re a veteran in this league. Divac and Peja work hard, but their abilities are still lacking in many areas. Once you join, I hope you’ll guide them properly.”
“Yes, yes!”
Grunfeld nodded repeatedly, cigarette clutched in his hand, clearly flattered.
“I’ll definitely work hard for the team!”
“By the way,”
after chatting for a while, Chen Yilun suddenly asked,
“Do you know who the Wizards are planning to bring in to replace you?”
This was something Chen Yilun genuinely didn’t know. He had almost no insiders within the Wizards organization.
Even though he’d gotten fairly close to head coach Scott Brooks due to the Durant situation, Brooks wasn’t truly one of his own.
“I’ve heard some rumors,”
Grunfeld said after taking a drag from his cigarette and thinking for a moment.
“They’re planning to poach Sean from the Nets.”
“Who?!”
Author's Note
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