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It goes without saying that Curry's dominance, with four championship trophies, two MVP awards, and a Finals MVP, places him firmly among the top 10 players in history. His achievements, particularly in three-point shooting, have directly changed the league's playstyle and design. He is undoubtedly a phenomenal superstar.However, early in his career, Curry was not everyone's favorite. In the 2009 draft, he was only the seventh overall pick. Moreover, due to potential injuries, his personal stats and assist rates were lackluster in his first three seasons.
It wasn't until the 2012-13 season, after returning from surgery, that Curry began to gradually recover and showcase his immense individual talent. Two years later, he won the regular-season MVP and earned his first championship.
In one particular scenario, Durant and Curry led their team to two consecutive championships, becoming invincible in the league. Wang Chong was certain that Curry was one of the players best suited to Durant's style. Therefore, in the 2009 draft, no matter the price, Wang Chong made sure to secure Curry under his management.
Of course, that was two years later. Now, Billups was the starting point guard for the Bulls, and he was absolutely qualified for the role.
After the deal between the Bulls and the Pistons was finalized, Wang Chong hosted a farewell party for Monta Ellis, who was headed to Motor City.
The only person Wang Chong felt sorry for in this trade was Ellis. He had personally selected and promoted Ellis from the start. Now that Ellis was just beginning to shine with the team, Wang Chong had traded him away as part of a business decision. Even though they say the NBA is a business, the reality is that those trade pieces are real human beings.
Wang Chong didn't want to hide the truth, so he told Ellis upfront.
When Ellis found out that it was Wang Chong who initiated the trade for Billups, he had difficulty accepting it at first. However, after calming down, Ellis began to feel at ease.
On one hand, as a second-round pick, his rapid rise to prominence was entirely due to Wang Chong's efforts in training him. Otherwise, Ellis would have likely spent several years on the bench before getting an opportunity to play.
On the other hand, even if Ellis continued playing with the Bulls, he would only ever be the second or third option behind Wang Chong. It was essentially impossible for him to become the primary leader of the team. But if he went to the Pistons, that could change.
The Pistons, who had just parted ways with Ben Wallace and Billups, were looking to rebuild. Once Ellis arrived, it was likely that he would be groomed as the core of the team, earning more playing time and gaining greater influence than he ever had with the Bulls.
In this light, Ellis' move to the Pistons was greatly beneficial to his long-term growth.
With this analysis, Ellis was filled with anticipation for his new role with the Pistons. After all, who wouldn't want to be the leader rather than just the sidekick?
Thus, Ellis and the Bulls parted on peaceful terms. There was no resentment or hatred towards Wang Chong for using him as a trade piece for Billups.
The trade took place on January 21, 2007. Billups and Ellis officially swapped teams and Billups arrived in Chicago.
Regarding the arrival of this All-Star point guard, Bulls fans were a bit confused.
Emotionally and logically, most believed that Ellis had more potential and greater long-term promise. Even if his immediate performance wasn't quite on Billups' level, the gap wasn't big enough to warrant trading a player who could deliver for the next ten years.
A Chicago media outlet commented on the trade:
"We understand that after reaching the Eastern Conference Finals last season, management is eager to see substantial improvement in the team's performance. But can sacrificing future potential really bring the Bulls a bright future?"
These comments struck a chord with many fans, leading to complaints about the impulsive actions of the Bulls' management.
Team general manager John Paxson took the brunt of the criticism.
Paxson shared the same view as the fans—he didn't want to trade Ellis either. However, he couldn't afford to offend Wang Chong, so he obediently completed the deal. Now, he had to endure the backlash and accept the blame, which was unfortunate.
But Paxson couldn't reveal that the trade was made at Wang Chong's insistence. Otherwise, if things soured with Wang Chong again, it would be purely ungrateful of him.
So, though he felt wronged, Paxson had no choice but to take the blame in silence and lament how difficult the job of a general manager truly was.
Billups, on the other hand, was thrilled to join the Bulls.
The Bulls were a young, energetic team, much stronger than the Pistons, and dominant in the Eastern Conference. With Billups on board, the team's defense would improve, and they were poised to stand out in the playoffs. This gave him a renewed shot at another NBA championship.
Additionally, the Bulls' management had promised Billups a multi-year contract with an annual salary in the tens of millions starting that summer.
Billups had played in the league for 10 seasons, but his highest salary was only $6.36 million that year. Considering his on-court performance, it was a very cost-effective deal for the team.
To join a new team, win games, and land a big contract—what more could Billups ask for?
When he faced the press in Chicago, Billups confidently declared that he would fully support Wang Chong and do everything he could to help the Bulls win an NBA championship.
On January 23, in a home game against the Utah Jazz, Billups made his debut wearing the Bulls' No. 1 jersey and helped the team secure a 94-86 victory.
Chicago fans didn't notice a significant difference. The high-energy play, lightning-quick drives, and deep three-pointers were a bit more subdued, but for casual fans, it wasn't easily noticeable.
However, experts in the game were quick to spot the significance.
After just one game, Bulls head coach Scott Skiles was impressed.
Before Billups arrived, Skiles shared the same concerns as the general manager. The Bulls were playing well, and Ellis' style fit the team's system. He worried that Billups would disrupt the team's existing chemistry.
But the result surprised him. Rather than destroying the chemistry, Billups seamlessly integrated into the Bulls' tactical system, as if it was a perfect fit, already familiar with the team's core strategies.
The Bulls were now evolving into an even more formidable contender in the Eastern Conference. Billups' experience and defensive prowess, combined with Wang Chong's offense, made the Bulls a truly dangerous team. Fans soon realized that Billups' arrival might just be what Chicago needed to capture another championship.
The future for the Bulls looked brighter than ever.
End of this chapter
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