"You know, Danny, when I think about coming to Las Vegas for the training camp, my throat starts to reflexively want to vomit."
Angie expressed understanding verbally, but internally thought, "Stop struggling, Porter, you can't refuse, just come obediently."
As compensation, Angie promised Porter accommodation in Las Vegas; the team would cover rent, transportation costs, etc. After coming, he could move in with just a bag, and they could also arrange accommodation for family.
Porter said he would stay by himself, as his family was in Portland, and if they wanted to watch the game, they would just fly over.
His words indicated agreement, and Gan Guoyang successfully secured the first player.
Then, Angie also secured young, unknown players like Raja Bell, Eddie House, and Mark Jackson.
He didn't understand Gan Guoyang's reasons for choosing them; Bell was a guard with average height and talent.
Eddie House lacked size, being an offensively strong but defensively weak small guard.
Mark Jackson, standing at 6 feet 10 inches, was picked by the Warriors in the 1997 draft but failed to secure a contract and went overseas to play.
Last season he was traded to the Minnesota Timberwolves as Garnett's backup, averaging 5 points and 3 rebounds — fairly unremarkable.
These three players were fringe elements in their respective teams, having played in the League for just a year or two with average performance.
Not being listed in their team's protection list proved they weren't part of the team's future plans and were expendable.
Securing these few players was naturally not a big challenge for Angie; the only bit of effort involved Eddie House.
Upon hearing about the new team's interest in acquiring House, Pat Riley immediately lit up, stating that House was actually off-limits, being ninth on his list. If the Glory Team wanted him, they should pay a price, like sending over a draft pick.
Angie couldn't possibly fall for Riley, that old fox's trick; he was a fox himself, neither should despise the other's wisdom.
After several exchanges, Riley acceded; he realized House couldn't be retained and wasn't part of his team-building plan, finally releasing him.
Securing these four, Glory at least had five players, with about two weeks remaining before the pre-season training camp starts in October, adding tremendous pressure on Angie's shoulders.
Not only did he need to contact players, but also assemble a coaching staff and training team. Fortunately, the medical and logistics team was already dealt with by Gan Guoyang and ready for immediate deployment; otherwise, Angie might've collapsed at his desk early on.
Remaining players, like veteran Kevin Willis, Steve Kerr, etc., fringe players like Padgett were no issue to secure; these were nothing more than scraps.
The main value of veterans wasn't in-game participation but utilizing their experience to help the new team rapidly establish a team culture, set up the framework — these old bones were truly the skeleton of the team.
Kevin Willis had long maintained a good relationship with Gan Guoyang; his large-sized suit company provided suits for many giants in the League, with most of Gan Guoyang's event outfits being ordered from Kevin Willis.
Steve Kerr, like Porter, was an experienced champion guard and excellent locker room leader.
There was also the former Trail Blazers member, Isaiah Rider, a hero of the 77-win championship in the 1997-1998 season.
This guy was only 29 years old this year but was already much disdained; after leaving the Trail Blazers in 1998, he played for the Hawks and the Lakers.
Last season, Rider was with the Lakers and won a championship with the team.
However, he didn't make it onto the team's playoff roster due to his numerous misdeeds on and off the field, leading Phil Jackson not to want him on the team — this guy was trouble.
But Rider, with one year left on his contract, didn't want to leave the Lakers; he still wished to play in Los Angeles.
Upon learning Lao Gan picked him into the new team and that he could come to Las Vegas, he immediately discarded the Lakers, packed his bags, and headed to Vegas enthusiastically to play ball.
After securing these players, assembling more than half a team, Angie turned his gaze toward a few difficult-to-secure targets.
First up was Brad Miller. In fact, Miller shouldn't have been on the list; he had just signed a contract with the Bulls in 2000, performing adequately with 8.9 points and 7 rebounds in the 2000-2001 season, a competent backup center.
Yet, the problem was at the 2001 draft, the Bulls consecutively picked Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry, two big rookie prospects.
The Bulls clearly wished to develop Chandler and Curry; for this, they even signed back veteran Charles Oakley to mentor these young centers — one lean, one stocky — hopeful these two talents could bolster their inside play and lead the Bulls to glory.
Jerry Krause schemed ambitiously for the future, and someone like Brad Miller, a White center, naturally wasn't in his sights.
The problem was, Brad Miller wasn't keen on playing in Las Vegas; born in Indiana, he preferred returning to his hometown team, the Pacers, rather than embarking on a new start with a new team in the desert.
Though Gan Guoyang's name was big, his legendary history well known, such a legendary figure couldn't possibly gain everyone's favor.
Miller wasn't a fan of Gan Guoyang, nor was he greatly interested in the Glory Team, so he told Angie it'd be best not to pick him, or if picked trade him away.