I'm Coming Home. - Chapter 1

I still remember when Shaq entered the league like it was yesterday
Big names retireing but thats the way it goes...

Also interested which moves you make to round up your roster.

Looking forward to see what you do with your roster

Will be interesting to see how you gonna build your roster. I mean, the only guy I'd resign was Brewer, which leaves you with 7 guys on your roster. Ah and I forgot bout Billups ... so 8 players. Lot of space to add a couple of decent role players.

It will be a fun ride this off-season. I want to get to the conference finals at the least.

I still remember when Shaq entered the league like it was yesterday
Big names retireing but thats the way it goes...

Also interested which moves you make to round up your roster.

It will be a different league with Shaq.

Looking forward to see what you do with your roster

Interesting moves will be made, but hopefully I can get a fun roster to run with.

- The Knicks accept an an option and turn down an option
- Ronny Turiaf accepts his option


Turiaf is excited to come back and play in New York.

(Team) Chauncey Billups $14.20M
- Declined by New York Knicks
- New York may have declined the option, but they are still interested in bringing back Billups. They hope to re-sign him for a lot less money than he would have been paid if they accepted the option. Billups was a big part in the Knicks turn around last season and was third on the team in scoring. If Billups decides not to come back the Knicks currently have Toney Douglas at point guard and it is likely he would take over for Billups.

(Player) Ronny Turiaf $4.36M
- Accepted by Ronny Turiaf
- Turiaf was a big body for New York last year, but his numbers don’t do him much justice. He only averaged 5.5 rebounds per game last season. New York needs him to step it up next year and help them down low. That was the glaring hole in the Knicks team last year was help in the front court. The Knicks are rumored to still be looking to upgrade down low over Turiaf even though he accepted his player option.

(Team) Bill Walker $916K
- Accepted by the New York Knicks
- Coach Mike D’Antoni is a big Walker supporter, “He works very hard and never dips below giving one hundred percent during the games and practices. He is the type of player that makes everyone else around him try harder. We are glad to have him back next year.” Walker averaged 10.0 minutes a game last year, but it doesn’t appear as though those numbers will go up next season.

Sorry I have been away, I got a shit ton of viruses from here a couple weeks back. Including System Tool twice, but it seems as though it has been cleaned up so I'm back.

Nice to have you back man. And I demand you bring back Chauncey

Will followin' this. And Heat won!? But that was a nice playoff series. But I want to see Knicks and Bulls in the Eastern conference.

Chapter 1: June 18, 2011

I sat at my desk staring down at a new contract. I was very nervous and I kept twirling my pen in my hand. I looked up at the clock, only a couple minutes until Chauncey Billups was going to step into my office. This is a big decision for the organization. This plan needs to work if we are going to compete for a championship next year. Everything I have planned this coming off-season is based off of this decision. Finally the phone rang and I answered it, “Yes Candice?”

“He is here.”

“Send him in.” I stood up and wiped my hands off on my pants to get the sweat off. Billups opened the door and we shook hands. I looked at him, “Chauncey, great to see you my friend. I we have a lot to talk about.”

Billups, “We do, we do. I’m hoping that we can get this all taken care of.”

We sat down at the desk and I looked down at the contract once more before speaking up, “Obviously we are going to decline the team option on your contract. Paying you fourteen million next year would make it impossible for us to bring in new personnel.”

Billups, “Absolutely, we talked to my agent right?”

This is the hard part, “I did and I understand you guys are asking for a little over nine million. After how much help you gave us last year, you definitely deserve that money. I don’t want to take away what you meant for us last year. You are a vital part of this team and I want you to be running the floor again for us next year.”

Billups, “And I want to stay here as well.”

I could feel my palms getting sweaty again, “The thing is we have plans this off-season. These are moves that are going to help us get past the first round of the playoffs and compete for a title next year. We know you’re time is running out and you aren’t looking to just play to get in the playoffs. We know you are playing for a championship. We can give you that competition, but I can’t give you nine million.”

Billups smile faded as he continued, “How much are you offering exactly?”

I hesitated, “Seven million on the dot. This figure gives us extra money to bring in veteran help.”

Billups looked as though he had mixed emotions. Anger, disappointment, and even some confusion. He looked around for a second and then looked back at me, “You tell me I earned nine million, but you only want to give me seven. That doesn’t make much sense.”

I had a feeling I would hit a wall, “I know, it’s a fucked up situation. That’s what I have to try and work out with you because of our salary. I give you nine then we can’t upgrade in all the necessary places.”

Billups stood up, “I’ll have to think about it.” Billups turned around and walked out of the office. That’s not how I wanted this to happen at all. It doesn’t seem like he is going to go for it at all. There aren’t any good veteran point guard free agents this summer that will help us. Toney Douglas isn’t ready to be a pure point guard yet. Without Billups we are very well headed out in the first round again.

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Carmelo Anthony’s doorbell rang. Anthony’s wife Lala and his son were sitting on the couch enjoying some pizza they had just ordered. Anthony looked at Lala, “He is here, you mind giving us a few minutes babe?” She smiled as she got up and went upstairs with their son. Anthony went and answered the front door and Billups stood there. Anthony shook his hand and invited him inside. They went and sat in the living room, “Have some pizza man, we ordered way too much.”

Billups grabbed a slice, “Thanks bro.”

Anthony, “How you been?”

Billups, “I don’t know man. I hate off-seasons when you don’t have a contract. Never know what to do you know what I mean.”

Anthony, “I haven’t been through it, but I’m sure it’s a tough time.”

Billups, “I just don’t know what to do. I’m sure you invited me over here tonight to try and talk me in to staying with you guys too.”

Anthony laughed, “You know me too well.”

Billups, “Well I guess I can let you talk my ear off and try to convince me.”

Anthony smiled, “Look Chauncey, you have made me a better player. Since you came to Denver, you taught me how to be a better team player. You helped us in the playoffs and you have even gotten me to play some defense.” They both laughed, “I honestly don’t know what I would do without you. I can’t imagine this team without you at the point. You are such a passionate player on the court; it rubs off on the rest of us. I know changes are coming this off-season, but the one thing we have to keep is you. I can’t say that I know what you are going through because they didn’t ask me for a pay cut. I’m not going to say it’s an easy decision for you, but I will promise you one thing. If you come back I will do everything in my damn power to make sure we get deep in those playoffs. I still fill the sting of getting worked by Chicago last year. I’m tired of being that player that can’t get deep in the playoffs. The only time I did was with you. This team is a much better team with you and I want you to win another championship.”

Billups stopped eating and looked up and Anthony. Billups new his time was running out, he only has a couple years left in the league. He wants another championship just as bad as Anthony wants his first. Billups is a competitor and he will always have that fire. “All I ever have wanted to do is win. It’s never been about the money and I shouldn’t have let it get in the way. To tell you the truth, I just don’t know how deep this team can get.”

Anthony, “I know that man. A lot of people question how deep we will get, but I know that this group of guys is hungry for a championship. They have filled me in on some moves they plan on making too. We are going to have a whole brand new half of the team. They are even bringing in _______.”

Billups smiled, “Are you serious?”

Anthony, “These guys are serious about winning man. We are going to have a good opportunity to do so.”

Billups stood up, “Alright Melo, you are slick with them words. I’m in, but no slacking this year. We gotta do this.” Anthony jumped up and shook his hand.

Good. Seven millions for Chauncey is huge for you

Good. Seven millions for Chauncey is huge for you

Yea it is, this clears up serious space to bring in some good role players.