Chapter Twelve: The Iron Triangle Meeting! Jordan's Strong Support!

That very night, as Lin Tian clashed with the trio, Klaus’s office remained brightly lit.

Inside were the five most influential figures in the team: Klaus, Jackson, Jordan, Rodman, and Pippen.

At this hour, the meeting had but one clear agenda.

“I believe Lin should be suspended immediately and shipped out as soon as possible! A ticking time bomb like him has no place on our team!” Klaus’s voice was sharp and piercing, a stark contrast to his imposing physique, making it quite unpleasant to hear.

“Why get rid of him?” Rodman was the first to spread his hands in protest. “A guy who can knock down three pros in two minutes without a scratch on himself—why would we let him go? Want him to come back and thrash Michael next time? Keep him! That way, when we face Charlotte, New York, or Utah, we won’t have to worry about them at all!”

“Especially that old bastard Malone! If Lin and I team up, we could beat him straight into retirement!” Rodman chuckled mischievously, clearly savoring the thought of teaming up with Lin Tian to pummel Malone, his face full of eager anticipation.

“Dennis! What we need are guys who take it out on outsiders, not on our own teammates. If he can’t tell the difference, then what use is he to us?” Klaus spread his hands, still unwilling to keep Lin Tian.

After all, Lin Tian was Klaus’s own pick. Fighting with three benchwarmers was one thing, but if one day that kid came to blows with Jordan, Klaus’s position as general manager would be finished. Not only finished, but he’d become the laughingstock of the entire league.

Moreover, Klaus had long heard that Lin Tian and Jordan’s relationship was rocky—they clashed every time they trained.

Such a time bomb had to be dealt with. Klaus didn’t want to look like a fool.

Though he secretly wished to see Jordan pinned to the ground and beaten, that person could never be anyone on the team—especially not anyone connected to him.

“I’ve heard the full story from Ron and the others,” Pippen suddenly spoke up. “Honestly, any normal person would have snapped in that situation. The only difference is most people don’t have Lin’s skills. I believe the main fault doesn’t lie with Lin.”

Seeing two star players backing Lin Tian, and Jackson being his sworn enemy, Klaus pinned his hopes on Jordan, who held veto power.

He looked at Jordan. “Michael, I heard Lin disrespects you and constantly clashes with you during training. What do you think? Should we keep this ticking time bomb or trade him?”

Klaus watched Jordan, waiting for his response.

He believed that as long as Jordan wasn’t an idiot, he would support him and get rid of the troublemaker Lin Tian.

“This kid’s not bad! He’s tough. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen someone I’ve broken so many times who still can’t be crushed. I think we should keep him! More importantly, he knows exactly who to throw his punches at.”

Jordan shrugged and said exactly what Klaus didn’t want to hear.

“In the past two weeks, I’ve probably cracked eight of his ribs, but the kid never lost his temper even once. Of course, this bastard scratched and clawed my waist and back plenty! If you ask me, he’s a vicious rogue. Together with Dennis, they can make every opponent in this league tremble with fear.”

“That’s right, Michael! That’s right!” Rodman laughed heartily, proudly flashing his gold teeth. “If you ask me, you’re the one who’s most nervous now! You and this kid clash so much, practically cursing at each other every day. If he ever loses his cool and goes after you, you won’t stand a chance, right?”

“If I were you, I’d start making peace with him tomorrow, become good buddies, and stop trash talking him. Hahaha.”

“Shut your damn mouth, Dennis.” Jordan’s previously composed expression vanished instantly.

Rodman was truly unbearable.

Though every word sounded harmless, each one was infuriating.

What did he mean, Michael Jordan is nervous? What did he mean by never trash talking him again?

I, Michael Jordan, who defeated every superstar in this league, afraid of a rookie?

Well, yes, he was.

Jordan swallowed quietly, thinking of the pitiful Brown trio.

If it were him, not only could he not knock out three people in two minutes without injury, but if he escaped being knocked out in two minutes, he’d be extraordinarily lucky and talented.

After all, those were three professional players from a top league!

Regardless, the Bulls’ iron triangle unanimously chose to support Lin Tian.

Klaus never expected that a mere second-round pick could win the backing of three team heavyweights.

As for Jackson...

Klaus didn’t even bother to ask him. More than anyone, Klaus knew how much this ever-smiling old fox longed to kick him out and take his place.

Klaus would rather listen to maggots in a bathroom than hear a single word from Jackson, so he filtered him out entirely.

But Jackson didn’t mind; he remained his harmless, squinting smile, clearly unwilling to offer any opinion.

Yet, though silent, Jackson’s thoughts aligned with the iron triangle’s.

And he noticed something they hadn’t.

During the entire brawl, Lin Tian first pretended nothing happened and turned to leave, then suddenly launched a surprise counterattack, returning to the shower and locking the door to avoid interruption during his revenge.

That kind of big-picture awareness and instant tactical analysis—tsk tsk—pure treasure!

“Since you all want Lin to stay, fine. I won’t trade him, but I’ll send Brown and the other two away as soon as possible! No matter what, I won’t let fighters stay on the same team.”

Klaus knew the matter was settled, so he no longer resisted.

“But the punishments will be thorough, no exceptions.”

“Of course. Fine him as much as you want, suspend him as many games as you like,” Jordan shrugged. “But during training, I’ll keep facing off against that little bastard! I don’t believe I can’t beat him!”

Lin Tian would never know that on this night, he had gained the support of three team powerhouses. Nor would he ever realize that in Jordan’s mind, he was already a little different from everyone else.