510: There is a deal
On June 24, the 2016 NBA Draft was held at the Barclays Center in New York.
This year's draft was equally lively, with "the next James" Ben. Simmons and "the next Durant" Brandon. Ingram went to the draft. In addition, due to the participation of Chinese players Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin, this draft has also attracted the attention of Chinese fans.
Tencent NBA even rarely live-streamed the whole draft scene, after all, how many years has a Chinese player not participated in the NBA draft?
Adam. Xiao Hua's resolute style is still the same, and he didn't say a few words after he took the stage, and the draft meeting officially began. The 76ers lived up to expectations by selecting Ben. Simmons is a rare talent, except for shooting, Simmons is almost all about strengths.
Can organize, defend, attack the frame, have a body, have an IQ..... If you want to talk about Simmons's merits, you can't talk about it all night. And his only weakness shot has always been considered the easiest skill to practice.
The second pick, the Los Angeles Lakers, who got the No. 2 pick for the second year in a row, chose Brandon, who is similar to Durant. Ingram.
After Kobe Bryant's retirement, Los Angeles fans are in dire need of a new hero to shore up the Lakers' ambitions. Last season, D'Angelo. Russell's performance clearly left Lakers fans less satisfied. So they put their hopes and hopes on Ingram.
The third pick, the Celtics, who were already a strong team in the East, selected Jalen, who was physically strong. Brown.
Last season, the Celtics had an impressive 48-34 record under Stevens and Thomas Jr., the "175 Strongest on the Surface." You know, two years ago, the Celtics were just starting to rebuild. Now, just two years later, the Celtics have become a powerhouse in the East.
Among them, Stevens coached and Isaiah. Thomas's rise was the reason why the Celtics were able to complete the rebuilding quickly. Under Stevens' magical coaching ability, Isaiah. Thomas, a player who is only 1.75 meters tall, actually played superstar statistics.
The Celtics are already strong enough, but as a playoff team, they can still get a pick. All of this is thanks to the brainless Nets general manager Billy Murphy. Given by gold.
He invested in the future, throwing all the draft picks to the Celtics for the sake of the aging Garnett and Pierce. As a result, now the Nets are not only bad, but they can't turn around through the draft. And the Celtics are not only rising rapidly, but also have a high draft pick every year.
I have to say, Danny. Angie, the old fox, is really putting Billy. Kim arranged it clearly. Watching the Celtics enjoy the flower show, Henson couldn't stop salivating.
After the top three picks in the draft, there are still many high-quality rookies on stage one by one. For example, projection guard Buddy from the University of Oklahoma. Hield, for example, Canadian defender Jamal from Kentucky. Murray, for example, Domantas, the son of Fame. Sabonis.
Henson sat in the private room, only envious. These high-potential rookies, the Pacers can't get them and can't touch them, they can only watch them be carved up by other teams.
But the thought of the Pacers' first-round pick this year becoming Oladipo made Henson feel better.
Finally, the first round of the 30-pick draft is over. Next, it's time for the second round of the draft.
The treatment of the second round of the NBA draft and the first round of the draft can be very different.
The first-round pick was NBA commissioner Adam Brown. Xiao Hua announced the results in person, and the rookies in the lottery area still had the opportunity to appear on stage.
But the second round of the draft was much simpler, and the person who announced the results changed from Xiao Hua to NBA vice president Mark Brown. Tatum.
And the selected rookies were not there at all, and the scene just showed the highlights from their college days, and it was over.
However, the upside of this is that the second round of the draft is usually much faster than the first round.
Not long after the start of the second round of the draft, Mark. Tatum announced a one-step deal. The Milwaukee Bucks sent away their second-round sixth-pick pick to get Ilyasova from the Pacers.
The deal Henson and Hammond have agreed to a long time ago, but it was only officially approved by the league today. And soon, the Pacers used that pick to acquire senior rookie Malcolm. Brogdon.
Henson let out a sigh of relief, but fortunately Brogdon wasn't cut off early. Otherwise, he would have lost an Ilyasova for nothing.
After that, Henson has one of the Pacers' remaining second-round picks. However, since Henson no longer had a goal, he let Bird pick a random rookie. Anyway, his real target, Brogdon, has already been reached, and the other Henson has not lived up to expectations.
In this way, Brogdon inexplicably became a walker. He was both excited and scared.
Excited, because the Pacers are a team that has just built a dynasty. When he was in high school and college a few years ago, he was equally fascinated by the Indianapolis legend.
And the scared thing is that Henson. Joe's return upset Brogdon. Because Henson is known to be a maverick, most young players would be afraid to get along with this enigmatic coach.
Although Spike. Lee's documentary caused a huge response two years ago, but the image of Henson as a "jerk" has become ingrained in the hearts of the people and cannot be changed.
And Brogdon is well aware that the Pacers have always been full of talent on the outside. Brogdon didn't want to sit on the bench for a year and then disappear into the NBA until no one remembers his name.
These two reasons made Brogdon's heart very worried. He's already thinking about how to catch Henson in the summer league. Coach Joe's heart is up.
With no close-ups, no handshakes on stage and no world-class treatment, Brogdon celebrated his selection by the Pacers in his home, in a hug with his family.
He stared at the TV screen with an old-fashioned smile and pretended he had picked up a Pacers baseball cap in his hand and put it on his head.
"Starting today, Malcolm. Brogdon, too, is a walker! ”
Brogdon said to himself in his heart, this 23-year-old young guy didn't know yet. What a great new chapter in his career.
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The success of Brogdon's plan means that Henson's first step this summer has been officially achieved.
But Henson didn't get carried away, knowing full well that Brogdon wasn't the kind of player who could change the game on his own. Just adding a Brogdon would not give the Pacers an advantage in the matchup with the Warriors and Cavaliers.
The Pacers still have a long way to go this summer. So on the night of the draft, in the hotel next to the United Center, Henson and Bird discussed their next reinforcement plan.
"I have to get back to Indianapolis tomorrow morning, and I don't worry about them." Back at the hotel, Henson's first words made Bird curl up.
He knew that the "they" in Henson's mouth meant Angelie and Emily.
"Don't worry, Henson, the tickets have been bought, and we'll be back to Indianapolis early tomorrow morning. Regarding Brogdon, what do you think is a good chance that he will be able to play? ”
"Ten percent likely." Henson replied without thinking, "Brogdon's excellent basketball IQ and solid shooting ability make him enough to be a jack-of-all-trades guard." He may not be able to be a superstar, but he can definitely be a great piece of the puzzle. ”
"You're pretty sure."
"I've always been sure about drafts, Bird. Now that our first step is complete, I think it's time to start the follow-up reinforcements. This summer, we're not just going to sign free agents. We've got to have a trade, Bird, some players have to leave. ”
"You're the general manager, and you're in charge. The only thing I need to know is what your reinforcement ideas are. ”
Henson didn't answer immediately, but pulled out a small notebook. This is the main rotation list he envisions for next season.
At the No. 1 spot, the Pacers already have Chris. Paul and Brogdon, who had just been chosen. On the second position, Danny. Green and Oladipo are enough to hold on. At the No. 3 position, the Pacers have star George and Josh. Richardson. In the fourth position, it is Antetokounmpo who should almost cash in on his talent and veteran Channing. Fry.
And at the No. 5 position, at Henson's request, the Pacers have only one player who meets the main rotation ability, and there is only one Kevin . Rooney.
The main rotation of the first to fourth positions, Henson is already barely satisfied. As for the number five position, Henson needs to add some other players.
So now, Henson's reinforcement goals are clear. Focusing on the No. 5 position, and then signing a few jack-of-all-trades who can play multiple positions for other positions, this summer's reinforcement plan is almost complete.
Henson is glad that the old team of the former Pacers still has a few people here. As a result, the Pacers don't need to completely overturn the rebuild. Sometimes, the gap from the Eastern Conference semifinals to the championship is not as huge as everyone thinks.
"Reinforcement plan...... I need a center like Ayr who can open up space. As you said, it's the general trend for the center to shoot three-pointers now. But I don't want a pure space insider, but a more traditional center who can defend, can attack in the low post, and can shoot threes at the same time. In other positions, add some jack-of-all-trades players, such as Stephenson's back then. That's my train of thought, Bird. ”
"Uh-huh......" Larry. Bird touched his chin, "There aren't many centers who can shoot three-pointers even if they are traditional, Vucevic of the Magic team?" Cousins of the Kings? But these two guys, I'm afraid we don't have the chips to exchange. ”
"No, there's one more you forgot." Henson smiled slightly, although the transfer market has not yet opened, he already has a pre-selection target.
"Who?"
"Of course it's the Nets' center forward."
Henson looked down at his notebook again, and in the center position he was the first to write a name - Brooke. Lopez.