At 7 p.m. on June 27, an hour before the start of the draft, outside Madison Square Garden, the 'red carpet show' began, and the members of the Little Green House were like big stars, leaving in hundreds of shots what was perhaps the most watched moment of their basketball career.

The sports channels of major television stations are broadcasting live.

In Madison Square Garden, in the Lakers draft office, almost all of the Lakers management came and was watching live TV.

When Li Ao appeared, he brought a few people, a beautiful woman holding his arm, followed by a handsome guy, an old man full of aura, who appeared in Li Ao's live broadcast announcing his candidacy, and a person who looked like a school leader, and the head coach of the Trojans.

A group of people on the Lakers stared at the TV screen and closed their eyes by the flash, walked straight forward, and the handsome guys who trotted up with beautiful women let out sighs.

The media is working hard to build momentum for this year's draft, trying to make people feel like this year's candidates are full of talent.

As for the few who played in the back, they can spray this rookie again when the time comes, all of them are parallel goods.

What's the matter, the media is all profitable.

It's just that this year's rookie is really bad, I don't know how many years it hasn't been so bad.

Some rookies really can't even find the point to blow, and only one Kenyon Martin holds the card, and a few high school students have a topic of conversation.

The media have been busy for a long time, and the popularity of other rookies is not as high as Li Ao's refusal to try out.

Li Ao took the time to make a movie and make an appointment with a young actor, which was more popular than the joint trial.

Just like now, in the eyes of the Lakers management, other rookies seem to be destined to be Li Ao's foil.

If they don't put too much effort into this draft and don't pay too much attention to this draft, they will be snatched away by other teams.

There are so many talented players every year, and they are also optimistic, if they all beat their chests and are annoyed because they were not selected, they would have died of depression.

However, they began to pay attention to this genius of flower growers very early, not only because of their talent, but also because of the vast Chinese market.

In the preparation stage of the draft, it also took a lot of energy, put a lot of effort into it, planned multiple trade packages, and made substantial offers with multiple teams......

It's really infuriating that I didn't choose it like this.

After the entrance red carpet show, the commercials began, followed by the pre-draft analysis show, and Jenny Buss turned off the TV.

She wondered: "What kind of mess did the Grizzlies come to make trouble, without them, Leo's pick expectations can't be so high, and I'm even worried that the Nets will see the commercial value behind him and pick him out." ”

The logo man said quite calmly: "If they want to choose, we can't help it, we have done our best, if he is not selected in the first 4 picks, we will win this draft." ”

Kupchak said very heartbrokenly: "I thought it would be enough to exchange Glenn for the 13th pick, or Glenn plus Rick for the 10th pick, but I didn't expect to send Glenn (Rice), Rick (Fox), AC (Green), Ron (Harper) together, and add this year's first-round pick, give these to the Magic, they have cleared the salary space, and can directly eat the three top salaries, if they really get those two, their existing main lineup, plus the players we give, Directly become the strongest team in the East! ”

Jerry Buss's reaction was similar to Jerry West's, and he said calmly: "It doesn't matter if the substitute is gone, we have OK combinations, and more players want to hug our thighs, but if the genius misses it, it really misses it, and if a genius like Leo who suits our style of play misses, it is our eternal loss."

Phil also feels that this deal is not a loss, with Leo as the high-level core of the triangle attack, and the strength of our core squad will go further and truly dominate everything. ”

Kupchak was still unwilling: "But it's still too expensive, I know that Leo should belong to the lotto area, and the 5th pick is no problem, but the Magic team has too much appetite, and this year's 5th pick is not worth the price." ”

"You can't blame Leo for this, he pushed down all the tryouts in order to join us, and he even said things like 'I want to finish my studies in Los Angeles' and 'I don't care if I don't get selected, I have a good academic performance and don't worry about not having a job', he has done everything he can."

It's just that I didn't expect him to do this more and the higher the pick, and now we can only expect the Grizzlies not to pick him, and I got the news that although Mike Bibby suggested to the Grizzlies to choose Leo, the Grizzlies did not officially invite Leo to tryout, and the Bulls' tryout invitation Leo also declined, and the Bulls have someone to choose with the 4th pick, and they will only choose Leo with the 7th pick, so as long as the Grizzlies don't choose, the probability of us getting Leo is still very high. ”

When the others heard this, they all nodded, feeling that there was still a lot of hope.

Only Boas Jr. muttered: "How do I think Leo is seeing that he is improving his position without doing anything, so he is simply lazy and does not go to the trial, saving time and dating female stars." ”

Jenny Bass sneered, "You think everyone is like you?" Too lazy to be like a pig, like a turtle, our scouting report is not written clearly enough? Leo spent 9 out of 10 days in the training gym, and when he was tired of training, he went to ask a female star to relax, what's wrong? ”

Little Bas looked at the eldest sister angrily, wanting to reply but didn't dare.

Compared with his eldest sister, he does work as hard as a pig, and his work efficiency is indeed similar to that of a turtle.

Jerry Bass glanced at his stupid son irritably, wanting to scold but reluctant.

There is no way, his other sons don't listen to him, some of them are engaged in their own careers, they refuse to take over his class, some want to be artists, and they are not at home every day, so this stupid son stays by his side every day to make him happy.

Although he has no ability, at least he is filial.

After chatting, the Lakers draft office quieted down, patiently or irritably waiting for the draft to begin.

They have a 29th pick this year, and if the draft goes well, they will send it out, there is no need to discuss it, and if it doesn't go well, there is also a choice to choose.

Suddenly, the mobile phone rang, which was particularly harsh in the quiet office, and everyone's eyes were focused on the mobile phone in front of the logo man.

The logo man picked up the mobile phone on the desk and connected: "Hello, I'm Jerry......"

After a while, the logo man hung up the phone.

At this moment, his expression was unprecedentedly painful.

Little Bas asked, "Jerry, why is your expression so ugly?" Who called? ”

Other people are also curious, the call at this time must be related to the draft.

The corners of the logo man's mouth twitched: "The Grizzlies called, they want to use Bryant Levi, Dennis Scott, Doug West, Brent Price, Grant Lang, and trade Rick, Glenn, Derek, and Robert with us." ”

Little Bas burst into foul language on the spot and said, "They're crazy, aren't they?" It's not a robbery, it's taking our money and on our heads! ”

Bryant Reeves, a player in the class of 95, was able to see the first three years of his career, averaging 16 points and 8 boards per game in his best year, but after the rookie contract ended and signed a 5-year 50 million US dollar contract, he instantly changed from 16+8 in the previous year to 10+5, and this season is only 8+5 performance.

With 3 years and $35 million left on the current contract, it's hard to find a garbage contract worse than that.

The contracts of Dennis Scott, Doug West, Brent Price, and Grant Lang are not high, with an annual salary of between 1 million and 3 million, all of them are veterans who have played for many years, and they are basically unable to play now, but they all have 2-3 years left in the contract, and they are all seven or eight years long contracts signed in the mid-90s.

Moreover, the luxury tax clause passed in '98, which will come into effect in the 01-02 season, will surely become a huge burden by then.

These 5 people, with their combined annual salaries, are basically the same as the 4 people that the Grizzlies want to exchange back, and the gap is within the NBA rules and can be traded directly.

But the value of players on both sides is completely different, and the Lakers' 4 are all high-quality assets at present.

The Grizzlies' five, if Bryant Levis is a garbage contract, the other four aren't even as good as stinky shit.

No matter how bad Bass's business ability is, he is still very clear about the specific situation of the players on the NBA teams, otherwise he, the small boss, would not have been arranged by the old Bass to give the logo man and Kupchak a hand, although the old Bass loves this stupid son, but the team is well run is the capital of his son.

Little Bass scolded the street, but his eldest sister didn't say anything, this time she should scold the street.

However, although the others were surprised by the outrageous offer made by the Grizzlies, they didn't speak immediately, and after glancing at the scolding little Bus, they turned their eyes back to the logo man.

The logo man was still in pain and said, "If we complete this 4-for-5 deal, the Grizzlies will give us the No. 2 pick, otherwise they will pick Leo away." ”

"Vako!" Kupchak scolded and said: "I said that they shouldn't have a reason to choose Leo, why didn't they come out to deny Mike Bibby's words, it turned out to be this idea!"

They have Bibby, Raheem, Dixon, take four of our players over, they have a main lineup, they have the possibility to make the playoffs, and they also send away their garbage contracts that occupy 18 million space, two of their three cores are rookie contracts, there is a salary cap space, with our four players, maybe they can attract a star to join. ”

The rest of the Lakers also wanted to curse the streets, and Kupchak basically analyzed the Grizzlies' operation thoroughly.

Now it's even harder!

The Grizzlies really dare to choose!

Last year, Francis made it clear that he didn't want to play outside of the United States, and wanted to play for the Charlotte Hornets, who have a pick, but the Grizzlies drafted him with the top pick.

Although he was forced to trade Francis in the end, it was enough to see how iron the Grizzlies management was, and the Grizzlies did not trade Francis to the East, but to the Great Southwest, far away from Maryland, so ruthlessly.

When everyone didn't know what to decide now, a guy with the same iron head as Grizzlies management strongly suggested, "Dad, let's stud!" ”

Old Bass, who has always been calm, finally didn't hold back this time: "Stud stud, I should have shot you on the card table in the first place!" Let you stud for a lifetime! ”

…

At the draft meeting, Li Ao led the group to the table with his name written on it.

He looked around and saw quite a few players he had played against.

It's just that most of these people are not very friendly when they see him.

His last opponent in college, the Spartans, had two selections to the Little Green House, Martin Cliffs and Maurice Peterson.

and Swift, Mike Miller...... and a couple of opponents whose names I can't remember.

Mike Miller, who was at the next table, warmly stood up and greeted him: "Leo, I didn't expect you to run this year too." ”

Li Ao stepped forward and hugged him, and said enthusiastically: "You are all running, the ranking prediction is still so high, and I won you, I think I can also be selected." ”

"Your mouth is still so nasty, you have to know that there are players here who have lost to you, and if we join forces, you may not be able to beat us."

Li Ao pursed his lips several times with a tangled expression, and replied with a painful face: "Your self-confidence is really beyond my expectations......

Li Ao returned to his position and sat down, Mike Miller pulled the chair directly next to Li Ao and asked, "Leo, what pick do you think you will be drafted in?" Can you squeeze that disgusting guy down? ”

On this topic, Vivian and Liam dragged chairs around Li Ao and watched strongly.

The trio followed Mike Miller's line of sight, Kenyon Martin......

Li Ao wondered: "Wasn't he defeated by you, what are you staring at him?" ”

"He can't afford to lose, elbow me!"

"That's fine, I also elbowed him, and he hasn't been noticed by the referee yet, and he looks vicious, in fact, he's a coward, and he's soft if you're tougher than him."

Mike Miller: ( ̄ェ ̄; )

He wanted to say something - you and I are you! Legend has it that you fight hundreds of times a year, forcing the school to send you to the varsity team to vent your violent emotions on the court?

It's a little sour to think of this Mike Miller, who has worked hard for so many years, and that's what a 4-10 pick can expect.

This guy has only started playing in his sophomore year, and he has been playing for a few months, and now the order is expected to be similar to him.

Li Ao shook his head and continued: "It shouldn't be possible, my prediction is too high, some of the teams that invited me to try out should just join in the fun, and I will spend a little time on their trial, and I haven't gone yet, I think I will be selected in the ideal position." ”

"29th pick? No way, you can't fall out of the lotto zone, you think too much, you can't go to the Lakers. Mike Miller shook his head repeatedly.

"No, it's the 10th pick, and they promised to trade me with the 10th pick." Li Ao felt that it should be said at this time that the Lakers had won the championship, and there was no need to worry about affecting their morale.

Mike Miller suddenly realized: "No wonder you refused all the team tryouts, it turned out that you were worried that the tryouts would be too good and you would be selected by other teams......"

As he spoke, he began to sour again: "It's great, Los Angeles, big city, I don't know where I'm going, it's great if it's Chicago, Orlando and Atlanta are okay, don't be Cleveland!" ”

"The Bulls have two picks, the 4th and 7th picks, the Magic 5th pick, and the Hawks 6th pick, so you can relax, one of these teams will pick you."

"Thank you for your blessings, and I hope you can go to Los Angeles too, we both go to play in big cities!"

The friendship between Li Ao and Mike Miller was forged here.

The two actually don't have much communication, and they still play in the game, but they can't stand being able to look at each other in private, they are both enthusiastic and talkative, and they can withstand ridicule.

With their best wishes for each other, the two sat together and waited for the draft to begin.

Soon, at 8 p.m., to the boos of hundreds of fans, David Stern was on stage.

After the opening of the NBA2000 draft, the draft began.

The Nets' envelope is already in Stern's hands.

When Stern opened the envelope, Ao's heart raced, and he noticed that Mike Miller's eyes were also staring straight next to him.

Although he felt impossible, Li Ao still had a picture of playing with Kidd in the future in his mind at this moment.

The Nets shouldn't be able to trade Marbury for Kidd as a head, after all, Kenyon Martin is all here......

"Ladies and gentlemen, in the 2000 NBA Draft, the New Jersey Nets drafted the New Jersey with the first pick...... Kenyon Martin from the University of Cincinnati! ”

As Stern read out his name, the image that emerged in Li Ao's mind shattered instantly.

Stern and Kenyon Martin shook hands and left the stage for a photo, and the big screen began to show highlights of Kenyon Martin flying away from the collegiate arena.

Three minutes later, Stern returned to the stage and opened the envelope.

Li Ao also didn't have much hope of being drafted with the second pick, and the Grizzlies didn't have any contact with him.

If you really get chosen...... Can you have a snowball fight in the summer?

"Ladies and gentlemen, in the 2000 NBA Draft, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected the ...... with the second overall pick Stromeyer Swift from Louisiana State University! ”

Sure enough, the Grizzlies drafted a high jumper, and Li Ao didn't feel discouraged, although he alone was almost hotter than everyone else combined, but he didn't really think he could be selected in the top three.

The middle-aged man who propped his arms on the table sighed, thinking that there was still a long way to go to get along with his son......

On the other side, in the Lakers draft office, everyone cheered in unison.

They got the bet right!

The Grizzlies are cheating on them!

The Grizzlies' sagy operation, if it succeeds, it will be bloody, and if it is not successful, there will be no loss.

Half an hour ago, all of them blew up, and at the critical moment, the old Bass stopped the field, concluded that they refused to trade, and the Grizzlies would definitely not choose, so the logo man called back to refuse.

Now everyone on the Lakers is relieved and hugging each other happily.

On the Bulls' side, they will definitely pick Marcus Fetzer with the 4th pick, which is the news that the logo man heard.

He believes the news is true because Marcus Fetzer is almost the adopted son of Bulls current head coach Tim Floyd.

In middle and high school, Marcus Fitzel attended Detroit, and the family where he stayed at that time was the home of Tim Floyd, who was working as an assistant teacher at the University of Michigan, and for a few years, the two were closer than father and son.

The Lakers management is ready to give Li Ao a warm welcome ceremony!

Some rejoice, some are angry.

In the Grizzlies draft office, Mike Bibby, who forcibly followed the team to New York, was extremely angry at the moment.

He yelled at the general manager, "Al, didn't you promise me to choose Leo?" ”

Mike Bibby, although he doesn't like his father, can even be said to hate.

But he still trusts his father's vision.

He knows very well that the biggest problem of their Grizzlies team is not that the veterans are bloated, but that the three cores cannot be connected together.

And he, although he dares to fight and has good key ball ability, his arrogant character is not suitable for being a leader.

He learned from his father that the biggest characteristic of Li Ao, a young man, was his strong leadership ability, which he did not question at all.

After Li Ao joined the Trojan team, he has been paying attention to the qualitative changes brought to the Trojan team.

After all, it was the team his father coached.

So after receiving a call from Henry Bibie, although Mike Bibi rejected the other party's recommendation and ridiculed the other party fiercely, he went to the stadium to find the general manager the next day and suggested Li Ao.

General manager Al Ford agreed, and after he went out and publicly said that he wanted to choose Li Ao, Al Ford did not come out to deny it.

As a result, I didn't choose it at this time!

Al Ford explained: "I know Leo is good, I also believe in your and your father's vision, I know we need a tough leader, Leo has that quality, but he's too young, isn't he?"

And I was worried that he wouldn't want to play with us, he only tried out with the Lakers and said he wanted to finish his education in Los Angeles.

My guess is that he has reached an agreement with the Lakers, and I just made an offer to the Lakers, and they didn't turn us down in the first place, confirming my suspicion, and although they refused to trade us in the end, they must have traded the high draft pick to pick Leo away. ”

Mike Bibby no longer looked angry, but asked without the slightest expression: "I don't know what you want from the Lakers in return, but since they rejected the trade, why don't we pick him away?" ”

"I'm worried about a repeat of Francis's thing, and if we elect him and he doesn't want to come to Vancouver, what are we going to do? Another losing trade? ”

Al Ford was helpless, and he was relieved to see that Mike Bibby was finally no longer angry.

As everyone knows, what Mike Bibby is thinking at this moment - you are worried that he will not come, so you are not worried about me leaving?

…

Eyes back to the draft scene.

After another 3 minutes, after the high jumper's bouncing show was played, Stern returned to the stage.

Li Ao looked at a high school student not far away, Darius Myers, nicknamed 'Little Garnett'.

The Clippers are said to be very pleased with the tryout, praising Garnett, who is faster.

After Stern on the stage opened the envelope, his hand trembled when he saw the name, and a hint of surprise flashed on his chrysanthemum-like smiling face.

"Ladies and gentlemen, in the 2000 NBA Draft, the Los Angeles Clippers drafted the Los Angeles Clippers with the third pick...... An international student from Los Angeles who grows flowers, Leo! ”

Li Ao suddenly heard his English name, and he didn't react at first, but after coming back to his senses, his head instantly turned to the stage and looked at David Stern with an expression of disbelief.

When he saw the big screen screen switch to his suit photo, his mind exploded!

It's going to Los Angeles, but not the Lakers!

(End of chapter)