Chapter 33: NBA team concerns

"Kobe, we saw you in the stands against USC. May I ask why you left the game?"

In the early morning, as soon as Kobe drove to the outside of the Lakers training arena, he was chased and intercepted by a group of media reporters.

"Well, because I've seen the results."

"Then you're here to see DeMar?"

"In the beginning, I wanted to see this kid who likes fadeaway jumpers, well, he's not bad, and his basketball talent is also very good."

"However, what impresses me the most is their number 1 player."

"Oh, there are not many players who can impress you, let alone an NCAA player. Do you appreciate his performance?"

The media finally blocked Kobe. They wanted to interview Kobe after the game at the Galen Center, the home court of USC, but they didn't expect him to leave the game halfway.

This time the opportunity was seized, so all the reporters were like cats seeing fish, their eyes lit up.

"Yeah, he's been incredible, and he's got a really high IQ, and what stands out to me the most is his three-point shot and his passing."

"His three-point shot is too lethal, and his passing will give him more offensive options. I think other NCAA teams who want to enter the championship should be careful. You are very good. Could capsize on USC."

The media reporters did not expect Kobe to be so optimistic about Lian Dao, and they also saw the University of Southern California, which has never won an NCAA basketball championship.

"Then do you think he will enter the first round of this year's draft?"

"Of course!" Kobe said firmly.

Then added.

"I believe that with his current strength, he will definitely enter the first round, and he will be the top 20 pick in the first round."

"Even if he still performs well in the next game, then I believe it is not impossible to be the top five pick or even the top pick. He has this strength!"

Kobe is very optimistic about the prospects of Lian Dao.

Because Lian Dao is indeed excellent!

He seemed to see Kidd and Nash in Lian Dao's pass.

Of course, the current Lian Dao has not grown to their level, but Kobe has a hunch that Lian Dao has the potential to become a top passer.

Since he can find it himself, Kobe doesn't believe that professional scouts raised by teams can't find it.

That's why Kobe is so optimistic about Lian Dao's draft pick.

At the same time, the scouts of the Lakers also sorted out the information and gave it to team manager Mitch Kupchak.

Mickey looked at the information of several players compiled by the scouts.

Among them are Lian Dao and DeMar. First of all, he removed DeMar. The Lakers now have Kobe, and there is no shortage of shooting guards.

On the contrary, the consciousness is weak at the small forward position.

The team is now also trying to trade Vladimir Radmanovich. At that time, he was signed and originally planned to use his three-pointers as a firepower point on the outside, but after this guy came to the Lakers, his state declined sharply. Did not have the desired effect.

The most important thing is that the trade value of this guy is a bit low now. Only the Bobcats offer him an offer and are willing to use Adam Morrison in exchange, but Mitch doesn’t want Adam Morrison. Walton tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his left knee.

Even if this kind of injury recovers, I don't know how much this guy's strength will come back.

This also made Mitch feel very entangled. It is really useless to keep Vladimir Radmanovich if he doesn't trade it. If he trades it, the value is too low.

Mickey rubbed the sore corners of his eyes, after reading all the materials of Lian Dao.

Mickey already knew that Lian Dao's talent was indeed very high, and that he was especially suitable for the Lakers, but this season the Lakers are making an impact on the championship.

With the current record, the Lakers' pick can only hover at the end.

"Bang bang bang."

There was a knock on the door.

"Enter!"

It was Kobe who opened the door and walked in. After he came to the training hall, he went directly to the general manager's office.

"Hey, Mickey, I found a genius, he..." Kobe stepped forward to introduce Lian Dao to Mickey.

But looking down, he found that the top of the general manager's desk was Lian Dao's information.

"You read this guy's profile, how does it feel, I think he is very suitable for the Lakers!"

Mitch nodded first, and then asked the secretary to bring Kobe a cup of coffee.

"He is indeed very good, but he is an NCAA player, and our goal this season is the championship!"

"Whether to get him or not will have to wait until the end of this season."

Kobe also calmed down.

That's right, their goal this season is the championship. Their lineup has been fully adjusted this season, and they will definitely step on the Celtics this year.

It's kind of inappropriate to talk about a guy who hasn't made it to the NBA right now.

Immediately, Kobe nodded.

"Okay, let's wait until we lift that trophy this season. Then I'll go!"

…

At the same time, other teams have similar situations.

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace also just read the information given to him by the scouts.

"Sure enough, he has improved again. It seems that this little guy has great potential."

While talking to himself, he tapped the desk lightly with his fingers, as if he was thinking about something.

…

Popovich is also very interested in Lian Dao. After April this year, Duncan will be 34. It is time to consider finding a successor for the team.

Smart, talented, really born to be the core of the team.

"This season is over, it seems that we have to do something."

Teams such as the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors and Minnesota Timberwolves also have a strong interest in Lian Dao.

In particular, the management of the Timberwolves is very interested in Lian Dao.

So far this season, the Timberwolves have a record of 11 wins and 26 losses. Judging from the current lineup, it is basically impossible to make it to the playoffs.

But the performance of their rookie Kevin Love this season gave the Timberwolves hope for a rise.

They urgently need to find a No. 1 player who can organize.

The Timberwolves' management is particularly optimistic about the Spanish player Ricky Rubio.

I have to say that the Timberwolves have a good vision. Rubio, who is only 18 years old, is considered a genius prodigy in the basketball world.

He is very famous in Europe.

The European media spoke very highly of him and her.

"Maybe he shouldn't be called a genius, not because the word "genius" is too high-profile and easy to stimulate adrenaline, but because "genius" is a bit shabby when used on him, just like describing Marilyn Dream with only "beauty" Lou, "nice" is as offensive as Elvis Presley, but you'd be hard-pressed to find a more striking and advanced word.

You can bet with others that in the suburbs of Barcelona, ​​Spain, there is one of the best post-90s basketball teenagers in the world—Ricky Rubio. No matter how much money you bet, you are guaranteed to win. "

But he does deserve the praise of the media in European basketball.

In 2006, Rubio led the Spanish team to win the European Under-16 Basketball Championship.

In the 110-106 double-overtime victory over Russia, Rubio scored 51 points, grabbed 24 rebounds, 12 assists, and 7 steals. Even NBA scouts believe that he must be the future emperor. superstar.

After winning the Men's Basketball World Championships in the same year, the Spanish team announced the 12-man roster for the BJ Olympics One of them is Rubio who is only 17 years old.

The selection template given to him by the NBA is the best template: Irvin Johnson; the worst prospect: Sergio Rodriguez.

The upper limit is high and the lower limit is low.

But the Timberwolves' management is particularly optimistic about this European player.

Therefore, this year, the Timberwolves management and the team are basically determined, that is, to continue to perform poorly.

Because of the trade of Garnett last year, the Timberwolves traded back the 2009 draft pick that was previously traded to the Celtics, and they also hold the Celtics' first-round pick this year.

Of course, this year's Celtics' pick is basically at the end of the first round, but it's better than nothing.

Add to that the 2007 trade of Mark Blunt and Richie Davis to the Miami Heat for Michael Dolek, Wayne Simeon, Antawn Walker and a 2009 first-round pick.

Now they already have 3 first-round picks in their hands.

However, since Rubio belongs to the Spanish Barcelona team, it is possible to select Rubio, and it is unlikely to enter the NBA in a short time.

At this time, the Timberwolves need to find a new No. 1 player.

At the beginning, Lian Dao didn't meet the Timberwolves' standards, because they only wanted to find a pure point guard.

But when the scouts sent the video of Lian Dao's game, the Timberwolves' management was a little shaken.

Lian Dao's passing is too sharp, and he has an excellent three-pointer when he is off the button. His tall and thin body has amazing strength.

Immediately, team manager Kevin McHale decided to make Lian Dao the second most important player besides Rubio.