Chapter 7, The Next Bob-Bass?
Fortunately, he is about to jump out of this pit.
Jerry West recalled the information he received from his old friend Jim Boeheim, shaking his head and said, "Not necessarily, but it’s worth a gamble, so I suggest you select him at the 24th pick. I just didn’t expect the Knicks and the Grizzlies to elevate him to the 13th pick, but the 13th pick is also worth a gamble."
"Ahem," Bill Duffy coughed lightly and reassured, "The Trail Blazers are quite good as well. Damon Stoudamire and Jeff McInnis had poor performances last season, so your chances with the Trail Blazers might be quite good... Let's still try to apply for a trade."
Bill Duffy initially contacted Anthony, and later learned that Liu Xiu was also looking for an agent. He leveraged his connection with Yao Ming to sign Liu Xiu as well
It may be so, but it doesn't matter. First, let's meet the boss's and your needs. If we incur some losses, so be it, as I will be leaving soon anyway. If it weren't for you insisting on choosing that novice, I would have left long ago.
He is lowering the price; does he not fear that we will not proceed with the transaction and be left with it? They have chosen another point guard, which suggests they do not intend to keep him for their own use
At the moment when Liu Xiu and Bill Duffy were both feeling quite frustrated, Anthony, who had just been in bed, appeared beside them out of nowhere and disdainfully said: "What’s there to fear about going to the Trail Blazers? I would even dare to go if the Pistons selected me."
Leaning back against the headboard, Liu Xiu glanced at Anthony, who was still sound asleep, turned his head to look at the television, but his mind was occupied with thoughts of his uncertain future
However, such matters cannot be resolved simply by thinking about them and taking action
Portland Prison
Jeff McGinnis performed exceptionally well in the 2001-2002 season, but upon joining the Trail Blazers, he seems to have quickly declined
Kupchak no longer wanted to dwell on the sad matter and asked something interesting: "Jerry, is that rookie really talented?"
We don't have time, Jerry. Kobe doesn't want to wait, Shaq doesn't want to wait, and we simply don't have time to wait. If we can't win the championship right away, the OK combination you built will be gone
However, Kupchak is not capable; if Kupchak truly acts in that manner, the Lakers have no reason to retain him, as they cannot wait for the fruits of his labor.
As soon as the new prompt arrived, Liu Xiu felt a wave of soreness throughout his body... He almost let out a sound
They have other clients available for trading
But this is the current situation of their Trail Blazers... shaking his head, he said: "It seems I need to reconsider how to arrange this lottery show."
"Jess, the Grizzlies just called me, you have been traded to the Trail Blazers"
Bill Duffy's expression does not look very good, and Liu Xiu feels that something bad is happening
Liu Xiu lay down, gripping the quilt with both hands, biting the quilt with his mouth, silently reciting the extraction.
Jerry West wants Bunchy Wells, but the Lakers also have players that Jerry West desires, such as Devin George and Medvedenko, who could be effectively utilized by the Grizzlies. This could help the Lakers create a better future, and Jerry West would certainly prefer to trade with the Lakers
If he personally takes charge, after the three consecutive championships, he will, at the start of the new season, send away some of the championship contributors for various reasons, in order to rebuild a roster of role players to prepare for the future. If the owner disagrees, then he will create a stir, portraying himself as the general manager who acts unilaterally, thus preventing the owner, who values his reputation, from bearing any responsibility
He even regrets that due to the system's reasons, his sleep quality is too good, making it impossible for him to sleep in.
Although Liu Xiu may not be as aware as Bill Duffy of the extent of the problems facing the Trail Blazers, it is not necessary for him to have such clarity. Over the past ten months, he has observed that eight out of ten news reports regarding the Trail Blazers have been about someone getting into trouble again
As an agent, Bill Duffy has a deep understanding of each team
The Trail Blazers and the Knicks share a common characteristic – newcomers are often bullied.
Not long after, the system notification arrived
It is evident that Jerry West took a gamble when the draft position was the twenty-fourth; even if he lost the bet, it would not be too detrimental, especially considering that it was the thirteenth pick in the draft year... After all, it was Kobe!
Consuming 191 healing points, extracting simulated training results...
... ...
However, Liu Xiu, this novice
Jace! I want to challenge you to a duel
At the same time, in the suite of Jerry West, the General Manager of the Grizzlies, at the Four Seasons Hotel in New York, besides Jerry West, there was also Mitch Kupchak, the General Manager of the Lakers
Last year's Quintero-Woods and the year before's Zach-Randolph, although their draft positions were not high, both showcased considerable talent in the summer league, yet both are barely surviving on the Trail Blazers team
I am still feeling drowsy. This afternoon, I need to negotiate with the Nuggets. I didn't sleep well last night, so let me take a nap first
He has only been gone for a year
This can also be considered a talent... Bob Sweet, feeling frustrated yet compelled to acknowledge, said: "I understand, then the Knicks must have the same thoughts as you do regarding selecting him"
The improvements brought about by training cannot be observed overnight
Morris Chicks jokingly remarked: "Are you regretting it now? I didn't expect this guy to be so in demand, but the Grizzlies have already made their choice. If you breach the contract, it might negatively impact your future work, right?"
Morris Chicks honestly replied: "I do not have much confidence in his talent or combat effectiveness"
At 7 o'clock in the morning, Liu Xiu woke up from his sleep, his biological clock functioning perfectly
Bob Bass, a highly regarded executive in the NBA, has worked in the league for over thirty years since 1967. His most famous move was selecting Kobe Bryant with the 13th pick in the 1996 draft, and after holding him for just over ten days, he traded him to the Los Angeles Lakers in mid-July 1996 in exchange for All-Star center Vlade Divac
If I were still the manager of the Lakers, I would choose to keep him; the Lakers can afford the gamble, but the Grizzlies cannot
At this point in time, who is it
Bob Sweet was surprised: "I thought your vision was the same as that of the logo man. Didn't you suggest I choose him because you believed in that rookie?"
Morris Chicks was aware that Bob Sweat had decided to leave the team. Considering the team's gains and losses, and out of professional integrity, it is also noteworthy that after Bob Sweat's departure, he would continue to work under Paul Allen, joining another professional team owned by Paul Allen, the Seattle Seahawks
Simulation training can specify which items to train, the duration, and the order of training. However, once the "remaining stamina" is exhausted, the simulation training will not continue.
How could Liu Xiu have imagined that the campus gang background, which he believed would lower his draft expectations during the selection process, could, under certain circumstances, actually become one of the factors for his selection? Moreover, it significantly increased his final ranking
... ...
Los Angeles Lakers
The decline in basketball skills is secondary; this year's thirteenth overall pick rookie will have approximately over 4 million US dollars in earnings over the next 4 years. Based on Bill Duffy's understanding of Liu Xiu over the past two months, it is sufficient for Liu Xiu to embark on a brand new life
The current Trail Blazers team is a typical example of a rookie graveyard type of team
Indeed
Is 4 hours and 22 minutes a bit shorter than the competition season? Fortunately, in about ten days, there will be a summer league to participate in. For now, improving strength is the most important.
Kuntel-Woods was even deceived by local dealers into selling drugs, and during his rookie season, he was incarcerated for two months and subsequently suspended for one month
At the beginning, Liu Xiu was not actually in this languid state
The Lakers want our rookie, which is probably a suggestion from the logo guy. Even if we do not agree to his price reduction, he might still choose to stay or actually be traded to the Lakers...
This year, Bill Duffy signed more than just Liu Xiu and Anthony among the candidates for new recruits, totaling around ten individuals. Out of these, three were selected, and one was chosen in the middle of the second round, named Willie Green, who was traded to the 76ers after being selected
... ...
So you didn't even attend the draft in person, but sent an assistant instead, fearing that you might be tempted to buy a lottery ticket again
This pun, Jerry West chuckled, "Maybe I will become the next Bob Bass"
However, this is not the solution that this kind-hearted person desires
Most importantly, after those few seconds of soreness, everything is fine, unlike the kind of soreness experienced the day after a truly exhausting workout that drains one's physical strength to the limit
A few seconds later, Liu Xiu simultaneously released his hands and mouth, suppressing his voice as he let out a breath.
Basic skills of layup on the board for 2 hours, basic skills of ball control for 1 hour, three-point catch and shoot for 1 hour and 22 minutes, the simulated training has concluded, extracting the results of the simulated training will require 191 points of healing value, do you wish to extract
The Trail Blazers and the Knicks are just two big pits
Bill Duffy is looking for a way out for these individuals, and of course, it is also to make his wallet fatter, as he will take a cut from the salaries of those who find jobs
Usually practicing a bit is fine for Liu Xiu, but given the current situation, Anthony expressed that he is tired
Not everyone can bear the burden of the pot
Liu Xiu was particularly adept at daydreaming, and before he knew it, two hours had passed. When the doorbell rang around 10 o'clock, it interrupted Liu Xiu's wandering thoughts
No, I refuse for legitimate reasons. The actual situation is that they want to reduce the chips given to us, and the man with the logo pressured the price after selecting that rookie.
Carmelo, come, let's settle this one-on-one as you requested
Pain
Anthony was so excited that he only fell asleep when the sky began to brighten, and now he is sleeping like a pig
Liu Xiu's promotion to the thirteenth position was entirely unexpected
However, it becomes troublesome when a person goes astray
Thinking of this, Morris-Chicks truly feels envious, but he lacks the ability to coach other projects. His old friend is about to leave, and he still has to struggle in this quagmire.
Portland Trail Blazers, that godforsaken place, who would want to go there
Liu Xiu returned after having breakfast alone, glanced at the system screen still engaged in simulation training, yawned, lay down on the bed, turned on the television, and lowered the volume to avoid disturbing Anthony
Kupchak was initially willing to take a gamble, but Jerry West strongly recommended at the 24th pick, while he did not particularly insist on the 13th pick
Then why do you choose him
At present, his relationship with the Lakers is not as distant as it will be in ten or twenty years
Do they not want to restore order? Of course they do, but they are unable to do so; however, they are making efforts, just like the general manager of the Knicks who also wants to restore order and is striving to do so
However, the intensity of this pain is not truly severe; to be precise, it is more of a soreness.
But it is really very comfortable
Bill Duffy himself has stated that he can no longer continue
Looking at Bob Sweet, it seems that he might have initially acted on a whim without much thought
He has repeatedly scorned himself, wanting to break out of his comfort zone
After all, the act of searching for lost treasures is akin to gambling
Anthony has scheduled a meeting with the Nuggets at 2:00 PM. Liu Xiu is still uncertain about the specific destination. This morning, he has been in contact with various teams, hoping to place the undrafted players under his wing onto a team for the summer league, striving to secure contracts.
Jerry West was truly speechless upon hearing this, leaving with a max-level account, and yet it could still crash
Liu Xiu got up to open the door, and to his surprise, it was Bill Duffy.
Morris Chicks stated: "The strength of the new members of our team is not the most important factor; what matters more is whether they can withstand the pressure and showcase their abilities under such pressure. He has a talent in this regard"
Who
Liu Xiu unconsciously raised his voice to the maximum, startling Anthony, who was sleeping, causing him to jump up directly
However, those who were not selected did not give up; rather, it is these unselected candidates that are currently keeping Bill Duffy extremely busy
After a few more times, it still feels quite enjoyable
Morris Cheeks appeared quite casual, as Banchero Wells, a top-tier forward in the league, was handled with such nonchalance
Morris Chicks was truly surprised this time: "How did the Lakers think they could acquire that rookie? Bob, do you think it's possible that the logo guy is just using the Lakers to drive up the price?"
However, as the duration of simulated training increased, he became increasingly lazy
Liu Xiu asked, "Bill, how come you are here? Didn't Carmelo go to meet with the Nuggets in the afternoon?"
Bill Duffy slapped his forehead, how could he forget that these two individuals were not good people either
Mickey, we have already sent NO. 13 to Portland, and it is too late for you to regret it now
A few years ago, when Sabonis was at the helm, the Trail Blazers were thriving, flourishing, and relentlessly pursuing the championship.
Then I need to observe this rookie closely to see if our logo guy will embarrass us
Once the operation bears fruit, if the outcome is favorable, those who previously criticized will immediately change their tune and sing its praises to the skies. Even if it fails, the pressure has already been endured, and one can simply start anew.
... ...
Liu Xiu then realized: "Oh right!"
Bob Sweet recalled the spirited moment two years ago when he and Maurice Chicks joined the Trail Blazers, little did they know that they would end up with such a team
He relies on his past achievements; no matter how he is criticized, his position will not be shaken. Since becoming the general manager of the Lakers in 1982, he has led the team to 6 championships
Then why don't you keep him
However, considering it from another perspective, Kupchak also has his challenges; in terms of actual influence, this successor does not hold a significant position.
The sourness comes quickly and departs just as swiftly, and after the sourness fades, he feels no significant change.
Morris Chicks originally intended to select a backup player who could potentially establish a foothold in the team; now, he has significantly increased his emphasis on the newly drafted rookie
In that moment of rage, Liu Xiu decisively wrapped himself in a blanket.