I'm not really a role player

Chapter 262 2009 Draft Conference
On June 6, US time, in New York, at the Madison Square Garden Theater, the talent show has begun.

In the high-rise private room, Li Ke scanned his surroundings with scrutiny.

He saw Blake Griffin, Harden, Serena, Curry, DeMar DeRozan sitting comfortably in the small green room below...

There are also Thabeet who is stupid and crazy about selling potential, Joni Flynn who hurt Zhongyong, old Rockets player Jordan Hill...

The success or failure of the draft actually depends on whether the management is wise or mediocre.

Compared with previous years, the draft process has not changed in any way.

David Stern stood in the center of the stage and made an opening speech against the boos of New Yorkers.

Then, he announced: "The 2009 NBA Draft starts now. The first is the selection of the Los Angeles Clippers. They have 5 minutes to consider."

Only 5 minute after 1 minutes, the Clippers general manager Mike Dunleavy made a choice——

"In the 2009 NBA draft, the first pick in the first round, the Los Angeles Clippers selected - Blake Griffin, a 6-foot-10, 251-pound power forward from the University of Oklahoma!"

In the small green room, Griffin stood up and waved to both sides.

Although the New Yorkers booed and booed everywhere, he still walked onto the stage of the Madison Square Garden Theater with an excited smile on his face.

The choice of the Clippers should be the least suspenseful.

Before the draft, it was recognized as a small-year draft, and Griffin was the only No. [-] candidate.

In fact, the NCAA in the past three years has a similarity, that is, top stars have appeared in the Big [-] leagues, and they are all forwards. The methods of conquering scouts, draft experts, fans and audiences are also historical and phenomenal offenses.

In 07 it was Xiaodu, in 08 it was Beasley, and this year it was Griffin.

The Clippers picked up Griffin, and the rest, the suspense went up.

The second pick in the first round belongs to the passive Detroit Pistons. No one knows who they will choose. It may be Harden, it may be Thabeet, or it may be Ricky Rubio who did not come to the scene at all.

In the private room, Li Ke's breathing also became short. He knew that the choice of the Pistons could profoundly affect the choice of the Bobcats.

The 5-minute consideration time quickly consumed more than half, and it seemed that Joe Dumas was also hesitating.

"In the 2009 NBA Draft, the Detroit Pistons selected...from UCLA..."

When he heard about UCLA, Li Ke knew that Serena was gone.

"Russell Westbrook!"

With David Stern's shout, Serena jumped up from the little green room.

No matter what the future holds, at least in the draft, Serena beat Li Ke.

In the private room of the stands, Li Ke applauded.

The choice of the Pistons is not surprising. They have a tradition of building a point guard team, from Isiah Thomas to Chauncey Billups.

Serena Williams should be the best point guard in this draft that Joe Dumars thinks.

"Look at the grizzly..."

The Grizzlies, the third pick in the first round, are the most important. In their previous life, they chose Thabeet with pure selling potential.

This year, there seemed to be similar rumors and rumors circulating before the draft.

"In the 2009 NBA draft, the third overall pick in the first round, the Memphis Grizzlies chose-Hashim! Thabeet!"

Seeing the tall Hashem Thabeet standing up from the small green house, Li Ke let out a heavy breath.

If there is no accident, the Bobcats should have a choice.

Emmm, he didn't know that there was also a dispute within the Grizzlies, but in the end, the general manager Chris Wallace made the decision, and the reason given was——

"We've already fallen on OJ Mayo once, so I refuse to repeat the same mistakes!"

That's right, Harden, like Mayo, is considered a short shooting guard.

At that time, Mayo had the title of the No. [-] high school student in the United States, Harden?It seems that it is not as good as Mayo.

The Grizzlies made a choice because of this, and Chris Wallace was attracted by Hashem Thabeet, who bears the name of the second generation of the dream.

"It's up to the king."

The king seemed to be interested in Tyreke Evans, and in the end, the king did indeed choose Tyreke Evans in this position, as the gossip said.

Tyreke Evans started from a small green house. The King's selection is the first upset choice in this draft, because Tyreke Evans' predicted pick is the top seven in the lottery, and he is still short of the top five.

But looking at Tyreke Evans' career, the king's choice is not bad. In his rookie season, James Jr. later became a typical rookie who is the pinnacle because of injuries.

"call!"

"Who to choose?"

In the private room, Boss Qiao turned his head and looked at Li Ke first.

Li Ke shook his head: "James Harden or Stephen Curry, either!"

He doesn't make a choice, because the choice is too tangled.

But the second after Li Ke handed over the choice, Boss Joe made a decision: "Then Stephen Curry!"

A call came to Ernie Grunfeld's cell phone, and then, in the Wizards room not far away, Ernie Grunfeld picked up a pen.

Swish, swish... Three letters appeared on the blank note, as well as a Greek number - "Wardell Stephen Curry II"!
Not long after, David Stern, who reappeared in the center of the stage, announced: "In the 2009 NBA Draft, the fifth pick in the first round, the Washington Wizards selected the point guard from Davidson College, Stephen Curry!"

In the small green room, the Curry family counted their faces in bewilderment.

"Why the Washington Wizards?"

"I don't know, Stephen, don't worry, go up and shake hands with David Stern and hug!"

Dell Curry is an old man. He knows that no matter how much he thinks at this time, it is useless. He might as well put on the hat of a wizard and end all this quickly.

Behind this choice of the Wizards, there must be a deal.

Emmm, the Bobcats did not disclose their deal to the outside world. The reason is that the four-party deal included Jared Jack, who was signed first and then traded. If it wants to be truly completed, at least until the free market opens on July 7.

In the private room, Bobcat, who had completed the most important operation this summer, lay comfortably on the chair.

Although they still have a draft pick with the 21st pick in the first round and a pick with the 53rd overall pick in the second round.

But the remaining two picks are obviously not as good as the fifth pick in the first round.

Especially, after Li Ke crazily touted the 09 draft.

The choice is complete and irreversible, but Li Ke has a question: "Michael, why Stephen Curry?"

"what?"

"Why Stephen Curry and not James Harden?"

"Because Dell Curry is a famous figure in Charlotte, and Stephen also grew up in Charlotte. If he really becomes a future superstar as you said, he will become a symbol of Charlotte's future."

To put it bluntly, it is hometown basketball.

This reason is already sufficient, but Boss Joe still said: "In addition, although James Harden is a combo guard, in the NBA, his position is more inclined to the shooting guard. If we choose him, he will really play as the sixth man like his template."

While discussing in the private room, the draft continued.

Because the Kings made an upset choice, the Bobcats also made an upset choice. The original top five favorites, Ricky Rubio and Harden, both fell.

With the sixth overall pick in the first round, David Kahn, general manager of the Timberwolves, chose Ricky Rubio, the golden boy he has always liked.

Then there was the seventh pick in the first round, and the Warriors selected James Harden.

Lost Curry, but got Harden, no one knows whether this change is good or bad, anyway, for the Bobcats, everything is better.

With the eighth pick in the first round, the Knicks chose Jordan Hill.

But in this time and space, there is no McGrady to trade, and it should be difficult for Jordan Hill to become a veteran of the Rockets.

"It's time to think about the remaining two draft picks, who should we choose."

In the private room, the discussion about Curry has ended, and it is time to enter the next stage.

For the remaining two drafts, Boss Qiao had no idea, so he looked at Li Ke again.

But before the real choice, Li Ke had no clue.

On the other hand, Boss Qiao and the second general of the management team have already had a heated discussion. After all, they have paid attention to the rookie's trial training throughout.

As for Li Ke, he can only follow their discussion and interject a few words.

For example, Rich Joe mentioned Tajibson.

Li Ke interjected: "Tajibson? I played against him in the NCAA. In my impression, his rebounding and defense are very good, he is very passionate, and he is a good player."

When Rhodes Higgins mentioned Christian Ainga, Li Ke's attitude changed: "European African players? There is no technical advantage and little physical advantage. I don't like him."

Since the successful operation of DeAndre Jordan in the second round of the draft last year, Boss Joe has trusted Li Ke a lot.

From the Raptors in the ninth round of the first round, more than a dozen choices have basically remained unchanged compared with the original historical line. Even the Thunder, which appeared in the No.12 pick in the first round, also chose Gerald Henderson to increase the depth of the shooting guard position.

In this wave, it can be considered that Sam Presti's eyes have not been opened, because after Gerald Henderson, the Thunder still have Ju Holiday, Ty Lawson, etc. to choose from...

With the No.17 pick in the first round, the 76ers picked Zhu Holiday.

With the No.18 pick in the first round, the Timberwolves selected Ty Lawson.

Bobcat's choice is getting closer...

"Who to choose?"

This time, the note was to be filled out by myself.

Li Ke stared at the draft list with many slashes in Rich Joe's hand, scanned it twice, and found what he wanted:
"That's it, Tajibson!"

Rich Joe quickly filled in Tajibson's name on the note, and after a while, the note was handed up.

David Stern at the center of the stage announced: "In the 2009 NBA draft, the 21st overall pick in the first round, the Charlotte Bobcats selected - Tower from the University of Southern California! Gibson!"

The last is the second-round draft, because the pick is too late, the Bobcats really have nothing to choose from, Rich Joe and Rod Higgins are a headache.

Li Ke, on the other hand, found a lost pearl after looking through the draft list again.

"That's it, Wesley Matthews!"

In the original history line, Wesley Matthews was unsuccessful.

Because he graduated as a senior, he is old, and his statistics are not as gorgeous as most seniors. The original predicted pick was at the end of the second round, and it was reasonable to lose the selection.

If Li Ke's memory is correct, Wesley Matthews played until he stayed in the NBA by relying on a summer league contract with a daily salary of 113 US dollars provided by the Jazz.

He is different from many undrafted rookies who need time and growth to return to the NBA. He is the kind who was undrafted and made a name for himself that year.

Therefore, Li Ke is very confident that this choice will surely make a profit without losing money!
With the 30th overall pick in the second round, the Heat selected Robert Dozier, and the 2009 draft came to an end.

Li Ke, who has strongly intervened in the team's operations, has already helped the Bobcats usher in a bumper season.

"Stephen Curry, Tajibson, Wesley Matthews, three immediate combat powers, there is still a lot to do in the new season!"

It is not an exaggeration to say that there are three immediate combat powers. If Li Ke's memory is correct, the three selected by the Bobcats are all the existence of the best rookie team in the rookie season.

Curry averaged 17 points per game, Tajibson averaged 9 points, 7 and 8 rebounds per game, and Wesley Matthews averaged around 9 points per game.

Plus Dai Quinn Cook, Hua Er, Lao Du, Tucker, Jordan Jr., Ryan Hollins and Joel Anthony, as well as the traded Kenyon Martin, Etan Thomas, Darius Sangueira, and Jamal Tinsley, who has a garbage contract.

This is all the Bobcats who still have contracts or will have contracts in the future. A roster of 15 people has been assembled.

However, looking at this lineup, Li Ke feels——

"There is still a lack of a second point guard, and the garbage contracts of Etan Thomas and Jamal Tinsley have to be dealt with..."

"However, the rest of the matter can only be handed over to Old Qiao."

Li Ke just roughly calculated the salary space of the Bobcats.

The entire Bobcats, the largest contract is 1500 million Kenyon Martin, plus more than 900 million Gerald Wallace.

Then there are 700 million Jamal Tinsley and Etan Thomas, and more than 400 million Sangueira.

The rest are a group of rookies or players with a basic salary, including Li Ke.

Added together, it can almost reach about 5500 million US dollars.

The NBA salary cap for the 09-10 season is about $5700 million, which means that the Bobcats have basically touched the cap.

"Exemption of visas or something, unless the contract between Etan Thomas and Jamal Tinsley is dealt with, otherwise, there is no chance."

However, Li Ke feels that the Bobcats now don't really need a visa-free or fierce player. If they lack it, they will lack one or two backup point guards.

Therefore, it is not a big problem to leave the rest to Boss Joe.

After the draft, Li Ke also had a plan for himself this summer.

Vacation is a must, but training cannot be completely empty.

He edited WeChat and sent it to Serena Williams, Xiao Du, Jiba...

"Co-practice in Los Angeles, let's go?"

Ding, ding, ding!

"let's go!"

"...!"

(End of this chapter)