I was determined to be bad, but I went straight to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Chapter 5
WHERE: Memphis, Tennessee, FedEx Arena, the Grizzlies draft office.

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace realized that a big opportunity was at hand.

Just now, on the TV set in the office, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Stephen Curry with the first pick in the first round.

This means that Blake Griffin, a talented power forward, will have the opportunity to come to Memphis and bring talent here!

Wallace couldn't believe his eyes. He always felt that the pictures on TV were fake. Is the player wearing the Clippers hat on stage Curry?Not Griffin?

The difference in stature between Griffin and Curry is so great that individuals can tell the difference.

On the side, the team owner Michael Heisley said to Wallace: "Chris! Don't be in a daze, call New York, fast! There are only 5 minutes, we have to change our minds!"

As early as 10 minutes ago, the Grizzlies had already issued instructions to the front working group.

They're taking the next big African mountain, Hashem Thabeet, at No. [-].

Although his performance in the trial training was mediocre, he did not show any shocking talent.

But in the NBA, height is the biggest talent. If you don't know who to pick, pick the taller one.

But now there is clearly a better choice in front of him.

Just like in the 2003 draft, if the Cleveland Cavaliers were stupid enough not to know to draft LeBron James.

Then the Detroit Pistons will definitely win James, even if they actually missed Anthony and chose Milicic.

In this year's draft, Griffin is the top pick given unanimous evaluation by many managers and scouts.

Wallace immediately picked up the phone and dialed the number of the New York Grizzlies office, "The plan has changed, choose Blake Griffin!"

…………

WHERE: Thunder draft office, Ford Center, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

The Memphis Grizzlies' second pick is playing on TV, and David Stern has stepped onto the stage.

Thunder general manager Spreti stood there with his arms folded. It was the first time he was so nervous in the draft.

As the third pick, they already knew the choices of the first two teams.

So they locked up Arizona State guard James Harden with the third pick.

But the Clippers gave up Griffin and chose Stephen Curry, which gave Presti something else to think about.

"If the Memphis Grizzlies still insist on choosing Thabeet, then I can bring Griffin back to Oklahoma."

Although he is optimistic about Harden, if there is a chance to win Griffin, Spreti will still choose Griffin.

Not only because Griffin's talent is more obvious, but also because Griffin is a native of Oklahoma City.

He was born in Oklahoma, where he went to high school and university. The people of Oklahoma witnessed the growth of this white monster.

If he can come to the Thunder to play, it will definitely be a huge benefit to the team's box office. Who wouldn't want to watch a superstar from his hometown play?
Consider LeBron James, who was born in Ohio.

What's more, Griffin's game is already explosive, and he is a proper ticket-selling machine.

The recruitment of players by the team depends not only on strength and record, but also on box office attractiveness.

Especially for a small market team like the Thunder.

Griffin + Durant + Westbrook, there is absolutely no need to worry about ticket sales and ratings.

"In the 2009 draft, the second pick, the Memphis Grizzlies selected Blake Griffin from the University of Oklahoma!"

Hearing the name Griffin, the entire office sighed.

It's a pity that the Grizzlies didn't act stupid and didn't miss Griffin.

On TV, Griffin put on a Grizzly hat, his expression was both relieved and a little annoyed at the same time.

He didn't even smile when he shook Stern's hand.

He could have gone to the big city of Los Angeles, but now he has to go to Memphis in the south.

Spreti called the working group ahead: "Keep the original plan and take Harden."

…………

Where: Minneapolis, Minnesota, Target Center, Timberwolves draft office.

"In the 2009 draft, the fourth pick, the Sacramento Kings selected, from the University of Memphis, Tyreke Evans!"

The general manager of the Timberwolves couldn't help rubbing his hands excitedly when he saw Stern read the name of Tyreke Evans.

Because the next fifth and sixth picks belong to the Timberwolves.

The Clippers took Curry with the first pick and became a little butterfly flapping its wings, causing a storm.

And the Timberwolves, as a team that has been offering treasures and tricks in the draft all year round, naturally have to come up with some moths.

Kahn took a look at the team's main lineup last season:
Kevin Love, Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomez, Mike Miller, Ryan Gomez...and Randy Foye.

Foye is the guard that the team is focusing on developing, but this guy is embarrassing and useful.

In 06, the Timberwolves were operated by God, and Brandon Roy was selected with the sixth overall pick.

It is incomprehensible for Foye to trade with the Blazers for the seventh overall pick.

It is understandable if you want to cut off the Hu in advance and ask the Blazers to give you a draft pick or something.

If one doesn't match, it's a dry exchange, six for seven, which is unheard of.

The next two seasons proved that Roy was very strong, and Foye was like that, and it was a loss to his grandma.

Of course, sources said afterwards that the Timberwolves originally wanted to take Roy and let the Rockets take Foye with the eighth pick.

Then trade Roy for Foye and Luther Hyde of the Rockets.

As a result, the seventh Trail Blazers knew the news, cut off Foye in advance, and forced the Timberwolves to make a single change.

It can only be said that the Timberwolves have to show off every year to make a lot of money, but they are always the ones who get hurt in the end.

Even if the deal with the Rockets is completed, Foye + Hyde are useless, and they are still far behind Roy.

This time, the opportunity for Sao to operate came again. With two consecutive picks, Kahn looked at their main force:
All five of them are forwards, and there is just a lack of a serious big center and small guard.

The Grizzlies, Kings, and Thunder didn't take Thabeet, so the Timberwolves just missed me!

Kahn immediately called the front: "Thabeet is the fifth overall pick, and Jonny Flynn is the sixth... No need for Rubio for Jonny Flynn!"

After giving the order and hanging up the phone, Kahn breathed a sigh of relief. Compared with the Spanish golden boy, he still trusts the excellent defenders in the United States.

…………

WHERE: Warriors draft office, Marriott City Center Hotel, Oakland, Calif.

Unlike most teams that have their headquarters offices in their arenas, the Warriors have their headquarters in a hotel.

The reason is that the Oracle Arena is too old and too small, and there is not a big enough and good enough office environment for the team to use (the Warriors moved here in 1971 and began to use this arena, which has undergone a renovation).

From the moment David Stern pronounced "Steph Curry" at the No. [-] pick, the Warriors' draft office has been in turmoil.

The head coach of the team, Don Nelson, yelled at the TV: "Dun Levy, this little bastard, let Griffin not choose, and cut off the Curry we want! I'm going to call him and ask what this bastard wants to do. !"

After speaking, Don Nelson picked up the phone and was about to call Dunleavy.

Regardless of the fact that Mike Dunleavy is also considered a senior NBA head coach.

Led the Lakers to the Finals and the Blazers to the Western Conference Finals.

Properly handsome.

But when Dunleavy played for the Bucks, the coach who led the team was Old Nelson.

At that time, Nelson was the best coach in the league, and Dunleavy was just a backup point guard on the bench.

Therefore, it is completely fine for Old Nelson to call Dunleavy a "little bastard". He has the qualifications.

Warriors manager Larry Riley persuaded: "Don, Don, don't be like this. It's normal for the Clippers to take Curry because he is very good. Otherwise, why would we think about intercepting him?"

As soon as Riley said, Don Nelson calmed down a lot.

Indeed, the Warriors are not Curry's first choice. Curry wants to go to the New York Knicks.

The Warriors also wanted to cut Hu at the seventh pick, but they didn't expect that there was a Clippers in front of them who didn't follow the routine.

Riley continued: "And Dunleavy resigned as the general manager of the Clippers yesterday."

Don Nelson said, "Really? That brat Olshey took over?"

Riley shook his head and said, "No, Sterling appointed a Chinese man as the manager, and he doesn't even know his name."

Nelson was shocked: "What? Is Sterling crazier than me?"

Riley shrugged and said: "We still have to think about who to choose next. We need a good point guard. Rubio is very good, but the Timberwolves will probably take him."

Nelson shook his head and said, "The Timberwolves won't take Rubio. They will definitely choose Flynn and Thabeet. I understand them."

There was a disdainful smile on the corner of Old Nelson's mouth, but when he thought of Curry being snatched away by the Clippers, he was heartbroken again.

He couldn't help thinking, what kind of role is the new general manager of the Clippers?
(End of this chapter)