The Basketball Court Swordsman

On June 24, the 2016 NBA Draft was held at the Barclays Center in New York.

This year's draft is equally lively, with "next James" Ben Simmons and "next Durant" Brandon Ingram participating in the draft. In addition, due to the participation of Chinese players Zhou Qi and Wang Zhelin, this draft also attracted the attention of Chinese fans.

Tencent NBA even broadcast the live footage of the draft conference at first sight. After all, how many years have Chinese players not participated in the NBA draft?

Adam Xiaohua's resolute and resolute style remained the same. After he took the stage, he didn't say a few words, and the draft began. The 76ers did not disappoint in the selection of Ben Simmons, a rare genius. In addition to shooting, Simmons is almost all good.

Able to organize, defend, attack the frame, have a body, have an IQ... If you want to talk about the advantages of Simmons, you can't finish it all night. His only weakness is shooting, which has always been considered the easiest skill to develop.

Second overall, the Los Angeles Lakers, who won the second pick for the second year in a row, selected Brandon Ingram, who is similar to Durant.

After Kobe retired, Los Angeles fans desperately needed a new hero to support the Lakers' ambitions. Last season, D'Angelo Russell's performance clearly made Lakers fans not so satisfied. Therefore, they put their hope and sustenance on Ingram.

The third overall pick, the Celtics, who were already the strongest team in the East, selected Jaylen Brown, who is the most physically fit.

Last season, the Celtics achieved an impressive record of 48 wins and 34 losses under the leadership of Stevens and "the strongest 175 on the surface" Thomas. You know, the Celtics just started to rebuild two years ago. However, only two years later, the Celtics have become a strong team in the East.

Among them, the coaching of Stevens and the rise of Isaiah Thomas are the reasons why the Celtics can quickly complete the reconstruction. Under Stevens's magical coaching ability, Isaiah Thomas, a player who is only 1.75 meters tall, has actually played superstar-like statistics.

The Celtics were already strong enough, but as a playoff team, they can still get a pick. All of this has to be given by Billy King, general manager of the Nets.

At the beginning, he invested in the future, and for the sake of the elderly Garnett and Pierce, all the draft picks were smashed to the Celtics. As a result, the Nets are not only bad, but also unable to pass the draft. The Celtics not only rose rapidly, they also have no shortage of high draft picks every year.

I have to say that Danny Angie, an old fox, really arranged Billy King clearly. Looking at the Celtics' hilarious show, Henson couldn't help but want to drain his saliva.

After the top three picks, there are still many high-quality rookies on stage one by one. For example, the shooting guard Buddy Hild from the University of Oklahoma, such as the Canadian guard Jamal Murray from Kentucky, and the famous son Domantas Sabonis.

Henson sat in the private room, only envious. These high-potential rookies, the Pacers can't get or touch, can only watch them being divided by other teams.

But the thought of the Pacers' first-round pick this year became Oladipo, Henson felt better.

Finally, the first round of the 30th overall draft is over. Next, the second round of the draft will begin.

The second round of the NBA draft and the first round of the draft can be very different.

For the first round of the draft, NBA Commissioner Adam Xiaohua personally announced the result, and the rookies in the lottery area have the opportunity to appear on stage.

But the second round of the draft was much simpler. The person who announced the result changed from Xiao Hua to NBA vice president Mark Tatum.

And the selected rookies are not on the scene at all. The scene just shows the highlights of their college days, and it is over.

But the advantage of this is that the second round of the draft is usually much faster than the first round.

Not long after the start of the second round of the draft, Mark Tatum announced a deal. The Milwaukee Bucks sent their second-round sixth overall pick to get Ilyasova from the Pacers.

Henson and Hammond agreed on this deal, but it was officially approved by the league today. And soon, the Pacers used this pick to win senior rookie Malcolm Brogdon.

Henson let out a sigh of relief, but fortunately Brogdon was not cut off early. Otherwise, he would have lost an Ilyasova for nothing.

After that, Henson still had a second-round pick left by the Pacers. However, because Henson had no goals, he let Bird pick a rookie randomly. Anyway, his real goal, Brogdon, has already arrived, and the others Henson didn't respond at all.

In this way, Brogdon somehow became a walker. He was both excited and scared.

Excited because the Pacers are a team that has just established a dynasty. When he was in high school and college a few years ago, he was also fascinated by the legend of Indianapolis.

The fear is that Henson Joe's return disturbs Brogdon. Because it is well known that Henson is a maverick, most young players are afraid to get along with this mysterious coach.

Although Spike Lee's documentary caused a huge response two years ago, Henson's image as a "jerk" has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people and cannot be changed.

And Brogdon knows very well that the Pacers' perimeter has always been talented. Brogdon didn't want to sit on the team's bench for a year, and then disappear quietly in the NBA until no one remembered his name.

These two reasons made Brogdon very nervous. He is already thinking about how to capture the heart of coach Henson Joe in the summer league.

There were no close-ups, no handshake on stage, and no treatment that won the attention of the world. Brogdon celebrated his selection by the Pacers at his home, in a hug with his family.

He stared at the TV screen with an old smile, pretending to pick up a Pacers baseball cap in his hand, and put it on his head.

"From today, Malcolm Brogdon is also a walker!"

Brogdon said to himself in his heart that the 23-year-old young guy didn't know yet. What a great new chapter will be opened in my career.

The success of the plan to select Brogdon means that Henson's first plan this summer has been officially reached.

But Henson was not overwhelmed by it. He knew very well that Brogdon was not the kind of talented player who could change the game alone. Just add a Brogdon, but there is no way to give the Pacers an advantage in the duel with the Warriors and Cavaliers.

This summer, the Pacers have a long way to strengthen. So in the hotel next to the United Center on the night of the draft, Henson and Bird discussed their next reinforcement plan.

"I have to rush back to Indianapolis tomorrow morning, I don't worry about them." After returning to the hotel, Henson's first words made Bird's lips convulse.

He knew that the "them" in Henson's words meant An Jiali and Emily.

"Don't worry Henson, the tickets have already been bought, and we will return to Indianapolis early tomorrow morning. Regarding Brogdon, how likely do you think he can beat him?"

"Ten percent possible." Henson replied without even thinking about it. "Brogdon's excellent basketball IQ and solid shooting ability make him enough to become a panacea defender. He may not be a superstar, but he definitely Can be an excellent puzzle."

"You are pretty sure."

"I have always been confident in the draft, Bird. Now that our first plan is completed, I think we can start the follow-up reinforcement tasks. This summer, we will not only sign free agents. We must have a deal. , Bird, some players have to leave."

"You are the general manager, you have the final say. The only thing I need to know is what your reinforcement ideas are."

Henson did not answer immediately, but took out a small notebook. The above is the main rotation list he expects for next season.

At the first position, the Pacers already have Chris Paul and Brogdon, who has just been selected. In the second position, Danny Green and Oladipo are enough to support. At the third position, the Pacers have star players George and Josh Richardson. At the fourth position, Antetokounmpo and veteran Channing Frye, who should almost cash in their talents.

At the fifth position, at Henson's request, the Pacers had only one player with the main rotation ability, Kevin Rooney.

Henson is already barely satisfied with the main rotation from position one to four. At the fifth position, Henson also needs to add some other players.

So now, Henson's reinforcement goal is very clear. Focusing on the 5th position, and then signing some jackpot players who can play multiple positions for other positions, this summer's reinforcement plan is almost complete.

Henson is thankful that there are still a few people in the old Pacers team. Therefore, the Pacers need not completely overthrow and rebuild. Sometimes, the gap from the Eastern Conference semifinals to the championship is not as huge as everyone thinks.

"Reinforcement plan...I need a center like Al who can open up space. As you said, now that the center shoots three pointers, this is the general trend. But I don't want a purely spatial interior. , But a more traditional center who can defend, attack low, and shoot three points at the same time. In other positions, add some jackpot players, such as Stephenson back then. This is my idea. Bird."

"Hmm..." Larry Bird touched his chin. "There are not many centers that can shoot three pointers as well as the tradition, Vucevic of the Magic? Cousins ​​of the Kings? But these two Guys, I’m afraid we don’t have a bargaining chip."

"No, there is one more person you forgot." Henson smiled slightly. Although the transfer market has not yet opened, he already has a pre-selection target.

"Who?"

"Of course it's the center of the Nets."

Henson looked down at his notebook again, and at the center position he took the lead in writing a name-Brook Lopez.