start with scouting

Chapter 380

Crazy fan pick-ups, a grand championship parade, and exciting speeches, the Lakers celebrated for three consecutive days.

On the morning of the 26th, Su Yang rushed to the training base of the Toyota Center as usual to discuss with Kupchak about the rookie candidates.

The scouting director Ryan West and the president Jim Buss were also there. The four of them sat in a circle in the general manager's office and were chatting. A staff member in charge of recording.

"We plan to shoot something to make a three-peat documentary." Seeing Su Yang's puzzled expression, Jim Buss explained, "Don't worry, this is very common in the league, and it is also our own production company. divulge any secrets."

Su Yang nodded when he heard the words, thinking that it is indeed quite normal. Most of the Jordan documentaries released in the [-]s were recorded in the [-]s.

Not to mention Jordan, even before Mayo participated in the draft, he always carried a photographer with him to record his various words and actions.

Similar to video, ESPN sometimes records in advance.

For example, before the lottery in 07, ESPN learned that if the Celtics were lucky enough to get the No. 5.3 pick, or if they were lucky enough to get the No. 9.7 pick, they would choose Kevin Durant, so they found President Danny Ainge to shoot a video, and prepared to use it as a future pick. The content of the documentary was used. Unfortunately, that year the Blazers exploded in character and took the No. [-] lottery with a probability of [-]%. The Celtics only got the fifth pick.

Naturally, the last video was not played, and it was not known to the public until many years later in an accidental interview.

Everyone chatted for a while, and the topic officially entered the rookie candidate discussion session. As the general manager, Kupchak spoke first.

"Currently we have three second-round picks, the 35th pick from the Warriors trade, the 55th pick from the Mavericks trade, and the 60th pick from the Mavericks. Our preferred positions are center and shooting guard. ..."

Between the words, Jim Buss and Jesse Buss looked quite casual, obviously because second-round draft picks are hard to come by. If it weren't for the camera record, it would be more casual. The main thing is that the Lakers haven't had any chances for many years since Bynum. Pay attention to the draft.

In recent years, the Lakers have ranked among the top record in the Western Conference, and their draft picks are very low. Many draft picks still choose to give away. It is really difficult to select talents. In addition, the Lakers like to trade from other teams and sign in the free market. normal.

Goodlock in 12 years, Darius Morris in 11, Devin Ebanks in 10 years, all of them are embarrassing to reuse, and then Tony Douglas, the first round pick in 09, and Joe Crawford in 08, can indeed be used. Playing, but no chance on the championship team.

Su Yang saw the expressions of the two bosses, and he was not upset at all, but he was a little annoyed by what Kupchak said. The 55th pick and the 60th pick were not replaced by the 33rd pick. , and the probability of Claude or Middleton is greatly reduced. Fortunately, among the players who are very likely to lose, there are also Jamie Michael Green, Bazemore and others.

In general, the quality of the 12 draft is quite high.

In the front lottery section, there is an awesome No. [-] pick like Anthony Davis. Bill is also good as a No. [-] pick. The big cousin Lillard has full offensive attributes. Little Rivers, who grew up with his father, finally fits the status. Zhuang Shende Lamond can brush up the data after all.

The lottery has reached the end of the first round of the [-]th pick, and Evan Foyenne, Tony Roten, Miles Plumlee and others are also very good.

The second round and the loss are also full of talents. Green, Crowder, Middleton, Will Barton, JaMychal Green, and Bazemore have all been trained to become the main rotation of a team and have played a lot. Highlight performance.

"I want to express my regret to Su Yang first." Kupchak said, "You suggested very early on that we use the 55th and 60th picks to operate the second-round picks around 33, but our workload is too large, and the main focus is on How to reduce the luxury tax aspect, so…”

"It's okay, you continue..."

The little irritability in Su Yang's heart has been put aside on his own initiative. Anyway, there are JaMychal Green and Bazemore to choose from.

The key point is that compared to one or two second-round picks, even if the future will be strong, it is indeed not more important than saving the luxury tax for the Lakers at present. Besides, as a head coach, he can only make suggestions and cannot decide candidates. Very respectful.

Kupchak nodded with a smile, and continued: "Then let's first discuss the potential candidate suggested by Su Yang, that is, Draymond Green, a fourth-year player from Michigan State University. Here are some reports provided by us and other agency scouts. , and a joint trial test data of Draymond Green, we have checked the accuracy of the data."

Everyone received the reports one after another, and Jim Buss glanced quickly and said with a smile: "Haha, you probably didn't expect this time, Draymond Green's simulated pick is No. 24 in the first round and the Cavaliers will choose him. Although there may be changes, But it also shows that it is difficult for him to fall to the second round, unless there is a situation like DeAndre Jordan and Rashard Lewis, but judging from these reports, the probability is very low..."

Su Yang was not in a hurry to refute, and patiently read through all the reports, and noticed that Green was labeled by many scouts with several very obvious labels: nonsense, comprehensive but not proficient, extremely low potential in senior year, lack of explosive power, Low risk low return.

Even with all the labels, Green can still get the 24th mock pick. The main reason is also written in the scouting report: ultimate glue, long wingspan, strong body, good at spot shooting, good passing vision, excellent low post assists, selflessness, high basketball IQ .

While thinking about it, the scouting director Ryan West said: "I saw the news before that the Houston Rockets invited Draymond Green to participate in the trial training and considered using the No. 16 pick for selection. The probability of a second round is very low."

"Simulations outside the lottery are not informative. Any change in the top ten picks will seriously affect the selection of the next pick. Moreover, the Cavaliers already have a lot of insiders and forwards. They are in urgent need of backcourt players. I don't think the Cavaliers will choose Green. "

Jesse Bass, who is also the boss, interjected, "Rocket general manager Daryl Morey is the kind of draft that only picks obvious potential, and seeks small highlights from the second round and the loss, so I don't think he is willing to use 16. No. [-] pick to pick Green."

Hearing what Jesse Buss said, Su Yang suddenly felt that things were much easier to handle, but he still didn't know what Kupchak was thinking.

"but…"

Jesse Bass suddenly turned, "I don't agree with us choosing Draymond Green. I have a different idea from Su Yang, so even if Green falls to the second round, we should not choose, let alone seek to trade up to the first round. Grab pick Green."

Everyone in the office was a little surprised.

Jesse Bass continued: "Green University's data is very good, but it's only college data. With the obvious reference case of Tyler Hansbrough, we have players who can play power forward and even center in college. , but after entering the NBA, players who are not tall enough to serve as power forwards and who are not explosive enough to serve as small forwards must be very cautious, especially because we have a tight rotation between power forwards and centers, and we have no extra salary space..."

The implication is that it is best not to take risks and seek stability.

After Jesse finished speaking, Kupchak, Jim Buss, and Ryan West turned their heads to look at Su Yang, waiting for him to speak.

Su Yang thought quickly, thinking that it would be very difficult to prove how good Green is alone, because Green is a typical system bonus player. If it wasn't for the Lakers' early trade to get Curry, and Kobe's willingness to share the ball, Green is indeed not the best choice for the Lakers.

Without comparison, there are no advantages or disadvantages.

After weighing it for a moment, Su Yang asked back, "Then what do you suggest?"

Jesse Bass said confidently: "I recommend Festus Ezeli, a shot-blocker from Vanderbilt University..."

Okay, the Lakers have a tradition of big centers.

It seems to be the guy who ruptured Kobe's Achilles tendon.

Su Yang smiled and nodded: "Listen to me..."

(End of this chapter)