Bishop: since 1998

Chapter 90 The 99 NBA Draft!

6 month 26 day.

The second day of the finals.

Li Mu did not return to Los Angeles with the team, but flew to Washington with general manager Jerry West to participate in the 1999 NBA Draft held at the MCI Center.

In other words, in this draft, the so-called basketball experts jumped out again, claiming that this year is a bad year for the draft.

This sharp-sighted... I'm too embarrassed to point it out, are you a monkey sent out to be funny?
In all fairness, the '99 NBA Draft was underrated.

It is true that this year did not have many superstar-level rookies like the 96 golden generation, but the success rate is very high, especially there are many second-in-command and championship jigsaw rookies.

For example, Odom who changed to play the 6th man, Posey who found the '3D' positioning, Artest who changed his name, Ginobili who was bald, Hamilton who was a real 'shit stirrer', and Nash Marion in 6th man with Terry next to Dirk...

"Lee, the Hornets have agreed to exchange a second-round pick for us.

It's just that this rank is low, are you sure there is no problem? In the draft war room, Jerry hung up the phone with the general manager of the Hornets and asked Li Mu.

"Probably no problem. I am concerned and willing. There are not many teams that sign European rookies with high picks." Li Mu hesitated for a moment.

He quickly changed his mood, was lucky for me, and lost his life.

Moreover, as a "57 Shun rookie", he, Li Mu, may not have the opportunity to bald his long flowing hair.

There is one question, Li Mu is quite curious.

"This transaction, the Hornets have no objection!"

"The Hornets have an opinion?" Jerry West was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood what Li Mu meant.

It is nothing more than the fact that the Lakers and the Hornets have traded many times, and the Lakers seem to have made money.

This is Li Mu, not thick-skinned enough, feeling embarrassed?
Shaking his head, West continued.

"Don't feel bad for the Hornets just because the Lakers finally won the championship.

The Lakers don't talk about martial arts, and they caught a team of the Hornets and squeezed wool to death? "

"It's not like that, it's a win-win for both teams.

Divac and Jones, the transaction value is not low.If Kobe can't play and Rice joins, the Lakers can't win the championship.

Those who feel a loss for the Lakers are by no means a minority!
The first to laugh out loud must be the Hornets! "

Li Mu nodded, indeed, the Lakers have been taking risks, and the Hornets have gained visible benefits.

Only, if you add Manu Ginobili...

"Whether it is a loss or a profit, it depends on each person's vision."

West changed the subject and said, "In this draft, the Lakers have changed from two picks to three.

The 23rd pick, the 30th pick and the 41st pick that was just traded.

The boss Old Buss also raised his opinion, saying that the Lakers have already won the championship.

Next, I hope to pick some handsome and capable rookies.

In other words, it is to choose those who can sell tickets first, and then consider the capable ones.

Therefore, the Lakers' draft plan is to use the 23rd pick and choose Wallis Zebiak.

This person is 22 years old and has good strength. His contract with his home team has ended and he can log into the NBA league at any time.

It doesn't matter, what matters is that he is very handsome and capable.

If you can't choose, choose Andrei Kirilenko. Although this person is 18 years and 4 months old, his physical talent is amazing.

Kirilenko's body reminds me of McGrady in 97. With a height of 206cm, but a wingspan of 2 meters, he has excellent athletic ability and has shots that the big book does not have, which can just reinforce the forward position.

The only weakness is that he is a bit ugly, but he is very versatile. "

"..."

Li Mu listened quietly, not paying attention at first.

"With the 30th pick, the Lakers will consider Gordon Girisek.

This person is proficient in three-pointers, breakthroughs at the basket, and pull-up jump shots. He is not a pure shooter and has good ball control. He can serve as Kobe's substitute.

The defense is a bit soft, but he looks handsome and outstanding.

If you can't choose, then choose Devin George. Ugly is a bit ugly, but the victory lies in almighty, with three points open. "

"..."

Listening and listening, Li Mu felt something was wrong, and felt that he might be superfluous.

In other words, he just made a comment to let the Lakers pay attention to the rookie market in Europe.

Unexpectedly, it was fine if West didn't pay attention, but when he paid attention, something went wrong. He actually made the optimal and correct choice without knowing the future.

Then I go?
……

"Call..."

Boos still, President David Stern, took the main stage.

After a short opening speech, the draft meeting officially began. Stern opened the envelope in his hand and read out the chosen answers.

"In the 1999 NBA draft, the first pick in the first round, the Chicago Bulls selected...

Forward from Duke University, Elton Brand! "

In all fairness, according to the draft truth of choosing Joe with Joe and Sharks without Joe, and no Sharks without Joe, it is not Iguodala who should really be selected.

It's Brand, who is 2 meters tall, but has a static physical talent with a 03cm wingspan and a tonnage of 227 kilograms, but like O'Neal, he has good feet and is a flexible and fat man on the court.

Like Jordan, Brand has a strong post-up singles and precise mid-range shots, as well as excellent leadership talents.

The only weakness is that she looks too naive and doesn't have the appearance of a star.

However, if you can't become Jordan, at worst you can grow into a player like Pippen.

In the NCAA arena, in the 98/99 season, Brandon averaged 17.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game. The statistics are not very explosive, but the victory is steady.

In the future, Brandon will be at the peak of his NBA career, but the "20+10" regulars will still be able to grab the best second team after being overwhelmed by Garnett and Duncan. Anyway, no matter how they choose, they will not lose.

Steady No. [-] pick Brand, put on the Bulls cap, went to the main stage, embraced, talked, shook hands, took photos with President Stern, and stepped off the stage...

……

Immediately afterwards, the draft conference continued.

Stern folded the letter and read, "In the 1999 NBA draft, the second overall pick in the first round, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected...

Linebacker from the University of Maryland, Steve Francis! "

In other words, the Grizzlies' choice is bold and thoughtful.

Francis' physical talent is too attractive, his jumping ability is destructive, his offensive skills are gorgeous, he can bring street ball skills to the court, his style of play is explosive, his body rushes up, and his breakthrough is very explosive.

If he looks uglier, like coming out of a sewer, there will be nothing wrong with Westbrook in the future, because Francis' style of play is more like a tortoise.

You said that there are four turtles, but Westbrook can still have them?

Anyway, it's the same when you close your eyes.

The reason why the Grizzlies dare to bet on Francis is to copy the homework of the Raptors next door, hoping that he will become the 'Carter' of the Grizzlies.

With his explosive style of play, he attracted fans into the arena to watch the game.

Even before the draft, Francis refused to try out the Grizzlies and threatened: No, I will not play for the Grizzlies.

……

The draft continues.

Stern read the third letter: "The third pick in the first round, the Hornets chose..."

"Point guard from UCLA, Baron Davis!"

In other words, Davis has excellent physical fitness and is a seriously underestimated superstar.

His speed and jumping ability are top-notch in the No. 1 position. His body is strong, his strength far exceeds that of his peers, and his skills are outstanding. He can be called a player who combines physical fitness, athletic ability and technology.

In other words, "He who is faster than him is not as strong as him, and whoever is stronger than him is not as fast as him."

This reminds people of the first time, thinking of Wade and James.

The reason why he is seriously underestimated is because he has a very distinct personality and likes to have conflicts with the management. He obviously has a top-notch body, but his shooting selection is very poor. .

This style of play makes the opponent unable to find the north when it is convulsed. There was a Mavericks team led by the black eight Dirk Nowitzki.

In addition, when he was in high school, he was associated with Kidd's performance, with the same great skills and mediocre appearance.

The so-called speaker has no intention, and the listener has intention.

Kidd, a superstar recognized by the league, is not very popular because of his style of play and appearance.

For this reason, Davis, whose appearance is also plain and a bit gangster, with an overlong chin, decided to grow a beard to strengthen his gangster temperament and become the first generation of bearded men.

The current Harden just copied Davis' homework and used a big beard to cover up his stupid appearance.

……

(End of this chapter)