basketball player

Chapter 122 200: Disturbing the audiovisual

As the draft is about to begin, Popovich has yet to make a decision for this year.

Originally, the Spurs, who won the 29th pick in the first round, planned to pick off the all-around guard Corey Joseph from the University of Texas.Joseph may not become the next superstar, but he can definitely become an excellent "Spurs" role player.

A draft pick with the 29th pick, it stands to reason that there is nothing to worry about.But Popovich's assistant coach Budenholzer, the famous shooting coach Ingold and the team's general manager Forbud made Popovich hesitant.

"We must make this deal, pop! Think about it, do you want a good player or a great player!" At this time, across from Popovich's desk, Budenholzer was still trying to convince Popovich.

"Kawhi Leonard may indeed be excellent, but if you have to pay George Hill, isn't the price too high?" Popovich held his head with one hand. George Hill is a young player Popovich likes very much, and he doesn't want to reluctantly give up.

Needless to say, the value of George Hill to the Spurs is needless to say. He was selected by the Spurs at No. 08 in the first round of 26, and he averaged 13.4 points per game in the playoffs of the second year.For the Spurs, who are in the transition period, Hill may be the most reliable rookie they can develop.

Hill's style of play fits perfectly with the Spurs. San Antonio fans have even appointed him as Tony Parker's successor and the future master of the Spurs!

"No, we can't make this deal. The risk is too great. Leonard is not Tim Duncan. He is not worth giving up such an important asset. We have Duncan. Are we going to call this rookie at the fourth position in the future and let Duncan play like an old general? Impossible! Or, after giving up Hill, let Leonard top the point? It is obviously unreasonable based on Leonard's shooting level! Are the advantages enough for us to replace the promising Hill?"

Popovich waved his hand. He had read Leonard's scouting report.

"Excellent physical fitness, outstanding defensive ability, and certain low-post offensive ability. But he has obvious shortcomings, poor dribbling, poor shooting, and poor team awareness."

Scouts' evaluation of Leonard is obviously difficult to impress Popovich.He's well aware that Leonard is a malleable talent, but even Popovich isn't sure he can develop that gem.The San Antonio Spurs have never been the kind of team that relies on athletic talent to play.

"We can let him play the [-]rd position! I promise, I will train his shooting! If we can have a [-]rd position with an excellent figure like him, Manu won't have to go to the [-]rd position." The shooting coach Ingold patted his chest and seemed to be very confident in transforming Leonard.

"That guy is just like Tim. He is taciturn and only thinks about how to play basketball well. Even if it is a labor negotiation, he will not let his training fall. Leave it to my boss. I will definitely make Leonard's shooting improve and make him a true three player."

"That is, although George Hill is excellent, I think his possibility is not as high as Leonard. We have to give it a try, and give it a try when no one else is interested in him!"

Budenholzer and Ingold almost convinced Popovich by singing me and me, and Popovich was actually a little moved.If Leonard can develop his shot, plus the quality he already possesses, that guy could definitely be a standout wing.

But just then, the phone in Popovich's office rang.

Popovich knew that only general manager Forbd would call him at this time.With the draft looming, conversations between general managers and head coaches have become more frequent.

"Hey, what's up? What!? Well, I'll think about it, um, bye."

With just a few words, Popovich hung up the phone and looked up at his assistant coach and shooting coach.

"What's the matter? Is it Forbud?" Seeing that Popovich's expression was not right, Budenholzer couldn't help becoming nervous.

"Well, Forbd. The Pacers proposed a deal to us. They proposed to exchange Holiday and Mike Roberts for George Hill." Popovich held his forehead. It seems that George Hill's transaction value must be re-evaluated.

※※※

The day before the start of the draft, each team expressed their views on the rookies in the media, and slightly revealed their intentions for the draft.

There are generally two purposes for disclosing your intentions. One is to reassure rookies, and the other is to tell other teams not to compete with me. If you want to, then come up with chips.

Of course, a team generally only expresses such intentions publicly when it has a great certainty of acquiring the rookie.After all, if someone cuts off your beard in advance and then forces you to take out chips, then the gain outweighs the loss.

Henson also expressed his intentions in an interview with the media, "Reggie Jackson is a very good defender. I believe that in Indianapolis, he can play his own value. I am very satisfied with his performance in the trial training. Every coach will be eager for such a player to play under his own hands."

After the trial training, Henson used all the compliments on Reggie Jackson.So in ESPN's predicted draft rankings, experts believe that the Pacers will pick Reggie Jackson with the 23rd pick.

As for Leonard, Henson didn't say a word, and didn't even invite Leonard to try out.Therefore, no one will associate Leonard with the Indiana Pacers.

From the current point of view, it seems that only the San Antonio Spurs are interested in Leonard, because the Spurs general manager Forbd expressed satisfaction with Leonard's trial results a few days ago.

Therefore, Leonard's predicted pick has also become the 29th pick in the first round.

The prospect of the draft seems to have gradually become clear, and each team has found its favorite target.But for Henson and the Pacers, so far none of the media and experts have predicted their favorite candidate.Reggie Jackson?That's just another cover-up bullshit from Henson.

"Look, this guy's draft template is really interesting." In a hotel room near the Prudential Center Arena in Newark, New Jersey, Henson looked at the scouting reports of the current rookies and beckoned Vogel and Silas.

For the draft, Henson led his team to set up a nest in New Jersey three days in advance.He needs to convince as much as possible how much the Pacers value Reggie Jackson.

Vogel and Silas leaned over and found that the rookie Henson was watching was a USC Montenegro center named Nikola Vucevic.

"His draft templates are Wang Zhizhi and Mehmet Okur." Henson smiled, seeing a Chinese player as a template for scouts made Henson feel a little kind.

"So? You are suddenly interested in this white center again?" Vogel spread his hands. He knew that Henson likes this kind of inside line that can shoot, and Vucevic's height and physique can make up for Horford's lack of this.

"I'm not very interested in him, but the Philadelphia 76ers seem to like this big guy very much. We seem to have insiders like Wang Zhizhi and Mehmet Okur, right? And compared to rookies, he has proved that he can survive in the NBA's muscular jungle."

Seeing Henson's confident smile, Vogel and Silas were confused.

"Tell the Philadelphia 76ers that we're willing to give them the 23rd pick and a big man who can also shoot, Mike Roberts. The premise is that they want to take Leonard at the 15th pick for me."

After Henson finished speaking, he closed the rookie report book in his hand.In a few days, the fun will begin.

(End of this chapter)