I just play ball

Chapter 150
On June [-]th, Brooklyn, New York, the Nets played at Barclays Center.

Li Yue closed the door casually, walked out of the Lakers draft office, and went to the main stage whistling.

Just two steps away, a female voice suddenly sounded next to him: "Hi, Mr. Neighbor, are you here too?"

Turning his head to look, Li Yue was stunned for a while, and finally remembered the other party's name - Abilene, who had done a special interview with him in the community before.

"What? Shooting YouTube videos again? Switching to professional broadcasting?" Li Yue asked with a smile. He remembered that Abby used to do off-field information mining for athletes. It was that interview that let everyone know that he liked those female stars.

"I'm currently an intern reporter for ESPN in New York, responsible for interviewing and collecting off-court news about NBA players." Abby smiled, her eyes watery, "If I can get first-hand news, I can become a regular in advance..."

"Okay, just ask questions." Li Yue understood in seconds, and was very happy to help, nothing more than a few words.

"Thank you." Abby's cheeks flushed immediately, "Excuse me, why didn't you interact with Howard during the Lakers championship parade? I noticed that there was no interaction in any form. The two of you are like strangers. It's hard to imagine that you have ever been together. Fight for four rounds of playoffs."

"He didn't interact with other players." Li Yue shrugged, "So you have to ask him, it's definitely not my reason."

"That is to say, those rumors on Twitter are all true? Howard is [-]% leaving Los Angeles?"

"You still have to ask him, after all, we have no interaction." Li Yue curled his lips, meaning that it is self-evident that he has no contact with Howard. The souvenir gift he brought back from China two days ago was originally intended as a three A special thank you for a month, but Howard sent it back directly.

"Understood!" Abby was so excited that her nose fluttered that she was about to cry, "Thank you for accepting the interview."

Li Yue wanted to pat him on the shoulder as a sign of encouragement, but thought that it was not suitable for the other party to be a girl, so he smiled and nodded instead.

After bidding farewell to Abby, he continued to walk towards the main stage. The draft will be held in half an hour.

The staff everywhere are busy. This is the first time that the draft is held in the Barclays Center, and it is also the first time that it is open to the public. You can come in and watch the whole process as long as you buy a ticket, which is not as strict as the review in the Garden Square before.

This approach is regarded by many media as a declaration of Stern's formal abdication. Adam Silver, who is about to take over, likes to do this kind of thing that allows the whole people to participate. After all, the idea of ​​​​distributing the live broadcast rights of NBA games came from him.

Li Yue soon came to the main stage. The 20 potential lottery people who were invited to enter the small green house have all arrived. They waited with their families. measures.

Because it was revealed earlier that the Cleveland Cavaliers, holding the No. [-] pick, seemed to have little interest in Alex Ryan, the No. Even the top picks in the draft are not sure where they will go.

Li Yue saw Giannis Antetokounmpo at a glance, walked up immediately, and patted his shoulder lightly.

Giannis turned around and found that it was him. He immediately showed excitement and introduced his family members to him one by one.

Li Yue shook hands and greeted each other, then whispered: "How is the current situation?"

He didn't finish the sentence, but the meaning was obvious, which was to ask if he had a draft promise.

Giannis nodded excitedly, "There is a team, but I'm very sorry, I can't tell you the name for now."

"Of course." Li Yue understood that this was due to confidentiality requirements, but it was easy to guess, most likely the Bucks.

"Thank you for your guidance to me before, it was very useful." Giannis said, "The coaching staff inspected me last time and praised me for my improvement compared to before. Let me continue to watch your game video to learn."

"Come on, stay focused, I'll go over there and have a look."

Li Yue waved goodbye, quickly walked around the small green room to the player channel on the other side, and shouted from a distance: "Hey, KD!"

Durant, who was playing with his mobile phone, looked up when he heard the sound, and when he saw him, he smiled instantly and walked towards him.

"Why are you here? I remember that you don't seem to have a draft pick?" Durant asked, "Is there a trade?"

"No, I'm traveling at public expense." Li Yue shook his head, "Who are you going to choose this time?"

With the Thunder's record of No. 12 in the Western Conference in the regular season last year, they did not have a first-round pick, but they got a Rocket's [-]th pick in the first round from the Harden trade, which is very helpful for a championship team. value.

"Wait a minute, I'm going to kill this idiot on IG for saying that my scoring efficiency is low." Durant said involuntarily, then lowered his head and picked up his phone and pressed the screen frantically. From his angry expression, you can see how upset he was. , if face-to-face, it is estimated that it has already been done.

For about half a minute, Durant put away his phone contentedly, as if he was released after rushing through, "Who do you think we should pick, I saw on Twitter before, there are reports that you are participating in the Lakers summer free agent recruitment? "

"That's true." Li Yue nodded, "I've analyzed the Thunder lineup, and you lack a ball handler at critical moments."

After the words fell, Durant showed doubts, and Li Yue quickly added: "I'm not saying that Westbrook is not good, but that he is prone to impulsiveness at critical moments. It is best to have a guard who can complement him, just like the old James Ha Deng."

"Alas!" Durant sighed, "Actually, I think so too, but we have to choose a center this time. The management thinks that we lack an inside tank and need someone to carry those big centers. Originally, you and the Spurs were the imaginary enemies." .”

Before Li Yue answered, Durant continued, "By the way, what's going on between you and Howard?"

"We put forward some conditions to each other. He couldn't do it, and we couldn't do it either. In the end, we can only say that the cooperation is happy." Li Yue spread his hands, showing helplessness, "But the rumors outside are that I drove him away, and it was definitely a deliberate smear. "

"I believe you!" Durant slapped Li Yue's right shoulder heavily, "If necessary, I can help you explain."

"Let's talk again, I saw a friend, let's talk to him first." Li Yue waved goodbye, and Durant shouted: "Don't forget the training with LBJ in July, I want to blow you two, You all invite me to dinner."

Many people turned their heads after hearing this, and Li Yue was very grateful, knowing that Durant explained it to him in this way.

Just imagine, a person who can train with LeBron and Durant in private, his character is definitely not as bad as the rumors, and this matter will be reported in the newspapers in half an hour, those free agents will definitely understand, when the time comes to lobby for action The resistance is definitely greatly reduced.

In a blink of an eye, Li Yue came to the auditorium and sat beside Covington.

After saying hello, Li Yue found that Covington was staring closely at the players in the small green room. Li Yue immediately asked with a smile, "Are you envious?"

Covington nodded again and again, and Li Yue held his shoulder: "We will choose you at the 48th pick, are you ready?"

(End of this chapter)