Basketball Dragon

Chapter 33 Draft Night

Li Hai, the MOP of the semi-finals, scored 22 points, 9 assists and 5 rebounds in the finals, helping Syracuse University win the NCAA championship for the second time, leaving a Chinese figure in the history of Syracuse University.

Not long after winning the championship, Li Hai submitted draft materials to the NBA.

"What, you have to suspend your studies to participate in the draft. Is it great to win the MOP? You obviously maintain the lineup and have a chance to hit the three consecutive championships. Don't you want to continue to create team history?" McNamara was very angry .

"Sorry, I have to go professional early to make money."

Li’s poster name for the draft is not impulsive. He is 21 years old. He will be a bit older if he completes his studies and then participates in the draft. Besides, if he stays, it will be difficult to improve his statistics. A college team is not a professional team, because With his status, it is impossible for him to get the treatment of Anthony even if he stays.

Moreover, although Syracuse University won the NCAA championship, it is not considered a giant in the NCAA after all. The team has not recruited top-ranked players from high schools in the United States. It is difficult to win three consecutive championships. choose.

Wanting to make money early is also his very real idea.

After careful consideration, Li Hai decided to hire Bruce Baker as his agent. It is very common for an agent to make an appointment with 4% of salary income and 20% of advertising income. To get his consent.

He is still not familiar with the NBA. It should be more convenient for his agent to be his friend's cousin. Moreover, if there is a disagreement in cooperation with a rookie agent, it is easy to part ways.

Li Hai's ankle was severely sprained, and he could only practice shooting in the arena wearing an ankle brace during this time.

And because of an ankle injury, he was unable to participate in the draft combine training camp.

The only gain is that with less training time, he and Xia Weiliang spend more time together.

He communicated with Bruce Baker, the draft joint training camp is too late, but if a team is interested in him, he can go to the trial before the draft, and his ankle should be fine by then.

The Chinese Basketball Association officially contacted him. When Syracuse University won the championship, many domestic media speculated that he might be taken to Athens, but in fact, the Chinese Basketball Association did not know him at all, and sent someone over to discuss with him in detail. After registering some situations, I didn't plan to recruit him into the national team immediately, but just let him be ready at any time.

At the beginning of June, there was no news about Bruce Baker, but the Chinese media made some predictions about his draft prospects, such as the first round, the lottery, and even the No. [-] pick. Anyway, the media is No need to be responsible.

Li Hai couldn't help calling and asking, "Bruce, what have you been doing these days, I told you two weeks ago that my ankle is completely fine."

"Li, you don't need to worry at all, you are the MOP." Bruce Baker exaggerated.

"MOP is worthless in the NBA, and there are not one or two MOPs who were not selected before." Li Hai already felt that this buddy seemed a little unreliable at this time.

"Don't worry, buddy, there are many teams interested in you, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Atlanta Hawks, Philadelphia 76ers, Cleveland Cavaliers, Utah Jazz, Boston Celtics, Miami Heat."

"What we have to consider now is whether to go to the top of the draft or go to a big city. The Bulls hold the No. [-] pick. Maybe you can be selected as the third pick like your senior brother Anthony. The Bobcats are the No. [-] pick..."

Bruce Baker was still talking about it, but Li Hai suddenly heard the voices of two people on the phone urging him, and they were also talking about the draft.

He was suddenly annoyed, and said seriously: "Don't say anything useless, Bruce, who is next to you, what are you doing, if you don't tell me the truth, our cooperation can come to an end."

Li Hai hired an agent to bring him convenience, not to listen to empty words. He knew his own market, and he would definitely not be able to get the lottery too early.

"I'm sorry, Lee, I'm now with two other players I signed. Unlike you, they didn't get much performance in the NCAA. I'm going to take them to fight for some opportunities." Bruce Baker apologized.

"How many players have you signed? Didn't you just become an official agent?" Li Haiqi said.

Bruce Baker hesitated and said: "Uh... 17 people, all of them are players who plan to participate in the draft this year. I just plan to work hard from the first year. I will definitely find a good future for you all, I promise. "

Bruce Baker was also very talkative, and even fooled more than a dozen people, but Li Hai didn't have any impression of those names, so it would be difficult to be selected.

Later, under the arrangement of Baker, Li Hai went to the Bobcats, Eagles, Heat and Celtics for trial training.

They all only did simple training, and although the evaluations they got were good, they were all evaluations from small people in the team, such as assistant managers and the like. He didn't meet the general manager or head coach of a team.

"Lee, there is no way. Rookies are like this. They will only take you seriously when you play well. They are the same to any rookie." Bruce Baker explained.

Time soon came to draft night, and Li Hai was not invited to the scene. He knew that his pick would not be so high, and the lottery should not be considered.

Xia Weiliang sat in front of the TV with him and watched the live broadcast, a little nervous and a little excited.

The Orlando Magic, holding the No. [-] pick, selected high school student Dwight Howard. Last year, the Cavaliers also selected high school students. Youth represents potential.

The Charlotte Bobcats then selected another outstanding center, Emeka Okafor, with the No. 7 pick. The Chicago Bulls selected Ben Gordon with the No. [-] pick, and then they selected Rolle with the No. [-] pick. -Deng, compared to Li Hai who came out of nowhere, they felt that Luol Deng, who had always performed well and had an advantage in height, was better, so they didn't even give Li Hai a chance to try out.

The Eagles chose first the swingman Josh Childress, and then the high school student Josh Smith with the best physical fitness.

The Celtics had three picks in the first round, which were given to insider Al Jefferson, guards Delonte West and Tony Allen. They were not so eager for forwards.

To be precise, this year's team does not need many forwards, and the Heat also chose high school student Dorell Wright. They all believe that Li Hai's potential has been brought to the extreme, and there is no need to waste a first-round pick.

At this time, both Li Hai and Bruce Baker became a little nervous.

(End of this chapter)