Versatile Point Forward

Chapter 97 The Eve of the Draft
In Portland, Ye Feng received a high-level reception. After the trial training, the boss Paul Allen even invited him to have dinner with Duffy, Pritchard and McMillan.Everyone at the dinner table toasted frequently. Of course, as a junior, Ye Feng could only drink some fruit juice, but everyone present knew that the Blazers' intention was very clear. They would try their best to get the No. Guaranteed to choose Ye Feng.Ye Feng himself is quite satisfied with the team's atmosphere and staffing. He doesn't mind joining the Young Guards, and it's also very interesting to grow up with some young players.

After leaving Portland, Ye Feng tried out several other teams that were interested in him. Duffy was not idle either. He used his personal connections to find out what the teams were saying.Obviously, as the draft is approaching, the teams in the lottery area have more or less revealed their thoughts, and as an agent representing three potential rookies, Duffy spends more time sorting out information than collecting it. Much more.However, he still didn't entrust these tasks to his subordinates. Instead, he did it himself. For him, if he worked harder now, the rewards would be much higher in the future.

With Duffy's help, the UCLA trio had a certain degree of certainty about their future, and they secretly admired Duffy's work efficiency.It is indeed not a job that ordinary people can do to gather clues about which team the three of them may be selected from a huge amount of information.For this hard work, Duffy himself is very happy. He seems to have returned to the years when he just became an agent, and regained the passion and vitality of being a newcomer back then.According to Duffy's analysis results, Love will be selected by the Timberwolves with the third overall pick, Westbrook will be selected by the Sonics with the fourth overall pick, and the Blazers are close to being traded to the Knicks with the sixth pick. There is no doubt that this is for Ye Feng.

And as the lottery picks that are basically pre-determined, the three of them have been invited by the league to enter the small green room.Small green room is a special term in the American sports draft. In the NBA draft, the players who receive the official invitation to enter the draft small green room are usually selected through the vote of the general manager of the NBA team. Finally, the vice president of the league Adam Xiao Hua decided.There are generally about 15 people selected in the annual draft, and players who enter the small green room can be accompanied by relatives and friends at the draft site.Players selected in the draft, on-site officials will give them a cap that picks their team, and then take the stage to shake hands with NBA Commissioner David Stern.Under normal circumstances, the general managers of NBA teams vote for those young talents with unlimited potential. In other words, they are basically high-ranked rookies.

On the night before the start of the draft, Ye Feng, Westbrook and Love met at their most frequented restaurant near UCLA to have a real breakup meal.Although they have only cooperated for one season, they both appreciate each other's skills and personalities very much, and regard the other two as their close friends.However, after the draft, they will go their separate ways, and the famous UCLA troika will fall apart. But for them, a golden NCAA championship trophy is the best gift for their alma mater. A testimony of their friendship.

Westbrook is an optimist, and he only cares about chewing his cheeks, but Love, who is rarely sentimental, puts down his knife and fork, and whispers: "When we enter the NBA, we will never have a chance to play together again. I always think about it." I feel a little sad. When I was in high school, I always thought that I was the strongest one, but I didn’t realize that I was too arrogant until I met you in college. But it is also fate to know you. Although the three of us Each position is different, but to be honest, I really admire you, without you, I would not be able to lead the team to win the championship by myself."

Ye Feng couldn't stand his sourness, so he pretended to be serious and said: "Who said there is no chance to join forces again? Let's not talk about it, the All-Star Weekend Rookie Challenge is one, right? Don't blame me for not reminding you. If you lose your legs, you can't even enter the rookie challenge. Don't say you know us when you walk on the street. We can't afford to lose this person. Besides, the rookie challenge can be held again next year. Isn't it the first grade to play the second grade? If whoever comes out on top can influence the decision-making of the management in the future, and trade the other two to the same team as soon as possible, wouldn't they be able to play together all the time?"

Westbrook laughed and said: "You put it simply! It's not difficult to participate in the Rookie Challenge twice, just the latter one... Hahaha, didn't I say, you drink too much, right? I know some stars really It can influence the management’s signing goals, but how many years later? Maybe we will have passed away by then? But then again, if we can really reach that height, it is probably a career It's the last peak of my career, I feel like I can imitate the Celtics! They can bring Pierce, Garnett and Ray Allen together, why can't we get together? Then we can join forces to get a few Champion, how about teaching those rookies a lesson and then retiring with glory?"

Ye Feng laughed and said: "You said that I said it simply, so how good are you? You are still learning from the Celtics. At that time, the team really had such a large salary space? If the three of us don't be lazy, That is a proper maximum salary, three maximum salaries... Tsk tsk, unless the team owner is not short of money, he is willing to spend hundreds of millions of dollars!" Love also nodded beside him and said: "I also believe in Ye's judgment, We should come up with the motivation to fight for the maximum salary now, not to mention whether we can join forces in the future, at least the maximum salary can prove our value, maybe at that time there will really be a guy with too much money to spend us How about bringing all three to the same team?"

Westbrook pointed to the two of them, and said with a smile: "As expected of the roommates in the same dormitory, they joined forces to tear down my platform so soon? Forget it, these things so far away can only be done now." Let’s just YY, let’s talk about tomorrow’s draft! But when it comes to this, I’m angry. I’m also a top point guard in the NCAA, but Rose is also running for the election this year. According to the news Mr. Duffy got Well, the Bulls will use the No. [-] pick to select that kid, shit, without him, I will definitely be the No. [-] pick this year."

Love nodded and said, "That's very possible, but the Bulls have basically designated Rose to be drafted now, so what can you do? Now announce your withdrawal from the draft and come back next year?" Westbrook silently raised a middle finger , "Gritting teeth" said: "The devil wants to come back next year, this year I will beat him in the NBA! Besides, if I enter the NBA next year, let's not mention the number one pick or not. In the Rookie Challenge Are you going to face the two of you guys? My side is going to lose in all likelihood, and I won’t do any money-losing business!”

Ye Feng patted him on the shoulder and said: "Kevin was joking, didn't you catch it? Didn't you just miss a champion? There are many champions in history who didn't succeed in the end. But if the Bulls don't choose you, you'll have to Went to Seattle, hehe, I just happen to have something to eat at your place." Westbrook widened his eyes and asked in surprise: "What does your draft have nothing to do with me? Why do you want to eat with me?" Ye Feng smiled He smiled and said to him one by one with his fingers: "Look, at UCLA you are the captain, and the captain has the responsibility to take care of the players, right? Secondly, you are the No. [-] pick, I can't be ahead of you, so your salary will be lower than I'm tall, so it's not too much to treat me to dinner? In the end, our cities are probably not far apart, so I can go to your place if I have nothing to do."

Westbrook punched him and said, "Okay, Blazers, right? I heard Mr. Duffy say, good guy, the team owner, general manager, head coach plus the two core reception lineup, you This is a big face." Ye Feng smiled and said, "I just think I'm more suitable for them. I guess they have already negotiated with Knicks now, right? With Knicks' various 'god-level' operations in the past few years, think about it. The Blazers have no problem getting the No. [-] pick."

Love raised his glass and said, "Since everyone has basically decided on a place to go, let's have a drink together. The next time we meet, we will be rivals." and exhaust
While Ye Feng and the three of them were feasting, the Trail Blazers general manager Pritchard was still arguing with the opponent in the office. "No, no, Roy, it is impossible for us to give up. Donnie, this is our bottom line. Except for Roy, Aldridge and Oden, you can make a price... What? You want Outlaw ?This can be considered...But I hope you switch to Webster...Why? Although both are small forwards, Outlaw is our best sixth man...I can add LaFrentz, This big guy is still very usable...well, this is my last price..."

The other side was silent for a while, as if thinking about the value of this bargaining chip. The sixth pick can still pick a good rookie, but maybe they still need time to prove themselves?What the Blazers are offering now is considered a jumping-off price. It’s really hard for them to come up with their main small forward for a high draft pick... Donnie Walsh, the general manager of the Knicks, took a deep breath. In a low tone, he said into the microphone: "OK, no problem, just follow this offer, Webster Gara Frentz plus No. 13 pick for our No. 6 pick."

A smile bloomed on Pritchard's face: "Yes, happy cooperation!"

(End of this chapter)