Legend of Tomorrow

In Guo Xu's previous life, the 2000 class was known as the worst draft class in NBA history, but now it seems that this is more like a group of elites.

DeShawn Stevenson, a high school player whose template is Michael Jordan, was selected by the Jazz with the 23rd overall pick. Since the draft template, a professional evaluation method, was introduced, the templates of many players are really blinding.

Stevens has averaged 7.2 points, 2.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists in his career. The template given by the experts is actually Jordan?

This is an unsolvable mystery in the NBA, and many fans suspect that he has an ulterior background. If Stevenson wrote, directed, acted, and sang the theme song for a movie called Pure Heart - NBA Dreams, these experts would probably give it a very high rating and invite him to participate in the Chicken Award selection.

With the 28th pick, the Trail Blazers selected Eric Barkley, who was highly praised by the Lakers. He is a point guard who is 185cm tall and weighs 80kg.

Trail Blazers manager Bob Whitsitt, nicknamed The Dealer, looked very proud, thinking he had successfully intercepted the opponent's favorite player. In fact, the Lakers did not want to select Barkley at all. The Trail Blazers are still crowded with small men at the No. 1 position in the new season. The three point guard positions overlap, and a first-round pick is wasted.

The Lakers selected blue-collar power forward Mark Madsen with the 29th overall pick in order to strengthen defense. This is a goal that has been set long ago.

Madsen, nicknamed Mad Dog, is 206cm tall and weighs 111kg. His four-year college statistics were very poor. His offensive methods are poor and he has almost no scoring ability. The only means of scoring are secondary attacks or missing baskets.

Madsen became famous in 1999 when he represented the United States in the World University Games and won the championship. Although the statistics are mediocre, his stalking style has been recognized and he does the dirty work inside well.

Kupchak does not plan to renew the contract with veteran AC Green, and must find a defensive blue-collar to replace him. The Lakers have the weakest depth at the 4th position in the league, and there will definitely be a trade in the summer.

The draft entered the second round, and a group of players who were unknown in college, had no data in the NCAA, and had no record were selected one by one.

According to statistics, shooting guard Michael Reed, who has no record, was selected by the Bucks with the 14th pick in the second round. In Guo Xu's previous life, many people believed that he was the best player in this class and was passed over by the Bucks.

The Spurs are Happy Watters' favorite team, but Guo Xu was not considered for the two second-round picks, even though the team lacked a point guard.

Originally, Popovich listed Guo Xu as his first choice in the second round. After seeing the news that Guo Xu refused to try out, he changed his mind. Popovich hated players with personalities. When he was the Spurs manager, he gave Rodman, the rebounding champion, to the Bulls for nothing.

In Guo Xu's previous life, Popovich once explained his basketball theory this way. I don't want anyone to be in the limelight, so we'll take them off. Why get 30 points? That's selfish!

In Popovich's view, Guo Xu was too selfish in the NCAA finals, and dancing to celebrate a goal was simply too shameless. So he selected Duke center Chris Caravel with the 12th pick in the second round, and an international point guard named Corey Hightower with the 25th pick.

Many reporters smelled the big news. The commentator of ESPN's live draft said: Jason Guo has not been selected yet. All the well-known point guards in the NCAA have been selected. He is likely to become the first NBA player in history. I don’t know how he feels now after losing the Final Four MOP.”

Guo Xu was very excited and prayed with his hands clasped together.

As he expected, he was selected by the Dallas Mavericks with the 29th pick in the second round and 58th overall. No one wants to cut off a person who is 180cm tall and has no side data.

The deal should be announced today. Guo Xu knew that he was sure to go to the Lakers. He smiled and comforted his family: You don't have to be depressed. This position has the same salary as the first player in the second round, and it has more gimmicks. The coach will give me a chance to perform.

There are some real-time transactions in the draft every year. Sure enough, Guo Xu's transaction was announced soon. The Lakers exchanged Tyronn Lue for Guo Xu's signing rights and some cash.

It is difficult for the Mavericks' last pick to get a contract, and it will be wasted if they are not traded. It happened that Nelson wanted to strengthen the No. 1 position, so he added some cash to recruit Tyronn Lue into the team. If Tyronn Lue does not play well, he will not renew his contract after one year. If Tyronn Lue stays healthy in the new season and performs like a first-round pick, The Mavericks made a lot of money.

The Mavericks' backup point guard Robert Pike last season only played 29 games due to injury, and his annual salary is 4.05 million. He will definitely not renew his contract. Just Tyronn Lue is not enough, they have to find a point guard in the free market in the summer.

After a while, Lakers general manager Kupchak personally called and said with a smile, Jason, we selected you as agreed.

Kupchak was relieved to be able to introduce Guo Xu into the lineup. This was equivalent to signing a lottery pick at the minimum price. The Lakers will not be weak at the No. 1 position next season. He only needs to find another big player in the summer. As a striker, you can complete reinforcements and get ready for defending the title.

Thank you, manager, I can't wait to join the team and practice with my seniors. Guo Xu smiled.

Kupchak said: You have to arrive in Los Angeles before July 4th to participate in the Long Beach Summer League. We hope you can play at a high level and prove your strength. The specific time and location will be sent to your email.

I will compete on time and give my best.

The two chatted for a while, and Guo Xu asked for the phone number of coach Phil Jackson. Although the coach would not be leading the summer league team, he wanted to take the time to say hello and chat with Jackson.

After hanging up the phone, Guo Xu smiled and said: The general manager called me personally and informed me that I would play in the summer league and go to the Lakers. It's not a big surprise. I will sign a two-year contract.

Bring more money to Los Angeles, find a good place to live, eat three meals a day, don't worry about money, and don't take it home after your salary is paid. If something happens, call us, we will go to Los Angeles to help you at any time. Dad. Guo Zhiping began to plan for the future, but was severely beaten by his father-in-law Black.

Blake glared at Guo Zhiping. What stupid words are you talking about? What could happen to him? It's just holding us back when we go to Los Angeles. Jason, if you make too much money and can't spend it, give it to your family and we'll help you spend it.

Guo Xu found that he could still talk to the bald grandfather, and he liked hearing this kind of talk the most. No problem, there will be money, big houses and luxury cars. In five years at the latest, you can have whatever you want.

This is a serious promise. Guo Xu is particularly pleasing to his family members in this life, and hopes that they will live a prosperous and happy life.

The next day, many media mentioned Guo Xu when reporting on the draft, saying that he created an embarrassing historical record for the lowest pick in the MOP draft in the Final Four.

Hornets manager Bob Buss was interviewed and added insult to injury: I think the Lakers selected Jason Guo because of his Chinese identity, which can attract some Chinese fans, but even if he gets a minimum salary contract, he will definitely be a marginal person and a mascot. .”

The reporter asked: At that time, the Hornets invited Jason Guo to try out because of his Chinese identity?

Of course, he has some commercial value, but I'm not optimistic about him gaining a foothold in the NBA. If he joins the Hornets, he can only be a marginal player at the No. 1 position. Bass said gloatingly.

There is a kind of person in this world who does two things. If you succeed, he will be jealous of you; if you fail, he will laugh at you.

Unlike Bob Bass, Mike Miller, the core of the University of Florida, was much more low-key when he was interviewed about the question about Guo Xu. Guo Xu was low in the draft. People who supported the University of Florida liked to hear it, but those who had competed with Guo Xu on the court , dare not talk nonsense.

As soon as the reporter asked a question, Miller remembered the fear that was once dominated by Guo Xu. He said: I think Jason Guo is seriously underestimated. His height is a weakness, but his offense is terrifying. Don't wait for the new season, I think he will surprise people in the summer league.