NBA: Back to 97, to be the Jagged Bishop

Chapter 152 Deal with the Rockets
Stern is sitting at the scene, and he will be in charge of the championship and FMVP award ceremony for a while tonight.

The FMVP selection didn't take long at all.

After all, Payton is well-deserved of this FMVP, whether it is statistics or on-court role.

When it was time to hold the cup, Payton was in tears. His desire for a championship was not something that young people like Big Ben McGrady could understand.

Not only won the championship, but also won the FMVP, this ring is quite gold.

It is impossible to make Payton among the top five point guards in history, but the top ten point guards are definitely stable.

Generally speaking, the number one point guard in history must be a magician, and then the order behind it is more chaotic, and everyone has their own opinions.

But generally from second to fifth, it will be Thomas Sr., Oscar Robertson, Bob Cousy and Stockton.

If Jerry West is counted as a point guard, then Stockton will be squeezed out of the top five, after all, he does not have a championship in his hand.

In the ESPN rankings, the LOGO man is generally the third shooting guard and the fourth point guard.

Now that Payton has won the MVP, championship and FMVP, he still can't make the top five, but he can already compete with Stockton for his historical status.

If Payton can win two more championships, he can be among the top five, squeezing Cousy or the Big O.

The big O's historical status was actually harmed by Westbrook. Originally, he only had one championship and one MVP, not an FMVP, but his historical status was greatly improved because of his triple-double per game.

As a result, Westbrook averaged a triple-double for several seasons. Experts and fans from all walks of life looked at it, and it seemed that averaging a triple-double for the season was not too difficult.

So in the subsequent point guard rankings, Big O Robertson couldn't make the top five, and sometimes even under Westbrook.

The old Thomas has always been known as the second point guard in history, and his honor is actually not hard, two championships, and an FMVP, no MVP, and honors such as a team are not many.

Looking at it this way, the magician is really the only one among point guards.

That is to say, later Curry was close to the magician in terms of honor, and of course it was only close, and it was almost impossible to surpass it.

After the award ceremony, reporters rushed into the stadium.

After winning the championship last season, Kumbu did not accept interviews at all, and the reporters will definitely not let him go this time.

"Kong, tell me about your feelings about winning this season."

"Impressions? I don't seem to have any special impressions. I am proud of the old Peyton and those young boys."

Combe replied with a smile.

"Now that you have won the second consecutive championship, do you have the confidence to continue to defend the title next season and build a Raptors dynasty?"

"Of course there are. We have the most and best top players in the league and the most capable coaching staff. We will definitely win the championship next season."

Ma Long's resentful face suddenly appeared in Kong Bu's mind.

I just took this opportunity to brag about Ma Long and the others.

"This season we have a 94% winning percentage. If it were a normal season, we would have 77 wins."

"The reason why I can achieve such an outstanding record is that my teaching assistants have contributed a lot."

"Mike is the most talented young coach I have ever seen, and his future achievements will definitely surpass me."

"Old Ma Hong has unique insights in training defense. Da Ben's defensive efficiency is so amazing this season, and old Ma Hong has contributed a lot."

"Jr. Adelman and Mr. Meschery are also excellent teaching assistants."

Kong Bu caught his coaching staff and boasted fiercely.

Of course, he has the pursuit of establishing a school, and he wishes that every one of his assistants will leave and become the coach of each team.

Today, under the attention of fans all over the world, Kumbu helped several of his assistant coaches to become famous. Maybe some of them will be hired by other teams to be the coach next season.

"Kong, the draft is about to start, can you tell me which rookies you are most optimistic about?"

A young and naive reporter asked a very sensitive question.

How does Combe answer this question?Wouldn't it be waiting to be cut off if you say it?

"Before I was busy preparing for the playoffs, I didn't know much about this year's rookies."

"However, I guess the quality of this year's rookies should be good. I hope our Raptors can continue to be lucky and select more outstanding rookies."

Kombu answered without leaking.

After accepting the reporter's interview, Combe led the generals back to Toronto overnight.

There are still a few days before the championship parade starts, and Kumbu is not idle at all. He has to finish all the work at hand quickly, and then he can lead the team wholeheartedly to the Asian Championships.

The most important job at hand is undoubtedly to trade up the 29th pick in his hand.

The teams with the 20th to 23rd picks are the Eagles, Warriors, Rockets and Lakers.

Naturally, Kumbu called the Eagles who had the best relationship first.

"Kong, we are completely finished. Steve is sure to join the Trail Blazers. We can't even get a decent shooting guard now."

"Why don't you sell Vince to us, all the players in the Eagles, you can choose whatever you want, and besides this No. 20 pick, I will give you the first round pick next year."

Not long ago, Wilkens learned that Steve Smith, the team's core inside and outside line, had been poached by the Trail Blazers. When he was at a loss, Comb called was regarded as a life-saving straw.

"Lenny, Vince is the player I selected with the No. [-] pick. Guess why I selected him with such a high pick?"

"The only tradeable player on your team is Dikembe Mutombo."

"It's a pity that we have big money in the team, and we can't afford Mutombo's contract."

Kumbu would only sell a player like Carter unless his brain got into water.

McGrady is like a ticking time bomb, maybe one day he gets injured, Carter will be able to perfectly replace McGrady, so that the Raptors' combat power will not be damaged.

If Combe still has Duron or Mobley in his hands now, he doesn't mind helping old Wilkens.

It's a pity that both of them have already been sold, and Kongbu can't help the Eagles' situation.

The Eagles selected a shooting guard named Dean Grove for the No. 20 pick this year. Such a pick cannot be said to be a parallel import. Anyway, it did not meet the old Wilkens' expected goal.

The most chips that Combe is willing to take out is the No. 29 pick plus the No. 29 pick in their hands in the second round.

Wilkens was not very happy, he was afraid that the No. 29 pick would not pick his favorite Grove.

This deal can only be dismissed.

Kong Bu is not a bully, he can't buy and sell by force.

The current general manager and head coach of the Warriors is still Carlesimo, who is crazy. Comb simply skipped the Warriors and called Tang Shuai of the Rockets.

After dealing with Kong Bu several times, Tang Shuai's impression of Kong Bu changed a lot.

He was quite happy to receive a call from Kongbu this time, because he happened to have something to discuss with Kongbu.

"Kong, I heard you made an oral deal with the Clippers again?"

There is no impenetrable wall in the world, and veteran coaches like Tang Shuai can't hide any troubles in the league from them.

"It is indeed a deal, why? The Rockets are interested in this draft pick?"

Combe asked with a smile.

He remembered that this year's No. [-] pick originally belonged to the Grizzlies, because Francis said harshly before the draft that he would never play for a Canadian team, so the Grizzlies had to make a deal with the Rockets.

Send Francis to the Rockets and get the first-round pick Michael Dixon in 98 from the Rockets.

In fact, the Grizzlies did not lose money in this deal. Even if Dixon was a rookie, he averaged 11 points per game with high efficiency in the Rockets.

In the first season of the Grizzlies, the scoring average soared to 18.5 points per game.

The reason why fans of later generations have not heard of Dixon's name is that he retired after suffering a serious injury after playing for only a few years.

Looking at it this way, the Grizzlies are still losing.

Tang Shuai's draft is really something. In 98, they not only selected Dixon with the 14th overall pick, but they also selected the old cat Mobley.

In the 99 draft, they won Francis and Kenny Thomas with the 22nd pick, and their strengths are not bad.

Kenny Thomas is a combo forward with a height of 201 cm. He had 14 points and 10 rebounds in his peak season, and his style is similar to that of AC Green.

"Of course there is interest, but we don't have the capital to compete with your Raptors."

"Kong, we can sell the No. 22 pick to you, but can you promise me a condition?"

Tang Shuai is optimistic about Kenny Thomas, who is predicted to be in the second round of the draft. After all, his height of 201 cm is too short for the fourth position, and he does not seem to have the skills to play the third position.

Whether it is the 22nd pick or the 29th pick, the Rockets can successfully select Kenny Thomas.

"Oh? Talk about it."

"Can you tell me which player you plan to pick with the second pick? Don't worry, I swear I won't reveal it."

Kong Bu roughly guessed what Tang Shuai was thinking.

Francis has already said that he will never play for the Cannabis team. His words are not aimed at the Raptors, but at the Grizzlies who hold the No. [-] pick.

After all, the people in the league who know Kumbu's verbal deal with the Clippers can be counted with a single slap. How could Francis know about it.

If he knew, he probably wouldn't say such cruel words.

Being selected by Kumbu is the dream of many players, at least they can be sure that their future is limitless.

To this day, Kumbu still maintains zero error in the draft, and has never missed it.

The Rockets should be negotiating a deal with the Grizzlies.

Tang Shuai wanted to see if Combe had any intention of choosing Francis. If Combe wanted to choose Francis, then the Rockets would not need to make a deal with the Grizzlies.

He is very confident in his own vision. Even if Combe does not choose Francis, he is sure that Francis' ability is not bad.

"To be honest, I am also hesitating who to choose."

"Rudy, if I'm not mistaken, are you negotiating with the Grizzlies? It should be the kid who wants the University of Maryland, right?"

This remark made Tang Shuai horrified, he didn't say anything, and Kong Bu knew everything?
"Kong, I have been in the league for so many years, and you may be the only young man I admire from the bottom of my heart."

"Yes, we do want Francis from the University of Maryland."

Tang Shuai didn't hide anymore, there was really no need to hide in front of Kong Bu.

"That kid has already said that he won't play for the Canadian team. Since that's the case, I won't bother myself."

"Don't worry, just take it as a thank you for your reward, the Raptors won't choose that kid."

The Raptors are not short of people in all positions now, but Payton is the only one who can play at the first position.

(Grandpa Lu: Huh? What do you mean?)

For the Clippers' No. [-] pick, Kumbu's plan is to choose the next point guard, and he was also hesitant about who to choose.

Four good point guards have been produced this year, namely Francis at No. 8, Baron Davis with a big beard, No. 10 pick Karen Mok of California Andre Miller, and No. [-] pick Jet Terry.

Comb will definitely not choose Miller. Miller, known as the point guard ATM, is the player with the most caps at the point guard position in NBA history.

Duncan was blocked more because he took too many shots. Miller's shots are not ranked among the point guards. He has been blocked nearly 1100 times, which is considered a talent.

Not only is the offensive end easy to be blocked, but his defense is also indescribable, almost at the Marbury level.

In addition, there are not three points, the kind that doesn't have a little bit.

Kumbu can be regarded as a relatively retro fan, but no matter how retro he is, he can't accept a point guard with no three-point ability.

Kidd claims that he doesn't attack, and he shoots well on three-pointers.

The only thing worthy of praise is that he has a good rhythm of the game and is a qualified rhythm engine. The offensive end ignores the defect that he is easy to be blocked, and his stability is still good.

For such a player, Kumbu would rather reuse Grandpa Lu.

As for the Jets Terry, his strength is very good. Except for his defensive weakness, he can't find his obvious shortcomings.

It's a pity that I can't find too obvious advantages.

Kumbu has always attached great importance to the defense of the players. In addition, it is a bit too extravagant to use the second pick to select Terry, so Terry is not in Kumbu's plan.

He hesitated whether to choose Francis or Beard.

The two are actually pretty much the same.

Francis' offense is slightly stronger, and Beard's defense and organization are stronger.

Originally, Kumbu was more inclined to Francis. After all, as a Chinese fan, he has always had a good impression of Francis.

And the beard is too similar to Payton's style, he is a poor man's version of Payton.

If Payton is at the king level, Beard is almost at the level of a diamond or a master.

But since Tang Shuai wanted Boss Falcon, Kumbu didn't mind being a favor. After all, Boss Fellow had to play as a backup for at least two years after he arrived in the Raptors, which was a bit of a rip off for Boss Falcon.

After receiving Kong Bu's promise, Tang Shuai heaved a sigh of relief, and his impression of Kong Bu became even better.

It seems that Kongbu is not as evil as he thinks. Apart from being a little grumpy, he is quite sincere.

The Raptors sent the No. 29 pick plus the No. 29 pick in the second round, and exchanged the No. 22 pick from the Rockets, and the deal was officially finalized.

In this way, the picks in Kumbu's hands become No. 2, No. 9, No. 22 and No. 27 in the second round.

No. 2 is used to choose Big Beard, No. 22 is used to choose AK47, No. 27 is used to choose Demon Sword in the second round, and No. 9 has not been decided yet.

In the new season, the Raptors have at least four outstanding newcomers to join, and the lineup will become even more amazing.

In addition to Jr. O’Neill who is about to be sold to the Supersonics in the new season, the Raptors currently have Big Ben, Bus, Miller, Lewis, Mashburn, Pierce, McGrady, Carter, Payton and Grandpa Lu. For one McCain, there are eleven players in total.

Just four more newcomers to make up the 15-man roster.

It's a pity that the activation list can only be 12 people, and McCain estimates that he will have to be released next season.

It doesn't matter whether he is transferred or not, after all, he has a guarantee contract in hand, and he only needs to earn money to support his family.

We can't still expect him to flourish again at his age and achieve super social status.

In addition, AK47 and Ginobili may not be able to directly land in the NBA, and Kumbu does not have to worry about overcrowding.

(End of this chapter)