Basketball: The Chosen Victim

At the end of the season, the celebrations that should be held and the celebrations that should not be held are all on the agenda, but Wu Di still has a very important preparation work, that is, the 2011 NBA draft!

Originally, this job had nothing to do with him, but Grant had already been fired, and after firing Grant, Gilbert couldn't find a suitable candidate for the time being, so he asked Scott to take over the position temporarily.

And Scott is temporarily acting as the general manager, so how can he leave Wu Di's staff?
So, unable to stand up to Scott's kind invitation, Wu Di had no choice but to put down his fishing rod and come to the Cavaliers Training Hall to watch the trial training of a group of potential new stars.

"Di, feel free to discuss with me if you have any ideas, we must put the bargaining chips in this draft to practical use!"

Scott eagerly patted Wu Di on the shoulder and said with a smile, it has always been his goal to become a super manager who integrates the general manager and head coach of the team, and now this interim general manager is a great opportunity in his life.

Wu Di nodded, he understood that Scott wanted to prove his operation level to Gilbert through this draft.

It is not common in the NBA to be a super executive who serves as the team's general manager and head coach at the same time.

It’s not that the coach can’t do the management work of the team manager. After all, the team general manager is already the head of the team’s management team. Basic daily affairs can be done by hiring assistants. The real key decisions, such as signings and drafting, will not only take up too much energy of the head coach, but also fundamentally improve the efficiency of the head coach.

The real reason is that in order to check and balance, the team owner often arranges two people to do such work separately in order to prevent one of them from dominating themselves. Therefore, it is very rare for the general manager and head coach to be in one person in the NBA.

Among the current [-] NBA teams, Popovich and Riley are the only two who serve as general manager and head coach at the same time. Needless to say, the status of these two in the NBA.

In the past, one of the reasons for the conflict between Jordan and the Bulls owner was that the Bulls owner refused to allow Phil Jackson to enter the management team and instead fired him, which led to Jordan's second peak retirement.

However, Jordan retired at the peak for the second time, and he failed to force the Bulls owner to compromise and let Phil Jackson take over, which is enough to show how taboo the general manager and head coach are in the hearts of some team owners.

Now that Gilbert lets Scott serve as the general manager temporarily, it is just an opportunity. When the new season starts, Gilbert may not let him continue to serve, so Scott naturally has to hurry up and perform.

Wu Di didn't want another Grant-like character, so he was willing to help him.

Now the Cavaliers hold three draft picks, one is the No. 29 pick traded from the Clippers, and the other is the No. [-] pick in the first and second rounds distributed based on the team's record.

The positions that the Cavaliers most need reinforcement are point guard and striker.

The point guard is because Davis is in poor condition, his physical improvement is far away, and his right hand has suffered an injury.

Because of Wu Di's presence on the front line, the pressure is less. After Jordan recovers from injury, Love can also fill the position vacated by Jamison in the new season, but he needs to find a reliable rotation to improve the depth of the lineup.

Based on such an analysis, Irving really has to be the No. [-] pick.

Although Ou Shenxian has some off-court problems, his skills are really good.

Otherwise, you have to choose Kemba Walker, who was originally the 9th overall pick, or Thomas Jr., the strongest 30 on the surface, who was the 175th overall pick in the second round.

However, these two have no defense at all and can serve as the facade of a fringe team, but they cannot be the starting point guard of a championship team.

Thomas Jr. is so late in the draft, he can be selected as a substitute.

However, there is a problem that the 30th pick in the second round of Thomas Jr.’s previous life was traded to the Kings by the Bulls, but now the pick has become the 28th pick in the second round because of the butterfly effect caused by Wu Di’s arrival, just ahead of the Cavaliers...

And using the 29th pick in the first round to select Thomas Jr. is a bit uneconomical...

After all, the striker has to be strengthened.

For the striker, the No. 29 pick in the first round can pick a good player, and that is Bojan Bogdanovic, who was originally the No. 1 pick in the second round.

Bo Yang has a high ball quotient, precise shooting skills, and excellent movement speed, which can perfectly adapt to the Cavaliers' current system.

But the problem with Bojan is that this guy still has contracts with European clubs on his back, and he has to wait until 2014 to officially land in the NBA.

Far can't quench the near thirst, and the best reinforcement candidate for the Cavaliers striker is actually someone else, that is Jimmy Butler, who was originally the 30th pick in the first round.

Wu Di discussed with Scott, and he was in favor of Wu Di using the second first-round pick to select Jimmy Butler. After all, Butler performed quite well when he was invited to participate in the trial training, and he was a self-conscious hardworking player that both of them admired.

But what worries Scott is that the Cavaliers' first-round pick is too low.

Scott's worries are not unreasonable. Wu Di is very clear that Butler's problem is the same as Thomas Jr.'s. The Bulls' No. 30 pick in the first round has become the No. 28 pick, and the Cavaliers' No. 29 pick is unavailable...

Therefore, Wu Di and Scott have to find a way to trade up.

However, who to trade with is a problem. Now the Cavaliers' vision for drafting is very famous in the league. Once the news is revealed, it is inevitable that some teams will cut off halfway...

While Wu Di was thinking, the marimba cell phone rang suddenly.

When Wu Di saw it, it turned out to be the old rascal Michael Jordan:
"What's wrong, Danzi?"

The corner of Jordan's mouth twitched when he heard this:
"Danzi? Did you call him Danzi? How many championships do you have? How dare you call him Danzi? Master Qiao!"

"Okay Danzi! When you are free, let's play heads-up!"

Wu Di laughed and reminded Danzi of the fact that he was abused by him.

The corners of Jordan's mouth twitched even more, but he rolled his eyes and said with a smile:
"There's no time for heads-up, but I'm engaged in September, so remember to come here, my son Marcus really wants to meet you..."

The corner of Wu Di's mouth twitched, Marcus is the big boy Jordan who pried Pippen's ex-wife, and it will definitely be a bad thing to be targeted by this guy:

"No, Danzi, you know, I have the Under Armour Classic to be busy in September... By the way, why are you calling here? You're not here to ask for an engagement gift, right? Then I have to prepare a cheap one, or else you guys will trick me so many times in the future!"

The corners of Jordan's mouth were twitching almost like cramp. Wu Di, this guy, he can't beat him when he plays ball, but he can't beat him when he talks?

"Stop talking nonsense! I know you guys have signed a lot of endorsements recently. If the gifts are less than 10 dollars, don't even think about pretending to be Jordan's disciples in the future!"

"I'm here this time mainly to talk to you about the first round of the trade. I want your No. [-] pick..."

Halfway through the speech, Jordan complained again:
"Damn it, that guy Byron took the wrong medicine, he actually entrusted such an important matter to you, a brat!"

Wu Di is happy, the old hooligan actually wants to trade up to get the number one lottery?
What a model of cooking and fun!
He dug up the draft materials and looked at the Bobcats' picks, a No. 9 pick in the first round, a No. 19 pick in the first round, and a No. 9 pick in the second round.

Good guy, isn't this just passing the pillow when you are sleepy!

If Jordan wants to change the No. [-] pick, it is naturally impossible!
After all, there are a lot of teams that are optimistic about Irving, and the major media's predictions for Irving's pick are also within the top 5, but the Cavaliers can trade the No. 19 pick in the first round and the No. 9 pick in the second round with the Bobcats!
In this way, wouldn't Butler and Thomas Jr. live together?

"Do you know where Scott's vision is better than yours?"

Wu Di laughed.

"where?"

Jordan couldn't help asking.

"Scott knows to refer to the opinions of authoritative people!"

Without waiting for Jordan to refute, Wu Di smiled and continued:

"You think, a rookie like me who just joined the NBA from college is the one who knows the first-hand information. For example, if you trade up the No. [-] pick, I can guess with a high probability that you want to use the No. [-] pick to pick Kemba Walker!"

Jordan gasped:
"How do you know? Falk, don't rob me. If you rob me, I have to..."

Wu Di shook his head and cursed:
"Grab an egg, only you will think it's worth picking Kemba Walker with the No. [-] pick!"

Jordan curled his lips. He really wanted to hang up the phone, but Wu Di's tone seemed to be full of confidence. In addition, he knew that the Cavaliers needed to strengthen the point guard, so he was really afraid that Wu Di would snatch his Kemba Walker, so he had to bite the bullet and ask:

"Then who do you think is worthy of the No. [-] pick? Walker is the NCAA champion, and he is also the winner of the Bob Cousy Award. You, a guy who didn't even make it to the semi-finals, aren't you jealous of others?"

Wu Di smiled and didn't answer Jordan's words:
"You don't care who we pick, but you can trade the No. 18 pick in the first round and the No. 9 pick in the second round with us! How about it, Danzi, you swap two picks with me, and I will handle this year's draft for you. You will definitely be ashamed! If you don't, I will go and play for you!"

"Ha ha!"

Jordan sneered immediately, Wu Di played for him?

Gilbert will only be willing to give up the position of the Hornets' major shareholder to Gilbert!

But thinking about the information I collected, last season the Cavaliers' transactions were basically handled by Wu Di, so Wu Di really has some level of manipulation!
Jordan touched his chin again and said;

"One million dollars."

Wu Dilue summed up the two million dollars to upgrade the two No. 200 picks to No. 29 and No. 19, which can be regarded as a fair market price, but in this way, wouldn't his opinion be equivalent to giving it for nothing?

"One million! Don't talk about too much, Danzi, this is already a friendship price!"

Jordan wanted to curse, but after thinking about it, he agreed:

"Son, you'd better prove that your trading opinions are worth a million dollars, or the anger of Black Jesus is not just for fun!"

However, Wu Di's first sentence made him almost drop his phone:
"For your No. 9 pick, choose Kemba Walker!"

Jordan: "... *#@**?! Damn it, isn't this my plan? You wait, you dare to scam Black Jesus, I won't fuck you today, I won't be named Joe..."

Wu Di explained with a smile:
"Where did I cheat, you originally wanted to trade with me for the No. 9 pick for Kemba Walker, but now I tell you that you can sign Kemba Walker with the No. [-] pick. You have already made a lot of money with this alone!"

"I made a lot of money?"

When Jordan heard it, it seemed to make sense...

But something always feels wrong!

But he didn't have time to think about it, and continued to curse, because Wu Di suggested that he should choose Bojan Bogdanovic with the 29th pick in the first round!
"...Wait, I'm flying to Cleveland today! Bogdanovic doesn't even know when he will come to the NBA, but you actually suggested that I choose him!"

Jordan was really angry this time. In his opinion, Bo Yang, a player with such a high risk, he would not pick in the second round, but Wu Di actually asked him to use the first round pick...

"Hahaha! Old man, you are really good at choosing people!"

Wu Di laughed loudly:
"If Bo Yang has no problems, do you think it will be your turn? He is at least worth the top ten picks!"

However, Jordan does not eat this set at all:
"Come on, if he is so good, will you share it with me? It's just nonsense!"

Wu Di continued to laugh and said:

"Although Bo Yang is good, he was specially prepared for you. I want to choose him too, but you think he has a contract problem with Europe, and Gilbert can't handle it, but you are different. You are a GOAT. You used to shake your prestige. How dare Europe not give you face? If Bo Yang has made a name for himself, who will dare to say that you have no vision in the future?"

Hearing this, Jordan couldn't help laughing out loud.

He dug up Bo Yang's information and looked it up a bit, and it seemed that it really happened. He has excellent athletic ability, accurate three-pointers, and an international player with his own flow. He is simply the next Wu Di!

Seeing that the old hooligan was satisfied, Wu Di also arranged someone for Jordan's last second-round No. 29 pick:
"For the last pick, you can take Justin Holiday, this is a rough diamond, you have to fuck hard to shine, but it's definitely worth it..."

Justin Holiday was originally an undrafted pick, and his experience was very similar to Beverly's. Later, he trained hard and grew into a stable starting-level player.

To be able to select a player like Holiday with the 29th pick in the second round is definitely bloody money.

The two greeted each other again before both hung up the phone.

On the evening of June 6, the 24 NBA Draft was held as scheduled at the Prudential Center Arena in Newark, New Jersey.

After a year, Wu Di came to the draft meeting again, but this time he directly sat in the team's high-level area as a behind-the-scenes boss!
This identity change is really exciting!
Since negotiating a deal with the old gangster, Wu Di has not continued to exert influence. After all, there are too many variables that can easily cause a greater butterfly effect.

However, Scott has objections to Wu Di using the No. 9 pick in the second round of the trade to select Thomas Jr.

It was no problem to use the No. 29 pick in the second round to select Thomas Jr., and he should try his luck, but the No. 9 pick in the second round is not low!

And Thomas Jr.'s own hardware is here again, with a height of 175, unless there is another little potato miracle, otherwise it would be a waste to use a second-round No. 9 pick...

But Wu Di went off in person and challenged Thomas Jr. for a trial training, forcing Thomas Jr. to his limit, and finally persuaded Scott.

"In the 2011 NBA Draft, the first pick in the first round, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Kyrie Irving from Duke University..."

With NBA Commissioner David Stern's voice getting higher and higher, the cheers gradually resounded throughout the stadium!

The draft process went very smoothly. The Cavaliers selected Irving with the No. 19 pick, Butler with the 9th pick in the first round, and Thomas Jr. with the [-]th pick in the second round!

It's just that when Scott used the No. 9 pick in the second round to select Thomas Jr., Gilbert, who came to the scene with him, didn't look very good.

He is still limited by the eyes of ordinary people and feels that Thomas Jr. is not worthy of this pick.

Jordan got his wish. He selected Kemba Walker with the No. 9 pick, Bo Yang with the No. 29 pick in the first round, and Holiday with the No. 29 pick in the second round.

After the selection, Jordan immediately gave Wu Di a bad fart, saying that he had solved Bo Yang's contract problem in advance, and Bo Yang could play directly in the Bobcats next season.

Wu Di was also happy for the old hooligan. After all, the god of basketball has always had a reputation for being extremely poor-sighted.

The Bulls, who were seriously affected, selected small forward Tyler Honeycart with the 28th pick in the first round. This guy actually played well, but he later became a generation of Holy Gun Rangers, and he had a shootout with the Los Angeles police. He was killed on the spot, setting a good example for Morant. (end of this chapter)