Although he was mentally prepared for this issue, Su Yang was still very excited to hear who to choose.

Durant and Oden, one is extremely powerful and the other is particularly bad, basically the same as Jordan and Bowie.

This is another choice that affects the NBA process, and your own answers may change the fate of many people.

He instantly felt like he was planning and winning a thousand miles away, and thoughts flashed through his mind.

Of course, as the general manager of the Trail Blazers, Kevin may just use this question to test his logic ability and will not use what he says as an important reference. He must have been in many places and has heard other people's suggestions that Durant should be chosen instead of Oden.

After thinking for a while, Su Yang calmly spoke: "I want to tell a story first."

Kevin nodded in agreement, his eyes widened slightly, as if he was very curious about the story Su Yang was going to tell. After all, under normal circumstances, compared with the two players to be selected, various data or scout reports, or even website ratings will be drawn.

Starting with storytelling, it is either a pretentious or a unique way of communication.

"At the 1984 draft, Sam Bovey and Michael Jordan were the two options for the Trail Blazers..."

Su Yang said the first sentence, stopped and glanced at Kevin, and found that the corners of the other person's mouth were slightly raised and his smile was about to burst out.

The movements and expressions obviously understood what to say next, and guessed Su Yang's final answer.

But Kevin did not interrupt. Su Yang continued to talk about the technical characteristics of Durant and Oden, to the current tactical system of the Trail Blazers, to the developments that the two may have in the next few years, and the possible risks.

He listed one by one, word by word, for nearly twelve minutes, and felt his mouth dry and his tongue dry, and wanted to drink ice cola.

"Finally, I think Durant will perform at the historical level in the future and become a league ace player, and Oden is more suitable for the current lineup of the Trail Blazers. If there is no injury, he may become an All-Star center."

The Trail Blazers are very low in their willingness to choose Durant because they already have Brandon Roy and Martel Webster are also qualified 3D small forwards.

Moreover, McMillan cannot use small forwards well and hardly develops tactics around small forwards. The obvious difference can be seen from Batum's transformation under Terry Stotts.

From the perspective of the Trail Blazers, choosing Durant is probably a lose-lose choice, which is worse than Oden Insurance.

"You have such a high opinion of Durant? A league ace player? Are you sure?"

Kevin's face was full of suspicion, as if he felt that Su Yang was pretending to behave and wanted to attract more attention.

"Of course, he has the height of a center player, the speed of a small forward player, and the skills of a defender player. The most terrifying thing is that he has historical shooting ability. If you combine all the factors, he is the strongest player in the NBA ever."

Kevin chuckled: "According to this statement, you should recommend that we choose Durant."

"Yes, as long as you are willing to spend a huge amount of money to rebuild the entire lineup..."

In Su Yang's view, Kevin is an excellent general manager. When he was still an assistant to the general manager, he used Sebastian Terfell and Theo Ratliff to transfer the Kyleman's No. 7 draw, and then changed to Roy in subsequent operations.

There are also packing No. 4 picks Tyrus Thomas and Victor Cayapa, changing from the Bulls to Aldridge, and spending cash to buy the No. 27 pick from the Suns in the first round, and then selecting Sergio Rodriguez.

Whether it is vision or execution ability, Kevin is the best general manager level, at least for now.

It can be said that he has formed the current team of Trail Blazers and will soon achieve results.

So, I want him to rebuild the entire team including the coaching staff for the sake of Durant, who has not fully demonstrated his ability, unless the Suns rise from the south, or immediately take him to the NBA ten years later to take a look.

"Very good, I understand what you think."

Kevin smiled faintly, and did not take what Su Yang said in his heart. He did not seem to think that it was Jordan and Bowie again.

"Tell me about your opinion of evaluating a player through data? I'm also interested in the data evaluation system, but I'm not as obsessed with that guy in Houston. We often say in the circle that many things cannot be reflected through data.

What do you think about this? For example, inside players take the initiative to remind their teammates on the outside that they will be covered soon.”

The NBA emphasizes the data trend. It can be said that Morey led it, especially after the Magic Ball achieved certain results, but many people don’t know that Kevin Prichard is also a pioneer in exploration, but he has no excellent results to help spread.

"I agree that many things cannot reflect this view through data..." Su Yang picked up the signature pen and started writing.

"For example, Bruce Bowen, his stealing data is not impressive, and there are not many exciting blocks, but we can see that under his defense, Ray Allen and others have significantly lower shooting percentages than average, and the number of mistakes is higher than average..."

Kevin nodded with satisfaction, Su Yang continued: "We can further deepen and refine the data, such as counting Bowen's presence and absence time, the Spurs' loss of points, and even his running distance per game..."

Kevin became more interested, and Su Yang said: "Back to what you said just now, it is like an inside player shouting to remind his outside teammates that there will be cover. With the current data statistics and technological level, it is indeed difficult to reflect its role.

But I believe that one day the solution will come into being. Just like in the 1960s, there was no blocking statistics, and it was difficult for fans to understand through descriptions. Why is Bill Russell better at franchise protection than other centers.

The key is that we collect exercise data just to improve efficiency and not rely entirely on it.”

"Very good, honestly, I think the same as you..." Kevin said excitedly: "I've started to build a player database. Do you want to take charge of this part of the work? I don't want to fix you in a scout position now."

Kevin was very happy that he actually met an interviewer with a very close idea and couldn't help but recall his youth.

But Su Yang thought for a moment and said seriously: "That is a path I have never imagined..."

I suddenly had to do program work, and it was a bit panicked, and the database was easily turned into a bottomless pit.

"I understand, then let's talk about overseas players. You mentioned Rudy Fernandez. To be honest, we are also optimistic about this Spaniard. If you get him, how do you think it should be the best way?"

Fernandez has a relatively high ball quotient and is a superstar player, but his defense is relatively poor. In a team like the Trail Blazers, which has few international players, the positioning is embarrassing, it is not worth playing the main player, and it is a bit wasteful to play as a substitute, which is really a headache.

But the scouts’ job is to solve this kind of problem, especially the scouts responsible for the direction of players’ development.

In the original historical trajectory, the Trail Blazers did not properly solve this problem, and finally chose to trade Fernandez.

"I just hope that he can achieve certain results. If it is difficult to position, he can choose someone else instead..." Su Yang shrugged, "After all, he is not the kind of level that must be chosen, which may be a new idea."

“This kind of thinking is worthy of extended discussion…”

Kevin nodded and suddenly put away his smile: "Do you think the team's emphasis on slow-paced play is reasonable?"

Su Yang was a little surprised and immediately said: "The existing slow-paced play can effectively help young players build awareness of the game, but it will also suppress their talents, resulting in slower growth and even unrealized, which is unreasonable in the long run..."

"Wait a little longer, don't worry for the time being."

Kevin skipped the detailed discussion and talked about several tactical-related issues, and Su Yang answered them fluently.

As he chatted, Kevin recalled the past when he was a coach in the minor league and the Spurs were a scout.

He also talked about the substitute becoming the interim head coach of the Trail Blazers in 2005, and caught Randolph and complained.

With laughter and joy, the interview was successful.
Chapter completed!