On the 15th, Zhu Fangyu returned to the capital from the United States, just in time to catch up with Erbao's ten tables of wine.
On this day, Liu Yumin also came to the door specially with gifts and chatted with Lao Wang about the Olympic Games.
An Olympic bronze medal in 1996 and a silver medal in 2000, these two medals have firmly established Liu Yumin as the number one player in the domestic basketball system.
She still has extravagant hopes for this Olympics. After all, she has rushed from the top eight to the bronze medal, and then to the silver medal. After Lao K joined the national team, she has taken one step at a time. This time she should strive for the gold medal.
Moreover, when she talked with Lao Wang before, she heard Lao Wang mention it, and she also understood that the number of stars currently playing in the United States is not as good as before, and the men's basketball team still has great hope of winning the gold medal.
"Tie Jun, tell me about the situation of the American team. It's only June and the roster of Dream Team 6 has not been announced yet. I don't know who is there."
"This U.S. team is mainly the same one from 2002, with the addition of some rookies who just entered the league this year. Their strength can only be said to be average. Their team leader is my old acquaintance Mr. Colangelo, who was the former boss of the Suns.
, currently he is the head of the American Basketball Association.”
Lao Wang nodded and said: "I learned some information from him. The Dream Six Team is preparing to go to Europe to play a warm-up match, which should be Türkiye.
The final roster has not yet been determined. Some people will definitely drop out and new people will join. But their head coach is still Larry Brown, the head coach of the Pistons, my opponent in the Finals just now."
Liu Yumin nodded and said: "Now the national team is training outside. They will go out to play some warm-up matches later this month. They also plan to go to Europe."
Lao Wang said: "We have an absolute advantage inside. The U.S. team can only have one Duncan. I don't think O'Neal will participate. There is also a power forward named Stoudemire, who is my teammate in the Suns. Yao and I play the twin-tower strategy.
, working together can blast them and control the rebounds.
Their perimeter players are indeed very good. One of them is Marion, who is also my teammate in the Suns. I know he signed up.
There are also Iverson, Marbury, and a few rookies, the few guys who joined the league last year, LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Dwayne Wade. These guys are all outsiders.
But none of them had any baskets. Only Anthony, a rookie, could make a few shots, but they were not very accurate.
Let me tell you, Director Liu, these perimeters of the US team are basically all breakthrough perimeters. None of them are real shooters. No matter how strong these perimeters are, it is useless because there is no defensive three in international basketball competitions.
Seconds, Dayao and I were guarding the penalty area, and these outsiders from the US team rushed in, which was a suicide attack.
Moreover, from the roster I know so far, they don’t seem to have a true point guard. Iverson and Marbury are both shooting guards, the kind of people who can take the ball and work alone, which is also good for us.”
Liu Yumin smiled and said: "Tie Jun, when I hear what you say, I feel like I have already obtained this gold medal."
Lao Wang laughed and said: "I really don't think this U.S. team is a big threat to us. We now have people available on the outside. They still have the ability to push the ball across the half court. Otherwise, I have done it all these years.
So much money invested in the summer camp was in vain. If they didn't even have this ability, they wouldn't be able to stand in the European leagues.
But I don’t know much about other countries. There are many traditional strong basketball teams in Europe. We need to pay attention and learn more about them.”
"Don't worry, we have been doing this work." Liu Yumin said.
…
Late in the day, on the 23rd US time, the day for the Bobcats to pick someone came.
According to the rules, as a new team, the Bobcats have the right to select 14 players from other teams. Each team has eight protected spots. Other unprotected players can be selected at will, but each team can only select one player at most.
Colangelo Jr. has put eight people including Wang Tiejun, Joe Johnson, Marion, Stoudemire, Josh Howard, and Zhu Fangyu on the protection list.
On the 23rd, after the Suns announced their protection list, it turned out that the Bobcats did not take a fancy to the Suns' players.
Early the next morning, a group of Korean reporters
The man suddenly ran to Fengshen Street and blocked the door of Lao Wang's house.
"Old K, what are your expectations for Ha Shengzhenjun's draft?"
"Old K, do you hope to join forces with Lord He Shengzhen?"
"Old K, do you think Ha Sheng Jinjun can enter the lottery in this draft?"
After breakfast, Lao Wang took Zhou Zhou out for a walk on the street, carrying a myna raised by his father in his hand. As soon as he came out of the iron gate, he was blocked by a group of Korean reporters.
He couldn't walk anymore. Before Lao Wang got annoyed, the myna in the cage got annoyed first. He opened his mouth and shouted: "A good dog doesn't block the way! A good dog doesn't block the way! A good dog..."
"Giggle..."
Zhou Zhou laughed happily. Her father didn't teach her this, but her brother taught her. After teaching her a few times, the bad boy learned it.
Lao Wang didn’t know Zhenjun Hekun, he only knew Zhenjun Erlang. He was annoyed by the question, so he asked if a Korean participated in this year’s NBA draft, so he casually said: "I think Lord Heshengzhen is this
He will definitely enter the lottery this time. He has extraordinary talent and excellent skills. He is a super rookie who comes out in twenty years. Okay, get out of the way, or my starling will curse you."
Several reporters returned home satisfied. After they conveyed Lao Wang's words back to South Korea, all the media in South Korea became concerned and even spread to the United States.
"Hashengzhen, Korean old K!"
"Hesheng Town, Old K is second!"
"Hesheng Town, a giant beast in East Asia! Old K said that his talent only comes out every twenty years."
Suddenly, Ha Shengzhen's draft prices soared, and many teams began to research and collect information on Ha Shengzhen.
Popovich is one of them. Milicic, who was selected last year, is not bad. He can play center or power forward. He is very talented, but he also hopes to find a real center.
This year's rookies include Howard, who is extremely talented, and Okafor. These are his first choices. But after he learned that Old K was optimistic about the Koreans, he immediately began to collect relevant information and study it.
After this research, he was so angry that he cursed: "Who are you trying to deceive, bastard Old K? Is this trash worth a lottery ticket?"
Wow, he grabbed all the information and threw it all over the room.
Like Popovich, there are many others. The general managers of these NBA teams are professionals, not trash. Their scouts are also the most professional. In their research, they were praised as the old K’s No. 1
The second Hesheng Town is nothing.
On June 29, the 2004 draft will be held as scheduled.
Because there are two rookies in China participating in the draft this year, CCTV broadcast the draft live, and Lao Wang also watched the live broadcast at home.
Da Zhi also came over specially to watch the draft with him.
Colangelo Jr. and his assistant are already sitting in Madison Square Garden. The Suns have three picks this year, one at the end of the first round and two second-round picks. This is not a big draft year, even if it is.
On New Year's Day, with this kind of lottery, you basically won't be able to select anyone you're satisfied with.
He also made a decision to leave the last pick in the first round to Old K's apprentice Sun Yue, if Sun Yue had not been selected before.
Although Old K didn't say that he wanted the team to select Sun Yue, and he never interfered with the management, he had to express it because the value of the last pick was not great anyway.
At this time, Yi Jianlian was sitting in the green room at Madison Square Garden. Although the media predicted that he would be a lottery pick, he was still somewhat nervous.
In addition to his manager, he was accompanied by his parents Yi Jinliu and Mai Meiling, who were also a little nervous.
Sun Yue's best position in the draft prediction is No. 25 in the first round. Phoenix Sports made the prediction, so he was sitting in the audience.
The same is true around him. In addition to his manager, there are also his parents Sun Wenxiang and Wang Xiaoli.
"Xiao Li, did Tie Jun say whether the Suns would choose Xiao Le?" Sun Wenxiang suddenly asked.
Wang Xiaoli rolled her eyes at Sun Wenwen and said, "How can I ask this? I asked you how to answer Tie Jun? Last year the Suns selected Zhu Fangyu, and this year they select Xiao Le, then they won't become the Chinese national team?"
Sun Wenxiang smiled awkwardly and said nothing.
Sun Le said with full confidence: "Don't worry
, Mom and Dad, Uncle Tiejun said, I will definitely not lose the election."
Sun Wenxiang said a little anxiously: "But if you fall to the second round, you may not be able to sign a contract. Only the first round is guaranteed. The first round will definitely have a guaranteed contract and some guaranteed playing time."
Wang Xiaoli said: "Okay, we'll start right now, don't say any more."
Not far from their family, a group of Koreans were sitting. In addition to Ha Shengzhen and his agent, there were also several reporters.
"I really hope that Lord Ha Sheng can become like Old K. I believe that Lord Ha Sheng has that potential."
"Old K said that Ha Sheng Jinjun is a super genius who comes out every twenty years. I believe that Ha Sheng Jinjun can definitely enter the top three in the first round."
"When Lao K entered the league, he was very ordinary. I believe He Shengzhenjun will definitely succeed."
"Jun He Shengzhen, when you meet old K in the future, please seize the opportunity. As long as you can show something over him, you will definitely shock the whole world."
"Hasheng Jinjun will definitely enter the top three in the first round. I have great confidence in this."
"Yes, if it weren't for Old K, Mr. Ha Shengzhen would have been seriously underestimated by the American media. Fortunately, we went to interview Old K."
These Korean reporters were the same people who interviewed Lao Wang two days ago. After a bit of flirting, He Shengzhen's confidence instantly soared. He felt that he was already in the lottery, and there was hope for the number one pick.
More than a minute later, at 8:30, the draft officially started.
"The Orlando Magic selects Dwight Howard from Atlanta Christian High School."
The Magic are lucky this year. In the last lottery ceremony, they got the No. 1 pick. This time they selected a high school student with great talent.
It's not that they want to believe a high school student, but this high school student's talent is so powerful that it can be seen with the naked eye.
"They missed Lord Hesheng, and they will definitely regret it in the future."
"I believe Ha Sheng Jinjun will be selected second."
"Hasheng Jinjun is the best center. The next old K will regret it."
Seeing that the magician chose not Ha Shengzhen, several Korean reporters commented unconvinced.
Then the new Charlotte Bobcats used the second pick from the trade to select Emeka Okafor, who is also a center and can also play the fourth position.
"Why?"
"Why not Lord Ha Sheng?"
Several Korean reporters were confused, and Ha Shengzhen also began to be disappointed.
The third overall pick belongs to the Spurs, and Popovich's first choice this time is the center, and his second choice is the small forward.
The first two picks took away Howard and Okafor, who he wanted most, so he could only choose a small forward.
Now the team's defense line of Tony Parker and Ginobili have almost been trained. Milicic will be trained for another year or two. If they can select another small forward with potential this time, the Spurs' reconstruction will be complete.
When he thought of this, given his character, he was also very excited, because the Spurs' reconstruction was too difficult and too long, and now they can finally see the light of day.
"The San Antonio Spurs drafted Luol Deng from Duke University."
With the announcement of David Stern, the top three players in the first round are determined, and the draft continues.
"Ha Seung-jin is our old K in Korea. Don't they see his talent?"
"Old K recognizes He Shengzhenjun's talent, why can't they see it?"
"The talent is visible to the naked eye, are they all blind?"
Until the seventh pick, Ha Seung-jin's name was never mentioned. Not only was he and several Korean reporters disappointed, but countless Koreans watching the live broadcast in East Asia were also disappointed and full of resentment.
The No. 8 pick belonged to the Wizards. Jordan sat underneath, making the final bargain in his mind, and finally wrote a name on it at the moment when time was about to end.
"The Wizards selected Yi Jianlian from China."
As David Stern's voice sounded, Yi Jianlian's family in Little Green House cheered excitedly
Come.
"Alian was selected by Jordan! No. 8, only you know, that's great!" Sun Le said with both joy and envy.
"It would be great if Xiaoyue was selected in the first round." Sun Wenxiang said enviously.
"Probably."
Looking enviously at Yi Jianlian walking towards the stage, Wang Xiaoli also said expectantly.
"Brother, Allen is really good. He is the No. 8 pick!" Da Zhi said with envy.
Lao Wang smiled and said: "I went to the Wizards to serve as a substitute for Antawn Jamison. The competitor is Kwame Brown, and there should be another forward. There is still competition pressure.
However, the Wizards are not strong inside. Kwame Brown is a big import. Allen should have a chance to play. Otherwise, Jordan will not choose the inside, otherwise it will be a waste of the eighth pick in the first round. The Wizards do not have the luxury to let a
The eighth pick in the first round is sitting on the bench.”
The draft continued, and the lottery areas were all selected. Sun Le was not selected, and neither was Ha Shengjin.
Of course, the Sun Le family did not fail because they had never dreamed of entering the lottery area, but the Koreans were extremely disappointed.
"Old K said that Ha Shengzhenjun entered the lottery, why was he not selected? A great superstar like Old K will not lie to us. These teams must have made the wrong choice."
"Damn it, Jordan would rather choose that Chinese guy with the No. 8 pick than Ha Sheng Jinjun?"
"It's all our media's fault for not doing enough publicity for Lord Ha Sheng."
Countless Koreans are becoming more and more disappointed and resentful.
However, until the 28th pick in the first round, Sun Le's name was still not read, and the whole family was disappointed.
But even more disappointed are the Koreans.
When the No. 29 pick arrived, the Blazers' general manager, Bob Whitsitt, nicknamed the Trader, handed over his envelope.
David Stern took out the letter, took a look at it, then smiled and read: "The Portland Trail Blazers selected Sun Le from China."
"yeah!"
When Sun Yue heard her name, she jumped up happily. Sun Wenxiang and Wang Xiaoli also had their eyes red with joy.
"The first round is over, why didn't any team pick Ha Seung Jin-kun?"
"All teams that miss Ha Seung-jin will regret it in the future. They will all regret it."
"Don't worry, there is still the Suns. I believe the Suns will definitely choose Ha Sheng Jinjun. Old K is the present of the Suns, and Ha Shengzhen is the future of the Suns."
Several thirsty Koreans were anxious, and Ha Shengzhen poked his head from time to time to look at where the Suns management was sitting.
"Brother, after Pippen left, the Trail Blazers were in need of a good small forward. They chose Xiao Le to fill this position, right?" Da Zhi asked.
Lao Wang said: "It seems that Payton signed a two-year contract with the Trail Blazers. The Trail Blazers are still very good next season, and their goal is definitely to win the championship. Although their third position is not strong enough, the team wants to win the championship.
There shouldn't be too many opportunities for me to have fun.
But having said that, Payton is old and is not good at the third position. They should train Xiao Le. After all, Xiao Le's template is Pippen, who can organize small forwards and can play several positions. If Xiao Le is trained,
It can not only solve the problem of the third position, but also fill Payton's position.
But whether he can succeed depends on whether Xiao Le works hard enough. I have trained him for so many years and laid a foundation for him. As long as he works hard enough and gets a certain amount of opportunities, he should still be able to gain a foothold in the league."
Sun Yue was selected by the Trail Blazers, and Colangelo immediately wrote down the person he wanted to select and handed over the envelope.
"Phoenix Suns, selects Anderson Varejao from Brazil."
When Vallejo, who was far away in Brazil, heard the name on TV, he immediately jumped up from his chair and danced samba with a roomful of family members.
"The Suns are crazy. Ha Seung-jin must be second to K. Why did they choose a Brazilian?"
"I believe that when Old K finds out, he will definitely ask the management why they didn't choose Ha Sheng Jinjun."
Several Korean reporters started talking angrily. Ha Shengzhen was also very disappointed and a little angry. Didn't it mean that he was in the lottery? Why did he fall into the second round?
"The Trail Blazers selected Ha Shengzhen from South Korea."
An hour later, in the penultimate place of the second round, Ha Shengzhen's name was finally read.
Several Koreans were already numb, including He Shengzhen. They couldn't believe it when they heard the name, and it took them a long time to react.
Although they didn't lose, the psychological gap was too big and they didn't look very happy.