The Basketball Court Swordsman

Three hours before the start of the draft, 76ers coach Doug Collins was still wondering whether to agree to the Pacers deal.

Regarding Vucevic, Doug Collins is actually very interested. In today's era when the role of three-pointers is becoming more and more important, a fifth position with long-range shooting ability will no longer be labeled as a "soft egg", but more acceptable. The template is Wang Zhizhi and Mehmet Okur's Vucevic, who is undoubtedly an excellent candidate for the fifth position.

But no one knows what Vucevic can do. The NCAA three-point line and the NBA three-point line are not the same thing. Many players who have made excellent 3-pointers in the NCAA will not find a sight after arriving in the NBA. Evan Turner, who the 76ers had high hopes for in 2008, is a living example.

Vucevic's biggest advantage is his range. If his range cannot be used after entering the NBA, the 76ers would be a waste of a draft pick.

At this moment, the Pacers threw an olive branch. Their chips are very interesting. They are a tough white man who can also shoot three pointers and pass the ball with one hand, Josh McRoberts.

McRoberts is certainly not a star player, but his outstanding ability to open space has been well-known last season.

And McRoberts' toughness allows him not to be crushed too badly on the inside, and occasionally he can fight tough battles. As for Vucevic's ability to adapt to NBA-level confrontations, that is also unknown.

Under Henson last season, McRoberts shot 40.2% of three-pointers and averaged 3.2 assists per game. He and Vucevic are the same type of player, but the difference is that McRoberts has proven that he is a qualified NBA player. Although Vucevic may have a higher ceiling, the uncertainty is also greater.

After weighing the rights and disadvantages, 76ers coach Doug Collins finally called the general manager.

"Let's accept this deal and tell the Indians that we will choose Leonard for them."

Three hours later, at the NBA Draft, the 15th overall pick in the first round, as promised, the 76ers used a 15th overall pick to win the short power forward from San Diego State University. , Kawai Leonard.

In Doug Collins' view, choosing Leonard is simply a gamble. The upper limit of this guy is very high, after all, physical fitness lies there. But the lower limit is also terribly low, because the teams don't even know which position Leonard should play.

But who cares? It was the Pacers who chose Leonard, not the 76ers. Collins didn't plan to help Henson solve these troubles.

Just after the 76ers drafted Leonard, Collins' cell phone rang. He thought it was a thank-you call from the Pacers, but when he took out his cell phone to see, it was Spurs general manager R.C. Forbd who called.

"We are willing to trade Leonard with George Hill and a second-round draft pick!" As soon as the call was connected, Forbd said straightforwardly the purpose of the call.

This surprised Collins. George Hill is the new favorite of the San Antonio people. Everyone knows how much Popovich likes that young point guard. For the Spurs, George Hill is definitely an important asset.

But now, the Spurs are willing to use such an important member to trade a rookie with unpredictable upper and lower limits. Is that guy named Leonard really so amazing?

The Spurs' draft vision has always been harsh, and Collins also remembered that coach Henson Joe is also a good draft pick. Two teams with a unique vision in the draft also looked at Leonard, which made Doug Collins re-examine the value of Leonard.

However, a transaction is a transaction, and a transaction that has been promoted and submitted to the alliance for review cannot be withdrawn.

"I'm sorry Fable, you are one step late, Leonard is for the Pacers."

After Collins finished speaking, there was no voice on the other side, probably dumbfounded. At the same time, the information about the transaction has also been made public on the big screen.

Doug Collins looked at Leonard, who was being interviewed. What kind of waves can this little guy make in the league?

Popovich, who knew he was being deceived, had messy hair. Just after getting angry, the old man's face was flushed with his blood pressure soaring. With Henson Joe in the league, Popovich estimates that his blood pressure will definitely soar by a level.

I think back then, even the "Cardinal" Auerbach failed to fool the Spurs and take Duncan away. Today, a little Henson Joe took Leonard away from under his nose.

As soon as he won Leonard, he said he was no longer interested in George Hill's deal. This is a blatant fraud!

Popovich still knows Bird better. The legendary basketball player in Indiana has a lot of ideas and a good way to build a team, but he is definitely not the kind of person who can be delusional.

All of this must come from Henson Joe's plan!

In desperation, the Spurs only won the University of Texas smart guard Corey Joseph in the 29th overall pick. Although Joseph is also a very favorite candidate for the Spurs, the failure to get Leonard or Holiday makes Popovich feel that this year's draft is an extremely defeat.

Just when Popovich thought everything was going to end today, the last pick in the first round of the draft, Popovich saw the Indiana Pacers again!

At this time, in the box of the Bulls, the general manager of the Bulls, Gail Forman, after consulting Thibodeau, decided to send Jimmy Butler to Indianapolis.

As No. 1 in the Eastern Conference last season, this 62-win team didn't actually spend too much time on the draft. The 2008 draft has made the Bulls a success, and now the Bulls prefer to get some experienced veterans rather than rookies.

A draft pick with the 30th overall pick in the first round is not worth much. Thibodoth thought about it and decided to choose Jimmy Butler, who has the potential to become a perimeter defender.

After all, Thibodeau is a defensive madman, even if Jimmy Butler's shooting ability is urgent, he is willing to try. Anyway, with a 30th overall pick, the Bulls have no more options. Pick a rookie at the end of the first round, use it if you need it, or forget it.

At this time, the Pacers offered Dengtai Jones for the Bulls.

Dengtai Jones is a typical 3D player. His defense has been baptized in actual combat and recognized by the people, and Dengtai Jones' shooting is undoubtedly much more reliable than Jimmy Butler.

As an experienced player, Dengtai Jones will bring greater help to the Bulls' championship plan. Although the Bulls don't really want to trade with direct competitors like the Pacers, the Pacers' proposal undoubtedly hit the Bulls' g-spot.

So after thinking about it, Thibodeau told his general manager, Gail Forman, that the deal could be agreed.

"It's the Pacers again? What are they doing? Are you madly piling up rookies?" Popovich frowned. The Pacers were one of the youngest teams in the league last season. But after today's two transactions, the Pacers have undoubtedly become younger.

It stands to reason that the Pacers, who reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, should build their team according to the principle of steady progress, rather than making the lineup younger and younger.

Henson Joe is inexperienced, but Bird is experienced. He will not allow Henson Joe to stop after a successful season.

So there is only one reason for the Pacers to do this: Leonard and Jimmy Butler are good enough to let them give up experienced players, even important rotation players like McRoberts.

At this point, the first round of the draft is all over, and Henson Joe and the Indiana Pacers have won two rookies with not high picks. But their choice left Popovich with lingering fears.

What tricks can the Pacers play in the new season?