The Whip of the God of Basketball

Danny Ainge has been under a lot of pressure recently. While the team was in the Eastern Conference finals a month ago, good news also came from the draft. The Grizzlies got the second pick, and according to the previous trade between the two teams, the Celtics People got this second pick. The team reached the finals and at the same time received the second pick in the 2003 draft. This is a great thing for any general manager. But Anji was in a dilemma.

On the one hand, most people in the Celtics hope that Ainge can make good use of this second pick and select a rookie with outstanding potential from this group of outstanding young people in 2003 who can seamlessly join the team. Currently, the most popular one is It's Carmelo Anthony from Syracuse University. Although he overlaps with Paul Pierce in position, he can also play the power forward position. Many people think that getting Anthony will be a "Havlicek" type. choose. In 1962, the Celtics, who had won four consecutive championships, acquired Havlicek. After Russell retired, Havlicek became the leader in the 1970s, continuing the team's championship spirit.

Of course, people like Dwyane Wade, Kirk Hinrich and others are also favored by fans. Now the whole team is preparing for the 2003 draft, preparing to welcome a player who can change the team. The arrival of new people with future destiny.

However, Anji is a sensible person in his heart. He knows that the team's head coach Leon has been planning for more than a year to get Garnett. Although he did not believe in the feasibility of Leon's trade earlier, so after trading Joe Johnson Get P.J. Brown in action. But when the Celtics got the second pick like pie in the sky, Ainge knew that everything was different. With the second pick as a bargaining chip, the possibility of acquiring Garnett in a trade with the Timberwolves greatly increased.

As for the salary issue, Angie is not worried. He knows that Leon is a good calculator and is proficient in CBA agreements. Since he has long been prepared to trade for Garnett, then Garnett's salary of $28 million is definitely not a problem.

The question now is, should he comply with "public opinion" and choose a suitable rookie for the Celtics, or should he implement Leon's plan and lead the transaction to introduce Garnett.

Starting from June 6th, the finals will be held on one side, and the NBA rookie training camp will also be held as scheduled in Chicago on the other. Fox-Leon naturally cannot participate in this training camp in person. This time, it is Ainge’s turn to personally participate in the training. The camp is looking for young people with potential.

During the two weeks in Chicago, Ainge really felt that this was a group of young people full of talent, which was completely different from the previous three drafts. Now Anji is even more hesitant. As the Celtics lose in the finals, this choice will become very important. Whether the Celtics will challenge for the championship next season or continue to lag behind others depends on this. selected.

From the bottom of his heart, Ainge still prefers Leon's trade option. After all, except for LeBron James, no rookie can guarantee to reach the level of Kevin Garnett, and Garnett is already at his peak. That group of young people still have a long way to go. But how to convince the boss, the fans, and the old celebrities is an issue that Anji must consider.

With such questions and worries, Angie went to New York three days in advance. Agents, scouts and owners from each team will gather here. He hopes to get more consultation here.

Just when Angie arrived in New York, he got the news that Fox-Leon was also leaving Las Vegas for New York. Hearing that Leon came from Las Vegas, Angie was a little angry. After the finals, Leon basically disappeared from his sight. He didn't care about team operations or rookie selection. Participate and just go to the casino to have a good time.

Angie didn't believe that Leon would do nothing about it. On the contrary, he was sure that Leon must be making moves, and he just didn't like this about Leon. As a member of the Celtics, he had his own He has a system of contacts and never reports to him about any actions, which makes him, the general manager, restless when faced with a stool with nails. I don't know if this guy has some crooked ideas and is preparing to make a huge difference in the draft.

………………

On June 23, after arriving in New York, Ainge contacted Timberwolves general manager Kevin McHale by phone and arranged to meet for dinner at a small restaurant in New York. After hesitating for a while, McHale agreed to the invitation of his old comrade. Although he knew that Anji was a man who would not let go of eagles, but years of teammate friendship, and McHale also had Xiao Jiujiu in his heart, he naturally agreed.

The agreed dining location is an American-style restaurant called "Serendiptiy" in Manhattan. This is an old restaurant in Manhattan. When Angie and McHale played for the Celtics and visited New York, they often went here. We came to a restaurant for dinner, so Anji made a reservation at this restaurant without hesitation this time.

The two reunited in a small private room. Although they often see each other on the court due to work reasons, such a private gathering has not been held for several years. McHale, who has always been enthusiastic, gave Angie a big hug, and then some He limped and sat down.

When old friends meet, it's natural to reminisce about the past. In the Celtics back then, Ainge had a good relationship with Bird and McHale, but Bird and McHale didn't like each other, so Ainge Bird became the microphone between the two. If Bird had something to tell McHale, he would not tell McHale directly. Instead, he would tell Angie first and then let Angie pass it on.

In this way, there were a lot of interesting things between the three of us, which we couldn't finish talking about for three days and three nights.

As the two chatted, they naturally got to the point. Regarding the draft and player transactions, McHale got straight to the point and said to Angie: "I tell you Danny, the possibility of us trading Kevin is almost 0. I said Almost because you have done a lot of work, your chances are indeed higher than other teams, but... we will not give up on him."

"But what if Garnett wants to leave? Then you can't stop him." Angie knew that the focus of Leon's work in the past year or so was not to let the Timberwolves give up Garnett, but to let Garnett I don't want to give up the Timberwolves. As long as Garnett wants to leave, the Timberwolves can't stop him.

"Yes! But I believe that after the draft, Kevin will stay. We will not make no moves at all." McHale said with a smile. The Timberwolves have been making constant moves recently and are ready to strengthen the ball through trades. team, as a bargaining chip to keep Garnett.

"I believe Kevin will stay, Kevin, but not sure about Garnett..." Because McHale is also called Kevin, Ainge took this opportunity to mock McHale.

McHale laughed it off and said to Ainge: "Even if you want to trade, it's hard to say whether the Boston people will agree. You know, some of the old stubborns there are really... Also, Auerbach still has the decision-making power. , his opinion is definitely important.”

McHale mentioned an important person. Since the Celtics got the second pick, the Cardinal has never spoken out. Although he no longer holds any position with the Celtics, his opinions are still important. .

Ainge wanted to tell McHale that Fox-Leon was simply Auerbach's biological son, and he would definitely support the trade, but he held back the words. This conversation was still mainly about testing. At least now he knows that the Timberwolves must have a reinforcement plan, and the Celtics should not pin their hopes on transactions. Once negotiations begin but the final deal cannot be reached, it will only hurt the hearts of the Celtics players.

"Hey, where is your head coach? Fox Leon? It is said that he has been the one who took the lead in poaching Garnett. Has he also come to New York?" McHale mentioned Leon again, seemingly after the finals. , he disappeared from public view.

"I don't know, I can't contact him either." Anji said helplessly. As the team's general manager, he had absolutely no control over the head coach.

"However, it is said that he has also come to New York." Angie added.