I was determined to be bad, but I went straight to the Basketball Hall of Fame

Chapter 518
The 2012 draft is known as the year of the draft.

On the one hand, the scouts gave a high evaluation to this year's rookies. On the other hand, because of the NBA suspension last year, some potential rookies chose to postpone their participation for one year, which made the quality of this year's rookies quite attractive.

Such a situation caused the New Orleans Hornets to regret why they gave their first-round pick to the Clippers in the transaction last year without attaching a pick protection clause.

Hornets general manager Demps feels helpless about the current situation. He knows very well that no matter what pick the Hornets draw, this pick will belong to the Clippers.

He had to explain to the new team owner Tom Benson that when the deal was made, it was led by the league and he was just following orders.

The league hopes that the Hornets can quickly attract fans after changing hands, and rebuild and unite the local basketball market.

Therefore, the trade got Paul Gasol and the original queen bee Baron Davis, which attracted enough popularity.

Unexpectedly, the popularity was indeed attracted. The team's home attendance rate at the beginning of the season was quite good. Fans love to watch stars play.

However, the team's record has not really improved. In the middle and late stages of the season, let alone making the playoffs, it becomes very difficult to win.

It's hard to find a win, and finally fell to the second-to-last position. Now it's easy to have a chance to fight for the No. [-] pick, and this No. [-] pick may belong to the Clippers.

The person who participated in the draft lottery on behalf of the Hornets is the team's new head coach Monty Williams.

After Williams came to New York, he and other colleagues who participated in the draft lottery conducted a pre-draw at Madison Square Garden.

The so-called pre-drawing is a rehearsal. After all, the drawing process will be broadcast live on TV, and everyone must be familiar with the process.

According to the rules of the NBA, the top three picks are drawn by lottery. After the top three picks are decided, the subsequent picks are arranged according to the record.

So the most important thing is the draw for the top three picks.

In this pre-draw, the Sacramento Kings got the No. [-] lottery.

But the face of Adrienne Maloof, who the King participated in this lottery, was not very happy.

Adrienne Maruf is the younger sister of the team owner Maluf brothers. The two brothers hope that the younger sister will get a good lottery in this lottery to alleviate the current crisis facing the king.

After the Kings reached a peak in 2002, it went from bad to worse, and now it has been reduced to a Western bastard, and there is always no prospect of reconstruction.

In 2011, due to the lockout, the Maruf brothers fell into a financial crisis, and the king was in jeopardy in their hands.

They really need a high pick to bring talent to the team and enough fans.

Adrienne Marouf thought, what if this pre-draw was the real draw?
Getting the No. [-] pick in the pre-draw often means that it is difficult to get the No. [-] pick in the real draw.

Although from a mathematical point of view, the two draws are independent events and do not interfere with each other, and the probability is the same.

But the NBA lottery has always been a very metaphysical thing. If you get the No. [-] pick in the pre-draw, you won't get it in the official draw.

In the 70-year history of the NBA, some teams have never won the No. [-] pick, such as the Jazz, Thunder (Sonics), Grizzlies, Pacers and Nuggets.

Looking at the cities where these teams are located, you can see that they are all small remote places and small ball markets. The league does not want to drop the No. [-] pick to such a place, so that high-quality assets cannot be developed.

The Sacramento Kings got the No. 1989 pick dating back to [-]. It was a small draft year. They chose Ellison, an unknown person, wasting a good pick.

Although the Kings are in California now, Sacramento is a small city, and its commercial value cannot be compared with that of Los Angeles, and it is not even an opponent of Oakland.

Adrienne Maruf curled her lip at Monty Williams, who was drawn to the No. [-] pick, and said, "I think this year's No. [-] pick might go to the Hornets."

Monty Williams smiled wryly and said, "So what if we get it? The pick is not in our hands, it will be the Clippers'."

Adrienne Marouf shook his head, "Your management is really out of their minds, they don't even protect their first-round picks. The Clippers are going to the Western Conference Finals!"

"We are managed by the alliance, and our management has no say in this deal."

"I think this No. [-] pick is definitely going to the Clippers, and a new dynasty team is about to rise."

Monty Williams didn't disagree, not because he didn't agree with Maloof's words, but because some things should not be said indiscriminately and must be held accountable.

Anyway, the days of the Maruf family in the NBA will not be too long. The Maruf brothers have already put on the agenda to sell the king. They can say whatever they like.

In a blink of an eye, it was the day of the draft lottery. The East and West semifinals were over on this day, and the opponents of the Eastern Conference Finals and Western Conference Finals had been announced.

The result of the Eastern Conference series was exactly the same as last year. The Heat played against the Bulls for the second consecutive year. As a result, the Bulls really gave face. Rose did not perform well due to injuries and was taken away by the Heat 4:1.

For the Bulls, the bad news is that they were eliminated by the Heat again. The good news is that Rose's injury is not serious, but he must change his style of play. He is only in the fourth grade and his career still has a long way to go to go.

The battle between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Celtics became more intense. After falling behind 1:2, the Cavaliers won the fourth game and evened the total score.

But in the crucial battle of Tianwangshan, the Celtics team broke out, 98:95, and won the away game in one fell swoop, pushing James to the edge of the cliff again.

The Celtics have the opportunity to send James home again, which is something James will not allow to happen.

The sixth game came to Boston. James scored 48 points in a single game, playing the strongest performance in this year's playoffs.

James played the TD North Shore Garden Arena in silence, and Celtics fans could not see any hope of winning from the first quarter.

Because James played too fiercely and too accurately, it has been proved by facts that basketball is really a scoring game.

When your shooting percentage increases to 60% or even 70%, and almost every goal must be scored, those defensive tactics, strategies, and willpower will become a joke.

In this game, the Cavaliers or James overwhelmed the Celtics from beginning to end, sweeping the Celtics 101:80 with 31 points and dragging the series to Game [-].

Game 103 came back to Cleveland. Two days before the draft lottery, the Cavaliers beat the Celtics 95:[-] at home and crossed the mountain again.
The Lakers made appropriate adjustments when they were behind 1:2. In the crucial fourth game, the Lakers won 97:90 to tie the score.

After not giving the Grizzlies a chance in the Tianwangshan battle, Chris Paul broke out and scored 33 points and 15 assists to help the Lakers get the match point.

At this stage of the series, it is difficult for the young Grizzlies to compete with the entering form of the Lakers.

The seasoned Phil Jackson slowly found a way to deal with Griffin. In the fourth and fifth games, Griffin failed to take off. He scored 17 points in one game and only 11 points in one game. Jan-Martin and others were restricted.

By the sixth game, the Grizzlies were old and at the end of their battle, and they were no longer the Lakers' opponents.

The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 96:85 away and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

This is the fourth time since 2008 that the Lakers have advanced to the Western Conference Finals. They will start the second city derby with the Los Angeles Clippers.

There is no doubt that this will be a very interesting series, who is the new King of Los Angeles will be announced after this round of the series.

The day of the draft lottery was just the day before the start of the Western Conference Finals. Although the Clippers played away games, they were able to stay in Los Angeles to prepare for the game.

This is good news for both parties, the entire series can stay in Los Angeles, no need to fly anywhere.

The draft lottery ceremony was held at night, and Min Congda participated in team training during the day, preparing for the game with Tyronn Lu and others.

To be honest, Min Congda was very upset. Do you want to help the team defeat the Lakers and reach the Western Conference Finals?
If the Clippers stop in the Western Conference Finals, this result can only be said to be so-so, and it can attract investment, but it seems not enough.

If they reach the finals, the exposure and popularity are definitely enough, but once the Clippers become a finals team, their market value is bound to increase.

Min Congda fell into a dilemma. He felt like a tightrope walker, trying to find a balance.

And the reason why he got to where he is now is because he didn't make a good choice in the draft. He missed out on such a parallel importer as Thabeet. He won Curry and traded Harden. His luck was really bad.

After thinking about it, Min Congda decided to stay the same, first watch the Clippers and the Lakers play a game, and decide whether to make suggestions for the Clippers based on public opinion and other situations.

The atmosphere of the Clippers team is quite good, very relaxed, and the 4:1 victory over the Thunder in the semifinals can be described as unexpectedly smooth.

Everyone thought that the duel with the Thunder would be a fierce battle, but they didn't know that the Thunder with Durant and Westbrook was no match for the Clippers at all.

The confidence of the team is further improved, the whole team is in a good competitive state, and I am looking forward to tomorrow's game against the Lakers.

At four o'clock in the afternoon, the training of the whole team is over, and everyone goes back to their respective homes to prepare for tomorrow's game.

Zach Randolph invited Min Congda to his house for dinner, saying that he wanted to ask him something.

Min Congda agreed to come down, and went home with Randolph in his car.

"What are you doing so mysteriously? Just tell me what's going on, and you insist on inviting me to your house for dinner? What, you want to bribe me so that I can continue to renew your contract in advance? You still have two years left in your contract !"

Min Congda couldn't help complaining in the car. Back then, he renewed Randolph's contract in advance in order to make Randolph fail.

As a result, it was self-defeating, Randolph stopped playing badly, and changed his mind to play well.

Although Randolph is not the team's top card now, he is the mainstay of the inside line, and the playoffs will be the Poseidon needle.

Randolph smiled and said nothing, and took Min Congda to his home. In addition to inviting Min Congda, he also invited Gasol Jr., Curry, Harden, Ricky Davis and others, as well as the coaching staff. , People in management, it seems that he has something important to announce tonight.

Sure enough, at this warm family dinner, Randolph announced that he will marry his girlfriend Francis Drake this summer and hold a wedding ceremony.

At that time, he will invite all Clippers players and employees to his wedding banquet, and hopes that Min Congda will be the witness of the wedding.

Hearing that Randolph said that he was going to get married, Min Congda's heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly felt a little emotional.

Time flies, I have been in the Clippers for three years, and a prodigal like Randolph is already looking back to start a family.

And what about himself?Love and love are gone, and missions have been unable to be completed. Originally, I came to the Clippers to be a mole, but now it’s all right, and I’m going to the finals!

Three years and three years, maybe they will win the championship!

Thinking of this, Min Congda felt a sense of sadness in his heart, and his eyes were red and moist.

Randolph saw that Min Congda was about to cry, and thought he was moved, and said: "Mr. Smart, I discussed with Francis and I think it is most suitable for you to be the witness. Really, you The contract extension and trust in me has changed me, changed my career, and changed my attitude towards life. I appreciate you from the bottom of my heart, and you deserve the respect."

After Randolph said this, the people around him still applauded, Min Congda felt even more uncomfortable, and he wanted to cry even more.

The tears didn't hold back all of a sudden, and more flowed!
Everyone thought that Min Congda was moved because he was invited to be a witness, so they all stepped forward and hugged Min Congda.

Curry also said: "Smart, I had you as a witness at my wedding last year, which shows that you are very loved by everyone."

Curry married Ayesha in September 11, and Min Congda also acted as a witness, which is enough to illustrate his position in Curry's heart.

Curry's comfort did not make Min Congda feel better, because no one could understand him, but he still wiped away his tears and expressed his willingness to be the witness of Randolph's wedding, witnessing the couple's death into the grave of love.

Amid the applause and cheers of the crowd, Randolph and his girlfriend were officially engaged.

At this time, Roser, who came to the engagement banquet together, said to Min Congda, "Mr. Smart, the draft lottery ceremony is about to begin."

Min Congda wiped away his tears, and said: "Let's start at the beginning, and let fate, anyway, I don't want to care about this draft anymore!"

No matter what the pick is, Min Congda is determined never to interfere in the draft again.

In the living room of Randolph's house, everyone drank champagne while watching the live broadcast of the lottery on TV.

Adam Silva holds the cards of each team in his hand, starting from the 14th place and moving forward one by one.

The Houston Rockets got the No. 14 pick, and they have a 0.5% chance of getting the No. [-] pick.

This was the lowest probability of winning the No. 14 lottery. Unfortunately, they failed to do so, and were still allocated [-]th place.

This probability is indeed too low and too low. In theory, there is only one chance of being selected after 2000 draws.

Then No. 13 is the Phoenix Suns, until the fifth place, there is no special accident, they are all arranged according to the record.

The Nets got the No. [-] pick, and the Kings got the No. [-] pick until the third place. In theory, it should be the Hornets' pick and the Clippers' pick.

In other words, the Clippers can at least get a No. [-] show.

As a result, the third pick was not the Hornets, but the Wizards!
"Wo! Wizards, the third is Wizards, we are the top two!" Rosser was a little excited.

You must know that just three years ago, he won the No. [-] pick on behalf of the Clippers, which changed the Clippers.

Now, they have another chance to win the No. [-] pick, and they're playing in the conference finals.

"The team that owns the second overall pick in the 2012 draft is...the Charlotte Bobcats!"

When Adam Silva took out the Bobcats card, the roof of Randolph's house almost fell off!
It is unimaginable that the Clippers, who are about to play in the conference finals, won the No. 2012 pick in the [-] season!

It was a rare stroke of luck that everyone hugged each other and celebrated together.

Rosser hugged Min Congda tightly, and said, "Mr. Smart, your deal is really worth it! It's worth it!"

Min Congda's emotions, which had been so easily calmed down, agitated again, and tears welled up unsatisfactorily.

"My life, why is it so hard? Why is there another champion!"

(End of this chapter)