No.1 in basketball scoring
Chapter 923 - 388. Why does our team seem like a shabby troupe?_2

Chapter 923: 388. Why does our team seem like a shabby troupe?_2

This data doesn’t look too impressive, but Zhang Yang knows it’s actually pretty good.

He’s seen the stats of players like Nowitzki, Milicic, Bargnani in Europe, and they’re pretty similar at the same age. Nowitzki and Bargnani scored a bit higher, Milicic had better rebounds and blocks.

Even characters like Gasol in the Spanish league, in their last year before joining the NBA, averaged just 11 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 2 blocks a game.

In the European leagues, the outside players tend to score higher, but interior players don’t score as much because there’s no defensive three seconds and the three-point line is even shorter.

When Zhang Yang saw Ibaka’s contract situation, he frowned and asked, "He still has a year left on his contract with the Spanish league team? Won’t he be able to come next season?"

Jordan, hearing this, replied unpleasantly, "He can come. The buyout for his last year is 1.5 million euros. Presley said if we’re willing to spend the money to buy out the contract, he can come right away, and we have enough available cash."

Zhang Yang: "No wonder Presley wants to compete with us for DeAndre Jordan. The new owner of the SuperSonics seems to be a stingy miser, definitely unwilling to pay this sum. A rookie coming a year earlier means earlier development. 1.5 million euros could probably buy a 32nd pick in the draft, right?

I remember last week, I seemed to see the SuperSonics and Hornets complete a trade. Apparently, Chris Wilcox and a second-round pick were swapped from the Hornets for Chandler, but Chandler didn’t pass the health check and got returned by the SuperSonics. It seems maybe it wasn’t a health issue, rather Chandler’s salary was too high for their owner to want to pay."

"This time, it might be the same. Michael, you’ve really lost out."

Seeing Zhang Yang’s expression gradually turn gleeful, Jordan angrily declared, "You must crush the SuperSonics next season! I want them to pay the price!"

Everyone around felt Qiao Tu’s stinginess, but no one thought it was bad.

A deal with three hidden losses, this grudge should definitely be remembered and avenged!

Over an hour later, the draft reached its conclusion.

It was almost time for the Bobcats’ 58th pick, and the atmosphere in their draft office was somber.

Zhang Yang: "Who are we picking?"

The predictions of those eye-catching potential picks written by Bikstaff and Coach on the table had all been taken by other teams at the edge draft positions.

The small forward named Chris that Zhang San wanted was already taken by the Brooklyn Nets at the 40th pick, and they hadn’t discussed who to pick for at least ten minutes.

Bickerstaff tossed the draft materials directory to Zhang Yang and said, "Just pick someone randomly."

Zhang Yang: "Huh?"

Jordan: "What do you mean ’huh’? You’re told to pick, so just pick."

Zhang Yang: "Isn’t there any criteria?"

Bickerstaff: "Criteria... if you think the name or appearance aligns with your tastes, choose that. If none catch your eye, close your eyes and point randomly. You might get lucky and choose a hidden talent."

"...This world is really a huge rack and ruin."

Zhang Yang joked a bit, looked at the names and photos in the draft materials that hadn’t been crossed out, and pointed to a name, "Let’s go with him."

Bickerstaff glanced, wrote the name down, and put it in an envelope, curiously asking, "Why him?"

Zhang Yang: "The name’s imposing, DeRon Washington, reminds me of that same-year Point Guard from the Jazz Team, and that former Rockets coach who got punched. Mainly, he’s got a flamboyant style; his two big floral arms connect around his neck—a sure sign of a troublemaker, suits our Charlotte New Bad Boys Legion vibe."

Jordan: "...Bernie, Rick, arrange for this... Doesn’t matter what’s his name, arrange this rookie to try out, cut him if he doesn’t pass."

Zhang Yang: "..."

...

A while later, the draft ended, Jordan quickly disappeared to a night club to blow off steam.

Bickerstaff and Carlisle were actually in good spirits, though they lost a second-round pick, it hurt, but at least they got the target they initially wanted and were off to talk to Ibaka and his agent about the buyout matter.

The boss didn’t want to handle it and entrusted the follow-up entirely to the two.

After figuring out the trade details, Zhang Yang felt a bit dejected; now Danny wouldn’t be there to follow him anymore.

Also, next year will be a strong year for guards, if they can get a second-round pick slightly earlier, they could pick Beverly or Patrick Mills to back up Felton, and trade away Jack the Great, reducing the health risks on the guard line significantly.

Or they could choose a three-point talent like Danny Green or Jodie Meeks, which would absolutely help deepen adjustment for future offensive basketball.

This loss is mainly that management and coaching staff didn’t understand how sharp the new general manager of the SuperSonics Team’s eye was, how bold he was in choosing players, and rashly leaked their intended targets to the opposition. If they were as careful as during negotiations with the Timberwolves Team, this loss wouldn’t have happened.

On reflection, Zhang Yang felt he shared responsibility... he planned to adjust his attitude towards interfering with the team’s affairs.

Better to be conservative, avoid involvement during ascent periods, but if needed, handle the timing better.

After leaving the draft office and meeting up with the families of Da Luo and Er Ha, Zhang Yang shook off the little bit of dismay, and once it’s over, it’s done. The next time he encounters the SuperSonics... ah no, it’s Thunder Team, he’ll hit them hard; better do it early against Durant, it won’t be easy again after a few years.

Returning to the hotel, Zhang Yang didn’t immediately celebrate with Harden and DeRozan but first chatted with Harden’s mom, suggesting she settle in New York with Harden.

Initially, Harden’s mom didn’t want to settle in New York, preferring to use Harden’s filial money to live extravagantly in Compton, slap those who used to look down upon their family of four in the face.

To her family, Harden was indeed a phoenix rising from the chicken coop. Eight years ago, she never imagined that her youngest son, who had severe asthma as a child and grew fat due to medication and lack of activity, would end up being the most successful of her three sons.

But after hearing Zhang Yang’s analysis and various examples, Harden’s mom decided to stay in New York, placing a lock on her son.

She wouldn’t need to worry about Harden eating, drinking, or gambling, but there was just one thing to watch—preventing Harden from getting involved with those socialites.

Harden’s only foolish, not dumb; he somehow has a limit with eating, drinking, and gambling, but if those few ladies have a hold of him...

After chatting with Harden’s mom, Zhang Yang felt confident about managing this, relaxed on other fronts, just enforcing this one restriction.

After discussing and settling this matter, Zhang Yang put worries aside; he could only do so much. What the future holds, only destiny decides; now, to celebrate his two brothers getting selected by their desired teams...

That night, their celebration was rather restrained; together, they drank only a bottle of red wine, with gaming as their entertainment.

The next day, Harden and DeRozan separately met with the management of the teams that picked them, signed contracts, received an advance, then invited Zhang Yang for a little indulgence... only to be forced to find a restaurant to celebrate signing responsibly.

They were chased out from the nightclub...

Harden chugged a huge glass of drink and waved a wad of newly gotten $10 bills angrily, "Why! Why did they kick me out? Are they worried I can’t pay my bill? Do I look like someone who can’t afford it?"

DeRozan: "You better keep that few grand safe, or it’ll get snatched as soon as you step outside."

Harden: "Huh? Oh, okay."

As he said that, he opened his pants pocket and put it into the inside pocket, bulging it up.

Da Luo and Zhang San were speechless.

Zhang Yang: "We got kicked out thanks to Howard. "

Harden: "Why blame him? What did he do?"

DeRozan quickly replied, "I remember, the news from two years ago. Back then, he hadn’t turned 21 yet; he went to a nightclub, took a lady back to the hotel, even bought drinks, later got reported. That nightclub got shut down and investigated, many people got caught, and he was taken by the police to do 50 hours of community service. I think he said something that had a big public impact."

Zhang Yang: "He said he wasn’t soliciting but saving those lost girls’ souls..."