Chapter 95: Chapter 95: The Draft
This statement was very inspiring, not just for Guo Qi, but for all the other teammates as well.
When they heard that Wade Dong was joining the national team, many thought they wouldn't have much to do and could just pass the ball to Wade Dong and let him play.
Now, with Wade Dong saying this, they suddenly realized their own importance!
"Let's all work hard," Wade Dong said. "The Olympics are not just about representing the country; they are also a stage to prove ourselves."
In the following days, Wade Dong officially joined the team's training.
All of Deng Hua's tactics revolved around Wade Dong, as he was the true core of the team.
The initial starting lineup was set as: 1 - Chen Jiang, 2 - Wade Dong, 3 - Zhu Gui, 4 - Yi Nan, 5 - Guo Qi.
Before Wade Dong joined the national team, the starting shooting guard was Wang Dapeng. Now that Wade Dong was here, Wang Dapeng had to be his backup. This team used to be strong inside but weak outside, especially during the Yao Ming era. However, with Wade Dong's addition, the outside game became the team's strongest point.
In fact, it could be said that this was the strongest outside game in this year's Olympics, with only Team USA's outside game being comparable.
During training, Wade Dong also guided his teammates, helping them improve bit by bit. After all, it would be difficult to win the Olympics relying on him alone.
By the end of June, the NBA Draft began.
The draft was broadcast live, attracting a lot of attention, especially since 2012 was considered a weak draft year.
Before the draft, Sarver specifically called Wade Dong to confirm once again. Wade Dong's stance remained clear: if possible, the Suns should definitely sign Green and Middleton.
During the draft, the national team also took a break from training, giving everyone half a day off to watch the draft together.
Especially Guo Qi, although he wasn't participating in this year's draft, he would be next year. Yao Ming had once been the top pick, and Guo Qi was very confident in himself.
...
At the draft venue, the rookies sat nervously in the audience.
Being selected by a team, and which team selected them, was very important. It wasn't just about the order; some less favored players had already closed their eyes and were praying to be selected in the first round.
After all, being a first-round pick was very different from being a second-round pick.
If selected in the first round, they could sign a four-year contract with the team. But if selected in the second round, the team could own the player for three years, and whether they signed a contract depended on the team's mood.
Green closed his eyes and prayed silently...
Middleton made a cross on his chest and prayed for himself...
Before the draft, neither of them was favored by the public. They just hoped to be first-round picks and sign a contract with a team, securing a job.
Stern stood on the stage, and the draft officially began.
The first pick went to the Hornets. After receiving the card, Stern slowly announced, "The New Orleans Hornets select Anthony Davis from the University of Kentucky."
"Wow!"
Hearing his name called, Davis excitedly jumped up from his seat, hugging the people next to him.
The number one pick of the 2012 draft, Anthony Davis from the University of Kentucky.
"Congratulations, congratulations~"
"Congratulations, congratulations~"
The other players congratulated Davis, and then they all became nervous again.
Davis received a hat from the staff and went on stage to take a photo with Stern.
"Congratulations, Davis."
Stern also congratulated Davis, who then said a few simple words like "I will work hard" and left the stage excitedly.
After all, this was a parallel world, different from Wade Dong's previous life.
The Trail Blazers selected Damian Lillard with the second pick, and the Wizards selected Bradley Beal with the third pick.
One by one, the players went on stage to take photos with Stern. Those who hadn't been selected yet became even more nervous. Yi Nan, watching the live broadcast, felt deeply moved because he had also participated in the NBA Draft. His draft position wasn't low, but now he was back in China.
As the fifteenth pick approached, Stern received the card and slowly announced, "The Phoenix Suns select Draymond Green from Michigan State University."
"Huh??"
Green was stunned for a moment after hearing this.
The friend next to him nudged him, and he finally reacted, but his eyes were filled with confusion and excitement. He had been selected in the fifteenth spot!
Before the draft, Green's expectation was just to be selected in the first round.
"Go on stage!"
Green's friend urged him.
"Oh, oh."
Green quickly stood up, received a hat from the staff, and went on stage.
"Congratulations, Green."
"Thank you!"
Green shook hands with Stern, took a photo, and then left the stage.
As soon as he got off the stage, Green excitedly hugged his mother. He had finally made it to the NBA and could sign a contract with the Suns.
"The Indiana Pacers select with the twenty-sixth pick..."
As the twenty-sixth pick was announced, Middleton's face darkened. There were only four spots left, and it seemed almost impossible for him to be selected in the first round... This made Middleton feel a bit resentful. He believed in his abilities; even if he couldn't be the top pick, he should at least be in the top ten.
Why hadn't any team recognized his talent? Was it true that "a good horse may be known, but it may not be recognized by a connoisseur"?
The draft was coming to an end. After the first round, no one paid much attention to the second round. Stern received the card again and slowly announced, "The Phoenix Suns select Khris Middleton from Texas A&M University with the twenty-seventh pick."
"Awesome!"
Hearing his name, Middleton stood up excitedly.
Wade Dong was watching the live broadcast with his national team teammates. Wang Xin looked at Wade Dong and asked, "The Suns selected this guy? I haven't heard much about him before."
Every year before the draft, the top rookies were heavily promoted, especially for players like Wang Xin and Yi Nan who had played in the NBA. They paid close attention to the rookies, but Wang Xin hadn't noticed Middleton.
"I haven't heard of him either," Wade Dong shrugged. "It's the team's management who makes the selections. I don't know why they chose Green and Middleton."
Wang Xin asked again, "Will you renew your contract with the Suns this year?"
"Yes."
"So, Green and Middleton will be your teammates in the future."
"I hope they can perform well... and not become benchwarmers."
It seemed that Sarver had listened to Wade Dong's advice and really signed Green and Middleton. With the Suns' two draft picks, being able to sign Green and Middleton was already a steal.
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