Chapter 33 Shocked the World
"Boss, are you sure you want to do this?"
In the Miami Heat's office, the deputy general manager asked Pat Riley, who was sitting on the sofa with his eyes closed, with a very nervous expression.
Pat Riley didn't open his eyes, but his tone was very firm: "Sure."
"But," the deputy general manager said worriedly, "Aren't we taking too much risk? He's just a nobody who has never proven himself."
"A single bird may fly in the wrong direction, but a flock of birds will never fly in the wrong direction. I believe in Derrick Rose's vision, I believe in Michael Jordan's vision, and I believe in my own vision even more." Pat Riley slowly opened his eyes, stood up, looked at the street scene with lights just coming on outside the window, and said with great determination: "Send a message to the Bucks and tell them that we are willing to trade Ricky Davis plus the second-round picks in the next two years for their first-round pick."
"Boss, I still have to say that this is too risky. We already have Haslem, Marion and the No. 2 pick. We no longer need a pocket center." The deputy general manager tried hard to persuade Pat Riley to veto the deal.
"But these people don't have the ability to shoot three-pointers, let alone the strength to defend against big centers." Pat Riley was very decisive. He had made up his mind and it was impossible to change it: "Submit the deal quickly, don't delay it."
Seeing that Pat Riley was so determined, the deputy general manager had no choice but to bite the bullet and apply for a trade.
Pat Riley was busy at one end, and Michael Jordan at the other end was rubbing his hands excitedly, and kept saying to the staff around him: "As long as Yang falls to the 21st pick, we will immediately select him. If someone intercepts him, we will trade him back at all costs. Remember, we Bobcats have no unsaleable players."
Michael Jordan was so enthusiastic that the staff had some nervous breakdowns. Most of them thought Michael Jordan was confused again. They no longer believed in Michael's vision. Since 2005, he had never chosen a correct rookie. Okafor was his peak achievement. Therefore, they were not optimistic about Yang Mo at all.
"The Miami Heat select forward Michael Beasley from Kansas State!"
As Stern announced the second pick, the audience burst into applause. For everyone, this was not a suspenseful choice. If either Beasley or Rose was selected with the first pick, the second pick would definitely choose the remaining one. This was beyond doubt .
However, Yang Mo felt a little disappointed. He also dreamed of being selected by Miami with the second pick, but when he thought about it carefully, it was not realistic enough.
Beasley wore a Heat cap and laughed on the stage, declaring that he was ready to become a great player. Yang Mo was not surprised at all when he said such a boastful thing. No one was surprised, and even more than 80% of people agreed with this, because this kid's statistics in college were too eye-catching, averaging nearly 26 points and 13 rebounds per game, which was something that many NBA Hall of Fame players did not achieve in college.
However, the NBA is not the NCAA, and everything is still full of variables.
With the third pick, the Timberwolves selected OJ Mayo, which was not a big suspense.
Next, the Seattle SuperSonics, who were about to move, chose Westbrook. Westbrook wore a hat and looked particularly handsome. After hugging his relatives and friends, he came over and high-fived Yang Mo, and whispered in Yang Mo's ear: "Yang, we said we would give you a surprise."
As he said this, he trotted onto the stage.
Yang Mo suddenly felt very moved. Just as Lu Xueman said, people who can sacrifice their own interests to cheer for their friends are truly amazing.
Westbrook started to thank his elementary school coach, his college coach and his teammates. Finally, he changed the subject and pointed at Yang Mo and said, "Hey, all the NBA managers, that's my brother, Yang from China. Although he is not tall, he is strong enough to kick many people's butts. I have seen him beat many big guys to a pulp. I hope a team can choose him. He will definitely give everyone a surprise. I am sure."
After saying that, he made a V sign to Yang Mo, then bowed and left the stage.
Two popular rookies praised Yang Mo in succession. At that moment, all eyes in the audience were focused on Yang Mo. They wanted to see who had such great charm that could make two talented point guards vote for him.
Yang Mo was being stared at by everyone and seemed a little embarrassed. He wanted to lower his head, but Lu Xueman beside him whispered to him, "Raise your head, you are the protagonist now."
After being reminded by Lu Xueman, Yang Mo immediately straightened his chest and showed a decent smile to everyone.
David Stern's eyes were also drawn to him. He had read Yang Mo's information and had thought about whether the NBA should create another Chinese star. However, Yang Mo's data was too unremarkable, so he didn't take it seriously. But he didn't expect Yang Mo to make such a big splash. He couldn't help but take a few more glances and thought: Could this guy really have amazing talent?
The league's boss David Stern also noticed this, and fans around the world actively joined in the discussion. Everyone was extremely curious about Yang Mo who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, because she was so mysterious.
In China , there was even more uproar, and everyone was wondering when such a person appeared in China.
After Monkey and a few others got the news, they immediately called each other, excited as if they had won the lottery. They had not expected that their good brother, who had fought side by side with them for four years, would actually go for the draft, and become so famous all of a sudden, with even the No. 1 pick in the NBA advertising for him.
Damn it, I'm going to give Mo a good beating when he comes back. Also, I have to get him to get me some autographs from Ross.
Monkey and the others thought happily in their hearts that they really didn't dare to think that Yang Mo would be selected at this time. For them, it was too far-fetched. The NBA was a battlefield where the gods fought for them, which was too far away. Therefore, they felt that their good brother who wore the same pants as them would definitely not have a chance, but even so, they were very happy. At least their brother had a connection with the NBA, which was enough for them to brag about for the rest of their lives. When they went out to play basketball in the future and said, "Do you know Yang Mo who participated in the draft? That's my brother." Once this was said, wouldn't it be brilliant and awesome?
Next, the Grizzlies selected Kevin Love and immediately started a trade with the Timberwolves, getting ripped off by the Timberwolves for a small sum.
The Knicks chose Gallinani. I don't know if it's because D'Antoni has a good relationship with his father, but this is the most surprising upset so far tonight.
Then, the Clippers selected Eric Gordon with the seventh pick. After thanking his relatives and friends on the stage, Gordon once again mentioned Yang Mo: "Rose and Westbrook just said that Yang is a good player, so I won't repeat it. I hope my team can select him, and I look forward to fighting side by side with him."
Eric Gordon's words caused the scene to become agitated again, but not as much as the previous two times. After all, this was the third time tonight, and people were more or less numb.
At the same time, news came from the Miami Heat's office that excited Pat Riley: the Bucks have agreed to trade with the Heat, but the prerequisite is that Ricky Davis' contract must be signed first and then traded. Pat Riley nodded in agreement without hesitation.
Soon, Stern at the draft site received the envelope for the eighth pick. When he opened the envelope, he was obviously stunned for four or five seconds, his eyes full of disbelief, and he couldn't help but glance at Yang Mo a few times.
Then, he recited loudly: "In the 2008 NBA draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected a forward from China, Yang Mo!"
As soon as Stern said this, the whole scene went crazy, and everyone was exclaiming in disbelief. At the same time, fans around the world who were following the draft were also crazy. Yang Mo's name had been mentioned three times before, and they were very surprised, but they never thought that Yang Mo, an unknown boy, would be selected with the eighth pick. Is Milwaukee crazy? Haven't they suffered enough from Yi Jianlian last year?
Compared to the crazy fans, even crazier is Michael Jordan in the Bobcats office.
"FUCK!" Michael Jordan roared, picked up a desktop computer next to him and smashed it hard on the floor, sparks flying, and scared the staff in the office so much that they dared not breathe.
"Damn Milwaukee people, they must be trying to rob me, someone must have leaked the news, damn spies!" Michael Jordan swore crazily.
After cursing for about three or four minutes, Michael Jordan collapsed on the sofa in despair and said weakly: "Tell the people of Milwaukee that we are willing to trade Raymond Felton for Young."
"It's too late, sir, Milwaukee has already reached a deal with the Miami Heat." The staff member whispered.
"What?" Michael Jordan roared, and walked over to see the transaction information. He immediately started cursing furiously: "Damn old fox, he actually played so cruelly... FUCK!"
