Draft Day

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Amid a chorus of boos from the New York fans, David Stern calmly greeted the audience with a friendly smile.

At every draft, David Stern would be "warmly" received by the New York fans. He had become accustomed to the fact that the fans of Old New York always felt privileged. Old New York fans, if they can always be so willing to pay to watch the Knicks struggle, Stern was willing to be booed by the Knicks' fans every day.

Not wasting time after a few opening words, he took the envelope with the Wizards logo printed on it from the staff, opened it, pulled out a piece of paper, smiled knowingly, and slowly read:

"With the first pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards select John Wall! He is from Raleigh, North Carolina and played for the University of Kentucky!"

Applause filled the room, though it wasn't overly enthusiastic. This was an expected outcome. The chances of Wall being selected as the first overall pick were as high as Griffin's, almost guaranteed.

After Wall embraced his family and friends one by one, he put on a Wizards hat and quickly walked to the stage, hugging David Stern and flashing a cheerful smile for the cameras.

With the success of Rose and Curry, two high-ranking point guards, people had high expectations for Wall. He had top-tier speed and excellent organizational skills, and was considered rare in his ability to drive the offense and unite it to become the next-generation super point guard at the highest level.

After Wall's selection, the picks that followed were somewhat underwhelming. The 76ers selected Evan Turner from Ohio State with the second pick overall. A versatile small forward, but many doubted his success in the NBA after his college career.

The Nets selected Derrick Favors from Georgia Tech with the third pick. A physically gifted interior player, but with rough skills, a more conservative pick.

The Timberwolves selected Wesley Johnson, an offensive guard from Syracuse University, with the fourth overall pick. Jonny Flynn, whom the Timberwolves selected last year, had already fallen out of favor. Now, management had placed its trust in Wesley Johnson, hoping he could step up and take responsibility for the team's perimeter game.

The Kings selected DeMarcus Cousins from the University of Kentucky with the fifth overall pick. While he had exceptional static talent, his athletic ability was average and he was very emotional on the court. A change that raised doubts among the first four teams, otherwise, with his position as a center and standout college performance, he would not have been selected fifth.

No surprises followed until the ninth pick when the Jazz selected Gordon Hayward from Butler University for the second consecutive year.

In the suite, Liam smiled. Though Stevens had recommended Hayward to be drafted by the team, Liam had also carefully mentored him, offering many useful suggestions to help him become more versatile. Liam was very pleased to see Hayward join a team-oriented squad that suited him well.

"Boss, Colangelo accepted our deal," said Larry Riley, walking over to Liam from another corner of the box and whispering.

"Good. It seems no team is paying attention to Klay. Our plan should succeed," Liam nodded slightly.

Larry Riley hesitated and said, "Boss, although Kyle doesn't fit the team's tactical system, he's a very hardworking player, still young, and has potential. Isn't it a shame to trade him like this?"

"You're right," Liam nodded. "Kyle is a good player and might become a star in the future, but that requires giving him the ball and time to accumulate experience. The Warriors don't have enough ball control for him. I can't wait that long. I've talked to him. He doesn't hate the Raptors. They're a good place for him. It's a win-win trade."

Larry Riley suddenly understood, "I didn't consider that aspect. I just think there aren't many point guards like Kyle, impactful and with good passing sense. You can practice shooting, but with Stephen here, it's hard for Kyle to have space."

"Don't worry, after Kyle leaves, someone will take his place," Liam said with a smile.

As they were talking, the draft continued, and the Pacers selected Paul George with the tenth pick, followed by the thirteenth pick.

David Stern took the envelope handed to him by the staff, opened it, took out the paper inside, and read slowly:

"With the 13th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Klay Thompson! He is from Los Angeles, California and plays for Washington State University!"

At Madison Square Garden, there was polite applause, but not overwhelming. Klay didn't show too much surprise at hearing his name. He stood calmly, celebrating with his family and friends one by one.

While embracing his father, MychalThompson whispered in his ear, "Alright, that's it. Stay calm, don't act too excited."

Klay nodded, released MychalThompson, took the Raptors cap handed to him by the staff, put it on, and walked toward the high stage.

The gray-haired league president shook Klay's hand, looked at him, and smiled warmly: "Congratulations, young man, I wish you a brilliant career."

Klay smiled and said, "Thanks... I'll send you tickets when I become a superstar."

David Stern was stunned for a moment, then smiled: "I'm looking forward to that day, young man. You're an interesting one. When I get your ticket, I'll definitely come to your game."

He had seen all kinds of rookies in the draft, but Klay was the first to offer him a ticket.

Later, Klay and David Stern were standing side by side in front of the cameras. Klay smiled and suddenly extended his hand to turn the brim of his cap to one side so the camera couldn't catch the Raptors logo, then he and David Stern embraced and exited the stage.

He took off his cap as he walked and handed it to a staff member in the audience: "Hey, buddy, this is for you."

The staff member took it without thinking, and it took him a second to react. He looked at the cap in his hands with a doubtful look, then at Klay leaving, murmuring helplessly: "Just... gave me a cap?"

In the Rockets' suite, a fat man with a miserable face whispered to himself in surprise: "The Raptors really picked Klay Thompson? When did Colangelo get smarter? Well, I guess we'll have to change targets…"

He took a deep breath and said with a slightly regretful tone: "Mike, Klay Thompson was intercepted by the Raptors, and our target changed to... Patrick Patterson!"

After the fat man finished instructing his staff, he looked back at the field, but the depression in his heart lingered.

He had been very optimistic about this young player, especially after analyzing Klay's stats, discovering that Klay's scoring was highly efficient, with potential for optimization, and defensive potential as well.

So, the fat man had set Klay as his top target in the draft, but he was intercepted by the Raptors. This made him very unhappy and, at the same time, deeply perplexed. Could that idiot Colangelo really see Klay Thompson's potential?

...

In the Raptors' suite, general manager Colangelo sighed in relief after hearing David Stern read Klay Thompson's name. It seemed like the deal with the Warriors was going to close smoothly.

"Marsella, I hope Kyle Lowry can be as good as you said," Colangelo said solemnly.

Sitting on the sofa in front of him was a simple-looking Black man. Hearing this, he smiled and said:

"Brian, Kyle will be better than you think. I've watched him closely. He's a very tenacious player and will definitely be of great help to the Raptors. Once he can practice his shooting, he'll even be selected as an All-Star."

This was Masai Ujiri, the Raptors' assistant general manager, who had been promoted to the global scouting director role for the Raptors the previous year.

"Really? But his three-point shooting percentage hasn't been above 30% in the last three seasons. Can he really practice shooting?" Colangelo asked.

"Of course, have you noticed his free-throw percentage? It has stayed stable above 80%, and from my years of experience, players who are good at free throws often end up practicing great three-pointers," Ujiri explained.

"So, according to you, the best shooter should also have the best free throws?" Colangelo chuckled.

"In theory, yes," Ujiri said seriously.

"Well, I hope your theory is correct, and the deal goes through. I just hope Kyle Lowry turns out to be a good player," Colangelo laughed.

"Of course, I've always been very accurate in judging people," Ujiri said confidently, which seemed at odds with his simple and honest appearance.

This would also be the last time he contributed to the Raptors...

Ujiri, who had received an invitation for the position of Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations for the Nuggets, thought to himself.

...

As the two spoke, the draft continued, and soon it was the Warriors' 30th pick.

"With the 30th pick in the 2010 NBA Draft, the Golden State Warriors select Draymond Green! He is from Saginaw, Michigan and plays for Michigan State University!"

"My God! Draymond, you really made it to the NBA! You're a first-round pick!" exclaimed Mary Green at Green's house in Saginaw, Michigan.

"Mom, I told you earlier, the coach would pick me with the 30th pick," Green said with a big smile.

Even though he had received Liam's promise during the trial, he still felt an uncontrollable excitement bubbling in his heart when he was actually selected.

He was an NBA player—he could play in the NBA!

"Mom, when I get my first paycheck, I'll buy you and the siblings a bigger house..."

Green looked at his mother, crying tears of joy, and secretly cursed in his heart.

While the Green family was ecstatic, the recruitment continued, changing the destiny of many.

The second round of the draft was much less flashy than the first. The Warriors selected Bjelica, a name many didn't know, with the 34th pick in the second round.

After the Serbian power forward announced his participation in the draft, he also stated that he wouldn't necessarily report to the NBA immediately after being selected, but the Warriors chose him anyway.

Since the Warriors' second-round pick had already been traded earlier, the 2010 draft for the Warriors was concluded.

End of this chapter

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