Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 1080 - 608 Nothing Compares to Time_2

Chapter 1080: Chapter 608: Nothing Compares to Time_2 Chapter 1080: Chapter 608: Nothing Compares to Time_2 To develop Giannis Antetokounmpo this season, the team keeps playing him at point guard, but Yu Fei has already pointed out that the Greek’s ultimate position would be power forward. Therefore, the team needs to increase their point guard reserves.

Last season, before the trade deadline, the Argentine veteran Prignano was acquired and completed his task impressively, but he’s really too old and might retire in a couple of years, hence he can’t be considered part of the team’s long-term plan.

Yet if a point guard is to be chosen, it’s tough for the Clippers with their draft picks, to find an immediately impactful and quality guard.

Arne Trem wanted to consult Yu Fei on this matter, but hearing that the GOAT was on vacation, he didn’t disturb him.

Moreover, isn’t this the perfect opportunity for them to shine when the GOAT is not intervening in team affairs?

Trem instructed the management to work overtime before the draft, and to intensely try out players projected for the late first round and second round.

However, apart from preparing for the draft, the Clippers still have the chance to make a big move in the free agency market.

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After dealing away Tyreke Evans’ contract last year, they acquired Danny Granger from the Bucks.

Granger was a top player in his prime, but after injuries, he’s lost his star ability and his main value to the Clippers now is to unlock a max salary space this summer.

Thompson’s rookie bonus lasts another year, and Antetokounmpo’s lasts two more years; the Clippers’ salary structure is quite healthy, allowing them to bring in a major player from free agency this summer.

With the Clippers’ champion title, together with Los Angeles’ unique geographic advantage, this summer could be very promising.

After a week of intense tryouts, the Clippers narrowed their draft candidates to Turkish forward Chedi Osman, Virginia Tech’s center Montrezl Harrell, and Olivier Hanlan from Boston College.

To get more professional opinions, Trem didn’t hesitate to invite Jerry West, a team consultant known as the ‘LOGO’, to personally observe the tryouts.

However, as sincere as the Clippers are about the draft, it’s still just the 30th pick.

West said, “I haven’t seen any hidden gems shining bright.”

Which means, they’re all mediocre, just pick anyone, whoever it is doesn’t really matter.

Just a day before the draft, Yu Fei, who had been out of touch with world affairs, suddenly called Trem to inquire about the team’s drafting work.

In the face of the de facto president and star player, Trem didn’t dare to neglect and briefed him on the situation.

Hearing that the team’s target was locked on Chedi Osman, Yu Fei frowned.

“Is there a problem?”

No real problem, it’s just Yu Fei’s memories from a previous life that were vaguely impacting him.

Yu Fei’s only impression of Osman was the Turkish version of the “world-class problem: sideline ball” performance at the 2019 Men’s Basketball World Cup.

Turkey’s result caused by the sideline ball was no less a fiasco than the men’s basketball team’s shattered dream against Poland—they missed the chance to defeat the Dream Team on the international stage.

Aside from that, Yu Fei knew Osman played for the Cavaliers, but to say he had any impression, not really.

This is why Yu Fei doesn’t like this choice.

Now that he’s in an era where he can truly exploit his advantages, even for a 30th pick in the first round, he wants to choose players with more memorable highlights as much as possible.

“I prefer Josh Richardson from the University of Tennessee.”

Yu Fei’s impression of Richardson isn’t deep either, only knowing that after entering the NBA, he could steadily contribute double-digit scoring and was a combo guard, more in line with the Clippers’ current needs.

Yu Fei gave his opinion, and moreover, the name he mentioned was not on the Clippers’ list of alternatives.

This would cause all the high-intensity work done by the Clippers’ management in the recent days to be in vain, as they’d have to choose someone not thoroughly scouted.

Trem wouldn’t challenge Yu Fei’s authority.

Because Yu Fei had already proven his judgment numerous times.

Truthfully, Trem was named the best general manager of the year because of Yu Fei’s insistence last year for the team to secure Jokić and successfully recruit Yao Ming through personal connections.

One could say, Trem had almost no say in that series of profound operations for the Clippers.

His only role was to deal with the aftermath of criticism these operations brought.

But in the end, he became the best manager of the year.

Following the GOAT indeed brings its rewards.

Trem made his decision without any doubts.

A day later, the 2015 NBA Draft.

This year’s draft class is heavy on big men, with many potential stocks.

The potential structure of this draft seems quite retro.

In the 80s and 90s, a uniquely talented big man could easily secure a lottery spot, and if that big man had a bit of skill, then he’d be a hot candidate for number one pick.

This year, Karl-Anthony Towns from Kentucky achieved a “corner overtaking.”

Before this group of players started college, the retro-style Jahlil Okafor was the undebatable number one pick, but with greatness like Yao Ming being targeted in the finals due to stylistic issues and not being able to play, plus Towns showing traits more suitable for the Space Basketball era in multiple aspects, Okafor lost the title of sure number one.

After the tryouts, Towns’ silky shooting feel was officially recognized by NBA professionals, and thus the momentum for number one pick was set.