novelODS Chapter 53 I was already a champion before I went to the Supersonics.
Chapter 53 I was already a champion before I went to the Supersonics.
Surrounded by flashing lights, Zeng Zhen walked steadily onto the stage. David Stern smiled, pleased to see one Chinese player after another being selected by the NBA, as this would help the NBA expand its market in China. Stern shook hands with Zeng Zhen: "Congratulations on being selected, Zeng. I hope you can succeed in the NBA."
"Thanks."
Zeng Zhen nodded, and the two shook hands facing the camera.
"Eighth pick in the first round, hehehe, another lottery pick. I think this shows the Bucks' recognition of Zeng Zhen!"
However, the Bucks drafted Zeng Zhen again, which worries Coach Zhang a bit, since Yi Jianlian didn't do well there from the start.
On his headset, Coach Zhang received a reminder from the director: "Okay, there's a new trade. Our reporters have reported that the Bucks have traded Zeng Zhen to the SuperSonics. Details of the trade will be released later."
"Zeng Zhen is going to the SuperSonics. It seems they've prepared very well this year. They've acquired two high draft picks for guards. Russell Westbrook was Zeng Zhen's classmate in college, and the two have a good relationship..."
Zeng Zhen then stepped off the stage and sat down in the interview seat to be interviewed by several hosts and reporters.
"Congratulations, Zeng!" ESPN reporter Lisa quickly asked, "How does it feel to be selected 8th overall?"
"I'm so excited. This is a big moment in my life. I've dreamed of playing in the NBA since I was a kid, and tonight, I've finally realized my dream." Zeng Zhen's tone was relaxed: "Those who looked down on me will eventually be left behind by me."
In the months since he transmigrated, he has been preparing for tonight. From a player who was not favored to enter the NBA to a high draft pick, Zeng Zhen has put in a lot of "effort".
McBreen smiled and asked, "We've received word that you've been traded to the SuperSonics. The SuperSonics are a rebuilding team, and they drafted both you and Russell this year. What are your thoughts on this team? How will you handle the competition for your position with Russell?"
This is a very practical question. Zeng Zhen said, "The SuperSonics have many promising players, and I am very happy to grow with them. As for how I will handle my competition with Russell, I don't think that's a concern."
"because!"
"I was a champion before I went to the SuperSonics!"
"I've won a championship with Russell, which, on another level, shows that our partnership was successful."
Zeng Zhen spoke with great confidence. He was a combo guard, not just a point guard. Besides, in position competition, ability comes first. Let Westbrook be the substitute.
Besides, I was a champion before I went to the SuperSonics. If I didn't win a championship in the NBA, it would definitely be Durant's fault, not mine.
"You were a champion before you went to the SuperSonics?" McBreen said. "That's a very interesting argument. Are you implying you'll bring your winning culture to the SuperSonics?"
"Yes, we will definitely win more games than last season," Zeng Zhen said earnestly.
Confident, with a touch of arrogance, that's the impression the host and fans have of Zeng Zhen.
......
At this time, fans online also learned about the trade news.
The Seattle SuperSonics traded Jeff Green and this year's 24th, 50th, and 56th picks to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for the 8th overall pick, superstar guard Zeng Zhen, and Dan Gadzuric (the Bucks' third-best center!).
"The core of this trade is Jeff Green being traded for Zeng Zhen, in other words, last year's No. 5 pick for this year's No. 8 pick."
"Presti must be crazy. He's actually gambling with Jeff Green for Zeng Zhen." Media people at the scene commented, and there was a lot of discussion. They couldn't understand Presti's logic in trading a promising forward for a guard.
Given the SuperSonics' roster composition, after selecting Westbrook, they should ideally select another big man.
This news quickly went viral online, with fans in both China and the United States discussing it on social media platforms.
"The SuperSonics acquired two guards from UCLA this year. How will the SuperSonics distribute the ball?"
"Haha, I think Supersonic is just stockpiling young players, seeing who can eventually level up and make a name for themselves."
"Jeff Green was a good player, why trade him away and bring in a guard? How are we going to run the game then?"
"It looks like the SuperSonics will continue to compete for the number one draft pick next season."
"The Supersonics have become completely uncompetitive after losing Ray Allen and Lewis."
"With Zeng, Russell, and KD, the SuperSonics have a lot of fresh blood, but their record is probably not going to be good."
The general consensus among fans is that Presti's actions over the past few years have been a strategy of nurturing and exploiting his opponents.
If any one of Westbrook, Zeng Zhen, and Durant becomes a superstar, then the SuperSonics will be considered a success.
As for the results, that's not something we need to consider in the next few years.
After all, the Western Conference is very competitive now, and it's unlikely that the SuperSonics will be able to make it back to the playoffs anytime soon.
.....
Almost simultaneously, the draft was also taking place.
The subsequent draft proceeded smoothly, and the Bobcats successfully acquired DJ Augustin, the player their owner, Joe Johnson had his eye on.
The New Jersey Nets selected Brook Lopez with the 10th pick.
After failing to acquire Zeng Zhen, the Pacers, who were selected 11th overall, had no choice but to select Jerry Bayless as their backup option.
Larry Bird made this choice almost through gritted teeth.
Larry Bird was shocked to learn that Presti had suffered a major hemorrhage and had traded Jeff Green to acquire the right to swap the 8th pick.
The "King of Prestige" never expected that Presti would be so resourceful and daring as to select two guards in the top ten picks at the same time.
It's worth noting that Zeng Zhenliang's impressive performance only lasted through March Madness; his regular season performance was abysmal. In the NCAA, there are many players who have performed well in the short term.
Many general managers and scouts believed that Zeng Zhen's performance was worthy of being on the lottery cusp, but not so high up. Larry Bird even thought he had a chance to get Zeng Zhen with the 11th pick.
And now Presti has actually traded Jeff Green for Zeng Zhen.
Larry Bird felt as if his prized horse had been stolen, which made him regretful, as if he had missed something important.
Joe Alexander, who was originally selected 8th overall, was picked 12th overall by the Kings.
The Kings are also looking for a power forward, and they have Joe Alexander as their first choice.
The subsequent draft picks were almost identical to those in Zeng Zhen's previous life. Each team had its own optimal or alternative plan, and they would select players in the draft based on the team's plan and roster composition. Even the Bucks selected the standard power forward, Ibaka.
For the Spurs, Buford and Popovich could only use their 26th pick to select their backup option, George Hill.