One Guard

When Yiyang broke through Evan Turner's defense and faced the block of the rookie center Hassan Whiteside who came to the trial with him and lightly picked the ball into the basket, the 76ers who were watching from the sidelines Manager Stefanski nodded approvingly.

After experiencing the trial training trip in San Antonio, Bill Duffy took Yiyang to Minnesota and Sacramento.

And today, June 15, ten days before the start of the 2010 NBA Draft. Yiyang came to the penultimate stop on his trial training road, and it was also the one with the highest draft pick among all the teams interested in Yiyang, Philadelphia.

The general manager of the Philadelphia 76ers, Stevensky, is very interested in Yiyang. He always feels that this cold-looking guy can inherit the mantle of AI.

But equally, Evan Turner's strength cannot be ignored by Stefanski. This all-around outside line who has become an All-American star in college has also shown a good performance in the trial training.

Now, Stefanski has a bit of trouble. Both Yiyang and Turner are excellent, but he can only take one from them. Even though Yiyang has an immeasurable Chinese market behind him, what the 76ers need most now is results. As long as the results come out, there is no fear of no market.

While Stefanski was thinking, Evan Turner hit another three-pointer in the training game. This guy's confident expression and mature playing style made Stefanski's balance slightly tilted again.

Turner, Yiyang, Turner, Yiyang... Stefanski closed his eyes and rubbed his temples. This question, maybe for a while, I really can't make up my mind. One immediate strength, one potential. Stefanski doesn't know which one is more suitable for the 76ers who are in desperate need of results.

"Boss, do you want to play another quarter?" Stefanski didn't recover from his own thinking until the referee shouted.

On the training ground, the players have played a five-minute quarter for three full quarters. From the data point of view, Yiyang's 8 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds are very comprehensive. And Turner's performance of scoring 16 points in 15 minutes is even more eye-catching.

Who should we choose? Stefanski still hadn't made up his mind. He just waved his hand, indicating that the trial training was over.

Seeing the players walking off the field, Bill Duffy immediately approached the general manager of the 76ers who was in a dilemma.

"How about it? His performance is amazing enough!" Bill Duffy is full of confidence. Although Yiyang doesn't score as much as Tenado, his ability to control the rhythm of the game on the court is beyond the reach of all the rookies who came to try out .

"It's really great. You know, we haven't observed him for a day or two. His performance is even better than we imagined! But..."

Hearing this but, Bill Duffy's smile instantly disappeared without a trace.

"However, Turner's performance is equally good. I can't give you an accurate answer now, Duffy. All I can say is that we will continue to pay attention to him. Maybe in ten days, he will become the second place?" Stephen Skippy dealt with Bill Duffy with a non-smiling smile. Duffy was not stupid. After thanking him bluntly, he turned and returned to Yiyang.

Unlike the "promotion" of Yao Ming back then, Bill Duffy's path of recommending Yiyang this time does not seem to be going very smoothly. The general managers of every team are satisfied with Yiyang's performance, but none of them can guarantee that they will choose Yiyang.

This is not because of Yiyang's lack of strength, but in today's world, the management of each team pays more and more attention to draft picks. When they get a higher draft pick, they are all eager to rely on this pick to make a comeback. Look at the Cavaliers who selected LeBron, look at the Thunder who selected Durant and Westbrook... In the gamble-like draft, the managers of each team can only be cautious,

That way you can be sure that you are making the right choice.

Because of this, there are very few people who can guarantee in advance which rookie they will definitely select in advance. Many teams don't even finalize their selection until a second before making a choice.

Bill Duffy knew that the current general managers were getting more and more difficult, so he and Yiyang did everything they could. Now, just wait for him to decide their fate in the draft.

"Hey, you played well!" Bill Duffy smiled again, went up and patted Yiyang on the shoulder.

"Did they say they would choose me?" Yiyang asked straightforwardly. The closer the draft was, the more Yiyang wanted to know his fate.

"Of course they will choose you! Don't worry, we have a lot of potential buyers!" Bill Duffy showed his friendly smile. With this experienced manager by his side, Yiyang also felt I have relaxed a lot.

"Then now, there is only one place left for us to go." Yiyang said, walking towards the players' locker room, preparing to leave Philadelphia.

"Yes, there is one last stop." Bill Duffy didn't have much expectation when it came to this last stop. Originally, Philadelphia was the last stop for Yiyang and Duffy. But for the next team, they took the initiative to contact Duffy.

In order not to freeze the relationship with the other party, Duffy agreed to take Yiyang to the trial training.

Anyway, it’s not bad to go to one more place, Bill Duffy, it’s right to take this kid Yiyang on a trip.

I hope the next draft will be normal.

※※※

"Are you sure this guy is worthy of us?" Outside the airport, two men wearing sunglasses and peaked caps were chatting casually.

"The matter of the draft has never been determined. The team that wins the No. 1 pick may get a parallel import. I just think we can try it on him."

"He played really well in college. I hope this kid can gain a foothold in the NBA."

"I believe that under Jason's training, that guy will grow up very fast. I can only take a gamble, buddy. For the championship, I can only take a gamble!"

On the large electronic screen at the airport, the flight ZPH7609 from Indianapolis has landed. The two men began to lean towards the reception entrance, the guy in their hearts who could help them break the deadlock was finally about to appear.

"There are so many people here!" After getting off the plane, Yiyang could clearly feel that the crowds in this city were much denser compared to other places.

"Do you think this is a city like San Antonio? This is a metropolis in Texas, buddy!" Bill Duffy smiled knowingly seeing Yiyang's dazzled expression. In the future, Yiyang will get used to scenes that are much bigger than this.

When Yiyang and Duffy were walking towards the exit, there was a huge poster hanging on the wall of the airport. There is only a simple sentence on the poster: "Welcome to Dallas".

As soon as Yiyang and Duffy appeared, they were spotted by Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and team general manager Donnie Nelson who came to greet them.

"It's finally here, Duffy, we've been waiting for a long time! Hey, yes, welcome to Dallas!" Mark Cuban showed a kind smile, without the slightest airs of the team owner.

Yiyang shook hands with Cuban and Nelson stiffly. After traveling to so many cities, this is the first time that the team owner and general manager will personally greet them.

"Actually, you don't need to bother. It's not far to take a taxi from here to the American Airlines Center Arena." When Duffy learned that Cuban and Nelson Jr. were coming to welcome him and Yiyang, he was a little flattered.

Yiyang is just a rookie, not an All-Star. Even if Dallas really wanted him, it would be an exaggeration.

"Going to the arena? No, no, no, you must not have eaten yet, right? I made a reservation at a good Chinese restaurant. Let's go eat first, see the scenery of Dallas, and then talk about the trial training." Leader Cuban Zhuo Yiyang and Du Fei got into the car that had been waiting outside the airport. Yiyang watched all this with straight eyes. He grew up in the Wood District, but he had never received such treatment.

After lunch, Yiyang and Du Fei were finally taken to the training ground after driving halfway around Dallas. Only when he came here, did Yiyang know what he was going to do.

"Why did you come here?" As soon as Yiyang changed his clothes and stood on the court, a big blond man in casual clothes came up to him. Yiyang looked up, and it was none other than the European basketball legend, the symbol of the Dallas Mavericks, the "German Chariot" Dirk Nowitzki!

"I took them around the city." Cuban smiled and answered his team's box office guarantee, and he was also his best friend.

"Hey, welcome, Yi, we've been paying attention to you for a long time." After finishing talking with Cuban, Nowitzki walked over enthusiastically and wanted to hug Yiyang.

Yiyang didn't do anything, just stood there blankly, allowing Nowitzki to hug him.

Faced with an enthusiastic basketball legend, the average rookie is sure to get even more enthusiastic. But Yiyang, he still seems to be cold and cold.

Maybe it was a little embarrassing to see the scene, Bill Duffy clapped his hands to divert everyone's attention. "Then, wait for Yire to warm up, and let's start the trial training."

Running, height touching, body data measurement... these things are inevitable no matter where you go.

After that, Yiyang went through a series of basic tests. But for Yiyang who has been training for more than a month, these things are simply within reach.

After Yiyang passed the ordinary tests one by one, Cuban called many coaches to the training ground for the last item of this trial training. Bill Duffy watched the dozen or so people on the court, not knowing what Cuban wanted to do. Could it be that he wants Yiyang to stage a play where he passes several players from the backcourt to complete the attack? Even if they want to watch, there are too many people.

But then Duffy discovered that things were not what he imagined. The coaches were randomly assigned to various positions on the basketball court, and Cuban then began to explain. These coaches will pass the ball to Yiyang, and when Yiyang receives the ball, one of the coaches will raise his hand to ask for the ball. What Yiyang has to do is to pass the ball on the spot with the shortest reaction time and the most accurate! Of course, these coaches will not take the initiative to catch the ball, Yiyang must accurately deliver the ball to their hands.

This thing is very new to Yiyang. Cuban also saw that Yiyang's lazy eyes seemed to become more energetic.

After the explanation, the training begins immediately. Yiyang was standing on the halfway line, a coach passed him the ball, and after that, a coach under the basket raised his hand for the ball!

Yi** didn't hesitate at all, and directly slammed the ball hard on the floor. The basketball crashed to the floor, passing two men in the passing lane on the way. After that, the basketball bounced back, impartially, and passed accurately into the arms of the coach who wanted the ball!

"WOW!" Dirk Nowitzki couldn't help yelling. This kind of long-distance precision hit the ground pass is always full of entertainment. What's more, this long biography passed through several people!

"As I said, he is very special!" Cuban looked at Nowitzki's surprised expression and smiled smugly.

After the next goal, a coach behind Yiyang shouted and raised his hand. Yiyang turned around quickly, and as soon as the corner of his eye caught sight of the person asking for the ball, he immediately threw the ball.

The basketball flew fast and straight, and once again passed it accurately into the opponent's hands. These movements are done smoothly by Yiyang, it seems that it takes no effort at all!

In the next few pass attempts, Yiyang completed them very well. Dirk even believes that this is not a trial training at all, but a performance show specially set up by Cuban for Yiyang! Among them, Yiyang only needs to show off his skills unscrupulously!

Cuban was grinning from ear to ear. As for Dirk, this guy is already thinking about the O'Brien Cup!

After the trial training, Cuban and Nelson took the initiative to greet him, and Howe unabashedly expressed their love for Yiyang.

"He is really great, Mr. Duffy, please tell him how wonderful it is to play in Dallas!" Cuban held Duffy's hand tightly, as if he was holding the Mavericks to win the championship slowly The last piece of the puzzle on the way.

"I know your team is sincere, and I know it's great to play in Dallas. But...Mr. Cuban, as far as I know, this year's Mavericks don't even have a first-round pick. None. And my client should not have any possibility of falling into the second round." What Duffy said is the reason why he has not paid much attention to the Mavericks. Because of a second-round draft pick, there is no possibility for Dallas to select Yiyang.

"I'm going to worry about the draft pick, Mr. Duffy. I'll tell you right now, I'm willing to trade for a high-ranking draft pick!" Cuban's firm eyes made Duffy unable to question his words. .

Cuban seemed to have a plan in mind, and he meant it as if he was talking. "Yiyang is a player, I'm in Dallas!"

The ambiguous Spurs, the indecisive 76ers, and now this Mavericks who are a little too enthusiastic...

Duffy looked at Yiyang. This guy's draft may be full of unprecedented uncertainties.

Where exactly would your career start? Now, even the experienced Bill Duffy felt that he was unpredictable.