The Godfather of Basketball

"Novak's defense is terrible. He can't play at the NBA level at all. In comparison, Millsap is short but strong."

"The defense can be worked on, and if it works, he could be the Peja Stojakovic of the Rockets."

Tang Tian and Van Gundy held their own opinions and were a little bit at odds.

At this moment, Tang Tian felt helpless as an assistant coach. Even if it was the second round pick, his words were not enough.

At this moment, Dawson stopped the two of them and fell into hesitation.

Tang Tian's mind turned quickly. He knew that if he continued to hesitate like this, Dawson would definitely listen to Van Gundy in the end. After all, he was the head coach.

"I have an idea." Tang Tian said quickly.

Both Dawson and Van Gundy looked at him together.

"I think the Timberwolves have two second-round picks, 36 and 37, can we try to trade with them?" Tang Tian suggested.

Dawson nodded and traded downwards. One pick becomes two picks. This is a good proposal.

Van Gundy didn't say anything. If Novak or Millsap were selected before then, he could only consider himself unlucky.

The NBA officially assigned cabins to each team to facilitate their communication and discussion. At this time, Dawson picked up the phone and called the Timberwolves directly.

Soon, Dawson put down the phone with a smile on his face.

"nailed it."

The Timberwolves have had a poor record in recent seasons, so they naturally hope to advance their picks and choose more talented players.

Before the start of the second round, the Rockets and the Timberwolves reached a deal. They sent the No. 32 pick + some cash, and got the Timberwolves' 36 and 37 picks.

The two picks are next to each other, and this can be regarded as satisfying the requirements of two people at the same time.

The Timberwolves selected Craig Smith with the 32nd pick.

Tang Tian had some impressions of this player. He played well in the Timberwolves and was selected to the rookie second team.

With the 36th overall pick, the Rockets selected Steve Novak.

With the 37th overall pick, the Rockets selected Paul Millsap.

Both of them chose the player they wanted as they wished, and everyone was happy.

Dawson is also in a good mood. After Tracy McGrady was traded in 2004, the team has been on the same level. This has a lot to do with the poor performance of the role players. Now Battier and two rookies who look good , things are clearly moving in a positive direction.

Especially the newly promoted first assistant coach of the team, who not only has his own ideas, but also knows how to use his brain. He has a feeling that Tang Tian will bring great help to the team in the new season.

The draft has come to an end, and the NBA teams are getting busy again.

Although this is the offseason and most players are on vacation, for each team, the new season has already begun before the draft.

As the first assistant coach of the Rockets, Tang Tian will lead the Rockets to the next summer league.

The NBA Summer League is one of the most critical offseason events for each team, and it is also the performance stage for all undrafted picks, rookies and some fringe people.

However, unlike the NBA regular season, the summer league is an invitation system, that is to say, everyone forms a temporary team, and the performance of the game depends on the selection of the players.

Thibodeau became Tang Tian's assistant coach.

During the interview, Tang Tian left a deep impression on Van Gundy and made Thibodeau recognize his ability. Although he was much younger, the assistant coach who trained Yao Ming did not have any prejudice against Tang Tian.

"This is the list of players we can contact." Thibodeau handed Tang Tian a thick notebook.

Everyone knows that the Rockets are short of people, so there are quite a few people who are willing to come.

Tang Tian flipped the pages quickly, and soon, several familiar names came into his eyes.

Chuck Hayes, known to Rockets fans as "Hai Ye", failed in the draft in 2005, and after that, no one wanted him. He played in the Development League for a year, and it was with the Vipers, a subsidiary team of the Rockets.

Will? Bynum, like Hayes, Bynum was also undrafted in 2005. He also played in the Development League for a year, averaging 24 points per game.

Bynum was considered a qualified backup guard in the future. He was able to contribute 8 points and 3 assists in his career. He also played with Iverson. Tang Tian was very impressed.

Jose Barea, this Tang Tian is more familiar, the hero of the Mavericks winning the championship, the popularity is much stronger than Hayes and Bynum, he participated in the draft this year, but lost.

After looking at other unsuitable ones, Tang Tian returned the notebook to Thibodeau.

"I'll just choose these three, plus the Novak and Millsap we already have, we have the starters, and you can choose a few more as substitutes."

"These people are very short." Seeing Tang Tianxuan, Xibodu frowned.

It is difficult for short people to survive in the NBA. Tang Tian selected a short insider Millsap in the draft, and now he has selected three short ones. Is this a preference?

"Shortness has its advantages." Tang Tian said with a smile. In fact, most of the NBA's management team has the same opinion as Thibodeau, but it is precisely because of this that these short men have become a model for counterattacks.

Thibodeau didn't say anything more. After all, Tang Tiancai chose 3 people, and let him choose the remaining 10 people. He already has a lot of trust in him.

After sending invitations to these players, it was no surprise that they all accepted.

At the Toyota Center, Tang Tian ushered in his first training session of his coaching career.

He entered the training hall and called all the players together.

Millsap, Hayes, Barea, Bynum, Novak...

Compared with memory, the faces of these players are full of greenness and immaturity.

These players are talented and have potential, but they are all in the stage of development. Although they can play well in the future in memory, if they are not trained well, they will disappear from everyone.

Seeing that the coach is such a young man of yellow race, some players showed doubts and contempt on their faces.

"I'm your coach Tang Tian, ​​you can call me Coach Tang."

When Tang Tian was talking, some team members stood very lazily, and some were still communicating in private.

In addition to rookies and fringe players, these players also have some old fritters who have been in the development league. They are obviously not very interested in a young yellow coach.

"My team has three demands..."

Tang Tian emphasized his tone, his eyes swept over the faces of the team members one by one.

"First, training must be on time. Second, absolutely obey the coaching staff. Third, during the summer league, pornography, gambling, and drugs are absolutely prohibited. If you can't do it, you can leave this arena directly now."

After he said this, the team members who spoke immediately fell silent, and all looked at him blankly.

Tang Tian's toughness was completely beyond their expectations.

"Who do you think you are." Just then, someone said something.

Tang Tian turned his head to look, and then found that the person who spoke was Quintelle Woods, the No. 21 pick in 2002, a well-known problem player, drugs, and fights accompanied his entire career. People on the fringes of the alliance.