The rest is just noise

Overall, the 1983 draft was a mediocre one.

It's not as talented as the 1980 draft, nor is it as deep as the 1981 draft. It's not even as good as last year's draft. In any case, last year we had Worthy, Wilkins, and Cummings.

No one loses to the top three.

This year, the Indiana Pacers, who once again got the No. 1 pick, could only get Steve Stipanovich C, another white man who was once as famous as Sampson, but left his peak period in high school.

Center.

Louis discovered that Sampson was somewhat similar to the future James.

A few insiders who come out will always be as famous as him. Moreover, the coaches of these same-name brothers also like to tease their disciples by saying "he is better than Ralph at the same time".

As soon as the draft ended, Louis' work came to an end for the time being.

He can take advantage of the upcoming vacation to take a good rest and attend the NBA annual meeting with Auerbach.

He is a person eager to improve, so he decided to participate in this year's NBA annual meeting.

Smart bosses and general managers will find ways to pass rules that suit them at the annual meeting, while short-sighted bosses only want to make money.

Louis made his first appearance at the NBA annual meeting. Although he only played a small role in the scene, there were many bosses and general managers who knew him.

Even Auerbach is surprised by the connections Louis has developed for him over the past few years.

He finally knew why Louis got so many contracts.

He has never focused on Boston just because of his achievements. Now, with enough fame, he can find a job in any city with an NBA team.

"Lu, congratulations on becoming the head coach of the Celtics." Trail Blazers owner Larry Weinberg smiled, "I have never seen such a young head coach."

Louis said modestly: "It's just good luck."

"Humph, we Celtics don't have guys who are lucky enough to be the head coach." Auerbach was really worried that Louis would be despised because of his age, which would lead to suspicion that he was too old-sighted. "We selected them based on ability and performance."

people."

Weinberg respected Auerbach's reputation in the professional basketball circle. He nodded and said, "You can do it, Reed."

At this year's annual meeting, there were not many things discussed because the labor-management agreement has been finalized.

The most unhappy person is undoubtedly Houston Rockets executive Ray Patterson.

"I think the current lottery system for draft picks needs to be further improved."

"Obviously, a weak team like us doesn't get an extra advantage in the coin toss."

After the Rockets lost Moses Malone, they were last in the league with a record of 14 wins.

Then they lost to Indiana in the coin toss, but everyone knows that this year's No. 1 pick is worthless.

Patterson suddenly complained about this, obviously preparing for the future.

"Luck is also part of the game." Auerbach disagrees with giving weaker teams a higher probability of the No. 1 pick.

Because, that will lead to some teams losing at all costs in order to get the No. 1 pick.

Facts have proved that no matter how the draft lottery is reformed, it cannot prevent some teams from being determined to fail.

As long as the draft exists, failure is inevitable.

For example, the Celtics sucked in the 1990s, and then saw a guy named Tim Duncan enter the draft next year. Will they not suck? Will they stick to it like Auerbach said? No, they

It would be a glorious showdown, with even the home fans cheering because they lost.

"Lu, I heard that you are very concerned about the admissions season of schools in the New York area recently." Auerbach scolded Patterson and asked instead.

Louis did not deny it: "Well, I have a friend from abroad who wants to study in the United States, but her scores don't have any obvious advantage."

"Then you should have a good word with Mr. Weinberg. He is an honorary alumnus of Cornell University." Auerbach pointed the way to Louis.

Weinberg said modestly: "I did take classes there for a while, but I went to California not long after."

"What a pity." Louis thought Weinberg was implying that he no longer had much influence at Cornell University.

Unexpectedly, Weinberg continued: "However, if your friend is interested in New York University, maybe I can help a little. I have a classmate who is working in the review department there. If his grades are up to standard, he may have a chance of being admitted.

There will be an increase.”

"If it is possible, thank you very much, but you have helped me so much, how should I repay you?" Louis never thought that he would have another chance to owe a favor.

"Actually, it doesn't matter. If your friend meets the admission criteria, I'm just saying something for your friend. Whether you are admitted or not depends on NYU's internal assessment." Weinberg is very humble, he is too humble.

.

Louis heard that the Blazers chose the "Glider" this time because Weinberger saw the opponent's gliding dunk at an NCAA game and was happy.

But Weinberg didn't interfere with the Blazers' operations. He just expressed his love for Drexler, and the follow-up work was done by professionals.

There are very few bosses who can restrain their desires and avoid overstepping their control.

Even fewer are willing to fully respect the professionalism of the management and not let their own selfish desires influence the team's operations.

Louis believed that Weinberg's weight was more than just "saying a few words." Therefore, if Lorraine could really be admitted to New York University, it would be another big favor.

How to repay?

After the discussion at the NBA annual meeting, we went to a nearby three-star restaurant for dinner.

Louis rarely comes to places like this.

Auerbach rarely comes except for NBA annual meetings.

Over the years, he has developed a Chinese-style stomach. He likes home-cooked dishes that are heavy in oil and water, likes to eat dumplings dipped in tomato sauce, likes to eat fried noodles without bean sprouts, likes fried clams... He is very interested in it.

Louis was surprised by his research and preferences for Chinese food.

In his opinion, Michelin-certified star restaurants are far less exciting than Chinese food.

"With this meal, I can eat Chinese food for a month." Auerbach muttered, "Fortunately, I don't have to pay for it."

Louis was amazed at the quality of this old guy, and complained a lot about his free lunch.

"Boy, what are your plans next? You don't want to take another vacation, do you?"

"What else can I do?"

"You're the fucking head coach now, don't you need to form your own coaching staff?"

"Well said!" Louis hinted with his hand: Where is the money? Where does the money to build the coaching staff come from? Do I have to pay for it myself? I'm dreaming!

Auerbach could see the former meaning, and although the latter meaning was difficult to describe with gestures, Auerbach knew that Louis would never spend his own money for the coaching staff.

"Damn it, I didn't mention it, let's eat!"

Although Auerbach did not agree to give Louis additional funds to build a coaching staff during the meal, Louis' predecessor had established a costly four-person assistant coaching team.

These four people all have rich coaching experience in college basketball, but their performance in the NBA is literally professional but incompetent.

Therefore, in addition to K.C. Jones, Auerbach gave Louis two more assistant coaching positions.

Louis gave the first spot to Rudy Tomjanovich.

For the second spot, he set his sights on college. He wanted to find an academic coach to grasp the team's defensive details.

However, this choice needs to be made with caution.

He has to prevent himself from repeating Fitch's failure. The academic coaches have too many bad tempers and are difficult to control.

Louis looked around and found the player.

He called Celtics legend Dave Cowens, who had just announced his retirement again.

Last season, Cowens wanted to come back, but Auerbach didn't agree.

Because the two young insiders, Sampson and Laimbeer, are about to inject their own marks into the Celtics, if Cowens comes back, it will affect this process.

It just so happened that Cowens didn't want to play for Fitch, so he proposed a trade.

Trade him to a place where he can play, so as not to delay the young man's advancement.

Trading the team's merits was inconsistent with the tradition of the Celtics. In the end, it was Fitch who made the decision and asked Auerbach to send Cowens to the Bucks in exchange for Quinn Buckner.

The results are known so far, this is a lose-lose deal.

The Celtics set a precedent for trading meritorious services in exchange for an unused player. Cowens played as a substitute for the Bucks for a season, but was injured at the end of the season and did not play in the regular season. He could only wear a suit to watch his teammates.

Help him defeat Fitch's team.

Returning to Celtic was not a difficult decision for Cowens.

Because he has no conflict with the team itself.

Fitch has dismissed get out of class, and he has no reason to refuse to return to the place that made him successful.

Cowens, who had nothing to do, accepted Louis' invitation to serve as the team's assistant coach.

Auerbach was surprised that Louis could recruit Cowens.

This is a decision that makes Auerbach very happy. His philosophy is to build a team based on the parent model.

He will let those players who are in line with the Celtic spirit join the team and let him feel the care of a family. He hopes that every Celtic meritorious service can retire with the team and then continue to work for the team after retirement.

This is a tradition passed down from generation to generation.

As the commercialization of the league is about to usher in a period of rapid progress, the paternalistic management and team building model will encounter many challenges.

Louis took advantage of Auerbach's happiness and asked for another assistant position.

"K.C, Dave, Rudy, aren't these people enough for you?"

"Speak up, what do you mean by satisfying me?" Louis said dissatisfiedly, "Bill has five assistants. Isn't it too much for me to hire four assistants?"

"Who do you want to find next?"

"Pete Maravich."

After hearing this, Auerbach pondered for a few seconds and said, "If you can do it, let's try it."