The rest is just noise

On the way to Virginia, Auerbach and Louis talked about Plan A.

Plan A for the draft was to convince Ralph Sampson to sign up for the draft as a rare freshman.

Then, the Celtics happily took him under their wing, and Boston dominated the game ever since.

Of course this is just a beautiful idea.

Although Sampson is regarded as the most important risk-free lottery ticket after Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, his strength is not as exaggerated as it is boasted.

Auerbach values ​​him and has full confidence in Sampson's development after joining the team.

"Are you so optimistic about him?" Louis couldn't see how Sampson's appearance would please the old-school Auerbach.

Auerbach said profoundly: "He has the athletic ability and instinct to become the second Russell."

It's not that Louis attacked him, there is really no similarity between Sampson and Russell.

Although Louis has never watched Russell's game, people in later generations say that Duncan is the incarnation of Russell in modern basketball. Then, he can definitely compare Duncan with Sampson.

Law, nothing like it.

"If you say that he is like Kareem during the 'Lou Alcindor' period, and he can't use the sky hook, I can still reluctantly agree." Louis said with a smile.

When Louis was looking for a development template for Sampson, he referred to many similar players.

From Bob Lanier, Walter Bellamy, Artis Gilmore... to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

The only one who is similar is Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

Almost the same height, very similar body (tall and thin), unexpectedly not the best in rebounding and rim protection - still very outstanding - it is like the body structure given by God, allowing them to face any defender,

All can form an unsolvable mismatch advantage. The problem is that Kareem Abdul-Jabbar hated basketball. In his words, he had never felt happy in the sport of basketball before 1985.

He just knows that he has the talent to play basketball, is naturally competitive, has a sense of responsibility, and is extremely sensitive and fragile. He hates his job and hates losing at work. In his life, he will be subject to all kinds of strange looks from others, ranging from skin color to small.

As for the princess character who suffers from great hatred, the problem is that during his four years in college, he used the NCAA's rule "forbidding Alcindor from torturing his classmates with dunks". This rule successfully allowed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to convert the sky-high hook from the basketball court under Wooden's persuasion.

The "occasionally used" trick has become his signature.

Sampson is different from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. He obviously likes and enjoys basketball. He is determined to bring changes to basketball. This awareness is different from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's self-destructive tendency of "life is born to be bitter" all day long.

Much better.

The problem is that no one can help him accomplish his goal except the time traveler.

"If your comments about Ralph get out, some people will think we paid an idiot to be a scout."

Auerbach rolled his eyes when he thought of Louie's scouting report.

Although most of the space is dedicated to praising Sampson, those predictions about Sampson's future and comments about his shortcomings are clearly telling Auerbach - don't choose him! Don't choose him! Don't choose him.

he!

"I have never denied his talent." Louis said arrogantly, "I just know better than anyone in the world who is engaged in this sport how difficult it is to cultivate Ralph."

"Does his talent need to be cultivated?"

Auerbach said contemptuously: "I admit that he is too thin now, so if we draft him, I will not let him start as soon as he comes up. He should play as the sixth man for a few years and learn from Larry and the others.

In less than three years, he will make the whole world tremble!"

Louis believes that if Auerbach can convince Sampson to participate in the draft early, the Celtics' team culture will definitely allow Sampson to develop well.

But can he fulfill his talent?

If the head coach had always been Bill Fitch, a lunatic who insisted that players continue to play through injuries when their players were injured, Louis only felt that Sampson's future was bleak⑴.

Auerbach and Louis came to Charlottesville and first met Terry Holland, the head coach of the University of Virginia.

They exchanged pleasantries, and Auerbach asked Holland to take him to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. They wanted to have something to eat before meeting Sampson and his family.

"Terry, do you think Reid can succeed this time?"

Asking Holland about this kind of thing in person is like a tauren praising his wife's tenderness and deliciousness in front of the bitter master.

Holland naturally hopes that Sampson will stay, and he also believes that Sampson will stay.

"Ralph and his family wanted to stay at the university longer, Ralph loved campus life, Charlotteville was close to Harrisonburg (Sampson's hometown) and he valued that connection.

" Holland said.

Louis said happily: "Looking at it this way, Reid has a great chance this time. Although Boston is not that close to Harrisonburg, for NBA teams, no team has a closer geographical advantage than Boston.

.”

"Sooner or later he will play in the NBA..."

"Haha!" Holland could only laugh dryly.

From his laughter, Louis heard the implication of "you know a damn hammer".

According to the agreed time, Auerbach, Louis and Holland came to Sampson's house.

In addition to Sampson's parents, there are several of his brothers and sisters, as well as a law professor at the University of Virginia.

Auerbach understands it when other people are present.

This law professor?

"My name is Jeremy Brett." He announced his name.

This guy has the same name as a British star, but the Brett that Louis knew was a handsome guy with a beautiful face and breathtaking beauty, and this... can't be said to be ugly, I can only say that he looks very asymmetrical.

.

"Mr. Auerbach, Ralph doesn't like others talking in circles, so just tell him if you have anything to say." Brett quickly revealed his identity.

He is here to prevent Auerbach from succeeding.

Not even giving him a chance to talk, which really made Auerbach feel troubled.

Although small talk can't explain anything, being able to joke and tell your own stories before getting down to business can help bring Auerbach and the Sampson family closer together, but Brett took away this opportunity.

He made Auerbach look a bit like he just wanted to finish business and leave.

Louis looked at Sampson carefully. He had thick eyebrows, big eyes, broad shoulders and long arms. He looked like a refugee because he didn't have much flesh on his body. However, he actually gained dozens of pounds in one year at the University of Virginia.

Sampson noticed Louis's gaze.

Louis raised his eyebrows deliberately, making Sampson almost laugh.

"Okay, then I'll get straight to the point." Auerbach faced Sampson's parents, "Mr. Sampson, Mrs. Sampson, Ralph is a once-in-a-decade genius. Even if you search all over the NBA, there is no one."

The second player has his talent."

Brett smiled and said: "Everyone knows this kind of thing."

Auerbach glanced at this ugly guy unhappily and continued: "Although Ralph's body is not fully adapted to professional basketball, please believe that I will prepare a long-term training plan for him. The Celtics have always had

Building on a tradition of great centers, Ralph has a chance to be the best of all time. And..."

"And what, are you going to let Ralph go to Boston to substitute for Dave Cowens?" Brett directly interrupted Auerbach this time, "Mr. Sampson, I think Ralph's

His potential can be developed in both the NBA and NCAA. The impetuous life in the NBA may also affect his future, but at UVa, he can not only improve his skills and strengthen his body, but more importantly, he can get four years of high-quality college education.

, and stay with your family.”

Auerbach really wanted to stuff this ugly guy's mouth with a cigar.

As long as he was around, it would be impossible for him to fully express what he had prepared.

Louis could see that Auerbach was already unhappy, but he couldn't get angry. Brett was obviously a well-respected local man, otherwise the Sampson family would not have invited him to attend.

"You said life in the NBA is impetuous. I don't deny it, but it does not include Boston." Auerbach said proudly, "The Celtics are the most simple team in the league. You should know this and stay at UVa.

Of course, you can continue to improve, but how much? If Ralph is unfortunately injured, his prospects will be harmed; if he is involved in a car accident, he is likely to lose his future; joining Celtic now..."

"Are you cursing Ralph, Mr. Auerbach?"

Brett almost brought out Auerbach's thunderous wrath this time.

"Mr. Brett, please forgive me." If Auerbach fell out with this ugly guy here, things would go wrong, so Louis interrupted Auerbach's "casting". "Since you are a law professor at UVa,

Does anyone know more about basketball than Reid? He is the best coach in NBA history and has trained countless Hall of Fame players. As long as it is related to basketball, no matter you are a professor or the smartest person in the world

, no one has more say than him."

"And you have been rudely interrupting Reid's speech since just now. I really want to know what your purpose is sitting here."

At this time, Holland made peace: "Okay, don't be angry. This is a matter for Ralph and his family. The final decision lies with them. Mr. Brett is a big shot in Harrisonburg."

, so Mr. Sampson will ask him to come here to observe and give advice."

Louis refused to give in: "But I didn't hear the suggestion."

Louis didn't even look at the ugly guy, he was afraid he would have nightmares when he went back at night.

"What I heard was that a college professor who knew little about basketball but had no training was influencing the judgment of Ralph and his family time and time again." Although Louis' voice was not loud, it was enough to fill the entire room. "

Mr. Brett, if you are observing, please remain quiet. If you want to give opinions, please also carefully examine whether your professional knowledge is enough to speak in front of Coaches Reid and Holland."

Brett's expression remained unchanged, "Who are you?"

"I am Reid's entourage. Strictly speaking, I am the assistant coach of the Celtics." Louis smiled, beaming, "Strictly speaking, I am a spectator just like you."

⑴After Fitch left the Celtics, he went to coach the Rockets. For two consecutive years, he was defeated by Sampson + Big Dream. In 1986, he creatively used the twin towers to crush the Lakers, but was defeated by Bird in the finals.

Then Sampson was seriously injured in 1987, and he never recovered. Fitch encouraging players to play through injuries is not just a reason for players to hate him, it is true.