The rest is just noise

Louis originally thought that after entering the 1990s, he would no longer have to judge the potential of rookies based on his own professional qualities.

However, the 1990 draft posed a problem for him.

Although he can point out at once who is the most accomplished person in this draft (Payton), and can also assert that Coleman is a self-destructive genius, these foresights cannot solve the Knicks' problems.

Who the Knicks will select with the eighth pick in the first round is a question.

It was not until a few days before the end of the draft that Louis came to a conclusion on this issue.

He has set his sights on Lionel Simmons, who as a college player is already the best in the league. Although he takes various personal honors lightly, the NBA is a place that requires more consideration.

No team is betting on him with the top seven picks.

Louis had no hope for Simmons at the time, until he watched the opponent's game video.

Zhao Yuanzheng said that Simmons is the second safest choice in this draft.

For Louis, he is the safest choice in this draft.

The size of 201 centimeters is just right for a small forward.

Judging from the college game, he has skillful movement control skills and is fully qualified to play the position of point forward, which is something Louis likes to see.

At the same time, he has a stable jump shot. Although his long-range shooting ability is almost 0, this is not an era where he cannot survive if he cannot hit long-range shots.

For Louis, it is of course best if he can shoot from a long distance. If he cannot shoot from a long distance, it doesn't matter.

Able to handle the ball, able to hit mid-range shots, a full-sized point forward, good rebounder, and outstanding defensive awareness.

What limits him from challenging to higher levels is his will, his body is not strong enough, and his explosive power and speed are not good enough.

That's why no one picked him.

In Louis' view, explosive power and speed are not critical. You can still practice if you are not physically strong enough. Mental problems may have a big impact, but if Simmons is an absolutely safe choice, he will not fall to the eighth pick.

In the eyes of others, he is not good enough.

But from Louis' point of view, what they need is a comprehensive wing who can hold the ball and serve as a point guard, and Simmons is a perfect fit.

When the Knicks' selection was announced, the crowd cheered loudly.

Because Simmons played for LS in college and plays in the Big Five Invitational Tournament in New York every year, New York fans know him very well.

"L-Train (Simmons' nickname) went to a team that was probably the least suitable for him." Doug Collins expressed pessimism about Simmons' prospects in the Knicks. "He needs a very, very big heart to be able to do it."

Competing with Benjamin Wilson, Reggie Williams, Doug West, Alex Stevens for a spot. But judging from his college record, he is not a strong player.

Players with a desire to compete.”

Simmons has a dark history of being greedy for data at LS University and disappearing at the moment of life and death.

This is also the reason why scouts are not optimistic about him.

After selecting Simmons, Louis began to figure out who would be suitable to use the Heat's first-round pick.

Looking at the people on the roster, he only knew one Dee Brown.

This guy is a point guard with explosive physical fitness. He is famous for winning the dunk contest with a blindfold dunk.

Apart from the blindfolded dunk, Louis had no other impression of him.

Suddenly, Louis heard Doug Collins say: "In addition to local American players, there are several international players from overseas who deserve attention."

"For example, Egyptian center Alaa Abdelnaby, who plays for Duke University."

"And Venezuelan power forward Carl Herrera at the University of Houston."

"Of course, the two Yugoslav players have to be mentioned. Milos Ba and Toni Kukoc definitely have the ability to gain a foothold in the NBA. However, even if they are selected by an NBA team, they will not enter the league in the short term, so

, for teams that want to get them, they must be prepared to make long-term investments.”

Toni Kukoc? Isn’t that Jerry Krause’s big baby?

Louis laughed pervertedly.

"Why are you so happy? You are laughing so disgustingly." Belle snorted.

"Of course I suddenly thought of something happy."

Louis stood up excitedly and moved all the unnecessary things away from his desk.

Zhao Yuanzheng quickly helped get rid of the debris.

They knew Louis' habits. Whenever he got excited, he liked to lie down on his desk.

Louis raised his bohemian feet, picked up the phone, and asked his colleagues: "Does any of you know the phone number of the Bulls general manager's office?"

Hearing this, everyone had a strange expression.

As long as you are in the American professional basketball circle, everyone knows that Louis and Krause are bitter enemies.

However, the two men have fought against each other many times, and Klaus has taken advantage very rarely. Therefore, their fighting history is basically a history of Louis unilaterally crushing each other.

Louis actually took the initiative to ask for the phone number of the Bulls general manager's office. What was he doing?

"I know!" Baylor reported the number.

"Great, Elgin, I knew you'd be useful sooner or later."

Baylor's face was very stiff: "Does this count as having an effect?"

"This is of great use. Do you think any of us still have the contact information of the bread crumbs?"

Almost as soon as the call was dialed, Klaus picked up the phone.

"Hello, who's there?"

"Jerry, it's me"

"Dududu~"

"Hello?" Louis looked at the phone in confusion, "Is this fat guy so incompetent?"

The expressions of Louis' colleagues were very wonderful.

Is it unusual for Klaus to hang up the phone with Louis? No, it's too normal.

Louis made another phone call.

"who?"

"Me, Jerry."

"Dudududu"

Zhao Yuanzheng asked: "Coach, what do you want to say to him?"

"I don't have anything to say, I just want to stimulate him." Louis said frantically.

Bellepi smiled but said: "Obviously, you have achieved your goal."

"But besides stimulating him, I also want to make a deal with him."

Louis' words are simply sensational. He actually wants to make a deal with Klaus? If Klaus knew that he had this idea, let alone answer the phone, the phone line would be unplugged, right?

After five years in New York, Louis managed to achieve the same reputation as Reed Auerbach.

That is, "If Little Lu takes the initiative to call you to seek a deal, please refuse immediately."

Zhao Yuanzheng said tactfully: "I feel that he will not make a deal with us."

"Are you so sure?"

"He didn't even answer the phone."

"Would you like to make a bet?"

"What to bet on?"

"If he answers my call and I make this deal, you two are going to buy me drinks for a whole year."

Louis came up and opened his bloody mouth.

"Don't say one year, ten years will do!" Baylor said seriously.

"Huh, remember what you said."

Louis decided to keep calling Klaus with the spirit of Foolish Old Man moving mountains.

It doesn't matter if Krause doesn't answer the phone, if he can stand having their phone busy throughout the draft.

Finally, after being hung up on for 22 times, Klaus picked up.

"What the hell do you want to do?"

"Jerry, if you had talked to me earlier, why would I have gone to all this trouble? Actually, I called you just to say hello. By the way, what do you think of Toni Kukoc?

?”

Louis could clearly hear Klaus breathing heavily.

"not so good!!!"

"Oh, then I have chosen."

"Wait!" Klaus yelled, "Who leaked the information to you?"

Louis' scalp was numb with excitement, "Jerry, I don't understand what you are talking about. Since you think Kukoc is not good, then I will choose him."

"What exactly do you want to do?"

Louis smiled and said: "Let me ask you one last time, do you want Toni Kukoc?"

At this time, Krause was in a panic. Although the Knicks did not have the draft picks, he knew that Louis had a clear idea of ​​the Bulls' draft strategy.

"What does this have to do with you?" Klaus said with trembling lips.

"You and I don't seem to be friends. No, not only are we not friends, we are also enemies. Do you think I should let your plan fail? If I initiate a trade now and get the pick in the middle of the first round to select Toni Kukoc

What will happen?”

"What do you want?"

"Actually, I really just want to negotiate a deal with you, if you still want Toni Kukoc."

Klaus said angrily: "I will not accept your threat!"

"Jerry, do you have to say it so harshly? Things in business are always consensual, so how can it be a threat?" Louis laughed until he lost control of his expression, like a sadist, "

If you still want Toni Kukoc, make a deal with me."

"What deal? You don't want me to betray the Bulls' interests for this!"

"What you said is so unpleasant. Am I the kind of person who makes trading partners suffer? I just want to exchange the second-round pick in our hands."

"How dare you say that there is a difference of 18 picks between you and me in our second-round picks!"

"So, I will give you an additional $50,000 in cash compensation to make this deal look more reasonable."

Krause originally planned to use the second-round pick to select Kukoc. If a trade was made with the Knicks, the Bulls' second-round pick would be the last pick in the second round, which was too risky.

But if there is no trade, Kraus 100% believes that with Louis's temperament, he will really steal Kukoc in the middle of the first round through trade.

The Knicks have enough resources to make a deal.

"How about it, Jerry? I won't embarrass you too much, right?"

"you swear?"

"If you ask me to swear for something like this, then you don't trust me. I will think you are insulting me. How about we stop talking?"

"Okay! Deal, Little Lou, you better fucking keep your word!"

"I hope your trade fax will be delivered to the league within 30 seconds." Louis immediately hung up the phone and yelled at the stunned Baylor, "What are you doing standing there, work!"

Belle quickly got up and ran while shouting: "Louis, Louis, I have lived for 56 years and I have never seen anyone more wicked than you!"