Conquest The Rise of Will Shore

Chapter 6 When the Extinguished Flame is Rekindled

Looking at Wang Shuo, team owner Qiao slowly typed a question mark on the public screen.

It's not that he asked the question because he didn't know who Gasol was. It's just that if Jordan remembered Gotta correctly, in all the scouting reports he had read, the vast majority of American scouts described Gasol as "a bigger version of Kukoc."

What a joke, how could Michael Jordan not know how good Kukoc was back then?

As an important player in the Bulls' post-three-game winning streak, Kukoc's contribution to the Bulls is unquestionable.

but......

Is Kukoc worthy of a top four pick in the draft?

You know I don’t have that ability!

There is no way around it. The NBA is generally not optimistic about international players right now, otherwise, the Spurs wouldn’t be able to “pick up bargains” every year.

Since international players are not valued, many scouts sent to Europe are more like being "exiled" than being sent to work.

Many of these scouts were sent to Europe because they had bad relationships with their colleagues. Not to mention their professional abilities, with this kind of mentality, how could they possibly make the most correct judgment about a young player?

In addition, in Wang Shuo's previous life, Gasol was selected by the Hawks with the third pick this year not because the Hawks were optimistic about his potential, but because the Hawks got the news through internal channels that the Grizzlies wanted Gasol and wanted to make a big profit from the Grizzlies.

Poor Grizzly.

In the future, when many people evaluate the Grizzlies' trade for Gasol from the Hawks, most of them will think in hindsight that the Grizzlies had good vision and the Hawks management had poor vision.

But in fact, if you go back to 2001, you will find that the Grizzlies, who had not yet moved to Memphis, were the fish on the chopping board in this transaction.

This is a deal the Grizzlies hadn't gottenta make.

Because the Grizzlies, who only joined the league in 1995, have long been fed up with the American masters.

Let's not talk about Mike Bibby who is about to fall out with the team this summer. Let's just talk about Francis, who was selected by the Grizzlies with the second pick last year. At that time, Francis cried and made a fuss, and he almost hanged himself, and he just refused to go to Canada in the snow and ice to play. Wasn't it obvious that he was bullying a new team like the Grizzlies?

Think about it, how aggrieved must the management of a team be when it is forced out by a rookie?

Therefore, when praising the Grizzlies for their good vision, don't forget that in the original historical line, they sent away All-Star power forward Shareef Abdur-Rahim in exchange for Pau Gasol from the Hawks.

Moreover, in order to facilitate Gasol's early entry into the NBA, before the NBA introduced rules limiting the buyout fees for international players, the Grizzlies spent an additional $2.5 million to bring this future Spanish basketball legend away from Barcelona.

Although, Billy Knight, the Grizzlies general manager who facilitated Gasol's landing in the NBA, boasted to everyone afterwards that it was he who brought Gasol to Memphis against all odds...

But, just like when Team Owner Joe was willing to praise Pippen in front of the media in order to coax Pippen, who was playing on a child labor contract, to be his deputy, these words are just for listening.

In short, Wang Shuo was not surprised by the question mark that Team Owner Joe asked at this moment. In fact, in his opinion, if Team Owner Joe did not ask this question mark, he would not be the "Michael Joe with a keen eye" in his memory.

There is no doubt that Pau Gasol absolutely deserves to be in the top three picks in 2001, or even the No. 1 pick.

Moreover, for the current Wizards team, Gasol is far stronger than other rookies of the same class just because he does not need to level up.

In the 00/01 season, Gasol averaged 11.3 points and 5.2 rebounds for Barcelona in an average of 24 minutes per game, and was an important contributor to the team's La Liga championship that season.

For fans who are used to seeing the NBA statistics, such statistics may not be a big deal.

But for fans who are familiar with European basketball leagues, especially the Spanish Basketball League, such data is of great value.

Because another European superstar who was selected by the Hawks in the future and then immediately traded away, Luka Doncic, had data in Real Madrid in the 17/18 season that was roughly the same as Gasol. In an average of about 24 minutes of playing time per game, he was able to score 12.4 points, plus 5.7 rebounds and 4.7 assists.

If Wang Shuo's memory of Gotta is correct, Gasol averaged 17.6 points, 8.9 rebounds and 2.7 assists per game for the Grizzlies in the 01/02 season.

In addition, you may not believe it, but in his rookie season, Gasol, who was criticized by the American media as a "softie" because of his soft playing style, had a 70.7% finishing rate at the basket and averaged 2.1 blocks per game.

So the question is, what were these two statistics of Kevin Garnett, the "iron-blooded tough guy" who could shock everyone with a roar to the sky and shock the whole audience with a beat of his chest and stamp of his feet in the 01/02 season?

The answer is that both are inferior to rookie Gasol's 66.9% and 1.6 blocks.

Of course, defense is not Pau Gasol's strong point.

However, as an inside player who grew up in the European basketball system, Gasol is not only willing to fill in for his teammates on the court, but his attitude towards assisting defense is also quite outstanding.

In the NBA, there are two well-known background boards, one is Tim Duncan and the other is Pau Gasol.

Although many fans often criticize Gasol for being dunked on, these fans have, to some extent, overlooked Gasol's courage and attitude when assisting in defense.

When playing basketball, if no one wants to be dunked on, and anyone who breaks into the paint just wants to reach out and commit a foul, then doesn't basketball become a sport where you have to dodge and play?

Limited by his athletic talent, Gasol is indeed not "tough" enough, but he is definitely a real man, hardworking and has a very high basketball IQ, and can perfectly adapt to the Wizards' tactics in the new season.

"Is he really as good as you said?" Despite Wang Shuo's continuous explanation, Jordan obviously still had doubts about Gasol recommended by Wang Shuo.

After all, compared to him who has been blessed with many honors, Wang Shuo at this moment is just a rookie.

You know, if it wasn't Xiao He who recommended Han Xin to Liu Bang, Liu Bang would not have appointed Han Xin as the general right away.

However, Wang Shuo did not think that he could impress Jordan with just a few words. "Anyway, there is still some time before the draft begins. We can definitely send someone to investigate."

Seeing Wang Shuo's confident look, Jordan was moved. "If he is half as good as you say, I will do everything I can to get him."

You can criticize Wizard Joe for his low emotional intelligence and poor vision, but you absolutely cannot criticize Wizard Joe for his low basketball IQ.

Under Wang Shuo's tactical deduction, Jordan was very clear about how much such tactics required an inside player who could help him clear the opponent's restricted area.

If there is any difference from the wizard Jordan in Wang Shuo's memory, it is probably that the blood in Jordan's chest is ignited by Wang Shuo again at this moment.

In Wang Shuo's previous life, when people evaluated Jordan and the Chicago Bulls, the most important point that people often overlooked was that in a team with players of very different personalities, they not only had a clear division of labor and each performed their duties, but they were also able to unite closely around Jordan.

There is no doubt that as the absolute leader of the Bulls in the last three consecutive years, Jordan made an indelible contribution.

Few people know that behind Rodman, who was 37 years old but still averaged 15 rebounds per game during the Bulls' last dance, were Jordan and Pippen who set an example by repeatedly blocking and blocking.

What are the Chicago Bulls?

Everyone for me, and I for everyone.

Although Michael Jordan's competitive form during the Bulls' post-three-game winning streak was far from his absolute peak, his mentality far surpassed all the stars of his generation.

At this moment, Wang Shuo knew that what he needed to do was not to paint a rosy picture for Jordan.

Instead, it was to reawaken Michael Jordan's hunger for victory and even a championship.

Because only the competitive Michael Jordan is willing to make sacrifices for the team and give his all to the team.

"Do you have any other favorites among this year's rookies?" Jordan asked as he lit a cigar and gradually became more focused.

Wang Shuo spread his hands and said, "There is one, but he is a notorious troublemaker."

Jordan was amused and asked, "Why, are you still worried that you can't handle him?"

Wang Shuo sighed and said, “Not everyone is Michael Jordan, and not everyone’s words carry as much weight as Michael Jordan’s.

At this moment, you are the first person in the league's history who is full of honors.

And me?

Even if I have the best ideas and tactics, I am just a rookie coach."

Looking at Wang Shuo, Jordan suddenly became serious, "Is it difficult to deal with?"

Wang Shuo nodded.

Seeing this, Jordan said seriously, "Then leave him to me. I have seen all kinds of troublemakers. I don't believe he can be more difficult to deal with than Dennis."

You see, this is what the art of speaking is.

At this moment, Wang Shuo was very clear that he had reached a preliminary level of trust with Jordan.

"bite!"

"Congratulations to the host for getting a temporary favorability of +25 from Michael Jordan.

【Idol, did you choose it?】Task 1 has been completed.

Before June 30, 2002, while the host is coaching the Washington Wizards (if not fired), the Washington Wizards will receive gottateam chemistry +1.

"bite!

[When the extinguished flame is rekindled] series of tasks are now open! ”