Chapter 500: A Twist of Fate at the Draft

The Giannis Antetokounmpo team obviously doesn't understand this principle.

When the Fan-x Brand Europe regional manager told them that Fan Xi was interested in Giannis, the whole team erupted.

So, when they went to Miami for the tryout, they seemed distracted, yet showed a kind of determination.

For Giannis' team, the Miami Heat didn't truly need a player like him, and they weren't starting their careers surrounded by so many superstars.

To succeed, a rookie needs a favorable environment; mid-to-low-tier teams with more opportunities are good. As everyone knows, strong teams don't develop rookies.

But the Los Angeles Clippers are an exception.

ESPN recently criticized the Los Angeles Clippers' team-building approach with a mocking tone: the Clippers' team-building culture is stingy, inherited from Sterling. They always hope to build the team with rookies and veterans chasing a championship. This is not a long-term strategy for building a strong team; it's short-sighted opportunism.

Of course, these voices are pale and powerless before the back-to-back championships.

Other team owners felt the article read like sarcasm: they win championships with veterans and rookies, so what are we spending all this money for?

Looking at all these teams in the league, who wouldn't envy the Clippers?

The real stir created by Giannis Antetokounmpo was his encounter with Fan Xi at the hotel.

At that time, Fan Xi was "following" Jennifer's family, trying to get into their floor, and then he happened to see Troy.

The information James Dolan gave was completely correct, which made Fan Xi trust him at a higher level.

But Fan Xi only saw Jennifer from afar, and she was holding a child.

Fan Xi saw it, and the reporters saw it too.

When Fan Xi was about to follow up at the hotel, reporters suddenly ran out, trying to get some information from him. After all, there were still indications that Fan Xi might be the father of Jennifer's child, and now they appeared together.

It inevitably leads to speculation.

Just as Fan Xi was about to give up and admit it, using public opinion to force Jennifer to come forward.

Giannis Antetokounmpo came out with his brothers, two tall, sturdy Black men, who used their wide wingspans to block Fan Xi and shouted: "Jake, I'll hold these people off—you get out of here!"

Giannis is a simple kid.

He indeed helped Fan Xi solve a worry, but at the same time gave Fan Xi a new worry: the outside world thinks Fan Xi is privately scouting Giannis and thinks very highly of him.

This is the effect Giannis' team hopes to create.

Their ambiguous explanation for why they and Fan Xi are here.

The suspicion between Fan Xi and Jennifer was cleared up, because Jennifer wasn't staying at that hotel.

But Fan Xi and Giannis couldn't clear things up even if they jumped into the Yellow River.

Basketball media all reported on Giannis; his traffic instantly surged, overnight surpassing the top draft prospect Bennett.

Although Bennett's hype is high, if Giannis is being eyed by Fan Xi, then... why not give it a try?

Jake has a tradition of picking small forwards; Leonard and Butler are both discoveries of his.

Through digging into Giannis, people increasingly feel he's a rare gem, even though his skills are rough and many things are poor. But he hasn't had much systematic training, and his physique is too tempting.

What if he actually could develop it?

Maybe he's the next James?

Otherwise, why would Jieke Fan accompany him to the Miami tryout?

This news left Fan Xi speechless; he returned to New York, and James Dolan asked him: "Is that Giannis really that strong?"

Fan Xi helplessly said: "You still don't know what I'm going there for?"

James Dolan quickly nodded. He said: "Then let's fool the Cleveland people into using the top pick on that guy—after all, they've always wanted to pick a LeBron James replacement. Coincidentally, isn't this person being hyped as having LeBron James' physical talent?"

Fan Xi thought of this, shook his head, and said somewhat bitterly: "Actually, I really do want to sign this Greek, but with the fifteenth pick."

"His own draft stock is in the middle of the first round. But now, I feel he has a good chance to get into the top five."

Fan Xi wryly said: "I never imagined that meeting him once would produce such a big effect."

James Dolan said: "Who let you develop so many low-round rookies, even making the busts shine again?"

Fan Xi shook his head, decided to drop the topic, and then said: "Keep a close eye on Jennifer for me; she seems to have sensed something this time. She didn't even return to the original hotel, and I feel my chances of seeing her are dwindling."

James Dolan patted Fan Xi's shoulder: "Brother, believe in your charm. As long as you join New York, I'll get her to perform at Madison Square Garden, no matter the cost!"

James Dolan is open-hearted.

The virtue of a spendthrift is daring to spend money, especially to spend on one's good brothers.

Fan Xi is his good brother.

Although they've only known each other a short while.

…

June 27, the draft convention officially began at Barclays Center.

This is the first time in NBA history that the draft has been opened to the public; people only need to spend $20 to $35 to buy tickets and enter.

But after the finals ended, ticket prices were driven up by scalpers.

Because this year's draft, besides selecting this year's rookies, also includes an Eastern Conference team lottery to pick Jieke Fan, placed at the final stage.

And Fan Xi also needs to be present at the arena in person.

As a 2010 undrafted player, Fan Xi will definitely not be undrafted this time.

New York fans also show extreme longing for Fan Xi; whether Nets fans or Knicks fans, they all want Fan Xi to join their team.

Although New York media have long been the vanguard of disparaging Fan Xi, after the finals ended they had a chance to acquire him, so their criticism of Fan Xi became cautious, while their praise was unreserved. For example, they firmly endorsed Kenny Smith's theory: Fan Xi is now the league's sole ruler, LeBron James can no longer lead Fan Xi, nor even tie with him.

The Clippers have a draft war room at Barclays Center; they might make trades tonight or pick some important players. The draft changes in an instant—no one knows what the final outcome will be.

For example, the Cavaliers' war room right now.

They were quite torn; three days earlier they had decided to take Bennett, because he clearly showed superior talent.

But after Fan Xi and Giannis met in Miami, they changed their minds, ignoring the team's need for an interior player and instead seeking a second LeBron James.

Their owner Gilbert personally sat there, thinking.

After LeBron James left, he kept looking for a replacement, but Cleveland is too remote; they could hardly attract a superstar, so they could only pick from rookies.

Fortunately, their luck was good, and they consecutively obtained two number-one picks; the year before last they selected Kyrie Irving, Irving was outstanding and had already become the team's cornerstone; now the team hopes to pair him with an interior helper.

But, if Giannis truly can become a forward of Butler, Leonard caliber, his pairing with Irving would be more harmonious.

Gilbert was very troubled.

Even after the draft began, he still hadn't made a decision, and his management team kept urging him.

Some people still insisted on choosing Bennett, because the interior is a must.

Some people then believed the team had experience cultivating James, and could completely replicate a new James. Giannis has James-like physical condition; since Jieke Fan is optimistic about him, why don't we take a gamble? Jieke Fan is the one who defeated James.

Two voices clashed in Gilbert's mind, and he could not calm down for a long time.

Until league staff came over to inquire about their selection result.

Just as Gilbert was about to say Giannis's name out loud, God played a joke on him. He received a text message, sent by Le Bu Lang Zhang Si's agent.

The agent said in an arrogant tone: If Le Bu Lang Zhang Si wins a championship in Miami, his next focus will be to return to Cleveland to help his hometown lift the championship trophy.

Although Gilbert's relationship with James had already broken down, he even wrote an open letter in a cursing manner.

But, when he received this text, his heart turned back like a simp.

He said: "Bennett, we choose Bennett!"

Since James is willing to come back, why would I go to great lengths to choose another substitute?

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si will not be happy.

Gilbert thought this in his heart.

Then, Adam Silver walked onto the stage and announced Cleveland's selection.

After this selection appeared, there was no disturbance in the audience, because for a long time the media had cultivated the atmosphere that this year's number-one pick would undoubtedly be Bennett.

Fan Xi sat in the room looking at the screen; he found it strange, he thought Cleveland was the team most motivated to pick Giannis, because they had been in the 'James abandonment syndrome' all along, and Giannis had shown that potential, so what reason did they have to miss him?

Fan Xi couldn't figure it out.

The Orlando Magic quickly made their firm selection: Victor Oladipo from Indiana University, without any hesitation, simply and decisively. Oladipo had always been their most firm option.

Then came the holder of the third pick, the Washington Wizards; the Wizards are now John Wall's domain.

They selected young Otto Porter from the prestigious Qiao Zhi Cheng University.

Young Otto Porter is a very tough player; he was on the NCAA All-America First Team and also the winner of the John Wooden Award.

He was once considered the best swingman of this draft.

Then the problem was thrown to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi began to hesitate, began to agonize.

Although the outside world kept spreading that he would pick Giannis, in reality the person he most wants to pick now is McCollum.

Because McCollum can provide immediate impact, and he complements Rubio too well, and he can also assist Leonard; he is an elite attacker who doesn't dominate the ball much.

But, it's probably just media hype.

Fan Xi watched Giannis's video again last night, and on MTV he saw the footage of Giannis helping himself block reporters; Giannis's lateral move, and the quick spin to block reporters, made Fan Xi feel very spirited.

He realized this guy might actually be able to achieve something big.

Most importantly, the Clippers' development system is quite mature, with experience cultivating Butler and Leonard; adding another one seems not impossible.

So, after repeated urging from the staff, Fan Xi made a bold choice.

Giannis Antetokounmpo.

Adam Silver announced Charlotte's pick on stage, then the NBA announced the trade. Jimmy Butler was sent to Charlotte, Kuaisuan received $1 million in cash, Giannis Antetokounmpo, and Simpara.

When this trade happened, the venue erupted in an uproar.

Nobody expected it.

Extremely shocking.

Jimmy Butler was already a visible superstar rookie; he was just one step away from becoming a superstar. But at this time, he was traded, and what he was exchanged for was precisely the Greek monster Giannis that Fan Xi had met in Miami.

Heavens!

Does Jieke Fan really think highly of this guy?

Does he really think this guy can become the next Le Bu Lang Zhang Si? For this he even would be willing to send out Jimmy Butler?

Jimmy Butler, however, is a super sixth man averaging 13.3 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 2.4 assists in the Finals; many even think Kuaisuan's other superstar rookie Leonard is even stronger.

But now…

This is like dropping a thunderbolt at the draft.

As a result, the subsequent drafts became 'bland and uninteresting'.

After Fan Xi secured Giannis Antetokunbo, he quickly communicated with the fifth‑pick‑holding Suns, but the Suns rejected Fan Xi's request to trade up. Subsequently the Pelicans, Pistons, and Timberwolves all rejected Fan Xi's quickly established trade channel.

They had no interest in Fan Xi's piecemeal trade proposal, but they were very curious about whom Fan Xi had set his sights on, so eager to trade.

Since Fan Xi cultivated a batch of newcomers, his draft vision has received extremely professional affirmation.

But Fan Xi would never tell them.

Fan Xi's trade applications have constantly been rejected, because he has no better chips.

So, he watched helplessly as the Portland Trail Blazers used the tenth pick to select CJ McCollum, this pick originally belonging to the Kings.

When CJ McCollum was selected, Fan Xi considered calling the Blazers, but after thinking, the meat at his lips definitely wouldn't be spit out, and moreover, if he called now, they'd be even less likely to trade.

Soon, it came to the fifteenth pick.

Fan Xi will face a new choice again.

…