Chapter 610: When did he discover my talent?

Fan Xi was still on the phone with Ku Pu Qie Ke when he entered the draft venue at Madison Square Garden.

Ku Pu Qie Ke expressed his concern to Fan Xi: "We really lack a big man right now, but I don't think using a valuable first-round pick on that Serbian big man is a smart choice. True, he's Mili Xiqi's younger brother, which helps his case. But... there's too much uncertainty about him, and not every European player can adapt to the NBA; Mili Xiqi is an example."

"Moreover, even if we draft him, he might not be able to come to the NBA right away, and we still need to resolve his original club issue."

"Besides, his physique and athletic ability are systemic challenges..."

Ku Pu Qie Ke tried to convince Fan Xi using his basketball knowledge and experience.

But Fan Xi was somewhat unmoved.

He was already quite certain about who his top target was: that Serbian big man.

Although this guy's draft stock is poor, Fan Xi's keen eye spotted some outstanding qualities in him.

Fan Xi's draft eye has always been good, and he has never missed before.

But Ku Pu Qie Ke still felt this was a gamble. 2014 was a deep draft class; you can't pick a glass ball out of a pile of diamonds.

Fan Xi, however, stuck to his view; even if Ku Pu Qie Ke proposed trading up using Little Jordan and two first-round Signing Slots, he believed there was a good chance to get the third pick from the 76ers.

That would give the maximum certainty: Embiid.

Embiid may be an arrogant person and has made many disrespectful remarks toward Fan Xi, but Ku Pu Qie Ke believes basketball is basketball, talent is talent. If the Clippers have a chance to acquire him, he would completely change his mind.

He also advised Fan Xi not to quarrel with such a child.

He thought Fan Xi refused to trade with the 76ers because he disliked Embiid's offense.

The fact is, Fan Xi already had a plan.

Moreover, Fan Xi did not intend to formally trade Little Jordan at the draft; he thought this year's draft didn't have that many diamonds.

This is the disagreement between Fan Xi and Ku Pu Qie Ke.

Ku Pu Qie Ke has to listen to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi is the boss.

He is merely a salaried worker.

When Fan Xi hung up the phone, Ku Pu Qie Ke felt low for a long time, but he soon calmed down. This is his job: his job is to assist the boss, not to make decisions in place of the boss.

Fan Xi walked into Madison Square Garden; in the corridor he received a warm welcome, and staff greeted him enthusiastically.

And when he came to the area behind the stage, many rookies invited from the green room who had come to the event proactively went up to greet Fan Xi; Fan Xi was also happy to shake hands with each of them and welcome them into the NBA family.

Fan Xi saying such official words felt completely natural.

Because in these rookies' hearts, Fan Xi had long been the NBA's highest representative.

Many people wanted to become Fan Xi. Or, holding back their strength inside, they wanted to defeat Fan Xi.

Wiggins deliberately ran over, wanting Fan Xi to sign his undershirt, and he excitedly said this would be the most important memory of his draft this year.

He showed a pure, innocent smile.

Fan Xi rarely sees such a pure smile, laughing so happily, and also laughing with such a big mouth.

Fan Xi signed his name for him, and specially wrote: "Future superstar, Wiggins!"

This label made Wiggins jump up and down excitedly; he was simply thrilled.

This guy is a Black person from a wealthy background, and he's still quite different from Black people from a lowly background.

He isn't the type with strong ambition, despite having exceptional talent. Black people from a lowly background would strive due to shame and poverty, but Wiggins isn't particularly concerned about that. However, he also needs affirmation. Fan Xi's affirmation is a shot of adrenaline for him.

Fan Xi kept saying he was a future superstar; his heart filled with certainty, and he gained a natural sense of superiority. This sense of superiority will help him in the future, and it will spur him to become tough in crucial moments.

Unknowingly, Fan Xi did a good deed.

It even changed Wiggins' entire career.

Fan Xi greeted the players in a round, then went to greet the general managers of each team, after which Fan Xi entered the draft war room.

This year, the Clippers' two most important draft picks are the 8th and 17th selections.

Fan Xi had actually already set his sights; he is not someone who likes to hesitate.

The draft began soon.

It was a familiar rhythm.

The difference is that the host of the draft changed from David Stern to Adam Silver, and Adam Silver had completely taken over everything in the NBA this past season.

He brought some reforms; some people praised him, some criticized him.

But this doesn't change the fact that he is already the top executive of this huge commercial league.

He quickly announced the Cleveland Cavaliers' selection; the Cavaliers had obtained three number-one picks in the past four years. This is probably some kind of dynamic balance: after losing Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, God gave them compensation.

The 2011 number-one pick Kyrie Irving already had the look of a star; the 2013 number-one pick Bennett, although showing signs of being a bust, everyone still thought he had untapped potential, and at worst he should be able to become a decent rotation player, his physical abilities are there.

Now they have selected again a combination of Le Bu Lang Zhang Si and Kevin Durant.

Cleveland was very excited; they had already forgotten Le Bu Lang Zhang Si.

They even felt some sympathy for Le Bu Lang Zhang Si, because Le Bu Lang Zhang Si abandoned his hometown, failed to succeed in Miami, and instead became a tragic figure.

After the hometown's extreme anger subsided, they began to forgive this rebellious child; they sometimes defended James on the internet. Such public opinion was unimaginable in the summer of 2010.

This feeling is probably like when you break up with a long-term lover; obviously at the breakup she was at fault, but years later, hearing she's doing poorly, you still feel regret for her.

This summer, there were rumors that Le Bu Lang Zhang Si might return to Cleveland.

In fact, ever since losing the Eastern Conference Finals to the Knicks, such rumors have existed.

Because Le Bu Lang Zhang Si and the Heat had signed a six-year contract, but the last two years were player options. James could choose to become a free agent and go to any team.

This is the backdoor James left for himself back then.

If he won a championship in Miami, he could return to his hometown as a victor, help his hometown regain the title. Then people would forget what he did in the summer of 2010, and the championship trophy could erase all scars.

But now, the backdoor he left has become his retreat.

People once expected him to return to the Cavaliers, lead the three number-one picks forward, and his future would be brighter than Miami's.

But James announced and executed his 2014-2015 season contract before the draft. However, at the same time his agent team also announced they would not negotiate an early extension with the Miami Heat.

This meaning is very obvious.

James displayed a do-or-die spirit, betting everything on the next season.

If it still doesn't work, he will leave Miami.

This means his decision in 2010 was completely wrong, and it also announced the total bankruptcy of Miami's superstar strategy.

Wiggins excitedly accepted an interview on TV, he was full of confidence about his Cleveland journey. At the same time, he proudly showed the signature Fan Xi gave him in front of reporters.

When people saw: To the future superstar, Wiggins.

Everyone now had greater expectations for Wiggins.

After all, this is a future superstar personally certified by Fan Xi.

Fan Xi's draft vision is exceptionally precise.

"This is the greatest affirmation I've received tonight. I will cherish it!" Wiggins said excitedly.

When he finished the interview, Cha Te Fu De, sitting in the espn live broadcast room, complained: "This kid Wiggins obviously doesn't know the relationship between Le Bu Lang Zhang Si and Jieke Fan, yet he's making a big show of flaunting his closeness with Jieke Fan. Isn't he worried that once Le Bu Lang Zhang Si returns to Cleveland, he'll be the first to get cut?"

Bill Simmons sitting beside him said: "Actually, you don't need to worry about this. Even if Wiggins and Jieke Fan have no close relationship, if Le Bu Lang Zhang Si returns to the Cavaliers, he will also demand the team trade Wiggins, because they play the same position."

"Then, you say, what if Wiggins shows astonishing talent in his first season. Will the Cavaliers then refuse James's return?"

Cha Te Fu De threw out a shocking topic.

This... this is really unexpected.

Normal people wouldn't think Wiggins could reach James's achievements.

Anyone would choose James over Wiggins, but nothing is absolute, what if?

While they were joking, the Milwaukee Bucks with the second pick selected Jabari Parker from Duke University.

Jabari Parker is a forward produced by Duke, he has a perfect high school record, his high school record can be mentioned alongside monsters like Oden, James, and Mayo, and in his one season at Duke he also performed extremely impressively.

If it weren't for Wiggins's terrifying talent, he would very likely have been the number one pick.

The Milwaukee Bucks selected him, hoping he could soar like his senior, Grant Hill of years past, leading Milwaukee out of the mire.

Parker has Duke's humble character; in his interview he said some very official words.

Overall, he is not someone who leaves a deep impression.

Then, the Philadelphia 76ers, without hesitation at the third pick, selected Embiid.

Embiid is considered the best interior player of the 2014 draft, he possesses undisputed talent. In fact, having been born in Cameroon, he received only four years of formal basketball training, yet he demonstrated a superb understanding of basketball.

He and Wiggins are college alumni, but he got injured during the playoffs.

Despite his significant injury concerns, his talent is too tempting, and the 76ers selected him without hesitation.

When he walked over to the reporters for the interview, he unbuttoned his suit jacket, revealing the white shirt underneath, which read: "Reclaim the glory belonging to the center."

"This is my purpose in coming to the NBA. I want to let the center dominate the game again." Embiid said proudly.

Then the reporter asked him, how to achieve your goal.

"The first thing is to defeat Jieke Fan!" Embiid has a very clear mind.

This received unanimous praise from espn.

It is obvious that espn likes players who dare to challenge Fan Xi.

Because they are a media outlet opposed to Jieke Fan.

Fan Xi sat in front of the TV, watching this guy's interview, and he felt somewhat ridiculous.

In Fan Xi's view, Embiid doesn't count as much of a center; his defensive ability in college was decent, but his offensive style isn't very tough even in NCAA. He is a smart player, possessing a soft touch and footwork.

But this intelligence will harm him.

Fan Xi believes he could become a superstar, with a chance to be a cornerstone player. But his ceiling at most equals James Harden.

He can reach top-tier, but cannot enter the dominant club.

However, throughout the league's history, how many people have actually been able to enter the dominant club?

The following draft was ordinary and unremarkable.

Aaron Gordon, Enes Kanter, Marcus Smart, and Randle were selected by the Magic, Jazz, Celtics, and Lakers respectively.

The Randle selected by the Lakers was actually also appreciated by Fan Xi.

He had originally been hesitating, wondering whether to pick him if Randle fell to the eighth pick.

Now the Lakers helped him resolve this issue.

The forward Randle from the basketball powerhouse Kentucky entered the Lakers' camp, allowing Fan Xi to focus on making his decision.

Adam Silver quickly came onto the stage holding an envelope.

When he opened it, he looked very surprised.

Then he said: "The player selected with the eighth pick from the Los Angeles Kuaisuan is... a center from Serbia, Nikola Jokić."

When the Kuaisuan's selection came out.

The scene erupted in an uproar.

The espn camera panned over the faces of several Green Room members in the front rows, they all looked very surprised.

Because Nikola Jokić was a completely unknown name to them; in many past draft rankings, this person had never entered the first round, let alone the lottery area to compete with them, reading book.

But now, the Kuaisuan have taken him.

Jieke Fan has always been renowned for his precise draft vision; last season, despite opposition, he selected Giannis Antetokounmpo, even trading away Butler to do so. Last season, Giannis used data to prove he truly deserved that pick and also had great potential.

But who is this guy?

A chubby white center?

A fellow countryman of Mili Xiqi?

He doesn't have the stunning feel and athletic talent that Mili Xiqi had back then.

So what exactly did Jieke Fan see in him?

The two ESPN draft experts looked at each other, they thought Fan Xi had made a foolish decision, but they didn't dare say it out loud, what if they got slapped in the face?

So, they felt very uncomfortable holding it in.

Meanwhile, Jokić, far away in Serbia, was also very puzzled; he never dreamed he would be selected eighth overall. He originally thought he would be picked in the second round, and indeed all the draft projections had said so.

But now… I'm going to the Kuaisuan.

I'll be teammates with my Serbian big brother Mili Xiqi.

I'll be teammates with the best basketball player in the world.

Moreover, this is very likely a decision he made himself.

So, when did he discover my talent?

…