Chapter 611: Coach, he really wants to play basketball

Fan Xi had watched ten highlight videos of Nikola Jokic, including two full games. He had a very good impression of Jokic; he was a perfect pick-and-roll player.

He possesses the ability to score from all directions, his pick-and-roll awareness is extremely strong, and after the pick-and-roll he can become a very, very, very good passer.

Fan Xi did not expect Jokic to become a superstar who would dominate everywhere.

He simply thought Jokic would be a perfect fit for the Clippers, a perfect fit for himself. Moreover, the Clippers had already decided to keep Milicic and trade away little Jordan; keeping the two Serbians would be a foolproof option.

Moreover, Fan Xi liked some flashes of brilliance from Jokic in games; he thought this fat guy would bring some surprises. Reading books?

The Clippers selected Jokic with the eighth pick, making him a burst point of this year's draft night.

However, the two famous draft commentators did not dare to criticize; the live-reporting media could only use words like unexpected, shocking, dark horse, etc., to describe it.

At this moment, Fan Xi had already gotten through on Jokic's phone.

He told Jokic: "Nikola, we need you. Hurry up and bring your luggage and family to Los Angeles; Milicic will give you lots of advice, and you can stay in touch with him."

Fan Xi and Jokic talked on the phone, with an interpreter between them.

This made Jokic extremely, extremely surprised.

He originally planned to stay in Europe, thinking the American NBA wasn't attractive enough for him. Moreover, in his early talks with the club he also said that if he were picked in the second round he would stay with the club; if in the first round, he would go to the NBA to make his way.

Now, the world's most dominant basketball superstar used a lottery pick to select him, and even personally called him right away.

This guy was delighted beyond measure.

He had never seen someone as big as Fan Xi before; he had only seen Fan Xi's imposing image on TV, including Fan Xi's dominant performance at the London Olympics where he gave Serbia a thorough beating.

Milicic is a basketball hero of Serbia, although for many years in between he was regarded as a bust and a joke. But his hometown has always been relatively supportive of him. Especially these two seasons, after he went to Fan Xi's side and broke out, he has received all-around praise.

Serbia is a renowned basketball powerhouse in Europe; actually, before they split, they were the only team in the world capable of starting from a position of strength and matching up against the Dream Team.

Jokic kept repeating on the other end of the phone, "I will hurry to Los Angeles; I can't wait."

Fan Xi told him to relax and get a good sleep.

After hanging up, Fan Xi returned his focus to the draft, closely monitoring the upcoming picks.

To be honest, Fan Xi did not think the 2014 draft class was some diamond generation.

He thought it was just average, an ordinary big draft year, still not comparable to 03, 96, or 84.

The upcoming draft list also had nothing that would particularly surprise Fan Xi.

When it came to the Clippers' turn to pick, Fan Xi without hesitation selected Capela with the 17th pick.

Another interior player.

Another European player. Although Capela is black, he is Swiss and currently plays in the French league.

Capela's draft projection was in the latter half of the first round; the Clippers picking him with the 17th pick was quite reasonable.

Capela's scouting report was not very good; his best draft comparison is Johnson, someone who isn't notable in the NBA.

The scouting report shows Capela lacks defensive fundamentals; on offense he is only good at finishing alley-oops, although his athleticism is decent and his consecutive leaping ability is strong. However, the media generally does not think he can become a star-level player.

But Fan Xi selecting him at this pick made him instantly become a standout star of tonight.

He put on the Clippers' cap and walked onto the stage; the New York fans in the arena gave him a huge shout.

This was Fan Xi's choice.

They all believed in Fan Xi's choice.

This made Capela very excited; he smiled and waved all around.

Then he stepped down from the stage to accept media interviews.

Fan Xi sat in the draft war room, watching Capela's interview.

Capela is a passionate player; he told the media he was ready. I know my shortcomings, I will quickly make up for them. I will prove that Jieke Fan's draft vision remains sharp. Thanks to Jieke, thanks to the Clippers.

Fan Xi liked his character: humble, grateful, and eager to improve.

Fan Xi then left the war room. For the next two picks, he let the staff act freely.

He did not think he could pick his desired players later on.

Although he had his own unique draft logic, these experiences helped him dig out talented players that others overlooked.

Fan Xi's way of evaluating player potential differs from that of scouts.

From the current results, Fan Xi's approach is clearly somewhat superior.

…

After finishing the draft work, Fan Xi said goodbye to New York and returned to Los Angeles.

He met little Jordan; little Jordan appeared very unhappy, thinking the team had abandoned him. He called Fan Xi many times, emphasizing his value and saying he did not want to go to any team.

But Fan Xi told him: "We can't give you that much money, and it's not because you don't deserve it. I think you should go to Dallas, where you would form a perfect combination with Nowitzki and Griffin, and besides, Dallas is your hometown."

Fan Xi faced little Jordan very sincerely.

But little Jordan dug himself into a dead end. He even said things that made Fan Xi frown, saying Fan Xi was killing the donkey after unloading the mill, and that Fan Xi, after using him to win two championships, just wanted to replace him with newcomers.

He also cursed that the Capela and Jokic selected by Fan Xi would never be able to replace his position.

His emotions spiraled out of control.

He shouted loudly in the restaurant.

Then he flicked his sleeves and left.

Some reporters captured these scenes.

And they were made public in the media.

In the evening, Fan Xi received little Jordan's apology statement.

Lu Yuan said… little Jordan did this because he didn't want to become a trouble, which would affect his new contract negotiations.

Fan Xi replied: It doesn't matter anymore.

Whether his apology was sincere and he realized he shouldn't have vented such emotions, or he thought media exposure would damage his reputation and thus shrink his renewal contract,

This doesn't matter either.

Fan Xi decided to part ways with Little Jordan. Read books

Little Jordan's expiring contract in the final year was sent to Dallas, only to receive Villanueva's expiring contract from Dallas, along with two draft picks—one first-round pick in 2017 and one second-round pick in 2015—plus a 1 million USD trade exception.

After this trade was exposed, many teams claimed it was a dirty insider deal.

Fan Xi used Little Jordan, an All-Star-level center, to exchange for a pile of air.

This was repaying the Dallas Mavericks for loaning the Clippers two years of Nowitzki's usage rights.

They all believed there was a secret under-the-table agreement between the Clippers and the Mavericks.

Because, from any perspective, Little Jordan could have fetched more valuable chips. It absolutely should not have been a power forward who only chucked threes from beyond the arc and whose competitive level had greatly declined, plus two draft picks and a 1 million trade exception.

Ku Pu Qie Ke came out with an emergency statement the day after the trade.

"We had a wonderful journey with DeAndre, and we are very grateful for his outstanding contributions over these past years. So, when it became clear we could not offer him a max contract, we had to make the trade that was most beneficial for him. Even though it wasn't the most beneficial for us."

Ku Pu Qie Ke was very sincere.

"Dallas is DeAndre's hometown, and he had wonderful experiences working with both Nowitzki and Griffin. We wish him a bright future. That is the reason this trade was made."

Ku Pu Qie Ke's explanation might not necessarily satisfy those teams.

Because they always felt they didn't profit from this trade.

But to the vast number of NBA players, and potential NBA players, the Clippers' trade undoubtedly won their hearts.

This team was too full of human warmth.

They elevated players and never suppressed them. Every player who left the Clippers received a high salary. Including Kuameibulang, Steve Nash, Hamilton, Jimmy Butler... and so on.

Who wouldn't want to play for a team like this?

You could quickly make a name for yourself and quickly earn money.

…

Fan Xi returned to Los Angeles, shot a few commercials, and every night went to a different pregnant woman's home for prenatal education activities.

Fan Xi would stay in Los Angeles for about 10 days, then head to Asia for work.

Although the company had a European itinerary, Fan Xi turned it all down.

Fan Xi said he wanted to prioritize family.

His agent complained: I don't know which family you're talking about?

Lu Yuan was an excellent agent. He had accumulated enough brilliance by Fan Xi's side, and he built a wealth empire for Fan Xi.

And he himself also began running his own agency, starting to sign with many players, including players under the Clippers.

Those closest to the water get the moon first.

Fan Xi was someone who wanted everyone around him to become better because of him.

So, Lu Yuan's net worth was also growing rapidly.

But he was always focused and hands-on with Fan Xi's work, never letting his subordinates handle the connections.

Fan Xi turned down two Hollywood films, even though those two films would have earned him a handsome sum of money.

But to Fan Xi, film was not the profession he loved. Besides, he no longer lacked money—every second, astronomical figures were automatically deposited into his account.

Fan Xi now only wanted to take good care of his family while pushing his basketball career to even greater heights.

Even though he had already won four consecutive championships, this was far from Fan Xi's endpoint.

…

Before returning to Asia, Fan Xi met with Ku Pu Qie Ke.

Ku Pu Qie Ke had finalized the contract with Capela, and Jokic's situation could also be quickly resolved. They would both be on the Clippers' roster in the new season.

However, right now, the Knicks didn't have many truly fixed players.

They bought out Villanueva's expiring contract, clearing out some unnecessary contracts.

Their core lineup had now become:

Point guard: Ricky Rubio, Fan Xi.

Shooting guard: Arenas.

Small forward: Leonard, Antetokounmpo.

Power forward: Capela, Huaiti Seda.

Center: Mili Xiqi, Jokic.

"We still need backups at the two and three positions. JR Smith has been in contact with us, and so has Josh Smith. But we need shooters."

Ku Pu Qie Ke described the Clippers' current problems.

After a year apart, the roster had undergone significant changes.

Fan Xi was very satisfied with the main framework of this lineup. He believed it was a championship-caliber framework, even a dynasty framework.

But many branches and tendrils still needed to be filled in.

Ku Pu Qie Ke's thoughts were the same as Fan Xi's. He leaned toward picking only one between JR Smith and Josh Smith, then going to the market to find a shooter, plus one or two key backups.

Fan Xi and Ku Pu Qie Ke compared the stats of the two Smiths for a long time, and finally Ku Pu Qie Ke said: "I lean toward signing JR Smith."

Fan Xi said: Agreed.

Thus, JR Smith got the opportunity to continue being Fan Xi's sword-bearing guard.

But Ku Pu Qie Ke's work this summer was far from over; he still needed to find a shooter.

Fan Xi wasn't particularly anxious about this.

Even if no shooter was found, he himself could become the shooter.

…

Fan Xi's flight headed to Asia on July 10. He would conduct commercial activities across various Asian countries, then return to his hometown.

His wife, acknowledged by his parents, was beginning to show, and it had been confirmed to be a son.

For Fan Xi's parents, this was extremely exciting and moving; they felt that their vast legacy finally had an heir. Moreover, they began arranging to transfer shares to the unborn grandson and set up a fund.

They hope that this unborn grandson will have a lifetime of no worries for food and clothing, and enjoy wealth and honor.

This is clearly a child born with a golden spoon.

Moreover, Fan Xi's father has already chosen a name for him: Fan Zheng!

That sounds like a perfect name for the "head of the household."

Fan Xi gently reminded the parents that perhaps some matters need not be rushed. After all… you have more than one grandson.

But he couldn't state it plainly.

The last time he appeared on the Conan Show, domestic public opinion boiled over, and they reported whether Jennifer had a son with Fan Xi.

Old Fan even called Fan Xi personally, saying that if it truly is blood of the Fan family, then he must be brought back to acknowledge his lineage.

Fan Xi, fearing the impact would be too great, did not tell Old Fan outright.

However, on this return to the country, he wants to find a suitable chance to make his point clear to his parents.

Such an important matter must be said face‑to‑face.

Although this could very likely make his parents fly into a rage, smash vases, slam their palms and curse, and chase him with sticks…

But… there's no other way.

Fan Xi, with a nervous heart, carries out activities in the Island Country, feeling homesick… he truly feels homesick now.

Especially when he left the Island Country for the Peninsula Country, the people at the airport were already urging marriage, and some held English banners: "When will you give our country a son?"

They raised a photo of Fan Xi's Hanguo girlfriend, in a demanding marriage‑and‑child stance.

Fan Xi's head is spinning.

He now really wants to return to the court.

Coach, I truly want to play basketball now.

…