noffsinger 330 The Clippers signed two players!
330 The Clippers signed two players!
When the Clippers' general manager and other staff heard Su Hao say "select Paul George with the fifth pick," they were taken aback at first, and then fell silent.
They originally planned to use the fifth pick to acquire Al-Farouq Aminu, whose performance during the trial greatly satisfied the management.
However, based solely on Su Hao's words, they immediately changed their minds and decided to choose Paul George.
After all, Su Hao is the team's core player, so his advice naturally carries some weight.
Therefore, the Clippers did not hesitate to announce their decision at the draft and officially selected Paul George.
At this moment, Paul George and his family, who were sitting in the audience, were overwhelmed with emotion.
They originally expected Paul George to be selected in the top ten, but unexpectedly he was ultimately selected by the Clippers with the fifth pick.
This is undoubtedly a huge surprise, especially for Paul George, who is able to join a team that has just won the championship, which is an incredible thing.
All of this was thanks to Su Hao's recommendation. As the Clippers successfully drafted Paul George, the crowd erupted in cheers, congratulating the birth of this rising star.
At the same time, many people praised Su Hao's vision, believing that he had a keen eye for this young player with unlimited potential.
However, everything depends on Paul George's performance in the new season, especially his on-court chemistry with Su Hao. If he can't find his place on the team, the Clippers will likely not hesitate to trade him.
After all, as the defending champions, the Clippers will absolutely not tolerate any factors that hinder their championship victory.
Since this draft was being broadcast nationwide, the commentators joked, "The Clippers are really strengthening their perimeter defense! They're already so strong, why do they still need to improve? That's ruthless!"
It's important to understand that every team will make adjustments during the offseason to improve their strength as much as possible.
This is to increase the chances of winning the championship.
Despite having already used the fifth pick, the Clippers still have the tenth pick acquired through a trade.
With the sixth pick, the Warriors selected Ekpe Udoh.
The Pistons then selected Greg Monroe with the seventh pick.
Then, the Kings selected Cousins with the eighth pick.
The Jazz selected Hayward with the ninth overall pick.
Finally, it was the Clippers' turn to make their selection with the tenth pick.
This time, the Clippers' general manager did not consult Su Hao as he had done before, but instead chose Aldridge, whom they had already decided on.
This decision surprised everyone, because everyone thought they would choose an outside player to strengthen the team's offensive firepower, but they chose an inside player instead.
Perhaps they felt the team needed more depth in the paint, or they wanted to find a reliable backup for Su Hao.
When Aldridge was drafted by the Clippers, the atmosphere at the scene wasn't as enthusiastic as expected.
He didn't seem to show much excitement, simply hugging his family and expressing his gratitude.
This makes one wonder why he seems so calm. Is he unhappy about joining the Clippers? Or does he have other ideas?
Actually, he didn't want to come to the Clippers as a substitute.
Su Hao also noticed this and couldn't help but mutter to himself.
Su Hao originally wanted the Clippers to select Hayward because he felt that the player had great potential and could become an important member of the team.
However, the team already has Curry and other perimeter players, and Hayward was selected by the Jazz with the ninth pick, which left Su Hao somewhat helpless.
As for why he let the team manager make the decision himself, it's because Su Hao believed that the manager should have a better understanding of the team's needs and situation, so he didn't interfere too much with the team's draft decisions.
However, to his surprise, the manager actually chose an inside player.
It's important to know that the Clippers' frontcourt is currently the strongest in the league, possessing both great strength and depth.
Even if the substitute players are weak, it won't have a significant impact on the team's overall performance.
Su Hao's current physical condition is more than enough to play the entire match, so he doesn't need to worry about stamina.
Therefore, he felt somewhat confused and puzzled by this result.
However, as long as Su Hao is on the court, the game is often decided in the first three quarters, and it is almost impossible for it to drag on to the last quarter.
Unless Su Hao chooses to rest, but that's not a good idea for the team because they need to maintain their winning streak, the best solution is to find a strong substitute for him.
However, as a rookie player, Aldridge is not yet ready to shoulder this responsibility.
He needs more time to adapt to the pace and intensity of NBA games, and he also needs to continue to grow and improve.
With the Clippers, Aldridge's playing time is usually concentrated in the second half, and he only gets to play when the game is no longer in doubt.
Now he has no choice but to hone his skills with the Clippers first, and then discuss his future with the team's management.
"Su Hao, do you think Aldridge is capable of being your backup?" the general manager asked Su Hao with a smile.
Su Hao responded, "I can't give a definite answer right now, but I think he can definitely become a very good player."
Su Hao's answer clearly failed to satisfy the general manager.
"Your answer is too official! Actually, we didn't choose him because we wanted him to stay on the team; he might be a trade asset for us in the future!" the general manager continued.
"The team's operations are your business! I'm only responsible for playing my own game and doing my job on the court!" Su Hao said calmly.
“I understand,” Su Hao replied calmly.
He knew that the team's management had their own considerations and plans.
Aldridge may be a potential trade piece, used to acquire resources or players that are more beneficial to the team.
Su Hao was well aware of his responsibilities; he only needed to focus on the game and give full play to his abilities.
He believes that as long as he performs well, he can succeed on the field no matter how the team's lineup changes.
The general manager nodded, indicating his approval of Su Hao's attitude.
"Alright, let's look forward to the new season and see if Aldridge can surprise us." Su Hao smiled slightly.
He is ready to meet the challenges of the new season, and as a starter, he will do his best to win every game for the team.
The draft lasted the entire morning.
With the selection of the last player in the second round, the draft came to an end.