NBA: Warrior godfather.

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After all the basic tests, the coaching staff spoke with Liam and Klay one after the other, asking them some questions, especially Ron Adams, who was the main interrogator.

The offense could also be seen in tests like shooting, layups, and passing. The role of awareness in defense is very critical. This cannot be seen in physical tests. There have been too many cases with mediocre physical fitness and still having a great defensive impact.

If the playoffs of the Warriors had not ended and the players had left Oakland, the coaching staff might have asked both of them to "play" with the Warriors players to observe their performance in NBA-level matchups.

Half an hour later, Liam received the evaluation report of both players from Silas.

Silas' evaluation mainly focused on the offensive side:

"Draymond Green is a good passer. He can do a little bit of everything on the offensive end. He has three-point capability and fits the team well, but he's limited to taking open adjusted three-pointers. His height is a big issue. The finish isn't good enough. Choose carefully."

"Klay Thompson is an incredible shooter, his shooting consistency is very good, only surpassed by Steph among all the players I've seen, and he has excellent off-ball offensive skills, you must select him!"

Ron Adams also gave his judgment to Liam, naturally judging both players from the defensive side:

"After my communication with Draymond Green, it's clear he's a defender with very good awareness, which is consistent with what he showed in the game. His judgment on defensive help is very accurate, but he still needs an NBA game. I think he can become a defensive warrior, but his height is a big problem, so I suggest you judge for yourself."

"Klay Thompson is very calm, which will make him rarely commit mistakes on defense, but he lacks aggressiveness. His static talent is very good, and his confrontation and strength are excellent. As long as he gains weight, he'll be able to match up with most external players. I'd recommend changing the pick to select him."

Liam nodded slightly as he looked. Naturally, he knew how much Klay and Green would develop in the future, but he still had to combine the scouting reports, test results, and coaching staff's judgment. He needed to use these things as references to evaluate both players. The market conditions in the draft would determine how the transaction would go.

The Warriors currently have their own number 21 pick and the number 30 pick from the Cavaliers. These two first-round picks are not enough to capture both Green and Klay. Furthermore, Liam's draft targets are not just Green and Klay.

He handed the coaching staff's evaluation report to Jonathan, who was next to him, and said to Mychal Thompson and Green's agents:

"You two, let's talk..."

…

June 23, Butler University, Indiana.

"Brad, I'm leaving first," said Bulldogs assistant coach Matthew.

Stevens, who was standing at the sidelines and looking at the thick scouting report in his hand, replied without looking up:

"Alright, go back and review those scouting reports and give me a complete evaluation tomorrow."

"No problem, you should go back early and not come back too late," Matthew warned and left the arena.

Recruitment season is here again, and the Bulldogs, who just finished second in the March Madness tournament, have several players graduating and entering the draft, so Coach Stevens needs to recruit talented high school students.

However, the Bulldogs' two consecutive NCAA championships have made them famous in the United States and have an appeal that rivals the top schools. Although the Bulldogs sadly lost in the championship final this year, their second-place finish was still very impressive, proving that their success was not a fluke. Even if Coach Liam leaves, they remain highly competitive. This has made many talented high school students eager to join the Bulldogs under Stevens' guidance.

The Bulldogs no longer have to compete for local talent with Indiana University, Purdue University, and other schools, but this also comes with a heavy workload.

Stevens reviewed the scouting reports in his hand and had deep doubts about his own abilities.

Back then, Liam could quickly identify which high school players had real potential. It seemed like nothing complicated. Why did it feel so difficult for me to find them when it was my turn?

"Hey, my dear Brad, how are you?" Just as Stevens was lost in thought, a familiar voice sounded in his ear.

Stevens was startled and looked up to see Liam walking toward him with a smile.

"Liam! Man, you don't know how to go back!" Stevens frowned, stepped forward, punched Liam in the chest, and cursed with a smile.

"It's not like you don't know I have to play 82 regular-season games in a season, 82 games! After the regular season and playoffs, that's 90 games in total! Do you know how I spent this year? It's like you only played 30 or 40 games in March Madness, so you have plenty of time," Liam punched Stevens back and complained.

Stevens smiled. Liam was right. In fact, he had much more free time than Liam did.

"You're so busy, how do you have time to come back?"

"I miss you."

"Heh."

"I'm kidding, isn't the draft about to start? I'm just passing by to take a look."

"Do you have a target?"

"Keep it a secret."

"What about Gordon? If you select him, it will be a perfect transition. He'll definitely help the Warriors," Stevens said with a serious expression.

Liam rubbed his chin and said regretfully:

"Gordon… isn't suitable for the Warriors."

Stevens wondered:

"Really? I think he can take Azubuike's spot. His potential is definitely greater than Azubuike's. We all know that."

"You're right, let me tell you the truth, I already have a better candidate at the shooting guard position... It's Klay Thompson, the shooter from Washington State University."

Stevens shrugged:

"Well, since you already have a candidate, pretend I didn't say anything. I just think Gordon could go to the Warriors without any issues, and you wouldn't need to train him too much. He's made great progress this season after you left."

The Gordon Stevens was referring to was Gordon Hayward, whom Liam had given a full scholarship to join the Bulldogs two years ago, at Stevens' suggestion.

In Hayward's first season, he played as the starting shooting guard or small forward. His position with Butler was very vague. He played the role of small forward but could also handle shooting guard responsibilities.

After winning the championship with the team, Liam stepped down, and Curry and Butler entered the draft. Stevens took over, and naturally, assumed the team's main role, moving to the small forward position. With solid stats of 16.8 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 3.4 assists per game, he had become a talented player.

After Butler University lost to Duke in the final this year, Hayward announced he would enter the draft and join the NBA.

"Klay Thompson… I remember you wanted to recruit him when he graduated high school, right?" Stevens thought briefly and said.

Liam nodded repeatedly and said enthusiastically:

"Yes, I think he fits my system very well. He's an amazing shooter with great defensive potential. Let me tell you, he'll be the most special 3D player in history—no, he'll be a 3D star!"

Only in front of Stevens could Liam reveal his true inner thoughts.

Although he hadn't returned to Indiana this year, he often contacted Stevens to talk about team training and tactics. Not only did their relationship not distance, but it also grew deeper. Many times, Liam discussed Warriors' tactics, which were actually influenced by Stevens' suggestions.

"I trust your vision. It seems that Klay Thompson is a young player with a lot of potential... Do you have other candidates? You also have the Cavaliers' number 30 pick?" Stevens asked.

"Of course, I'm very optimistic about Draymond Green. He'll be the core of the Warriors' defense in the future…" Liam briefly presented Green's situation.

"Defensive core? Don't you have Tyson Chandler? He's only 28, right? You've already built a defensive system around him. Why would you choose another defensive core?" Stevens wondered.

"Well, you'll understand later that times are changing, and defense must change accordingly," Liam smiled but didn't respond further.

"Well, you always have so many new ideas. I just hope you don't shoot yourself in the foot when the time comes. For a power forward barely over 6'8", his offense isn't efficient. It's hard for me to believe how he can make it in the NBA," Stevens didn't seem optimistic about Green's development.

Although he had heard about Green's triple-double performance in March Madness, Butler University and Michigan state weren't in the same division, and Stevens wasn't familiar with Green.

"You don't have to worry about that. Draymond will be a player who exceeds everyone's expectations, just like…," Liam said slowly.

Stevens looked serious. This was a high evaluation. Curry is now the most dazzling new star in the league, and Liam is so optimistic about Green?

He became interested in Green and made a mental note of his name. He planned to go back and study Green's game videos to understand what kind of player Liam appreciated so much.

Stevens moved on to another question:

"I've been keeping an eye on the Warriors' games this year. Klay Thompson could be an excellent shooter, and even you said he could become a super shooter… But have you ever thought about it? If you leave him and Stephen together, the Warriors will only have Stephen as the ball handler on the outside. Don't you think such an outside lineup is distorted? Oh, by the way, Jimmy also has the ability to handle the ball, but he's only a half attacker, and the inside line composed of Green and Chandler doesn't have the ability to attack independently, don't you think? Leaving the entire ball-handling responsibility to Stephen alone?"

Liam responded casually:

"I've also considered this issue, but you've made several mistakes. First, Jimmy is currently a mediocre ball handler, but that doesn't mean he'll always be. I think he can become an offensive point guard. Second, although Klay doesn't have the ability to attack with the ball, he can develop offense by running off the ball. Finally, Green doesn't have the ability to attack independently, but he can handle the ball."

"A scorer without the ball? Doesn't have the ability to attack independently, but can handle the ball?" Stevens' eyebrows gradually furrowed again. He understood the meaning of each word in Liam's sentence, but when put together, he couldn't understand it.

"You'll understand later... I said, they are all unique players," Liam didn't want to explain too much, just said it in one sentence.

Stevens still felt a little confused, but he didn't press the issue:

"Well, just have a plan. I look forward to seeing what the Warriors do next season."

A smile appeared on Liam's lips:

"Then you might be disappointed. Everyone needs time to grow. Even I don't know what the Warriors can do next season."

"Besides these two, do you have other targets?" Stevens pursed his lips, not believing Liam's words at all.

If you're not sure, why run to me to complain?

"Of course, you know my habits. My team has only one goal: to win the championship. But the current Warriors are far from competing for the championship. I want to form a championship team!" Liam said slowly. His voice exuded confidence.

"Are you crazy? The Warriors already have so many rookies, and you want to recruit more? How are you going to train them with so many ball handlers? Also, do you have that many draft picks? You could also sign a few veterans. Experience is very important," Stevens said, surprised.

Liam nodded slowly and said:

"What you said makes sense, I'll think about it… Brad——"

"Huh?"

"Let's go Warriors and help me win an NBA championship together!"

"Haha, stop dreaming. I told you before, even if I go to the NBA, I'll definitely win the championship in front of you."

"Then you have no chance."

"Why?"

"These two drafts are enough for me to build a championship lineup. In three years, the Warriors will definitely win the championship!"

…

June 25, New York, Madison Square Garden.

The annual NBA draft is about to begin. The rookies invited into the Little Green Room are all here. The general managers and presidents of each team with draft rights are also in the arena's booths.

Klay and his family also came to sit in the Little Green Room. Although his expected draft position fluctuates a lot, because this is a weak draft year, he has a good chance of being selected in the lottery range and was also invited.

Green doesn't have this kind of treatment. His expected draft position is around the middle of the second round and can only wait at home for the draft results.

The most eye-catching player in the field is naturally Wall from the University of Kentucky. He's the favorite to be the number one pick and has been involved in numerous scandals with the Wizards, who hold the first pick.

Time quickly passed amidst the chaos, and David Stern finally took the stage. The 2010 draft officially began.

End of this chapter

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