basketball hall of fame

Chapter 247 Summary of the 08-09 season, Bynum for Curry + draft pick

The next day, the Lakers flew back to Los Angeles. The airport was empty, and tens of thousands of Lakers fans warmly welcomed the Lakers home. The audience shouted: "Lakers champion!"

The Big Three of the Lakers and the fans greeted each other warmly, and the audience immediately cheered!

……

In the evening, the Lakers will hold a celebration banquet. The Lakers will bring their families to attend, and Li Kang and his girlfriend will attend in costumes.

Li Kang took his girlfriend to the side of Kobe's family of four, skipped Kobe and Vanessa, and sat next to Jaina.

Li Kang: "Gigi, what do you want to eat, Uncle Li will get it for you."

Jaina: "Uncle Li, I don't want to eat anything, I want this pretty aunt to take me to play."

Li Kang: "Okay, let the beautiful aunt take you to play later, let's pull the hook together!"

……

The Lakers spent an unforgettable night. Many players' contracts expire next season. The road ahead is long, and their fate is destined to be extraordinary.

The contracts of two main rotation players, Odom and Ariza, expired. Odom and the Lakers management discussed the renewal of the contract, but there was no result for a season.

……

Summary of the 08-09 season, Li Kang represented the Lakers in 72 games in the regular season, and the progress of the Hall of Fame is as follows:

NBA career total points: 2912 points

NBA career total rebounds: 796 rebounds

NBA career assist totals: 785 assists

NBA career total steals: 235 steals

NBA career blocks: 124

NBA Most Valuable Player (MVP): 0

All-NBA Team: 1 time

NBA defensive lineup: 1 time

NBA All-Star Game: 2

NBA scoring champion: 0 times

NBA championship: 2 times

NBA Finals Most Valuable Player (FMVP): 0

……

On June 2009, 6, the Lakers held a grand championship parade, and Li Kang took his girlfriend on the float.

During this tour, Li Kang was afraid of the bold and unrestrained female fans greeting him, because his girlfriend was by his side. Fortunately, this year's parade went smoothly, and the female fans are very discerning.

……

On June 2009, 6, the NBA Draft was held as scheduled at Madison Square Garden in New York, and was broadcast live on ESPN TV.

The draft list is as follows:

first round:

1. Blake Griffin, Clippers

2. Hashim Thabeet, Grizzlies

3. James Harden Thunder

4. Tyreke Evans, Kings

5. Ricky Rubio, Timberwolves

6. Jonny Flynn, Timberwolves

7. Stephen Curry Warriors

……

ESPN host: "The latest news, the Lakers sent away the main center Andrew Bynum and the No. 59 second-round pick, and got Stephen Curry and the Warriors' 2011 first-round pick."

As soon as the news came out, the media around the world was in an uproar. Are the Lakers not going to hit the three consecutive championships?Everyone has this question?

……

8. Jordan Hill Knicks

9. DeMar DeRozan, Raptors

10. Brandon Jennings Bucks

……

At the end of the draft, the Warriors informed Curry that the team would trade him to the Lakers. Curry was stunned. The Lakers would trade him with the main center, which is the defending champion team.

Then Curry was interviewed by the Los Angeles media. The Los Angeles reporter looked at the thin Curry with doubts on his face, not understanding the purpose of the Lakers management in trading him.

Los Angeles reporter: "Curry, the Warriors traded you to the Lakers, talk about how you feel now."

Curry: "All this is very unexpected to me. I have never tried out for the Lakers. What makes me even more unbelievable is that they sent the team's main center in order to get me.

Los Angeles reporter: "As a championship team, the Lakers have limited playing time for rookies. What do you think of this?"

Curry: "It's an honor to play for the championship team, train hard, work hard to improve the intensity of the game, and strive to be a member of the team."

……

Kupchak was interviewed by the media the next day and responded to the Curry trade.

TNT reporter: "Mr. Ku, the team has gained a lot in the draft. Do you have any response to this?"

Kupchak: "Thank you friends from the media for your attention to the Lakers. With Fisher getting old, the point guard has always been a problem for the Lakers. Because of the existence of the Big Three, Bynum's tactical status in the team is declining. After talking with him, we decided to send him to the Warriors."

TNT reporter: "After losing the main center, can the depth of the Lakers' lineup still be able to hit the three consecutive championships?"

Kupchak: "Leave this question to Zen Master and the coaching staff. Of course, we will not give up any chance to strengthen the lineup."

……

Warriors general manager Larry Riley saw Kupchak's interview and brought Andrew Bynum to Golden State with only two first-round picks, Monta Ellis got a reliable helper, and Curry The position overlaps with Ellis, and the effect may not be as good as Ellis and Bynum's internal and external combination. The Lakers will give him decisively if they want him.

Years later, when Larry Riley responded to Curry's trade, he always regretted it and sent away the cornerstone of the team with his own hands. Of course, this is a later story.

……

A few days before the draft, Li Kang found Kupchak and suggested that he should get Curry no matter what, except for the core trio.

Kupchak saw that Li Kang was so persistent, and immediately found Jerry Buss and Zen Master to discuss the matter together.

Bass: "Phil, on the way to three consecutive championships, do you need to change the team lineup?"

Zen Master: "As long as the core trio is there, I can lead the team to three consecutive championships."

Bass: "Mr. Ku, what reason did Li Kang say, let us get this rookie at all costs?"

Kupchak: "Boss, Lee just said one thing, Curry will become the cornerstone of the team. Even if Kobe retires in a few years, with him and Curry on the team, the Lakers will always be in the championship. It’s going to be a rebuilding period.”

Bass: "Lee has such a high evaluation of this rookie, we are worth a gamble, how about sending Bynum to the Warriors?"

Zen master: "Yes, in fact, last season, Bynum's possession of the ball was greatly reduced. It is dispensable to the team. Going to the Warriors who are short of major generals inside can achieve a win-win situation."

Bass: "Mr. Ku, talk to the core trio and send Bynum to the Warriors to see how they react?"

……

The day before the draft, Kupchak and the Big Three discussed matters related to Bynum's trade. Li Kang made it clear that he wanted to get Curry, but Kobe opposed it. Team lineup, while Gasol remained neutral.

Kobe and Li Kang were in a stalemate, and finally Bynum joined in and expressed his willingness to go to the Golden State Warriors, because after these two seasons, he clearly felt that he was the fourth or even the fifth choice of the Lakers, with the championship in hand. Go to other teams to play good data in order to sign a bigger contract.

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