Basketball trainer, I created a super giant

Chapter 463 Durant's Future

The NBA draft lottery is broadcast live on television.

However, the live broadcast only shows the process of announcing the results; the top scorer has already been drawn during the broadcast.

The actual draw process was witnessed by league staff, representatives of the lottery teams, a notary from Ernst & Young, and a handful of media representatives.

The entire process is highly confidential and will be held at a hotel in New Jersey before the live broadcast of the lottery.

No one is allowed to bring any electronic devices to the site to ensure that the results are not leaked in advance.

First, draw the top scholar's lot, then the second-place scholar, and finally the third-place scholar.

After the results are drawn, Ernst & Young staff will seal the results, which will be in an envelope, and then send it to Granic at the drawing ceremony, where he will announce the results.

Tang Sen pondered whether he should make it public once, perhaps by conducting the lottery at the lottery event itself.

To avoid people gossiping.

But on second thought, it still didn't feel right.

These are rules that have been in place for years; there's no need to change them because of Durant.

Things changed this year, but what about the future? If we encounter even more talented players, will we have to change things again?
Also, when they drew envelopes in public before, some people thought it was cheating, so no matter what you do, there will always be people complaining.

This is for the best right now. As long as Stern doesn't interfere, there won't be any problems, and it's fair.

Time flies.

May 24th is fast approaching.

The playoffs in the East and West have just entered the semifinals.

In the East, as usual, the Knicks and Magic, these old rivals, will once again meet in the Eastern Conference Finals.

However, compared to previous years, the promotion journey for both teams is no longer as easy.

In the second round, the Knicks faced off against the Pacers, with Carlisle and Harper, two old friends, taking a remarkable 4-2 lead to eliminate the Pacers.

In the West, the Mavericks took off after acquiring Chandler.

At the end of the regular season, they even overtook the Spurs to climb to second place in the Western Conference.

In the second round, they battled the Spurs for seven games and made it to the Western Conference Finals.

The reason for facing the Spurs in the second round was also due to the rule that the division champion guarantees a top-three finish.

The Lakers have returned to the top of the Western Conference thanks to Shaquille O'Neal's weight loss.

The Trail Blazers secured the third seed in the Northwest Division, so if the Spurs finish fourth, they'll face the Lakers in the second round.

Popovich, that old fox, decisively tanked for a while, and finally got the sixth seed he wanted, facing the Trail Blazers.

The Suns and Kings have no choice but to face the Lakers in the second round.

Ultimately, the Suns eliminated the Kings once again, advancing to the second round where they will face the Lakers.

Last season, the Suns eliminated the Spurs and advanced to the Western Conference Finals.

The Lakers unexpectedly lost to the Mavericks, who had a phenomenal performance.

However, O'Neal's strong comeback this year has made such hopes seem slim.

The Suns battled the Lakers for six games, ultimately losing.

The Lakers and Mavericks, who were each other's nemesis in the second round last year, will meet again in the Western Conference Finals.

In the Eastern Conference, Tang Sen still favors the Knicks.

Tang Sen was somewhat unsure about the situation in the west.

Last year, the Mavericks eliminated the Lakers because of their power forward position; the Lakers had no one who could defend Nowitzki.

The same situation occurred again this year.

At the same time, the Mavericks have another advantage, which is that they acquired Chandler.

Last year, the Mavericks used a rotation of players in the paint, but Shaq still dominated.

With Chandler on the team this year, he can really defend against O'Neal and has his own scoring methods.

Therefore, Nowitzki is completely unleashed, and with his unstoppable shooting, he could very well give the Lakers another surprise.

But O'Neal was in great form this season, having improved his free throws and mid-range shot, averaging 30.2 points per game in the regular season, a new career high.

It is also the only team in the entire league with two players averaging over 30 points per game.

Therefore, each has its advantages, and the outcome is hard to predict.

But right now, the only thing Tang Sen needs to care about is the lottery.

On the 24th, Tang Sen went to Madison early in the morning.

When he got close to Madison, Tangsen was startled.

The streets were packed with people; cars could barely move two blocks away.

They were all fans, and not just Knicks fans, but many fans holding Celtics and Heat signs.

With the help of the police, they finally made it to Madison with great difficulty.

It would be a joke if the host, Tang Sen, were to be late.

Meanwhile, the area outside Madison Square Garden was already packed with fans from various teams.

Tangsen knew New York City was big, but he had no idea there were so many fans of other teams.

When I met Adam Silva and we chatted, I learned that these seemed to be the on-site support groups organized by each team for the draw.

"They might be superstitiously thinking that this will increase the team's chances of winning the lottery," Silva said with a smile and a shrug.

Tang Sen shook his head secretly.

If we're talking about the number of fans in attendance, the Nets don't seem to get the draft picks every year.

Silva looked at Tang Sen with a complex and envious gaze.

Within the league, when it was learned that Townsend would replace Granic in announcing the draw results, many people speculated whether this was a signal.

This proves that Tangsen's importance in Stern's mind is growing.

Otherwise, why would Tang Sen be made to take on such a prominent role?

Tang Sen noticed the change in Silva's expression but didn't pay it any mind, and went straight to the scene.

Every year at the event, teams have their own superstitious beliefs when choosing a representative for the draw. Some choose the team owner, while others choose their star player.

This year is no different. We don’t know exactly who will take that position, but all 14 teams have sent their star players.

Even the Hornets, who were 14th from the bottom, called their star player Baron Davis to the game.

Even a 0.5% probability is still a probability; what if you win the grand prize?

Tang Sen's arrival caused quite a stir at the scene.

Garnett immediately came over and greeted Tang Sen warmly, as if the two were close friends.

The owners and general managers of each team also gathered around.

Riley squeezed into the crowd, nodded slightly, said nothing, and then took Tang Sen's hand.

He held on tightly, without letting go.

Tang Sen looked at him in confusion. "Are you performing some kind of mysterious ritual?"

Riley gave an awkward smile, then let go of her hand and immediately left, squeezing out of the crowd.

Tang Sen shook his head silently, guessing it was some kind of idealistic idea.

In fact, logically speaking, it should be the Heat.

Being last, that's a one in four probability.

The lottery will begin at 6:30 p.m.

By this time, the results should have already been released.

Just before going on stage, Tang Sen received three envelopes containing the results.

I glanced at it; it was nothing special.

Tang Sen's instinctive curiosity.

During the morning training session, Durant was visibly nervous and couldn't help but worry about where he would be going.

However, upon further reflection, Tang Sen calmed down.

A player's greatness is never determined by where they go, but solely by their own efforts.

Taking a deep breath, Tang Sen walked onto the stage.

The setup at the scene was similar to that in New Jersey.

But off-camera, many people are watching nervously.

They were nervous, just like the people sitting in their seats.

The teams in the front row are the Heat, Celtics, and Timberwolves.

Heat owner Mickey Arison was present, but Pat Riley was sitting in the seat.

He was completely still, as if he were in a meditative state. If it weren't for his blinking eyes, one would think he was a statue.

The young Bynum sat next to the Celtics.

The Bostonians wanted to borrow some of his good luck.

To become the top scorer and be chosen by Tang Sen must be a stroke of luck.

In previous years, Granic was very serious and methodical during the draw.

Tang Sen came to host the event and even made a joke, asking Riley and the others if they were nervous.

The people in the front row were laughing awkwardly because they were too nervous.

The others weren't under as much pressure, and one even jokingly asked Tang Sen if he was nervous.

Tang Sen shook the envelope in his hand and asked in return, "What do you think?"

However, the procedures still need to be followed.

Tang Sen opened the envelope containing the third-place scholar's letter, glanced at it, and smiled as he turned to the camera.

Timberwolves!
"NO!"

Sitting in his seat, under the global gaze, Garnett let out a dejected complaint and covered his face in anguish.

They tanked for a whole season and ended up getting absolutely nothing.

However, Garnett also knew that even without tanking, the Timberwolves had no hope of winning the championship given the strength of the current top teams in the West.

There was some commotion at the scene.

Outside Madison Square Garden, a group of Wolves fans were also wailing in agony.

Meanwhile, fans of other teams around them ignored their mockery and stared intently at the big screen outside Madison Square Garden, waiting for the result to be announced.

Tang Sen did not hesitate and opened the envelope containing the second-place finisher's letter.

He glanced at it and was about to announce it when he suddenly stopped, turned to Riley, and asked him who he thought it would be.

This sudden attack nearly gave Riley a heart attack; he turned ashen-faced. Could it be the Heat?

He reacted quickly, his gaze firm as he said, "Anyway, it's not the Heat."

Tang Sen gave him a thumbs-up from a distance and turned the result to the camera.

Celtics!

"Fake!"

Off-camera, Angie cursed, then squatted on the ground in pain, unwilling to get up.

The Celts' dream of reviving their great dynasty has been shattered!
Riley's expression became extremely strange.

He seemed to want to laugh, but he forced himself to hold it in, his lips twitching.

Having already kept everyone in suspense, Tang Sen didn't hesitate any longer, directly opening the last envelope and turning to the camera.

Congratulations to the Miami Heat!

With a one in four chance, and assuming there's no cheating, neither the Celtics nor the Timberwolves were drawn, so it's highly likely the Heat will be selected.

As soon as the results were announced, Riley, who had been tense all along, jumped to his feet and roared excitedly, as if he had won the whole world.

(End of this chapter)