Then in 1978, the Trail Blazers got another No. 1 pick. They also selected a celebrity, Michael Thompson, a big inside player.
Old Thompson has not been selected to an All-Star in his career. Apart from winning two championships as a substitute for the Lakers in the 1986 and 1987 seasons, his only honor is the All-Rookie Team in 1979.
This year the Trail Blazers originally planned to choose Larry Bird, but Bird suddenly decided to go back to college for another year in May.
After that, the Trail Blazers chose the wrong person once, and the fans talked about calling them mentally retarded until now.
In 1984, the Trail Blazers, who held the second pick, selected Sam Bowie, who averaged 28 points and 18 rebounds per game in the NCAA, and was still a very good big player.
The Trail Blazers' management resolutely announced at the time that they would definitely not choose to give up Bowie, a super center, for Jordan, a more famous outside player.
As a result, the super center averaged only 11 points and 7 rebounds per game in the NBA and never made an All-Star, nor did he win any NBA awards.
Everyone in the entire conference room was waiting for Paul Allen to speak, and Paul Allen also knew how oppressive it would be for these managements when he arrived at the meeting and he didn't often ask about team affairs.
"You can chat first, don't care about my existence."
Steve Patterson was aggrieved and wanted to say, how can we do it when you don't exist when you are here.
But the Trail Blazers had a leader, and head coach Nate McMillan stood up unceremoniously and said, "This No. 1 pick is our chance!"
"I think we can use this No. 1 pick to win Zhang Jun. We have investigated him enough in the past few months, and we fully understand how good he is."
"Whether it is immediate combat ability or talent, I believe that Zhang Jun is one of the best among the rookies in this class. As the head coach of the team, I can say that with complete responsibility."
"As long as the team selects Zhang Jun, his rookie season data is guaranteed to exceed 15 points per game!"
Paul Allen nodded frequently. During this period of time, Zhang Jun was indeed too popular in the United States, especially the games against Durant, Oden and the Florida Five Tigers, which made the headlines in the United States.
Such heat is not common in previous years.
Paul Allen even heard that all the young fans in California are fanatical fans of Zhang Jun. You must know that he is just a player who has not yet landed in the NBA.
"But after all, there is Greg Oden in front of him. Any team that misses him will definitely regret it for a lifetime."
Steve Patterson couldn't help but spread his hands and said.
He also acknowledged Zhang Jun's excellence, but watching Greg Oden such an excellent center appear in the draft, Steve Patterson really couldn't bear to miss him.
Just like the big dream Olajuwon appeared in the draft, the whole world knows who the Rockets will choose with the No. 1 pick.
At this time Paul Allen finally spoke.
"I reminded you before that the Trail Blazers have not made the playoffs for five full years. I don't want to hear you tell me that the team will definitely make the playoffs within five or three years."
"I have Portland fans in my BOSS mailbox every day asking me when the Trail Blazers will make the playoffs."
"We have been rebuilding for 5 full years! I want to tell everyone now that we must make the playoffs next year."
"Don't tell me the horror and intensity in the Western Conference, the strength of each team is far better than the Eastern Conference."
Steve Patterson affirmed: "It's Greg Oden."
Nate McMillan said at the same time: "It's Zhang Jun!"
The two looked at each other big eyes to small eyes.
Paul Allen frowned and said, "Steve, Nate is the head coach of the team. Who do you think I should trust?"
Steve Patterson repeatedly patted his chest and said: "Based on the current rebuilding process of the Trail Blazers, the strength of players in all positions is already very good. What we are missing now is a small forward and a center."
"Whether it is Zhang Jun or Greg Oden, the addition of both will help us fill a vacant player."
"It's the same thing that helps us get to the playoffs."
Nate McMillan did not intend to deceive Paul Allen on this point. After seeing the other party's questioning eyes, Nate McMillan nodded and acknowledged Steve Patterson's statement.
"Greg Oden's defense can really help us, even if he's just a rookie."
"Aldridge is an offensive power forward. With a defensive center filling in for him, Aldridge can completely focus on offense."
"Zach Randolph has a good defensive will and a strong body. Adding him to a defensive team may be able to play a good effect. When he becomes the core of a team's defense, it is still too far-fetched. Some."
"And Greg Oden has a top-level rim protector even in the NBA, and the defensive difficulties we have been facing last season will be easily solved."
"Steve didn't lie."
Paul Allen was very satisfied with Nate McMillan's honesty, UU Reading www.uukanshu.com He also very much recognized that the other party did not deceive him at this time.
In other words, if the Trail Blazers selected Greg Oden, they would have to trade away the team's starting big center last season, Zach Randolph, who averaged 23 points and 10 rebounds per game. .
"Then what about Zhang Jun?"
Nate McMillan said: "He has good defensive talent and future, but now he doesn't have the ability to help us defend. At this point, he is more than a little bit worse than Greg Oden."
"But Zhang Jun can maximize our offensive talent."
"Last season, we always fell short in the final stage of the game, and lost the game many times in front of a stalemate of about 5 points."
"The reason is that our team lacks a player who can harvest the game at a critical moment. This is the gap between us and the strong teams."
"Zach Randolph, Brandon Roy, Jarrett Jack, LaMarcus Aldridge... none of them are clutch finishers."
"As for Zhang Jun, I think he is the scariest killer in this year's draft."
Of course, Paul Allen knew that Zhang Jun's breakthrough had become famous in the NCAA, and even many NBA players sighed at his breakthrough while watching the game.
Such a player with such a terrible breakthrough, he can indeed support the scoring task at critical moments.
Paul Allen felt awkward for a moment.
Steve Patterson said suddenly at this time: "But Zhang Jun has no shooting ability. This is his biggest shortcoming."
"The NCAA is okay. In the NBA, you can see which team will not let him go at the critical moment. At that time, his breakthrough power will be greatly reduced!"