by Valor on Thu May 21, 2009 9:36 pm
Chapter 1 - A New Beginning
2009 NBA Draft Night, 5:00pm
Wizards Front Office: Draft Room
"So, it is decided then" said Ernie Grunfeld, GM of the Wizards "We are going to offer our number 1 pick to the Lakers for Andrew Bynum"
"Hold it right there Ernie" announced the Wizards Owner Abe Pollin as he walked into the room "I have an announcement to make"
"Mr Pollin! Pleased to see you here" answered Grunfeld
"You wouldn't be so pleased after hearing what i'm about to say" said Pollin "The team isn't going anywhere with this current roster, last season excluded, we ain't going to advance much further then the first round in the playoffs, so..."
"Wait a moment Mr Pollin, i assure you after we get Bynum we can go all the way!" pled Grunfeld
"The Lakers had Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Fisher, Ariza, and Bynum, and they still got swept by the Celtics; you think Bynum alone can get us over the top? I don't think so" stated Pollin firmly "I've made up my mind Ernie, i'm sorry, you've done a decent job here, and i wish you all the best, but i've found someone more suited to take us over the top"
"and that person is?" asked a disgruntled Grunfeld
"One of our former Head Coaches, Doug Collins, and his assistant GM would be Flip Saunders" said Pollin
"WHAT?? YOU THINK SOME HEAD COACHES CAN BE GOOD IN THE ROLE OF GM?" yelled Grunfeld in disbelief
"Indeed i do, and please calm down, or i'll have to get security" replied Pollin "Now please leave, me and the two of them have work to do"
"so...Doug, Flip...What do you two think we shall do in the draft?" asked Pollin
"Well, i reckon we shall start with......" began Collins
........1 hour later.....
"It is decided then, I'll leave the rest to you two, good night, i'll be watching on tv" said Pollin as he got up to leave"
"Alright Flip, I'll go for the homerun strike while you get the minor deals done" said Collins "Just like we discussed"
"Of course" answered Saunders as he reached for the phone...
"Hello, Chris Wallace? .....
"Hey there, Mitch Kupchak? .....
...........Meanwhile, in WaMu Theater at Madison Square Garden........
"Welcome to the 2009 NBA Draft, We've just had a fantastic season in which the reigning Champions Boston Celtics have successfully defended their title, tonight we shall have another 60 young men who will have their dreams accomplished with their selections to various NBA teams, the first pick of the draft will go to the Washington Wizards, they will have 5 minutes to decide on their pick" said David Stern
"Thank you David, Now, who do you guys think Doug and Flip, Washington's new GMs would pick?" asked Stuart Scott
"Well, the assumption out there is, Blake Griffin will go first no matter what" answered Mark Jackson "But i don't really think he should be the guy they draft, he is a scorer, pure and simple, and Washington has too many scorers, there isn't that many offense to go around, and guys losing their touches during a game will also lose their rhythm and motivation to play, he just isn't that good of a fit"
"I agree with Mark to a certain extent" said Jeff Van Gundy "If they draft Griffin, they are going to have to get rid of either Caron Butler or Antawn Jamison, I'm not completlely brought into him being the next great player anyways; i mean, the guy is good, but he isn't a seasoned veteran, he hasn't got that outside touch, he isn't a dominating defender, he's a guy who you work with, he's going to be good in a couple of seasons, but i just don't think he can make an immediate impact in the league right now"
"So you are saying they should go for Rubio?" asked Scott "or do you think they've got other guys in mind"
"Well, Ricky Rubio is going to be a great fit for them, obviously being a pass first point guard that can run the offense potential that the Wizards have, but lets not forget the other guys, guys like the 7'3" Hasheem Thabeet is going to be a great fit with the Wizards" answered Jackson
"I'm thinking about Leo Lai from Hong Kong" said Jeff Van Gundy "the kid's got talent that rivals Ricky Rubio to an extent, and it'll be a great marketing opportunity for the Wizards, just by drafting him will earn them loads of money. The Wizards are located in chinatown in D.C. and just the fact that if they draft him, Lai will be just the third non-american influenced ball player to be drafted first overall, and lets not mention he'll be the first player from Hong Kong to be drafted. So i think Washington has a chance to draft him as well"
"Well, here comes the commissioner David Stern with the Wizards Pick" announced Scott
-------------Meanwhile, in the Green Room--------
"Leo, how are you feeling right now?" asked B.J. Armstrong, Lai's Agent
"Just a bit nervous" answered Lai
"Don't worry about it, it was the same for me" said Derrick Rose, the first overall pick from the previous year, Rose and Lai were introduced to each other by Armstrong to train together, and have been close friends ever since.
"Thanks Derrick"
----------Up on stage, Stern walks to the podium------
"With the first pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards Select......" began David Stern...."Leo Lai from Hong Kong SAR, China!"
Lai Stood up in disbelief and joy, and also to the applause from the crowd and embraced his friends and family
"Told ya you'll get it" said Rose "I guess i'll be seeing you on the court then huh, i won't go easy on you though"
"Yeah man, i'll be seeing you later" answered Lai as he got up and walked towards the podium, on his way there, he was met with congratulations from Ricky Rubio and Blake Griffin
"Congratulations young man, it is a great achievement" said David Stern as he and Lai shook hands
"So It is Leo Lai of Hong Kong China, the 6'2", 180lb guard is the first Hong Kong born player to be selected in the draft, and just the third completely foreign player to be selected first overall, he played in the China Basketball Association last season and was named MVP, at just 18 years of age, he got approval from the commissioner after several letters of requests. He only started playing basketball in grade 8, and he's now waiting to be interviewed by Stephen A Smith" announced Stuart Scott
"So, Leo Lai of Hong Kong China, how are you feeling right now?" asked Stephen A Smith
"Well, It's just great, being drafted is a blessing, i never even imagined going first overall, but it's the reality for me now, i'm just going to play hard and try my best to help the team win" answered Lai
"Thank you, i look forward to watching you play, back to you studio"
"Thanks Stephen A, we have an announcement to make, this just came in and...oh my" said Stuart Scott "It appears that there has just been a deal between the Memphis Grizzlies, who are on the clock, with the Washington Wizards, the Wizards will get the second overall pick in this draft, and also Darius Miles, in exchange for Wizards' players Caron Butler, Javal McGee, Andray Blatche, and DeShawn Stevenson, that means that the Wizards are now again On the Clock, they will have both the first and second overall picks in this draft! What do you guys think? they've picked their point guard in Lai, do you think they'll go big?"
"I am shocked that the Wizards made this trade, they are basically betting everything on this draft" said Van Gundy "I wouldn't have done this, but now that it has happened, i reckon they will go with either Griffin or Thabeet, they need a big guy, Jamison can move to the 3 spot if they do take Griffin"
"I agree with you Jeff, but i reckon that it is a good move by the Wizards, they wern't going anywhere with Butler, Arenas, Jamison so they made a risky investment which could prove to be very good in the end"
"Here comes the commissioner, lets see who the Wizards picked..." announced Scott
"With the second pick of the 2009 NBA Draft, the Washington Wizards Select...." said David Stern..."Blake Griffin of the University of Oklahoma"
Griffin smiled and raised up to the thunderous applause from the crowd, walked up to the stage, and shook hands with the Commissioner
"Show them what you got young man, i'm looking forward to seeing you youngsters perform on the court" said Stern as he shook Griffin's hand"
"Well, they went with Blake afterall, let's go to Stephen....wait, we have another deal from the Wizards....it appears that they have sent Nick Young, Darius Songaila, and their first pick in the 2nd round to the Lakers for forward Trevor Ariza, who just signed a 4 year, 29 million dollar extension with the Lakers..." announced Stuart Scott
"Great Deal for the Wizards, Ariza is a guy who can really help them defend, but now there is going to be a problem, who is going to start at the 4, and who's going to start at the 3?" said Mark Jackson
"I feel some more moves by the Wizards are on the way, meanwhile, lets go to Stephen A Smith, who's with Blake Griffin, the number 2 overall pick" said Scott
"Thank you, now Blake, there has been a lot of hype about you, what can you say that you will bring to the nation's capital?" asked Stephen A
"I'm going to bring some energy, rebounding, and when they need me to, score" answered Griffin "I'll do anything that is needed to win the game of basketball...and oh, i'm going to get the Wizards back to the playoffs and get a title in a few years"
"Thanks Blake, back to you Studio, seems like I have a confident guy here"
--------------------------------
The third pick saw Spanish prodigy Ricky Rubio going to the Pacers and bragging about winning the ROY and MVP awards, then the Kings Selected Brandon Jennings, who played in Italy for a year because he doesn't want to follow the NBA's High School Entry restrictions, the top 5 was rounded off with Ty Lawson going to the Bucks..the rest of the lottery picks are as follows...
6. Oklahoma City Thunder - T.Evans (SG)
7. New Jersey Nets - J.Harden (SG)
8. Detroit Pistons - H.Thabeet (C)
9. Denver Nuggets - E.Clark (SF)
10. Phoenix Suns - J.Hill (PF)
11. Miami Heat - G.Lawal (PF)
12. Portland Trailblazers - D.Blair (PF)
13. Toronto Rapotors - C.Budinger (SG)
14. LA Clippers - M.Washington (PF)
----------At the Conclusion of the Draft---------
"And As Orlando picks Mercer from UTEP, the draft has concluded" announced Scott "We have a couple of big deals to announce though, all except one are concerned with the Wizards...seems like they are making big changes"
"The Deals are as follows, first one, the Wizards, Suns, Rockets engage in a three team trade, with Etan Thomas, Mike James of the Wizards going to the Phoenix Suns for Shaquille O'Neal, Antawn Jamison of the Wizards going to the Rockets for Shane Battier, and Suns forward Grant Hill going to the Rockets for Brian Cook."
"Wow, Wizards traded a lot and got Shaq and Battier, I don't know how this would pan out, either way, they are still getting expirings next season, so if Shaq doesn't work out, they can start over, Shane is a huge addition though, alongside Ariza, the Wizards can really stop people now, but giving up Antawn? i donno about that" said Jeff Van Gundy
"The Second Deal, involves the Wizards and the Bobcats, this is relatively minor, the Wizards trade Crittenton and McGuire to the Bobcats in exchange for the 20th pick DeRozan and last years first round selection Alexis Ajinca" announced Scott
"Nothing real big here, just clearing the path for Lai to be the PG of the future" said Jackson
"Third Trade, Wizards, Kings, and the Mavericks." announced Scott "Wizards send Miles, and the newly acquired DeRozan to the Kings for former Wizards number 1 overall bust pick Kwame Brown, they also send their '09 2nd round pick to the Mavs and get Gerald Green, the Kings also send their 32nd pick Vasquez to the Mavs."
"Why Kwame Brown? This deal would have been good if it was for anyone other then Kwame Brown..." said Mark Jackson
"4th and 5th trades are minor ones, 4th trade is Haywood from the Wizards to the Hawks for Othello Hunter, and 5th trade is Hunter and '10 2nd round pick Wizards to the Kings for Magloire"
"Haywood for Magloire...i don't know what to say" said Jeff Van Gundy
"Finally, the last deal of the night, between the Pacers and the Grizzlies" announce Scott "Pacers would send their third overall pick Ricky Rubio, alongside Nesterovic and Troy Murphy to the Grizzlies for Blatche, Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, and Darko Milicic"
"Pacers got this deal in the bag, i don't know how good Rubio is, but i sure know how good Conley and Gay are, Blatche and Milicic are solid players as well, and that'll make up for the loss of Murphy and Nesterovic" said Mark Jackson
"I agree, we haven't seen Rubio play in the NBA, but Gay and Conley are proven starters, the former a boarderline All Star, this is a steal by Indiana" said Jeff Van Gundy
-----------A Few Days Later-----------
---Wizards Front Office---
"Look, Put him on instead, i'll talk with him" said Doug Collins
"No, Lamar would not accept a low ball offer like that, he has decided to sign with the Oklahoma City Thunder, they respect his value there"
"Crap" cursed Collins "Damn OKC is stealing all my targeted FAs, first Sheed now Odom...and Pacers stole AI off the market with a lame 20 million dollar over 3 years deal..."
"Doug, cheer up, i got some guys that are interested in our offers" said Saunders
"Such as?"
"These two guys, you'll be happy to have them am i correct?" asked Saunders, handing Collins the details of the contracts...
"Great job Flip, lets have the press conference ready for tomorrow, for all the new players"
"Sure Doug"
------The Next Day, In the Press Conference area setted up in Verizon Center-----
"We are pleased to welcome our new players, first the new signings, put your hands together for LEON POWE AND ERIC SNOW!!!" announced Doug Collins as the two players walked into the room, shook hands with Collins, Saunders, and Coach Eddie Jordan, got their jerseys, and waited...
"Next up, put your hands together to welcome, Jamaal Magloire, Kwame Brown, Shane Battier, Gerald Green, and Alexis Ajinca!" announced Flip Saunders, the various players came, shook hands and got their jerseys to the mixture of boos and applauses
"AND NOW, FOR OUR TEAM's BIGGEST ADDITION, PLEASE WELCOME THE MAN IN THE MIDDLE, THE DIESEL, THE BIG LEGENDARY, SHAQUILLE O'NEAL!" announced Collins as O'Neal stepped into the room in the same manner as the other players, doing a little break dancing in the middle of it, shook hands, got his jersey, and sat down with the GMs and Coaches
"Shaq would join Gilbert as the team's co-captain" said Collins "we hope his experience can rub off on the young guys"
"Now lets meet the rookies! We welcome Leo Lai and Blake Griffin to the Washington Wizards!" announced Eddie Jordan, as the two rookies come into the room to warm cheers from the crowd
"Well Blake, looks like we are finally here" said Lai to his fellow rookie
"Yes it is, just don't blame me when i steal the show kid, you may have gotten drafted higher then me, but that doesn't mean that you are better then me, just sit on the bench and watch me perform" answered Griffin
"Well, you never know until you try" said Lai before going up to the podium to answer questions from the press "one thing's for certain, I'm just here to do what i can do to help the team get a championship, that's all"
----At the rear end of the press conference, Wizards Star Gilbert Arenas observed the situation----
"Those kids have a lot of hype on them, but they are still raw, i wonder which one of them can be the hero?" thought Arenas to himself "anyhow, this marks it..."
"The Beginning of a new era..."
) There will be a storyline to be followed, I ask all to pardon me for my lack of creativity skills in coming up with stories, i will try my best to make them not as bad 
