The NBA Draft Buzz: Lian Dao's Potential

After concluding the press conference, Lian Dao made his way back to the locker room and settled onto the bench, surrounded by teammates who looked physically drained from the intense game. Everyone seemed exhausted; if it weren't for the mandatory press duties, Lian Dao might have skipped it altogether. However, as the star player, attending was non-negotiable.

Lian Dao had delivered a standout performance, scoring a game-high 41 points, along with 10 rebounds, 9 assists—nearly a triple-double—and an impressive 11 out of 17 three-pointers. His impact was undeniable, with much of USC's scoring heavily influenced by his contributions.

Back at the hotel, a modest celebration ensued as USC secured their spot in the national Elite Eight. Coach Tim allowed the team to enjoy the moment, understanding the need to release the pressure. However, he also cautioned them not to get carried away; they hadn't reached their ultimate goal yet.

The following day, they packed up and prepared to move. Their next game wouldn't be at the Hubert Humphrey Dome in Minneapolis, Minnesota—instead, they were headed to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their opponents in the upcoming game were set: the Louisville Cardinals, who had secured their place by defeating the Kansas State Jayhawks in a dramatic 8-of-16 matchup. Despite the Jayhawks' initial advantage, they faltered in the end, succumbing 9-0 to a spirited comeback from Louisville.

Now, USC was gearing up to face off against the Louisville Cardinals in the Elite Eight matchup at Lucas Oil Stadium—a critical juncture in their pursuit of NCAA glory.

...

Grizzlies general manager Chris Wallace felt a surge of excitement as he watched Lian Dao's game footage. From preseason matches to advancing to the national Elite Eight, Wallace had witnessed Lian Dao's remarkable transformation from a role player to a core athlete. He recognized the player's immense potential and talent.

However, another prospect, Hashim Thabeet from the University of Connecticut, also caught Wallace's eye. Choosing between these two promising players posed a tough decision.

Reflecting on Mark Iavaroni's lackluster performance as coach, Wallace knew the Grizzlies faced a critical summer. They needed both team reconstruction and a new head coach to steer them forward.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Clippers and Washington Wizards were eyeing Lian Dao. The Clippers favored Griffin as their top pick but would consider Lian Dao if Griffin was taken earlier. On the other hand, Washington Wizards' GM Ernie Grunfeld showed strong interest in Lian Dao, seeing him as a potential game-changer for their struggling team.

The Wizards were at a crossroads between rebuilding through the draft—a lengthy and uncertain process—or through trades, despite their limited assets. The upcoming free-agent market presented opportunities, but the willingness of big-name players like Boozer, Odom, and others to join the Wizards remained uncertain.

Regardless of their strategy—draft or trade—the Wizards viewed selecting Lian Dao as a potentially lucrative move. His presence could attract trade opportunities or enhance their rebuilding efforts significantly.

In the competitive landscape of the NBA draft, securing Lian Dao's talents promised to be a game-changing decision for any team willing to take the leap.

...

Los Angeles, TNT Building headquarters.

A basketball show called "NBA Insider" is hosted by Big Mouth Barkley and Kenny Smith.

The program mainly shares interesting NBA facts and players' personal stories that fans don't usually hear. It's known for its entertaining style, mixing humorous anecdotes with real-life events.

One of the most memorable moments was when Barkley lost a bet and had to kiss a donkey's rear end!

The show is popular because it's not just about game commentary; it connects fans with their favorite players on a more personal level.

The discussion often revolves around current NBA events. For instance, this season, injuries to key players like Garnett from the Celtics have left questions about their playoff prospects.

Another topic was McGrady's injury setback, and how Yao Ming is carrying the team with his leadership despite the challenges.

After analyzing these topics, Kenny Smith brought up an intriguing point.

"Sickle has led USC back to the Elite Eight after 8 years!"

Kenny's remark was aimed to draw attention to Lian Dao's impressive performance.

This year's standout college players include Griffin, James Harden, Hashem Thabeet, and the emerging talent, Lian Dao.

James Harden's Arizona Sun Devils were eliminated by Syracuse University, leaving Griffin's Oklahoma Clippers, Thabeet's UConn, and Lian Dao's USC in the Elite Eight.

Among them, USC's journey to the Elite Eight has been the most thrilling and captivating.

"Oh, Sickle, he's got a sweet three-point shot, a bit like that kid from Davidson College!"

Barkley glanced at Kenny with a smirk.

"I mean their three-point accuracy!"

Their conversation showed their keen interest in NCAA games.

"Yeah, both of them can really nail those long-range shots!"

Kenny nodded, recalling how accurate the Davidson College player was.

"And what about that last-second win against Michigan State!" Barkley added. He had watched the game and was amazed by Lian Dao's game-winning three-pointer.

Such shots are rare even in the NBA.

"It's intriguing. He looks like an inside player but prefers shooting from outside."

"He should use his strength inside; that's where the real battle is. Shooting from the perimeter is for softies!"

Barkley expressed his preference for strong, inside scoring.

"I'm not too optimistic about his NBA future with that playing style," Barkley continued in his usual outspoken manner. Initially, he didn't expect much from Lian Dao, especially disliking tall players who favor outside shooting.

"But do you want to make another bet?" Kenny teased, sensing Barkley's skepticism about Lian Dao's potential.

"What kind of bet?"

"Let's bet on whether Lian Dao can score over 25 points in an NBA game. If you lose, you'll be kissing the donkey's rear end!" Kenny grinned mischievously.

Barkley winced at the thought of the consequences, recalling a previous bet gone wrong involving a Chinese player.

Though skeptical of Lian Dao's playing style, Barkley acknowledged his talent.

"Well, sometimes this kid surprises me."

"Remember that 'death dunk' against Siena Saints? That was pure brilliance!"

Barkley eagerly recounted the play that left Devin Ubilles hospitalized with rib fractures and a concussion.

"Death dunk?" Kenny Smith raised an eyebrow, not initially catching on.

"Yeah, that slam really shook things up!"

"But you don't rate him highly?" Kenny asked, understanding Barkley's concerns.

"I just think he's wasting his talent playing on the perimeter. He should dominate inside like a traditional big man."

Barkley blushed slightly, but stuck to his viewpoint.

"Then you're not up for another bet?" Kenny prodded, sensing Barkley's reluctance.

"Hey, Kenny, let's keep the gambling off TV. We're here to entertain, not encourage betting."

Barkley retorted playfully, knowing when to stand his ground.

Kenny smiled knowingly, shifting the conversation away from bets. Their long partnership had taught them when to push and when to ease off.