NBA: Warrior godfather.

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After Liam finished speaking, the room suddenly fell silent.

Although Green had a premonition, he still couldn't help but feel an incredible sensation in his heart when he heard Liam say it himself.

Coach Liam had come to his house and promised that he would pick him in the draft... He never dared to think about that.

This was Coach Liam, who had dominated the NCAA for two years, turning the previously unknown Butler University into a powerhouse in college basketball. He then went on to acquire the Warriors and became the sole owner and head coach of the NBA team, as well as the youngest director in NBA history!

Although he only coached at Butler University for two years, he had already left his mark on NCAA history with two championships. The three words "Coach Liam" had already become synonymous with legendary coaches like John Wooden, Coach K, Larry Brown, and other famous names.

Green incoherently said:

"Sir, are you being serious? Are you sure you didn't find the wrong person? No, I'm not questioning your intentions, but I never thought you'd come to my house and say this... an invitation... can I really play in the NBA?"

At that moment, Green still wasn't averaging 16.2 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game in his final year, leading his team to win the Big Ten Championship and recording his third triple-double in March Madness, joining Magic Johnson and Oscar Robertson as the elite players to achieve such a feat.

The current Green, who was chasing his dreams, was still a sophomore. Even though his stats of 11.3 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game looked solid, and he was extremely versatile compared to most players in the NCAA, his positioning and height (under two meters) meant he was often questioned by scouts. They believed a player with an unclear position like him couldn't survive in the NBA. This wasn't because scouts were against him; every year, there were many powerful but undersized forwards in the NCAA, but once they entered the NBA, they quickly turned into waterboys, fading from the spotlight.

Not to mention, Tyler Hansbrough, known throughout the United States and compared to Jordan in the history of the North Carolina team, had broken countless records and been selected to the All-American team four years in a row. This year, he was drafted by the Pacers with the 13th overall pick.

But he didn't show the superstar potential that fans had hoped for. On the contrary, as noted in the scouts' reports, he was omnipotent in the NCAA but became ineffective in the NBA. Under the physical confrontation and height differences at the NBA level, he couldn't show his offensive skills and only played about ten minutes a game as a bench player. He averaged 6.4 points and 4.5 rebounds with a shooting percentage of 36% — nowhere near what he had done in the NCAA.

This was because the Pacers gave him some ball-handling duties due to his high draft position, but without that, he likely wouldn't have even scored those points.

Green himself was also ready to enter the draft after his final year. The league was very unfavorable for players like him, and there was even the possibility that he wouldn't be drafted at all.

On the surface, he had a lot of confidence, as if he were definitely going to enter the NBA, but inside, he was very anxious. He had to practice hard every day just to feel somewhat secure.

Mary, sitting next to him, also looked nervously at Liam, tightly clutching the corner of her apron with both hands.

Liam's words were a chance to change the Green family's destiny.

Liam said seriously:

"Of course, my scouts have been in contact with you, but their feedback wasn't very positive, and you don't have an agent. I came here in person to discuss the draft with you."

Mary immediately turned her eyes to Green, ignoring Liam's presence, and said angrily:

"Draymond! Didn't you just say that the scouts are very optimistic about you? You also said you're likely to enter the NBA!"

"That wasn't to make you feel comfortable... That gentleman really thinks highly of me, but you know, Mom, everyone else said I couldn't play in the NBA, and he was too excited about me without even seeing some of my games. I thought he was fooling me..." Green murmured.

Liam helplessly leaned back and sank into the sofa. He hadn't expected the enthusiasm of the scout to make Green doubt him.

Perhaps Liam was a little too eager to receive instructions from Larry Riley at that moment, and that made him overly zealous.

Mary glared at Green, then turned to Liam with an apologetic smile:

"Sir, I'm sorry for causing you trouble. Draymond is a good boy. He just thinks too much sometimes..."

Making that expression was a little embarrassing for Mary, who usually came across as a lioness protecting her cubs. Her smile didn't look natural.

Liam smiled and said:

"It's okay, you can call me Liam. I'm very optimistic about Draymond. One of the reasons is his excellent basketball IQ."

His eyes turned to Green:

"Draymond, I watched your game video, and I think your attributes are a perfect fit for the Warriors. I hope you can enter the draft next year. I can guarantee you that I'll use a draft pick to select you."

Green hesitated and said:

"Sir, I'm very grateful for your recognition. It's a huge motivation for me... But I want to ask you, what do you think of me? Many people say I can't play in the NBA at all, and I think my position is unclear. Low big men can't survive in the NBA."

When Mary heard Green's words, she silently jabbed him with a meaningful look, reminding him to accept the opportunity first.

But Green remained calm, as if he didn't feel anything. He looked at Liam nervously, waiting for his response.

He wanted to know what Coach Liam saw in him, because he himself felt very confused, often unsure about his future and thinking that his basketball career would end in college.

This wasn't unreasonable sadness. Green had watched videos of famous power forwards in history but couldn't find anyone who could serve as a model for him. Desperately, he realized that no player like him had ever existed in NBA history.

Charles Barkley is less than two meters tall but is a monster in the low post and a super rebounder. He dominates the paint with his strong body and abnormal talent. Green's scoring style relies more on shooting and cutting, and isn't as impressive. There didn't seem to be any way forward.

Chris Webber is known as the most magnificent power forward in NBA history. He has excellent high-post skills and offensive power. He almost led his team to overthrow the Lakers at his peak. However, his height is 2.08 meters. The standard height for power forwards is 10 centimeters higher than his.

Boris Diaw is known as the "French Magician." His status is much lower than Barkley and Chris Webber's, but he's also one of the few notable power forwards in recent years. He has strong offensive support, but Green also possesses that. What stands out for him is his defense. He can defend one through five, whereas Diaw is a sieve defensively...

Green had once tried to learn how these great power forwards played but found that his own style of play was unique.

Although he trained hard every day and won game after game, he still didn't know how his future should evolve. Could he really continue using his current playing style in the NBA with his height?

This question had remained in Green's mind for a long time. After meeting Liam, he couldn't wait to ask him.

Liam thought for a moment and said:

"As far as I know, you're not someone who doubts yourself. Why ask that?"

"But I was surrounded by doubts, and I found a direction to develop. Coach Izzo let me play the way I wanted, but I didn't know if I could play in the NBA. I've never seen a player like me before..." Green said with a wry smile.

Liam nodded in understanding. Green hadn't yet achieved success, and the outside world was widely questioning him. Otherwise, he wouldn't have considered entering the draft after his final year. He urgently needed validation from others, especially from a famous coach like Liam.

Liam smiled and asked:

"Draymond, who are you playing for?"

"For my family," Green replied without hesitation.

"Then why are you confused? You're doing something great, working hard for your family. Just do it your way, and you'll definitely get what you want. Don't you think my arrival explains it?"

"Sir, you're right, but can I really succeed in the NBA?"

"Of course!" Liam nodded. "Although I don't celebrate Christmas or go out on Christmas Eve, you have a potential that you can't even imagine. I'm very optimistic about you. As long as you follow my guidance, not only will you make it to the NBA, but you'll also become a star!"

Green's eyes lit up:

"I'll definitely do it! Just ask me!"

"First of all, keep following what Coach Izzo teaches you, especially on the defensive side. You must know that your offense won't be as powerful in the NBA, and defense will be the foundation of your life," said Liam.

Green nodded heavily.

He also thought the same. He knew he couldn't be a scorer, and defense had to be his top priority.

"Beyond that, I need you to practice your three-point shooting."

"The three-point shot? But I'm an inside player. Do I really need to practice three-pointers?" Green said in surprise.

Liam chuckled:

"You don't usually watch Warriors games, do you?"

Green said somewhat embarrassed:

"Yeah, I don't have much time to watch games, and I'm a Pistons fan. Normally, I only watch Pistons games..."

"Then you'll watch more Warriors games... In my tactical system, spacing is very important. I don't want to see two inside players staying too close to the paint, blocking the defender's advance and the wing player's cut. All lanes will be blocked. On the contrary, I prefer to have big men retreat outside the three-point line to create space for their teammates to attack the basket," explained Liam.

Green nodded slowly. He understood what Liam meant. There had been more and more stretch forwards in recent years.

"Okay, I'll definitely practice three-pointers!" Green gritted his teeth and agreed.

He almost never shot three-pointers, and his scoring area was mostly concentrated under the basket. He only shot a few mid-range shots at most. He wasn't sure if he could practice three-pointers.

But since Liam had made the request, he naturally couldn't refuse. It was just a three-pointer. Green decided that from tomorrow on, he would shoot 100 three-pointers every day.

Liam nodded with satisfaction:

"Don't worry, this will be a slow process. Don't rush. As long as your open three-point shooting percentage is above 33% in your rookie season, you'll be fine."

Green felt relieved. This goal didn't seem that difficult.

He didn't realize that Jonathan was watching him sympathetically.

Although Jonathan had only recently joined the Warriors, he had seen the team train many times. He knew that all the Warriors shooters hit more than 80% in practice, but in the game, except for Curry, no one could hit more than 40%.

Green had never played in the NBA, so he was still naive...

Liam continued:

"Another point: I hope you can find videos of the best point guards, like Stockton, Kidd, and Nash, to learn how to pass. Your basketball IQ and court vision are exceptional. I won't treat you as just a 3-and-D player. If you use your skills as a worker, you'll become another organizational hub for the Warriors alongside Stephen Curry!"

"The organizational hub…" Green repeated softly, his eyes growing brighter.

Coach Tom Izzo from Michigan State had organized high-post tactics for him. Green liked the feeling of distributing the ball from the high post, having the ball in his hands, directing his teammates, and then sending out subtle passes. It made him want to stop.

It was a pity that his most varied actions were still in the paint, and Coach Izzo wouldn't let him be Chris Webber forever.

But when Liam asked him to be the "organizational hub" for the Warriors, it excited Green.

However, Liam immediately gave him a reality check:

"Of course, the primary ball handler for the team will be Stephen Curry. You're only responsible for shooting him passes when he runs without the ball, but trust me, there will never be a shortage of opportunities like that."

"I understand," Green quickly nodded. He didn't have illusions about challenging Curry's status.

"This is another reason I want you to practice three-pointers. If you don't have a three-point threat, standing at the top of the arc is useless. The high-post support on the free-throw line is outdated. I need you to learn three-pointers. If you don't want the opponent to defend 5-on-4, you have to practice your threes. Do you understand?" Liam warned seriously.

Green has "past offenses," and Liam didn't want to see a famous paint player with three meters of space in front of him.

"I'll definitely practice three-pointers, I promise!" Green said quickly.

Mary also helped and said:

"Liam, Draymond never tells lies. He'll never be lazy."

Liam let out a sigh of relief and smiled:

"I believe you, but I still have to remind you to reduce training on low-post moves and focus on training three-pointers, defense, and passing near the free-throw line. This will be your responsibility on the court."

"But the team needs me to score in the post…" Green hesitated.

Liam said seriously:

"This requires you to make a decision now or in the future. All I can promise you is that no one in the Warriors can change the decision I made. As long as you follow my requirements and pass the pre-draft test, you'll be an important member of the Warriors' future, and you can achieve everything. If not... well, in short, I hope you can seize this opportunity. No other head coach in the league is as powerful as I am. No one else will make you such a promise."

After hearing this, Green had no more doubts and said loudly:

"I understand, sir, I'm willing to work for you!"

End of this chapter

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