The Chicago Bulls' interior in the 2001-2002 season was extremely "bloated." Besides two of the three high school interior gems from the 2001 draft — Tyson Chandler and Eddy Curry — they also had the renowned interior enforcer Charles Oakley and the big white bear Brad Miller.
Tyson Chandler played 71 games and started 31 during his rookie regular season. The other rookie, Eddy Curry, played 72 games and started 31.
If the Chicago Bulls had used their number one draft pick on Yao Ming, they would most likely have traded him, as they simply couldn't develop him. Of course, holding the number one draft pick, the Chicago Bulls wouldn't need to draft another Center. Instead, they would look at Duke University's super Point Guard, Jay Williams, a talented Point Guard standing 188cm tall.
Jay Williams had a strong personality. Before the draft, he publicly stated that he was the most outstanding player in his class, and he even believed that if he had entered the draft last year, he would have definitely surpassed Link to become the NBA number one draft pick. Link himself was quite used to this, as ever since he gained fame across America, there had been a constant stream of players challenging him.
NBA teams selecting a number one draft pick consider multiple factors such as "immediate impact," "player potential," and "adaptability." Rookies like Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan, and Link would be chosen without hesitation, even if the team already had a star player in the same position. Their terrifying talent and immediate impact make them incredibly desirable...
2002 was a weak draft year. Although Jay Williams, born in 1981, played exceptionally well in the NCAA, he didn't display true "dominance." Furthermore, a small Point Guard at 188cm and 88kg would need a considerable amount of time to adapt to the NBA. If he were to get injured during this period, all would be in vain. Guards have a much higher chance of their careers being cut short compared to interior players, making it much harder for a Point Guard to become a number one draft pick. In the long history of the NBA, only one Point Guard number one draft pick has "bust" due to a strange illness: "Fultz."
Yao Ming's commercial value and immediate impact are incomparable to Jay Williams'. The Chicago Bulls, holding the number one draft pick, have no reason to give up Yao Ming. However, with their bloated interior, they would inevitably seek a trade.
The Washington Wizards, holding numerous draft picks, could definitely contend for Yao Ming. As for Brendan Haywood, while he's a good fit with Link and being a backup might be a waste of his talent, Yao Ming's offensive ability is simply too appealing. Moreover, if Washington were to bring together Link and Yao Ming, these two number one draft picks, they would undoubtedly be a dominant force in the NBA for the next decade.
"Michael, aren't the Houston Rockets and Yao Ming's team already in talks? And didn't David Stern, to boost NBA viewership and expand into the Chinese market... already pre-determine it for Houston?" Link asked, voicing his doubts.
As a reborn transmigrator, he often heard in his previous life that NBA number one draft picks were predetermined, such as Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs, and after Anthony Davis and Luka Doncic swapped teams, the league subsidized a number one draft pick for the Dallas Mavericks.
Is the lottery just a formality then?
"Link, although Mr. David intends to help Houston, the commercial value that Yao Ming joining our team would bring... ahem..." Michael Jordan suddenly coughed mid-sentence and said, "Link, you must believe in the fairness and impartiality of the draft lottery. Houston not getting the number one draft pick only further proves there's no inside story, doesn't it?"
"Just focus on the playoffs, and try to win a few more games..."
"I hope one day you can have your own championship ring, just like me."
Michael Jordan started to show off again as he spoke.
Although Link was already used to it, he couldn't help but retort, "Michael, did you even make it past the first round in your rookie season?"
The next second...
Beep beep beep!
A busy tone came from the other end of the line.
Yep, Michael Jordan hung up.
Seeing that history seemed to have changed, Link also became interested in the 2002 NBA draft lottery. After training, he quickly went to check the relevant information.
The Chicago Bulls got the number one draft pick, the Houston Rockets got the second pick, the Warriors got the third pick, the Memphis Grizzlies got the fourth overall pick in the first round, followed by the Denver Nuggets, Cleveland Cavaliers...
Uh...
Compared to his previous life, except for the Chicago Bulls and Rockets swapping places, there were basically no other changes for the teams. Oh, and the Washington Wizards. As the third-seeded team in the Eastern Conference regular season, the Washington Wizards naturally weren't eligible for a "lottery pick."
Instead, it was the Charlotte Hornets.
...
...
Two days later.
The Washington Wizards and Nets began Game 3, and the situation was similar to Game 2. Link once again scored 30+, and Randolph also had 20+ points. However, the Masked Man was off his game, shooting 3-for-14. With a score of 98-90, the visiting Nets defeated the Washington Wizards by 8 points, making the series 2-1.
In Game 4, the home team Washington Wizards tied the series. Link scored a new playoff high of 44 points, and the entire team racked up a massive 118 points. With a score of 114-118, the Washington Wizards won Game 4, setting up a crucial "Game 5."
The Eastern Conference was fiercely contested, and so was the Western Conference. It could be said that this Sacramento Kings team was the strongest opponent the Los Angeles Lakers faced during their three-peat. Compared to their first two championships, Kobe's influence on the court and his help to the team were already on par with O'Neal's at this time.
The Los Angeles Lakers' first championship was absolutely dominated by O'Neal, with Kobe as the undisputed second-in-command. The second championship was more evenly split, a true co-starring effort. But this year's Los Angeles Lakers, regarding who was the absolute core of the team, Kobe was fully qualified to challenge O'Neal.
In their encounters with the Kings, the Los Angeles Lakers managed to gain a slight advantage. O'Neal, besides being grateful that his younger brother was strong enough, also had a headache because his younger brother was not one to be subservient; he was a legend!
In contrast, although Link had firmly established himself as the team's leader, his helpers were too young, and the bench depth was particularly poor.
In Game 5, Link's shooting was terrible. Even after activating Player Takeover, he couldn't return to his usual level, which led to the visiting Washington Wizards suffering a crushing 30-point defeat to the New Jersey Nets, 80-110.
Link's individual stats weren't bad: 22 points, 5 assists, 5 rebounds, 3 Steals, and 1 Block, a standard 20+5+5. In an era before stat inflation, this was definitely All-Star player data.
"Yes, that's right, Link, although he is an excellent Point Guard, he is not a super scorer. I am very grateful to head coach Mr. Byron for promoting me to the team's starting lineup, and I successfully protected the paint," said Kwame Brown, the 2001 rookie who started as power forward in Game 5.
In his previous life, this bust number one draft pick, Kwame Brown, despite his poor mentality, butterfingers, low pressure resistance, and average offensive ability, had solid defense and athletic talent far superior to Kevin Garnett.
Playing alongside a passing maestro like Jason Kidd could fully unleash his athletic talent.
(TN: yk what i want)