Basketball UFO

Chapter 4
"It's a pity that at the time you mentioned, we happened to have an appointment to try out in New York." Fagan explained to John Nash, "And you went to Los Angeles for a tryout, and we couldn't make it in time."

"That's such a pity." John Nash led the team to Joe Bryant's home in Los Angeles to make an appointment at the time and place. He wanted to invite Carter to try out together, but he didn't expect the time to be right.

After thinking about it, John Nash asked again, "Do you have any plans for the next few days?"

"Before the draft, the schedule is full. You know, there is not much time left." Feigen once again expressed regret, and then said yin and yang, "Vince is very professional, we all went directly to the team training ground for trial training. "

The Nets actually directly approached the players for a trial training instead of inviting the players to come over for a trial training. The attitude was too low. If Carter was not given this attitude, Fagan would feel uncomfortable.

In fact, Fagan doesn't want Carter to go to New Jersey. After all, it's just a suburb of New York, a rural area. It's better to be in New York City. It's a big ball market and a good team, and the future prospects will definitely be better.

"Maybe at the next stop, we can go over and have a look." John Nash took the initiative to lower his stance. He just became the general manager and took Wesley Reed's class, and he didn't want to mess things up.

"We'll try out with the Indiana Pacers the day after tomorrow," Fagan agreed.As long as more teams pay attention to Carter, there will be more bargaining costs.

Stepping onto the training ground in New York, "Old Oak" Charles Oakley greeted him, "Man, we met again, and I came here to wait for you. You know what? I recommended you to both Ernie and Jeff." .”

"So you're going to be blown up by me later?"

"Hahaha, I'm not that stupid. Dennis Johnson is just asshole."

Under the watchful eye of the New York team, Carter faced yet another high-intensity workout.New York's training pursues high intensity, and the same goes for trial training. It's even more extreme than the Celtics. They torture people until they lose their physical strength and then shoot.

However, Carter consciously maintained a balanced physical fitness, and his shots were not inaccurate in a tired state, which was at the same level as in other places during the trial.Good shot, not best.

Ernie Grunfeld gave Vince Carter a perfect score, as did Jeff Van Gundy.

"He's the most athletic young player we've ever seen, and he's going to be successful in New York."

"Talent makes people excited. If we have a higher draft pick, we can use Carter as an alternative." Ernie looked calm, thinking about the future of the team, "Our most important task is to recruit the strongest Free agency, 165 players will be free agents this summer."

What the Knicks want is grades, to win a championship before Ewing ages, and they are not too interested in the rookies they still have to train.And in the previous transaction, the Knicks had the 18th and 19th picks in the first round.

"It's a pity that Carter will not fall to the 18th overall pick. Some team will definitely choose him." Jeff Van Gundy still has Mediterranean hair, and the top of his head is gradually shining.

Carter's performance just now made him very excited, but the team's more important task is to strengthen, not to rebuild.

This summer, Michael Jordan may become a free agent, and the Knicks are the most enthusiastic suitors.

In addition, there is the 24-year-old Shaq O'Neal, who is in the Magic. Alonzo Mourning, 26, with the Heat.Juwan Howard, in the Washington Bullets, the team has not changed its name to the Wizards.There is also Dikembe Mutombo, an inside defensive champion, currently in the Atlanta Hawks.

There is also Reggie Miller as a strong outside player. In the Pacers, the Pistons' mid-range shooting king Alan Houston will also become a free agent.Gary Payton, who reached the Finals with the Sonics, will also become a free agent.

Countless stars will enter the free market together, which will cause huge changes in the NBA this summer.

"I guess Vince will be selected between the 10th and 12th picks. We can choose to trade the picks as a reserve for future stars." Ernie discussed with Jeff, "I will talk to Denver, the Warriors and the Bullets. Let them draft them and we make the trade.”

"No problem." Jeff smiled, obviously looking forward to it, "Vince's confidence reminds me of Michael Jordan."

Jordan is playing in the Finals.

Riding on the brilliance of 72 wins, the Bulls have been unstoppable this season, strongly announcing the return of the king.

The Sonics have won two games, but have lost three games. In the last game, they will try their best.

Meanwhile, Vince Carter completed his workout with the Pacers.

Today's Pacers are still owned by brothers Melvin Simon and Herb Simon, general manager Donnie Walsh, and an excellent team operations officer.The head coach is Larry Brown. He has led the Pacers for several seasons and can basically reach the playoffs.

Larry Bird is the team's special assistant. He saw Vince Carter's performance and was more excited than the general manager and the head coach. "I think we should choose Vince. I believe he will be selected before the 12th pick. We should trade draft picks."

"But we have to pursue results and shouldn't waste time training rookies." Larry Brown only likes a well-formed team and lets him train young people. He has no such intention.

"No, no, no, Vince can provide immediate combat power." Byrd smiled cheaply, "I like to bully rookies, pick this guy, I will beat him up every day, ravage him, and put him on the bench , break him down, and bring him back to life as a superstar."

Donnie Walsh doesn't understand Larry Bird's bad taste, but he understands Bird's technique and mental strength, and deliberately teased, "Vince Carter will fly in the sky."

"Although I can't fly, I like to step on people who can fly. Just like dealing with Jordan back then, Carter also has a special temperament. He will succeed. Look at his eyes, and even killed people."

"Please, have you ever killed someone?"

"If it counts to let the flesh and blood fall into the tai, it should be counted." Larry Bird countered mercilessly, "See? Athletes secrete more testosterone."

"Gah!" Donnie Walsh and Larry Brown, two old men, cursed at the same time.

"Ahahaha, did you see that? Carter seems to have a microphone in his trouser pocket. It's really convincing. This guy is not a good guy."

"Then you still want him?"

"You have to find the Denver Nuggets and trade the No. 10 pick. I love Vince so much."

Larry Brown rolled his eyes at Big Bird. The team already had "crooked" Reggie Miller and "big ass" Mark Jackson on the outside, and they needed to strengthen their inside players.

Not to mention that the team is fighting for the rookie's head, the US media has already been arguing.

Candidates for the No. [-] pick, the most promising is the agile Allen Iverson, and Marcus Camby is expected to challenge Iverson to become the No. [-] pick.

Some media also rank these players. Of course, although Carter is the MOP of the NCAA Final Four, he performed very well in the trial training, and he has not been ranked in the top five.

TNT, which has won the right to broadcast the draft, is frantically building momentum and digging out all kinds of gimmicks in order to increase the ratings.

For rookies who may enter the first round, TNT has arranged special interviews.On Carter's side, his family, teachers, and friends are all among the interviewees.When selected, these interview clips will be played on the big screen at the scene.

The general managers of each team are also operating draft transactions. The Pacers used their No. 23 pick to combine cash and future draft picks to trade for this year's No. 10 pick.

Larry Bird is very proud. In his opinion, Carter is determined to win. "The biggest surprise in this year's draft was picked up by the Pacers. Maybe in a few years, the Pacers will become the king of the league."

The Celtics also used cash and future draft picks to trade up with the No. 9 pick, and the Dallas Mavericks agreed to give up the No. 6 pick.

After Larry Bird heard the news, he immediately called President Auerbach, "Boss, who are you going to choose with the No. 6 pick?"

"Of course it's an inside player, but I know you're staring at Vince Carter. If he is selected at the tenth pick, he will be traded to us, and the players on the team can be chosen at will."

"No, no, I only want Carter." Larry Bird was determined.In particular, Auerbach also took a fancy to Carter, which strengthened Bird's thinking.

"Actually, there is another high school student, Kobe Bryant. I think he should be selected around No. 15. It's a pity that he won't go to the Pacers, otherwise I would recommend it to you."

"That stinky young man? He's the same type of person as Carter. He won't give up until he achieves his goal, but I like Carter better. He's relaxed and relaxed and doesn't tense up all the time."

Compared with Kobe's paranoia, Carter is more relaxed and may be more stable at critical moments.

"What about Iverson and Ray Allen? How are they?" Auerbach was also willing to listen to Larry Bird's thoughts.

The Celtics have reached a consensus that Iverson, Camby, Ray Allen, Marbury, Walker and Raheem are the top six picks. They are the sixth pick. Get picked, and the one left is the Celtics' choice.

As for Carter and Kobe, they are the latter options for the time being.

"They are all geniuses, but in the long run, Vince Carter is really the right choice. His eyes are too sharp, and with his physical condition, he will definitely succeed."

"Larry, you have figured out the essence, go and be the head coach yourself."

"The other Larry did a great job."

The team's draft pick trade continues, with the Cleveland Cavaliers trading the 12th overall pick from the Washington Bullets.

Fagan can no longer understand. Boston is his favorite city at the moment, and Los Angeles is also very good. But if he falls below the top ten, Carter can only go to the Pacers or Golden State, or even the useless Cleveland.

Time flies, and it's time for the draft at the end of June.

This year's 50th anniversary of the NBA will select the top 50 stars.The draft representing the future was held in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Before the conference started, a group of young players were invited into the small green room, and Carter was among them.

Carter also brought his parents, children and several friends to witness becoming an NBA player with him.

Originally, his parents did not agree with Carter ending his college career early, but after seeing Carter win the NCAA championship, find happiness through basketball, and have two cute dolls, they no longer bothered to restrict Carter.

"Vince, you have grown up and should choose your own path. Although these two children arrived unexpectedly, we will give them enough love and let them grow up happily." Stepfather Harry Robinson promised Carter.

Michelle, her mother, is a teacher like her stepfather. Although she doesn't like her son becoming an athlete, she can't continue to restrict him.

Carter grew up in a well-off family. Basketball was not his only choice. He also played rugby and volleyball. He was the main player in the high school team in rugby and the best player in the county in volleyball.He even had musical attainments, he played the saxophone very well, and a university was willing to provide Carter with a music scholarship.

Of course, it is not the Berklee College of Music, where domestic stars are easy to get the status of music returnees.

Fagan was in a good mood and took Carter into the small green room. There were already many people inside.

Iverson, rebellious, sat at a table surrounded by his mother, also with her baby in her arms, and a large group of friends.

Camby and Raheem were more shy, sitting quietly in the company of relatives and friends, not talking much.

When Marbury saw someone coming in, he glanced at him, and then went back to his own business.Ray Allen was personable and nodded to Carter.

Antoine Walker "cut", still brooding over the loss in the NCAA Finals.

The young Kobe Bryant also raised his head and muttered, "I will blow up everyone here."

The three hosts of TNT began to introduce the situation of this year's draft. The media had already done a lot of homework, and the evaluation of these rookies was relatively accurate.

NBA Commissioner David Stern took the stage and began announcing the team's selection.

The No. 76 pick belongs to the Philadelphia 1996ers. "In the 76 NBA draft, the first pick, the Philadelphia [-]ers chose Allen Iverson."

When Iverson heard his name in the little green room, he immediately became excited and embraced his mother and friends passionately.Then he walked out coolly, put on a hat with the 76ers' logo on it, and walked onto the stage to shake hands with Stern.

Then the reporter interviewed Iverson alone, and his wonderful performance in college was shown on the big screen.

Carter watched the players in front of him being drafted away, and found that the first few picks were the same as in parallel time and space, without any change.

After Allen Iverson, the Toronto Raptors selected Marcus Camby, and the Vancouver Grizzlies selected Raheem.

With the fourth pick, the Milwaukee Bucks selected Stephon Marbury.

The fifth pick was the Timberwolves. Their original intention was to select Marbury, but they didn't expect Milwaukee to take the lead and had to choose Ray Allen.

The Timberwolves management still did not give up, seeking to trade up, using Ray Allen to trade Marbury.The management of the Bucks is very proud. They just learned of the Timberwolves' idea, so they took the lead in grabbing Marbury and prepared to make a small profit.

The top five picks all appeared, and Fegan became nervous, "I guess the Celtics will choose you with the sixth pick."

"No, they will choose Antoine Walker, and my men will be defeated." Carter looked at the fat man not far away.

The fat man's palms were sweaty. He suddenly heard his own voice in the sixth position and became excited. He waved his fists and said, "Ha, I won."

Looking at Vince Carter, raised his huge head, "In any case, my draft pick is ahead of you."

"Just don't be beaten and cried by me in the NBA." Carter didn't bother to pay attention.

To be honest, he doesn't know which pick he will be selected.The Clippers, Nets, Mavericks and Pacers are left in the top ten.

Larry Bird also smiled, "Fortunately, the Celtics underestimated Carter, he is now a Pacers man."

(End of this chapter)