Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

Sports Illustrated was a must-read for him in every issue.

This helped him understand the era.

Before crossing over, Yu Fei thought Victor Wembanyama's draft hype could rival that of Lebron James in 2003, but now it seems that a more appropriate comparison for the former might be Yao Ming during the years 2000-2002.

This isn't to say their styles are similar, but rather their hype and the American public's various imaginings of them.

Wembanyama incites wild fantasies for having frightening coordination, ball-handling, shooting, and mobility for someone at the 220cm height level, which looks like a combination of Rudy Gobert and Durant.

Yao Ming? Barefoot at 223cm, and reaching 229cm with shoes, he also had exceptional speed for that height, along with inside scoring techniques and a soft shooting touch, looking like a filled-out version of Rik Smits.

Those familiar with the NBA Draft history know that those dubbed "the filled-out version of XX" usually don't develop smoothly.

As many Americans who adored Yao Ming, there were as many who belittled him.

However, unquestionably, whether Yao had entered the 2000 or the 2001 Draft, he could have easily surpassed Kenyon Martin and the destined Kwame Brown to be the first pick.

Even if you extend the time period to the first decade of the new century, the only ones who could have prevented Yao from being the top pick would be LeBron James in 2003 and Greg Oden in 2007.

Such a talent recently caused a stir in the basketball world because of his agent.

Self-proclaimed to recruit heroes with the influence of His Airness, and none dare to defy, David Falk claimed that Yao Ming had signed with him, then Yao sent a letter of complaint to the players' union and David Stern, to which Falk retorted it was the despicable tactic of Bill Duffy, sensing the roar of a desperate man in Yao's complaint letter...

Exciting, too exciting. If Yu Fei wasn't so tired from his daily training, he would really want to buy all sorts of sports tabloids and pleasantly munch on melon seeds.

On May 20th, the day before the NBA Draft Lottery, Yu Fei returned to school and participated in a retirement ceremony with Anthony Lawson and others.

Although Lawson hoped the team's underclassmen could continue their glory, Yu Fei glanced over and wondered how the talent-average Royal Team could continue any glory?

The coach who led them to a championship left NCAA at the first chance, the school hasn't seriously recruited a new coach to date, the senior players who won the championship are about to retire, and the state championship title in Kent City has no attraction; it's still Kent's "mountain prison."

After the retirement ceremony, Yu Fei went to have his last KFC meal on the east hill with Lin Kaiwen.

Then the next day, May 21st, also happened to be the day of the 2001 NBA Draft Lottery.

Since the lottery started after 8:30 PM, Yu Fei intentionally kept his stomach empty, invited DiMio and Lawson, and ordered a table of takeout.

They ate while watching the lottery.

Before the lottery began, Lawson, like a soothsayer, said, "Trust me, Washington is going to win the first pick."

This was undoubtedly the smartest Yu Fei had seen Lawson in the over a year he'd known him.

"Why?" Yu Fei asked.

Lawson said indignantly, "Because David Stern likes to kiss MJ's ass, he will definitely give the first pick to Washington as a reward for MJ's help over the years."

Now, Yu Fei understood why there were so many conspiracy theories about the 1985 Draft Lottery.

Americans just love this stuff.

The Wizards Team had the third-highest odds of winning the first pick, and it wasn't surprising when they did, as the worst team hadn't won it since 1990.

The Chicago Bulls were the worst team at this lottery, and after Jerry Krause got his wish to drive Jordan out of Chicago, he swore the Bulls' rebuild wouldn't be as erratic as The Celtics', but two years later, they won only 31 games post-Jordan era.

Among all the executives attending the lottery, only Wizards Team president Jordan and Head Coach Doug Collins were absent.

Then, the Wizards Team, with the third-highest probability, snagged the first pick.

As an authentic African American from the midwestern United States, Anthony Lawson yelled, "Rigged! Rigged! David Stern, that damned scoundrel!"

However, if there really was a rigged scenario, then the Clippers wouldn't have gotten the second pick with the seventh-highest odds.

As the historically worst team in the NBA, facing a draft with so much high-talented newcomers, sending them to the Clippers, is that really for the NBA's best interest?

The teams after the Clippers were the Atlanta Hawks, Bulls, Golden State Warriors, Memphis Grizzlies, Brooklyn Nets, Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Celtics, Denver Nuggets, Supersonics, and Rockets.

As the representative of the Wizards Team on site, Rod Higgins said, "We keep all options open."

Why?

"There's no Patrick Ewing, no Shaquille O'Neal in this Draft."

Higgins' comments fueled speculation about rumors of Jordan considering a comeback.

If Jordan really wanted to return, he'd surely want to trade the first pick for immediate help. Who would want to wait for a young sapling to grow? Trade, trade, trade, everything can be traded.

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As soon as the results were out, Yu Fei turned off the TV.

"You guys think…"

Before Yu Fei could finish his sentence, he remembered that DiMio and Lawson weren't NBA experts, so they probably couldn't tell which team would suit him best.

"I think Golden State isn't bad," DiMio said, "They are in the middle of a rebuild, and even though Antawn Jamison's position clashes with yours, the functions you both serve on the court are quite distinct."

Yu Fei chuckled, "I don't think they will choose me with the fifth pick."

The draft was shaping up like this: first, the top three high school prospects would secure three of the top five spots. Then, Jason Richardson and Shane Battier, two immensely talented and battle-ready college players who had proven themselves, would likely fill two of the top six spots.

Lawson's eyes bulged as if he was still immersed in the "back-room dealings."

Yu Fei continued to eat his meal, calmly waiting for a call from his agent.

About half an hour later, Arne Trem called.

"How are things looking?" asked Yu Fei.

"Everything's arranged," said Trem, "Day after tomorrow is the first stop, you're heading to Houston."

"Houston?" Yu Fei thought in confusion; he remembered the Rockets had the thirteenth pick in the first round.

Of course, that was a decent position. The thirteenth pick had a BUFF, but Yu Fei had no sentimental attachment to the Rockets; the Yao-McGrady era meant nothing to him. Post Yao-McGrady, he remembered Yao as a media figure who often made outrageous statements and liked to use "what ifs" to reconstruct his professional career, while the other was a basketball association executive whose reputation was mixed.

However, regardless of his feelings, he would still focus on preparing for the first tryout, as many players managed to change perceptions through their workout performances.

"And after that?" Yu Fei inquired.

"Next is New Jersey, followed by Boston, and finally Memphis," Trem explained, "That's the current schedule. Don't worry, I believe you'll be picked in the top eight. Both Washington and Cleveland are interested in you."

Let's not mention Cleveland. Yu Fei stole LeBron's nickname and certainly wouldn't steal his throne; such a great and warm home should be left for LeBron himself.

Washington?

Yu Fei thought Trem was joking, "Washington has the number one pick…"

"Do you think you don't stand a chance of being the first overall pick?" Trem joked.

How could one say such a thing? Yu Fei wanted to be the first pick, but one must be realistic.

For the Wizards to use the first overall pick on Yu Fei, it's equally unlikely as the Cavaliers selecting Giannis with the first overall pick in 2013.

The decision might be correct, but the executive making such a call would likely be fired from the professional basketball circle before being vindicated.

Of course, if Jordan really went crazy and used the first pick on Yu Fei, Yu Fei believed that with His Airness's prestige, he wouldn't be kicked out so soon.

But then Yu Fei himself might not be able to handle it. How many players have actually thrived when His Airness had high hopes for them?

That's a curse, the most negative BUFF a rookie could receive after Elgin Baylor in the NBA.

"I want to be the first pick, but I particularly don't wish to be Washington's first pick," Yu Fei affirmed.

"Haha, indeed, being teammates with Michael is tough," Trem said, "But Michael really thinks highly of you."

Dang it, Dan?!

"Please tell Michael thank you for his high opinion, but next time, maybe he shouldn't," Yu Fei replied.

After speaking, Yu Fei handed the phone to Yu Fenglin as she had some things to learn from Trem.

The news that Jordan thought highly of him was so startling that Yu Fei overlooked another message Trem brought—"Being teammates with Michael is indeed tough"—which suggested that Jordan was seriously considering a comeback.

Then, Yu Fei began marking the tryout dates on the calendar.

May 23rd, tryout for the Houston Rockets.

May 25th, tryout for the New Jersey Nets.

May 27th…

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"The legalization of the zone defense, introducing the defensive three-second rule, what does it mean for professional basketball?" — Sports Illustrated

"Chinese basketball star Yao Ming will have to wait at least another year before he can play in the NBA, as the Shanghai Team has refused to let him enter this summer's NBA Draft." — The New York Times

"Allen Iverson is the shortest player in NBA history to be the regular season MVP." — ESPN News Dispatch

"You almost expect to wake up one morning and see Frye Yu's silhouette staring at you from the walls of downtown office buildings. Goodnight, Kent City." — Kent City Broadcast

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