mountain top

Chapter 56: Drums of Liberation (New book, please collect monthly tickets and recommend tickets!)

The destined day.

Although Stern has always believed that the so-called "fatalism" is just a hype, when the time came to May 2005, 5.
In Stern's eyes, the headline that ESPN gave to the draft lottery ceremony this year can only be described as appropriate.

Because whether in the past life or in this life, 2005 is an important turning point for the NBA.

After Jordan retired for the second time, the NBA had gradually emerged from the shadow of the post-Jordan era, and as one after another great guys entered the NBA
The outline of a new era has already appeared before the world.

Kobe Bryant, who has come out of the Eagle County incident, is eager to lead the Lakers to revival.

James is giving light to Cleveland.

O'Neal fled to the East and teamed up with Wade.

Yao Ming turned Space City Houston into the only home team in the minds of all Chinese fans.

Duncan is low-key and pragmatic, and already has two great helpers, Ginobili and Parker.

Nowitzki is on the verge of greatness in Dallas.

Garnett, who has been through a lot in Minnesota.

Stern knows very well that as a commercial league, the most valuable asset of the NBA is its stars.

Having star players means traffic and tickets.

If Qin Yue's name is not on the list for this year's draft, then in Stern's opinion, he can make the next draft draw ceremony proceed in a fair, open and just manner.

After all, at this point in 05, there were too many teams that needed to use the No. pick to redeem themselves, and Stern couldn't take care of every team.

But, since Qin Yue's name appeared in this year's draft.
That means that as the commissioner of the NBA, he is standing at the crossroads of fate.

After a year of operation by Nike, no team in the NBA can ignore the strength and commercial value demonstrated by Qin Yue.

Qin Yue, the "overlord" from China.
Although he has not yet entered the league, he has already invisibly influenced the original trajectory of the NBA.

Before the lottery ceremony began, Stern thought about letting an Eastern Conference team get the No. 1 pick according to the most widely circulated rumor.

but.
"David, the East already has LeBron and Shaq, why don't we consider a team from the West for the No. 1 pick? That way, next season, Chinese fans can watch four China Derby games alone."

That day, advice from Vice President Adam Silver reminded Stern.

Then, Stern's other deputy, Mark, also said: "David, in addition to the Bobcats, there are indeed two teams in the East that failed to reach 20 wins this year.

But in order to get the No. 20 pick, there are two teams in the West with a record of less than wins this year."

Hearing this, Stern fell into deep thought.

Because the situation in the NBA this year is similar to that in 1997.
So even among those teams with slightly better records, there are other options for Stern to choose from.
But considering the emotions of these four teams that have gone completely crazy for Qin Yue, Stern knew that he must not risk the world's disapproval and expand his range of choices for the No. 1 pick.

Choosing an answer from these four super bad teams may not necessarily be the best solution, but at least this answer will not anger the public.

Just at this moment
Looking at these four teams that can be described as "Dragon Crouching and Phoenix Chick", Stern was immediately caught in a dilemma.

They are:
The 17-win Milwaukee Bucks.

Atlanta Hawks with 11 wins.

The 13-win Golden State Warriors.

The Utah Jazz with 16 wins.

After calming down, Stern first eliminated the Bucks and Jazz from these four answers.

In Stern's eyes, Qin Yue is not someone Milwaukee can control this year.

Stern admitted that Milwaukee has been a bit miserable in recent years.

But in Milwaukee, the NBA obviously cannot maximize Qin Yue's commercial value.

The same is true for the Jazz.

Although Stern also believed that under the guidance of the old coach Jerry Sloan, Qin Yue would definitely have a legendary career, but in Stern's opinion, it was too late to put a treasure like Qin Yue in Salt Lake City.
He might as well try to get Qin Yue to save Milwaukee.

But, we can exclude the Bucks and Jazz.
Looking at the remaining two teams, the Sterns became numb again.

Because Atlanta is a typical big city, small ball city.

And what about the Warriors?

Located in the crime capital of Oakland, they don't have to worry about attendance and Chinese fans, but
"They haven't made the playoffs in 11 years, right?"

In the office, looking at Xiao Hua and Mark, Stern asked.

"But, David, their slogans for tanking are quite interesting."

"You mean 'Operation Overlord'?"

As one of the important turning points in World War II, the code name of the Normandy Landing was Overlord.

Needless to say.

The reason why the Warriors used the same code name to name the Warriors' poor performance this year is because the Warriors uniform team led by Chris Mullin hopes to change the Warriors' destiny by obtaining the No. 1 pick and selecting Qin Yue.

At this moment, Stern fell into deep thought again.

The Warriors need a dominance move.

Doesn’t the NBA need a domineering action now?

Stern is well aware that the current NBA is at a major historical turning point.

It is also known as the crime capital of the United States.
Oakland has its faults, but once you cross the Bay Bridge, you'll find that it's a very nice place.
On this day, Stern, feeling that perhaps there was a divine will in all things, explained his decision to Silver and Mark.

Then, Stern said to the two: "Everyone knows that we have always been a fair, open and just alliance."

Upon hearing this, Silver and Mark, who have always had a tacit understanding with Stern, immediately echoed: "David, we will definitely ensure that the results of the lottery ceremony are fair, open and just."

Yes, there has never been any conspiracy theory about the NBA draft lottery ceremony, and it is even less likely that there will be any shady manipulation.

After all, it's the 21st century. Who still doesn't approve of the NBA draw ceremony and the Champions League knockout draw results?

……

May 5th, the destined day.

When Chris Mullin walked to the main stage in a suit, representing the Warriors.
At that moment, a sense of tension that he had never experienced even when he was a player immediately surged into Mullin's chest.

Can God's left hand complete this divine pull?

Although the Warriors were determined enough to compete for Qin Yue throughout the 04/05 season,
In fact, even the local media and fans in Oakland have no confidence as to whether they can get the No. 1 pick.

Because it has been rumored that since Yao Ming is playing for the Houston Rockets in the West, the NBA is very likely to assign the No. 1 pick to an Eastern team this year.
So on the night of the lottery ceremony, when God's left hand drew the destined paper for the Golden State Warriors with a probability of about 20%,
Accompanied by Charles Barkley's subwoofer-like voice, the news that the Warriors won the 2005 jackpot spread to thousands of households in the United States in an instant.

The Golden State Warriors won the 2005 NBA No. pick!
At the same time, in front of the TV, although Qin Yue felt that he was likely to change history beforehand, when history was really changed by him
Immediately, he fell into deep thought.

"The Golden State Warriors won the No. 1 pick? Why is it different from the rumors? Is there no shady manipulation in the NBA this year?" Evans said in surprise beside Qin Yue.

Rachel also felt incredible because before today's draft lottery ceremony began, more than 80% of people believed that Atlanta would be the final lucky winner.

Of course, since Evans and Rachel are both surprised that the Warriors drew the No. 1 pick, Atlanta fans have also been criticizing them online.

"Shady! Shady! Shady!"

"David Stern stole our No. 1 pick!"

At this moment, Qin Yue didn't know whether Stern had snatched the No. 1 pick that originally belonged to the Hawks.

But in his opinion, he is very likely to snatch the team that originally belonged to Stephen Curry in this lifetime.

Yes. Since the Warriors got the No. 2005 pick in , how bad would I have to be in the NBA four years later for the Warriors to select Stephen Curry?

Even when he was thinking about it just now, Qin Yue had already decided that when the Warriors selected him, he would choose the Warriors' No. 30 jersey as his number for the NBA.

As for the reason?

As we all know, Qin Yue’s college jersey number is No. 10.

"I think I didn't work hard enough in college, so after entering the NBA, I'm going to work three times harder to improve myself, and 3 times 10 is exactly 30, so I will choose the Warriors' No. 30 jersey."

Of course, as a good brother of James, Qin Yue was still somewhat puzzled about being sent to Golden State as soon as he entered the league.

In addition, based on Qin Yue's understanding of the NBA
The Warriors during this period seemed to be a really bad team.

The only good news is that compared to previous years, with Chris Mullin joining the Warriors management last summer, the Warriors are about to see the dawn.

In short, although the Warriors are not the team that Qin Yue is most satisfied with.

But Qin Yue himself did not object to the fact that the Warriors were about to take away his "first blood".

At the draw ceremony, after returning to his position as a Warrior, Chris Mullin still couldn't calm down for a long time.

"Did you hear that?" Mullin asked, looking at his assistant.

Hearing this, the assistant looked puzzled, "What did you hear?"

"Drum beats," Mullin said.

The assistant was still confused. "What drum sound? I...I probably only heard your heartbeat."

Seeing this, Mu Lin shook his head and said, "No, it's not the sound of a heartbeat, it's the sound of a drum.
The drum of liberation beaten by the Overlord himself has just resounded throughout North America and the world.
The Warriors have welcomed their own savior tonight!"

After winning the No. 1 pick, Mullin's mental state has become somewhat insane. (Note ①)

But about ten minutes later, when the assistant accompanying Mullin conveyed Mullin's remarks to the media, the reporters from Auckland thought that
The Golden State Warriors, who have been in decline for twelve years, really need the overlord Qin Yue to personally beat the drum of liberation.

Warriors need a savior.

Oakland needs to be liberated by this savior.

The next day, Anthony Lester, a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle, wrote an article titled "The Drum of Liberation Beats on the West Coast."

"I know for a long time we've been hoping for a star player to lead the Warriors out of this difficult situation.

In the past, we thought he was Tim Hardaway, thought he was Latrell Sprewell, and expected him to be Joe Smith.

Later, we were absolutely convinced that he was Antawn Jamison and Jason Richardson.

But every time our expectations are met with endless disappointment.

Thanks to Chris Mullin.

Because on this night, the Left Hand of God, the legend of the Warriors, personally drew the No. 2005 pick in for the Warriors.

Although we always say that there are a thousand Hamlets in the eyes of a thousand people.

But dear Warriors fans.
This year, we don’t have to lie to ourselves.

Because we all know who we will choose with this No. 1 pick.

Just last night, Chris Mullin said he heard the drum of liberation beaten by the Overlord himself.

To be honest, my colleagues and I felt the same way when Chris Mullin won the No. 1 pick.

Now, at this moment, please wait patiently for another month with respect for the fairness, openness and justice of the NBA lottery ceremony.
One month later, the entire West Coast of the United States will hear the drum of liberation with their own ears! "

One day after the draft lottery ceremony, on the 27th, Qin Yue officially accepted the Warriors' tryout invitation through his agent Schwartz.

On the day of Qin Yue's tryout, all members of the Warriors uniform team and coaching staff were present.

At that moment, looking at the Warriors uniform team and coaching staff standing in a row on the sidelines, Qin Yue even doubted that he was not a rookie.
Instead, it was the Warriors owner who came to inspect the work.

Before Qin Yue prepared for the physical test, Mu Lin took the initiative to step forward and said with concern: "Don't be nervous, it's just a process, don't get hurt."

However, even though he said he didn't care.

But after Qin Yue's physical test results came out, the Warriors staff were very honest and were shocked by Qin Yue's physical test report.

Name: Qin Yue.

Birthday: June 1983, 12.

Height barefoot: 6 feet 10 inches (208 cm).

Height with shoes: 6 feet 11 inches (211 cm).

Weight: 266.5 lbs (121 kg).

Body fat percentage: 8.8%.

Wingspan: 7 feet 6 inches (228 cm).

Standing reach: 9 feet 5 inches (288 cm).

Jumping in place: 33.5 inches (85 cm).

Running jump: 37 inches (94 cm).

Maximum running reach: 12 feet 6.4 inches (382 cm). (Note ②)

Four-point movement in the three-second zone: 10.95 seconds.

3/4-court sprint: 3.27 seconds.

185 lb (84 kg) bench press max reps: 17.

How to describe Qin Yue's physical test data?

In simple terms, in addition to the fact that the maximum number of bench presses was affected by the arm span, which caused Qin Yue to be unable to perfectly demonstrate his strength attributes.
This physical test data is a monstrosity no matter what era it is placed in.

After Grover's activation last summer and Qin Yue's self-improvement last season, Qin Yue used his physical test data on the day of the tryout to prove why he was worthy of these NBA teams waiting for him for a year.

As for the next one-on-one actual combat drill
Adonal Foyle, who was specially called by the Warriors coaching staff to be Qin Yue's opponent, was completely conquered by Qin Yue in less than three rounds.

Foyle, who is 6 feet 10 inches tall and weighs over 250 pounds, not only failed to gain any advantage in the physical confrontation with Qin Yue, but he was even nearly knocked down by Qin Yue's double change of direction when defending him.

After this one-on-one match, Foyle, who was once the eighth pick in the first round of the 1997 draft, said to the team's head coach Mike Montgomery with a depressed look on his face: "It's not that I didn't defend seriously. It's that I couldn't defend at all!"

Seeing this, Mullin and Montgomery immediately arranged for Qin Yue to enter the next stage.

That is the interview phase.

But it is different from ordinary interviews.

Because today's interview, to be precise.
It should be Qin Yue who interviewed the Warriors' coaching staff and uniform staff.

This is exactly the biggest difference between Qin Yue and other rookies.

After all, who makes him the only undisputed choice in the NBA after Tim Duncan?
……

Note ①: Please do not doubt the mental state of NBA teams when they draw the No. 1 pick (especially when there is a big pick that year), because in history, there are many people crazier than Mullin, but novels can only describe them in a euphemistic way. After all, reality does not require logic.

Note 2: When converting units here, remember to convert feet first, then inches, and then add them up. I have to say, the imperial system is really troublesome.

PS: I’m begging for collection, monthly tickets, and recommendation tickets for my new book!

(End of this chapter)