The NBA's Absolute Dominance

Chapter 37 I've Fallen to Second Place
At this moment, John Liu finished translating, and Tang Bei said with a smile, "If we're talking about talent, I'm no worse than O'Neal. The reason I fell to second place is because I've only just started playing professional basketball, and my basic skills, offensive and defensive techniques, and game experience are not as good as his."

John Liu couldn't help but admire Tang Bei's strong mentality, and secretly gave him a thumbs up while translating.

"Dropped to second place?"

The reporter's mouth gaped open, and for a moment he couldn't close it.

The interview was broadcast live across the United States. The NBA draft had decent viewership, and at least several million Americans were watching. They were astonished by Tang Bei's "crazy confidence."

Do you consider yourself not a counterfeit?

The reporter then asked a second, almost humiliating, and pointed question.

Upon hearing John Liu's translation, Tang Bei's sharp eyes stared at the reporter, his powerful gaze instilling fear in the reporter, who then looked away.

But he didn't really know how to answer the question. He couldn't show weakness, nor could he go too far. He only had a junior high school education and limited experience. It was really difficult for him to answer in a way that was neither humble nor arrogant.

Tang Bei then stared intently at his opponent, unleashing a powerful pressure.

The small room fell into silence. Under Tang Bei's oppressive presence, the reporter's gaze kept darting around, and he began to make small, unsettling movements from time to time.

"Damn it, just say it! Staring at me like that, are you trying to kill me?" He kept tugging at his tie and taking a sip of water, cursing under his breath.

The reporter didn't realize that he was already drenched in sweat, but the photographer behind him could see clearly that a large patch of his back was soaked.

Finally, after staring at the reporter for at least thirty seconds, Tang Bei spoke:
"I won't answer that question. I suggest you ask Shaquille O'Neal, Alonzo Mourning, Kristen Leitner, and Tom Gugliotta if I'm a bust or not."

Listening to John Liu's translation, the reporter's eye twitched, and he said with a dry laugh, "I'll ask, yes."

The interview with Tang Bei ended with a few rather bland questions.

This interview also made him realize once again that it is by no means easy for a Chinese person to succeed in the United States. They will definitely encounter a lot of criticism and difficulties, as well as a lot of racial discrimination. It is very difficult and requires a firm will.

The draft is still ongoing. The Timberwolves used the third pick to select Mourning, but the Mavericks did not use the fourth pick to select Laettner, but instead selected Jim Jackson.

Laettner, who had high aspirations, was only selected fifth by the Nuggets. When he went on stage, he had no smile on his face, and when he came off stage, he immediately took off his Nuggets hat.

The Bullets selected Tom Gugliotta with the sixth pick, the Kings selected Walter Williams with the seventh pick, and the Bucks selected LaFonso Ellis with the eighth pick.

Tang Bei didn't have time to follow the draft. After talking with Tvertzke for a while, he was interviewed by Xu Jicheng, and then by other media outlets.

Some NBA celebrities who came to the scene were also interviewed by the media.

"Wilt, what's your assessment of the draft so far?" an ESPN reporter asked basketball legend Wilt Chamberlain.

Chamberlain said, "The Magic's choice was definitely the right one. O'Neal had all the factors to be the first pick."

"And what about Tang, who was selected second overall?" the reporter followed up, asking Chamberlain.

Chamberlain said, "The future of the Chinese is uncertain. The Hornets are taking a risk. Perhaps they will be eliminated after one or two seasons."

After the interview, the ESPN reporter said to the live camera, "As Mr. Wilt Chamberlain said, the Hornets are taking a risk, and their draft is very likely to fail."

At this point, he said with certainty, "Chinese people are only good at playing table tennis. They have never proven themselves on the basketball court, and I believe that Tang from China cannot prove it either."

Finally, he said with a smile, "Ladies and gentlemen, this is a report from Lewis Williams, a frontline reporter for ESPN." Next door, Bill Russell, the Lord of the Rings and a longtime rival and friend of the basketball legend, was being interviewed by ABC.

"Bill, who do you think is the biggest upset so far tonight?" the reporter asked.

Bill Russell thought for a moment and said, "I don't think there are any upsets yet."

The reporter asked in surprise, "You actually think it's reasonable for Tang from China to be selected second overall by the Hornets?"

Bill Russell shrugged and smiled, saying, "At the moment, I don't think the Hornets' draft was a failure. Tang's talent is worth taking a gamble on, even though he has only just begun his professional basketball training."

After the interview, the ABC reporter said to the camera, "Mr. Russell gave a rather unexpected answer, but I believe he will change his mind, because China Tang will prove that to us."

Alright, viewers, this is the NBA draft, and ABC sports reporter Ross Fox is reporting for you.

Before the talent show ended, Xu Jicheng left. After returning to the hotel, he wrote an article overnight, organized some information about Tang Bei, and then sent it directly back to Xinhua News Agency headquarters using the hotel's fax machine.

It was 11:30 a.m. in China. After receiving the fax, Xinhua News Agency immediately faxed it to CCTV's sports news program and the Second Department of Competitive Sports of the State Sports Commission.

"Second pick in the first round?"

After receiving the fax, Yang Boyong first looked at Tang Bei's information before calling Liu Yumin over and telling her the news.

"Boss, what should we do?"

Liu Yumin's first thought was to recruit Tang Bei into the national team, because the Olympics were about to begin, and Tang Bei's ability to be selected second in the draft must be quite good.

Yang Boyong understood what Liu Yumin was thinking and considered, "The team already has Shan Tao, Wang Zhishan (not Wang Zhizhi), and Song Ligang. Which of these three can you take down?"

These words immediately made Liu Yumin frown.

Dan Tao, only 22 years old this year, is both the main center of the national team and the main center of the Beijing Men's Basketball Team.

As she was in charge of the Beijing Men's Basketball Team, it was impossible for her to secure a single player spot; otherwise, she would have no way to explain it to the team.

Wang Zhidan, only 23 years old this year, is known as the number one center in Asia. He works very well with Shan Tao in the twin towers tactic. He is fast and can launch fast breaks. He is also good at defense and cannot be defeated.

Song Ligang is even less likely to be removed. He can hold two positions, and he is also the flag bearer for the Chinese delegation at this Olympics. The decision has already been made. No matter who is removed, the flag bearer cannot be removed!
Yang Boyong said, "According to Xu Jicheng's information, Tang Bei has good talent, but he has just started playing professional basketball, and his basic skills and techniques are still very poor. Yumin, I think we should just skip him this year. What do you think?"

"Oh well."

What else could Liu Yumin say but agree?

The two had no understanding of the NBA's strength, so even though Tang Bei had dominated the backboard during the tryouts and was selected second overall, they still didn't take him seriously enough and preferred to trust athletes they knew better, ultimately deciding not to draft Tang Bei.

At 12 o'clock, news about Tang Bei's talent show was featured on CCTV-1's midday news.

Also due to a lack of understanding of the NBA, coupled with the fact that there is currently no professional sports in China and a gold medal strategy is implemented, this news is far less sensational than the future election of Yao Ming as the number one draft pick, and is rather bland.

Even CCTV-1's midday news only briefly broadcast the news, a total of just two sentences.

(End of this chapter)