27 June 2003, Madison Square Garden, New York

There are still two hours before the official start of the draft, and although all the GMs have already made a decision in their hearts, there is no guarantee that things will go according to their ideas, and every small piece of news at this time may bring a different change.

Before the 02-03 season trade deadline, the league continued to stage major trades, and in the three-way trade between New York and the Pistons and the Grizzlies, New York successfully obtained the Grizzlies' first-round picks, according to the normal probability, the Grizzlies' draft pick will not fall out of the top three, but the magic thing really happened, the Grizzlies' draft pick is fourth, the champion is signed in the hands of the Cavaliers, the list is the Nuggets, Tanhua is the Raptors, these three teams are teams in urgent need of rebuilding, And three of the rookies in this class are considered the best candidates to rebuild the core, LeBron James, Duck Milicic and Carmelo Anthony.

There can be no doubt about Cleveland's choice, LeBron James, who was born in Ohio, has become their only choice, and the list and Tanhua have also circled the candidates, and Carmelo Anthony, whom the Knicks like, is one of them, that is, the Knicks are difficult to get. What is certain is that Anthony is bound to appear in the top three, because the Knicks are already salivating over Anthony, and any offer made by Anthony will presumably be accepted by the Knicks.

But now the Knicks are facing a situation where three of the Knicks' main players who win the championship have not chosen to renew their contracts, and even have the intention of finding another place, Arenas can forcibly match the contract to keep him, but the others will have to use some operations.

And it was at this tense moment that Sprewell welcomed three "uninvited" guests to his home.

"Ratril, you're so idle, oh, you're watching the draft live in the United States, how about it, do you have any predictions, guess who we're going to pick?" The arrivals were none other than Moxi, Houston and retired Patrick Ewing.

Sprewell first looked shocked and let the three of them into the house, then pouted in disgust and asked, "So you all know about the Timberwolves and me?" Despite the interrogative sentences, the tone of the voice was not difficult to hear that Sprewell had assumed that they knew.

Mo Xi avoided the truth and said, "What, don't you invite your teammates to sit down?" I think at least we're teammates now. ”

Sprewell shrugged and welcomed a few people into the room, and even though he wasn't a rookie, the Spreville family was still sitting together watching TV for such a grand national broadcast.

"Vicky Vicky, we didn't bother you, did we?"

Sprewell's family and the three of them were also familiar with each other, and a few of them exchanged a few words of greeting and sat down.

Everyone's eyes are on the draft that hasn't started yet, but everyone's mind is no longer there.

Seeing that Sprewell gradually couldn't sit still, Houston finally spoke, and he said, "Yes, we're here today to be lobbyists." ”

Simple and straightforward, Houston is very rude and inserts the topic.

Houston continued: "Why are you leaving, you know, we've just had a very legendary season, we're about to win three in a row, this is our dynasty, why should you choose to leave at this juncture? Is it because of the contract? ”

Sprewell quickly interrupted Houston. Said: "No, no, of course not, I believe that with the financial resources of New York, there is no problem with any contract, the problem is not on this, playing requires financial security, you know I need to buy milk powder to support my family, but this is not all, like you said, we are already champions, I want to pursue more things, Dynasty is one of them, but what I want more is respect, respect for the status of the team." ”

Houston and Mo Xi looked at each other, and sure enough.

At that time, Knicks management analyzed that a large part of the reason why Sprewell was upset was because of the team's status.

"Actually, we guessed a bit of that, and for that, Coach George Karl has redesigned the team's strategy for you. ”

It's strategy, not tactics, and a team's strategy is always a step higher than tactics, and George Carr really put Sprewell on the offensive spot this time. No way, according to the team doctor's report, Houston is thirty-two years old, his knee has become a huge hidden danger, the team must be careful with his use, the Knicks need new arrows, and Sprewell is obviously one of the best candidates, but a single Sprewell seems to be a little insufficient.

Mo Xi took out a copy of the Knicks' latest strategic plan and tactical design for Prewell sorted out by George Carr from his bag.

Sprewell understood what George Carr meant just by simply flipping it, and to be honest, George Carr and the Knicks' actions still made him feel very heartwarming, but it didn't seem to be enough, he always felt that something was missing. "I'll think about it and give me some time," Sprewell said. ”

So, everyone's eyes were on the draft again.

Watching the highlights of several high-profile rookies on TV, Sprewell suddenly asked, "Are the Knicks going to pick Anthony?" If so, how are we located? ”

The positions of Sprewell and Houston have already been repeated, and it would be really difficult to arrange if it weren't for the fact that the two men are very different in terms of function and personal style.

At this time, Sprewell seemed to think of something, and said, "You don't want me to sign the contract, and then use it as a bargaining chip, right?" ”

This is a very real problem, as the proposal is constantly being brought up within Knicks management.

At this time, Mo Xi was in a hurry, and suddenly asked, "Ratrier, what was the first thing you learned to play basketball?" ”

Sprewell glanced at Mo Xi suspiciously, and said, "Why are you asking this?" ”

Mo Xi smiled lightly and said: "The first thing I learned is defense, don't look at me like that, I know that my defense is not very good, the second is the team, the third is the offense, and Anthony, to be fair, his talent on the offensive end may be able to catch up with you, but in other aspects it is much worse, don't you have the confidence to suppress a newcomer, and you will worry about him stealing your position?" What's more, Latrier, a dynasty starter with the same weight as a playoff team's second-in-command? ”

To be honest, there are some problems with Anthony's defense, just like Arenas, which is a problem in the Knicks, who are known for their iron will; Then there is the comparison of the strength of the Knicks and the Timberwolves, the Timberwolves have only been a first-round playoff team in recent years, and because of Garnett, Sprewell may only be the second or even the third leader, what is the difference between it and the Knicks?

Sprewell was a little moved, he was thirty-three years old, a year older than Houston, and this was not an adventurous age.

Sprewell let out a low groan, and turned his gaze back to the live TV.