After the devastated McHale was cut off, he considered it for a long time and finally chose Turkey's power forward Missad Tekan.

The owner of the No. 18 pick was supposed to be the fifth Trail Blazer in the West, but the Trail Blazers traded it to the Raptors in order to get the flying squirrel Stoudemire. After the Raptors general manager got Oakley to guard the locker room, he didn't make enough money, and he used draft picks and some potential players in exchange for another veteran of the Rockets, Kevin Willis.

So the No. 18 was signed to the Rockets, and the Rockets considered again and again and chose Valparaiso University's 1.88-meter-tall point guard Brace Drew.

With the No. 19 pick, the Bucks (who they got from the Nets earlier this season) chose Pat Garrity.

With the No. 20 pick, the Eagles selected Roshawn McRiod.

With the No. 21 pick, the Hornets selected Ricky Davis.

……

When David Stern read the No. 22 pick, Dennis Johnson put down the phone in the Knicks box and said to Li Wei: "David, the Lakers are willing to trade draft picks, but they want to get our first-round pick next year and this year's second-round pick, and in return, they will sign us to next year's second-round pick." ”

Li Wei's brows furrowed: "We send this year's second round and next year's first round, and replace them with this year's first round and next year's second round?" That's a bit too bullying, isn't it? The Lakers are so strong, the second-round pick must be the bottom, and it is not much different if there is or not! ”

Dennis Johnson said: "No, the Lakers traded a second-round pick with the Grizzlies in '96, so the second-round pick he said was from the Grizzlies. ”

"Grizzlies' second-round pick?" Li Wei blinked, "This can be had, then it's decided!" ”

……

"You Knicks agreed to the deal?" Lakers general manager Jerry West received a call back from Dennis Johnson and immediately smiled.

The Lakers have the 26th pick this year, which is too far behind, Jerry West's favorite candidates are all snatched up by other teams in front, and the remaining Jacobson and others who are still eye-catching don't seem to be worth using the first-round pick, after all, the first-round pick is to give a guaranteed contract!

That's when the Knicks called and asked for a draft pick.

The Knicks have the No. 16 pick this year, which is not too bad, Jerry West originally thought that they would definitely be able to go further next year and have a better record, who would have thought that a few days ago they actually sold the cornerstone of the team!

This is really a confusing deal, and Westden, who was originally bullish on the Knicks, changed his bullish to bearish!

Yes, the competition in the East is too fierce, the Knicks sold Big Z, and it is difficult to make the playoffs!

Once the Knicks can't make the playoffs, their pick becomes a lotto pick, and Jerry West wants to earn that lotto pick!

So he packed next year's second round and this year's first round in exchange for the Knicks' first round next year and this year's second round, and the Knicks, who were seeking a first-round pick trade, really took the bait!

"Dennis, say it, whoever you want to choose, I'll choose for you!" Jerry Westway.

Trading a very late first-round pick for a possible lottery draw next year is simply not too profitable. Even if you take the Grizzlies' second-round pick, it doesn't hurt, and the Knicks' second-round pick this year is not too low.

Dennis Johnson said, "We're going to choose that Chinese from Lincoln High School, Yao!" ”

"What?" When Jerry West heard the name, he was a little silly.

This person is too high to be selected with a second-round pick, how much water has the Knicks' management put in their brains, and they deliberately traded first-round picks to choose?

But as a businessman, if Nix asks for it, he has to carry it out. Silently wrote Da Yao's name, and he waited for the NBA staff to pick it up.

With the No. 22 pick, the Clippers (who got it from the Heat after sending Brent Barry) selected Brian Skinner.

With the No. 23 pick, the Nuggets (who they got from the Suns earlier in the season in a trade for McDyes) selected Tyronn Lue.

With the No. 24 pick, the Spurs selected Philip López.

With the No. 25 pick, the Pacers selected talented high school student Al Harrington.

With the No. 26 pick, it's the Lakers' turn.

David Stern stepped forward and said loudly: "With the 26th pick, the Los Angeles Lakers chose Yao Meng from Lincoln High School!" ”

Today, Da Yao and his parents came to the draft meeting together. As a draft loser in the eyes of everyone, of course he does not have the treatment of a small green house, just an ordinary seat.

When his name was pronounced, he froze.

What's the situation? How did I get drafted by the Lakers?

Yao's father and Yao's mother were also stunned.

Da Yao: Is this going to the Lakers? But the Lakers have the big shark O'Neal, can they cultivate Da Yao?

The reality makes people have no time to think about it, the cameraman has already given them the lens!

Da Yao then learned the American way of celebrating, hugged his father and mother, and then put on the Lakers hat, walked through the aisle, and shook hands with David Stern!

The Lakers fans in front of the TV were stunned.

What's the situation, and how did Jerry West choose a big Asian man who is not well known?

This product is not a hot rookie at all, right?

Isn't our general manager very wise? Why are you confused this time?

On the other side of the ocean, the news program team of China Sports Channel was collectively excited.

In 94, China conducted its first NBA live broadcast, when the first game of the Finals was broadcast, Big Dream Olajuwon VS Gorilla Ewing. Although the next six games were also broadcast, they were not broadcast live, but recorded, and domestic fans could not see the real-time games.

In 95, CCTV launched the fifth set of programs - Sports Channel, and domestic fans had more opportunities to watch the NBA, but there were still few live games, most of which were recorded.

The games are often not seen, let alone the draft, and at present, the only domestic reporters who can send reporters to interview are the All-Star Game and the Finals, and there are no Chinese reporters at the draft conference.

But the fact that there are no reporters to the scene does not mean that no one is paying attention, and there are still many fans in China who know that today is the NBA draft day.

Of course, the most important thing is the NBA's broadcast circle, and there are many ways and means to watch foreign programs in the TV station building.

"Look, isn't this Da Yao?" Teacher Sun said in surprise.

"I heard that Da Yao went to study in the United States!" Teacher Zhang opened his eyes wide.

"Isn't this going to the U.S. to study and then being drafted by the NBA? Oh my God, Da Yao went to the Lakers, I like the Lakers the most! Teacher Su was excited.

It was evening on the U.S. side, and it was noon on the Chinese side, and the sports channel immediately broadcast the big news in the noon sports news.

"Former Eastern Men's Basketball Youth Team player Da Yao was selected by the NBA giants Los Angeles Lakers with a first-round pick after studying in the United States. The Lakers have the second-highest number of championships in the NBA, and in the 80s, there were superstars such as Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and Magic Johnson. It is reported that players selected by the NBA's first-round pick will receive a guaranteed contract......"

Li Wei went to the United States to smuggle in a flying saucer, and it was difficult to deal with many things without an identity, so he found a way to get an American citizen, and now he is an American citizen.

It was precisely because he became an American citizen that Li Wei returned to his motherland and was greatly cared for. In this era, China pays attention to the introduction of foreign capital, and many preferential treatments can only be enjoyed by foreigners.

Similarly, because he is a Chinese-American, in China, Li Wei's NBA play did not cause a sensation.

It's so normal for foreigners to play in foreign leagues, and people will just say, "Oh, the Knicks have a Chinese dwarf coach who is very good at tossing and playing!" ”

But when Da Yao enters the NBA, it's completely different. This is a native Chinese, who studied in the United States for one year and became a member of the world's highest basketball hall!

Chinese basketball is rising!

Mr. Sun said: "At present, there are more and more NBA viewers in China, can we make a suggestion to broadcast more Lakers games?" ”

Teacher Zhang said: "This is inevitable, there are Chinese playing in the Lakers!" ”

Da Yao didn't know that he was drafted and caused a strong reaction in China, and he still felt lost after wearing the Lakers hat and shaking hands with David Stern.

How did this get picked by the Lakers? Could it be that Lakers management thinks he can play the bench for the Big Sharks?

But what he wants to go to is the Knicks!

Li Wei actually wanted to inform Da Yao in advance, but communication in this era was not developed. Although Da Yao has a mobile phone, he does not roam in Canada and cannot be contacted.

Xie Siqi stood on the side of the aisle, and saw Da Yao coming down, ready to be interviewed by reporters, before he said loudly: "Da Yao, the Lakers have already traded you to sign you, don't worry." ”

Da Yao said in surprise: "Didn't you say that you used the 29th to choose me?" ”

Xie Siqi smiled brightly: "My dad said that the salary of the No. 26 sign can be slightly higher!" ”

Now that Yao Le, who doesn't want their salary to be high?