After the Finals, the media focused on it for a few days, and then the focus on the NBA turned to the draft that will take place soon after.

Each draft favorite has become the focus of media coverage, and every rookie who is included in the lottery show by the media has received a lot of media attention, and the rookies who are likely to make it into the top five and top three are even more important, but the focus of the focus is only on the top picks.

Tyson Chandler has become the hottest candidate for the top pick, with a height of 216 cm and an arm span of 222 cm, excellent athleticism, soft shots, good defensive awareness, smooth movement ability, and stable and excellent performance at both offensive and defensive ends, which makes every general manager in the NBA covet him.

Perhaps the only weakness is that he is a high school student, and he has not been honed by the NCAA, so his quality is not too good.

Another favorite for the top pick is Kwame Brown, who, like Tyson Chandler, is also a high school student and is no less famous than Chandler.

Compared with these two, Yao Min's draft attention is still much smaller, and few media believe that he will be the top pick, after all, in terms of athletic talent, he is far inferior to these two people, and he has not played in the United States.

However, he has the blessing of the Olympic title, plus the height of 226 cm, and Zhou Quan's optimism, and the attention is also very large, most of the media predict that he can at least enter the top five in the first round, or even the top three, and the draft prospects are only lower than Tyson Chandler and Kwame Brown, and higher than Eddie Curry and Pau Gasol.

The media's evaluation of this draft is that it is better than 2000, which can be regarded as a lot of talent, but it is not a big year for the draft.

The most important reason for this evaluation is that the two top show favorites are both high school students, and although they are talented, they have a certain risk in the future.

Another example is that there are no very good guards in this year's rookies, and since the beginning of the Magic, the league has entered the era of guards, and by the time Zhou Quan appeared, the super centers were crushed, and without excellent guards, it was naturally not a big year.

The draft was held on June 28, and on the 17th, a week-long rookie camp hosted by the league began in New York.

During this time, the general managers and presidents of each team were busy making final analysis, and several draft plans were made.

Michael Jordan has finally made up his mind after countless considerations since he was drawn to the top pick, and he still trusts his own judgment.

He was more optimistic about Kwame Brown, the strongest high school student with the most talent, and gave up on Tyson Chandler.

As for Yao Min, he is not optimistic about his talent, there is no bouncing floor flow, the value is discounted by half, his arms are short, which affects defense, and his hands are small, as a 226 cm big center, he can't grasp the ball with one hand and make movements, which is a big flaw.

The important thing is that Yao Min is not an iron fist, he has no experience playing in the United States, and he feels that Yao Min is not very likely to adapt to the NBA league, just like the king of the Mavericks, who is not worth a top pick at all.

Tomjanovic was very bullish on Yao Min, and after discussing with general manager Dawson, he decided to trade up for a top-eight or even top-five pick, and then choose Yao Min.

The Clippers wanted to get Tyson Chandler, but they were worried about being snatched away by the Wizards, so the plan was that once the Wizards drafted Chandler, they would choose Kwame Brown.

The first choice of the Hawks management with the No. 3 pick is Tyson Chandler, but the second choice is not Kwame Brown, their head coach likes Gasol very much, and if the Wizards and Clippers choose these two, their third choice is Yao Min.

The Bulls, who hold the No. 4 pick, also have Chandler as their first pick, Yao Min as their second pick, and Eddie Curry as their third pick.

In the end, Mosaic still did not complete the transaction, and the signing in his hand was still the 13th pick, so a trading plan was formulated.

Da Meng still has the last year of his contract, and his mind has changed, hoping to leave the team to fight for the championship at the end, and they plan to trade Yao Min with Da Meng.

Zhou Quan took a week off, and then went to various places to do some business activities, and came to New York on the 24th to continue business activities.

Take time to have a meal with Da Yao every day, expose the exposure, and add some attention and heat to Da Yao.

"Da Yao, why haven't I seen you sign a sneaker contract these days?" Zhou Quan remembered this during dinner that day.

Da Yao said with tears on his face: "Brother, I signed a 4-year contract with Nike in 99, the first year is 20,000 US dollars, and the next three years are 4, 6, and 80,000 US dollars, a total of 200,000 US dollars, ending on May 31, 03, and there are still two years to go." ”

200,000 in 4 years?

Zhou Quan's mouth can't be closed, which stupid dick signed the contract?

Because of him in China, Da Yao's commercial value will definitely not be too high, but no matter what, as long as he is selected in the top five, even if the center does not sell shoes, the contract of two million dollars a year is still worth it, and Nike is making money in blood!

"Whoever signed the contract for you, fired him immediately." He only said one sentence, and then stopped talking about this topic, so as not to irritate Da Yao.

28th, draft day.

In the evening, Zhou Quan came to Madison Square Garden.

From the moment he got out of the car, he was surrounded by reporters, and while answering questions, he walked inside.

"Iron Fist, who do you think this year's champion show will be?"

"Why don't you ask me who Michael Jordan will choose this time?"

"Well, that's it."

"Then I'll tell you, he definitely won't choose the best one, he doesn't have that vision, haha!"

"Iron Fist, do you think Yao will be picked by Michael Jordan?"

"No, it won't."

"That also means that you think Yao might be the best one you think you are?"

"Haha, you're smart, but that's what you imagined."

"So do you think Yao is likely to be the best one?"

"Of course it's possible, he's one of the best guys of the year."

Arriving at the scene, Madison Square Garden was already seated by a large number of people, but it was not full, and there were empty seats everywhere, and he came to Whitcht's side and sat down.

The small green room in front was already full of rookies, all of whom were officially considered possible lottery shows, with Da Yao and his agent Mr. Zhang sitting together, next to high school student Tyson Chandler and Spaniard Gasol, and then Eddie Curry and Kwame Brown.

Zhou Quan didn't ask Whithitt who he was going to choose, the penultimate No. 29 signing, no matter how big or small it is, the chance of picking up the treasure is less than 1 in 10,000.

The draft started at eight o'clock, and at half past seven, Zhou Quan's mobile phone suddenly rang, and at first glance, he didn't know the number, and there was no remark, and there was a strange call.

"Harrow?"

"Oh, brother, I'm, I'm Bart."

He was stunned, this stunned seed called him?

"Bart, your call is from the United States, you came to the United States? Don't you have an opinion about me, call me now, have you figured it out? ”

Bart was born in November '75, a little younger than him, nearly four years old, so he didn't have any scruples about speaking.

Over there, Bart said embarrassedly: "Mmmm, brother, I, I can't stop you!" ”

"Don't talk nonsense, when you come outside, your heart and eyes will be enlarged. Say, "What's the matter with me?" Zhou Quan asked.

"Brother, Nuggets management asked me to help them play in the summer league and preseason." Bart hurriedly said.

"Good thing, what's the problem?"

"I contacted Dazhi, didn't he train with you, so it's still a while before Summer League, you see?"

"Okay, you go to Seattle to find Dazhi yourself, and I'll call the training gym to arrange it for you."

"Then thank you, brother."

After hanging up the phone, Zhou Quan then contacted Roger Philip, asking him to say hello to the training hall, test the bus, and then make a targeted training plan.

He is not very optimistic about the bus, the bus has power, but the ability to move is a big defect, the pace of the NBA game is much faster than the domestic CBA, and the bus can't adapt to it.

However, it should be no problem for Dabus to find a job in the NBA, after all, there is a lot of strength and strength, and it should not be a problem to be a meat shield.

It's really not good, the supersonic are short of meat shields, Ewing and Chris Mullin have both left, and the center position and guard are short of people.

Soon, the draft began.

David Stern took the stage to make an opening remark and then announced the official start of the draft.

The old god Jordan was there, Zhizhu was in his hand, and he was in a very happy mood, and when the official staff came over, he handed over the envelope he had prepared.

On stage, David Stern took the envelope handed by the staff, glanced at Jordan with a smile, and then pulled out the letterhead inside.

"With the first pick in the first round of the NBA league's 2001 draft, the Washington Wizards selected Kwame Brown from Georgia Green College."

"Bang Bang Bang ......"

With David Stern's voice, there was a round of applause at Madison Square Garden.

"Me?"

Kwame Brown couldn't believe that the hottest pick was Tyson Chandler, who simply didn't have the confidence to be drafted at the No. 1 spot and wasn't mentally prepared for that.

"What?"

Tyson Chandler was amazed, it wasn't him? Jordan didn't even take a fancy to him?

"Hmph, it's not for nothing that Michael Jordan lost to the Iron Fist King, he doesn't have vision at all."

At this time, he couldn't help but glance at Jordan's side, and then looked back at Zhou Quan's side.

"Kwame Brown?"

Zhou Quan is not surprised, Kwame Brown's talent should be the best of several hottest rookies, and it is not surprising that he can be selected by Jordan.

was not favored by Jordan, and Da Yao was not disappointed, but he was always a little apprehensive, occasionally talking to Mr. Zhang, and looking back at Zhou Quan.

"Jordan picks Brown, and we're going to have Chandler."

The quick side made a final decision, wrote Tyson Chandler's name on the letterhead, stuffed it into an envelope, and handed it to the staff.

At this time, Kwame Brown took the Wizards' hat, walked onto the stage, and hugged David Stern.

Next, David Stern announced the Clippers' selection.

Tyson Chandler breathed a sigh of relief, finally fine, although the disappointment was not the top show, but the second pick was not bad.

Next, the Eagles drafted Pau Gasol with their preferred No. 3 pick.

"Brother, what about the top three?"

Da Yao's heart was a little up and down, and he looked back at Zhou Quan several times.

Zhou Quan was a little embarrassed, Da Yao, you be quiet, I said that you shouldn't be able to fall out of the top three, but isn't this an accident?

At this time, Jerry Krauss, the general manager of the Bulls, wrote a name on the letterhead with a smile on his face, then stuffed it into an envelope and handed it to the staff.

"The Chicago Bulls were the fourth pick in the first round and selected Yao Min from China." A minute later, David Stern read Yao Min's name.

"Whew!"

Da Yao breathed a sigh of relief, the fourth is not bad.

Zhou Quan applauded and said to Whithitt: "This season, the Bulls have the lowest record in the league, only 15 wins, and I think they can get at least 30 wins next season." ”

Whithitt also applauded, saying, "Brad Miller is in the Bulls, and they should trade Miller." ”

"You want him back?" Zhou Quan asked.

"There's no space." Whithitt said.

Zhou Quan thought about the Bulls' lineup and said: "There are Yao Min and Elton Brand on the inside, and the inside line is not bad." Outside Artest and Ron Mercer, the Bulls are only short of a good point guard, the lineup is actually not bad, I even think 30 wins is too little, 50 wins into the playoffs is no problem. ”

Whithitt tilted his head and said: "Iron Fist King, Elton Brand, as the top pick in 99, debuted at the peak, playing 20+10 data for two consecutive seasons, but the Bulls only had 17 and 15 wins in these two seasons respectively.

That said, Brand let the Bulls down, and I have sources that Jerry Krauss chose to rebuild, and they're likely going to trade Brand. ”

"What?"

Zhou Quan was a little surprised.

This is good news, if Brand is traded, Da Yao may be cultivated as a core, provided that he can play.

At this time, the Mosaic team initiated a trade to the Bulls, who had just drafted Da Yao.

Da Yao took the Bulls' hat and spoke to David Stern on stage, and the next trade about him began.

(End of chapter)