Besides the Heat, the Spurs, Bulls, Mavericks, and Thunder also successively extended training invitations to Tang Tian, but all were rejected by Fagan.

Tang Tian had received a draft promise from the Heat, and now he just needed to wait patiently for the draft to arrive.

Time flew, and it was soon late June, and the 2011 NBA draft was about to be held at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

Because Madison Square Garden was under renovation, this year's draft could not be held in the "Basketball Mecca."

On June 23, Tang Tian and Walker arrived in New Jersey a day early.

"Tang, why did you refuse those teams' training invitations? I see that your draft prospects have already dropped to the second round." As soon as Walker met Tang Tian in New Jersey, the first thing he asked about was the training invitations.

"I've already got a draft promise, so..." Tang Tian said with a smile.

"Really? Which team?" Walker asked curiously.

"You'll find out then." Tang Tian deliberately kept him in suspense.

"Okay, I was worried about you, so I prepared a lucky jacket for you." Walker said, opening his suitcase and pulling out a red jacket.

There were two jackets, the red one particularly flamboyant, one large and one small size, probably custom-made.

"I like this." Tang Tian said, taking off his jacket and putting on the red one.

He couldn't let Walker's good intentions go to waste, especially since he had put so much thought into it.

Walker also put on his own jacket, and the two of them stood in front of the mirror, really looking like two brothers.

"It will bring us good luck." Tang Tian said, putting his arm around Walker's shoulders.

"Yes, it will." Walker nodded earnestly.

The next evening, the Prudential Center in Newark was packed, with fans from teams all over the United States gathered together, waiting for this annual event.

Also in the arena were rookies from all over the world, waiting for the call from the NBA. For most of them, this was a day to get rich overnight and see their dreams come true.

Tang Tian and Walker arrived at the arena an hour before the start of the draft.

Walker went into the green room. His family also came to the scene, including Calhoun and Fagan, who were all sitting at Walker's small round table.

(Note: Rookies officially considered to have the potential to enter the lottery are invited to a closed area in front of the draft site, with a small round table, which is called the green room because it is similar to a theater's lounge.)

Tang Tian went over and chatted with them for a few words, greeted Thompson along the way, and then went to sit in the front row of the audience.

The front row seats on both sides of the venue were reserved for players who came to the scene but were not in the green room, so they could easily get on stage when their names were called.

Such a grand event would naturally not be without media reporters. In addition to the reporters from major sports TV stations shuttling around the draft stage, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith of TNT, and Mike Breen and Reggie Miller of ESPN were already ready at the commentary booth on the right side of the main stage.

The two major sports media outlets would broadcast the draft live.

Of course, on social media, the well-known Woj大神 (da shen - lit. great god) and other reporters were also ready to compete for attention on their personal Twitter accounts by breaking news as quickly as possible.

"Who do you think the Cavaliers will choose as the first overall pick this year?" Breen asked before the draft even started, beginning to warm up for the draft.

"Kyrie Irving." Miller was the first to speak.

"Yes, Irving. After Barnes withdrew from the draft, he was basically a lock." Barkley also echoed.

"Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers already have JJ Hickson, and they also have a fifth overall pick this year. Tristan Thompson, whose draft stock has soared recently, is also a very good power forward choice. They don't necessarily have to take Derrick Williams." Smith's answer was also Irving, but his analysis was more thorough.

"It seems Irving is the consensus number one pick." Breen spread his hands, this was the first time all four of them had such a consistent opinion.

Just as they were talking, a roar of boos rang out in the arena as NBA President David Stern walked out from backstage.

This nearly seventy-year-old man took over as president of the league from Obrien in 1984, and 27 years had passed. He had been on this stage more than 800 times.

"Good evening, gentlemen and ladies, welcome to fans from all over the United States, as well as American fans watching on TNT and Canadian fans watching on CBC, welcome to the 2011 NBA Draft held at the Prudential Center, welcome to join us, and some fans who are still rushing here, thank you for your attendance."

Familiar lines, a style that hasn't changed in more than twenty years, Tang Tian felt quite moved listening to it from the audience.

"Let's get started, the first pick of the 2011 NBA Draft belongs to the Cleveland Cavaliers, they have five minutes to make a decision."

After the opening remarks, Stern announced the ownership of the first pick.

About a month ago, the NBA lottery teams had completed the lottery ceremony, and the final results were released.

However, there were some slight differences from the results in his previous life.

The first overall pick still belonged to the Cleveland Cavaliers, who used the first-round pick from the Clippers to win the pick with a 0.5% probability.

The second overall pick was not like in his previous life, belonging to the Timberwolves, but was lucky enough to be drawn by the Pistons.

The third overall pick still belonged to the Jazz.

The lottery actually drew the top three picks, and the other picks were ranked from worst to best according to their record.

Five minutes later, Stern came out from backstage again and announced the Cavaliers' final choice.

"With the first pick in the 2011 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers select Kyrie Irving, a 1.91-meter point guard from Duke University."

When Stern announced the final result, cheers erupted from the Cavaliers fans in the arena.

Irving becoming the number one pick was already a foregone conclusion, but the real result still excited them.

Thanks to the lucky hand of little Nick, the son of owner Dan Gilbert, the Cavaliers found another cornerstone for the team after James.

Irving got up and hugged his family and friends, took the Cavaliers hat from the staff with a smile on his face, and walked lightly towards the stage.

At this time, Walker's eyes were filled with envy. He had suppressed Irving in the second half of the game against Duke, but talent still determined that Irving would become the number one pick.

Irving took a photo with Stern on stage.

Applause rang out in the arena.

Tang Tian also applauded for him. Judging from his reaction after Duke lost, Irving was still pretty good.

After Irving, it was the Pistons' turn with the second pick, and they also had 5 minutes to consider.

Tang Tian looked at the stage with curiosity. With a different pick order from his previous life, he wondered what the Pistons would ultimately choose.