Chapter 139 Let's Go Back to the Vancouver Draft

Let's turn the cameras back to the Vancouver draft.

Just as Su Feng had guessed.

After the top three picks were announced, the Raptors selected Antawn Jamison with the fourth overall pick.

Then, they immediately contacted the Golden State Warriors, who held the fifth overall pick.

The Raptors' GM, Glen Grunwald, who was known for being thrifty, was ecstatic.

Compared to Su Feng's previous life, this time, after the team traded for Jerry Stackhouse using Joe Smith last season, the Warriors had already considered Jamison their future franchise player during his workout in April.

Therefore, Grunwald, who was often made fun of, was happier than ever.

The Warriors, left with no choice, negotiated with Grunwald and used their fifth overall pick to select Vince Carter, plus $1.2 million in cash, to bring back Jamison from Toronto.

There was no other way.

As a new team located in Canada, before the Toronto market was ignited by Carter, the Raptors, who were constantly losing money, had to be meticulous with every detail to survive.

You see, the NBA draft is always like a large-scale spy war, so Grunwald, who found out about the Warriors' target through personal connections, was destined to dominate this trade.

So, here comes the question.

Some might ask, what if the Warriors stubbornly "randomly" pick Carter and refuse to trade with the Raptors? What would Grunwald do then?

Well...

Believe it or not, first of all, that scenario simply wouldn't happen.

Because each NBA team has its own building plan, and the Warriors hadn't invited Carter for a workout, so they wouldn't dare bet on him.

Back in the '90s, the NBA didn't have a unified combine.

Although Carter had already made a name for himself at the 1995 McDonald's All-American Game, in 1998...

Given that Carter had suffered injuries in college, who could guarantee that in three years, his current level, strength, and style would still be suitable for the NBA?

Therefore, what could the Warriors, who had a "traitor in their midst," do besides getting ripped off by Grunwald?

In Toronto, Tracy McGrady, who was on vacation at home and already knew that Carter would be joining the Raptors, was overjoyed.

As Carter's younger cousin, McGrady was naturally excited to join forces with his cousin in the NBA.

After all, in this life, after Su Feng resolved McGrady's inner conflict, how could McGrady be happy because he was looking forward to the clash between Carter and Su Feng?

Hiss!

You know, after Coach Davis told him yesterday that the Raptors would acquire Su Feng from the 76ers, McGrady even automatically imagined a one-on-one battle between Su Feng and Carter...

Ahem.

Let's get back to business.

At the Vancouver draft, after the Warriors paid the ransom for Jamison, the Mavericks selected Robert "Tractor" Traylor with the sixth overall pick.

Following that, with the seventh overall pick, the Kings selected Jason "White Chocolate" Williams.

It's worth mentioning that with the eighth overall pick, Larry Hughes, who was originally expected to be selected by the 76ers, was picked by the Pistons.

The Pistons, who held the eighth overall pick, hoped to find a successor for Joe Dumars to continue assisting Grant Hill.

The Pistons believed that Hughes, who was good on both ends of the court and had been selected to the All-Defensive Team in the future, could become Hill's "Pippen."

It must be said that fate is a wondrous thing.

In Su Feng's eyes, Hughes was also a lucky boy in this life.

Because in Su Feng's previous life, Hughes, who only averaged around 10 points under Coach Brown, immediately became a scorer who could average 20+ points after joining the Warriors.

In short, Hughes was a good horse, but unfortunately, Larry Brown was never a talent scout.

If Hughes had received more training with the 76ers, would Allen Iverson have had to work so hard in Su Feng's previous life?

Next, with the ninth overall pick, the Bucks selected Dirk Nowitzki.

Immediately afterward, the Mavericks completed a trade with the Bucks.

From then on, Dallas had a German tank, while Milwaukee welcomed a real "tractor."

In Su Feng's previous life, this trade between the Mavericks and the Bucks was considered a classic of the 1998 draft.

As one of the future "Four Power Forwards," Nowitzki's strength was beyond doubt.

However, even if he could influence Davis, Su Feng wouldn't let Davis select this German tank.

Because by the time Nowitzki grew up, the championship would probably have been divided between Tim Duncan and Shaquille O'Neal.

Nowitzki had a very long growth cycle. In fact, it wasn't until around 2005 that this German tank could be considered to have entered his peak.

And it wasn't until after being swept by the Warriors that Nowitzki's post-up game truly became unstoppable.

A player like Carter, who had a physical cheat code, could easily break out and become Su Feng's right-hand man.

But the only thing about basketball is that technique takes time to hone.

Taking Su Feng himself as an example, his fadeaway and pull-up jumper still had a long way to go, let alone this German tank who had just entered the league?

As the saying goes, time waits for no one, and Su Feng didn't want to wait for the future.

Moreover, Su Feng didn't plan to stay in Toronto for the rest of his life. Select Nowitzki, then work hard to develop him into his future opponent?

Su Feng wasn't some kind of saint. In Su Feng's opinion, selecting Carter was the most correct decision for this Raptors team.

Just as the Bucks were happily preparing to drive their "tractor" back to Milwaukee...

With the tenth overall pick, the Nets successfully picked up a steal.

They selected Paul Pierce from the University of Kansas.

Without a doubt, Pierce was one of the strongest players in this class besides Carter.

The reason he was underestimated was related to his personality.

In Su Feng's previous life, Pierce, who hung out with Chauncey Billups in college, had accomplished the amazing feat of surviving after being stabbed more than a dozen times.

And speaking of which, if Pierce's scouting report hadn't been labeled "Little Truth" and "Little Su Feng," the Nets might not have had the foresight to select him at this spot.

In Su Feng's opinion, although the Nets' trade of Duncan to the Celtics last year would definitely be criticized as stupid in the future...

But the lineup of Van Horn + Pierce + Thomas + Cassell, it's just that this Nets team's coach was Carlesimo. Otherwise, this was a lineup that could easily make the playoffs with a little tweaking.

...

It must be said that the quality of the 1998 rookies was severely underestimated.

Because in addition to the top ten picks, this year's rookies also included familiar names like Bonzi Wells, Matt Harpring, and Ricky Davis.

And similar to Su Feng's memory, the Nuggets selected another "super coach" in Su Feng's mind besides Davis with the twenty-third overall pick:

Tyronn Lue.

With the twenty-fifth overall pick, the Pacers selected Al Harrington.

If Jerry West's eye for talent was ridiculously accurate, then Larry Bird's eye was also at a cheat-level.

And, to be fair, Bird was really good at finding hidden gems.

Players like Danny Granger and Paul George...

These swingmen who were not favored before the draft all put up star-level numbers with the Pacers in the future.

After the first round of this year's draft, Su Feng, who was patiently waiting for the 76ers to officially announce his trade, suddenly became restless in the second round.

Because right from the start of the second round, the Lakers did something...

With the first pick in the second round, the Lakers selected:

Rashard Lewis.

In Philadelphia, Kobe, who was eating pizza, was already thinking about challenging Lewis to a one-on-one game in the future as he watched his future teammate on TV.

And beside Kobe, Su Feng once again felt the primordial effect of the "The King" nickname.

OK + Lewis?!

Ha, let me tell you a joke: OK will have no "helpers" in the future.

Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Rashard Lewis...

Tim Duncan, Stephon Marbury, Ray Allen...

Could this be the legendary Lakers-Celtics rivalry and the King's escape script?

Slapping his forehead, Su Feng made up his mind.

Carmelo Anthony wasn't going anywhere this summer.

If he didn't speed up the development of these "Pippen" brothers, Su Feng felt that he wouldn't be able to survive in the future.

To be honest, who could understand the bitterness in Su Feng's heart at this moment?

You know, twenty years from now, when people look back at this era, the comments will invariably be:

"Brother Feng, you've worked hard!"

"So, this is the NBA's Big Three from the '90s to the early 2000s? I love it!"

"Ha... What kind of monster lineups are these?

Let me tell you a joke: the game isn't even as twisted as reality."

In any case, no one could understand Su Feng's mood at this moment.

And back in Vancouver, after the Lakers used their other second-round pick to snatch Wang Zhizhi ahead of time, it was Don Nelson's turn to be unhappy in Dallas.

At the draft, the somewhat bewildered Wang Zhizhi put on a Lakers hat.

Although Wang Zhizhi didn't understand why he was selected by the Lakers, he instinctively puffed out his chest, thinking that he had become an NBA player like Su Feng and Hu Weidong.

In Su Feng's opinion, Wang Zhizhi, who was "208" centimeters tall, was going to have good luck in this life.

Because no matter what height Wang Zhizhi could reach in the future, his style was quite suitable for this Lakers team.

And if Su Feng remembered correctly, Wang Zhizhi had become good friends with Shaquille O'Neal during his time with the Heat in the future.

Plus, Kobe had been a sparring partner for the Chinese national team last year and had met Wang Zhizhi...

Therefore, as long as he could restrain his inflated personality, Wang Zhizhi's future would be more than just smooth.

However, Su Feng felt that Wang Zhizhi wouldn't be able to inflate his ego in this life, because after he practiced with Shaquille O'Neal a few times on the Lakers, he would understand that there are people beyond people and heavens beyond heavens.

...

Jerry West's two bold moves undoubtedly made Su Feng suspect that he was a transmigrator again.

In the subsequent draft, although there were still familiar faces from Su Feng's previous life in the second round, such as Rafer Alston and Cuttino Mobley, the most shocking thing compared to the draft...

Was still the trade between the Raptors and the 76ers.

Even though people's attention was currently focused on whether the NBA season would be suspended due to the labor negotiations, the trade involving Su Feng still stole the headlines on this day.

As the saying goes, one stone stirs up a thousand waves.

In fact, the Philadelphia fans had vaguely sensed the conflict between Su Feng and Larry Brown during the playoffs this year.

And after Su Feng publicly feuded with Larry Brown, the Philadelphia fans still hoped that this "master and disciple" could reconcile.

However, the fans' beautiful expectations were just expectations after all.

At the 1998 draft, when the Toronto Raptors officially sent Marcus Camby, John Wallace, Doug Christie, and their 1998 second-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Su Feng and Scott Williams...

The entire city of Philadelphia was destined to have a sleepless night.

Su Feng, the number one contributor who helped the team upset the Bulls in 1997...

The NBA's first Chinese player;

The leading scorer of the Pennsylvania high school league in the 95/96 season;

The NBA Rookie of the Year in the 96/97 season;

A two-time Eastern Conference All-Star starter;

A two-time All-Defensive First Team selection;

A two-time All-NBA Second Team selection;

The All-Star Game MVP in the 96/97 season;

Thus, with the honors he had achieved in the past two seasons, he left Philadelphia and embarked on a journey to Toronto.

In Philadelphia, when the 76ers and Raptors simultaneously announced the trade, Kobe held Su Feng's shoulder, fearing that Su Feng would become emotional and want to fight the team's front office.

After all, in Kobe's opinion, no matter how "selfish" Su Feng had played in the past year, Philadelphia shouldn't treat such a decorated hero in this way.

As Su Feng's best friend, Kobe felt obligated to accompany Su Feng through this "difficult" road for him.

"Don't be too sad, Su. Although the Raptors were at the bottom last season...

But I believe in you."

Touching Su Feng's buzz cut, Kobe said to Su Feng with a smile.

And in Vancouver, David Stern, who had retired to the backstage to rest after hosting the first round of the draft, almost died of anger when he learned of the trade between the 76ers and the Raptors.

Seriously...

The Toronto Raptors?!

That broken team, what kind of future does it have?

For David Stern, who hoped to cultivate Su Feng into an international player leader, he was planning an "8 vs 23" for next season, aside from the labor negotiations...

However, Su Feng had now been traded to the Toronto Raptors. How could David Stern plan it?

Don't think that David Stern didn't understand basketball, but he knew the commercial value of the "Iverson-Su Feng" duo better than anyone else.

In addition, Su Feng in Philadelphia and Su Feng in Toronto were two completely different concepts.

You see, in the NBA, players have always been judged by their performance.

Su Feng in Philadelphia had the opportunity to compete for a championship. Therefore, David Stern was willing to pour resources into promoting him.

Even if Su Feng didn't win a championship, it didn't matter. Just based on the fact that he had upset the Bulls back then, as long as the 76ers could maintain their competitiveness, David Stern believed that the buzz surrounding Su Feng could be maintained for at least the next five or six years.

But Su Feng going to Toronto...

With that broken Raptors team, even if Su Feng was strong, David Stern wouldn't dare to imagine that they could make the playoffs!

Maybe one or two seasons would be okay, but what if Su Feng failed to prove himself in Toronto for many years? Then, even if David Stern promoted Su Feng, the fans wouldn't buy it.

And although David Stern also hoped that the Raptors could rise and boost the Canadian market...

But honestly, he really didn't want the star who was going to boost the Canadian market to be Su Feng.

Because after coming to Vancouver this time and feeling the cold Canadian market, David Stern didn't dare to think that the Canadian market could become popular.

In short, David Stern didn't want to see Su Feng being "exiled to the frontier."

Okay...

Maybe the saying "exiled to the frontier" was very offensive to the Raptors at this time, but as an important part of David Stern's future strategic plan, Su Feng's position in David Stern's mind was not comparable to rookies like Carter and McGrady.

David Stern always had different scripts for different players.

And for Su Feng, David Stern had always hoped that he would play the role of a Philadelphia hero who never gives up.

Therefore, David Stern, who couldn't change all of this and could only accept reality, was extremely uncomfortable.

There was no way, because neither the Raptors nor the 76ers were under league control, so as the rule maker, David Stern had no right to stop the trade using "basketball reasons."

Thus, the heartbroken commissioner had the idea of retiring for the first time on this day.

But Kobe and David Stern...

How could they understand Su Feng's "pain and happiness" at this moment?

Su Feng was pained that he couldn't continue playing hometown basketball with Iverson for the time being.

And he was happy that he was going to bring his talent to Toronto to play brotherly basketball with McGrady, Carter, and Nash.

Shortly after trading for Su Feng, the Raptors also completed a trade with the Suns as planned, using Kenny Anderson and the 1999 first-round pick they had obtained from the Trail Blazers to bring back Nash and Mark Bryant.

Plus, Ben Wallace, who was impressed by his trash talk and determined to follow him...

Ben Wallace, himself, McGrady, Carter, Nash...

If this Raptors team practiced for a year, wouldn't it be a roaring dragon?

The happiness of this kind of fairy lineup was simply something that ordinary people couldn't experience.

As for the Toronto market...

Honestly, if this Raptors team couldn't win over the fans with their offense under Davis next season, Su Feng felt that he might as well retire and drive a truck with Michael Jordan.

In addition, if Su Feng could directly lead this bottom-ranked Raptors team into the playoffs next season, then his prestige as the "Raptors' Big Boss" would definitely explode.

Think about it carefully...

Before Su Feng came to the Raptors, this Raptors team had no hope at all.

But after Su Feng arrived, they suddenly became a powerhouse in the East.

With this kind of terrifying single-core leadership ability, who would be able to criticize him in the future?

Sigh...

As for why it was a single-core team?

Because the fans of this era had no idea how strong Carter, McGrady, Nash, and others would be in the future.

Five giants?

Five Hall of Fame starters?

Those were all things of the future.

Now, currently, at this moment, besides Su Feng and Davis, no one would be optimistic about this Raptors team.

So, just as Kobe was comforting Su Feng, the young Kobe had no idea...

That Su Feng had already started fantasizing in his mind about his young emperor surpassing Jordan with one championship...

...

ps: Sorry for the late update. I'll try to get a draft out as soon as possible.