Chapter 1 If You Understand the Stories Behind the NBA…

If you understand the stories behind the NBA, then you know how "fair, open, and just" the NBA draft lottery is...

Compared to the star-studded 1996, 1997 was indeed not a great draft year.

Therefore, David Stern shouldn't have been so troubled.

However...

All of this has to start with a man who went to college for four years, and was labeled by scouts as "if you don't use the number one pick to select him, you're a moron"...

For him, the Celtics did not hesitate to trample on their past honors;

For him, Popovich believed that Robinson and Wilkins were tired and needed to rest;

For him, however fierce the top of the NBA was in the 96/97 season, the "championship teams" at the bottom...

...had a blast.

As everyone knows, since the NBA introduced the lottery rule, the worse a team's record, the higher the probability of getting the number one pick.

In 1995, with the addition of the Grizzlies and Raptors, the NBA further modified the lottery rules.

The trajectory of history had already quietly changed.

The Celtics got their wish, finishing last with a record of 12 wins and 70 losses, which meant that they would have nearly a quarter of a chance to draw the number one pick.

Of course, even if they had a 99.99% chance of drawing the number one pick, they still couldn't get it.

Therefore, Auerbach, who was familiar with Stern's tricks, did not pin all his hopes on the number one pick from the start.

To ensure that the Celtics could select that man, Auerbach was playing the legendary double insurance this time.

Before the trade deadline, he got another pick from Dallas that had a chance to shake Duncan.

At the same time, Auerbach also vigorously promoted Van Horn, calling him Bird's successor, trying to confuse the vision of other teams.

It's a pity...

However well Auerbach knew Stern, Stern knew him just as well...

So, among the four correct answers that were most likely to get the number one pick, the Celtics were the first to be out.

Right now, Stern was troubled by how to choose a "fair, open, and just" answer from the other three options.

In Su Feng's previous life, the original three options were the 76ers, Grizzlies, and Spurs.

However, because the 76ers had already obtained the number one pick in 1996 and selected Iverson, the 76ers were the second team to be out after the Celtics that year.

But in this life, with the 76ers successfully making the playoffs, that is to say, this option that would have been out early...

...no longer exists.

Now, the team that replaced the 76ers to become this option is:

The New Jersey Nets.

Without a doubt, the 76ers are destined to be the team that disrupts the league's pattern in this life...

Because in the regular season, while they were beating the Nets badly...they lost to the Nuggets, who were then led by Mark Jackson and hadn't gone to the Pacers yet.

As a result, because the Nets lost a few more games, and the Nuggets, after defeating the 76ers, won a few more games due to their morale being boosted, so...

The Nets naturally became the worse team than the Nuggets.

So now the question is, among the Nets, Grizzlies, and Spurs, who does Stern favor more?

First of all, in the Stern era, as newly joined teams in the league, generally, the league would not give these newly joined teams the number one pick in order to avoid suspicion.

In Su Feng's previous life, no matter how much the Grizzlies and Raptors tanked, their best finish during this period was the second pick.

So, now it's a choice between the Nets and the Spurs.

And this is exactly what Stern is troubled by.

Because in Su Feng's previous life, after the Grizzlies, 76ers, and Celtics were all out, there was only the Spurs left among these four answers.

According to the draft lottery rules during this period, there were still a few teams that had the opportunity to select the number one pick, but Stern, who was good at playing the balance beam, would not choose this answer from other teams.

After all, getting stronger through tanking was a rule that Stern himself had set.

With this year's number one pick already being the obvious choice, Duncan, if the black box operation was too excessive, then who would follow the rules in the future?

Therefore, the question comes again...

Did the Nets have any hope of defeating the Spurs in this number one pick battle?

The answer is: Yes.

Because the Nets' owner, Lewis Katz, has been increasing his investment in the Nets in recent years after buying the team, hoping to create a team that can compete for the championship.

In Su Feng's previous life, the Nets were the team under Katz that created a team that reached the Finals for two consecutive years.

Of course, later, because of two consecutive defeats in the Finals, Katz, who was disheartened, went back to playing ice hockey.

However, at least for now, Stern is very satisfied with Katz's investment.

Because in this era when everyone is losing money, if there aren't such hotheads, how can the NBA continue to operate?

But...

In 1993, after Peter Holt and 22 other investors crowdfunded to acquire the Spurs, Stern also greatly appreciated Holt's enthusiasm for basketball.

So...Stern's head hurts.

At a critical moment, the Joke classmate, whose status has been declining recently, gave a suggestion. He said to Stern:

"I suggest giving the number one pick to the Nets.

The Knicks have had too many negative impacts this season after fighting with the Heat.

If the Nets can rise through this number one pick, then the rising Nets have a geographical advantage over San Antonio."

In order to save his precarious position in Stern's mind, I don't know if the "Joke" classmate will be beaten to death by Spurs fans from another dimension, anyway...

He changed history on this night.

"I also agree with Adam's suggestion.

Although many of the suggestions Adam has made before are debatable in my opinion, I am clear about Lewis Katz.

After getting the number one pick, he will definitely continue to invest, which is a good thing for the future development of the NBA."

Just as Stern's heart was already starting to waver, Mark, who was on the side, gave him a timely shot in the arm.

Hearing that his two assistants had rarely reached a consensus, Stern no longer hesitated. Next, he looked at the two and said, "Then...

What kind of pick should we arrange for the Bostonians?"

How shrewd were Joke and Mark?

They both knew that Stern's arrangement of the pick for the Celtics was fake, and that forcing Auerbach to retire through this pick arrangement for the Celtics was the real deal.

If you know enough about the Celtics' history and Auerbach's influence in this league, then you know how much Stern wants Auerbach to retire as soon as possible at this moment.

In Su Feng's previous life, the reason why the Celtics' management ushered in nearly a decade of turmoil was not unrelated to Auerbach's angry retirement.

But, if Auerbach doesn't retire...

Then, with his influence, not to mention anything else, those Green Army management personnel currently working in this league...

Will frantically transfuse blood for the Green Army with those familiar Sao operations.

In the future, Danny Ainge will be able to build a Celtics team with three giants just by bringing together a few brothers, let alone his teacher Auerbach?

To give a simple example, taking Su Feng's current trade value, Su Feng's current trade value is definitely as high as five stars.

Perhaps you can exchange for Su Feng through some fair chips in the game, but it is absolutely impossible in reality.

However, once Auerbach returns...

Then the Celtics can rebuild in the way you play the game.

Maybe their trading chips will look very fair, but this depends on the premise and basis that the other party will definitely trade with them.

Therefore, this is also why the more Auerbach wants Duncan, the less Stern will give him Duncan.

What a joke, if you, Auerbach, come out again, how will those coaches in the future survive?

If you create a team that monopolizes the NBA again, how am I supposed to operate?

Stern is not Joke, so his gameplay will not be as bottomless and low-end as Joke's.

"I think, how about giving the Celtics the second pick?

Aren't they always wanting a successor to Larry Bird?" Joke gave his suggestion with a smile, while pushing his glasses and glancing at Mark.

After receiving Joke's suggestion, Stern looked at Mark again, and at this time, Mark, who was already prepared, said: "Trust me, David, Keith's personality is destined that he will not become the next Larry..."

Stern knew that among him, Joke, and Mark, Mark was the most knowledgeable about basketball, after all...

It was Mark who firmly believed that Su Feng would definitely make it back then.

Okay...since Mark has said so, then Stern also knows how to arrange the next draft lottery ceremony.

Alas, the life of the president is so boring and dull...

In Stern's view, the only pity is that there is really no market in Africa, otherwise, sending Joke over there would really be a pretty good choice...

……

Two days have passed since the 76ers were eliminated from the playoffs.

Similar to what Su Feng remembered, who was currently engrossed in hard training, the Heat ultimately defeated the Knicks in Game 7, and Mosaic also eliminated the SuperSonics.

Damn Mutombo!

Because with this Heat team right now, reasonably speaking... Riley is really giving the Hawks a free win, okay?

As for Mosaic, although their Game 7 battle with the SuperSonics was extremely dangerous, but...

In this world, with the Jazz being dragged an extra round by the Lakers, honestly, Su Feng doesn't know whether Mosaic or the Jazz will get the Finals ticket.

While Su Feng was enhancing his "strength," in Boston...

Miller Karl, as well as the Celtics' management...

Everyone had almost forgotten the last time they saw Auerbach so radiant.

"Teacher...your health?"

To be honest, Miller Karl wasn't greedy for power, because in his view, if Auerbach was willing to return, he would be willing to work as a court janitor.

Because in the eyes of this group of Celtics brothers, Auerbach...was like a god.

"Don't worry, kid, you are still the head coach of this Celtics team, I will support you from behind the scenes."

Auerbach patted Miller Karl on the shoulder with a smile. At this moment, how could he be anything but radiant?

A few hours ago, the NBA draft lottery ceremony ended.

The team that drew the number one pick in the 1997 draft was...

The New Jersey Nets.

And getting the second pick was the Celtics.

As for getting the third pick, it was the Spurs.

The pick that the Celtics traded from the Mavericks drew the sixth overall pick in the first round.

Originally, when the draft lottery results were released, people were sighing that Stern would definitely not let Auerbach coach Duncan.

But...

In Su Feng's previous life, being able to trick the people of San Antonio into turning around with Van Horn meant that the people of New Jersey, whose management IQ was far below that of the Spurs...

...would also fall for it!

Soon after the draft lottery results came out, Auerbach called the Nets' office.

'Look, we'll help you select Van Horn, plus give you our sixth overall pick and the infinitely potential Walker, how about you help us select Duncan?'

The Nets, who were in the process of rebuilding...

...couldn't resist the offer at all.

What?

Anthony Walker plus Van Horn, and a first-round sixth overall pick this year?

'Yes, after all, I'm old too.

I hope to leave some good karma for my children after I retire.

If the Celtics need help in the future, then I hope you can remember the kindness of today.'

The Nets' front office was moved by Auerbach.

Facts have proven...

...there is still a gap in IQ between NBA front offices.

Compared to the Spurs' front office, which couldn't be tricked no matter how hard you tried in Su Feng's previous life, in this world...the Nets' front office had already been tricked by Auerbach to the point of limping.

The Nets had already set their sights on Van Horn before the draft even started.

Before being exposed as unsuitable for coaching in the NBA, the Nets' front office always listened to the disciple of Larry Brown, Calipari.

In Calipari's view, next season, Cassell, who was acquired before the trade deadline, would form an unsolvable duo with Van Horn.

But...

The Nets, who unexpectedly got the number one pick, really couldn't resist the temptation brought by Duncan.

But now, someone has stood up to help us solve this problem.

This problem that if you don't use the number one pick to select Duncan, the general manager will be sent to a mental hospital.

Anthony Walker will make up for the Nets' forward and guard lines, and the Nets can even have a 1997 first-round sixth overall pick.

Calipari is not Popovich. He immediately thought that this trade was very promising.

After all, no matter how tempting Duncan is, in Calipari's calculation, Van Horn + Walker + first-round sixth overall pick is "greater than" Duncan.

So, the Nets agreed to this deal.

Boston, Auerbach was overjoyed.

Tim Duncan. After dreaming of him for an entire season, Auerbach had even foreseen the scene of Duncan establishing immortal achievements for the Celtics in the future.

Don't even mention Anthony Walker. In fact, as long as the Nets were willing to agree to this trade, in Auerbach's view, there was no one on the Celtics that couldn't be traded.

Even if the Nets' salary cap could handle it, Auerbach would be willing to send all the Celtics players to New Jersey.

Don't ask, just know that Duncan is that tempting.

Of course, the final trade between the Nets and the Celtics will be completed at the draft.

Before that, Auerbach only announced the news of his return next season to his direct disciples.

"Then what should we do next, teacher?" Miller Karl asked, looking at Auerbach.

"Have Keith come over for a tryout, and by the way, tell the outside world...because we didn't get the number one pick, my health is getting worse and worse, and I may not live much longer.

Let's first gain people's sympathy from public opinion."

Auerbach knew that Stern was no ordinary shrewd person, so before this trade was completed, he...

...needed to sell a bit of misery first.

Because only in this way would Stern not interfere in the future.

See... He is just a poor... old man who wants Duncan but can't get him.

In Su Feng's previous life, in the case of being sure that they had no chance with Duncan, the Celtics would have hired Pitino to be the head coach and general manager, but because Pitino was unpopular, the Green Army's high-level officials had various internal struggles. But in this world...

With Auerbach determined to return, the entire Green Army management team quickly took action.

So, will Duncan make it under Auerbach's hands?

The answer is definitely yes.

To be fair, Popovich is indeed a great head coach.

But in reality, many Spurs fans are wrong to completely attribute Duncan's success to Popovich in Su Feng's previous life.

Because as we all know, the first major injury Duncan suffered in his career was in 2000, and because of that knee ligament strain, Duncan's speed and jumping ability declined a lot later.

After that, from 2004 to 2005, Duncan suffered from plantar fasciitis.

So the question "again" comes, is it true that Popovich, in the mouths of Spurs fans, didn't overuse Duncan to death?

Just look at Duncan's playing time and you'll know.

From the 97/98 season to the 02/03 season, Duncan's average playing time was nearly 40 minutes. Where did the non-stop overuse come from?

Duncan's success was simply because he was very resistant to overuse himself.

And adjusting Duncan's playing time had to wait until the 04/05 season.

But, what Popovich can do, can't Auerbach do it?

In Su Feng's previous life, whether it was Russell or Robert Parish, who was ever overused to death by Auerbach?

Especially during Parish's era, Auerbach had a premonition that as the intensity of future games became more and more fierce, the playing time of inside players must be heavily protected.

So...

The "Emperor Feng" who is currently engrossed in hard training...

Su Feng, who is dreaming of a future where the East is weak and the West is strong and he can easily rack up stats, how would he know that fate is playing a huge joke on him, this "Little Emperor," in the summer of 1997...

……

"Huh? You want to go to China with me?"

On the 20th, in this era when labor and management relations were extremely tense, Su Feng, knowing that he could not interfere with the management's decisions, did not pay much attention to the upcoming draft.

In Su Feng's view, even if this 76ers team doesn't strengthen, the roster is good enough.

He can hint at Davis, but Krause and Berlinberg are people with their own ideas. Right now, you might not believe it, but the only thing Su Feng cares about is Davis's contract extension.

The 76ers were quite successful in their rebuilding during this period in their previous life, so whether Davis will renew with the 76ers is the focus of Su Feng's decision on whether to start the "wandering iron-making" plan.

Don't look at Su Feng's high reputation now, but "forcing" the team management to do something like that could easily lead to being targeted by the capitalists and ruining his reputation in this era.

Every era has its own different ways of playing, so apart from hinting that he is only willing to play for Davis, Su Feng can only take a wait-and-see approach for the time being.

Anyway, Su Feng has many choices next, but the only one that he doesn't have is to let himself be bullied.

It's just that, while Su Feng was "engrossed in hard training," he suddenly received a call from Kobe this day.

"Um... I want to train with you."

Not long after the Lakers were eliminated, Kobe hired several trainers in Los Angeles to work himself to death.

But...compared to the king of trainers hired by Su Feng, can the trainers hired by Kobe compare to Su Feng's group of trusted aides?

Of course not!

So Kobe made up his mind, wherever Su Feng goes this summer, he will go there!

See, he can also freeload some meals, tsk, planned, perfect!

"Okay... but I'll tell you first, this summer, I may have to represent the Chinese men's basketball team in the games."

Although he has not officially received an invitation from the Basketball Association, Su Feng knows that this summer, in addition to going home to visit his parents, he will definitely have to play for the national team.

If Su Feng remembers correctly, the men's basketball team will be defeated in West Asia in the upcoming Asian Championships.

Um...

The reason why the men's basketball team was defeated this time has nothing to do with their own strength. It's purely because the team is full of injured players, plus Zhang Bin's coaching ideas are problematic, which resulted in the men's basketball team being successfully stolen by the Korean team.

Anyway... the smiles of Little Yao, Da Zhi, and Old Hu must be protected, and the Asian Championships will also give some iron-making points to some extent.

As the saying goes, no matter how small a mosquito is, it's still meat.

Just like that, in a trance, Su Feng suddenly felt that the pressure on his shoulders was even greater.

But speaking of which...if Su Feng remembers correctly, the 17-year-old Little Yao seems to be 222 centimeters tall already, right?

"If I have the chance, I really want to let Yao call me Brother Feng!"

While feeling his damn seniority, Su Feng thought to himself with delight.

……

ps: 5800-word chapter delivered! Begging for recommendation tickets, collections, rewards, and subscriptions!