Chapter 958: 313: Let’s Call it the Nomadic Dynasty (Seeking Monthly Pass!)_2
David Stern looked at Dunleavy on stage, as if it was so kind of advance communication: “Hey, kid, get ready.”
Opening the envelope, David Stern began to announce the results: “With the third pick in the first round of the 2002 NBA draft, the Golden State Warriors select… Amar’e Stoudemire, from Cypress Creek High School.”
The crowd gasped in surprise; it was an unexpected na.
Mike Dunleavy’s expression froze; even if he was going to fall out of third place, it shouldn’t have been Amar’e Stoudemire pushing him out!
Amar’e Stoudemire was consistently in the lottery in mock drafts, but never in the top three.
Indeed, even though there had been a series of successful high school rookies before him, Stoudemire was clearly different from those successful predecessors.
Roger, during his high school years, took down players ranked in the top 100 nationally in just one year, leading his team to an undefeated state championship, making a splash at the ABCD camp, and achieving the unprecedented feat of winning 4-on-5 in the McDonald’s All-Arican Ga.
Kobe Bryant, scoring more points in high school over four years than Wilt Chamberlain, dominated Jerry Stackhouse, the previous year’s third pick, in one-on-one matchups before his draft, and outperford forr Defensive Player of the Year Michael Cooper in workouts.
Kevin Garnett, a versatile power forward with explosive athleticism but full skills, whose only disadvantage in the draft was being underweight.
Tracy McGrady, known nationwide at Roger’s camp, led his team to a 20-1 record in senior year under much attention, with a forward’s height and guard’s skill set.
Kwa Brown, who dominated in high school, won the “If Cleveland had the No. 1 pick, I’d still choose him” award presented by Michael Jordan.
And Amar’e Stoudemire? His high school career wasn’t even in the sa league as the previous few.
Over four years in high school, he switched schools six tis for various reasons, and his senior year record at Cypress Creek High was a diocre 16-13, never dominating the high school basketball world. Although Stoudemire had impressive athletic potential, his skills were very rough, completely different from those whose skills had matured during high school.
Many might not believe that Stoudemire’s draft report template was Ben Wallace.
But that was just the dia’s highest expectation for him; not every player with raw athleticism and no skills ends up becoming a DPOY.
In this draft’s weak year, perhaps so teams would gamble on such an athletically outstanding leaper, but top three? That was incredible.
The Warriors fans on-site started cursing.
“That stupid Russian, all he knows is to play with his AK, what the hell does he know about basketball? I knew it, selling the team to the Russians ruined everything!”
“Just because he promised to build a new arena, the league let a foreigner control the team. Wealth and greed are destroying this league.”
“If you were Roger, would you still co after seeing the team make such a dumb decision? God, they’ve ruined everything!”
“Amar’e is a lottery ticket worth scratching, but damn it, not with the third pick!”
“Maybe the Warriors think Amar’e is LeBron Jas.”
However, Roger was satisfied with the result.
Amar’e Stoudemire had one major change: the praise for his defensive attitude in the draft report by scouts.
Perhaps due to Roger telling him to work hard on defense, now Stoudemire was a player very enthusiastic about defense. Although his defensive skills and experience were inadequate, at least he didn’t completely ignore defense like the Suns’ Stoudemire.
Seeing Stoudemire put on the Warriors hat, seeing Mike Dunleavy’s expression like a Shaq Daddy who ate shit, Roger turned off the TV.
The remaining draft of 2002 was no longer important.
Beside Roger, his old uncle, watching the draft, asked puzzledly: “Really? You’re planning to rely on a high school jumper and Allan Houston, who led the team to the lottery, to win four championships in San Francisco? Roger, maybe reconsider New York; your aunt might just be there, I have a strong hunch.”
“I never said I’m relying on them; this isn’t our final lineup. I always believe in one thing: basketball is a step-by-step process. Whoever discovers this pattern can reach greatness.
I want the ceiling high enough for three-peat or even four-peat future potential, not just grabbing one or two stray championships in the short term. That’s not my pursuit; I no longer need such championships to prove myself.
Moreover, I suspect my aunt might not even be on this planet.”
“What nonsense? Could I marry an alien to be your aunt?”
“Is it possible? What I an is, you might never get married in your life? I’m 27, Uncle; you’re a wealthy man, but my aunt is still nowhere to be found. I’ve said it, you don’t need to spend so much effort helping with the repair shop; you don’t need to spend your free ti selling original flavors. You should pay more attention to your personal life.”
“It’s not a repair shop, it’s a nationwide franchise! It’s not just selling original flavors; it’s idol economy!”
“Whatever you call it, you don’t have to spend so much ti managing it for . I won’t go bankrupt, really.”
“Kids don’t worry about such things. Anyway, don’t worry, Roger, I’ll definitely get married before you!”
Roger: ???
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