Champion Creed-Chapter 957 - 313: Just call it the Nomadic Dynasty (asking for monthly votes!)

Chapter 957: 313: Just call it the Nomadic Dynasty (asking for monthly votes!)

Shaquille O’Neal’s strategy was successful; when his team indicated "if he goes to a non-competitive team, he’ll opt-out of his contract in 2003," most terrible teams backed out of the trade.

Currently, the teams eager to acquire Shaq are all playoff-level teams.

Paul Pierce is getting close with the Boston Celtics and the Indiana Pacers.

As for Roger, the rumors about him are quite absurd.

Due to being spotted meeting with James Dolan and Mikhail Prokhorov, the rumors involving the Knicks and Warriors are the most prevalent.

However, there are also plenty of other rumors, such as in Orlando. If they don’t renew Larry Hughes’ contract, the Magic have enough salary cap space to sign Roger outright.

Orlando’s God + Orlando’s Child? Just imagine, it’s extremely exciting.

Some also say Roger might join the Los Angeles Clippers since the basketball market in Los Angeles is not inferior to New York, and is far greater than San Francisco.

There’s even a rumor that Roger might swap teams with Kobe in a sign-and-trade deal.

This rumor makes the models in Los Angeles and Hollywood actresses happier than Lakers fans. Who wouldn’t want to have an intimate interaction with the world’s most famous basketball player? Whether for career purposes or simply for the experience, it’s quite a delightful thing.

However, before everything is settled, the first to unlock the mystery is the 2002 NBA Draft.

The 2002 NBA Draft is under the spotlight because it might see the birth of the first Asian number one pick in history.

Yao Ming has been followed by American media for several years now, and given Roger’s outstanding performance, Americans no longer doubt whether Chinese players can adapt to the NBA.

Unlike the original timeline, under Eric Fleisher’s arrangements, Yao Ming was present at the draft venue, becoming the second Chinese player after Roger to enter the green room for the draft.

Yao Ming was very nervous because, for him, failure to be selected first overall would mean failure.

At the same time, he was also concerned about another matter.

Five minutes before the draft started, Yao Ming asked his interpreter Colin Penn to inquire from Eric Fleisher: "Sir, is there any chance I can play with Roger?"

For Yao Ming, this would be the best outcome; if Roger were also in New York, he could integrate more quickly into the team and into life in a foreign land.

Eric Fleisher hesitated for a moment, not answering directly, but instead asked Yao Ming: "Can you keep a secret?"

Yao Ming nodded.

Fleisher then asked Colin Penn: "And you?"

Colin Penn raised his hands: "I’m just a rookie translator, not interested and not qualified to be involved in other matters."

Upon hearing their responses, Eric Fleisher shrugged: "No chance, New York has no chance of acquiring Roger. So don’t listen to the media’s nonsense, this is the final answer."

Yao Ming was very disappointed; James Dolan would certainly be more disappointed knowing this news.

Roger and Fleisher discussed it, and New York’s trouble isn’t just James Dolan, but also those damn media and fans.

In New York, they never unconditionally love their players.

Patrick Ewing’s entire career was plagued by New York media.

They criticize their players even harsher than outsiders.

Roger doesn’t want similar things to happen to himself.

"Then where will Roger play?" Yao Ming asked Colin Penn to ask again. frёeωebɳovel.com

"Oh," Eric Fleisher waved his hand, "that’s another secret, only one secret allowed per day."

Soon enough, the draft commenced.

First round, first overall pick, David Stern unsurprisingly announced Yao Ming.

On-site, all New York Knicks fans cheered, as joyful as if the United States had won World War III in advance.

Firstly, with the momentum created by Eric Fleisher, Yao Ming was like Victor Wembanyama 20 years later, long-awaited and everyone’s top pick.

Secondly, New Yorkers felt this was a signal that Roger was close to joining the Knicks; they firmly believed Roger would prefer to collaborate with his compatriot.

Thus, all of New York celebrated.

Yao Ming went on stage, wearing the New York Knicks’ hat. Anyway, this result is at least better than Houston. Although James Dolan has many faults, he is truly willing to spend money, unlike Houston’s stingy championship-contending team every year.

After Yao Ming’s interview and stepping off the stage, Roger immediately called to congratulate him.

For most fans, tonight’s biggest suspense had already come to an end.

Because 2002’s draft isn’t considered a strong year, there aren’t many high-profile rookies.

Second overall, the Chicago Bulls selected Jay Williams.

The third overall pick was the Golden State Warriors, but not many people cared who the Warriors would select.

However, Roger cared.

Mike Dunleavy was confident; the white forward born into a basketball family performed brilliantly at Duke, achieving a record of 95 wins and 13 losses over three years.

If not for Yao Ming’s emergence, he and his teammate Jay Williams would have monopolized the draft’s top two spots. Looking into the entire college basketball scene, there was no one better than them.

During previous tryouts, the Golden State Warriors also highly praised him. He believed no one could compete with him for the third overall pick position.

Watching David Stern walk onto the stage once more, Dunleavy was so excited he embraced his family in advance.