Chapter 619: The Birth of Parallel Imports

In 2001, the NBA's attitude toward high school players had improved considerably.

This is also thanks to the high school players who have entered the NBA in recent years, who have performed very well, which has reduced people's prejudice and discrimination against high school players.

Among the high school players who joined the NBA in recent years, many star players have been born.

Kobe Bryant led the Lakers to two consecutive championships and is the most popular star in the league; Garnett's 20+10+5 for two consecutive years is already regarded as the league's No. 1 power forward; McGrady's outbreak last season made people Saw the figure of the superstar.

In addition to these three star-level players, Jermaine O'Neal, who has not had many chances to play before, has also recorded a quasi-double-double this season. Rashard Lewis, after two years of hard work, has also Sit firmly in the starting position of the Supersonics.

Sports has always been a world in which the strong prey on the weak.

Moreover, when these high school players entered the NBA, they were only 17 or 18 years old. Compared with those players who entered the NBA in their junior and senior years, high school players obviously have higher growth potential and stronger plasticity. .

It can be seen from the data that when high school players first enter the NBA, the data in the first year is often relatively stretched, but after two or three years, when they get used to the NBA game, the data will begin to grow rapidly.

For many rebuilding teams, the rebuilding process often takes years, so there is time to wait for young players to grow into star players.

Just because there have been many successful cases in the past few years, after entering the 21st century, the NBA no longer excludes high school players.

Many teams regard high school players as an investment in the future, or simply as a scratch. Whether it is Bryant with the 13th pick or Tracy McGrady with the 9th pick, it is a bloody profit for the team. Pen!

And in 2001, the first high school champion in NBA history was about to be born!

From the perspective of future generations, 2001 is definitely a big year for the draft.

The candidates are Arenas, Zach Randolph, Joe Johnson, Sean Battier, Jason Richardson, Gerald Wallace, Richard Jefferson, Local North American players such as Brand Haywood and Dalemport participated, as well as international players such as Big Gasol, Parker, Okur, and Radmanovic.

However, this year's No. 1 pick has locked the members of the so-called three treasures of high school in advance, namely Eddie Curry, Tyson Chandler and Kwame Brown.

It can be seen that the NBA still prefers big players.

In fact, in terms of strength, Big Gasol can completely become the champion. Gasol at that time, bearing the name of a Spanish genius, was already quite influential in the European arena.

It's a pity that Pau Gasol is not an American, which is why he fell to the third pick.

The Three Treasures of High School can be regarded as a popular candidate for the No. 1 pick in the draft year. They must be players with excellent strength and potential. If you look back at the draft reports of these three people, it is indeed the case. The ones given are all super Superstar template.

Perhaps the scouts were also blinded by Kobe, Garnett and others at that time, thinking that the dominant player in high school, after entering the NBA, even if there is a short period of discomfort, he can eventually grow into a star player.

...

Washington, as the capital of the United States, has a very good sports atmosphere. But the Wizards aren't the most popular team in the city, not even in the top three.

The No. 1 sport in the United States is rugby. The Washington Redskins are an old-fashioned powerhouse in the NFL. They are naturally much more popular than the Wizards. It can be said that the Redskins are the most popular team in Washington.

Beyond that, the Washington Nationals in Major League Baseball, and the Washington Capitals in ice hockey, compete with the Wizards.

Even in basketball, the Wizards are not the only one in Washington. The two powerhouses of the NCAA, the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, are in Washington. With Americans' love for college basketball, the popularity of these two college teams, Even above the Wizards.

Therefore, the Wizards' ball market has always been relatively stretched.

Of course, the main reason is the team's poor performance. If the Wizards can win several championships, the market will definitely not collapse.

A few years ago, the Wizards traded for Webber, hoping to improve the team's record.

Webber's arrival did help the Wizards taste the playoffs. However, the NBA at that time was Jordan's world after all. In front of Jordan's Bulls, any team could only submit obediently.

In the 1998 season, the Wizards traded Webber away, and the team fell into a trough again.

Since the NBA is Jordan's world, the owner of the Wizards made a decision to invite Jordan over.

Selling 5% of the equity to Jordan at a price of $20 million is definitely a sale, but as long as Jordan can come, the $20 million is not a loss.

And Jordan was not reconciled to only being a player. He always wanted to own a team and be the owner of the team. This was no secret in the NBA at the time.

So the Wizards hit it off with Jordan and completed the deal.

With Jordan's blessing, the Wizards, which is relatively stretched across the ball market, also instantly gained media attention. Everyone began to care about the next step of the Wizards' operation, and wanted to see how the Wizards could attract people under Jordan's operation. How many stars have joined.

And this year's Wizards have also drawn the No. 1 pick, which is even more interesting.

...

In the training hall of the Wizards, many young rookies are doing trial training here.

Originally, in a ball market like the Wizards, there probably won’t be any well-known rookies willing to come for trial training. Excellent players all want to go to the big ball market, so that they can make more money; or to win championships The strength of the strong team, first grab a championship trophy.

However, because of Jordan's joining, plus the number one pick, the Wizards have become a sweet potato in the eyes of rookies.

The title of No. 1 pick is still very attractive. The No. 1 pick appointed by Jordan has the golden key to enter the NBA.

On the side of the court, Jordan sat in the front row of the bench, looking at the rookies who were training on the court, holding a notebook in his hand, and recording something from time to time.

Whether it is a scout or a reporter next to him, the focus is not on the court, but on Jordan.

Which player Jordan looked at was the player the reporters focused on. If Jordan wrote a few words in the notebook, the reporter could write a news about Jordan's attention to a certain rookie!

Kwame Brown and Tyson Chandler are also among the players in the workout.

I saw the staff of the Wizards stepped forward and said to Kwame Brown: Kwame, wait a moment, we are going to arrange a one-on-one heads-up for you and Tyson Chandler!

One-on-one? Kwame Brown frowned suddenly, with a very repulsive expression on his face.

Kwame Brown is a popular candidate for the No. 1 pick. It is normal for such players to refuse some training programs that they do not like. In the future, there will even be many excellent rookies who are unwilling to participate in the conjoined side.

The more trial training items, the easier it is to show one's own strengths, but also the easier it is to expose one's shortcomings. Therefore, in the face of trial training, the attitudes of popular players and players who are not interested in the draft are completely different.

Popular players want to participate in as few trials as possible so as not to expose too many shortcomings. Because as favorites, they would have been selected with high picks. If they expose too many shortcomings, they will lower the draft pick.

And the players who are not interested in, hope to participate in more trial trainings in order to show their strengths to the team. If a team performs well in a trial training, if they are attracted by a certain team, they can find one in the NBA anyway. jobs.

What's more, this one-on-one duel is a comprehensive examination of the players' abilities, and it is easier to expose their own shortcomings. For the potential candidates for the top pick, winning will not improve the ranking. No. 1 pick, but loses will lower the ranking and become second or third overall, which is more or less worth the loss.

Therefore, Kwame Brown is 10,000 unhappy about the one-on-one duel.

The Wizards staff also saw that Kwame Brown didn't want to participate in the one-on-one, so he continued; This one-on-one is Mr. Jordan's request, if you refuse, I think Jordan You will be very disappointed sir!

Hearing that it was Jordan's request, Kwame Brown nodded and agreed even though his heart was full of unwillingness.

The same goes for Chandler, who doesn't want to go head-to-head with Kwame Brown.

But knowing that this was Jordan's request, Chandler also did not dare to refuse, and immediately agreed.

If it was someone else, who dared to make a one-on-one request to the two candidates for the top spot, they would have been kicked away long ago!

But Jordan is different. Jordan's words are like a decree in the NBA. It is estimated that if Jordan speaks and makes players take off their pants and run naked on the court, some people will do it.

If nothing else, at least news such as A certain player ran streaking on the court at Jordan's request will definitely become popular in the major media in the United States. At that time, it will be called a streaking brother and go on all kinds of blurbs. Shows can also receive a lot of advertisements.

The result of this one-on-one was Kwame Brown beating Tyson Chandler.

At this time, Kwame Brown was slightly taller than Tyson Chandler, physically stronger, and better technically. Tyson Chandler was beaten with no temper at all.

Jordan on the sidelines nodded with satisfaction. He had already decided to appoint Kwame Brown as the No. 1 pick this year.

...

Although reluctantly participated in the heads-up, but defeated the biggest competitor, Kwame Brown is still in a good mood.

Kwame-Brown returned to the hotel where he was staying, and just walked into the lobby when he saw a bald man come forward.

Hello, Mr. Brown, my name is James Bond, the CEO of Feiyue Sports, are you interested in having a chat with me?

This bald man is James Bond.

Although Kwame Brown does not know James Bond, he is no stranger to Leap Sports.

Now that the CEO of Feiyue Sports came to the door in person, Kwame Brown knew with his butt that he was here to talk about advertising endorsements!

At this moment, Kwame Brown couldn't help thinking of the story of Nike and Jordan.

Nike's president Phil Knight personally found Jordan and persuaded Jordan to become Nike's spokesperson, and then there will be decades of glory for Nike in the future.

Today, Kwame Brown feels that the same script has fallen on his head.

Kwame Brown doesn't care if Feiyue Sports can be as brilliant as Nike, what he cares about is that he can replicate Jordan's success and become the number one player in the NBA!

In the NBA, countless point guards are sitting on the dream of becoming the second Jordan, and Kwame Brown, who is an inside player, also has the same dream.

...

The news that Feiyue Sports contacted Kwame Brown quickly spread.

Soon, the so-called sources revealed in the media. According to sources, Feiyue Sports is very interested in Kwame Brown, believing that Kwame Brown has the physical strength of Karl Malone, the solid skills of Larry Bird, and Chris Webber. , Jason Kidd's playmaking ability, Tim Duncan's calm and maturity, and Michael Jordan's charisma.

And Kwame Brown is still a high school player. He is so young and will definitely become the ruler of the NBA for the next fifteen years!

This bullshit is a bit big, more than a bit exaggerated, it has reached the level of shamelessness.

But this kind of news that rubs off on the hot spots of stars is what the media likes to report the most.

Even if you boast that Brown is a very good rookie, but after all, you haven't entered the NBA, how many people know you? Just reporting Kwame Brown's name, several viewers will pay attention to the news.

With a wave of star popularity, the situation is different. Karl Malone and Larry Bird are all famous players in the NBA. Kidd is currently the No. 1 point guard in the NBA, not to mention Jordan's name, which is known to everyone, including these big-name players. Name, readers will pay attention to this news.

Overnight, Kwame Brown was blown away, he has not yet entered the NBA, as if he has become an epic superstar!

At the same time, other sports brands have also taken action, just because Feiyue Sports is very interested in Kwame Brown.

Feiyue Sports' vision of selecting spokespersons has long been confirmed. At present, Feiyue Sports has not missed the mark in selecting spokespersons. Now all sports brands in the United States know that any young players who are favored by Feiyue Sports will definitely become star.

What's more, with Kobe and Tracy McGrady, two high school players as a precedent. This shows that Feiyue Sports is very discerning in selecting high school players.

Now Kwame Brown, who is also a high school player, is spotted by Feiyue Sports, doesn't it mean that Kwame Brown will become the next superstar!

As a result, other sports brands also began to contact Kwame Brown.

...

At Nike headquarters, Dyson also got the first contact between Feiyue Sports and Kwame Brown, and also knew that the president of Feiyue Sports went to meet Kwame Brown in person.

It seems that Feiyue Sports is very interested in this Kwame Brown, will he be the next superstar! Dyson said.

Mr. Dyson, according to the news we have received, there are already many sports brands that have begun to approach Kwame Brown. If we want to sign Kwame Brown, it is best to do so as soon as possible, the assistant said.

Don't worry. The Wizards have just completed the trial for Kwame Brown. Jordan should have a better understanding of Kwame Brown's situation. I think he should ask his opinion first, and then make a decision!

After Dyson finished speaking, he took the phone and dialed Jordan's number.

Hey, Michael, is it convenient to talk now? I want to talk to you about something.

Dyson is a veteran of Nike. He has known Jordan for many years, so he can easily contact Jordan.

Dyson asked Jordan directly whether the Wizards would choose Kwame Brown as the No. 1 overall pick.

It is said that this should be kept secret, but Jordan and Nike were originally wearing a pair of pants, so Jordan did not hide it. He directly told Dyson that the Wizards would use the No. 1 pick to select Kwame Brown.

Dyson then asked Kwame Brown's strength, whether it is really as promising as the rumors in the news.

This question is really difficult for Jordan. As the best basketball player in the world, Jordan naturally knows that those words in the media are bragging!

Karl Malone's strength, Larry Bird's skill, Chris Webber's versatility, Jason Kidd's playmaking ability, Tim Duncan's calm and maturity, these things Kwame Brown doesn't have!

Not to mention his charisma, which other person in the world has it besides me, Michael Jordan?

But Jordan can't say that Kwame Brown is a rookie. Otherwise, if he chooses a rookie to be the champion, wouldn't it seem that he is also very lacking in vision!

So Jordan had to bite the bullet and praise Kwame Brown.

However, Jordan's praise for Kwame Brown has strengthened Dyson's determination to sign Kwame Brown.

...

Nike signs Kwame Brown for $80 million! 》

The day before the draft, the news appeared in the American media, as if to tell the United States that Kwame Brown had locked in the No. 1 pick this year.

Li Weidong looked at the newspaper in his hand, and a deep smile appeared on his face.

80 million US dollars, I hope Nike can have a long memory in the future! Li Weidong sighed, and then called James Bond.

When James Bond appeared in front of Li Weidong, he had an unhappy expression on his face.

What's wrong? You seem to be in a bad mood! Li Weidong said.

We were ridiculed by the tabloids! James Bond continued; There were a few local LA newspapers saying that we didn't sign Kwame Brown was a big mistake, and the tone was like saying we missed out. One billion!

Maybe Kwame Brown is a parallel importer? We will save 100 million by then! Li Weidong then asked, Has Arenas been contacted?

James Bond replied immediately: Although I have not contacted him personally, but I have contacted his coach, who can be contacted through the coach.

Li Weidong said, I estimate that Arenas will be selected in the early second round. After the results of the draft come out, tell Arenas immediately that we are willing to give him a long-term endorsement contract!