The rest is just noise

June 19, 1984, the opening day of the NBA draft.

This year's draft is the first ever to be broadcast live on television.

"What are we eating today?"

Louis decided to watch the draft over dinner at Lorraine's apartment.

"Spaghetti?" Seeing Louis' face suddenly fall, Lorraine said funnyly, "Don't be like this, spaghetti is the most famous Italian food in the world."

"Are you sure it's delicious food?"

"That's it, I haven't eaten pasta in a long time."

Since Louis is now a character who only has food and clothing to open his mouth, he naturally has no right to choose.

So, let’s just say pasta.

Louis believes that the Italians themselves do not like pasta. They like to use the words "maheronui" and "spaghetti" in some proverbs and sarcastic jokes, such as "Guajeemaa breastme/color magnanoaude" from

In Naples dialect, it means that both trouble and noodles must be eaten while they are hot.

Once a certain food is associated with trouble, it's just like all the scenes involving yellow hair in "In the Name of the People", it's not a good thing.

Before Lorraine showed her face, USA TV station first previewed the draft.

The hosts are Marv Albert and Lou Cameseca. The former is the most famous announcer in NBA history and the idol of many legendary commentators. The latter was obviously hired temporarily to make up the numbers.

The voice sounds very much like the young man with kidney deficiency played by Mr. Multiplayer in "Journey to the West: Conquering the Demons".

Louis named him Kidney Deficiency Host.

Albert called this draft class the best ever, with six true superstars.

They introduced several important players. Olajuwon is a Nigerian who is interested in becoming an American. His talent has been proven in the NCAA.

Then they talked about Sam Bowie.

A highlight of Bowie's game was shown on TV. It can be seen that Bowie is an insider full of fighting spirit and quick mobility, who can fully adapt to the game of any era.

Albert introduced Bowie to everyone like this: "Sam Bowie, this promising young man once experienced a stress fracture of the tibia in his left leg. After two seasons of rest, he successfully returned. In his senior year

Come back strong in the season.”

In Louis' memory, only Embiid made a strong comeback after experiencing a similar off-season.

To do this, what you need is the medical level of the 2010s and the "no back-to-back" load management that is full of desire for survival.

It's a pity that Bowie played in the 1980s.

This was a unique era, when everyone was hearing about "Reed is back" and "Havlicek played the Eastern Conference Finals with one hand" and "Chamberlain's withdrawal from the 1969 Finals Game 7 due to a foot injury proved that he was a complete failure.

"The author" grew up with the story.

Therefore, as long as he does not suffer a serious injury that prevents him from playing the game, it is usually a minor injury that prevents him from playing. Therefore, there will be Bird who plays with a glass-like back for a whole season; Thomas scored 25 points in a single quarter with one leg in the Finals; Mike

Haier played through the Eastern Conference Finals and Finals with a seriously injured leg; Pippen suffered a back injury and had to play as a decoy and other stories.

This behavior absolutely cannot be said to be correct. It is a personal choice at the expense of one's own future.

After Grant Hill, Penny Hardaway, Tracy McGrady and others forced themselves to play with injuries and ruined their potentially greater future, everyone realized that this was wrong.

However, even if everyone knows that this approach is wrong, you can't prevent Ibaka from playing behind closed doors in the 2014 Western Conference Finals; you can't stop Durant from working hard with a body that has not fully recovered to help the Warriors complete three consecutive championships.

to rupture of the Achilles tendon.

Bowie wouldn't have had such a great story, and he wouldn't have been deeply remembered, just because he was ranked above someone else.

Looking at Bowie's injury history, Louis became increasingly confused by the Blazers' management's insistence on drafting him.

Why would a team that lost its core center six years ago to back-to-back stress fractures in both legs draft a center who missed two college seasons with stress fractures?

Damn it, does Bill Walton’s PTSD really exist?

When the highlights of Bowie's game were played, Albert suddenly said: "In order to avoid an accident, Sam refused to be called up for the Olympic selection team."

Except for Bowie, all qualified outstanding players of the right age have been called up. This is a rare opportunity. The opportunity to show your ability in front of scouts, general managers and coaches across the United States does not come around all the time.

Many young talents from the minor leagues and weak teams were discovered as a result.

All S-level college students participated, with Bowie being the only exception.

Doesn't this look like a warning red light?

Bowie's highlights ended, his picture appeared on the screen, and then his 1983-84 season averages: 10.5 points, 9.2 rebounds, 52% shooting, 72% free throw shooting.

His injury history and mediocre statistics reminded Louis of another guy.

That was the No. 1 center from Ohio State University. Judging from his appearance, there was no problem in being James' father. The most important thing was that he also played in Portland, and the Trail Blazers also missed out on someone who was "destined to play well."

And he is a superstar with no hidden dangers of injury.

"Baby, here comes my specially made pasta!"

Although Louis explained that he didn't like hearing people call him baby, Lorraine just couldn't change his tune.

She brought the pasta, which was okay in terms of color, with bright sauce and a lucky double-yolk egg.

"Oh, do I have to eat this?" Louis moved his chopsticks with difficulty.

Lorraine saw Bowie being introduced on TV, and the camera was focused on him.

He looks very good, especially compared with other people in his class. There is no doubt that he is a handsome guy.

Olajuwon's accent is like that of an old man from Guangxi. Although he looks like a football star, as soon as he speaks, all illusions will disappear.

Jordan still has hair now. He is not the cold and domineering bald president in the future. His ears are obviously like Mickey Mouse. He has not yet passed "This guy doesn't look very good, but he plays the ball so well. I think he is so handsome."

" stage, so basically no one thinks he is handsome.

After learning that Bowie had been out for two years due to injury, Lorraine asked Louis: "If you were the general manager, what would you think when you saw Sam? I think he is so strong."

Louis: "Don't choose him?"

Albert's partner Lou Carneseca gave the answer: "The college experience has taught us that Sam is a perseverant person who can withstand all pains. We can't go wrong in choosing him."

After Bowie, Louis also expected that they would talk about Jordan.

As a result, they seemed to be in the water for a long time. When the time was up, the camera cut to David Stern on the stage.

At this time, Stern looked very young and energetic, full of expectations for the future of the league.

He looked at the Rockets' choices on the table.

"Houston selects Akeem Olajuwon from the University of Houston~"

The cheers from the audience showed how correct the Rockets' choice was.

In this draft, only the Rockets who selected Olajuwon will not regret it. Professionals always choose between a center who can definitely play and a guard who can definitely play.

Will choose the center. Always.

Everyone in the Portland Trail Blazers draft war room is nervous.

Stu Inman, Jack Ramsey and all the Blazers' top brass had a look on their faces that said, "I hope I don't screw up this draft."

When the Rockets selected Olajuwon, the only option left for them seemed to be Bowie.

Jordan may become a very good player, but they can't miss a guy who was seriously injured in college and sat out for two years and then came back. He is 2 years older than Jordan and has only a 10% chance of becoming Walton II. Let Jordan and his stupidity

To hell with dunks and immeasurable commercial value.

However, when the Rockets selected Olajuwon, countless teams called the Trail Blazers draft war room to trade him.

Philadelphia proposed trading Dr. J alone for the second pick, or trading Andrew Toney + the sixth pick in the first round for the second pick; (historical fact)

The Clippers proposed trading Kaminsky + the eighth pick in the first round for the second pick; (historical fact)

The Bulls proposed to exchange the third pick + cash with the second pick; (historical fact)

Warriors offer to trade sixth pick + future draft picks for second pick

Suddenly, they felt that the draft pick in their hands was the No. 1 pick.

Especially the Bulls' option is obviously the most attractive. Everyone knows that they want a player who can definitely perform, and Jordan is the person they want. If the Trail Blazers really don't want Jordan, why not trade the draft pick?

The third pick + cash? The Bulls would never choose Bowie anyway.

"Ignore them and proceed as planned!" Inman said firmly to the front line.

At this moment, Trail Blazers owner Larry Weinberg called and asked to communicate with people at the draft.

He didn't say why, he just raised the matter in a non-committal tone.

No one can say no to the boss.

A minute later, Stern returned to the stage.

Louis had pasta in his mouth and looked directly at the screen.

The direction of history, the ownership of the ten championships from 1988 to 1998, is likely to change after Stern's announcement.

"1984 NBA Draft,"

"The Portland Trail Blazers chose"

"Michael Jordan, from the University of North Carolina!"