The Way of the Center

A tall black man accidentally walked to a basketball court with a walking stick. He stared at the court and suddenly stopped his steps.

This is a dilapidated stadium next to the factory. The backboard is still wooden, and it seems that the backboard will be pierced with a little force. The basket is so old that it is completely rusted, and every time it collides with the basketball, the basket is crumbling.

Six 14-year-old boys smiled happily on this dilapidated court. They actively ran, jumped, and absorbed every drop of happiness that basketball brought them.

Morris, who was holding a cane, walked into the field and found a bench to sit down. It was on this court that he made his first shot in his life, completed his first dunk, first block, and first steal on this court...

When Morris was their age, he also played on a court. His parents work in a nearby factory, and he spends his time here. But now, this happiness is so far away from him.

An Jie announced his participation in the draft, which naturally reached Morris' ears.

The inside partner of the Cyclones in the past, the two who used to play evenly in singles. One already has a good draft prospect, while the other can only limp around in the messy industrial area of ​​​​Bethesda City, no one cares about it. Fate tricks people...

Morris stood up, it was time to go home for lunch.

After strenuously walking for several blocks, Morris finally arrived at the door of the house. I can't believe that I used to be able to run back and forth for an hour, but now I feel breathless after walking a few steps.

As soon as he arrived at the door, Morris smelled a mouth-watering fragrance.

"Mom, why are you in such a good mood today, you actually made my favorite blueberry pancakes." Morris opened the door following the familiar smell, and went straight to the kitchen. But when he passed the narrow living room at home, he found a tall figure sitting on the sofa in his own home.

"Why don't you tell me you're here!" Seeing An Jie, Morris gave him a warm hug.

"Did I tell you that I can still eat such delicious pancakes? Thank you, ma'am." An Jie said, nodding politely to Morris' mother.

"What's the matter, boy, there is no NBA team here to give you a trial training." Morris sat next to Anjie, and Anjie succeeded, Morris was not jealous at all, but was full of blessings in his heart. Because An Jie is his brother, he only wishes his brother all the best.

"Have you heard?"

"Newspapers, TVs, everywhere, it's hard not to see you." Morris pointed to a newspaper on the table a few days ago, and there was a news about An Jie's participation in the draft.

It seems that what Mr. Meslav said is really right. Once this media is used well, the popularity will not be improved by a single star.

"Ah! What a disappointment! I came today to tell you this in person." An Jie leaned weakly on the sofa, as casually as if he was at his own home.

"Tell me, just pretend I don't know. Hey, An Jie, what are you looking for today?" Morris's acting skills would be a waste if he didn't go to Hollywood to develop.

"I'm going to participate in the draft, brother." Unexpectedly, when An Jie said this, he suddenly became a little serious.

"I knew you could do it. I, Morris, have served very few people in my life, but you are one of them." Morris patted An Jie's chest vigorously.

"I really miss everyone in the Cyclones team, and I miss you. The NBA team's trial training will start one after another soon, and I don't have much time for free activities. If I don't come to see you, I don't know what to wait for It's time." An Jie didn't expect that after sharing the good news with Morris, he didn't feel the slightest joy at the moment.

"Don't be a sissy, play well for me in the NBA, don't be fooled by the rich off-court life. You are Chinese, you didn't grow up in the American neighborhood, so after you become famous, please be sure to Always be careful. If you play too badly in the NBA, I'm ashamed to admit that I was your teammate." Morris has a sharp mouth and a heart, so why would he be willing to part with this group of guys who created good memories together.

"Okay! Let's eat the rest of the pancakes. This stuff tastes best when it's hot." Morris has always been a rebellious and annoying guy, but this Chinese man actually made him feel like this Big change.

An Jie squeezed in Morris's room for one night that day, and the two of them were like brothers who had lived together for many years. They were indeed brothers, brothers of different colors.

...................................

Meslav has been flying all over the United States these days. He has already contacted many NBA teams, and they are all willing to let Anjie come to their team for trial training. But Moslav knows that even this does not guarantee that Anjie will be able to enter the first round of the draft.

The draft is a gamble with no clear future, both for players and teams. Anjie's data is indeed very good. This season, he averaged 17.3 points, 10.6 rebounds and 1.9 blocks per game. However, data is not the standard for NBA team selection, it can only play a certain auxiliary role. You know, there are many guys who have gorgeous statistics in the NCAA but completely sink in the NBA.

Every team has opened their eyes and looked for the players they need most. But even if they have detailed player reports, they can't say whether a player can succeed in the NBA.

The draft is like a gambling table in Las Vegas. It may make a lot of money, or it may lose nothing. No one knows what is waiting for them, everything is in the unknown.

However, the personal relationship between Divac and Moslav can give Anjie some extra protection.

Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans Hornets, Sacramento Kings. These three teams will definitely not turn a blind eye to the people recommended by Divac.

Now, Moslav has just landed on the land of New Orleans. Although Divac has played for the Hornets for the shortest time, he is not completely speechless.

The Los Angeles Lakers are a fully formed team, and they are a good contender for the championship. Moreover, the Lakers already have Andrew Bynum, a center who has been in the limelight recently, and Anjie probably won't have many opportunities if he is in the Lakers. The Lakers have only one pick this season, and it will definitely be at the end of the second round. Such a pick is absolutely unacceptable to Muslav. Even though Los Angeles is a big market, due to the above reasons, Muslav directly crossed the Lakers from the shortlist.

Next up is the Sacramento Kings, the team that made Divac shine in the 21st century. Among other things, the Kings are going to retire Divac's No. 21 jersey next season, which is enough to show Divac's prestige in the Kings management. With Kevin Martin at its core, the Kings are a team on the fringes of the playoffs, and there is nothing in the team that can compete with Anjie. From a game chance perspective, the Kings are also an option.

The last is the New Orleans Hornets. With the growth of Chris Paul and David West and the addition of Peja Stojakovic, the Hornets have become a strong team. The Hornets have both immediate combat power and full potential. It is definitely a place suitable for Anjie to grow. Besides, a center who can play next to Chris Paul, is he afraid that he won't be able to receive exquisite passes from the outside? But the biggest problem for the Hornets is that they may only have one pick at the end of the round. Before that, Anjie is likely to be picked up by other teams.

The team has to contact one by one, and Moslav is now in New Orleans, just to negotiate with the Hornets about Anjie's draft. Of course, this does not mean that the Hornets are special. This is just one of the many teams in Muslav. Miami Heat, Chicago Bulls, Seattle SuperSonics, New York Knicks... A total of more than ten teams have expressed interest in Anjie, and New Orleans is just one of them. Just because of Divac's relationship, the Hornets may be more sincere than other teams.

Various changes are brewing, and now no one knows who they are going to pick, or who they will choose as a bargaining chip. As the NBA playoffs are coming to an end, the actions of various teams have become bigger and bigger.

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