As a first-year rookie, even after losing Michael Jordan and Christian Laettner one after another in the playoffs, he still pushed the New Jersey Nets to a Game 7 in the Finals, exploding for 54 points, 8 assists, 6 rebounds, 3 Steals, and 1 Block.
Such a performance on the court would be worth boasting about regardless of which rookie it belonged to.
Over the next half month or so, even Link's professional haters quieted down.
And just like in his previous life, the Los Angeles Lakers swept the New Jersey Nets 4-0 in the Finals, completing their three-peat dynasty.
...
...
Time moved to June 26, 2002, and the 2002 NBA Draft was held at Madison Square Garden in New York.
In the NBA Draft Lottery over a month ago, the Chicago Bulls, who had secured the first overall pick, still chose the "Great Wall of China," Yao Ming, under the watchful eyes of the public. When the result was announced, the chinese fans in front of their televisions cheered with joy.
"Haha..."
"This is awesome. Our Chinese Men's Basketball Team actually has two number one draft picks now."
"Yeah, and they're back-to-back too."
The moment Yao Ming put on the baseball cap printed with the Bulls logo, while the chinese fans were ecstatic, Jay Williams' expression turned grim. Honestly, as a superstar player from Duke University, Jay Williams thought the Chicago Bulls, who lacked a quality Point Guard, would use the first overall pick to select him. He never expected them to still choose the big man from China.
However...
Right there at the draft, the moment Yao Ming was selected, the Chicago Bulls and the Washington Wizards made a trade. The Washington Wizards traded Richard Hamilton and two 2003 first-round picks to acquire Yao Ming.
That's right.
The Masked Man, Richardson, was leaving the Washington Wizards, but for the Washington Wizards, this was a great choice. Although the Masked Man was useful, Yao Ming was clearly more attractive. Moreover, the Washington Wizards still had a passing master like Christian Laettner; joining the Washington Wizards, Yao Ming's playmaking ability would definitely be much stronger than in his previous life.
Soon, Michael Jordan handed a baseball cap with the Washington Wizards logo to Yao Ming.
At this moment...
The chinese fans in front of their televisions were completely boiling with excitement.
"Brother Link!" Walking down from the podium, Yao Ming greeted Link with a smile.
This actually wasn't the first time the two had met; after Yao Ming arrived in the US a few days ago, he had been staying at Link's house. Seeing the two of them chatting warmly with such great chemistry, the fans in front of their TVs couldn't help but feel hopeful once again.
...
...
Meanwhile, the Houston Rockets, who held the number two pick, selected Jay Williams. This 188cm tall Point Guard was brooding over failing to be the number one draft pick, and before walking up to the stage, he instinctively glanced in the direction of Link and Yao Ming.
Having just arrived in America, Yao Ming was clearly still adjusting. Faced with that slightly provocative gaze, Yao Ming maintained a gentle smile, while Link chose to ignore it completely.
This made Jay Williams, who had been hailed as a "favored son of heaven" since childhood, feel an unprecedented sense of humiliation.
"Yao Ming, have you heard of Dajuan Wagner, whom the Cavaliers selected sixth overall in the first round?" Link suddenly said with a serious expression.
Yao Ming shook his head and asked in surprise, "Is he very good?"
"Of course. New Jersey's mr. 100 once exploded for 100 points in a single game. Like me, he was also a five-star high school recruit in the class of 2001." Link began to introduce him.
"Hiss!" Yao Ming couldn't help but gasp. "Link, he's really something, scoring a hundred in a single game."
"Yeah, among my defeated opponents, he's one of the better ones," Link said.
Yao Ming:...
Several of the rookies in the class of 2002 were opponents Link had defeated back in high school.
Besides Wagner, there was also Amare Stoudemire, whom the Suns selected ninth overall in the first round.
Watching Link introduce his former defeated opponents, Yao Ming's mouth couldn't help but twitch.