Basketball: Starting from the Rodman template

Chapter 73 Belonging to the No. [-] Scholar, Pistons' Choice
After the trial training, Woody waited directly in New York.

During this period, Wu's parents and Wu's mother also took over from China. This is the moment for Woody to "jump into the dragon's gate". Woody also hopes that his parents can witness it with their own eyes.

It's just that after arriving in New York, Woody didn't have time to play with Wu's parents and Wu's mother. He was so popular that many business activities and endorsements came to him.

Woody never misses an opportunity to make money.

In the past few days, he has made five or six announcements almost every day. It is the kind of stand-off and ribbon-cutting, which can be done in less than half an hour.

Within three or four days of arriving in New York, Woody had already earned almost 500 million.

This exaggerated gold absorption speed, although it has a bonus of heat, still surprised Johnson, who has seen the world.

After all, Woody is still a rookie, this year's rookie except LeBron James, who has such commercial value!
What's more, how long has it been since Nike signed LeBron James, and they have increased their publicity overtly and secretly, coupled with the operation of their team itself, it can be said that they earn a lot and spend a lot.

And Woody...

Johnson did not deliberately promote public opinion except for a wave of high-traffic publicity when he won the MVP at the McDonald's All-Star Weekend and spent some money and favors.

Hey?
It was also at this time that Johnson suddenly realized that even though Adidas released the signing promotional video, "Sports Illustrated" according to what they said, only released the magazine with Woody on the cover a week before the draft, but the popularity of public opinion is really scary!

Is there someone behind this?
Johnson made some inquiries through his own channels.

The results excited him.

"Man, I just got some great news..."

"Secrets from within the Alliance!"

"The president's office intentionally promoted the exposure of topics about you!"

This news really made Woody stunned for a moment, opened his mouth, but didn't say anything.Johnson was not surprised by his reaction. When he first heard the news, his head was buzzing.

But after he finished his analysis, he felt that this matter could not be more normal.

"Do you know how much profit your compatriot created for Alexander during his rookie season with the Rockets?"

Johnson stretched out a finger, which was very thick.

"1 million!"

And how much was the salary cap for the entire league last season?

Less than 5 million!

The salary cap is obtained by dividing 48% of the total revenue of the previous season by 30 teams.

In other words, last year, the entire league earned about 30 billion yuan, and Yao Ming alone brought 30/1 of the entire league to the Rockets!

The potential of the Chinese market has only just begun to be tapped, and this kind of revenue has been created. As a Chinese, Woody, although not like Yao Ming, grew up under the witness of domestic fans.

But his skin is doomed that he also has huge potential in the Chinese market.

It is strange that David Stern does not give him a little "little" help!

"Man, even if you go to Detroit, you don't have to worry about not being exposed!"

Johnson comforts Woody.

In the past two days, the voices about the Pistons' tendency to choose Woody have become louder and louder!
Fortunately, Woody has figured it out, whether it is the "smoke bomb" of the Pistons management, or they really want to choose themselves, as the selected party, he is always the passive party.

There is no other way but to be chosen.

Just do your best!
Earning so much money, what's wrong with being wronged?
On the eve of the draft, Johnson also arranged various endorsement brands for Woody.

From the leather shoes on the feet to the suits on the body, everything is brand sponsorship.The two suits that Woody bought impulsively before were useless.But it's okay, in the future, it will be necessary to wear a suit to appear on the stage, and it will come in handy.

Early the next morning, Johnson brought several female assistants to arrange Woody's hairstyle and suit.

Professional people do professional things.

Woody let them fiddle with it, just be responsible for the last handsome.

Wu's father and Wu's mother were also very relieved to see their son's agile appearance.Mama Wu unconsciously wiped the corners of her eyes.Wu Erzhuang persuaded from the side: "Sister-in-law, why are you crying, Xiaodi's happy day, you and my brother will get better and better in the future!"

Father Wu was also comforting at the side: "It's over, it's all over, Xiao Di has really grown up now!"

After getting ready, Woody and Johnson, Wu's father, Wu's mother, and Wu Erzhuang...

Oh, by the way, and his second uncle's new girlfriend!

This is Woody's uncle's fourth girlfriend since Woody's birthday party.

Still blond and blue-eyed, still protruding forward and backward, still full of S-shaped curves.

Facts have proved that there are money-digging girls everywhere. The difference is that the money-digging girls in Western countries are more direct and bold.

It's true that he dares to pounce on you with a wave of his hand!
But Woody is not worried about his second uncle being cheated of money, because his second uncle...

Except for the four or five thousand living expenses, Woody didn't give him any money at all.

This is what Wu Erzhuang himself meant.

When Woody wanted to put 20 on his card, he said this: "Xiao Di, the second uncle is getting older and you are promising, so the second uncle wants to enjoy the rest of the day, but the second uncle is impulsive, and he knows that people will not think I am old or that I don't take a bath, but I am having a good time, and the money may be cheated away. Uncle thinks that it is better to let you have the money, so give me some living expenses, so that even if the uncle is in charge, he will be a prostitute." Already!"

I have to say, as far as our second uncle is concerned, anything related to money is a shrewd one!
Moreover, after all, I am used to being poor, so I want to prostitute for nothing!

but……

As far as his brand-name suits and Rolex watches, let alone his, he can really "prostitute for nothing"!

I didn't see how well this girlfriend changed, how diligent!

But the foreign girl is really fierce, even his second uncle's long gun that has not been sharpened for 40 years has lost a lot of weight visible to the naked eye.Even Wu's father could see it. When he first arrived in New York, he gave Woody a bad meal: "You child, has the second uncle treated you badly all these years? You don't know how to honor your second uncle when you are rich? And let your second uncle work so hard!"

Of course, after a few days in New York, Dad Wu never said that again.

They arrived very early, and there were not many people in the "little green room" at the draft site.

The family came early.

However, as soon as Woody sat down, he was dragged by the media to start interviews, batch after batch. During this period, Woody also saw Su Qun and Yang Yi passing in front of him, and greeted him. After setting up the machine, he chatted with him for a while during the interview.

They wanted to make an appointment with Woody for a post-draft interview.

Woody asked "Magic" Johnson to know that the first interview after the game had been given to ESPN's interview team as a bargaining chip, so if Su Qun and Yang Yi wanted an interview, they might have to wait for about two hours.

Unexpectedly, Yang Yi said: "Don't say two hours, you have to wait for ten hours, Woody, you don't know, since you stubbornly rejected Nike's contract extension, now the country pays more attention to you!"

In the eyes of domestic fans, the contract extension Nike gave Yao Ming was a purely insulting offer, which is why Johnson and Woody directly refused to sign with Nike.

One is that Nike renews the contract with Yao Ming first, and Woody signs with Nike later. If Woody signed at that time, it is easy for domestic fans to think that Woody picked up Yao Ming's mistakes;

The second is that Nike's offer is too insulting. Woody has to take a stand and firmly stand on Yao Ming's side.

Judging from the results, Woody is not at a loss. In order to rob him, Adidas gave him exactly the same contract and reward terms.And now it seems that domestic fans have more expectations of him!
Huaxia Market is definitely the "big backer" behind Woody!
Among other things, David Sternken secretly assisted and promoted his popularity. Apart from Woody's own good performance, do you dare to say that it has nothing to do with the "China Market"?

To be honest, Carmelo Anthony should be the hottest rookie right now!

After the three or four hour interview ended, Woody returned to his seat. At this time, the "Little Green Room" was almost full.

Next to Woody was a Caucasian guy with a tall stature. Even if he was sitting, he could tell that he was at least 2 meters tall. At the same time, he had a big frame and obvious muscle lines.

The facial features are three-dimensional, and the face of a handsome European guy is very standard.

But the most conspicuous thing about him is his beige hair color, under the light, it is white and yellow, and it seems to be shining.

Woody has seen him in the news:
"European Golden Boy" Darko Milicic!

It is also in the public opinion that Woody has entered the biggest competitor of the Pistons.

The general view of the outside world now: The Pistons' first choice is Woody, and the second choice is Milicic.

The latter also noticed that Woody was sitting next to him at this time, looked him up and down, and laughed contemptuously, as if saying:

What are you fighting with me for?

Looking at him like this, Woody also wanted to laugh a little.

Does this regard me as a competitor?

He was eager to tell Milicic:
I really don't want to go to the Pistons. If I have to choose myself, I will definitely give this position to you!
In addition to Milicic who is very wary of Woody, LeBron James, who is sitting in the other corner, also turns his head in Woody's direction from time to time.

Originally, the officials placed his and Woody's seats adjacent to each other.

After he knew this, he immediately asked the team to adjust to a place completely opposite to Woody's position on the grounds that it was "inconvenient to accept interviews".He doesn't want to be in the same frame as Woody.

In case the Cavaliers management chooses Woody instead of him, he is afraid that he will not be able to control his expression.

Gloria expresses regret...

Woody turned his head and looked around, but didn't see Perkins, so he sent him a text message:
— Dude, are you not here?

Perkins replied:

——Man, if I want your ability, I will definitely go to the scene, forget it now!
——Then what do you do if you are selected?
——It’s okay, it only takes 5 minutes from the hotel to the scene, so there’s still time!But Wu...do you think I can make it to the first round?
——That's needless to say, brother, I have always trusted your ability absolutely!

When Perkins saw this text message, he felt that his whole heart was about to be warmed.

Woody, you really deserve to be my "enemy"!
This feeling of sympathy between "old enemies" made him feel great!
After a long wait, David Stern finally stepped onto the stage.

During this period, Su Qun and Yang Yi also came to take a "family portrait" for Woody.

As soon as David Stern came up, there were huge boos at the scene. The little Jew was obviously very suitable for such an occasion. Also, he had to experience it once a year. If he didn’t adapt, who would adapt?

He adjusted the microphone in front of him calmly, and slowly inspected the members of the "Little Green Room" in the audience.

I don't know if it was Woody's illusion, he felt that David Stern smiled when he looked at him.

The smile is so kind!
"Okay everyone, ladies and gentlemen, and rookies who are about to enter the NBA, I have been waiting for a long time, and now I announce that the 2003 NBA Draft has officially started!"

David Stern started with the usual official speech, and then, the most exciting moment came...

When the staff entered the stage from the backcourt, the big screen immediately focused on the envelope in his hand.

There is the answer to this year's "No. [-] Scholar"!

The camera then slides over the faces of LeBron James, Woody and Carmelo Anthony.

LeBron James leaned forward slightly because of nervousness, his mouth was slightly opened, and his eyes were fixed on the field. From this look, he might not be able to change his expression before the final result was announced.

When people are tense, their facial expressions do change.

It wasn't until Brother Goodman who was next to him reminded him that he reacted and immediately recovered his indifferent expression.

Woody lowered his head, not letting the cameras on the sidelines capture his expression.

He was also a little nervous, but what he was nervous about was...

Don't pick me, Cleveland, I've already brought Akron a championship, don't take revenge!
You have your own "Son of Cleveland", don't be fooled!
"The first pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA Draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected... LeBron James, from St. Mary's High School!"

yes!

Very good!
The former sentence was shouted by LeBron James in his heart, and the latter sentence was shouted by Woody in his heart.

LeBron James stood up immediately, and Woody also stood up immediately.

"Nice, nice!"

"Great, great!"

"Man, we made the first one, and the next one is the second..."

The Goodman brothers were very excited, holding LeBron in their arms and talking non-stop, but LeBron had already turned his head to hug Gloria next to him.

"Mom, I'm in the NBA, I'm the No. [-] pick, Mom!"

Gloria has long been in tears. From the birth of LeBron James to the present, all her worries disappeared at this moment.

"LeBron, I'll always be proud of you!"

As LeBron stands up and walks toward David Stern at center stage, the camera cuts to the other rookies.

Woody stood up early, applauded and waited, his face was full of congratulations, without a trace of regret, all from the heart.

LeBron James, who had been avoiding appearing on the same screen with him before, seemed to remember the friendship between the two people at this moment. When passing by, he hugged him specially.

"Dude, I look forward to your playing later!"

Looking at the expression on LeBron James, Woody can feel what he said:

This time, I finally won!

Woody nodded with a smile.

It's just that this smile fell into LeBron James' eyes, and he felt that Woody's smile at the moment was very forced!
Typical "I don't want you to think, I want me to think"!
This made his steps towards the stage a little more brisk...

In the 03 NBA Draft where talents gathered, the "No. [-] pick" is still mine after all!
Following David Stern shaking hands and taking pictures, and looking at the rookies of the same class in the audience, LeBron James' final gaze fell on Woody again.

Just wait and see!

Let's see who will become the most successful "Generation 03" in the NBA!
After the suspense of the "No. [-] pick" was announced, the second pick in the first round followed.

The camera cuts to the faces of Woody and Milicic again.

These two are the current favorites, Woody buried his head once again, and said to himself very nervously: Don't choose me, don't choose me!

This is the last hurdle. As long as the Pistons don't choose him, the Nuggets, the holder of the third pick in the first round, will definitely not choose him, because they didn't try out Woody at all.

after that……

Toronto, Miami!
This is a big city!

At an interval of about 5 minutes, Woody felt that more than ten days had passed, and finally David Stern's voice sounded again:

"The second pick in the first round of the 2003 draft, the Detroit Pistons chose... Darko Milicic, from Serbia!"

　First more.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)