Champion Creed

Well, although the 76ers found out during the tryouts that he was a full 13 kg lighter than recorded in his profile. Even consuming a crazy 7000 calories of food daily, his weight refused to increase.

Even so, the whole of Philadelphia felt that Bradley was the right choice.

What the people in Philadelphia didn't know was that in NBA history, only two giants taller than 221 centimeters had averaged more than 20 points per season until 2024: Ralph Sampson and Yao Ming.

Only three people had ever averaged 10 rebounds per season: Sampson, Yao Ming, and Sabonis.

Perhaps these two statistics might later include a name called Victor Wembanyama, but even so, it couldn't change a fact—the success rate of giants over 221 centimeters was actually very low!

Thus, Bradley was actually the greatest failure of Philadelphia in the 1990s.

By the third pick, Hardaway grew anxious.

In the next five minutes, every breath he took was exceedingly heavy, his palms completely drenched with sweat.

Equally nervous was Old Neil.

He had just hung up the phone.

Because the Magic Team had rejected his request for a trade up.

In the original history, if not for O'Neal's strong demand, the Magic wouldn't have possibly traded the top pick Webber for Hardaway.

In this history, O'Neal had instead strongly demanded that the Magic choose Roger. But the Magic management had already decided not to trade the top pick for a high school player.

Thus, in this history, Magic didn't plan to let go of Webber, intending to build what they envisioned as an unbeatable Twin Towers lineup.

After being rejected, Old Neil felt somewhat dejected, but all he could do now was implement plan B.

He knew well that Hardaway and Roger were the two most talented guards in this draft.

Although the Warriors already had many guards, the mad scientist intent on dominating the league with a fast-paced offense would never think he had too many guards.

After a final few minutes of deliberation, he wrote down the final result on a piece of paper and placed it in an envelope.

Hopefully, this choice wouldn't make him regret it.

David Stern returned to the stage and opened the envelope belonging to the Warriors.

"In the 1993 NBA Draft, with the third overall pick, the Golden State Warriors select... Anfernee Hardaway from the University of Memphis!"

Hardaway pressed his lips together, happily high-fiving his family and agent. Then he turned and glanced at Roger, as if declaring victory.

Old Nelson didn't fail to see Roger's talent, but a guard like Hardaway who could pass was clearly a better fit for Old Nelson's system that required everyone to be able to pass. Why did he like Webber? Because despite being a big man, Webber had the passing skills of an outsider.

If he preferred passing big men, then guards had to be able to pass as well.

That was why he ultimately chose Hardaway.

Hardaway put on the Warriors' cap, and the Warriors fans at the scene all cheered.

And seeing Hardaway selected third overall made Jerry Krause even happier than Hardaway himself.

He immediately called the Mavericks: "Let's do it as we discussed beforehand!"

By his side, his assistant whispered softly, "Really, Jerry? If you make this trade, Scott is definitely not going to be happy."

On hearing this, Jerry Krause's face showed an expression of disbelief, Jordan pushing me is one thing, but Pippen?

He responded with a smile to his assistant: "To hell with Scott! This is my draft, I call the shots!"

Meanwhile, NBC was reviewing some classic trades at the draft, as they had received tips about a potential trade rumor between the Magic and the Warriors.

Shaq was also staring intently at the TV, but ultimately, right up until Hardaway left the stage, nothing had happened—the Magic had not traded Webber away like they had in the original history.

Anfernee Hardaway walked down from the stage, passing by Roger's table, he resumed his amiable face: "Good luck, buddy."

He felt he had already won, so he could afford to show some grace now.

Before Roger could reply to Penny, Eric's phone rang again.

Roger had thought it was the Timberwolves confirming they would pick him fifth, but Eric turned to him and said: "In a few minutes, you'll be selected fourth by the Dallas Mavericks!"

"Huh?" Roger was surprised as, to his knowledge, the Mavericks, already having Jim Jackson and not being interested in scoring guards, hadn't even invited him for a tryout.

Why would they suddenly select him now?

Eric paused for a moment, as if he himself was still processing the news he had received.

Then, he articulated each word carefully: "Then, you'll be traded to the Chicago Bulls. Looks like we're going to Chicago after all."