Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

```

The free-agent market of 2009 was called the greatest in history because multiple unrestricted superstars had entered the market.

James, Kobe, Chris Bosh, Boozer, Stoudemire, Hamilton, Kidd, and Ray Allen all became free agents.

When Chris Bosh was rumored to be joining the SuperSonics, the reaction from the outside world was tremendous.

Because the SuperSonics had just completed defending their championship, their core lineup was intact, and adding a top four league star power forward would significantly increase their chances of winning a three-peat.

At that moment, Chris Bosh became the focal point.

Many wanted to verify the accuracy of Marc Stein's breaking news. Although he was Yu Fei's spokesperson, that did not prove his information was 100% accurate.

However, Chris Bosh sure knew how to keep people in suspense.

A reporter had the opportunity to interview him and wanted to know if the news of his joining the SuperSonics was true.

And Chris Bosh replied, "I cannot say anything before it happens."

Later on, Yu Fei was also caught by a Los Angeles reporter.

At that time, he was doing a photoshoot for the cover of "GQ" magazine.

A Los Angeles reporter asked, "Frye, is the rumor about Chris Bosh true?"

"What? You already know about Chris's upcoming role as a Tyrannosaurus Rex in 'Jurassic Park 4'?"

Yu Fei's shocking counter-question left the reporter stunned.

Although it was not yet public, Yu Fei's recruitment of Chris Bosh went smoothly.

Or rather, it was a perfect match.

Chris Bosh was tired of scoring 20 points and 10 rebounds each night in Toronto only to lead his team to a first-round exit.

Instead of struggling alone in Canada, he would rather join a competitive team to increase his chances of winning a championship.

Looking around the NBA, which team could be considered more of a championship bandwagon than the SuperSonics?

Moreover, Chris Bosh had hinted at this to Yu Fei during the Dream Team days.

Now that the SuperSonics had the cap space, and Chris Bosh was willing, Yu Fei was welcoming.

It was a mutually beneficial decision.

From that day on, Chris Bosh's agent started turning down calls from other teams.

Even without official news, teams learned that Stein's information was true.

Chris Bosh was about to join the SuperSonics.

The news that a team who had just won back-to-back championships strengthened their roster at the power forward position without changing their core was certainly terrifying.

At the end of June, Yu Fei returned to Seattle.

Not long before, the SuperSonics officially worked out Patty Mills, the sophomore guard from Saint Mary's College.

Mills had three characteristics that left a strong impression on Presti.

One was his speed; he might be the fastest player in the draft. Next was his scoring ability; although it's unlikely to replicate his college-level offense in the NBA 100%, if he could adapt to the NBA's intensity, he was sure to be a decent scoring substitute. Lastly, his mental maturity.

The Spurs' management, unlike other team GMs, place great emphasis on a player's psychological well-being.

Having a mature mind is a plus for them as such individuals usually do not bring problems encountered in life into the team.

Presti was set on Mills, but he couldn't put all his eggs in one basket.

Because their draft pick was too low to ensure they could actually wait for the person they wanted.

Apart from Mills, Presti also saw Patrick Beverley as a potential backup choice.

Two days before the draft, Yu Fei took a tour of the Furtado Center.

Today was the last day of workouts.

In the workout list, the only name that vaguely resonated with Yu Fei was Nando de Colo from France.

He was merely familiar with the name.

However, the player who impressed him the most was Alonzo Gee from the University of Alabama, a SG/SF.

His advantage was that his athleticism was at NBA level, posing a great threat in rotational offense, but besides that, there weren't any apparent strengths. His shooting wasn't great, and his defense, while earnest, was not effective.

But the issue was, he tried really hard.

Yu Fei had never seen someone dive to save a ball during a workout.

When Gee saved the ball from going out of bounds in front of Yu Fei, Yu Fei reached out his hand to him.

"If you had gotten hurt because of that dive, not only would you have gone undrafted, but you also wouldn't be able to play overseas," Yu Fei said.

Gee stood up, grabbing Yu Fei's hand, and said, "A starving dog can't be picky; I must go for the meat."

"Well said," Yu Fei laughed, "I'll remember you."

Gee didn't know what it meant to be remembered by someone like Yu Fei.

His agent had informed him that no NBA teams were interested in him, so he should be prepared for going undrafted.

Therefore, he could only give his all during the workouts.

He had no advantages besides his physique, and if he wasn't tenacious, even his physical strengths would not make an impression.

Fighting, that's how the mediocre climb upwards.

Two days later, on June 26, 2009, the NBA draft was held at Madison Square Garden.

It was undoubtedly a disappointing draft; there wasn't a single standout talent in sight.

The Clippers, with the first overall pick, tried to trade it for an All-Star, but aside from the Heat being willing to offer McGrady for the number one pick, no other teams were interested.

But even though the Clippers wanted to trade the first pick, they didn't want McGrady, an aging, injury-prone star.

So, they decided to use the first pick themselves.

As expected, the Clippers selected Blake Griffin with the first overall pick.

Afterward, the Kings used the second pick to select Hasheem Thabeet, the player with the highest ceiling in the draft.

The Timberwolves had the third pick.

```

They were a team that had already accumulated a significant amount of raw talent, Russell Westbrook had a notable rookie season, and although the returning Greg Oden was far from being as dazzling as Durant during his rookie year, he still had a decent rookie season.

With young cores both inside and outside, they preferred to trade the third pick for a veteran who could assist the young players' growth.

The Miami Heat brought McGrady back into the picture once again.

This time, the Timberwolves were tempted.

Even though McGrady was both old and diminished, no longer the premier player of the Eastern Conference from the turn of the century, he was still serviceable—averaging 20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists last season. He seemed perfect for taming Westbrook's tempestuousness, setting up Oden, and leading the youngsters forward.

The two teams quickly reached an agreement.

At the time of these events, Yu Fei was at home.

He couldn't help but admire Riley for being a player.

Last season, Wade was on the brink of a breakdown, sporting an attitude that said, "If you don't strengthen the team for me, I'm out," but what kind of person was Riley? He had seen it all and instantly saw through Wade's attempt to emulate Kobe by retreating in order to advance. Wade didn't want to leave, nor did he want to lead the young players, so he forced the team to trade for a star.

Riley did just that and traded for McGrady, and Wade happily agreed to a pay cut to re-sign.

However, as soon as the season ended, Riley traded McGrady away.

What happened next would completely change Yu Fei's perception of the NBA in the 2010s.

"The 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select... Stephen Curry from Davidson College!"

Those who changed the times were bound to cause shifts in the timeline.

Yu Fei's butterfly effect led to Durant becoming the 2007 draft's number one pick, hastened the arrival of small-ball, and turned the three-point shot into a trendy skill. Curry, who would have struggled to enter the NBA with Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf's shackles, had now become the incarnation of the version's answer.

For Riley, who had already begun exploring the version's answer early on, this player was a fated prodigy not to be missed.

For Curry, it meant avoiding the early career pitfall of being on a terrible team and joining one that understood his strengths well. But the notorious intensity of the Miami Heat's training meant it was uncertain how long Curry could last.

Yu Fei could sense that Curry would create a storm in Miami, but right now, he was more curious about Wade's mental shadow.

Following this, the Golden State Warriors, unaware of what they had missed, selected Tyreke Evans with the fourth pick.

The Memphis Grizzlies chose Ricky Rubio with the fifth pick.

Then it was the turn of the Houston Rockets, who had lucked into the sixth pick after tanking part of the way through the season.

The timeline was suddenly corrected.

They selected the destined James Harden, meaning Yu Fei would witness a fantasy scene next season that Rockets fans from his previous life never got to see—Harden and Yao Ming fighting side by side.

DeMar DeRozan was selected by the Knicks after that.

Jrue Holiday, the NBA's first player born in the '90s, was chosen by the Brooklyn Nets.

Brandon Jennings was selected by the Philadelphia 76ers.

One after another was picked, and the SuperSonics waited eagerly.

Coming to the second round's fourth pick, Presti's heart suddenly skipped a beat.

Patrick Beverley was selected by the Trail Blazers.

And so it went, all the way to the twenty-ninth pick in the second round.

Just when Presti thought Patty Mills was in the bag for them, the Miami Heat, using cash from their trade with the Lakers, selected Patty Mills in the second round.

At that moment, the air in the SuperSonics' draft war room turned somewhat murky.

They weren't heartbroken.

After all, this was just the thirtieth pick in the second round.

But the events of the past few hours had rendered all their tryout efforts wasted, and even the waiting of the last few hours seemed pointless.

"This offers us a lesson," George Karl said, suppressing a smile. "If you can spend a million US dollars to improve your draft position, you must spend the money."

Presti asked, "Any recommendations?"

A staff member said, "Frye really likes Alonzo Gee from the University of Alabama."

Presti immediately recalled the player, but this person didn't show any particular strengths during the tryouts; his deficiencies were quite apparent.

But what's the point of having so many requirements for the thirtieth pick in the second round?

"Is he still available?" Presti asked, his tone like inquiring about a patient receiving palliative care.

"He is still available."

"OK," Presti said. "He's the one."

※※※

Alonzo Gee was prepared for the prospect of not being selected.

His family was with him, and with each pick announced onstage, those cheering him on grew more anxious.

For those waiting to be selected and for those hoping for their selection, the wait under the draft stage is a form of torture.

"It's okay, Zo, there are many great NBA players who weren't drafted," Gee's mother consoled. "You still have lots of opportunities."

"I know, Mom."

When the League's Deputy Commissioner took the stage and announced, "Now I will announce the last pick of the year... The 2009 NBA Draft, the Seattle SuperSonics..."

Seattle?

Gee's mind flashed with that face and those words.

I remember you...

That voice echoed in Gee's head, and then—

"The SuperSonics select with the thirtieth pick in the second round... Alonzo Gee from the University of Alabama!"

The thirtieth pick in the second round, it's the last name called at the draft, but as long as you're selected, it means that for at least one night, as a basketball player, you were recognized by the highest temple of basketball.

Gee's family screamed with excitement, and his mother's eyes brimmed with tears.

Meanwhile, Alonzo Gee's mind was still replaying the words that person had said to him.

I remember you.

Gee would always remember these words, and one day, he would tell that godlike man, "You didn't remember me for nothing."