NBA: Built to Dominate

Chapter 37-38: The Draft Pick Rises Again! Sports Illustrated's First Person in History & The First Live Broadcast in the History of the Celestial Dynasty!

"I've known for a long time that Marcus wasn't the best big man in '96," Allen Iverson confidently stated after Georgetown's victory over the University of Massachusetts. "If he had met Alex Mo earlier, he would have never been considered the strongest insider!"

Georgetown's dominant win sent shockwaves through the basketball world. Mo Ran's performance not only eliminated Camby but also solidified his position as the most dominant big man of the '96 class. Competitive sports are unforgiving, and Camby's loss came at a heavy price—his place in the draft rankings.

The End of a Debate

Basketball experts on ESPN and TNT were quick to weigh in on the showdown.

"The debate between Camby and Mo Ran for the strongest inside player in the 1996 class is officially over," one expert declared.

"Mo Ran dominated Camby in every aspect—offense, defense, and sheer physical talent. Talent can't be taught, and Camby simply doesn't have Mo's ceiling."

As a result, Mo Ran's draft stock skyrocketed. Originally predicted to be a late first-round pick, his commanding performance had scouts reconsidering his position.

Sports Illustrated's Revised Rankings

"Sports Illustrated" updated its rookie draft prediction list, placing Mo Ran in the sixth spot, a staggering leap from his previous 24th position. Camby, who once held the second spot, was demoted to fourth, with Stephen Marbury moving up to second place and Raheem to third. Iverson remained the projected number one pick, but Mo Ran's trajectory suggested a top-three selection was within reach.

The media buzz surrounding Georgetown reached an all-time high. "Two potential No. 1 draft picks on the same team," one analyst marveled. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime phenomenon."

With the Final Four looming, Georgetown would soon face Wake Forest and Tim Duncan in a rematch of last year's elimination. If Georgetown could overcome their nemesis, an NCAA championship would be within reach.

Mo Ran's Explosive Impact

The American press was captivated by Mo Ran's dominance. Headlines across the country highlighted his unprecedented performance, especially the backboard-shattering dunk in the North Shore Garden Arena.

"The New York Daily News" ran with a front-page cover of Mo hanging onto the rim while the shattered basket collapsed beneath him.

NBA players were taking notice as well.

"Patrick, is this the junior from your alma mater?" Knicks guard John Starks asked Patrick Ewing, handing him the newspaper.

"I've been following him closely," Ewing said with pride. "He's going to put Georgetown back on the map."

Ewing, along with Alonzo Mourning and Dikembe Mutombo, expressed interest in watching Mo Ran live in the Final Four, showing the growing support from Georgetown alumni.

A Game for the History Books

With the spotlight firmly on Mo Ran, ESPN announced the national broadcast of the Final Four matchup between Georgetown and Wake Forest. The network invited Mourning and Mutombo to serve as guest commentators, elevating the hype surrounding the event.

Meanwhile, across the Pacific, Mo Ran's impact was felt in his home country. The Chinese state television network CCTV, impressed by the soaring ratings from their recorded broadcasts, decided to air Mo Ran's upcoming game live.

This would mark the first-ever live broadcast of an NCAA basketball game in Chinese history.

Excitement swept through China as fans eagerly anticipated watching their hometown hero on the international stage.

Preparing for Duncan

Back in Washington, Mo Ran and his teammates prepared for the much-anticipated rematch against Tim Duncan and Wake Forest. Georgetown's coaching staff emphasized Duncan's fundamental dominance and the challenge ahead.

"We know Tim is a different beast," Coach John Thompson warned. "But Mo, you've shown you're up for anything."

Mo Ran, with his signature confidence, grinned. "Coach, if Duncan is the test, I'm ready to ace it."

On the other side, Wake Forest saw this as their opportunity to cement Duncan's legacy. Having eliminated Georgetown last year, Duncan was laser-focused on repeating history and leading Wake Forest to the finals.

Kentucky Awaits in the Finals

Meanwhile, the University of Kentucky secured their spot in the NCAA finals by defeating the University of California. Led by Antoine Walker and a stacked roster of NBA-bound talent, Kentucky was seen as the toughest opponent for whoever emerged victorious in the Georgetown-Wake Forest showdown.

Conclusion

As the Final Four approached, the world eagerly awaited the ultimate showdown. With Mo Ran and Iverson on one side, and Duncan leading the charge on the other, the stakes had never been higher.

One thing was certain: basketball history was about to be made.