626: 221: Do you feel that life is very boring if you don’t stir things up?
(Asking for monthly votes!)_3 626: 221: Do you feel that life is very boring if you don’t stir things up?
(Asking for monthly votes!)_3 The fourth pick went to the Toronto Raptors, who took Antawn Jamison; the fifth pick went to the Golden State Warriors, who grabbed the man whose slam dunks were second only in excitement to Curry’s.
As Jamison finished shaking hands and was about to step down, Stern told him, “Wait a minute, the trade is about to start.”
Then for the first time in NBA history, there was a scene where two players swapped their hats right on stage, with Carter and Jamison trading teams immediately after being selected.
At this sight, Roger suddenly remembered something.
His memory kept telling him that Nowitzki was selected as the ninth pick and that at this time, since Nowitzki wasn’t very famous, no one would cut in line, so the eighth pick by the Hawks would be very safe for them.
But seeing Jamison and Carter being traded on the spot, Roger realized that Nowitzki fell to ninth because the Mavericks thought it wasteful to pick him sixth.
Since no one else would cut in to snatch Nowitzki, why not trade down the draft pick order and get a few more chips while securing Nowitzki safely?
So, at the sixth pick, the Mavericks selected “Tractor” Robert Traylor and used him as a bargaining chip to trade for the Bucks’ ninth and nineteenth picks.
That way, the Mavericks got hold of Nowitzki and acquired an additional first-round pick.
But now, what if the Mavericks knew that the Hawks were also interested in Nowitzki?
Would they still leave Nowitzki until the ninth pick?
The draft entered the sixth pick, which Roger found most intriguing.
Did the Mavericks get wind of the Hawks’ interest?
Would they pick Nowitzki directly, or would they continue with the choice of Robert Traylor?
Amidst the tense atmosphere, David Stern announced the name, “The 1998 NBA Draft sixth pick goes to the Dallas Mavericks selecting…
Dirk Nowitzki, from Wurzburg, Germany!”
After Stern announced the name, boos came from the crowd.
Mavericks fans could hardly believe that the team had actually picked a European “softie”!
Nowitzki was also the only lottery show not to go up and shake hands with Stern because he wasn’t at the event at all.
Hearing he had been picked in the top ten, Nowitzki himself was stupefied.
When Old Neil visited previously, he had joked with Nowitzki, “Hey, if David Stern calls you at the draft, dare you answer him?”
Nowitzki didn’t take it seriously because being called up was a complete impossibility.
But now, the dream had become a reality!
“Shit!” Roger cursed silently.
As expected, the Mavericks of this history didn’t take the risk and directly took Dirk at the sixth pick.
With the seventh pick, the Kings selected “White Chocolate Dream” Jason Williams.
Then, it was the Hawks’ turn to choose.
Pete Babcock immediately called Roger, “The second name, if you don’t have one, I’m making the choice myself!”
Babcock sounded urgent; after all, the team had just lost its top target, it would be odd if he weren’t hurried.
“Who do you want to pick?” Roger asked.
“Rasho Nesterovic, center from Bologna FC 1909 in Italy.
He’s experienced, tall, and has excellent team awareness—perfect for our squad!”
“No, no,” Roger opposed the idea and then pulled out this year’s draft list.
In the end, he uttered a name that made Babcock’s jaw drop.
“Roger, don’t you get bored if you don’t stir things up?” Babcock quipped after getting the name.
“No, trust me, this is the right choice.
Well, at least it’s the right choice from a talent standpoint,” Roger said.
Babcock shook his head, then handed the envelope with the name written on it to the staff.
“With the 1998 NBA Draft first round eighth pick, the Atlanta Hawks select…
Paul Pierce, from the University of Kansas!”
The camera turned to Pierce, who didn’t stand up to hug his family, nor did he smile.
He had been completely stunned by fate’s prank.