226: 105: Then I Should Call the Supreme Emperor (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_3 226: 105: Then I Should Call the Supreme Emperor (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_3 He became the man who changed history.
If there were no Roger before him, and the Timberwolves obtained the second pick again, their choice definitely wouldn’t have been KG.
That being said, Roger’s nickname should be “Supreme Emperor,” after all, he paved the way for the little emperor.
During an interview, Garnett, wearing a Timberwolves cap, also stated, “Roger’s success was the courage I needed to skip college.
I’m glad we had such a pioneer to give us confidence.
As for whether I’ll make it or not, we’ll see during the season.”
The third pick still belonged to the Philadelphia 76ers, who, like in the original history, picked another of Jordan’s successors, self-proclaimed rival of Roger’s lifetime, Jerry Stackhouse.
The 76ers were very satisfied with his tryout results.
Stackhouse had outstanding athletic abilities and versatile skills, indeed casting some shadows of Jordan.
Although Anthony Antonio and Yelling Maestro were also quite attractive, the 76ers’ general manager told everyone, “We don’t want to become the 1984 Portland Trail Blazers.”
Though they mocked the Trail Blazers for losing Jordan, only the genius knows whether the 76ers were haunted by a psychological shadow from Shawn Bradley, making them reluctant to choose another big man.
Anyway, Stackhouse became the third pick.
Yes, another guard from North Carolina.
Even in the fate of the draft, Stackhouse was modeled after Jordan.
After donning the 76ers cap, Stackhouse accepted an interview.
The guy looked unruly and full of confidence.
“Jerry, last season you were one of the strongest scorers in the NCAA, but the NBA is different.
Do you think, you can quickly adapt to the NBA environment?”
“There’s no doubt I can.
In fact, I could have done so two years ago.
If I had entered the draft right after high school, I would already be an All-Star player now,”
“We all know that two years ago, you and Roger faced off in the McDonald’s All-American Game, which was the strangest game in its history, because Roger’s team ended up with only four players, yet he managed a 40-point performance to win outnumbered.
What makes you think you and Roger are on the same level?”
“It was because we were lax in a four against five situation that Roger took advantage.
If it had been a normal game, I could beat him.
In fact, I can beat him right away, but he’s always been dodging me, even using a high school student as a shield.”
“You mean Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School?
We heard he’s been training with Roger, calling himself Roger’s student.”
“Not yet, he doesn’t dare to meet me.” Stackhouse lied, in reality, Kobe had earlier sought out Stackhouse during his tryout at the 76ers, but Stackhouse’s agent wouldn’t allow him to go one-on-one with Kobe.
The likelihood was low, but the agent worried that if Stackhouse lost, it would greatly impact his draft position.
Now that the draft was over, and the rice was cooked, the agent relaxed the restrictions.
So, Stackhouse was ready to begin his path to fame.
First, to bully the high schooler, forcing Roger to face him.
Then, to defeat Roger one-on-one.
By doing this, his market value would surely skyrocket!
Thus, he told the reporters, “I’ll go find Kobe Bryant the day after tomorrow.
If you’re interested you can come watch this one-on-one, it will be at Lower Merion High School.
In front of the media, Roger can’t deny it.
If I win, he has to come and face me one-on-one!”
Stackhouse was very confident.
He felt that a bright future was right in front of him.
Nothing scary about that!