Chapter 35: The Wasp's Choice

"What is happening?"

"The five minutes are almost up. Why haven't the Magic made their selection yet?"

At the draft venue, many noticed that something was wrong. A buzz of discussion rippled through the crowd, as a telephone malfunction at the Orlando Arena had created a tense atmosphere at the draft.

Christian Laettner wore a very serious expression. Although his pre-draft workout performance hadn't matched Shaquille O'Neal's, he was more famous than O'Neal in the NCAA and had even been selected for the national team—a credential that carried extra weight. He believed he had a strong chance of being selected first overall.

O'Neal’s expression was also somewhat grim. While he hadn't particularly wanted to go to the Magic, it would still be embarrassing if they passed on him.

Dave Twardzik, the General Manager of the Charlotte Hornets, was ecstatic. If the Magic passed, the Hornets would have a chance to secure the first pick. In his view, no matter how talented Tang or Mourning might be, Shaquille O'Neal remained the absolute best of the bunch.

"Ring, ring, ring..."

Just as the five minutes were about to expire, an official phone at the venue rang.

"Hello..."

The staff member near the phone answered, listened for a moment, hung up, and quickly walked over to David Stern.

"Mr. Commissioner, it’s a call from the Commissioner's office. The Magic called there to say they are selecting Shaquille O'Neal."

David Stern frowned, nodded, adjusted his attire, took the microphone, and walked to the podium with a smile.

"Ladies and gentlemen, we have just received a call from the Orlando Magic front office. With the first pick in the draft, they select..."

"Phew!"

Hearing this, the Magic officials at the venue let out a collective sigh of relief. Back at the Orlando Arena, Pat Williams and the rest of the Magic management, who were watching the live broadcast, also exhaled.

"Our first pick has flown away," lamented Dave Twardzik of the Hornets, sounding disappointed.

Hearing Stern's announcement, the nerves of both O'Neal and Laettner tightened instantly.

Tang Bei remained quiet. Knowing his current skills weren't quite up to O'Neal's level and his talent didn't completely overshadow him, he hadn't set his heart on the first pick. Of course, he hoped for a miracle; if he were to be picked first, he might just drive that dog O'Neal crazy.

After a brief pause, David Stern continued: "...Shaquille O'Neal from Louisiana State University."

"Clap, clap, clap..."

Applause immediately filled the venue.

"Shit!" Laettner cursed under his breath in disappointment.

***

Having been selected, O'Neal let out a breath of relief. Even though he had hoped to go to the Lakers, he was still happy to be the first overall pick. His agent, Leonard Armato, was less thrilled, as he knew a significant amount of money had just slipped through his fingers. O'Neal’s family, however, was beaming with joy.

After hugging his family and shaking hands with Mourning and the others, O'Neal walked toward the stage, accepted the hat handed to him by the Magic, and stepped up.

"Click, click..."

As he shook hands with David Stern, a flurry of media flashbulbs illuminated the stage.

"I am very grateful that the Magic selected me..."

O'Neal spoke briefly before heading off-stage to a side room for an interview with TNT. David Stern then announced that the Hornets were on the clock for the second pick, with five minutes allowed.

Dave Twardzik sat at a small table with a sheet of white paper, pen in hand, ready to write down the name of his new recruit.

"In these final moments, I still need to think."

Just as he was about to put pen to paper, he hesitated and lifted the tip.

Laettner wiped sweat from his forehead. If he wasn't the second pick either, it would be humiliating; he was the biggest star in the NCAA and a favorite for the top spot.

Mourning was also tense. He knew he couldn't compete with O'Neal for the first pick, but he was determined to secure the second. In his eyes, only two players could challenge him for that spot: Christian Laettner and the "Chinese" Tang.

Laettner had immense fame, and the Chinese player, Tang, had performed exceptionally well in workouts, showing even more dominance in post play than he did. Yet, Mourning was confident in his own performance; he was more mature, a better defender, more skilled, and represented a more certain future. Moreover, he felt he was a better fit for the NBA than Laettner, whose workout performance had lagged behind his own.

Eric Fleisher, Tang Bei's agent, was trembling slightly, feeling extremely nervous. He hadn't expected the first pick because O'Neal was too strong—talented, ready to play, and a sure thing. But for the second pick, based on the head-to-head performance of Tang, Mourning, and Laettner in several workouts, he had high hopes. He believed that, based on pure talent, Tang Bei absolutely deserved the second spot.

However, considering the need for certainty, top-tier teams seeking safer bets might cause Tang Bei to slide out of the top five, or even the top ten. In his view, Tang could be taken second, or he could, as the media speculated, fall to the end of the lottery like Shawn Kemp.

Xu Jicheng had read several media reports on Tang Bei over the past two days, and most outlets predicted he would be taken at the end of the lottery. Though anxious, he was mostly filled with anticipation, hoping to see Tang selected late in the lottery.

Tang Bei himself felt no nerves. With the promises from the Rockets and the Heat, he knew he wouldn't fall out of the lottery.

***

While waiting for the Hornets to make their selection, the venue was abuzz with chatter.

Mavericks GM Rick Sund asked Timberwolves GM Bill Blair, "Jim, who do you think the Hornets will pick?"

"Mourning," Jim Blair said without hesitation.

Rockets GM Steve Patterson chimed in, "Why not Laettner? His fame in the NCAA exceeds O'Neal's, and he made the national team—something O'Neal couldn't do."

"If you ask me, picking Laettner is worse than picking Tang. Laettner is better suited for the power forward position," remarked NBA legend and "Lord of the Rings" Bill Russell, who was watching from the sidelines.

Fellow legend Bill Walton agreed: "I feel the same. Laettner is just famous. In reality, Tang’s physicality is better suited for the NBA. Laettner is dozens of kilograms lighter than Tang, yet he isn't even as fast."

Wilt Chamberlain, the "Basketball Emperor," added: "But many media outlets and NBA GMs think Laettner is stronger than Tang, and that his skills are several tiers above."

Jim Blair nodded quickly. "Exactly. The Chinese Tang is just a basketball beginner, someone who plays on pure talent. There is no certainty in his future."

Rick Sund echoed him: "Right. Choosing Tang is a risky investment; it would be a disastrous choice."

Jim Blair continued, "With so many excellent big men available, picking Tang would be the most foolish decision of all."

"Heh..."

Seeing Jim Blair and Rick Sund desperately belittling Tang Bei, the others just offered cold smiles and remained silent. In truth, Blair and Sund were feeling uneasy themselves, unsure of what the Hornets would do.

"Mr. Twardzik, time is almost up."

Seeing Twardzik still hesitating, his assistant reminded him cautiously.

Dave Twardzik nodded, wiped the sweat from his forehead, lowered his pen again, and began to write on the paper.

"A."

He wrote the first letter, then paused, his right hand gripping the pen tightly and shaking slightly.

"Alonzo Mourning."

His assistant, Peter Philip, watching from the side, immediately understood the GM's choice. Mourning's name started with "A," while Laettner's started with "C" and Tang's with "T."

But just then, Twardzik suddenly crossed out the "A" and quickly wrote the letter "T."