After obtaining 2000 Goat points, Link's first action was to refresh the [Limited Time Special Offer Zone].
After all, he had some "money" now.
If he could refresh something good, he would be able to afford it.
After refreshing, Link was speechless to find that he was still in Green Teacher's "metaverse".
But soon, Link found a splash of red among the sea of green.
[star (draymond green) training partner card], priced at 50 Goat points, limited purchase 0/9999.
[star (Draymond Green) dunk package], priced at 100 Goat points, limited purchase 0/1.
[star (Draymond Green) layup package], priced at 100 Goat points, limited purchase 0/1.
[Super Physical Sports Sprint Card (Three Days)], priced at 100 Goat points, limited purchase 0/1.
PS: The Limited Time Special Offer Zone closes on June 1, 2001.
Honestly speaking.
Aside from Green's dunk package and layup package, Link wouldn't even want the other items even if he was paid 100 Goat points, unless it was 10,000 Goat points.
Green's sparring partner card might be somewhat useful...
However, Link's attention was completely drawn by the [Super Physical Sports Sprint Card (Three Days)].
A regular physical sports special training card already gave 5 times the training experience, but this item gave 2 times the training experience, truly making rapid progress.
For this, Link purchased 1 card, plus 2 Green sparring partner cards.
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On the other hand, Link, who signed a 7-year, $96 million contract with Nike, once again made headlines in major sports media.
Even many NBA stars were discussing this topic.
"Wow wow wow, honestly, I don't think a wet-behind-the-ears kid who hasn't played a single NBA game is worth this astronomical contract." The Glove Payton couldn't help but question this when interviewed by the media.
"What? Are they crazy! Nike really has more money than sense. I don't think that kid can adapt to the NBA's intensity and game rhythm. Honestly, I'm not optimistic about his future." Ricky Davis said sourly.
"The Nike executives who planned and signed this kid must have had their brains kicked by a donkey. He only dominated the High School League, hehe, as if none of us dominated high school. You know, high school and the NBA are two completely different worlds. I don't think he can establish himself in the NBA. Yes, that's right, I mean he can only be a passerby in the NBA." Nick Van Exel said.
Van the Madman was Kobe's former teammate. During his rookie season, he competed with Kobe for "playing time" and once bluntly said: "Kobe is too young, he needs to learn to respect veterans."
In addition, during his rookie season, Kobe once borrowed Jordan's videotapes from Van the Madman to study movement details, and Van the Madman charged Kobe $5 as a deposit. However, when Kobe returned the videotapes, Van the Madman did not return the deposit.
For some unknown reason... Van the Madman, who failed to compete with Kobe and was traded by the Los Angeles Lakers, wandering from team to team, saw Kobe's shadow in Link. Even though their playing styles were almost nothing alike, he inexplicably disliked Link.
Van the Madman and Ricky Davis were also among the few active NBA players who publicly disparaged Link. For example, The Glove Payton and others, while also unhappy with the "young and rich" Link, only expressed doubts.
For a time, Link, who had not yet entered the NBA, generated a huge amount of discussion.
There is no doubt that Link's every move after entering the NBA will cause a tsunami of topics.
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown!
And this made Link more focused and excited than ever in his subsequent training. He really, really... liked this feeling of competition.
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For the next two days, Link continued to participate in individual tryouts for NBA teams.
Each team has its own characteristics!
Every trainer and every coaching staff more or less had their own "unique insights" into basketball, and Link, like a sponge, continuously absorbed new things.
Of course, not every team would make Link "repeat physical tests" during individual tryouts.
And the last team Link tried out for — the Washington Wizards...
Not only did they make Link undergo physical tests, but during the tests, the team management, coaching staff, and team owner all came to the scene.
"Are you sure there's no mistake in the measurements?" Doug Collins, the Washington Wizards' head coach, asked in disbelief.
"Yes, Mr. Doug." The staff member responsible for recording Link's physical test data nodded emphatically.
"Michael, what do you think about this..." Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin said.
"His standing vertical jump is only 81cm, not even as high as mine now..." Michael Jordan said indifferently while chewing chocolate.
"Michael, come on... you're the god of basketball, who can compare to you? Link's physical test data here today is better than his results at the NBA combine a week ago. And we can rule out any issues with his condition... In other words, he's really still in his prime developmental stage." A Wizards executive said with a fawning smile.
"Mr. Abe, this kid is indeed still in his prime developmental stage... his future athletic talent shouldn't be too bad, but I think Kwame Brown is the most outstanding." The god of basketball Michael Jordan slowly said.
Michael Jordan, the god of basketball, is currently the general manager of the Wizards and also a minority owner of the team. However, he will be saying "I-am-BACK!" next season. At this time, Michael Jordan, with his glorious career achievements, could easily mislead people into thinking he also had excellent judgment in managing teams and selecting rookies.
"Michael, even though Kwame Brown looks like you, he's far from the you back then. You saw his performance in the McDonalds All-American Game... he couldn't even effectively punish Link in a mismatch." Head coach Doug Collins said.
"Hmm, that softie... indeed disappointed me greatly. However, this year is a weak draft class, and this little guy is passable... even though I see a guy I dislike in him." Michael Jordan said.
Michael Jordan didn't think Link was like Kobe, but rather that he was more like Larry Bird.
Washington Wizards team owner Abe Pollin began comparing Link's current physical test data with his data from a week ago.
Standing Vertical Jump
Running Vertical Jump: 72cm (81cm)
Body Fat Percentage: 8% (7.2%)
3/4 Court Sprint (22.86 meters): 3.79 seconds (3.49 seconds).
Three-Second Area Four-Point Movement: 11.4 seconds (11.30 seconds)
84kg Bench Press: 9 reps (1 rep).
That's right, in the past three days, Link had seen an improvement in his physical and athletic abilities through the [Super Physical Sports Sprint Card (Three Days)] and the cumulative effects of previous training.
His physical and athletic attributes had climbed a notch.
[Speed] base attribute +2, increased to 7 (76); [Explosive Acceleration] base attribute +5, increased to 55 (70); [Explosiveness] base attribute +6, increased to 56 (64); [Jumping Height] base attribute +10, increased to 50 (64); [Lateral Movement] base attribute +2, increased to 54 (60); [Strength] base attribute +3, increased to 73 (80); [Stamina] base attribute +2, increased to 78 (84); [Injury Resistance] base attribute +4, increased to 44 (60).
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The Wizards were still hesitant about using the number one draft pick to select Link.
However, the Wizards owner strictly ordered that Link's latest physical test data not be leaked.
During his individual tryout with the Washington Wizards, Link also noticed Michael Jordan. He didn't shout or ask for an autograph like other NBA rookies upon seeing the god of basketball, but merely smiled and nodded slightly.
However, Michael Jordan frowned slightly, seemingly displeased with Link's reaction, but since he was dressed in a suit today, it wasn't appropriate for him to personally go down and crush him.
Seeing Michael Jordan's arrogance, daring not to greet him, Link secretly thought: "Hehe, Michael Jordan, sooner or later I'll make you curse and cry... However, the Washington Wizards are quite chaotic right now, and Michael Jordan is coming back next season. If possible, I'd rather be the third overall pick."
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Teams with top five first-round picks were all particularly interested in Link.
Especially the Chicago Bulls with the fourth overall pick in the first round, and the Atlanta Hawks with the third overall pick (third overall pick), or to be precise, the Memphis Grizzlies. The Hawks intended to trade with the Grizzlies, but the Grizzlies explicitly stated their price: they wanted them to select Link with the third overall pick.
The Golden State Warriors, with the fifth overall pick in the first round, were even more eagerly awaiting.
In addition...
The Minnesota Timberwolves, who had no draft picks this year, even rumored that they were willing to give up anyone except Kevin Garnett to get Link. Of course, there was no definite source for this news.
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More than half a month passed.
The date arrived at June 27, 2001.
NBA Draft live!
Madison Square Garden, New York!!!