Link joined the Washington Wizards as the 2001 number one draft pick, becoming the biggest news in America that day.
["Congratulations to the Washington Wizards for selecting Link with the first overall pick in the first round. In the new season, he and Michael Jordan will become a highly anticipated backcourt duo in the league. Can the Washington Wizards reverse their past slumps and become a dark horse in the league?"] — reported by ESPN.
["The Great Bird of China beat out talented big men like Tyson Chandler, Pau Gasol, Eddy Curry, and Kwame Brown to become the 2001 NBA number one draft pick. This is also the first high schooler to be the number one draft pick in NBA history, as well as the first number one draft pick from Asia. For this reason, Link will face unprecedented pressure in the new season; after all, he carries too many 'firsts.' I believe the established guards in the NBA are already itching to 'welcome' this number one draft pick."] — reported by Sports Illustrated.
["This year's draft was too crazy. I didn't expect the Washington Wizards to actually use the number one pick to select Link. Meanwhile, the talented big man Kwame Brown fell to the 7th pick; I'm sure he must hate Link to death. I'm looking forward more and more to the matchup between the Washington Wizards and the Nets in the new season."] — reported by USA Today.
["Although Link's physical test data at the Chicago Pre-Draft Camp wasn't as slow as we imagined, with his 'vintage car' Speed, he absolutely cannot play Point Guard. If he doesn't change positions after entering the NBA, he will become the first guard to be a bust number one draft pick."] — reported by Rivals.
Despite the complicated relationship between Sophia Clarke and Link, on draft night, when Link's name was called by David Stern, the two hugged and kissed almost like a normal couple. However, Rivals discovered that hating on Link really brought in traffic; as Link's fame grew, their magazine sales also improved.
Furthermore, Link and Sophia Clarke had not yet truly confirmed their relationship.
This made his single friend Matt Babcock very envious, feeling that Link had landed a beautiful white woman, and he constantly wanted to know how Link had pursued a beautiful older woman like Sophia Clarke.
In response, Link only gave him a faint smile.
Matt Babcock suddenly realized and said, "Right, for a young and wealthy billionaire, there's no need for those tricks to chase girls."
Domestic media also promoted the news of Link being selected by the Wizards with the number one draft pick.
However, the internet in 2001 was not well-developed, and people relied more on traditional media such as television, newspapers, and radio.
For a time, the name "Link" spread through every street and alley in China.
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By becoming the 2001 NBA number one draft pick, Link completed the system's main quest — "My Name on the Golden NBA Board."
Received 3000 Goat points;
[Random All-Star Sparring Partner Card] x5!
Uh...
What left Link speechless was that upon opening them, he found they were all [All-Star (Draymond Green) Sparring Partner Cards].
"Uh..."
"Tomato!"
"Why haven't I escaped Green's metaverse yet?"
[Goat Points: 3,050/15,255]
Link did not choose the random lucky draw, but instead planned to wait for the [Limited-Time Special Item Zone] to open again.
First, items in the special zone were cheap and had high cost-performance.
Second, he could make specific selections.
Third, Link's luck was the worst. Whenever there was a random draw, nine times out of ten, he would fall into Green's metaverse.
Link's current special item cards:
1. [Superstar (Kevin Durant 13-14 Season) Sparring Partner Card] x1.
2. [All-Star (Draymond Green) Sparring Partner Card] x5.
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On the other hand.
Link discovered that he didn't seem to be popular with his teammates.
According to NBA custom, when a rookie joins a team, the veterans will call or text to welcome them.
But two whole days had passed since draft night, and only four teammates had proactively contacted Link.
Guard — Tyronn Lue.
The god of basketball set to return in the new season — Michael Jordan.
Also the team's Shooting Guard — Richard Hamilton.
And fellow team rookie Brendan Haywood.
The other teammates had not reached out to Link.
Just then, the system's mechanical, cold electronic voice rang in Link's mind.
"Ding, Host has triggered main quest — The Proud Epoch-Making Commander!"
"Quest Description: As the team's Point Guard, you need to generate good chemistry with your teammates, and there should also be more communication off the court. Before the preseason officially begins, the Host needs to use personal charisma to make Washington Wizards teammates proactively contact you."
"Quest Reward: For every person who proactively contacts you, you will receive 500 Goat points; if more than 4 people contact you in total, the Limited-Time Special Item Zone will open again."
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The fact that his teammates didn't proactively contact Link wasn't necessarily because they all hated this non-American guard.
There were elements of dislike and skepticism, but also the fact that the current Washington Wizards were in too much turmoil; many players were worried they could be traded at any moment, so they had no heart to proactively contact Link.
As a proud epoch-making commander, Link needed to develop rapport and chemistry with his teammates, yet he had to maintain his dignity and couldn't be the one to reach out first. This meant Link needed an excellent performance in the upcoming Summer League.
While the NBA also values'social etiquette,' it is mostly 'basketball that talks.'
Since the Limited-Time Special Item Zone might open again,
Link didn't need to rush into the lucky draw.
The Washington Wizards would participate in the Boston Summer League next month.
As everyone knows, the NBA Summer League is a stage for rookies, undrafted players, and overseas players.
Of course, serious teams mainly use it to evaluate the potential of their drafted players.
Although Link was the NBA number one draft pick, it didn't mean his starting position was 100% locked in; Tyronn Lue still had some competitiveness. Link also needed to put up corresponding performances in the Summer League and preseason to win over the coaching staff.
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The date became July 4, 2001.
There were 3 days left until the NBA Summer League officially began.
Many news outlets and NBA commentators began to disparage Link.
["Although the intensity of the NBA Summer League is far from comparable to the NBA regular season and lacks the presence of franchise stars, there are no underage high schoolers on the Summer League court. During his high school days, Link could bully opponents at will with his towering height and weight that exceeded his peers, but on the Summer League stage, that will likely never be seen again!!!"]
And the Washington Wizards' first opponent in the Summer League was the Philadelphia 76ers.