2003 NBA Finals

"System detected the host's intent. Issuing mission: Participate in the 2003 NBA Draft!"

Goodwin was filled with question marks.

Participate in the 2003 NBA Draft? System, are you kidding me?

One had to know that the 2003 NBA Draft was known to the world as the 2003 Draft Class, featuring the Chosen One LeBron James, the offensive kaleidoscope Carmelo Anthony, the 193cm Michael Jordan-esque Dwyane Wade, and the Dragon King Chris Bosh... In the future, they would gradually take the torch from their predecessors and become the pillars of the league.

And now, under the "coercion" of the System, Goodwin had to join this 2003 Draft Class?

Goodwin still had big question marks about this. After all, his own strengths and weaknesses were glaringly obvious. Everyone participating in the NBA Draft was a heaven-sent talent, a local version of Michael Jordan; Goodwin didn't think he had anything exceptional.

In this situation, there was a 99% chance he would go undrafted.

"System, have you lost your mind? How can I participate in the NBA Draft in my current situation?" Goodwin couldn't help but ask back.

"Does the host intend to abandon the mission?"

Goodwin: "..." Damn it, giving up before even running—that wasn't his style. Besides, abandoning the mission meant losing attributes.

A few seconds later, Goodwin replied: "System, who said I'm abandoning the mission? I accept. I will participate in the 2003 NBA Draft."

At this moment, Goodwin had no choice but to face the challenge head-on. Just do it!

Perhaps some blind front office would take a liking to him.

After making this "pleasant" decision, Goodwin began to map out his plan. There were a little over two months left until the NBA Draft.

Based on the training completed each day, he would gain about 60-70 skill points. He would pour them all into his shooting attributes; Goodwin wanted to turn himself into a shooting machine.

The next day, after returning to the University of Kansas, Goodwin sought out head coach Roy Williams to share his thoughts.

"Are you sure?" Roy Williams asked uncertainly. In his view, the best path for Goodwin to enter the NBA Draft was to play one more year of NCAA to continue developing. Roy Williams even wanted to cultivate Goodwin into a star for the University of Kansas.

After all, having won the NCAA championship this year, many players on the team would be heading to the NBA!

More importantly, once he entered the NBA Draft, if he went undrafted, it meant Goodwin would be finished with the NCAA. Of course, he could still continue his university education; the NCAA provided degree completion programs, allowing former student-athletes to apply to return to campus and finish their studies.

"I'm sure, Coach. Thank you for taking care of me over the past six months!" Goodwin replied.

Seeing this, Roy Williams didn't try to persuade him further, instead wishing Goodwin all the best in the NBA Draft.

The news quickly reached the ears of Hinrich and Collison, who were also planning to enter the NBA Draft. Both immediately came to persuade Goodwin to play one more year of NCAA before deciding to enter the draft.

"Thanks, guys, but I've already decided. I'm entering this year's NBA Draft. You wouldn't be afraid of me stealing your spotlight, would you?" Goodwin said with a cheeky grin.

Hinrich: "..."

Collison: "..."

We came here out of the kindness of our hearts to advise you, and you actually...

"Beat him up!" The two immediately walked to either side of Goodwin and gave him a sound thrashing—some "care" from his seniors.

"Ahhhhh..." The screams instantly echoed throughout the entire training facility.

Afterward, the two seniors helped Goodwin to a certain extent, letting him tag along with their trainers and agents, and training with them.

They didn't know until they trained with him, but once they did, both seniors were shocked.

They never expected Goodwin's training volume to be so intense.

It was massive and rigorous!

Collison tried to keep up, but after one day, he was so sore the next morning he could barely get out of bed.

He couldn't keep up, he just couldn't. Collison had to give up.

Because of this, the two seniors began to change their perspective on Goodwin entering the NBA Draft. It was possible that some team might get lucky and draft him.

At the same time, spurred on by Goodwin, the two seniors also trained extremely hard.

While they were training hard, the NBA playoffs were underway on the other side.

This year's playoffs captured the attention of the entire United States and even the world, as the three-time champion Los Angeles Lakers were aiming for a four-peat.

Unfortunately, the result was not what the fans had imagined; the Los Angeles Lakers did not complete their four-peat.

The Los Angeles Lakers fell in the semifinals to the San Antonio Spurs, a team they had eliminated for two consecutive years.

This season, to improve the watchability of the game and limit Shaquille O'Neal, the league introduced the defensive three-second violation and legalized zone defense. This was a disaster for Shaquille O'Neal; on the defensive end, he could no longer camp in the paint like before. Once he left the three-second area, it opened up space for agile guards like Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili to penetrate, while Tim Duncan and David Robinson could also occasionally sneak in a few points.

On the offensive end, after zone defense was legalized, Shaquille O'Neal often had to face double or even triple teams in the paint. Just facing the double-team from the San Antonio Spurs' twin towers made Shaquille O'Neal very awkward, and with the harassment and sneak attacks from the guards, Shaquille O'Neal had a very difficult time, naturally unable to exert 100% of his power.

At the same time, the San Antonio Spurs completed their roster transition, and the GDP trio took shape.

After being tempered for a season, Tony Parker already possessed the demeanor of a general, with his stats rising to 15.5 points and 5.3 assists per game, serving as the San Antonio Spurs' second scoring option and lead attacker.

At the small forward position, Stephen Jackson also gradually adapted to the San Antonio Spurs' system after gelling with the team, contributing 11.8 points and 1.6 steals per game with a defensive rating of 99, becoming an extremely important golden role player for the Spurs on both ends of the floor.

Manu Ginobili also arrived in the NBA this year. Although his stats of 7.6 points and 1.4 steals per game weren't eye-popping, one had to realize this was in only 20.7 minutes of play. In particular, Manu Ginobili's penetration and ability to thrive in chaotic situations took the San Antonio Spurs' bench firepower to the next level.

Finally, of course, there was the anchor of the San Antonio Spurs—Tim Duncan. In the 02-03 season, Tim Duncan was in his prime, and his performance was nothing short of invincible.

In the regular season, Tim Duncan played 81 games, averaging 23.3 points, 12.9 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 2.9 blocks, leading the San Antonio Spurs to a 60-22 record, the best in the league! Tim Duncan was selected for the All-Star starting lineup, the All-NBA First Team, and the All-Defensive First Team, and was crowned MVP.

In the semifinals against the Los Angeles Lakers, facing the "Big Diesel" Shaquille O'Neal, Tim Duncan averaged 28 points, 11.8 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.3 blocks over 6 games! His performance was not inferior to Shaquille O'Neal's at all.

In this situation, even though Kobe Bryant averaged a blistering 32.3 points, 5 rebounds, 3.9 assists, and 1 steal, he still couldn't lead his team to defeat the San Antonio Spurs.

After the San Antonio Spurs defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, almost all fans believed that the champion this year would definitely be the San Antonio Spurs.

The San Antonio Spurs did not disappoint the fans; they marched all the way to the Finals.

In the Finals, facing the New Jersey Nets led by Kidd, the San Antonio Spurs took the series in just 6 games, becoming the 2003 champions.