"With the first pick in the 1999 NBA Draft, the Chicago Bulls select... Elton Brand, power forward from Duke University!"
There was no suspense whatsoever. This 6'8" "Captain," blessed with an astonishing wingspan and polished post skills, was regarded by the rebuilding Bulls as the first cornerstone of the post-Jordan era.
Immediately afterward, the Vancouver Grizzlies selected University of Maryland guard Steve Francis with the second pick.
When his name was called, the explosively athletic guard wore an undisguised look of disgust.
Everyone knew he did not want to play in cold Canada.
The draft proceeded in orderly fashion.
Lamar Odom was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Clippers.
Wally Szczerbiak went sixth overall to the Minnesota Timberwolves.
Richard Hamilton was selected seventh overall by the Washington Wizards.
Andre Miller joined the Cleveland Cavaliers with the eighth pick.
Shawn Marion was taken ninth overall by the Phoenix Suns.
One by one, names that would later become renowned throughout the league were, on this day, merely young men in ill-fitting suits, their expressions tense yet excited.
When the draft reached the twenty-fourth pick, the Utah Jazz's selection caused a small stir in the venue. They selected Russian forward Andrei Kirilenko.
This slender young European would become a pillar of the Jazz's future defensive system, known as "AK47."
Time passed, and soon it was the New York Knicks' turn with the thirtieth pick.
David Stern stepped onto the stage again and opened the envelope. "With the thirtieth pick in the first round of the 1999 NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select... Quentin Richardson, shooting guard from DePaul University."
It was a conventional enough choice. Richardson was a physically strong wing with decent shooting ability, fitting the Knicks' requirements for a bench player.
With the end of the first round, the