The Draft

New York City (English: City of New York, or New York City, abbreviated NYC), commonly known as New York, was a city in New York State, United States. It was the most populous city in America, the core of the New York metropolitan area, and one of the world's largest cities—an international metropolis with enormous influence over the global economy, commerce, finance, media, politics, education, and entertainment. New York was also known as "America's Cultural Capital."

Every year, the NBA Draft was held in New York. This was the center of the world, the focus of the spotlight, a place where countless celebrities and politicians had left their mark.

The battle for the championship had reached its conclusion. Down 0–3, the SuperSonics mounted a desperate counterattack and clawed back two games. But it was all in vain. The final score of 4–2 announced Michael Jordan's return to the throne to the world. After being thoroughly beaten last year by the young squad led by the Big Shark O'Neal and Penny Hardaway, they had easily stepped onto the highest podium of honor this year.

For Jordan and the Bulls, this year was one overflowing with accomplishments: 72 wins and an NBA championship. Jordan completed the grand slam of MVP, FMVP, All-Star starter, All-NBA First Team, All-Defensive First Team, and scoring champion. His overwhelmingly dominant performances on the court made the world cheer. Everyone took pride in being a Jordan fan, and every young basketball player copied his moves on the court. Under his leadership, the NBA's global influence had reached a new peak.

The season was over. The Bulls' championship parade was still underway, while the open and covert struggles of the next season had already begun among the front offices.

From the end of the workouts to the conclusion of the Finals, and then up until the start of the draft, Kobe had been sweating it out in a Philadelphia training gym. The day before the draft, Kobe Bryant, Joe Bryant, Pamela Bryant, and Rob Pelinka arrived in New York.

"Kid, are the Lakers really going to pick you? They don't even have a lottery pick. If you slip too far, it'd be better to play a year of college ball and enter the draft again," Old Joe said worriedly.

"Mr. Bryant, please rest assured. I've been in constant communication with the Lakers' management. They'll be making a major move today. Just wait and see," Pelinka told Old Joe professionally.

Joe huffed and ignored Pelinka. He did not like this agent Kobe had found from who knew where. He thought Kobe was out of his mind for giving the man four percent of his annual income. I, Joe Bryant, could be an agent too! Why let the money go to an outsider?

Kobe had also been in frequent phone contact with West and Harris lately. He knew the trade had already happened; it simply had not been announced yet.

"Old man, shut that mouth of yours. Tomorrow is our son's big day! Don't you dare affect his mood!" Seeing Old Joe muttering nonstop, Pamela Bryant stepped forward and grabbed him by the ear.

"Ow, ow, ow! Let go! How can you do this in front of our son?" Joe Bryant feared neither heaven nor earth—except his wife.

Laughter rang through the streets of New York. After checking in, they spent the day sightseeing around the city.

Tourism was one of New York's most important industries. Its primary destinations included the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Broadway Theatre, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, urban green spaces such as Central Park and Washington Square Park, Rockefeller Center, Times Square, Manhattan Chinatown, and luxury shopping along Fifth Avenue and Madison Avenue. Other notable destinations included the Bronx Zoo, Coney Island, Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, and the New York Botanical Garden.

The next day, the group put on suits and arrived at Madison Square Garden. Located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, New York State, Madison Square Garden was commonly called MSG by locals. It stood above Pennsylvania Station, one of the largest train stations in the United States. For many out-of-town visitors arriving in New York by train, Madison Square Garden was the first thing they saw. It truly deserved to be called the face of New York.

Madison Square Garden was home to teams such as the New York Knicks, New York Rangers, St. John's University, and Red Storm University. It also hosted major indoor events such as solo concerts and political rallies. It was the "Mecca of Arenas" in the NBA, a place where superstars such as Jordan, Miller, and Kobe had created magical memories.

Today's draft press conference was being held here. As soon as the group got out of the car, several minor reporters crowded around them.

"Mr. Kobe Bryant, we heard that you didn't attend any workouts other than those in Philadelphia and Los Angeles. Have you already received a draft promise? Will Philadelphia select you with the first overall pick?"

"Do you think a high school guard deserves the first overall pick?"

"Are you worried that, despite originally being projected as a lottery pick, you might fall out of the first round?"

Kobe had never liked reporters. These damn people only knew how to stir up trouble. What kind of questions were those? In his early years, he was not good at dealing with the media. As he matured, however, he gradually learned how to communicate with these uncrowned kings.

"No comment!" Kobe said coldly, leading the group into the venue.

After they took their seats and waited for a while, that familiar Jewish man appeared at the center of the stage. David Stern was regarded as one of the greatest professional managers in the world, having guided the NBA into its golden era. (God had Stern establish a basketball league in heaven, and with the first overall pick, he chose Kobe.)

"I hereby announce the start of the 1996 NBA Draft."

"With the first overall pick, the Philadelphia 76ers select Allen Iverson from Georgetown University."

A short man with a streetball style stood up with a smile. He kissed his family, while the relatives and friends surrounding him erupted into wild cheers. Looking at this opponent, who had single-handedly unleashed unimaginable energy in the Finals and stolen a win from the OK duo at their strongest, Kobe admired his spirit.

"With the second overall pick, the Toronto Raptors select Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts Amherst."

A 2.11-meter, 100-kilogram interior player with unbelievable speed and leaping ability.

"With the third overall pick, the Vancouver Grizzlies select Shareef Abdur-Rahim from the University of California."

"With the fourth overall pick, the Milwaukee Bucks select Stephon Marbury from the Georgia Institute of Technology."

"With the fifth overall pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Ray Allen from the University of Connecticut."

"With the thirteenth overall pick, the Charlotte Hornets select Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School."

Kobe stood up happily and celebrated the moment with his family beside him. At last, he had heard those words. Pamela Bryant had even cried off the makeup she had spent two hours applying that morning.

"The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Stephon Marbury to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Ray Allen. The Minnesota Timberwolves also included a second-round pick."

"The Los Angeles Lakers have traded their All-Star center, Divac, to the Charlotte Hornets for the seventeen-year-old guard Kobe Bryant."

The drama of the draft had come to an end.

The Los Angeles Lakers and Kobe Bryant had embarked on the beginning of a legend.