As the start date of training camp approaches, the logistics department at Boston's New Garden is getting busy.
In the president's office, the team's equipment manager placed a new season's jersey number confirmation form on Lin Qi's desk, awaiting his final signature.
Lin Qi picked up his pen and scanned the list from top to bottom. New signing Tyronn Lue had chosen number 0, while Mutombo still wore his signature number 55. When his gaze landed on the name of the backcourt core, his pen paused slightly.
Dwyane Wade: #4
Last year Wade wore number 9, but this year he wants to switch to number 4.
Lin Qi leaned back in his chair, a hint of doubt flashing in his eyes. In his memory, Wade had always worn the number 3 jersey during his time at Marquette University. And in his recollection of the future, " The Dwyane Wade " was almost inextricably linked to the number 3 jersey.
Instead of signing directly, he got up, left the office, and went to the training hall.
Although there are still a few days before the training camp officially begins, the rhythmic sound of basketballs hitting the ground can already be heard in the training hall. On the empty court, Dwyane Wade is practicing his pull-up jump shot alone, sweating profusely.
Seeing Lin Qi walk in, Wade stopped what he was doing, wiped the sweat from his face with a towel, and politely greeted him, "Boss."
Lin Qi nodded, walked to the sidelines, and looked at the determined young man.
"I just looked at the jersey confirmation form submitted by the equipment department." Lin Qi skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point. "You chose number 4. I remember you always wore number 3 in college."
Wade was taken aback, clearly not expecting Lin Qi to come all the way down to find him just for a number.
"Yes, I wore size 3 in college," Wade answered truthfully.
"If you want number 3, there's actually a way," Lin Qi said calmly, looking at the rows of retired jersey flags hanging above the New Garden. " Boston's number 3 jersey has already been retired; its owner is Dennis Johnson. But if you want to wear it, I can help you contact him. As long as you personally call and ask this legend for his permission, Boston can make an exception for you."
In the NBA, if a rookie wants to wear a retired number, the team usually allows it, provided they have the original owner's consent and blessing. Given Lin Qi's current influence in Boston, facilitating this wouldn't be difficult.
However, Wade shook his head without hesitation.
"No need, boss. Number 4 is fine."
"Why?" Lin Qi looked at him.
Wade turned around, looked up, and his gaze fell on the retirement flag with the number "3" printed on it on the dome.
"Before filling in my number, I looked into Dennis Johnson's story." Wade's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a composure and clarity beyond his years. "He was one of the league's top defenders. He shut down Magic Johnson in the NBA Finals, and he brought two championship trophies to Boston."
At this point, Wade looked away and stared directly at Lin Qi.
"Boss, I'm just a rookie who just entered the league. I haven't won a championship yet, and I haven't proven my defense at this level. Right now, I have no right to ask such a great winner for his number."
Wade patted the basketball in his hand, his eyes sharpening. "One day, when I can bring a championship to Boston like him, then I'll feel that I deserve any honor under this dome. Right now, number 4 represents a brand new beginning."
Lin Qi looked at the young man in front of him, who was only 21 years old, and a satisfied smile appeared on his lips.
He wasn't wrong about him. This reverence for history, and the ambition to prove themselves through victory, are exactly the genes that Boston, this championship team, needs most.
"Then, use your number 4 to usher in your own era."
Lin Qi patted Wade on the shoulder, then turned and walked out of the training facility.
Back in his office, Lin Qi solemnly signed his name on the equipment department's confirmation form.
With this, after a thrilling summer of drafts, trades, and strategic maneuvering, the Boston Celtics' 15-man roster for the 2003-04 season was officially finalized.
[Starting Lineup]
Point Guard (PG/SG) | Dwyane Wade, Height: 1.93 meters, Age: 21. Jersey Number: 4.
Shooting Chris Paul (SG/SF) | Paul Pierce, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 26, Jersey Number: 34.
Small Forward (SF/SG) | Ron Artest, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 23, Jersey Number: 37.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Kevin Garnett, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 27, Jersey Number: 5.
Center (C/PF) | Ben Wallace, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 29. Jersey Number: 13.
[Second lineup]
Point Guard (PG/SG) | Tyronn Lue, Height: 1.83m, Age: 26, Jersey Number: 0.
Shooting Guard (SG/SF) | Raja Bell, Height: 1.96m, Age: 27, Jersey Number: 26.
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Gerald Wallace, Height: 2.01 meters, Age: 21. Jersey Number: 45.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Rasheed Wallace, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 29, Jersey Number: 30.
Center (C) | Mehmet Okur, Height: 2.11 meters, Age: 24, Jersey Number: 12.
[Functional rotation]
Small Forward (SF/PF) | Tayshaun Prince, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 23 years old, Jersey number: 41.
Power Forward (PF/C) | Brian Scalabrine, Height: 2.06 meters, Age: 25, Jersey Number: 44.
Center (C/PF) | Tyson Chandler Chandler, Height: 2.16 meters, Age: 21. Jersey: 11.
Center (C) | Dikembe Mutombo, Height: 2.18 meters, Age: 37. Jersey Number: 55.
[Injury List]
Point Guard (PG) | Gary Payton, Height: 1.93 meters, Age: 35. Jersey Number: 20.
Looking at the list, Lin Qi let out a long sigh of relief.
Boston's uniformed staff got their job done.
Lin Qi turned to look out the window. In the fan plaza outside the New Garden, staff were hanging up promotional posters for the new season.
The overseas training camp for the 2003-2004 season is about to officially begin.