NBA: Built to Dominate

"History has been made! Alex Mo, a Chinese player, is the No. 1 pick in the 1996 NBA Draft!"

In the Celestial Empire, excitement filled the Central Television Studio.

Commentator Sun Zhengping shouted with enthusiasm:

"Director Zhang, Alex Mo has made history!"

Director Zhang Weili, visibly pleased, responded with a smile:

"I saw it coming! Choosing Alex Mo with the No. 1 pick was a no-brainer."

However, Zhang also had some concerns:

"The Vancouver Grizzlies… I'm not sure if they're the right fit for Alex Mo. Vancouver is a beautiful city, but not exactly a major market. Still, making it to the NBA is what matters most. He can always move to a bigger city when his value increases!"

Across the Pacific, at the draft venue, U.S. media outlets like ESPN and TNT were abuzz with commentary:

"The Vancouver Grizzlies, an expansion team that just joined the league last season, have selected their first-ever No. 1 overall pick in franchise history."

"They only worked out two players—Allen Iverson and Alex Mo. Given their options, selecting Mo was the obvious choice."

On stage, Alex Mo stood up and hugged his Georgetown coach, John Thompson, and longtime friend Allen Iverson.

"Good luck, man," Mo patted Iverson's back.

He then donned the Grizzlies cap handed to him by the staff, but as he did, his phone buzzed with a message.

It was from his agent, Bill Duffy, who had signed him right before the draft.

The message was short but clear:

"Vancouver isn't the final stop. A trade is in the works."

Mo immediately understood—being drafted by the Grizzlies was likely part of a bigger plan. They were willing to trade him for the right offer.

Still, he stepped onto the stage, shook hands with Commissioner David Stern, and embraced the moment.

"Welcome to the NBA, young man."

Stern patted Mo's muscular arm and leaned in.

"I'll give you my contact info later—if you ever need help in the league, don't hesitate to reach out."

Mo found Stern's warmth reassuring, far more genuine than he'd imagined.

After a brief chat, Mo stepped down, only to be swarmed by ESPN reporters for a post-draft interview.

"Mo, congratulations on being the first Chinese No. 1 pick in NBA history! How do you feel?"

Mo kept his answer simple and non-controversial:

"It feels great to be drafted—especially as the No. 1 pick."

He carefully avoided the reporters' traps and sidestepped any speculation about his future.

Meanwhile, the draft continued.

David Stern took the stage again:

"With the second pick in the 1996 NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics select... Allen Iverson from Georgetown University!"

Just like that, the "Georgetown Twins" had swept the top two picks of the 1996 draft.

However, the Celtics' front office was in chaos.

Selecting Iverson was a decision pushed by their legendary executive, Red Auerbach.

But Auerbach also had an eye on Mo, planning to use Iverson as the centerpiece in a trade to acquire him.

Auerbach believed Iverson's 6-foot frame wouldn't be enough to build a championship contender around. If they couldn't land Mo, they needed at least two All-Star-level players in return.

The Grizzlies' phone lines were lighting up.

General Manager Stu Jackson wasn't waiting for the Celtics' call—he was waiting for an offer from Lakers GM Jerry West.

West, known as "The Logo," was notorious for his trade wizardry, and Jackson wanted to see if LA could present the best package for Mo.

Of course, if another team came in with an irresistible offer, Mo would be shipped elsewhere.

After being drafted, Iverson immediately sought out Mo for a celebratory photo.

Georgetown University made history as the first school to produce the No. 1 and No. 2 picks in the same draft, a major boost to their recruitment efforts.

Coach John Thompson beamed with pride.

With the third pick, the Philadelphia 76ers selected Stephon Marbury, fulfilling a long-standing rumor that they preferred him over Iverson.

Marbury, thrilled, exchanged a few words with Mo and Iverson after being drafted.

"Good thing you guys aren't teammates anymore—I'd still be stuck trying to beat you 1v2."

With the fourth pick, the Toronto Raptors selected Marcus Camby, a once-projected No. 1 pick before facing Georgetown in the NCAA tournament.

Raptors executives were ecstatic—getting Camby at No. 4 felt like an absolute steal.

With the fifth pick, the Milwaukee Bucks drafted Shareef Abdur-Rahim, who had unexpectedly fallen past the top four.

The Bucks originally wanted Ray Allen, but they couldn't pass on Abdur-Rahim, who they considered an incredible value at this spot.

The sixth pick went to the Minnesota Timberwolves, who were caught off-guard when both Iverson and Marbury were off the board. They scrambled and ultimately selected Ray Allen, hoping he could form a deadly duo with Kevin Garnett.

Then came the bombshell.

With the 13th pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected a young high schooler from Lower Merion—Kobe Bryant.

Iverson, watching from the sidelines, leaned over to Mo and whispered:

"Mo, that kid Kobe made the lottery too."

Mo smirked, "Allen, I've got a feeling he's not staying in Charlotte for long."

Iverson scoffed, "What, you think he'll end up in LA? If that's the case, you might as well get traded there too!"

Mo simply smiled. He knew something Iverson didn't.

Kobe's draft-day trade to the Lakers was supposed to happen... but there was no announcement yet.

The Lakers hadn't pulled the trigger on their trade package, which included veteran center Vlade Divac, raising serious questions.

Did the Lakers abandon their plan to form the legendary Shaq-Kobe duo?

Mo's mind raced.

If Divac was involved in another deal...

Could it mean the Lakers were setting their sights on him instead of Kobe?

After the draft concluded, Mo still didn't hear any updates about the anticipated Kobe-to-LA trade.

"Mo, let's go. No trades are happening tonight."

Iverson nudged him, snapping him out of his thoughts.

"Forget it, man. Even if you do end up in LA, Kobe might stay in Charlotte."

Mo sighed but couldn't shake the feeling that something big was about to happen.

If the Lakers had redirected their efforts, things could change drastically.

Mo left the draft with a mix of excitement and unease.

The pieces of the puzzle weren't falling into place as he had expected.

Was the infamous Lakers dynasty slipping away before it even began?