NBA : Formidable Center

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**North Carolina State University**

**Student Dormitories**

"Congratulations, Wang!"

"Wang, I knew you'd make it since the day you joined the team! And look, you really did it!"

...

As Wang Song returned to campus to pack his belongings and prepare for his big move, his teammates showered him with praises.

"Hey Wang, is it true that Coach Herb is leaving with you?"

Amid the celebration, a younger player cautiously brought up the topic.

"Yes! Coach Herb will be joining me in New York."

The announcement brought a mix of emotions. While most players felt a tinge of sadness at the news, their eyes soon lit up with admiration.

Coach Herb Sendek, the leader of the Wolfpack, had seen many players come and go. Most of them held deep respect and fondness for him.

Sensing the shift in mood, Wang Song added, "Don't feel too down, everyone. Here's some good news: Assistant Coach Jim will stay with the Wolfpack and has a high chance of becoming the new head coach. But shh, that's a secret for now!"

He mimicked a "shushing" gesture, instantly lightening the mood.

The team responded with visible excitement, as Jim had earned their trust and respect over time. The possibility of his promotion eased their worries significantly.

Not long after, Jim himself appeared, along with Wang's close friend, Julius Hodge.

"Wang, thank you for recommending me! Herb already told me everything," Jim said.

"Welcome back, Mr. Third Pick! The New York Knicks must be the most visionary team in the league to have signed you, haha! When do you leave for New York?"

Their familiar presence made Wang's packing process far more enjoyable.

"Coach Jim, your hard work has earned this opportunity—I'm just helping things along!"

The two exchanged a warm hug before Julius playfully chimed in.

"So, Wang, when do you plan on declaring for the draft?"

"Definitely not this year or the next. I'll probably wait until my college career is over—my growth rate isn't anywhere near yours," Julius admitted with a laugh.

Once most of Wang's packing was complete, he treated his teammates to a hearty meal at North Carolina's oldest barbecue joint.

"Eat your fill, everyone—don't hold back!" Wang declared with a grin.

"You bet we won't! Time to make a dent in the future millionaire's wallet!" Julius teased.

Halfway through the meal, someone brought up the news.

"By the way, Wang, I read that the Knicks gave up a lot to draft you. Do you think the team will still be competitive this season?"

Wang shook his head confidently.

"Shouldn't be a problem," he reassured.

He understood the concern. Some teams, in their desperation to draft high-potential rookies, often depleted their assets, leaving the roster in shambles. Without adequate support, rookies struggled to shine, sometimes even ruining their careers.

But New York wasn't one of those teams. As a large-market franchise, the Knicks had resources to spare. With David Falk as his agent, Wang had little reason to worry.

---

Meanwhile, back in China, news of the draft was causing a frenzy.

Sports headlines were flooded with coverage:

- **"Chinese Player Drafted in NBA Top Three! A Milestone for Asian Centers!"**

- **"The Future is Bright! Wang Song Selected Third in 2003 NBA Draft!"**

- **"Real Talk: Should Wang Song Have Gone Even Higher?"**

- **"One Month: From Bench Warmer to MOP to Third Pick—What's Wang's Secret?"**

The stories sparked heated debates among fans:

—"This guy's living a web novel protagonist's life! I'm crying tears of envy here!"

—"First Yao, now Wang—our basketball future is looking solid!"

—"Doesn't this prove we're Asia's undisputed basketball powerhouse?"

—"Forget Asia—we should aim higher. With Yao and Wang, even in the NBA, we've got a top-tier frontcourt!"

However, not everyone agreed:

—"The Knicks? Weak team. Not much potential there. A better fit would've been the Lakers or Celtics."

—"True. Stronger teams might've helped him achieve success earlier."

—"Are you even real fans? It's better to lead a team than ride the bench for a ring."

—"Exactly. The Knicks clearly value Wang enough to build around him—that's worth far more than being an afterthought on a 'big team.'"

---

As the debates raged, NBA teams were busy making moves in the trade market.

The **Los Angeles Lakers**, in particular, made waves by signing **Gary Payton** with a mid-level exception and **Karl Malone** on a veteran minimum contract.

This marked the formation of the Lakers' "Original F4," alongside Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant. Their goal was clear: redemption and a new dynasty after their defeat by the Spurs in the previous season.

While the basketball world buzzed about the Lakers' "superteam," the Knicks' General Manager, Scott Layden, quietly began working on his own set of transactions.

Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on [email protected]/Twilight_scribe1

*(To Be Continued)*