Seeing He Ximeng enter, Iverson, Ray Allen, Marbury, Antoine Walker, and others nodded in greeting. They were all opponents they had faced on the NCAA court, sharing a sense of camaraderie forged through competition. A simple nod of recognition.
Only Kobe stood up enthusiastically and embraced him in greeting.
His friendship with Kobe stemmed from the Nike basketball summit. There was no "revenge for a lost game," no direct conflict of interest. Kobe had even lent He Ximeng thirty thousand dollars. They were friends, and also creditors...
Like He Ximeng, both were under 18 years old and, according to league rules, had to be accompanied by their parents.
Kobe introduced He Ximeng to his parents and his girlfriend, Vanessa.
He Ximeng, in turn, introduced his mother and two good friends, John and Duncan, to Kobe.
Kobe didn't know John, but he was familiar with Duncan.
After the introductions, both families took their seats.
He Ximeng asked Kobe, "Do you have any idea about your projected draft position?"
Kobe shook his head. "It depends on the choices of the teams ahead of us! The Celtics might pick me, the Nets might pick me, the Lakers might pick me... Those three teams are the most likely! What about you?"
"The Knicks or the Lakers!"
"Wow! If we could play together in Los Angeles, that would be amazing!"
"I think your chances of going to the Lakers are quite high, while mine are not."
"The Lakers are good, but their pick is too late!"
"Don't worry! They'll find other ways to ensure you get a lottery pick in the top 14!"
"I hope you're right..." Kobe replied noncommittally.
He Ximeng didn't know if the Lakers had discussed anything with Kobe before their trade with the Hornets, but surely they must have expressed some intentions to Kobe, right?
As the stirring music began, the 1996 NBA Draft officially commenced! The future, known as the league's golden generation, the '96 class, was about to step onto the league stage.
After a brief opening speech by David Stern, the draft moved to the main event!
"1996 NBA Draft, first pick, the Philadelphia 76ers select Allen Iverson from Georgetown University!"
Amidst the applause, Iverson embraced his friends and family sitting by his small round table. Guided by an usher, he walked to the center of the stage, to an area resembling a runway. Before stepping onto the stage, there was a hat stand with the selected team's cap.
The Philadelphia 76ers' cap was now placed before Iverson.
Under the gaze of the entire audience, Iverson took the 76ers' cap, placed it on his head, and then smiled as he walked towards David Stern.
Iverson's journey to becoming the number one pick began, and from then on, the league had an ankle-breaking killer...
After the Philadelphia 76ers selected Iverson, the Toronto Raptors, holding the second pick, had five minutes to decide on their selection!
Five minutes later, Marcus Camby from the University of Massachusetts was called by David Stern.
Another five minutes later, the Grizzlies selected Shareef Abdur-Rahim with the third pick.
The Milwaukee Bucks selected Stephon Marbury with the fourth pick.
The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Ray Allen with the fifth pick.
The Boston Celtics... at the sixth pick, they did not choose Kobe Bryant, but Antoine Walker!
This greatly disappointed Kobe, sitting at He Ximeng's table. In fact, Kobe had eagerly hoped to enter the league as the sixth pick, but unfortunately, the Celtics ultimately passed on him, missing a great opportunity.
With the seventh pick, the Los Angeles Clippers selected Lorenzen Wright.
With the eighth pick, the New Jersey Nets selected Kerry Kittles! This time, Kobe's disappointment was less intense. He was very interested in joining the Celtics, but less so in joining the Nets.
With the ninth pick, the Dallas Mavericks selected Samaki Walker.
With the tenth pick, the Indiana Pacers selected Dale Dampier.
With the eleventh pick, the Golden State Warriors selected Todd Fuller.
With the twelfth pick, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Vitaly Potapenko.
With the thirteenth pick, the Charlotte Hornets selected... Kobe Bryant!
Yes, Kobe Bryant was still selected at the thirteenth pick, by the Charlotte Hornets! Kobe breathed a sigh of relief, stood up with a smile, and hugged his parents and girlfriend.
He Ximeng had not intended to get involved, but seeing Kobe open his arms to him, He Ximeng, with great respect, quickly stood up and congratulated him while hugging him.
"This was the Lakers' arrangement..." Kobe whispered into He Ximeng's ear.
So, the Lakers had arranged everything long ago! Kobe was actually aware of the Lakers' plan. As long as the Celtics and Nets didn't intercept Kobe at the sixth and eighth picks, his ultimate destination would be the Los Angeles Lakers...
Watching Kobe smile as he put on the Hornets' cap and posed for a photo with David Stern, He Ximeng sincerely admired the cunning of the 17-year-old Kobe, who was already as sly as a little fox!
Next, the Sacramento Kings selected Peja Stojaković with the fourteenth pick.
The Phoenix Suns selected Steve Nash with the fifteenth pick.
With the Hornets' second first-round pick, the sixteenth pick, they selected... Chinese guard He Ximeng from Wake Forest University!
When David Stern announced He Ximeng's name, He Ximeng was bewildered!
Exactly what he had feared had come to pass! The Hornets had intercepted him at this position!
This was bad... What kind of move was this?
He Ximeng couldn't help but look towards the team representative's section, towards the San Antonio Spurs: "Coach Pop, is this the surprise you have for me?"
"Are you really going to Charlotte?" Kobe asked softly as he congratulated He Ximeng.
"This is an unexpected turn of events..."
Kobe shrugged and comforted He Ximeng, "All arrangements are for the best..."
"You have inside information and know that after being drafted by the Hornets, you'll still go to the Lakers... But what about me?"
He Ximeng sighed inwardly, but on his face, he displayed a professional expression of ecstatic joy... Having been married to Kayla for so many years, He Ximeng certainly possessed the basic skills of an actor.
After hugging his mother, John, Duncan, and Kobe, He Ximeng put on the Hornets' cap and went to the draft stage to shake hands and take a photo with David Stern.
"Congratulations, Ximeng! This is a historic moment!"
David Stern congratulated He Ximeng with a beaming smile. "You are the first Chinese player in league history. You have ushered in an era! Under your leadership, I hope that in the near future, a continuous stream of Chinese players will be able to enter this league and bring new and different energy to the league..."
"They will, Mr. Stern! Soon, a group of exceptionally talented Chinese players will follow the path I've paved and come to this league in droves, showcasing our Chinese strength..."
"I eagerly await that day!"
...