Chapter 57

"Editor, the news reports from the front have all been sent back, take a look."

On the evening of November 16, 1993, at 11 PM, in the domestic basketball department of USA Today's headquarters in Reston, Virginia, despite the late hour, a large number of staff members were still active in the not-so-large office.

As the largest daily newspaper in circulation in the United States and the first comprehensive newspaper covering everything, USA Today's daily content volume is unmatched by other media. This is the reason why this young newspaper, which has only been in publication for 11 years, has defeated a large number of top media outlets in the United States, such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and The Chicago Tribune, to reach the top.

Although USA Today is known for its comprehensive coverage, the basketball section of the newspaper is almost the most authoritative among all American media, especially in the area of young players, such as the draft, NCAA, and high school leagues. This year, the reason why Lin Han, Hardaway, Mashburn, and Laettner are called the "Four Little Super Swingmen" is because this media has said so, and everyone has accepted it.

"My goodness, it's unbelievable, another 60+ points, 30 out of 46 shots for 68 points, how is this possible? Two 60+ point games in the first five career games, it's simply unbelievable?"

"Editor, this is too unbelievable. Also, Hardaway scored 41 points and 11 assists in this game. What did these two guys do in this game?"

"The video will be here soon, we can take a good look. This game must have been very interesting."

When all the staff members saw the NBA season report in their hands, they all gasped. Although they could have turned on the TV to watch the game, it was clear that although the basketball department was just a small division of USA Today, the things they needed to pay attention to were not small. Although they were very interested in the performance of this year's super rookies, their main focus was always on the NCAA and high school leagues. NBA games were not their top priority, even the matchup between Hardaway and Lin Han. And even though they were not short of money, there was no need to add a full-time observer after having on-site reporters.

"Editor, it looks like the front page headline will change again tomorrow. Poor Grant Hill, how long has it been since he was on the front page? This year's group of rookies is really crazy, just as the editor predicted."

As the editor of the basketball department of USA Today, Alex Rock directly stated after the draft this year that this year's rookies were even better than the 1984 class. After returning from the Chicago talent camp, Alex directly ranked the unknown rookie Lin Han in the early second round. As the largest newspaper in circulation in the United States, rigor is essential. At the time, Alex's decision was not rigorous, and most of his media peers were ready to mock his mistake. But now, no one thinks it was wrong for Alex to rank Lin Han 30th, and even that ranking is too low.

"It seems that American basketball is about to welcome a true golden generation, one that surpasses the 1984 class."

Finally, Alex put down the report in his hand and sighed, thinking to himself. This year's Lin Han, Hardaway, Mashburn, Laettner, and the middle schooler Chris Webber, who is having a falling out with his coach, along with Grant Hill, Kidd, and Glen Robinson, who are about to enter the league, and the super star Allen Iverson, a senior at Bethel High School in Virginia, and Ronnie Fields, a sophomore at Farragut High School in Chicago, who averages 30+10+4+4+4 per game, with a vertical jump of 130 cm, and can already dunk from the free-throw line, is already determined to be a future NBA success. Of course, besides Ronnie Fields, another talent named Kevin Garnett at Farragut High School is also noteworthy. Although his talent is overshadowed by Ronnie Fields, his potential is no less. It's unknown whether these two can defeat the Mount Carmel High School team led by Antoine Walker in the Chicago high school league.

Thinking about the sudden emergence of a large number of high school and NCAA super talents in recent years, Alex always has an incredible feeling. He has been reporting on basketball for over a decade, having followed Jordan, been amazed by Olajuwon's talent, and witnessed the death of the Celtics' super rookie Len Bias. Generally, one or two talents a year is normal. If several emerge in a year, it's considered a golden generation. Now, it's not just several in a year, but a flood. If they all entered the NBA draft in the same year, the entire NBA would go crazy.

"By the way, there was a rumor recently that a freshman named Tim Duncan at Wake Forest University in the ACC defeated Alonzo Mourning in a one-on-one game this summer. I wonder if it's true? But since the Charlotte Hornets' point guard Muggsy Bogues is a Wake Forest alumnus and Charlotte is not far from Wake Forest, it's possible that Mourning was brought to his alma mater by Bogues and had some interaction with Duncan. Perhaps this Tim Duncan is another super talent."

Although Mourning, a pride of Virginia, is only considered a second-tier star in the NBA, USA Today pays more attention to him than some first-tier stars. After all, he is a local, and Alex highly values him. Alex is very clear about Mourning's strength; there are fewer than 15 players in the NBA who can defeat Mourning one-on-one. If a high school graduate can defeat him, even in an informal setting, it's enough to shock everyone. This represents something everyone can imagine.

"Perhaps Michael should regret leaving the NBA too early. This sudden emergence of a new golden generation of talents might really have one who can challenge Michael's status. In a few years, Ewing, Olajuwon, Drexler, Pippen, or Malone might tremble under their challenge."

At this moment, Alex was lost in his own future fantasies.

...

"Alice, did I really get another reward for scoring 68 points today? It's not another Wilt Chamberlain training card, is it? The card is nice, but if I still can't master Wilt's skills, it would be a real tragedy."

After the game between the Magic and the Jazz, Lin Han, the focus of the game, was surrounded by a group of reporters in the locker room. These guys never asked if Lin Han was happy about scoring high and defeating Hardaway. Instead, they immediately criticized whether Lin Han took too many shots, if his teammates were unhappy, and why he didn't know better when Hardaway let him go, which annoyed Lin Han to no end.

Now Lin Han finally understood why Coach Jerry Sloan didn't let him do the formal post-game interview. Clearly, if Lin Han sat down for an interview, he wouldn't be able to escape. This informal interview was better; if Lin Han was dissatisfied, he could just leave. That's what he did today, returning to the hotel alone.

Lin Han really didn't understand why, despite his excellent performance, those people still treated him this way, which made him very depressed. However, upon returning to the hotel, Lin Han received some good news. For breaking the rookie scoring record, he received another purple-gold reward.

"This is your reward, familiar, right? Start the draw, congratulations on breaking your scoring record."

When Lin Han entered the special space and saw the familiar lottery wheel, he gasped. This thing is really good; the Kobe-style fadeaway jump shot he uses now was drawn from here.

1. 20 free attribute points

2. 20 happiness points

3. 10% luck

4. Regular version of the Air Jordan 7

5. Stockton's physical attribute template card

6. Steve Nash's personal defensive attribute skill template card

7. Tracy McGrady's pull-up jump shot skill card

8. Wilt Chamberlain's 10-hour training card

9. Dwyane Wade's crossover dribble skill card

These nine items include skill cards, attribute points, and equipment, all of which are very excellent and comprehensive. Except for the principle that one of the nine items must be a trap, the Stockton physical attribute template card is a huge trap, the rest are all good. Lin Han found them all very useful after drawing them.

Of course, what Lin Han currently lacks is a true defensive item, especially since being dominated in every game is not a good feeling. In the early games, Lin Han could still dominate others, but in the later games, he could already imagine that his 1% luck would mean missing every shot. The future was already bleak. Nash's card, however, not only includes defensive attribute points but also defensive skills, making it the most useful item for Lin Han at the moment.

"Alice, is Steve Nash a superstar?" Lin Han asked weakly. He knew he couldn't ask about the items during the draw, but he needed to confirm a little.

"Yes, two-time NBA regular season MVP," Alice said with a smile, her beautiful eyes twinkling.

Of course, Alice's answer was the information Lin Han needed, and even better. Two-time NBA regular season MVP? Even offensive superstars have decent defense, and if Nash's defense could reach Jordan's level, it would be a huge win.

"It's you, Steve Nash's personal defensive attribute skill template card."

With that, Lin Han pressed his right hand firmly on the draw button of the lottery machine.

(Seeking recommendations)

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