Chapter 28: I Bet He Makes the Top Five

With another game scheduled for the afternoon, the group returned to their hotel at midday to rest.

Inside a luxury suite at the Hampton Hotel, John Gabriel, the Orlando Magic’s Director of Player Personnel, was discussing draft-related matters with General Manager Pat Williams. Gabriel held multiple roles, including Director of Scouting, Chief Scout, and Assistant Coach. He wielded significant influence and authority within the Magic organization, and his recommendations carried immense weight in draft decisions. Thinking of the draft lottery scheduled for the night after next, he remarked, "I hope we have some good luck the night after next."

The Magic had only won 21 games that season, ranking last in the Eastern Conference and second-to-last in the entire league. Their odds of landing the first overall pick were second only to the Minnesota Timberwolves. Williams nodded, his face showing equal anticipation, before asking, "John, it’s time to redefine our draft board."

"What do you mean?" Gabriel asked.

Williams replied, "Tang possesses talent on the same level as O'Neal. No one can ignore his gifts, and neither can I."

Seeing Gabriel nod, he continued, "Tang is similar to Shawn Kemp in that he has no NCAA experience—not even high school league experience. His game experience, fundamentals, and basketball skills don't even compare to 'The Reign Man' at that stage."

"That is one of Tang's biggest weaknesses; his foundation is indeed far inferior to what Kemp had at the time of his draft," Gabriel noted.

Williams pressed on, "But he is not Shawn Kemp. Kemp is a power forward; Tang is a much rarer true center, a center with the same talent as Shaquille O'Neal. Shawn Kemp wasn't worth a massive gamble, but Tang is worth a big one."

He paused, then added in a serious tone, "I don't believe his draft prospects will be like Shawn Kemp's. He definitely won't fall out of the lottery. Conservatively, I expect him to enter the top ten, and if we're bolder, the top five."

If the Magic failed to land a top-three pick in the lottery, their record would place them at either the fourth or fifth pick. If the Timberwolves also missed the top three, they would take the fourth spot, leaving the Magic with the fifth. If the Timberwolves secured a top-three pick, the Magic would take the fourth.

Thus, their preliminary draft board was: O'Neal, Laettner, Mourning, Gugliotta, and LaPhonso Ellis. All were big men, ranging from centers to power forwards. Big men who played closer to the rim were more valuable; even if the team didn't need them, they remained highly sought-after trade assets. But since Williams had suggested that Tang Bei would enter the top five, he was clearly looking to adjust the Magic's draft board to reflect that.

John Gabriel asked sternly, "Pat, are you really betting that he can make the top five?"

Williams nodded. "A month ago, I didn't think he was worth a first-round pick, but I've changed my mind. The reason is simple: his fundamentals and skills are improving, and the speed of that improvement suggests his potential can be realized."

After a few minutes of contemplation, Gabriel spoke. "First, O'Neal must be ranked first; that is beyond doubt."

Williams agreed. "Even if Tang's talent is in the same tier as O'Neal's, O'Neal has NCAA experience and mature center skills—he's ready to play. Tang's future, when it comes down to it, is still uncertain. Selecting him in the top five is a massive gamble. It’s not a gamble on his talent—that’s plain to see—but a gamble that his potential will be realized and that he can refine his fundamentals and skills."

Gabriel added, "If Tang’s skills don't develop, he’ll only be able to rely on raw talent. His future development would definitely not match O'Neal’s, or even Shawn Kemp’s. If he suffers a major injury or ages, he’ll be finished."

"Laettner was elbowed today just by being matched up against Tang. Whether to pick him or Tang is something we need to wait and see," Williams said.

Gabriel noted, "Laettner is a technical interior player with a mid-range jumper and playmaking ability, but his strength and physicality are lacking. I think his movement speed is likely inferior to Tang's as well."

"John, do you want to rank him behind Tang?" Williams asked.

Gabriel thought for a moment and said, "Let’s do as you said: wait, and see what happens after he faces off against Tang."

Williams nodded. "Mourning is also solid. He will become an interior defensive anchor; he must remain in our top five."

"Of course," Gabriel agreed.

The situation was clear. Tom Gugliotta and LaPhonso Ellis were the ones Tang Bei would be replacing to earn a spot in their top five. Ultimately, Gabriel suggested choosing Gugliotta, as Ellis was only 203 centimeters tall in shoes, which would be a disadvantage at power forward.

Only O'Neal was locked in as the undisputed first pick; the other four spots remained fluid. Like the Magic, other teams were also making adjustments, as Tang Bei’s performance had caused his draft stock to soar across the league. The media followed suit, raising his projected draft position from the end of the first round into the lottery, or even higher.

Previously, Tang Bei had barely been on the radar of most media outlets, with no mainstream coverage predicting his draft position. It was only after entering the rookie camp and the first day of physical testing data was released that he truly entered the public eye with favorable reviews. Unfortunately, his performance in the technical drills the next day had lowered those expectations, leading many to predict he would be selected at the end of the first round.

That situation had now changed. ESPN's forecast was the boldest, featured in their midday sports news.

"According to our frontline reporter, Soros, the rookie Tang performed brilliantly at the Chicago pre-draft combine this morning. He shattered the backboard and brought down the entire basket with a two-handed slam, and he knocked the projected first-overall pick, Shaquille O'Neal, to the ground three times during physical play, demonstrating immense power. This will significantly boost his draft stock. Our station conservatively predicts that Tang has a very strong chance of entering the top ten in the first round, if not higher."

"Top ten in the first round?"

On the streets of Los Angeles's Chinatown, Zhang Heli, who was promoting Tsingtao beer at a Chinese supermarket, happened to see the ESPN midday news segment and was utterly astonished. He had gathered some information confirming that Tang Bei was indeed from China, but specific details were hard to come by; there was very little public information available in the United States. He had called acquaintances in the basketball world back home the previous night, and none of them knew of such a talented young man named Tang Bei. He had no idea how the relevant authorities back home would react once they learned of his existence.

Meanwhile, back at their base, Lin Xiaoyan had finished her draft, which was quickly approved by Huang Yuhua and sent back to the main office.

Huang Yuhua held a freshly developed photo and remarked with emotion, "This young man Tang Bei is truly fierce. He actually brought down the entire basketball hoop."

Lin Xiaoyan smiled. "He’s been practicing martial arts since he was a child and eats a lot. But martial arts didn't earn him any money, and he was looked down upon by the villagers back home. At least now he can finally make something of himself."

Huang Yuhua nodded. "He’s still young. Even if he hadn't come to the United States, he could have worked as a coach at a martial arts school later on." He added, "The main office sent word: your previous piece on Tang Bei will be broadcast on tomorrow’s CCTV sports news segment at 21:55 Beijing time."

"That’s wonderful! I truly believe Tang Bei will succeed. He is genuinely talented."