Who will be the role players now that everyone's been reborn?

Time flies, and it's June 28, 2005, inside the theater at Madison Square Garden in New York.

The 05 NBA Draft is about to begin; this is a gathering of young, talented players.

Inside the small green room, the so-called "North Carolina Four" surrounded the center like stars around the moon, a testament to the prestige of NCAA champions.

However, the cameras and lights also frequently focused on Deron Williams, Chris Paul, and Richard Felton, the "Big Three" of point guards. There was no way around it; although 05 was definitely a weak draft year, it was a strong draft year for point guards, so the focus naturally had to be on the real protagonists.

In front of the television, Chen Dong calmly watched all of this. The top five lottery picks seemed to have a bright future, but in reality, they were basically all sent to harsh and cold places. Well, with great power comes great responsibility!

Bucks, Hawks, Jazz, Hornets, Bobcats... none of them are attractive. Now she's been married off to a small-market team based on her talent, and she'll still need to prove herself to succeed in the future.

"Whoa..."

Amidst a tsunami of boos, David Stern gave a brief opening speech, officially commencing the 2005 NBA Draft!!!

"In the 2005 NBA Draft, with the first overall pick, the Milwaukee Bucks had five minutes to consider..."

There's nothing to consider!

The Bucks don't need a 183cm tall player to boost ticket sales; they need a center as their cornerstone. Drafting Paul and having him play center? That's unrealistic.

So the Bucks quickly submitted their chosen answer.

In the 2005 NBA Draft, the Milwaukee Bucks selected with the first overall pick in the first round...

Andrew Bogut, center from the University of Utah!

Who is this year's champion team?

The answer is the San Antonio Spurs!

They won the world by acquiring Duncan.

Especially after the "Three Musketeers" era, which shone like a meteor and then quickly faded away, they continued to rely on their core outside player, Michael Reed, as their foundation, but they still couldn't bounce back and had no chance of competing for the championship.

This Bucks team has learned its lesson after getting beaten!

It's not surprising that they copied the Spurs' team-building strategy.

They even go so far as to use insidious methods like tiptoeing.

Of course, Andrew Bogut's marketing was also very effective. In the 04/05 NCAA season, Bogut averaged 20.4 points, 12.2 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.8 blocks per game, with a field goal percentage of 62% and 26 double-doubles. His stats are absolutely solid.

Known as "White Duncan," his physical gifts and on-court performance are undeniable, making him a perfect fit for the Bucks. Just this nickname alone is enough to make the Bucks, who want to copy his style of play, take the gamble.

The draft continues. In this "big ball era" where Jordan is chosen when available and Shaq when not, losing to a top-tier 2.13-meter tall big man is acceptable for Paul and not shameful. After all, Jordan lost back then too.

However, Paul believes the Atlanta Hawks will almost certainly select him with the second overall pick.

With the Hawks having already secured shooting guard Joe Jensen, and boasting rising star Josh Smith and super sixth man Al Harrington at the three and four positions, plus Zaza Pachulia at center, the only thing the Hawks lack is the point guard position.

Last season, this position was filled by Tyronn Lue, Iverson's nemesis, who averaged 13.5 points and 5.4 assists per game, with mediocre offense and terrible defense.

Therefore, his only rival was Deron Williams, who had defeated him.

however……

Not only was Paul proven wrong, but even Deron Williams was baffled by the Hawks' "unexpected" choice.

Stern opened the letter and read aloud, "In the 2005 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected... with the second overall pick in the first round..."

Marvin Williams, a swing forward from the University of North Carolina!

The crowd erupted in uproar. What happened to the promised year for point guards?

After the first and second picks were selected, none of the three point guards from 05 were chosen!

Moreover, the Hawks' selection of Marvin Williams was simply absurd.

It's worth noting that they already have the 2.08-meter-tall, unpredictable scorer Al Harrington, the 2.06-meter-tall, physically powerful Josh Smith, and the 2.06-meter-tall Josh Childress with Magic Johnson's style of play. In addition, they signed the 2.01-meter-tall superstar Joe Jensen in the free market. All of them are all-around players around 2 meters tall. If you add Marvin Williams, who was selected second overall, it would be a starting five-man swing forward lineup.

Goodness, Pat Riley proposed the position ambiguity theory in 1995, claiming that the future of the league belongs to technically versatile swingmen around 2 meters tall.

But one dares to speak out, and the other dares to act; there's no one else like them.

Riley dared to say that it was a reflection from someone who had been defeated by the Bulls dynasty, a summary statement from a loser. It was a reflective statement, meant to be heard but not believed, and certainly not something you would actually dare to put into practice!

Marvin Williams possesses top-tier physical gifts. Standing at 2.03 meters tall, he boasts a 2.20-meter wingspan, explosive power, outstanding speed, exceptional jumping ability, and formidable strength. He plays a tough, physical style, capable of both driving and shooting, and is a well-rounded player with a shooting range extending to the three-point line. He is also a big-game player.

To be honest, if we were to choose a forward/swingman, Marvin Williams would definitely be the top choice among the 2005 draft picks!

But you little cutie, you're choosing the second pick now?

Paul and Delon exchanged a glance; neither of them had expected to lose to Abstract.

Fortunately, they are currently evenly matched, and both are determined to secure the third-place finish in the upcoming competition.

Jazz coach Sloan is a meticulous person and certainly wouldn't do anything abstract.

Moreover, the Jazz have already signed Boozer, who can be seen as Karl Malone. All they need is a top-tier point guard to play the role of Stockton, so they can recreate the once-famous "Utah Twins".

Speaking of the "Twin Towers," and specifically Stockton...

Paul felt confident again.

Because he looks so much like Stockton.

For example, they are all around 1.83 meters tall. When playing pick-and-roll tactics, they have a huge mismatch advantage and can outmatch anyone.

For example, defenders are good at using subtle, hidden moves.

For example, their ability to assist in attacks is outstanding.

Stern read the third letter: "The Utah Jazz selected the third pick in the first round..."

"Point guard Deron Williams from the University of Illinois!"

Delon Williams glanced at Paul with the eyes of a victor, then stood up excitedly, hugged and kissed his mother, and then celebrated with his wife and two-year-old daughter.

Paul was repeatedly proven wrong, and even someone as confident as him was now somewhat bewildered and confused.

Does that mean someone without spiritual roots—or rather, without height—is unworthy of playing in the NBA as a cornerstone player?

No one answered his question.

There was no need to answer, because the Hornets saved him and needed him to save the team. From the moment the tight band was put on him, Paul was no longer an ordinary man, but the king of the Hornets, or simply "King Bee".

In the 2005 NBA Draft, the New Orleans Hornets selected with the fourth overall pick in the first round...

Chris Paul, the point guard from Wake Forest University!

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Chris Paul will likely be the best player in the 2005 NBA draft.

His excellence needs no further explanation. Unfortunately, not every player with a height of 183cm is like Allen Iverson. In the NBA, where height is an absolute advantage, being 183cm tall is definitely a disadvantage.

Of course, whether or not he was drafted high or low does not affect the greatness of Paul's future career.

Just like Kobe in 96, he was only the 13th pick, but that didn't stop him from becoming the strongest player of the 96 golden generation.

At that moment, Kobe's face looked extremely grim.

Because the draft was rushed, the Lakers had to make their tenth pick in a hurry, but the management picked a high school player instead.

As one of the high school draft picks, he understands all too well the development process of playing in the NBA from high school.

Even someone as talented as LeBron James couldn't have achieved his level of success without three years of honing his skills.

Three years later, Kobe, born in 1978, will be 30 years old and will basically be on the decline. Meanwhile, Bynum, who was drafted by the Lakers, will only be 20 years old. A top center at 23 years old is basically unlikely to make it. Then, he will have to wait another three years.

How many more years can he tolerate that stupid Lakers management?

……

The draft continued, and the pick reached the 13th position.

This draft position has produced many exceptionally talented stars throughout NBA history, such as Kobe Bryant in 96, Karl Malone in 85, Richard Jefferson in 01, Zach LaVine in 14, Devin Booker in 15, Donovan Mitchell in 17, and Tyler Herro in 19…

Aside from Karl Malone, who came first, starting with Kobe Bryant, there's a tradition that if you don't know which player to choose, you should pick a shooting guard.

Unfortunately, Jordan's draft judgment has been proven wrong; in a word, it was terrible. He bought a legendary pick but chose Shawn May, a player with a cursed reputation.

Everyone says that the Most Outstanding Player (MOP) of the Final Four is never made, but Jordan didn't believe it and chose the MOP player from the Final Four. He probably had a grudge against the current owner of the Bobcats. Otherwise, it doesn't make sense that as the GOAT of basketball, he would pick a lot of bad draft picks. It's too scientific!

With the 17th pick, the Pacers selected a shooting guard—Danny Granger.

When it comes to draft picks, Larry Bird is miles ahead of Michael Jordan.

It's important to know that Granger had injury concerns and was a senior drafted with a nearly empty talent pool. He averaged 26 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists per game in the NCAA, which looked impressive, but the NBA stage is not on the same level as the NCAA stage. Surprisingly, Granger actually made it big and even competed with LeBron James without being at a disadvantage.

Bird's eye for talent in the draft was something Jordan couldn't match.

However, it turns out that Jordan was better at making money than any other NBA star.

The Bobcats became Jordan's team by losing money, and then they sold the Hornets, making more money than you guys think you have good draft picks!

With that kind of vision, no wonder he's considered a god. Even Jordan's basketball career only saw a comeback at the very end.

……

The Suns selected Nate Robinson with the 21st pick and then traded him to the Knicks.

In front of the television, Chen Dong breathed a sigh of relief. He had performed exceptionally well during his tryout with the Phoenix Suns, and the Suns' management indicated they would draft him. This gave him a scare, as the Suns only had two draft picks at the time: the 21st and the 57th.

If he is selected 21st overall, he will be subject to a four-year child labor contract.

"It seems the Dior template isn't entirely useless after all!"

At the very least, if players continue to play the same style as Diaw, their draft positions will be pushed down.

"If I'm not the 21st pick, how can the Suns sign me?" Chen Dong asked, puzzled. "If the Suns can't sign me, the Heat can do it too."

"Forget it, let's just wait and see!"

The Rockets also did not select Chen Dong with the 24th pick. Although the combination of inside and outside players from China is very marketable, Chen Dong expressed to Yao Ming his desire to play for a championship contender after his tryout with the Rockets.

The Rockets' point guard, shooting guard, and power forward positions are all below championship contender level, so they shouldn't hold each other back.

"If the Rockets force me to sign, I will come to the Rockets, but my only job will be to persuade Yao Ming to end his rookie contract and seek to leave the Rockets."

These were the harsh words Chen Dong uttered to the Rockets' management before leaving.

So, Luther Head brought his talents to the Rockets.

With the 30th pick, the Knicks selected David Lee, a player known for his ability to inherit a fortune if he fails to achieve success.

The first-round picks for the 05 NBA draft have all been determined.

Chen Dong didn't care about being eliminated in the first round. Jokic, who later became the best player in the league, was also a second-round pick.

He can simply wait patiently for the right person to come along.

Strangely, Chen Dong hadn't expected the destined person to appear so unexpectedly.

"In the 2005 NBA Draft, the Atlanta Hawks selected with the 31st overall pick...

Chen Dong, a forward from China studying at Wake Forest University!

Standing in front of the television, Chen Dong was dumbfounded. "What the hell?"

How could it be the Hawks?

"Is it because I'm also a versatile forward/swingman?"

"This is ridiculously abstract!?" Speechless, Chen Dong was nothing but shocked.

Because this is so Hawks!

They really have a soft spot for swingmen around 2 meters tall; otherwise, they wouldn't have made the choice to use the second overall pick to select Marvin Williams and skip over Paul or Deron Williams, whom they needed!