The 2002-03 season has ended.
It was another fiercely competitive season. The Rockets lost more than ten games in the regular season, swept the Jazz and Nets in the playoffs, but also lost to the Lakers and Spurs.
This season's accolades are pretty much complete: Regular Season MVP, Scoring Title, Blocks Title, Three-Point Contest Champion, Slam Dunk Contest Champion, Skills Challenge Champion, All-Star Game MVP, All-Defensive First Team selection, Finals MVP...
at the same time...
Wei Guo also equaled, broke, or set some historical records.
For example, scoring 100 points in a single game, having a 100% free throw percentage for the season, achieving a quadruple-double, etc...
It's fair to say that Wei Guo could have been ranked among the top ten greatest players in history even if he had retired on the spot. However, the Wei Guo myth continues. Since the Rockets were acquired by a mysterious Chinese tycoon, Houston fans have been hoping that Wei Guo could stay in Houston after the season ends.
........
A statement posted on the Rockets' official website after the Houston parade shocked the league!
"At the crossroads, let's shake hands once more and say goodbye!"
That's all there is to it, yet its flavor lingers for a long time.
To whom is this heartfelt farewell addressed?
Are any players leaving? The free agency market hasn't opened yet, and there haven't been any trade rumors surrounding the Rockets, but three players' contracts are expiring: Wesley, Gentry, and Cummings.
This announcement came out not long ago...
Wei Guo gave an interview to the media, stating that he would not stay with the Rockets next season. As for which team he would go to, he had not yet decided, and that he would take Gentry and Cummings with him when he left the Rockets.
The trio of Wei Guo, Gentry, and Cummings was a winning combination, and the biggest contributors to the Rockets' championship victory.
Needless to say, Wei Guo is a good coach, and Gentry was the Coach of the Year last season. As for why they took Cummings with them, it's probably because Cummings and Wei Guo have a good relationship.
Houston fans didn't blame Wei Guo, because he left the city with a championship trophy. They simply bid him farewell, just like the Rockets did.
Wei Guo has become a free agent again.
This news was even more shocking than the Rockets' championship win. The league was shaken, and more than twenty teams embarked on their journey to defend their homeland once again!
Wei Guo said he wanted to take Gentry and Cummings with him, and the team that wanted to sign Wei Guo also wanted to sign Gentry and Cummings.
Cummings didn't care...
Just throw him a middle-class contract and leave him a chair next to the water dispenser.
Gentry is a difficult case. It's impossible for him to become an assistant coach for the team, and Wei Guo wouldn't agree either. The team managers aren't stupid either. In order to win this battle, several team managers have expressed their willingness to give up their head coach positions to Gentry and become his assistant coaches.
Full of sincerity!!!
It all depends on Wei Guo's choice. The team owner is well aware that signing these three players is like having one foot in the finals.
........
Just like last season, Wei Guo brought Britney back to China on the third day after the finals ended.
actually...
Wei Guo didn't spend much money in the US. Britney's earning power was no less than Wei Guo's. Wei Guo didn't touch his salary from last season, so he planned to spend it all after returning home!
More than 50 million US dollars, it's very easy to spend.
Wei Guo went to several places and donated more than fifty Hope Primary Schools, and then the money was all spent.
........
In mid-July 2003, the talent show began!
Wei Guo and Gentry arrived at the draft together; he was there to support his younger brother.
"LeBron James was selected first overall by the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2003 NBA Draft!"
As Stern finished speaking, James, dressed in a white suit, stood up and hugged Wei Guo, then went up on stage and shook hands with Stern.
"The Detroit Pistons selected Carmelo Anthony with the second overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, from Syracuse University!"
"The Miami Heat selected Dwyane Wade with the fourth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft..."
"Fifth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft..."
"Sixth overall pick in the 2003 NBA Draft..."
"Gu Tao, selected 13th overall by the Houston Rockets in the 2003 NBA Draft, comes from Harvard University!"
Gu Tao?
Wei Guo couldn't help but take a few more glances at this player. "Old Jin, let me see Gu Tao's draft report."
Name: Gu Tao
Nationality: Chinese
Height: 1.98m
Weight: 87.7kg
Wingspan: 2.06m
Standing reach: 2.62m
Standing vertical jump: 1.03m
Approaching vertical jump: 1.22m
...
Template: Jordan
The scouting report can be omitted, but the last point is rather alarming: the player's comparison is actually Jordan?
A player's draft template doesn't necessarily reflect their ability, but before this, it seems only Grant Hill had Jordan as his draft template, and even... Kobe's draft report didn't list Jordan as his draft template.
The most talked-about players in this draft class are players like LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and Darko Milicic; not many teams have paid attention to this Chinese player.
estimate...
If the Rockets hadn't drafted Gu Tao, he might not have made it to the first round.
......
One by one, the rookies went up on stage and shook hands with Stern. The selected players were excited and thrilled, while the players whose names had not yet been called were nervous and apprehensive.
"Big brother, I'm going to join the league!"
James exclaimed excitedly, "Finally, I get to play against you on the court!"
Wei Guo smiled and said, "I'm really looking forward to it... You've grown a lot this year, and I believe you can become a player as good as me."
"My older brother is my idol!"
James nodded and said, "I will always follow in your footsteps!"
........
After the draft, the free agency market opens.
It's another turbulent summer, with frequent trades in the league and a series of powerful moves being made in the free agent market.
Whether Wei Guo can sign a contract depends on fate...
However, these teams will not wait anxiously for Weiguo like they did last summer.
The first major blow came from the Lakers. After losing to the Rockets in this year's playoffs, the Lakers signed Malone and Payton, forming a super-luxury F4 lineup.
The 76ers have acquired Big Dog Robinson, further strengthening their roster.
With the signing of Jamison, the Mavericks have assembled a five-star lineup including Nowitzki, Nash, Finley, Walker, and Jamison. It's fair to say that every team is preparing for the new season.
A lively offseason...
On the very last day of July, the loudest bombardment was fired!
A mysterious Chinese tycoon has bought the New Jersey Nets!
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