After the tryout, Woody waited directly in New York.
During this period, Wu's father and mother also came over from China. This was Woody's moment of "flying over the dragon's gate", and Woody also hoped that his parents could witness it with their own eyes.
It's just that after arriving in New York, Woody didn't have time to play with Wu's parents and Wu's mom. He was so popular that many commercial activities and endorsements came to his door.
Woody never misses an opportunity to make money.
In the past few days, he has made five or six announcements almost every day. They are all the kind of stand-up, ribbon-cutting, and can be done in less than half an hour. However, the reward is quite a lot each time. Although Woody's daily income is not as high as these days,
As boasting as US$2.08 million, it must be half or half.
Within three or four days of arriving in New York, Woody had already earned nearly 5 million.
This exaggerated speed of attracting money, despite the bonus of popularity, still surprised Johnson, who had seen the world.
After all, Woody is still a rookie. Apart from LeBron James, who else among this year’s rookies has such commercial value!
What's more, Nike has been signing LeBron James for how long. They have increased publicity overtly and covertly, and coupled with the operation of their team, it can be said that they make a lot of money and spend a lot of money.
And Woody...
Except for Johnson, who carried out a wave of large-scale publicity and spent some money on favors when he won the MVP during the McDonald's All-Star Weekend, he did not deliberately promote public opinion at other times.
Why?
It was also at this time that Johnson suddenly realized that even though Adidas released a promotional video for the signing, Sports Illustrated only released the issue with Woody on the cover a week before the draft, but the popularity of the public opinion was really scary.
Got it!
Is there anyone else behind this?
Johnson made some inquiries through his own channels.
The results excited him.
"Man, I just got some great news..."
"Secrets from within the alliance!"
"The president's office deliberately promoted the exposure of the topic about you!"
This news really made Woody stunned for a moment. He opened his mouth but said nothing. Johnson was not surprised by his reaction. When he first heard the news, his head was buzzing.
But after he finished analyzing it, he felt that this was completely normal.
"Do you know how much profit your compatriot created for Alexander during his rookie season with the Rockets?"
Johnson held out a finger, which was very thick.
"100 million!"
How much was the salary cap for the entire league last season?
Less than 50 million!
The salary cap is calculated by dividing 48% of last season's total revenue by 30 teams.
In other words, last year, the entire league made about 3 billion, and Yao Ming alone brought 1/30 of the entire league to the Rockets!
The potential of the Chinese market has just begun to be tapped, and it has already created such revenue. As a Chinese, Woody, although not like Yao Ming, grew up under the witness of domestic fans.
But his skin is destined to have huge Chinese market potential.
It would be weird if David Stern didn't give him a little "little" help!
"Man, even if you go to Detroit, you don't have to worry about not being exposed!"
Johnson comforted Woody.
In the past two days, the noise about the Pistons' tendency to choose Woody has become louder and louder!
Fortunately, Woody figured it out. Whether it was a "smoke bomb" from the Pistons management or they really wanted to choose themselves, as the selected party, he would always be the passive party.
There is no alternative but to be chosen.
Just try your best to be yourself!
What's wrong with making so much money and feeling a little wronged?
On the eve of the draft, Johnson also arranged various endorsement brands for Woody.
From the leather shoes on his feet to the suits on his body, everything is sponsored by the brand. The two suits that Woody bought on impulse before were actually not used. But it’s okay. In the future, he will inevitably wear suits on occasions, so he will always use them.
Up.
Early the next morning, Johnson brought several female assistants to fix Woody's hair and suit.
Professional people do professional things.
Woody just let them manipulate him and be responsible for the handsome appearance at the end.
Wu's father and mother were looking at their son's neat appearance, and they were also full of joy. Wu's mother wiped the corners of her eyes unconsciously. Wu Erzhuang was advising from the side: "Sister-in-law, why are you crying, Xiaodi?"
It’s a great day, you and my brother will get better and better in the future!”
Dad Wu was also comforting him: "It's over, it's over. Xiaodi has really grown up now!"
After getting ready, Woody and Johnson, Wu's father, Wu's mother and Wu Erzhuang...
Oh, by the way, there’s also his second uncle’s new girlfriend!
This is Woody’s second uncle’s fourth girlfriend after his birthday party.
Still blond and blue-eyed, still bulging forward and backward, still full of S-shaped curves.
Facts have proved that there are girls who worship money everywhere. The difference is that these girls in Western countries are more direct and bold.
I really dare to pounce on you with just a wave of my hand!
But Woody is not worried about his second uncle being defrauded of money, because his second uncle...
Except for four to five thousand living expenses, Woody gave him no money at all.
This is Wu Erzhuang's own meaning.
When Woody wanted to put 200,000 on his card that day, he said this: "Xiao Di, the second uncle is getting older and you have become more successful, so the second uncle wants to enjoy it in the remaining days.
, but the second uncle is a person who is easily impulsive. He knows that people won’t take advantage of my age or that I don’t take a shower, but if he has fun, the money may be defrauded. I think it’s better to leave the money to you.
Better yet, just give me some living expenses, so even if I fall for it, I’ll treat it as a prostitute!”
I have to say that my second uncle is very shrewd when it comes to money-related matters!
Moreover, after all, I’m used to being poor, so I just want to have sex for free!
but……
With his brand-name suits and Rolex watches, let alone that, he is really a "free prostitute"!
Didn’t you see how diligent this girlfriend is?
But foreign girls are also really fierce. Even his second uncle's spear, which has not been sharpened for forty years, has lost a lot of weight visibly. Even Dad Wu noticed it, and he gave Woody a bear when he first arrived in New York.
: "You kid, has your second uncle treated you badly these years? Even though you are rich, you don't know how to honor your second uncle? And you still make your second uncle work so hard!"
Of course, after staying in New York for a few days, Dad Wu never said this again.
They arrived very early, and there were not many people in the "little green room" at the draft site.
The family arrived very early.
However, as soon as Woody sat down, he was pulled by the media to start accepting interviews, one after another. During this period, Woody also saw Su Qun and Yang Yi passing in front of him and said hello to him. After setting up the machine,
I took advantage of the break in the interview to chat with him for a few words.
They wanted to schedule an interview with Woody after the draft.
Woody asked "Magic" Johnson and found out that the interview immediately after the game had been promised to the ESPN interview team as a bargaining chip, so if Su Qun and Yang Yi wanted to be interviewed, they might have to wait for about two hours.
.
Unexpectedly, Yang Yi said: "Don't say two hours, you have to wait ten hours. Woody, you don't know. Since you stubbornly refused to renew your contract with Nike, now the country is paying more attention to you!"
In the eyes of domestic fans, the contract extension that Nike offered to Yao Ming was a purely insulting offer. This is also the reason why Johnson and Woody directly refused to sign with Nike.
First, Nike renewed the contract with Yao Ming first, and Woody signed with Nike later. If Woody had signed at that time, it would be easy for domestic fans to think that Woody took advantage of Yao Ming;
Second, Nike's offer is too insulting. Woody has to take a stand and stand firmly on Yao Ming's side.
Judging from the results, Woody is not at a loss. In order to steal him, Adidas gave him the exact same contract and bonus clauses. And now it seems that domestic fans have more expectations for him!
Huaxia Market is definitely the "big backer" behind Woody!
Apart from anything else, David Sternken secretly helped to promote his popularity. Apart from Woody's own good performance, do you dare to say that it has nothing to do with the "Chinese market"?
When it comes to performance, Carmelo Anthony should be the most popular rookie right now!
After the three-four-hour interview ended, Woody returned to his seat. By this time, the "Little Green Room" was almost full.
Next to Woody is a white guy. He is tall. Even if he is sitting, he can be seen to be at least 2.10 meters tall. He has a large frame and obvious muscle lines.
The facial features are three-dimensional, and the face shape is very standard for a handsome European guy.
But the most eye-catching thing about him is his beige hair color. Under the light, it looks white and yellow, and seems to be shining.
Woody has seen him on the news:
"Europe's Golden Boy" Darko Milicic!
According to public opinion, Woody has become the biggest competitor of the Pistons.
The common view among the outside world is that the Pistons' first choice is Woody, and their second choice is Milicic.
At this time, the latter also noticed that Woody was sitting next to him, looked up and down, and laughed disdainfully, as if to say:
Why are you arguing with me?
Woody looked at him like this and wanted to laugh a little.
Are you treating me as a competitor?
He wanted to tell Milicic:
I really don’t want to go to the Pistons. If I had to choose, I would definitely give up this position to you!
In addition to Milicic being wary of Woody, LeBron James, who was sitting in the other corner, also turned his head in Woody's direction from time to time and glanced at him.
Originally, officials had placed his and Woody's seats next to each other.
After he learned about this, he immediately asked the team to adjust to a position completely opposite to Woody's position on the grounds that "it was inconvenient to be interviewed." He did not want to be in the same frame as Woody.
If the Cavaliers management chooses Woody instead of him, he is afraid that he will not be able to control his expression.
Gloria expresses regret…
Woody turned around and looked around, but didn't see Perkins, so he sent him a text message:
——Man, you didn’t come to the scene?
Perkins replied:
——Man, if I had your ability, I would definitely go to the scene, forget it now!
——Then what should you do if you are selected?
——It’s okay. It only takes five minutes from the hotel to the venue. It’s in time! It’s not too late... Do you think I can make it into the first round?
——Needless to say, brother, I have always had absolute trust in your abilities!
When Perkins saw this text message, he felt that his whole heart was being warmed.
Woody is truly my "old enemy"!
This feeling of sympathy between "old enemies" made him feel great!
After a long wait, David Stern finally took the stage.
During this period, Su Qun and Yang Yi came to take a "family photo" for Woody.
The moment David Stern came up, there was a huge boo at the venue. The little Jew was obviously very adaptable to such an occasion, and he had to go through it once a year. If he wasn't adaptable, who would be?
Calmly adjusting the microphone in front of him, he also slowly inspected the members of the "Little Green Room" in the audience.
I don’t know if it was Woody’s illusion, but he felt David Stern smiled when he looked at him.
What a friendly smile!
"Okay everyone, ladies and gentlemen, and all the rookies who are about to enter the NBA, you have been waiting for a long time, and now I announce that the 2003 draft has officially begun!"
David Stern started with his usual official talk, and then the most exciting moment arrived...
When the staff entered the stage from the backcourt, the big screen immediately focused on the envelope in his hand.
There is the answer to this year’s “top pick”!
The camera then slid over the faces of LeBron James, Woody and Carmelo Anthony.
LeBron James leaned forward slightly because of nervousness, his mouth was slightly open, and his eyes were fixed on the court. Looking at it like this, I am afraid that his expression will not change before the final result is announced.
When people are nervous, their facial expressions will indeed change.
It wasn't until the Goodman brothers next to him reminded him that he finally reacted and immediately regained his calm expression.
Woody lowered his head and did not let the cameras on the sidelines capture his expression.
He was also a little nervous, but what he was nervous about was...
Don't pick me, Cleveland. I've already brought a championship to Akron, so don't repay a favor with a grudge!
You have your own "sons of Cleveland", don't be stupid!
"With the first pick in the first round of the 2003 NBA draft, the Cleveland Cavaliers selected... LeBron James, from St. Mary's High School!"
yes!
Very good!
The former sentence was shouted by LeBron James in his heart, and the latter sentence was shouted by Woody in his heart.
LeBron James stood up immediately, and Woody also stood up immediately.
"Nice, nice!"
"Great, great!"
"Man, we did the first step, then the second..."
The Goodman brothers were very excited and hugged LeBron and kept talking, but LeBron had already turned to hug Gloria next to him.
"Mom, I entered the NBA, I became the number one pick, Mom!"
Gloria had already burst into tears. All her worries from when LeBron James was born to now disappeared at this moment.
"LeBron, I will always be proud of you!"
As LeBron stood up and walked towards David Stern in the center of the stage, the camera began to switch to other rookies.
Woody had already stood up, applauding and waiting, his face full of congratulations, without a trace of regret, all from the heart.
LeBron James, who had previously avoided appearing on the same screen with him, seemed to have remembered the friendship between the two people at this moment, and even hugged him when passing by.
"Man, I look forward to seeing you on stage soon!"
Looking at LeBron James' expression, Woody could feel what he said:
This time, I finally won!
Woody smiled and nodded.
But this smile fell in the eyes of LeBron James. He felt that Woody's smile at this moment was very forced!
Typical "I don't want what you think, I want what I feel"!
This made his steps towards the stage a little more brisk...
In the 2003 draft where there were so many talented people, the "number one pick" position was still mine after all!
Following David Stern's handshake and taking a photo, and looking at the rookies in the audience, LeBron James finally set his sights on Woody.
We’ll see!
Let's see who will become the most successful "03 generation" in the NBA!
After the suspense of the "number one pick" was revealed, the second pick in the first round followed.
The camera once again kept switching between Woody and Milicic's faces.
These two are currently the favorites. Woody once again buried his head and muttered in his heart extremely nervously: Don't choose me, don't choose me!
This is the last hurdle. As long as the Pistons don't select him, the Nuggets, the holder of the third pick in the first round, will definitely not select him either, because they didn't try out Woody at all.
after……
Toronto, Miami!
These are big cities!
There was an interval of about 5 minutes, but Woody felt that more than ten days had passed. Finally, David Stern's voice sounded again:
"With the second pick in the first round of the 2003 draft, the Detroit Pistons selected... Darko Milicic, from Serbia!"