Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 171 - 122: Draft Assembly

New York.

The Madison Square Garden Arena Small Theater.

Rookies had gathered for the annual draft day.

Inside the office designated for the Phoenix Suns, Chen Yu, Brian, and Skiles were sitting together, raising their glasses and chatting casually.

"Chen, have you seen the news? I heard the Wizards originally wanted to pick that big guy from China, but his team laid out some ridiculous conditions. Apparently, they wanted the Wizards to pay a thirty-million-US-dollar buyout fee and even give them a player of equal caliber."

"It’s a complete joke! Thirty million US dollars? Do they think that big guy is Shaq?" Brian had already downed several glasses, a flush creeping onto his face as he vented to Chen Yu.

Chen Yu paused for a moment. "This big guy from China you’re talking about... is his last name Yao? I heard David mention him."

Chen Yu didn’t know the specifics, but he knew that Stern had always wanted to break into the Chinese NBA market and had been planning to get players from China to participate in the draft.

It seemed there was a promising prospect this year, someone named Yao something.

’I can’t believe the Wizards actually went to scout him.’

"If Michael was willing to pick him, then he must be very good." Being targeted by the Wizards, who held the number one pick, certainly meant he was special.

Brian nodded. "Of course. I saw in the media reports that he’s 7-foot-6. To be that tall and still so agile is just incredible. If only we had the number one pick."

Hearing this, Skiles, who was sitting nearby, couldn’t help but laugh.

’The number one pick? What’s he dreaming about?’

"He didn’t enter the draft this year, so what about next year? He’ll probably enter then, right? If you’re really serious about it, why don’t we just tank next season?" Skiles raised his glass. If they were to tank, his life as head coach would be a breeze.

"Don’t talk nonsense." Brian quickly shook his head. "Next season, our goal is the championship!"

At this, he glanced at Chen Yu.

How far the Phoenix Suns could go next season truly depended on Hardaway, and on Chen Yu.

Chen Yu ignored his gaze. He had already explained Hardaway’s recovery status more than once.

"You should worry about how to sign Hakeem first," Chen Yu said.

Brian shrugged nonchalantly. "Worst case, we give the Rockets two draft picks. They’re rebuilding, so they’ll agree eventually."

After so many years with the Rockets, Olajuwon definitely wouldn’t leave as a free agent. There had to be some price to pay.

Besides, they were aiming for the championship next year, so draft picks weren’t that valuable.

Chen Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "It sounds like you’ve already reserved next year’s championship title."

Brian chuckled and clinked his glass against Skiles’.

A lineup of Olajuwon, Robinson, Marion, Hardaway, and J Kidd... he felt that was more than enough.

Skiles said, "It all depends on how much Hakeem has left in the tank. I’m not asking for much, I just need him to be able to contain O’Neal."

In the West, if you wanted to win the championship, the Lakers were the insurmountable mountain you had to climb.

And to deal with the Lakers, the key was the frontcourt.

Although Olajuwon was older, he should be very experienced in dealing with O’Neal. And even if his age meant he couldn’t stop him defensively, he could still provide consistent offensive output.

It was possible to beat the Lakers through offense as well.

"So we still need a bruiser-type big man," Skiles added.

Gugliotta was also a finesse center who preferred mid-range shots near the basket. The Phoenix Suns still needed to stockpile a strong, heavy frontcourt player to swarm O’Neal in the paint.

Chen Yu nodded. "Then we should just stick with picking Elton Ford. He’s 270 pounds, after all."

This year, the Phoenix Suns only had one second-round pick.

So they only held simple tryouts for a few players, and Chen Yu participated in the entire process, mainly responsible for health screenings.

Among the three players they tried out, the heaviest was Elton Ford from the University of Houston.

He was plenty strong, at 270 pounds, or 124 kilograms. 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

Speaking of which, Chen Yu couldn’t help but complain, "So, what did you guys have me come here for? Don’t you know my clinic is busy?"

They didn’t even have a first-round pick, just a lottery-ticket-like second-rounder. Coming here was just for show, and Chen Yu hadn’t wanted to come at all.

Besides, there was no precedent for a team doctor attending the draft.

Brian raised his glass. "An all-expenses-paid trip, a five-star hotel... isn’t that reason enough?"

"Enough."

Chen Yu picked up his glass. ’If it weren’t for that, you think I would’ve shown up?’

Just as they were talking, Stern walked up to the podium on TV. The draft was officially underway.

Chen Yu sat up a little straighter. He was actually quite curious about who would be the number one pick.

"I saw a report saying Michael is planning another comeback?" On the TV, the hosts were discussing the Wizards’ pick when Skiles spoke up.

Chen Yu was taken aback. "Another comeback?"

’How old is that old rascal this year? 38, right?’

Across from him, Brian curled his lip in disdain. "That’s fake news. It’s just Abi Polin trying to stir up hype, deliberately leaking it."

Chen Yu nodded in agreement. When he’d met with David Falcao earlier, he hadn’t heard anything about Jordan making a comeback.

’The main thing is, at his age, why would he come back?’

On the floor, the Wizards quickly made their selection.

Kwame Brown!

"I knew it would be him," Brian said, pouting with a hint of envy. "Strong upper body, outstanding athleticism, and speed and explosiveness you don’t expect from a big man. His skills are so well-rounded, he doesn’t seem like a high schooler at all. If we had gotten him and let Hakeem mentor him for a couple of years, he would’ve definitely become an All-Star."

Chen Yu waved a hand in front of his face.

"What are you doing?"

Chen Yu teased, "Just checking if you’re awake. ’Get him’? He’s the first-ever high schooler to be a number one pick, and you don’t even have a first-round pick to dream with. And ’let Hakeem mentor him for two years’? Don’t forget, you haven’t even signed Hakeem yet."

"By the way, quite a few teams are pursuing Hakeem," Chen Yu added.

After his surgery, Olajuwon had given an interview to reporters, saying that Chen Yu told him the operation was a complete success and would fully resolve his knee and back problems. He said he was recovering well and would definitely stay healthy next season.

A healthy Olajuwon, even at 38 years old, was still a very attractive prospect.

Just look at Ewing, who was a year older and still starting for the Supersonics.

Therefore, before the trade market opened, there were plenty of rumors about Olajuwon.

The Magic, the Raptors, and the Heat were all interested in him.

Even the Rockets themselves felt like they were letting a big fish get away. Some media outlets reported that Alexander had changed his mind and no longer wanted to let the team’s legendary player go.

Chen Yu’s words made Brian’s face flush. He huffed and said, "Chen, you just watch. I will definitely sign Hakeem."

The draft proceeded quickly. Once the number one pick was confirmed, Chen Yu didn’t pay much attention to the rest of it.

In the second round, the Phoenix Suns selected Elton Ford as planned.

Chen Yu sent a message to Lexi, asking where she wanted to go hang out in a bit.

Lexi had been incredibly busy lately, so he took this opportunity to bring her along to relax.

A suitable meniscus transplant for Baggio hadn’t been found yet, so the surgery had to be postponed again.

Lexi hadn’t replied yet, but Chen Yu received a text from Stern. He knew Chen Yu was there and asked him to wait for him for a moment after it was over.

Chen Yu furrowed his brow slightly, wondering why Stern wanted to see him.

’Could it be about the Players’ Union?’

Chen Yu had heard the news and had even called Ewing, so he knew he was preparing to step down as the president of the Players’ Union.

The selection for the next president of the Players’ Union hadn’t started yet.

’I’m not just the head of the league’s player health management department; I’m also part of the Players’ Union. After all, the Players’ Union pays half my salary.’

’Does Stern want to win me over and have me recommend a candidate he supports?’

Before long, the Spurs made the final pick of the night, and the draft officially concluded.

Brian stood up and patted Skiles on the shoulder, asking him to go meet Elton Ford on his behalf.

He couldn’t be bothered to go for a second-round pick.

Chen Yu didn’t go back to the hotel with Brian, instead turning to find Stern.

In a luxury suite in the theater, Chen Yu met Stern.

There was another middle-aged man there, and the two were chatting.

When they saw Chen Yu enter, both men stood up at the same time.

"Chen, let me make an introduction." Stern pointed to the middle-aged man and introduced him to Chen Yu.

"The Football Association?"

Chen Yu was genuinely stunned.

This short, middle-aged white man with a small head and big ears was actually the president of the United States Soccer Federation, Robert Contiguglia. And a Ph.D., at that.

The key thing was, Chen Yu didn’t even know the United States had a Football Association.

After all, in the United States, soccer was an extremely niche sport.

Contiguglia was a friendly-looking man. Seeing Chen Yu’s expression, he guessed what he was thinking and said with a hint of gloom, "Chen, have you forgotten? We’ve even hosted a World Cup."

Chen Yu was stunned again.

’That’s right, the United States hosted the ’94 World Cup.’

But seven years ago, he seemed to still be in medical school. Perhaps he was too busy studying, as Chen Yu had no recollection of it whatsoever.

"My apologies. It’s a pleasure to meet you." Feeling he had been a bit rude, Chen Yu quickly shook the man’s hand and apologized.

Contiguglia waved it off, unconcerned. He had clearly encountered this sort of thing many times before.

The three of them sat down. After some simple pleasantries, Chen Yu asked why Contiguglia wanted to see him.

Contiguglia was in New York on a layover for a business trip. He and Stern knew each other; back when the United States was forming its professional soccer league, he had often sought Stern’s advice. Since he happened to be in town during the draft, he came over to join in the excitement.

Then, during their conversation, he heard Chen Yu was also present and asked to meet him.

"Here’s the situation. There’s a player on the National Team, I’m not sure if you’ve heard of him, named Landon Donovan. He’s very young and very talented, one of the most important players on the team. Last year he was playing in Germany, but during the winter break, he was loaned back to the United States to play for the California San Jose Earthquake."

"He’s been having a persistent problem with his right groin, constantly straining it, and it never seems to heal properly. I’ve been following his situation, and I’ve also been following you. I know you’ve performed surgery and provided treatment for world-class stars like Ronaldo and Redondo."

As president of the United States Soccer Federation, Contiguglia understood far better than others what names like Ronaldo represented and just how high their status was in the world of soccer.

"So, I’d like to ask for your help in treating Landon’s injury. At the same time, I would also like to invite you to become the National Team’s doctor for next year," Contiguglia said with a broad smile.

Treating Donovan’s injury was one thing, but the bigger reason Contiguglia wanted to meet Chen Yu was to invite him to be the National Team’s doctor.

They were in desperate need of a top-tier orthopedic expert with superb medical skills who also understood sports medicine.