Silent Love

Some exist with pride, others struggle with pride, some compete with pride, and there are those who fail with pride, but very few can walk away with pride. 
Congratulations, for as you read these lines, you have witnessed the whole lives of many great basketball players.
This pronunciation was embodied when Stephen Curry, after facing defeat in 2021, claimed that no one would want to face them the following season; When Tim Duncan was convinced before the start of the 2014 Finals that they would not mess up; When Kobe Bryant promised at Old Buss's memorial to take the Lakers to the playoffs; When Nowitzki, shedding his label as a soft player, retreated to the locker room in tears at night; When Kevin Garnett let out a skyward howl after holding the championship trophy; When the 2004 Detroit Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost…

Our story begins in an era when pride still mattered.

Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

But for young players, being linked with a superstar is undoubtedly an honor.


The top draft spot for Simmons was secured after his first NCAA game.


Ingram, dubbed Little Durant, never came close.


European wunderkind Dragan Bender was shrouded in too many uncertainties.


None of the remaining players could challenge Simmons with raw talent for sale, and as for instant impact? That was even less of a consideration. Simmons' top draft position was stable due to his peerless combat power at his age, coupled with high talent.


The Philadelphia 76ers' unrestrained tanking led to a 15-win season and, as they wished, the top draft pick.


The cost of doing so was the league's resistance to "Trust the Process" architect Sam Hinkie, who was fired after the 76ers secured this year's top draft pick.


Hinkie's resignation letter also completely avoided the issue.


Chapter 620: Not That Regret_3