Chapter 47: Denver? Altitude's Got Me Nervous!

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Herb Sendek was invited to attend the draft ceremony.

However, he had little understanding of Wang Song's draft prospects, as most of the arrangements were handled by David Falk and Wang Song himself.

Thus, when the first two picks were announced, Herb began to feel anxious.

It wasn't just about the unknown—it was about the stakes.

Being selected at the top of the draft could ensure Wang Song's spot as a foundational player on any team. But if he slipped toward the tail end of the first round, his chances of starting in his rookie season—even on weaker teams—would be uncertain.

This also directly impacted Herb's own career prospects.

A coach joining a team with a high-profile rookie was a world apart from one relegated to a bottom-feeder franchise.

The draft continued.

As Stern prepared to announce the next pick, Herb held his breath.

Then it came—the unmistakable pronunciation of an unfamiliar Chinese name:

"With the third pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Denver Nuggets select... Wang Song from the North Carolina Wolfpack!"

David Stern, ever professional, gave the name his best shot. His enthusiastic announcement reflected the league's eagerness to expand into the Asian market.

The arena erupted into whispers and cheers.

Herb nearly jumped out of his seat, unable to contain his excitement.

David Falk, meanwhile, maintained his calm, confident demeanor, as if everything was unfolding just as planned.

"David, does this mean I'm heading to Denver? I'm not great with altitude!" Herb exclaimed, equal parts excitement and worry.

"Relax, Herb," Falk replied, waving off the concern. "Everything's under control."

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Carmelo Anthony, meanwhile, was visibly unsettled.

Leading up to the draft, Denver had repeatedly hinted that they would select the Syracuse standout.

The sudden change left everyone in the arena—and watching from home—buzzing.

"Unbelievable! Denver passed on Carmelo Anthony!"

"They took a center? But they already have Marcus Camby!"

"Maybe losing to Wang Song in the NCAA Tournament hurt Anthony's stock."

The chatter grew louder as players, family members, and agents speculated.

Even so, Carmelo remained composed, his face betraying only a faint hint of frustration.

As Stern moved on to announce subsequent picks, the uncertainty only deepened:

"With the fourth pick in the 2003 NBA Draft, the Toronto Raptors select Chris Bosh from Georgia Tech..."

"With the fifth pick, the Miami Heat select Dwyane Wade from Marquette University..."

Still, no mention of Carmelo Anthony.

The tension in the room was palpable, particularly among players who had faced Wang Song in the NCAA Tournament.

Eventually, the Knicks took Carmelo with the sixth pick.

While it was a significant slide for a player once considered a potential No. 1 overall pick, Carmelo's expression remained calm.

Deep down, however, he couldn't ignore the sting of seeing both LeBron James and Wang Song leapfrog him.

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### Across the Ocean

In China, NewFox Sports was abuzz with excitement.

The broadcaster had become the nation's leading sports outlet following Wang Song's announcement of his NBA draft entry. The network had even secured online streaming rights for NBA games—a significant milestone despite the country's limited internet infrastructure.

Inside the company's live chatroom, fans and commentators celebrated as Wang Song donned the Denver Nuggets cap.

"Unbelievable! Wang Song just became the first Chinese player to be drafted third overall in NBA history!"

"Wang Song and Yao Ming—a twin tower duo from China!"

Broadcaster Bai Yang, now a permanent member of NewFox Sports, furiously typed his excitement into the chat:

**"Denver Nuggets select Wang Song with the third pick! What a moment for Chinese basketball!"**

The live chat exploded:

**— "What?! Denver's been so quiet about this! No leaks at all!"**

**— "Wang Song deserves it! I wouldn't be surprised if Cleveland had tried to grab him at the top spot!"**

**— "Something feels off, though. Detroit worked so hard to get Wang Song, only to end up with that Serbian center?!"**

**— "Good point. Could there be a post-draft trade in the works?"**

**— "Yeah, Denver already has Marcus Camby. There's no way he and Wang Song will coexist peacefully..."**

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As speculation ran wild, the 2003 NBA Draft came to a close, but the buzz surrounding Wang Song was only just beginning.

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*(End of Chapter)*