章 123: The NBA Draft Lottery I
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: May 18th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Watching Undisputed, Holden, Oregon)~~~
~~~(Time: 8:15 AM)~~~
Hannah and I are sitting on the couch watching TV, and Ellie said she's going somewhere. I don't know where. She was being mysterious about it, and that's a sign. But I don't know if it's a good or bad sign...
"It's clearly obvious that whoever gets the number one pick is taking Ulysses, Skip. But we've never had a draft where so many teams tanked as hard as possible like this before."
Hannah and I are watching Undisputed, and while I don't give the media much attention. We've decided to spend today watching the programs until the start of the Draft Lottery at 5:00 PM PST. Right now, Skip and Shannon are talking about the Draft Lottery.
What Shannon is getting at here is the odds are so close for 5 teams when most drafts only have the top 2 or 3 with close odds.
"Well, we've all been watching Ulysses since his freshmen year in high school. And I'll admit the kid has more potential than anyone I've ever seen. But the NBA is a different monster. These are the best players in the world. Not high school kids he towers above."
Hannah groans whenever Skip talks and while he has some hot takes. I think it's fair to note that when people get older, they start getting a little senile. And Skip has never been a young man when working for ESPN or Fox.
"Skip, give the kid his credit. He made the NBA change the rules for him because of how good he is. The NBA needs players like Ulysses. Just like the NBA needed Lebron and needed Jordon. Without these big names, people won't watch the NBA."
Shannon doesn't need to stand up for me. No one does. I can do that myself on and off the court. But it's their job to do this. They get paid to talk about the NBA and NFL.
A lot of heat has come to the NBA, and it's my fault it happened. The NBA making an exception for me has caused many players to boycott playing for colleges and insist the one-and-done rule go out the window entirely.
Which I agree with. If a great player comes along, I don't think they should waste a year in college. I think that's crap.
"I've given the kid all the credit he deserves at this point. When he actually performs and shows us what he can do in the NBA and keep the same level of play he had in high school. Then I'll give him all the credit in the world. But I'm not giving him the credit he hasn't earned yet."
That's something I'd never hear come out of Skip's mouth. Most of the time, he gives a list and then a bunch of reasons why he disagrees with the majority of people. People crucify him for his Lebron takes when Lebron was still playing.
Lebron has a lot of die-hard fans, and I get wanting to defend his legacy. But I'm not sold on the notion of a single individual goat. I don't think two players in different positions should be compared, especially when they played in different Eras.
"Do you think everyone will talk about you like this today?"
Hannah asks a good question, and I couldn't say for sure. All I have is a guess.
"I'd say around half the media surrounding the NBA isn't sold on how great I'd be at the NBA level. The other half make an argument on several topics defending me."
She tightens her grip on my hand and leans closer.
"I know that no matter what, you'll break all expectations. And I want you to know that I'll always be there to support you. Just like Ellie is. If people only knew how great at basketball you really are... I can see it when you play. You hold back."
She's got good eyes for that sort of thing. I do hold back in high school. The few times I didn't, I'd crush the other team with 50 and 60 point triple-doubles.
"You know that I'll be playing for The Jones Siblings, Ellie, and you. People that I know are who I care about."
I haven't forgotten my promise to The Jones Siblings. And I intend to keep that promise, no matter what. But my thoughts are interrupted as Ellie comes back into the house, and she's got a cake with her.
I should've seen this coming.
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