June 14, the Lakers defeated the Magic on the road, with a final series score of 4-1, eliminating the opponent and winning the NBA Championship for the first time in seven years.
This was also the first championship Kobe had led the team to since O'Neal had left, and as a result, Kobe earned his first FMVP trophy of his professional career.
On June 25, Hansen and other rookies appeared at Madison Square Garden to participate in the 2009 NBA Draft.
It's worth mentioning that not all rookies attend the event in person.
This isn't related to their draft stock, but to the draft rules.
Contrary to what many might imagine, the number of players who actually register for the NBA draft each year isn't that high.
For example, this year, including foreign players, only 103 people registered, then 55 withdrew before the withdrawal date, leaving only 48.
So, would the NBA run out of players to select?
The answer is, of course, no.
Because the rules stipulate that there is an age threshold of 22 for NBA rookies; those under 22 need to apply to enter the draft, but those reaching 22 are automatically entered.
The 48 people refer to the number of individuals who registered for the draft, with many more automatically entered upon reaching age 22, which is why this year is considered a weak draft.
The draft is about potential.
Hansen knew that Wang Zhelin was selected by the NBA even in his sleep, which is also due to this rule.
Theoretically, not just Wang Zhelin, but any ordinary person after turning 22 could potentially be selected.
These players, who automatically qualify for the draft, except for a few who have attended workouts, most will not be present at the venue.
The main stage of the draft is set up within the arena, with a background of a huge electronic screen, plus three smaller mobile screens, and at the center a podium.
Underneath the main stage, there's a cordoned-off area with a dozen round tables, which are also laid out with snacks and fruits. From afar, it looks like a banquet area in China and is the so-called "green room."
The members of the "green room" are officially invited by the NBA, and the invitees are players with lottery pick prospects who can attend with their family and friends.
Naturally, Hansen doesn't receive such treatment; he sits with the other uninvited rookies on one side of the spectator stands.
But he isn't alone; even though Thomas is over at the green room keeping someone company, his parents have also come to the scene.
Exchanging pleasantries and catching up, the time passed quickly.
After the short film featuring the rookies had played, a loud chorus of boos filled the arena.
Amidst the boos, League President David Stern walked out from backstage, smiling as he began his opening remarks, and thus the curtain officially rose on the 2009 NBA Draft.
The first round and second round, with a total of 60 picks, were announced by Stern for the first round and by his assistant Mark Tatum for the second, with five minutes allotted for each draft pick.
These are what fans can see, but what they don't see is that, on the second floor of the arena, the League has arranged offices for the team managers, where a smokeless war has already heated up.
Every year's draft is accompanied by a number of trades, and a variety of fascinating stories happen during this stage.
For example, the story of the Lakers trading Divac for Kobe has long been recounted with great interest by fans.
However, it's worth mentioning that all NBA trades go through a process of being submitted to the League's office for approval.
This means that these trades have a delayed effect; for instance, a team might select a player who has actually already been traded away, with the choice being made at the behest of the trade partner.
Like Kobe, although he was chosen by the Hornets, he was effectively selected by the Lakers.
Of course, these trades are generally leaked by well-known media personalities, so the public can also be aware of trades before they are officially announced.
The first pick, the Clippers selected Griffin;
The second pick, the Grizzlies got Thabeet;
The third pick, the Thunders chose Harden;
…
After the draft had started, Hansen focused all his attention on the event.
He realized that most things in this parallel world mirrored the "history" of his own world.
The Timberwolves, holding both the fifth and sixth picks, frustratingly didn't select Curry, which he found quite agonizing.
He felt that if he had crossed over as a general manager, he could have made a name for himself.
Ultimately, Curry was picked by the Warriors with the seventh pick, which led to a great wave of astonishment throughout the crowd.
It was well known that the Warriors weren't among the teams that Curry had worked out for, and he had been continually projected to join the New York Knicks.
But this is the nature of the draft—it's always full of surprises.
To deal with these surprises, every team needs contingency plans, and sometimes even those plans fail, leading to many unexpected selections.
Just then, Thomas came up beside Hansen.
"Feeling nervous?" Thomas asked after sitting down.
Hansen nodded.
Though he knew he was very likely to be selected, claiming not to be nervous would definitely be a lie.
His draft position was uncertain, and no one knew when he would be called up.
"Don't worry, being in the first round shouldn't be a problem." Thomas said reassuringly with a smile.
Hansen nodded again, turning his head to look at the main stage, his hands subconsciously fidgeting.
Entering the NBA was the dream of every basketball fan and it had also been his dream in his past life.
Being selected at any position tonight would make that dream come true.
"I just got wind of some interesting news."
"Related to me?" Hansen turned back, knowing that Thomas had not come out of the green room just to comfort him.
"And the Bobcats," Thomas nodded.
"Larry Brown wants to pick you in the first round. He managed to convince Bickerstaff, but..." Thomas paused,
"The plan was vetoed by Jordan."
"That sounds like fake news," Hansen shook his head.
Optimistic as he was, he also knew that his draft stock was unlikely to jump from the end of the first round to the lottery.
"Bickerstaff proposed to trade down the draft pick. Their target is the 22nd pick that the Blazers hold."
Thomas continued, and Hansen didn't respond this time because it sounded plausible.
The Blazers are currently in the youth movement era led by Brandon Roy, filled with quality young players. Last year's 11th pick, Jerry Baylor, couldn't even secure an average of 20 minutes per game.
Under those circumstances, and considering it's a weaker draft year, the Blazers would either draft an international prospect to develop or trade away their pick.
And being picked at the 22nd spot was possible for him, not far from the highest assurance he received, the 25th pick from the Thunders.
"But Michael still vetoed it because he wants Gerard Henderson."
After Thomas finished speaking, Hansen's expression turned somewhat peculiar.
From the Bobcats' tryouts, Hansen had somewhat understood Jordan.
Jordan had given him a wave of negative fan sentiment but also made a point to instruct Bickerstaff to comfort him after an accidental injury, showing that Jordan was narrow-minded in trivial matters but reasonable when it mattered.
So the idea that "Jordan wouldn't let the Bobcats pick him because he broke two of his ribs with an elbow" was an impossibility.
It just meant that Mr. Qiao's draft judgment was indeed steady.
"This is good news too," Hansen said.
"Yes, your draft stock is rising," Thomas nodded along, which was the real reason he had come to see Hansen.
Although teams kept the tryout contents confidential, there were no secrets in the world that didn't leak.
After chatting with Hansen, Thomas returned to the green room.
Soon, just as Thomas had mentioned before, the Bobcats chose Henderson with their 12th pick.
Following that, the Pacers selected Taylor Hansbrough at the 13th spot.
Hansbrough got up to embrace his family and friends, as well as his agent—Thomas.
Thomas had not signed any other quality rookies this year, but helping senior Hansbrough break into the lottery was also a display of his network and strength.
The lottery selection was coming to an end.
There were still a few unlucky ones left in the green room, not knowing if someone would end up like last year's DeAndre Jordan, sitting there until the second round.
Hansen felt somewhat exhausted.
Staying highly tense was draining.
And in previous years, watching the draft, he would have probably turned off the broadcast by now.
After all, the real draw was just those lottery picks.
He moved his joints a bit, then saw Thomas hurrying over to his side again.
"We have a result, the 18th pick..."
Breathing a little heavily from walking fast, Thomas seemed to catch his breath.