NBA: Built to Dominate

Verizon Center – Washington, D.C.

Jerry West sat courtside, his calm demeanor betraying little of the gears turning in his mind. To the media and fans, he was just here to watch a Big East quarterfinal.

"Don't think too much," West said before the game. "I'm just a fan today."

Yet, every scout and analyst knew the truth. West wasn't in Washington by coincidence.

The matchup between Georgetown and West Virginia featured Allen Iverson, a dynamic scorer destined for the top of the 1996 NBA Draft, and Alex Mo, the "Celestial Monster," whose blend of athleticism and size was turning heads across the league.

First Half: Dominance on Display

Georgetown wasted no time asserting their superiority.

Iverson dazzled with his signature crossovers, finishing with acrobatic layups and pulling up for mid-range jumpers.Mo controlled the paint on both ends, racking up rebounds, blocks, and electrifying dunks.

The highlight came when Iverson launched one of his famous full-court outlet passes. Mo, sprinting like a forward, caught the ball mid-air and slammed it home, igniting the crowd.

By halftime, Georgetown led comfortably, 55–30.

Iverson: 17 points, 7 assists.Mo Ran: 20 points, 20 rebounds, 7 blocks.

The fans roared with excitement, but Jerry West remained quiet, occasionally jotting down notes.

West's Evaluation

In the shadows of the media buzz, West was making his decision.

Allen Iverson:

Strengths: Unparalleled scorer, exceptional quickness, killer instinct.Weaknesses: Height (183 cm) and potential durability concerns at the NBA level.

Alex Mo:

Strengths: Historic athleticism, elite defensive instincts, untapped offensive potential.Weaknesses: Limited offensive tools beyond dunks and layups.

West's mind raced.

Iverson was a surefire top pick, but his height presented risks. Mo's offensive game was raw, but his physical gifts and defensive dominance were undeniable. What tipped the scales was Mo's lower draft stock—projected to fall outside the lottery.

The Lakers, lacking a high draft pick, could feasibly trade up for Mo without gutting their roster.

West smirked, his plan forming. "We don't need the No. 1 pick," he thought. "We just need the right pick."

In Boston: The Cardinal's Countermove

While Jerry West was plotting his dynasty revival, an old rival was preparing his own chessboard.

At North Shore Garden Arena, Boston Celtics legend Red Auerbach leaned back in his chair, a lit cigar resting between his fingers.

"So, Jerry flew all the way to Washington?" Auerbach asked M.L. Carr, the Celtics' head coach.

"Yes, sir," Carr replied.

The Cardinal chuckled, exhaling a smoke ring. "He's not there for sightseeing. Who are the kids he's looking at?"

Carr handed Auerbach a scouting report. "Allen Iverson and Alex Mo. Both are tearing it up for Georgetown."

Auerbach raised an eyebrow. "Iverson's a no-brainer, but this Alex Mo… he sounds like someone who could anchor a team for years."

Auerbach's Plan

Like West, Auerbach wasn't content to sit idly. The Celtics, too, were a franchise in need of revival. And like the Lakers, Boston had assets to spare.

"If Jerry wants one of them, so do I," Auerbach declared. "Get me all the tape on those two. I want to know every move they've made this season."

The rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics was about more than championships—it was a battle for supremacy, both on the court and off.

"If we can snag Alex Mo," Auerbach said, lighting another cigar, "we won't just rebuild the Celtics. We'll keep Jerry's little revival plan in check."

Second Half: Sealing the Deal

Back in Washington, Georgetown continued their onslaught.

Mo Ran swatted away shots with ease, his wingspan turning the paint into a no-fly zone. Offensively, he bullied defenders in the post and ran the floor like a guard.

By the final buzzer, the scoreboard read Georgetown 95, West Virginia 50.

Mo Ran: 30 points, 28 rebounds, 10 blocks.Allen Iverson: 25 points, 11 assists.Postgame Buzz

The media swarmed Jerry West.

"Mr. West, do you think Mo Ran or Allen Iverson could be future Lakers?"

West smiled diplomatically. "Both are exceptional talents. But as I said, I'm just a fan today."

Later, in a quieter moment, West thought to himself: Mo Ran could be the cornerstone of the Lakers for years. Now, we just have to make it happen.

The Rivalry Reignites

Unbeknownst to West, Red Auerbach had already set things in motion in Boston.

Two franchises. Two legends. One goal: securing the future of their dynasty.

The stakes were clear: whoever landed Alex Mo would gain a generational talent—and a critical edge in the next chapter of the Lakers-Celtics rivalry.