NBA: Built to Dominate

The 1995-96 season was shaping up to be historic in more ways than one. Georgetown University's triumph in the Big East Championship solidified their dominance, while the Chicago Bulls were rewriting NBA history with an unstoppable run. Amidst all this, the Boston Celtics, once a powerhouse, had seemingly entered free fall, raising eyebrows and questions about their true intentions.

Georgetown's Victory and Focus

Georgetown's players celebrated their Big East Championship victory with unbridled joy. For many, it was the pinnacle of their careers. But for Allen Iverson and Alex Mo, it was just another step.

Jerome Williams was running laps around the court with the trophy. "We're the champions!" he shouted, barely able to contain his excitement.

Iverson smirked. "Jerome acts like we just won the NBA Finals."

"Let him have his moment," Mo replied, his tone calm but with a glimmer of pride. "For us, this is just the beginning."

Indeed, Iverson and Mo had loftier ambitions. Winning the Big East was expected. The NCAA Championship was the real prize.

Their performances throughout the season were nothing short of dominant. Mo's 41-point, 25-rebound, 11-block masterpiece in the final against Connecticut was legendary. Iverson's court vision and scoring ability complemented Mo's inside dominance, making them an almost unstoppable duo.

The media hailed Georgetown as the team to beat. The "Georgetown Twins" were not just college stars—they were future NBA legends in the making.

The Bulls: On the Brink of History

While Georgetown celebrated, the Chicago Bulls were dominating the NBA. With a jaw-dropping 50-6 record, Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, and Dennis Rodman were on pace to set the best regular-season record in league history.

"Can anyone stop the Bulls?" Jerome asked as he read the latest NBA updates. "50-6? That's insane."

"It's MJ," Mo replied, not even looking up from his training drills. "Of course, they're unstoppable."

Jerome nodded in agreement. "Still, 72 wins? You think they can do it?"

"They will," Mo said with certainty. He knew the history. The Bulls were destined to finish 72-10, a record that would stand for decades as the gold standard in NBA greatness.

The Celtics: A Mysterious Collapse

While the Bulls soared, the Boston Celtics plummeted. With a dismal 9-44 record, the once-proud franchise was now the worst team in the league, even trailing the expansion Vancouver Grizzlies.

"This is embarrassing," Jerome muttered, shaking his head. "How does a team like the Celtics become this bad?"

"It's intentional," Mo said matter-of-factly. "They're tanking."

"Tanking? For what?" Jerome asked.

"For the No. 1 pick," Iverson chimed in, leaning back in his chair. "They want a shot at one of us—or whoever they think can save them."

Mo knew better. He remembered the 1997 draft, where the Celtics had tanked for Tim Duncan but ended up with the third and sixth picks instead. The NBA lottery system, under David Stern's watchful eye, rarely rewarded blatant tanking.

"Auerbach might be a genius, but Stern won't let the Celtics get the No. 1 pick," Mo said, shaking his head.

Jerry West's High-Profile Gambit

While the Celtics quietly embraced their misery, the Los Angeles Lakers were taking the opposite approach. Jerry West had made his intentions clear: the Lakers were in play for both Iverson and Mo, and they had the assets to make it happen.

The Lakers' boldness was front-page news. Their plan to pair a superstar free agent—likely Shaquille O'Neal—with a top rookie was a gamble, but one that had the basketball world buzzing.

"Do you think the Lakers will actually get Shaq?" Iverson asked during a post-practice conversation.

"They will," Mo replied. "And if West plays his cards right, they might get one of us too."

The thought of teaming up in Los Angeles with a dominant force like Shaq was tantalizing. But for now, their focus remained on Georgetown's success.

The NCAA Championship Awaits

Georgetown entered the NCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed in their region. The road to the championship wouldn't be easy, but with the unstoppable duo of Iverson and Mo, they were the heavy favorites.

"We're not just here to compete," Iverson said in a pre-tournament interview. "We're here to win."

Mo, standing beside him, nodded. "This is our year."

As the tournament approached, scouts from every NBA team descended upon Georgetown's games. The stakes had never been higher—for the players, for the teams vying for their services, and for the future of basketball itself.

The Butterfly Effect in Motion

The butterfly effect was becoming more apparent. The Lakers' aggressive pursuit of Mo and Iverson, the Celtics' blatant tanking, and the Bulls' historic dominance were all reshaping the basketball landscape.

Mo couldn't help but wonder how his presence had accelerated these changes. The 1996 draft was shaping up to be a defining moment—not just for him, but for the NBA as a whole.

As the NCAA Tournament loomed, Mo felt a sense of destiny. The Big East Championship was just the beginning. The road ahead promised glory, legacy, and a chance to leave an indelible mark on the sport he loved.

The game had changed. The question now was: who would rise to the challenge?