NBA: Built to Dominate

The NCAA Championship was heating up, and with it came a flood of debates about the two most dominant big men in college basketball: Alex Mo and Tim Duncan. One question echoed throughout the basketball world—would these two titans eventually become teammates or lifelong rivals?

The Debate: Teammate Stocks vs. Rival Stocks

The contrast between Alex Mo and Tim Duncan was striking:

Mo Ran: The Celestial Monster, known for his high-flying, ferocious style of play. He was a fan favorite, combining explosive dunks, elite shot-blocking, and unparalleled athleticism.Tim Duncan: The epitome of fundamental basketball. Duncan's grounded, methodical approach made him an efficient scorer and a defensive anchor. While less flashy, his technical mastery was undeniable.

This contrast fueled endless debates. Some experts dreamed of a future where Alex and Duncan joined forces in the NBA, forming an unbreakable twin-tower lineup reminiscent of the Rockets' Hakeem Olajuwon and Ralph Sampson.

Others argued that the NBA's most marketable narrative would come from a fierce rivalry between the two, similar to the legendary battles between Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

ESPN's analysts went as far as to predict that the Mo-Duncan storyline could dominate the league for the next decade. "The NBA thrives on rivalries," one pundit argued. "Jordan will eventually step down, and Duncan vs. Mo could be the next big thing."

The NCAA Path: A Collision Course

While the media speculated, the NCAA bracket suggested that Georgetown and Wake Forest could meet in the semifinals if both teams advanced past the Elite Eight. Fans were already salivating at the prospect of Alex Mo taking on Tim Duncan—a battle that could define the future of basketball.

Georgetown's Road: Led by Alex Mo and Allen Iverson, the Hoyas were dismantling opponents with ease. Their mix of inside dominance and outside firepower made them nearly unstoppable. Wake Forest's Road: Tim Duncan was the backbone of the Demon Deacons, carrying his team with a calm efficiency that belied his dominance.

The potential matchup would pit Alex Mo's raw athleticism against Duncan's polished fundamentals. Scouts and fans alike were eager to see who would come out on top.

The Celtics' Plan: Auerbach's Gambit

While the basketball world buzzed about Alex Mo and Duncan, the Boston Celtics quietly orchestrated their own plans. Auerbach, the legendary mastermind, had guided the team to the bottom of the standings, seemingly aiming to secure the No. 1 pick in the upcoming draft.

However, NBA Commissioner David Stern was wary of the Celtics' blatant tanking. Stern's stance was clear: the league wouldn't reward such behavior with a No. 1 pick, no matter how legendary the Celtics' franchise might be.

"The league must maintain competitive integrity," Stern declared in a closed-door meeting. "We cannot allow one team to manipulate the draft system to such an extent."

Stern's words sent a clear message to Auerbach: the Celtics' chances of landing Duncan or Mo Ran were slim, no matter how poorly they performed.

The Lakers' High-Profile Pursuit

While the Celtics operated in the shadows, the Los Angeles Lakers took a more aggressive approach. Jerry West, the Lakers' general manager, was building a blueprint to secure not one, but both Mo Ran and Tim Duncan.

West's plan included:

Trading Existing Assets: The Lakers had three All-Star-caliber players in Nick Van Exel, Eddie Jones, and Vlade Divac. Any or all of them could be used as trade bait to acquire a top draft pick.Free Agency Splash: The Lakers were positioning themselves to sign a marquee free agent in 1996, potentially Shaquille O'Neal, creating a dominant inside-out combination.Draft-Day Maneuvers: West was known for his ability to pull off draft-day heists, and he aimed to use the Lakers' resources to acquire both Duncan and Mo Ran if possible.

The Lakers' bold strategy sent shockwaves through the league, with many wondering if West could pull off the unthinkable.

David Stern's Focus: Mo Ran and the Chinese Market

While scouts and executives analyzed Alex Mo's potential on the court, David Stern had his eyes on a much bigger prize: the Chinese market.

"Alex Mo is more than a basketball player," Stern explained during an NBA management meeting. "He's our ticket to a market with over a billion potential fans."

Stern envisioned a future where Alex Mo's success in the NBA would ignite basketball's popularity in China, similar to what Yao Ming would later accomplish. The league's global expansion efforts were well underway, and Mo Ran was the perfect ambassador for the NBA's vision.

"We've already begun laying the groundwork," Stern continued. "If Alex Mo lives up to his potential, he could become the face of basketball in China—and a global icon."

Mo Ran's Perspective

Amid the swirling speculation, Alex Mo remained focused on the present. When asked about the comparisons to Tim Duncan, he offered a measured response:

"Duncan's a great player," Alex said. "But my job is to win for Georgetown. If we meet Wake Forest, it'll be about the team, not me vs. him."

Allen Iverson, ever the firebrand, was less diplomatic: "Duncan's good, but he hasn't faced Alex yet. Let's see how good he looks when Alex's in his face."

What's Next?

With the Sweet 16 approaching, the stage was set for Alex Mo to solidify his status as the draft's top prospect. Would he face off against Marcus Camby in the Elite Eight? And if so, would that lead to the long-awaited clash with Tim Duncan in the semifinals?

As the NCAA Championship progressed, one thing was certain: Alex Mo's journey was just beginning. Whether as Duncan's teammate or rival, he was destined to leave an indelible mark on basketball history.