NBA: Miracle Workers

Chapter 20 Different choices

The team's individual trial training was completely different from the joint trial training. Every test was not compromised. Everyone gathered around the sidelines and watched Li You complete each test.

At this time, in the arena, apart from the sound of Li You's running shoes rubbing against the floor, there were only the shouts of the assistant coach and the sound of the ball hitting the net.

Mark Bartelstein looked composed. Compared with the physical test in early March, Li You's physical condition was even better.

Bottom-line retracement and 3/4 sprints have all improved a bit. As for the data such as in-situ bounce, vertical bounce of approach run, and height of approach run, they have also shown an upward trend.

Even if these tests are accidental, the basic data will not lie. Generally speaking, Li You, who is under 19 years old, is still growing up, and the future can be expected.

When it came to the shooting test, whether it was a fixed-point shot or a full-court turnaround shot, Li You's performance made Jeff Van Gundy and the others nod their heads.

Li You, who had just finished shooting, turned around and turned back immediately after hitting the shot, slowing down slightly as he approached the three-point line, and shot immediately after receiving the pass!

"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

Tom Thibodeau was engrossed and opened his mouth subconsciously. So far, Li You has only missed a few shots at the beginning.

After completing the fixed-point shooting test, Li You, who completely found the shooting feeling, never missed a shot again.

Dick McGuire seemed to think of the Madison Square Garden game a few years ago, and smiled and said to Mark Bartelstein beside him:
"Lee's performance reminded me of Reggie Miller, that little guy impressed me!"

Mark Bartelstein was very satisfied with Li You's performance, so he stopped being polite and said confidently:

"It's not just shooting, I swear, Li's level of control is definitely the best among rookies of the same class!"

After a blast, Mark Bartelstein still couldn't get enough of it. Selling players is not an easy task. He must let Li You impress the Knicks management.

After the shooting test, John Starks on the sidelines had a lemon in his heart.
Due to his hip-pull performance in the playoffs in recent years, New York fans have been clamoring to replace him.

In this year's draft, the Knicks held the 18th, 19th, and 21st picks. New York's son Marbury must have no hope. After Connecticut won the championship, many fans wore Li You's jersey to express their support.

Seeing the assistant coach beckoning, Starks, who had been moving his body, ran over immediately.

When Starks participated in the New York trial that year, he was slapped on the floor by Ewing and injured his leg, so he was able to stay on the team.

Fortunately, it was a blessing in disguise in the end, the Knicks got a qualified point guard, and Starks also found a job.

The reason why New York fans no longer support him is largely because of the 18-for-2 in the finals that year, which ruined the championship.
The assistant coach signaled to play one-on-one a few times, but Li You didn't even look at Starks on the opposite side, and nodded indifferently, indicating that he was ready.

Serving at the top of the arc, Starks threw the ball to Li You, lowered his center of gravity, and said in a low voice:

"Rookie, don't make me show mercy!"

There is not much difference in size between the two, which is why the Knicks chose to let Starks test Li You.

"You talk too much!"

The moment the opponent came up to defend him, Li You immediately turned sideways to protect the ball, then quickly turned around with his right foot as the axis, and made a tentative step forward to the left.

"Shua!" The three-pointer hit the net hollowly!

Starks didn't expect Li You to be so confident, he threw the three-point line directly, his face was a little ugly
The assistant coach immediately signaled the two to switch positions. This time, Li You caught the ball with his back at the left elbow of the free throw line.

Behind him, Starks lowered his center of gravity and almost lay on Li You's body. At the same time, he continued to move his hands, trying his best to fight with his body.

Li You, who was catching the ball, leaned hard towards the opponent, swayed his shoulders, pretended to turn around, then suddenly lowered his center of gravity, stepped forward with his left foot, and released the ball with his right hand.

Without waiting for Starks to react, Li You exerted force on his feet, quickly retreated, and shot a fallback jumper!

"Shua!" The two-pointer was hit steadily.

Starks' face became more and more ugly, Li You didn't make any extra moves, he deceived his defensive focus, and immediately completed the shot.

Under the guidance of the assistant coach, the two began to change positions constantly. Every time Li You attacked, he was very concise, without fancy dribbling. With the blessing of good touch, he hit all five points.

Jeff Van Gundy kept communicating with assistant coach Thibodeau from the sidelines:
"Tom, what do you think of Lee?"

Thibodeau noticed that Starks was about to lose his temper, and said with a low smile:

"It is consistent with the data. He started playing basketball when he was less than 6 years old. His basic skills are very good. Calhoun's transformation of him is also very successful. His playing is no longer as fancy as in high school."

"A typical academic defender, and his physical fitness is better than I imagined."

Jeff Van Gundy nodded. What he valued more was Li You's ability to control the ball.

In the testing session, there was not only offense, but when it was Li You's turn to defend, some of his shortcomings were exposed. Starks seized the opportunity, first against the defense, and made a strong breakthrough.

In the low position on the right, Starks relied on his rich experience to complete a back-up fadeaway jumper twice.

However, under the carelessness of Starks, who was attacking the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line, the ball was exposed prematurely, and Li You cut the ball neatly.
"Shet!!"

Feeling that he had lost face, Starks cursed in a low voice.

Li You still looked calm. He had been playing this kind of heads-up since childhood, and most of the time, the opponents he encountered were older than him.

The Knicks did not arrange a test for forward players, so naturally they will not put too much pressure on him.

"Take a break, impressive performance, Lee, you are better than we thought!"

Dick McGuire greeted everyone to rest and drink water. The old man smiled and patted Li You who walked to the sidelines, very satisfied with this test.

Mark Bartelstein was so happy from ear to ear, he moved to Jeff Van Gundy and began to blow.

Starks, who couldn't hold back his face, took the initiative to talk to Li You, and recognized Li You's strength:

"Dude, you're from New Mexico? Are there real drug lords over there? How's the girl?"

If you talk about it, you will get it on women. Li You is used to the atmosphere of this era, so he replenished his water and responded with a smile:
"Albuquerque does have drug dealers, but the law and order there is not bad. There are a little more Latino chicks, and they are more enthusiastic than the white girls in New York."

Starks' eyes lit up. He has never been a good person. He never went to high school seriously.

Jeff Van Gundy on the side heard the conversation between the two and immediately changed the topic and said aloud:
"Let's go to the office and talk again, Lee, I just took over the team this season, I want to hear your opinion on the Knicks!"

Mark Bartelstein winked at Li You covertly. According to the plan that he had made before, when talking with the head coach, he had to cater to the opponent's tactical preferences.

"No problem, I've been a Knicks fan since I came to Connecticut to study!"

Li You walked towards the coaching staff quickly, he knew that this trial training was a success
At 4 pm, Mark Bartelstein and Li You bid farewell to the Knicks.

After getting into the car, he shook his fist vigorously, and Mark Bartelstein said excitedly:

"Perfect performance, Lee! As long as the Knicks draft you, I promise you will get a lucrative contract!"

"The draft is sometimes like this, we have to show accurate intentions!"

Li You, who was in a good mood, nodded with a smile, approving Mark Bartelstein's approach.

The teams holding the top 10 picks also sent invitations, but they still chose to come to the Knicks for a trial training as soon as possible.

This is a pragmatic choice, after all, there is a high probability that the top 10 teams will not consider him.
"The draft is like this. Players have to make choices, and agents have to make choices according to the actual situation!"

"Arn-Trum is still under the illusion that Philadelphia will choose that high school student. This is a dream!"

"I can guarantee that the top 10 picks will not even consider this high school guard!"

After starting the car, Mark Bartelstein chatted about the gossip between the brokerage companies.

During this period of time, agent Arne Trom also took Kobe Bryant to trial training with many teams.

However, unlike Li You's choice, this agent was very confident in Kobe, and tried out the 76ers, Celtics, and Nets successively.

Hearing Mark Bartelstein's gloating words, Li You knew that the other party's trial training might not be very successful.

"Where do we go next? Phoenix or Los Angeles?"

Hearing Li You's question, Mark Bartelstein replied without hesitation:
"Of course to Los Angeles, that's a big ball market!"

Continuing to choose the team with a lower pick, Li You nodded. He is not a young man, and he knows in his heart that Mark Bartelstein is still not sure.

　Thank you book friends for your collectionˉ﹃ˉ
　　
　
(End of this chapter)