The team's individual trial training was completely different from the joint trial training. Every test was not discounted. Everyone gathered around the sidelines and watched Li You complete each test.
At this time, apart from the sound of Li You's running shoes scraping the floor, there were only the sounds of the assistant coach's shouts and the sound of the ball hitting the net.
Mark Bartelstein looked calm. Compared with the physical test in early March, Li You's physical condition was even better.
Baseline return runs and 3/4 field sprints have all improved a little. As for in-situ bounce, approach vertical bounce, approach touch and other data, they also show 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 and has a promising future.
When it came to the shooting test, whether it was a fixed-point shot or a full-court return shot, Li You's performance made Jeff Van Gundy and others nod their heads.
Li You, who had just finished shooting, immediately turned around and turned back after hitting the shot. He slowed down slightly as he approached the three-point line and took action immediately after receiving the pass!
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
Tom Thibodeau was fascinated by this 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 feeling of shooting, never missed another shot.
Dick McGuire seemed to remember the games at Madison Square Garden in previous years, and smiled and said to Mark Bartelstein beside him:
"Lee's performance reminded me of Reggie Miller, that little guy impressed me so much!"
Mark Bartelstein was very satisfied with Li You's performance. At this time, he was no longer polite and said confidently:
"Not just shooting, I swear, Lee's ability to control movement is definitely the best among the rookies in this class!"
After all the wild talk, Mark Bartelstein still had more to say. 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...
Due to his performance in the playoffs in recent years, New York fans have been clamoring to replace him.
In this year's draft, the Knicks hold the 18th, 19th, and 21st picks. Marbury, the son of New York, is definitely hopeless. After Connecticut won the championship, many fans wore Li You's jerseys to show their support.
Seeing the assistant coach waving, Starks, who had been moving his body, immediately ran over.
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 gained a qualified point guard and Starks also found a job.
The reason why New York fans no longer support him is largely because he lost 2 of 18 in the finals that year and ruined the championship...
The assistant coach signaled for a few one-on-ones. Li You didn't even look at Starks on the opposite side and nodded nonchalantly, indicating that he was ready.
Serving from the top of the arc, Starks threw the ball to Li You, lowered his center of gravity, and whispered:
"Rookie, don't expect me to show mercy!"
There is not much difference in stature between the two, which is why the Knicks chose to let Starks test Li You.
"You talk too much!"
The moment the opponent pounced, Li You immediately turned sideways to protect the ball, then quickly turned around with his right foot as the axis, taking advantage of the situation to make a tentative step to the left. Taking advantage of the moment the opponent moved backward, he immediately retracted his feet and moved at the top of the arc. Take a jump shot.
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
Starks didn't expect Li You to be so confident. He threw the three-point line directly and looked a little ugly...
The assistant coach immediately signaled the two of them to change positions. This time at the elbow area on the left side of the free throw line, Li You caught the ball with his back.
Starks behind him lowered his center of gravity, almost lying on Li You. At the same time, he kept moving his hands and tried his best to provide physical resistance.
After catching the ball, Li You leaned hard against the opponent, shook 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 stepped back, and shot a fadeaway jumper!
"Whoa!" The two-pointer was hit steadily.
Starks' face became increasingly ugly. Li You didn't make any extra moves to deceive his defensive focus and immediately completed the shot.
Under the instructions of the assistant coach, the two began to change positions continuously. Li You made every attack very concisely, without any fancy dribbling. With the help of good touch, he hit all five points.
Jeff Van Gundy kept communicating with assistant coach Thibodeau:
"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 information. He started playing basketball when he was less than 6 years old. His basic skills are very good. Calhoun's transformation of him was 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 dominate the ball.
In the test session, there was not only offense. When it was Li You's turn to defend, some of his shortcomings were exposed. Starks seized the opportunity, first resisted the defense, and completed the breakthrough strongly.
In the low post on the right, Starks relied on his rich experience to complete two behind-the-back jumpers.
However, due to Starks' carelessness when attacking the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line, the ball was exposed prematurely, and Li You cut the ball cleanly...
"Shet!!"
Feeling that he had lost face, Starks cursed.
Li You still looked calm. He had been playing this kind of one-on-one games since he was a child, and most of the time, the opponents he encountered were older than him.
The Knicks have not arranged for forward players to be tested, so naturally they will not put too much pressure on him.
"Take a break, impressive performance, Li, you are better than we thought!"
Dick McGuire asked everyone to take a break and drink water. The old man smiled and patted Li You who walked to the sidelines. He was very satisfied with this test.
Mark Bartelstein was so happy that he walked over to Jeff Van Gundy and started blowing.
Starks, who was a bit embarrassed about his face, took the initiative to talk to Li You, which was regarded as recognizing Li You's strength:
"Dude, you're from New Mexico? Are there really drug lords over there? How's that girl?"
If you pull it around, it will get pulled on the woman. Li You has become accustomed to the trend of this era. He replenished his water and responded with a smile:
"There are indeed drug dealers in Albuquerque, but the security there is pretty good. There are more Latino girls, who are more enthusiastic than the white girls in New York."
Starks's eyes lit up. He had never been a good person. He never went to high school seriously, and he had been in a cell before. He just liked exciting things!
Jeff Van Gundy on the side heard the conversation between the two and immediately changed the subject and said aloud:
"Let's go to the office and talk again, Lee, I just took over the team this season and I want to hear your thoughts on the Knicks!"
Mark Bartelstein tried his best to wink at Li You covertly, and according to the previously planned plan, when talking to the head coach, he should cater to the opponent's tactical preferences.
"No problem, I've been a Knicks fan since I came to Connecticut for school!"
Li You walked quickly to the coaching staff. He knew that this trial training was a success...
At 4 o'clock in the afternoon, Mark Bartelstein and Li You said goodbye to the Knicks.
After getting in the car, he pumped his fist vigorously and Mark Bartelstein said excitedly:
"Perfect performance, Lee! As long as the Knicks draft you, I guarantee you a contract with a decent salary!"
"The draft is like this sometimes, we have to show precise intentions!"
Li You, who was in a good mood, smiled and nodded, which was regarded as approval of Mark Bartelstein's approach.
The teams holding the top 10 picks also sent out 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, the top 10 teams will most likely not consider him...
"The draft is like this. Players have to make choices, and agents also have to make choices based on the actual situation!"
"Arn Trump still has illusions and expects Philadelphia to select that high school kid. This is simply a dream!"
"I can guarantee that the top 10 teams will not consider this high school guard at all!"
After starting the car, Mark Bartelstein chatted about the gossip between the agency.
During this time, agent Arne Trump also took Kobe Bryant to try out with many teams.
However, unlike Li You's choice, this agent was very confident in Kobe and tried out with the 76ers, Celtics, and Nets one after another.
Hearing Mark Bartelstein's words of gloating, Li You knew that the opponent's trial training might not be successful.
"Where to go next? Phoenix or Los Angeles?"
Hearing Li You's question, Mark Bartelstein replied without hesitation:
"Of course we go to Los Angeles, it's a big football market!"
Continuing to choose the team with the lower picks, Li You nodded. He was not a young boy, and he knew that Mark Bartelstein was still not sure.
...
