On the morning of June 9, after leaving Shutters on the Beach, a resort hotel in Santa Monica, California, Li You, dressed in sportswear and wearing only a simple white T-shirt, looked at the door of the hotel.
The climate in Los Angeles in June is better than that in New York. The temperature in the morning is about 14℃. The reason why the City of Angels is so popular is the climate.
A Chevrolet Blazer soon appeared in front of Li You, and Mark Bartelstein waved to him. After getting in the car, Ryan West, who was sitting in the driving seat, immediately smiled and said:
"Taller than I've ever seen on TV, Lee, welcome to Los Angeles!"
Ryan is the son of Jerry West. His father is the president and his son also works for the Lakers...
"I'm very happy to come to the Lakers for a tryout. I've always wanted to visit the Great Western Forum, and now my dream has come true!"
Li You smiled and complimented, and Ryan West grinned. It can be seen that this guy has a sense of belonging to the Lakers.
The trial training process this time is a little different. First, we visit the Great Western Forum Arena to introduce the history of the Lakers, and then go to the YMCA gym in Inglewood to complete the trial training.
Compared with the Knicks, the Lakers emphasize team culture more. Li You also understands that with a lot of championship flags hanging over the arena, the Lakers can show off, but the Knicks do not have such conditions...
Compared with Madison Square Garden, the facilities at the Great Western Forum are not luxurious, but the basketball elements are richer.
The Lakers' historical figures all left photos here. Ryan West led the Lakers staff to explain the history of this arena to Li You.
On the surface, he pretended to be listening, but in his heart, Li You was not very interested in these championships. He was not a fan of the Lakers, and he had no desire to chase stars.
Throughout the morning, in addition to visiting the Great Western Forum Arena, the two parties also walked around Los Angeles.
Compared with New York, southern Los Angeles is still under construction. In Li You's view, this is a city that is still developing.
Ryan West was also a little surprised. He knew that Li You was not yet 19 years old, but he didn't feel like a teenager at all.
In order to satisfy Li You's appetite, the accompanying staff member Michael Cooper specially booked a Mexican restaurant.
"I went to the University of New Mexico for two years, Lee, I hope you like this arrangement!"
Michael Cooper is 40 years old, but he is still in good shape. Li You fist bumped with the Lakers legend:
“I almost stayed in New Mexico to study, thank you for the hospitality!”
Mark Bartelstein is very satisfied with the Lakers' arrangement. With the 24th pick, the Lakers have indeed shown their intentions.
However, as a professional agent who has been in this circle for 10 years, Mark Bartelstein still prefers the Knicks.
The Lakers' starting point guard Nick Van Exel is too stable.
Head coach Del Harris, known as the Silver Fox, is not a rookie like Jeff Van Gundy, and there is a high probability that he will not give the rookie much time.
If you want to sign a big contract in three years, you have to make a name for yourself early. Even if he was warmly received, Mark Bartelstein was not fooled. The Lakers are still a backup...
For the afternoon trial, everyone came to the YMCA gym in Inglewood. The conditions of this venue were average. Some aisles were narrower than the locker room passages at the Great Western Forum, and the venue was not standard...
Li You didn't care about this. It was normal for the training hall and the competition venue to be separated.
It was still a traditional physical test. When Mark Bartelstein saw Li You entering the state, he immediately blew the whistle to Jerry West beside him:
"Lee is definitely underrated. In Connecticut, he has the ability to start. Coach Calhoun has been persuading him to play for another year. Multiply this year's data by two to show Lee's true level."
"Li is very familiar with the existing basketball tactical system. In fact, what he is best at is pick-and-roll offense. Unfortunately, this has never been demonstrated."
Jerry West, who had been focusing on watching Li You's smooth shooting, suddenly smiled and said:
"Lee is indeed a genius, but you chose the Knicks the first time, but I understand your choice!"
Business is business. Mark Bartelstein responded in a relaxed tone without any embarrassment:
"Lee studied in Connecticut, which is closer to New York. His friends and teachers are all there, and I have to be responsible for my clients."
John Black is the Lakers' vice president of public relations, and if nothing else happens, he will also serve as the Lakers representative in this year's draft.
They had already prepared for the No. 24 pick, but after seeing Li You's trial training, they were still shocked. The open shot was really scary.
"Come on! Lee, we've all seen what you're capable of. Hit a few goals, and don't underestimate me. I'm not too old to be defensive yet."
Michael Cooper turned his head to Li You and signaled to enter the next stage.
As an important member of the Lakers' Showtime period, he was selected to the league's All-Defensive Team 8 times and won the Best Defensive Player in 1987. The 40-year-old Michael Cooper has very rich defensive experience.
Li You, who was wearing training clothes, had fully moved his body. Looking at the old man who was a little out of shape, he subconsciously raised his eyebrows.
Li You, who received the ball at the top of the arc, was not polite. Facing the old man whose lateral movement speed had decreased, he lowered his center of gravity after releasing the ball with his left hand and quickly dribbled the ball behind his back twice in a row.
Taking advantage of the opponent's movement, Li You, who was holding the ball in his right hand, suddenly accelerated. Michael Cooper subconsciously slid to the left and rear, and at the same time made a hidden pull with his right hand, as if he wanted to interfere with Li You.
The ball protector separated the opponent's interference. Li You, who had just passed the three-point line, dribbled the ball behind his back again. He took advantage of the situation and completed the step back. He returned to the outside of the three-point line and created a shooting space. His body drifted slightly backward and quickly Jump shot!
"Whoa!" The three-pointer hit the net!
The staff on site all exclaimed, Li You's movements were too fast.
After only three rounds, Michael Cooper knew that he couldn't guard him in front of the frame. At several points near the paint area, he barely regained some face and attacked with his back. Li You missed a shot. ball.
After several rounds, Michael Cooper was exhausted, took a breath, and immediately said with emotion:
"Well done! Li, your technical style is very unique, but you are still getting old after all!"
Li You's shot was too accurate. He was forced to shift his body center of gravity and repeatedly attack the supporting foot in front of the defense. The old man, whose lateral speed had decreased, had nothing to do except to pull with his hands.
After bumping fists with Michael Cooper again, Li You threw the ball to the staff and said with a smile:
"Maybe you can consider coming back and playing for a few more years. Many young players can't match your defense! What I said is true!"
John Blake took the initiative to step forward and pat Li You on the shoulder, smiling and greeting everyone:
"Guys, perfect workout! Let's go back to the office and chat!"
Mark Bartelstein gave Li You a look. According to the plan, it would be a dream at this time...
At 10 o'clock in the evening, he returned to the resort hotel in Santa Monica. Mark Bartelstein, who had drunk a lot of wine, was not drunk at all, and asked Li You meaningfully:
"Lee, what do you think of the Lakers?"
There was a one-stop shop for eating, drinking and having fun. The Lakers provided good hospitality, but Li You was not corrupted by the sugar-coated bullets:
"I didn't see that Silver Fox Harris, the 24th pick, if he really selected me, he would most likely have to sit on the bench for a season."
"The absence of members of the coaching staff shows some problems. Maybe the opponent doesn't like to use rookie players!"
Li You, who was leaning on the sofa, was still calm. He knew what he needed. To fulfill his talent, he needed more games. In his rookie season, he didn't want to sit on the bench all the time.
Mark Bartelstein didn't expect that Li You really noticed this. He was in a good mood for a while, and communicating with smart people saved a lot of trouble:
"I thought you would like the Lakers very much. Jerry West is here. He is a legend!"
Li You curled his lips. He was not really Erhu Meng, so he muttered a few words:
"What's the use of legends? For rookie players, the coach is the boss of the team!"
