After Li You finished the Lakers' trial training, two days later, agents Arn Tellem and Kobe Bryant also completed the Lakers' trial training at the YMCA gym.
However, this trial was arranged by Arne Tellem. The agent accepted the reality that teams with the top 10 picks would not draft high school defenders.
The risk is too great, no one will use high picks to scratch the lottery at present...
Different from Li You's attitude, Kobe is indeed a 17-year-old boy, and his dream of Erhu is also real. During the trial training, he even dunked, showing off!
As a second-generation player, Kobe's draft prospects are not bad. After the trial training, Michael Cooper gave his opinion:
"The level of technical completion is not high, probably because he didn't go to college, but the young man has great talent. It's obvious that he likes Michael Jordan."
Mitch Kupchak felt that Kobe performed well. He looked through the information in his hand and gave his own opinion:
"His performance in the McDonald's high school game was mediocre, but in this trial, he showed his talent. Don't forget, he is not yet 18 years old."
Jerry West heard the discussion and finally said:
"We are going to draft him. The team will be reorganized in the offseason. This is an opportunity!"
Everyone was a little surprised. Dave Wall, who just came to the Lakers as a senior scout last year, had been silent. At this time, he couldn't help but say:
"Lee's performance is better. Sophomore Allen Iverson's efficiency in the NCAA is not as good as his. I saw his performance in the championship and he is definitely underestimated!"
Seeing the doubtful expressions on several people's faces, Jerry West responded calmly:
"Kobe Bryant is 6 feet 6 inches, and we have no shortage of No. 1 positions. Of course, with the 24th pick, Lee is still the first choice."
Dave Wall still shook his head, but said nothing more. He didn't believe that Li You would fall behind.
There was still no one present from the coaching staff of this trial team. Dave Wall felt that Harris would not like high school players and sighed secretly:
"Hope this isn't the wrong choice..."
...
Before the draft, Mark Bartelstein and Li You were still running for trials.
The Oakland Coliseum, home of the Warriors, underwent extensive renovations, and workouts were held at HP Arena in San Jose.
However, unlike the warm reception of the Knicks and Lakers, the Warriors were more perfunctory.
Li You doesn't care about this. After all, he is not a beautiful swordsman and cannot be loved by everyone...
The subsequent trial training with the Kings also didn't go well, and the other team also didn't give him much opportunity to show off.
Mark Bartelstein was very dissatisfied with the attitudes of the two teams, and the Suns' subsequent trial training made the agent furious:
"Fake Squid! You actually told me that there is no air conditioning in the arena?"
"What the hell! Don't want my players to finish their training here!"
The Suns staff didn’t care either, and several assistant coaches explained awkwardly:
"There has been something wrong with the air conditioning in the arena these past two days. Mark, this is definitely not intentional!"
Li You shrugged. He could see the arrogant expressions of the white staff, and also noticed that the black people on the side were gloating:
"Let's go, Mark! Phoenix doesn't welcome us, there's no need to wait any longer."
Mark Bartelstein restrained his emotions, pulled his tie, and whispered:
"You will regret it!"
The Warriors hold the 11th pick, the Kings hold the 14th pick, and the Suns hold the 15th pick.
The trials over the past few days have not gone well, and several teams have obvious prejudices. When he returned to the hotel, Mark Bartelstein couldn't help but curse a few times.
Li You planned to write down these teams in a small book so that he would not forget them later. He looked at the schedule again, touched his chin and said:
"After we go to Charlotte, the trial training is almost done. Then we go to Chicago for a walk and see the Bulls championship parade by the way!"
Mark Bartelstein was relieved when he saw that Li You was not affected:
"There is also the Nets. The newly appointed head coach Calipari has extended an invitation to us. Lee, this is also an opportunity."
Li You doesn't care about the Nets' trial invitation. It's impossible for the other side to select him with the 8th overall pick:
"It's just on the way. It won't be troublesome to go and see the Nets. However, I think there is no chance."
"..."
On June 24, as the draft was approaching, Li You met Ray Allen in Manhattan, New York.
But looking at the black girl who suddenly appeared, Li You felt like he had been stuffed with dog food...
"Li, would you like me to introduce you to the beautiful girl in our band! It's time for you to find a girlfriend!"
Shannon Walker-Williams has just met Ray Allen, and their relationship has been heated recently. Compared with other black girls, this one is very pretty and has a good family background.
The three of them were preparing to go for a walk in Central Park. Ray Allen was in high spirits at this time, and all the girls had tickets:
"The little sisters in Xiang Nong are all beautiful. Li, you can think about it. After entering the alliance, it's time to stabilize!"
Li You felt that Ray Allen had turned into a bitch at this time, and he was obsessed with him even before they officially started dating...
"The studies in law school are very heavy, and I want to continue my studies after that. Playing basketball and studying are already troublesome enough, so I won't consider those for the time being."
Hearing Li You's words, Xiang Nong, who was holding Ray Allen's arm, didn't care. She just winked playfully, and then the two continued to show their affection...
Li You curled his lips and felt like he had turned into a light bulb. Compared to his regular girlfriend, he still preferred attending his roommate Ai Wen's party.
...
On June 26, at 19:00 sharp, people were coming and going at the Continental Arena in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The 1996 draft will officially begin in half an hour.
Before the draft, the league also invited 19 players, and each player had 10 spots for entertaining family and friends.
After receiving the invitation the day before, Li You was a little surprised. Mark Bartels just smiled and didn't say much. Obviously, he already knew the result.
Originally, Li You planned to invite Manuel Varga, a good neighbor who had taken care of him since he was a child. But when he came here, his father was missing. His ability to grow up safely in Albuquerque was all thanks to this family.
But when I heard that I was going to be on TV, the whole thing went south...
Except for his good friend Alvin, all the people beside Li You at this moment are friends from Connecticut Law School.
There were 5 men and 5 women. After arriving at the scene, everyone was chatting excitedly.
This style of painting did not match the tense atmosphere at all. Li You didn't care about it, but the family members of the black players at the other table kept mumbling:
"This is not a college graduation ceremony!"
Li You, who was wearing a light gray formal suit, tugged on his tie. Alvin beside him joked:
"Lee, are you feeling nervous?"
Before Li You could speak, the blonde girl Milinda in a white dress beside her said with a smile:
"Lee will definitely be selected and he will become a big star, just like Bruce Lee!"
Li You rubbed his forehead and patted Milinda's dirty hands under the table. These girls had a negative distance relationship and were so lively that it was unbearable.
"Mark already knows the result, so I won't be nervous!"
After hearing Li You's words, everyone began to discuss which team would draft him...
In addition to the players, there are also fans watching the excitement. Due to their geographical location, the Knicks have the most fans tonight, many of whom are wearing University of Connecticut jerseys.
The entire draft was broadcast live on TNT. Young Ernie Johnson still had thick hair on his head. In front of the broadcast booth, veteran coach Hubie Brown was introducing the situation of each team.
Li You looked around and found that many players were familiar faces, and players from Mississippi and Kentucky were also present.
The No. 1 pick is naturally the most eye-catching. The camera is frequently shown to Allen Iverson, and the family members around him also seem a little nervous.
After the draft officially begins, there is a countdown above. The team must make a choice within the specified time. If it exceeds the time limit, it will be considered as giving up.
When young David Stern came to the stage with a smile and unfolded the small card in his hand, the scene suddenly became quiet:
"In the 1996-97 draft, the 76ers selected Allen Iverson from Georgetown with the first overall pick!"
As soon as David Stern finished speaking, cheers erupted from the scene, and Iverson hugged his mother with tears in his eyes.
Watching Iverson walk on stage and put on a 76ers hat, Li You in the audience also felt like he was witnessing history.
Just as he remembered, the Raptors next selected Marcus Camby and the Grizzlies selected Raheem;
The Bucks selected Marbury, and the Timberwolves selected Ray Allen.
Li You noticed the change in his friend's face and forced a smile. Mark Bartelstein's expression was even more ugly.
Not long after the result was announced, David Stern took the stage again:
"We have a trade to announce. The Timberwolves traded up to send Ray Allen and a first-round pick to the Milwaukee Bucks for Stephon Marbury."
The subsequent rankings were the same as Li You remembered. Every time the results were announced, there would be a burst of cheers.
David Stern, who took the stage this time, had a particularly bright smile and seemed to be in a very happy mood:
"In the 1996-97 draft, the New York Knicks selected Clay-Lee from the University of Connecticut with the 18th overall pick!"
The University of Connecticut fans cheered and booed. Li You stood up with a smile, hugged his friends, and then walked to the stage.
Li You stepped onto the stage from the side and took the Knicks hat from the staff. Li You smiled and shook hands with David Stern on the stage:
"Lee, welcome to the NBA!"
"..."
