In July 1998, labor negotiations made no progress, and both parties were trying to speak out to the outside world.
After returning to New York, Li You first participated in the "Tonight Show", a morning news talk show, and then participated in the "Late Show with David Letterman."
In the two programs, when it comes to labor agreement issues, Li You also followed the players' union in unifying the tone.
Ewing also spoke out for low-level players on ESPN programs. The management and the league did not compromise easily. The three parties went into battle naked and refused to give in to each other for their own needs.
Since player transactions cannot be carried out during the offseason, most fans will not have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation.
In the 1998 draft, the Mavericks sent Pat Garrity, Martin Mulsep, Bubba Wells and the 1999 first-round pick to the Suns, who eventually exchanged them for Steve Nash.
This transaction did not attract much attention. Like Li You, a rookie in 1996, Nash's performance was mediocre and he has always been a substitute.
When Li You saw the news about the deal, he recalled that the two were about to enter a sweet period, and Nash was about to rise.
The most attention-grabbing event in 1998 was the World Cup in France, where the theme song "Cup of Life" became a global hit.
Li You originally planned to fly directly to France to witness history, but unfortunately events came one after another, and his friends were not interested in the World Cup, so he could only watch it at home.
On July 12, in the 1998 World Cup final, the Brazilian team faced the host France.
After a little gambling, Kristen Little was staring at the TV even if she didn't pay attention to football.
Although the Brazilian team was sleepwalking and Zidane scored twice to help the French team lead 2:0, the little follower was worried.
It wasn't until Petty made a long drive at the last moment to help the French team advance again that he threw himself into Li You's arms and shouted happily:
"Yes! We won a lot of money!"
The girl turned eighteen, and the little follower who was about to become an adult had already said goodbye to her image of A. She was so happy that she hugged Li You and kissed her fiercely.
Li You hugged the girl in his arms, but felt a little regretful in his heart. He really wanted to watch the game live, but unfortunately he didn't have a friend who understood the game to accompany him, so there was always less fun.
It was not yet night, and under the stimulation of the beautiful sword, the little follower's face turned red, and he was only wearing a white suspender. He whispered into Li You's ear, and after a laugh, the two started another round of competition.
After having dinner in the evening to replenish energy, Li You leaned on the sofa and read the newspaper, while Kristen-Litte was still talking about school gossip in her arms.
High school students don’t have too many worries, and besides, it’s a public performing arts school with mostly African Americans and Latinos, and very few white people. The gossip is about those who are lucky enough to be spotted by talent scouts and make a lot of money. of.
"Akelela is definitely out of luck!"
"I actually got the opportunity to sing the theme song of "Mulan"!"
Young people in this era all like to watch the Disney Channel variety show "Mickey Clubhouse".
After the club disbanded in 1994, the popularity of child actors has not diminished. After watching the movie two days ago, the little follower followed Cha Lemon.
There are also famous girls in the school. The big lolita Scarlett and her brother also study in this school. Compared to the tall Kristen Ritter, the petite Scarlett is more popular.
"Alyce, do you want to go to college?"
As soon as the little follower lying on Li You heard that he was reading and going to school, his voice immediately became lower:
"I still want to stay in the modeling industry. It would be nice to be able to make money early! Then we can have a baby early!"
After speaking, he kissed Li You with a smile and caressed the other person's smooth back. Li You sighed secretly:
"Destined to be nothing more than a beautiful little vase!"
On July 13, Hook held a basketball training camp in New York. The first stage was held at Manhattan Community College.
The first stage is mainly for children aged 12 to 15. Of course, younger children can also participate in the activities.
In the basketball hall, Li You dressed up in a hook, while sharing his basketball experience with the children, he also continued to perform "Fuck your basketball dream"!
With a dream in mind, 13-year-old Chris Paul came to New York with his family and participated in a training camp. He wanted to learn from his idol, but at this time he doubted his life.
"Nice shake, you almost fooled me!"
With everyone watching, the short Paul dribbled the ball continuously from his hips, and then suddenly changed direction in front of his body. After switching to his right hand, he wanted to break through to the basket and complete a layup.
But as soon as the basketball was released, Li You, who was chasing him, blocked the ball!
"Wow!!"
After completing the block again, all the children around him were excited, rushing to Li You's side and shouting.
Li You also laughed loudly, sent out a headshot, and then motioned for Chris Paul to kick off.
"Remember, Chris, no one will give up to you on the court. It doesn't matter your age. As long as you are an opponent, you must go all out!"
This time Li You was teaching while leaning sideways to hit him. Chris Paul was already stunned:
"I'm just a 13-year-old kid!"
In the left block, Li You suddenly blasted the ball with his right hand on the spot, then quickly grabbed the ball with his left hand, turned his back and directly passed the defense, broke through to the basket, and made a left-handed one-handed dunk!
"ah!!"
The dunk ignited the atmosphere. Everyone except Chris Paul, who was still dazed, cheered and shouted.
On the first day of the event, Li You defeated all the dissatisfied children.
On the second day, follow-up activities were held in several branches of Fordham University.
This event is mainly aimed at boys and girls aged 16 to 18.
The activity is not only about comparing skills, but also about sharing basketball experiences and insights, stimulating participants’ basketball dreams and enthusiasm.
Ivana followed Li You to the Manhattan campus early in the morning. Unlike the little follower, the blond white rabbit was more of a good friend.
"I'll probably go to Georgetown University. I don't like it that much, but New York is better!"
Ivana, who was dressed in sportswear and had just run a few laps, helped Li You catch his breath.
I usually come to Li You's place for a little indulgence from time to time. After the two of them became completely familiar with each other, they talked more casually:
"Wouldn't it be nice to get out of New York?"
Staring at Li You helplessly, Ivana untied her hair, and the two of them walked toward the stadium with their arms crossed:
"Being in New York can prevent those bitches from coming to your home! Clay, you seem to have signed a lot of endorsements. Do you want to consider changing to an apartment?"
"I can introduce you to some good houses. Of course, by buying a house, I also have an income. I don't have much pocket money left. Remember to do me a favor!"
Seeing the innocent-looking blond white rabbit becoming more and more concerned about the beautiful sword, Li You shrugged his shoulders, put his arms around him and said with a low smile:
“The houses near Midtown are pretty good!”
In the morning activity, Li You mainly shared some basic basketball skills with the boys and girls who came specially to participate in the activity.
"Maybe you think the point guard's job is just to give the ball to the big man in the paint, but I want to say that's a bias!"
"If you are in the No. 1 position, you must be aggressive on the court so that the opponent does not dare to let you go easily, but always pays attention to your movements."
"When facing a big man's defense one-on-one, small players still have their own advantages. Rashad, you guard me!"
The Knicks were unable to organize player training, and the newly drafted Rashard Lewis did not participate in the undrafted summer league.
Thinking that he is still a star, Rashard Lewis finally chose to come to Li You's training camp to get familiar with him.
Li You raised his right hand seriously, lowered his body weight slightly, and saw Rashad Lewis standing with his feet parallel. Li You maintained a triple threat posture and explained to the young fans around him:
“Watch my drop and swing, I’ll release it with my left hand!”
He quickly took a tentative step forward with his right foot to the left. While releasing the ball with his left hand, Li You exploded the ball quickly and vigorously, and then completed the step back. Before Rashad Lewis could react, Li You had already made a jump shot from outside the three-point line!
"Wow!"
Seeing the basketball hollowly hitting the net, the small fans gathered in a circle cheered. Li You did not look at the confused Rashad Lewis and continued to explain:
"It's that simple! Pay attention to the width of the test step! It's a very simple action!"
The young people around him were eager to try it out. Li You demonstrated the movements again, explained the technical essentials, and then called to the little man on the other side:
"Hey, brother over there! You defend this time! Use all your strength!"
Rafe Alston stood in front of Li You with an unconvinced expression.
In this year's draft, the "Streetball King" was selected by the Bucks with the 39th overall pick. He brought his brothers to the training camp today just to make a splash.
Alston tried his best to put his forearm by his side and continued to fight physically. Li You didn't care, but continued to explain to the young fans around him:
"When you encounter such a small man on defense, you still have to make good use of your probing steps!"
"I will break through from the right and then dribble from behind. Pay attention to my steps and timing of releasing the ball!"
Alston is still very famous in New York. Some young black fans looked strange, but still did not say anything. Many people followed him and cheered loudly.
Li You maintained a three-threat posture, keeping his body's center of gravity extremely low. After taking a large test step with his right foot, he suddenly released the ball with his right hand, pressing his shoulder to break through and take a big step.
Ulster, who was firmly on the defensive, had a physical confrontation with Li You and then subconsciously moved to the left rear.
Li You quickly dribbled the ball behind his back, returned to the three-point line, combined the ball, and then made an easy jump shot!
"oh!!"
On the basketball hollow net, the young fans started cheering and exclaiming again. Many people shouted happily and rushed to Li You's side, jumping and shouting.
"Don't be afraid of physical confrontation. When the opponent defends hard, you must control your body's center of gravity, observe the opponent's footsteps, and finally attack the opponent's supporting foot in front of the defense!"
"You have to stay calm when playing, and you have to have a clear purpose when dribbling. Don't dribble in place. Don't think about any fixed moves. Follow the changes of your opponent!"
"Okay, little guys! Are you all learning?"
"Yee!!"
Alston's face looked a little ugly. At this time, no one among the boys and girls at the scene paid attention to him. He followed Li You and threw three-pointers blindly from outside the three-point line.
On the other side, Ron Artest watched with envy as Li You kept correcting the little fan's movements. Then he saw a pretty blond girl handing him water, and he immediately liked lemons.
"Shet! Watch your eyes! Don't look at things you shouldn't!"
Ben Wallace saw Ron Artest looking directly at Li You and Ivana, and immediately stepped forward to give a fierce warning.
"Waltfalk!? Who are you?"
Ron Artest also has a great reputation in Queens, and he basically does whatever he doesn't accept. Although he felt that the black brother with dreadlocks in front of him looked familiar, he still choked back.
The two had a quarrel on the side and started pushing each other. Just as the hook staff was about to step forward to comfort them, Alster on the other side stepped forward to dissuade him:
"Give me some face, Bro, it's all your own."
Before he finished speaking, Alston stepped forward to dissuade the two from pushing each other and received an elbow from Artest.
The surrounding followers were speechless for a moment when they saw the boss rushing to the street. Artest and Ben Wallace were already separated at this time. Li You saw the situation and came forward with a smile.
"Lee, I want to play for the Knicks. Will the team draft me next year?"
"I grew up in Queens, I've always been a Knicks fan, and I want to win a championship with the team!"
Young Ron Artest shouted about his origins, as if he wanted to play basketball in his hometown.
"Let's not talk about other things first. Come here and serve the little guys. This is my territory. We have to set an example for the fans!"
Li You pointed at the boys and girls who were all eating melons. Ron Artest scratched his head and agreed:
"Just call me Ron! I like the Knicks and I will enter the draft next year."
"."
In the second stage of the activities, Li You got to know Ron Artest, who wanted to play basketball in his hometown, and also met the "King of Streetball" Alsterton.
Ben Wallace still dislikes Ron Artest, and the two would exchange words when they had time.
The Hook Training Camp was very well run. At least Li You was very satisfied. The tickets were not expensive. Most of the young fans who chose to attend the training camp still had a star-chasing mentality.
The collective bargaining agreement is in trouble again. The players union is working hard to communicate with the league and management and strive to resume negotiations in August.
On July 20, Li You completed Gouhu's training camp and the shooting of the commercial, and finally had some free time.
In the evening, several members of the Knicks team gathered at Oakley's house in Queens, and Ewing brought another bad news:
"They want to limit rookies' access to new opportunities, and they want their salaries to be linked to their playing experience!"
The memory in Li You's mind suddenly tumbled again, and then he cursed secretly:
"Shet! There will never be a contract like Kevin Garnett's in the league again!"
Oakley and Larry Johnson looked at the gorilla walking around and didn't care at all for a while. Instead, they asked Li You about his next plan:
"If the preseason is cancelled, the offseason will be too long. Li, where are you going to train during this time? We must maintain our physical condition!"
Li You glanced at the frowning gorilla, then smiled and said his training plan:
"This offseason may be long, and next I plan to train with Tim Grover!"
"Although the price is a bit high, it should be effective. I plan to gain muscle!"
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(End of chapter)
