March 15th.
The third day of winning the championship.
It was also the day after Woody had a phone call with Magic Johnson.
The Ohio High School Basketball Committee selected this season's "All-Ohio Team", and Woody and LeBron James were both selected to the "All-Pro Team". At the same time, ESPN selected this year's "Best High School Students in America" lineup, and Woody and LeBron were once again selected to the first team.
The buzz about Woody became even louder.
At this time, Woody had come to Los Angeles alone.
This is his first time in Los Angeles.
As the second largest city in the United States, Los Angeles is very different from New York. There are not so many skyscrapers here. It is more like a town, but it is a highly prosperous town.
In the busy streets and bustling crowds, Woody sat in Johnson's Rolls-Royce and looked at everything outside the window, his eyes full of yearning. The more people come out, the more they feel Akron's backwardness. People with "star disease" like him naturally prefer such big cities.
Johnson also prepared a "special" gift for him. He asked Woody to look back and see a large stack of media newspapers on the back seat.
Los Angeles has a "holy place" that actors all over the world yearn for:
Hollywood!
The entertainment industry here can also be said to be a worldwide entertainment industry.
It is for this reason that the media industry here is extremely developed.
In terms of exposure alone, this is definitely the most exposed place in the United States.
Every day, hundreds of media outlets report on the same thing.
In Los Angeles, a very ordinary NBA player may be able to gain the exposure that only stars in other places can have.
"And these newspapers are all reporting on you!"
Johnson's words made Woody turn his head unconsciously, randomly picked up a stack of newspapers, opened them and flipped through them. Johnson thoughtfully turned every newspaper to the page about his report.
Woody looked at the photos of himself and the lines of adjectives that could easily make people expand next to each photo. He couldn't help but let out a breath and put the newspaper back in its place.
He couldn't take it anymore.
It’s no wonder that after many stars become famous, they immediately become confused about what’s going on and what’s going on. Who can withstand such praise? Even Woody quickly took out his system panel and regained his composure after looking at the cold numbers on it.
"With such momentum, tell me, Wu, what are you waiting for?" Johnson began to analyze the current situation for him and what might happen if he chooses to go to the NCAA for another year. "The best case scenario, You performed well in your first year in the NCAA, led the team to win the championship, and personally won the MOP, but even then, how will your momentum change?"
"From the top five to the favorite for the No. 1 pick?"
"Come on, bro!"
"You should know it doesn't make much of a difference!"
"But if you encounter some trouble, you know, things in this world are full of magic. Just like I never thought that I would retire at the top, but when things happen, you will regret it. It’s too late, all you can do is accept it all!”
Johnson was diagnosed with AIDS at the age of 32 and had to choose to retire. In more than a dozen games that year, he averaged 21.6 points, 12.6 assists and 8.1 rebounds per game, which was his absolute peak.
However, regarding his attitude towards private life, Woody felt that this was not accidental. Of course, he was not like Kobe Bryant. He did not say it directly, but listened quietly.
"Man, this is what I want to say, even if you don't become the No. 1 pick this year, it is a guaranteed period of at least 2 to 3 years. You can receive the most systematic training in the NBA. If you join a more A patient team, then even if you encounter some troubles, such as some injuries, you don’t have to worry about a precarious situation..."
I have to admit that Johnson’s words are very convincing.
But obviously, Johnson didn't just tell him that, which brought him to Los Angeles from Akron.
After saying these words, Johnson's car also turned into an arena. Woody looked up and saw the poster on the advertising wall:
A man with a strong body, as strong as a hill, sat on a chair with a fierce expression, showing off his arms that were thicker than ordinary people's thighs. The Lakers No. 34 on his body was particularly conspicuous; next to him stood a tall man. The "Afro" who wears the Lakers' No. 8 jersey is different from the fierce expression of No. 34, showing his white teeth.
This is……
One of the strongest "double teams" in NBA history, the Lakers' current signature "OK" combination of Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant!
This is the home of the Lakers, Staples Center!
Woody was a little curious as to why "Magic" Johnson brought him here.
At this time, Johnson also stopped the car and asked Woody to get out: "Let's go, man, I said, to give you a correct understanding of yourself, it's not just some comments in the media, to be honest , they are just a bunch of guys who rely on making up nonsense, and you can’t expect them to give the most fair and objective evaluation!”
"They can't...but they sure can!"
"Come on, Woody, let me introduce you to my Hoomi, the man behind the 'OK' group, the favorite trainer of all the Lakers players...Gary Vitti!"
Johnson expressed his thoughts:
"Woody, then you have to complete some projects according to Brother Gary's requirements. These projects are basically projects that other teams will conduct during trial training. When these projects are over, you will know whether you should directly Participated in the 03 draft!"
Woody now knows what Johnson is going to do!
This is equivalent to arranging a private trial training for him!
Although each NBA team has different criteria for selecting new players, the process is almost the same. At most, there are some emphasis on items. Woody will go through these items now, and he will know exactly what kind of situation he is in now.
He glanced gratefully at Johnson and Gary Vitti.
"I've prepared everything that needs to be prepared, man, let's start now!" Gary Vitti, wearing a black stretch vest, showing off his strong muscles, said, touched Woody's arm, and then touched He touched Woody's back, with an inexplicably satisfied smile on his face, and asked Johnson specifically, "This kid hasn't gone through systematic training yet, right?"
"ha?"
Johnson was taken aback by the sudden question.
Then Gary Vitti was the first to react. He ran off the track. He coughed twice and shouted to Woody: "Go and warm up first. In half an hour, we will officially start the trial training!"
***
About two hours later, Woody ended all the trials and found a bench on the sidelines to sit down a little tiredly.
He really didn't expect that NBA trial training would be so complicated.
or……
He suddenly thought about Stephen Curry's complaints about him after finishing a workout at St. Mary's High School that day.
Trials were originally such a hassle, but Drew saved him last summer?
Only then did Woody feel how much Drew thought of him!
"Wow, Woody, you're in really good shape. Listen, man, I'm not exaggerating. If it weren't for the ok combination we have, I wouldn't be able to help but suggest that the management sell our core players and move up." I traded draft picks to get you!" Gary Vitti walked towards Woody with sighs after watching all of Woody's trial results.
Woody forced a smile.
He was really too tired.
"Believe me, man, you have some problems, but as long as this bunch of management sees your 18-year-old physical talent, I think all management will ignore your other problems!"
Youth is capital!
"You will definitely be selected in the top five, any position is possible, including the No. 1 pick!"
This is Gary Vitti's conclusion.
When Woody heard this, his fatigue immediately dissipated.
This result is so healing for the body and mind!
"Magic" Johnson then asked: "How about it, Woody, do you have the answer now?"
Woody was about to speak when he heard a voice with the same deep voice sounded, and he was surprised:
"Gary, Erwin, what are you doing? Why is there a little guy here? Has this year's draft started so early?"
Woody turned to look and saw the "hill" he had just seen on the poster, the current number one player in the league, "Shark" Shaquille O'Neal!
