On Thursday, August 26, 1999, at 4:30 pm, Li Ao officially became a member of the USC basketball club.
After the afternoon class, Li Ao, Vivian and Liam went to the Memorial Stadium to go through the procedures to join the basketball club.
Although he had strong doubts about the strength of this team, Li Ao was still very surprised to become a member of the school team.
Vivian and Liam were even more excited.
Li Ao himself felt that there was no possibility of joining the school team and had given up even thinking about it. As bystanders who could see more clearly, Vivian and Liam's expectations were cut off earlier.
It turned out to be selected! How can we not be surprised!
After joining the basketball team, Li Ao followed the expressionless head coach to choose a jersey number. After looking at the remaining numbers, he chose No. 0.
Vivian asked: "Leo, why did you choose No. 0?"
Li Ao responded: "Compared with others, my basketball skills are like a blank sheet of paper. I choose No. 0, which means that I start basketball from scratch."
In fact, it’s because some people use No. 1, No. 3 is also used, and No. 23 and 24 are still used. As a Chinese, he thinks No. 8 is auspicious. According to regulations, he can’t choose No. 8, he can only choose the one that looks pleasing to the eye. .
Henry Bibby, who had not spoken much, saw a slight change in his eyes when he heard this answer.
He quite liked this answer.
Henry Bibby was not very willing to talk to Li Ao, but Li Ao took the initiative to find a topic and asked: "Coach, there are so many people in the trial training, what do you like about me? Do you see that I am a talented and potential stock?"
When I was going through the procedures to join the club just now, the club manager told me that he was one of the 4 people selected out of the 151 students who tried out this year.
This is shameless. Henry Bibby was in a bad mood again and responded coldly: "No, it's because a player in our team who deserves to be beaten was beaten to the hospital, and we need a new one who deserves to be beaten... and I am the head coach, I want you to control whoever I choose."
"That's right, coach, is there anything else you want me to do?"
Li Ao's reaction this time surprised Henry Bibby again. This reaction seemed different from what he knew.
But he still didn't look good and waved his hand to chase people away: "It's none of your business. Let's gather at the prescribed time."
Li Ao, who knew that he was an eyesore, said "Bye bye" and decisively walked away with Vivian and Liam. Liam wanted to treat the two of them to dinner to celebrate Li Ao. Of course, Li Ao was disrespectful, and Vivian also did this this time. Rarely, there was no rejection.
After the three people left, Henry Bibby's originally tense expression became extremely miserable.
Club manager Steve Brown, who was sorting out Li Ao's joining information, said: "Leo is different from what I thought before. I thought he was another Shelby, but I didn't expect that he has a face that could be a movie star. He is not as arrogant as Shelby, but is very polite, and he is not as impulsive as shown in the information. He did not show dissatisfaction with your attitude as coach."
Henry Bibby responded: "I was surprised when I saw him that day. His body shape was exceptionally good and he was only 18 years old, so I invited him to participate in a trial training, but..."
"but?"
"He's probably a better toss-up guy than Shelby."
"Haha, how is that possible, coach, I think you are biased against Shelby because he beat him up."
"Forget it, whatever you want, by the way, do you know where Shelby is?"
"I got word from his girlfriend's brother that he and his girlfriend went to Hawaii."
"What a bastard!" Henry Bibby instantly exploded: "What did that old bastard Sean think, to pay such a large amount of compensation!"
"Yeah, this guy Shelby will never come back until he spends all the money. I almost want Leo to beat me up, but Shelby is quite powerful, so I can't do it anyway."
Brown pretended to be faint when he thought that Shelby Jordan couldn't beat him. When representatives from the School of Computer Science came to talk to him about compensation, he lay on the hospital bed moaning in pain... Finally, after receiving the money, he jumped out of the hospital bed without wearing a hospital gown. For the direct running operation, I really want to give it a thumbs up.
As for Shelby Jordan getting beaten up, that's totally normal. Anyone who can beat him wants to beat him up.
…
After the three people's 'celebration banquet', Li Ao took Vivian back to the apartment, closed the door and eagerly turned on the system.
The content on the screen had changed. The homepage was basic information. He looked at it with expectation...
"Name: Li Ao, English name: Leo.
Age: 18 years old (August 1, 1981).
Height: 197 cm, wingspan: 211 cm.
Weight: 89 kg.
High school basketball resume: None.
College basketball resume: No game experience that meets statistical requirements during the freshman season.
Overview:-.
Physical fitness: 86 speed, 87 strength, 76 jumping, 92 flexibility, 88 physical strength...
Basic skills: three-pointers - (not reaching the basic level), mid-range shots - (not reaching the basic level), layups 76..., ball control 68, passing 61...
Technology: Does not possess basic level technology...
Note: 1. The evaluation is based on the comprehensive strength of the NCAA Division I league. 2. If physical fitness, technology, and basic skills do not reach 60, it is deemed to have not reached the basic level. 3. Evaluation grade: 60-69 is passing, 70-79 is good , 80-84 is excellent, 85-89 is first-class, 90-94 is top, and 95-99 is beyond top. "
Li Ao found that he seemed unworthy to question the Trojans basketball team.
To say it is a blank piece of paper is an insult to the blank piece of paper.
The overall strength is not even below the passing line!
However, his speed, strength, and physical strength were all higher than he expected, and they are all at the top level in the NCAA.
He remembered that on the day of the trial training, when he was comparing speed, he was staring at those 1.8-meter-plus outsiders, and when he was comparing strength, he was staring at those big guys who were more than 2 meters tall. Maybe he was not better than him in these aspects. The difference in height is the same, but as a Chinese, he is used to competing with the best in everything.
However, playing basketball requires more than just being able to run and jump strong enough. The little point guard he saw that day who was over 1.7 meters tall but had muscles all over his body that could jump up and down the rim was not selected for the school team.
He put away his messy thoughts and looked below the basic information. There were several sub-interface options, some were bright and had names, and some were dark and had no names.
The first is achievement points.
He issued a command in his mind and entered the achievement points interface, where several prompts popped up.
"Congratulations to the host for successfully being selected for the Trojans. Reward: 1,000 achievement points."
"Hosts can earn achievement points by participating in competitions, completing competition tasks, and completing training goals."
"Achievement points can be used in draws, and you can get up to basic attribute points, action packs, skills, prop cards, etc. The draw specifications have been opened: elementary, and each draw consumes 1,000 achievement points."
Resisting the urge to draw a lottery, Li Ao thought, switched back to the main interface, opened the second sub-interface, training mode, and another prompt came.
"The host can obtain a certain number of achievement points by completing team training tasks, pre-game training tasks, etc."
"The system will release training tasks based on the host's actual situation and existing training methods. You can consume achievement points to start training tasks, and obtain additional training results after completing the training goals."
"More functions need to be enabled after meeting conditions."
After reading the prompt, Li Ao was glad that there was no 'impulsive consumption' just now.
But what does 'existing training method' mean? Won by lottery? Or study?
He doesn't hesitate, he will know when the time comes.
He opened the third sub-interface that was lit, the task interface.
The task being executed is empty, but there is one in the completed task list - the system activation task.
And there are rewards!
System activation gift package!
"System Activation Gift Pack: After opening, you can get 3 activation rewards. The rewards are random. They are all practical rewards at the beginning of the host's basketball career."
Resisting the urge to activate the gift package, the hospital assistant's aunt said that playing basketball must be ritualistic. He took a shower first and changed into white clothes.
After getting ready, he came to the bed to meditate, with his heart in the sky. After calming down, he opened the system, opened the task interface, received the activation gift package, and opened it!
After three consecutive flashes of purple light, the names of three activation rewards appeared on the screen, with introductions following the names.
"Basic attribute points (5): can be used to improve physical fitness, rare rewards, extremely difficult to obtain, please host carefully choose the direction of improvement."
"DeMar DeRozan's mid-range shooting action package: very close to the standard shooting action, and has a good gain effect in mid-range shooting training and games."
"Transfer Expert Level 1: If the host passes the ball directly without dribbling after receiving the ball, the mind will be clearer and calmer, and the ball feel will be slightly improved. If the host's passing rating is lower than 80, it will be temporarily raised to 80 for this pass. "
Attribute points! Action pack! Skill!
They are all the highest rewards that can be obtained as indicated on the lottery interface! Li Ao's eyes lit up.
But looking at DeRozan's mid-range shot package...why isn't it Jordan's?
Forget it, it's good to have it. DeRozan can be regarded as one of the best mid-range shooters in the new century, and his moves are pretty good.
You should be glad that it is not an action pack for hackers, little emperors, etc.
If I have to say regrets, what Li Ao regrets more is that the skills he obtained have nothing to do with CIC, otherwise it would be even more perfect.
The action packs and skills were all predetermined rewards, so there was no need to worry about it, but he was confused about what attribute points to add.
Without any impulse, he went to the desk in the living room and took out paper and pen.
He didn't write anything either. This was his habit of thinking about things.
First of all, he was sure that the system indicated that attribute points were rare rewards that were extremely difficult to obtain, so he might not get this opportunity to directly improve his attributes in a short time.
Training can definitely improve physical fitness, but the limits that each physical fitness can reach must be different. If the impact on other physical conditions is not considered, strength and physical strength should be easier to improve through training.
Speed, jumping, and flexibility are relatively more difficult and require more talent.
In terms of flexibility, Li Ao thinks he is gifted, and his jumping seems to be quite natural.
After analyzing it, things become simple.
speed!
Full pressure!
He gave the command decisively, and the prompt came.
"The host consumes 3 basic attribute points. Congratulations on increasing the host speed from 86 to 89. The host speed has reached the bottleneck. The next stage is the top level and requires the consumption of intermediate attribute points.
Intermediate attribute points need to be synthesized from 3 basic attribute points. "
"屮艸芔茻!"
Li Ao directly cursed.
You didn’t tell me earlier!
He rearranged his thoughts, and this time it was simple. The bounce was too low, the flexibility was already top-notch and could not be increased, and the priority was to train for physical strength and increase strength!
Another reminder came. The last two attribute points were consumed, and the strength was increased to 89, reaching a bottleneck.
He also considered keeping these two attribute points, and waiting to get another attribute point to increase the speed to 90.
But the problem is that he has no advantages now. When he reaches the school team, his only competitiveness will be his physical condition.
He didn't expect this at first, but the reality is so cruel. He has to compete with the American college students who have the most basketball talents to compete physically.
So whatever you have now, you have to pile it up, and you can't be stingy.
…
On Friday, the second day after Li Ao joined the school team, his life remained unchanged. He got up early for morning exercises and went to class.
Unless there are special arrangements every Friday, he has very few classes, just one class in the morning.
After class, Li Ao and Liam went to the library together and read a book mentioned by the professor.
The content of the book was quite boring, so the two flipped through it and put it aside. Li Ao went to the sports area and found the book "Basketball Basics Teaching".
Looking at the CIC's 'standard action' diagram inside, Li Ao opened the system and looked at the stickman animation of 'DeRozan's CIC package'.
Very 'standard' indeed!
From the explanation of "Basic Basketball Teaching", he learned that the so-called standard refers to the most universal shooting movement summarized after many expert studies. Use this movement to exert force in taking off, shooting, etc. The aspect is most suitable for most people and is both beautiful and beautiful.
Although not everyone fits this standard, he recalled that the movements of Kobe and Jordan, who were good-looking mid-range shooters, were actually very close to this 'standard movement'.
After understanding what 'very close to standard action' meant, Li Ao took a look at the NCAA basketball rules, which were very different from the NBA rules he was most familiar with.
He had played in intramural competitions, and the intramural competitions also used NCAA rules, but with the strength of their team's rookies, who couldn't even beat the art department, he didn't need to understand the rules at all.
The specifications of the NCAA court are different from those of the NBA and FIBA. The three-point line is shorter than that of FIBA, only 6.25 meters, while FIBA's is 6.75 meters. The most special thing about the NBA is that the distance is different from each angle. End 7.25 meters.
Each round of the NCAA is not 24 seconds, but 35 seconds. The purpose is to allow each team to have more time to run tactics.
The game is divided into two halves. There is no single quarter. Each half is 20 minutes. In terms of the number of fouls, the NCAA and FIBA have the same 5 fouls. The same point as FIBA is that the NCAA does not defend for three seconds... …
Li Ao learned about these rules, and it was always right to write down these things.
Liam next to him was reading the basketball club regulations that Li Ao got yesterday.
When he saw the training arrangements, Liam asked in surprise: "Leo, are your school team's training arrangements so relaxed? You are quasi-NBA players!"
Li Ao responded: "Most of the players on the school team are amateur players. Studying is the first important thing. Our school may only have one or two real NBA reserves. This kind of training arrangement is normal."
He had already read the regulations last night. In terms of training arrangements, there were only three times a week, and the time was not long. Saturday morning, Monday and Wednesday at 4 o'clock in the afternoon. He was as surprised as Liam at the time.
However, after analysis, he believed that such an arrangement was reasonable.
However, after he got to school this morning, Vivian came to inform him that he would go to Memorial Stadium for training this afternoon.
At noon, after lunch, Liam went to his father's company to receive education.
Li Ao asked about it and said he was learning how to do business, but he didn't delve into it in depth. Anyway, it was interesting to see Liam's expression of Kuhaha, and there was no need to understand the content of Kuhaha.
He walked to Memorial Stadium and came to the club's office.
"Oh, Leo, you came very early." Manager Brown was quite enthusiastic when he saw Li Ao coming.
He learned from Henry Bibby that Li Ao had a close relationship with the dean of the School of Computer Science, and decided to make good friends, which might be useful in the future.
Li Ao smiled and said: "Come here early and get familiar with it, Steve. I will trouble you to take more care of it in the future."
Brown saw Li Ao, who was carrying a schoolbag, smiling like a sunny boy. As expected, he was not as easy to get along with as the head coach said.
He sorted out the documents, stood up and said, "Then I'll take you to the stadium to have a look first, and then I'll pick up the training uniforms later, as the coach hasn't come yet."
Li Ao followed Brown to visit the arena. He had been here twice before but failed to take a good look around.
After walking around, he found that the stadium was really big! It is indeed a very large stadium that has been expanded several times in the past 70 years.
In addition to the large main stadium for basketball, baseball, rugby and other games, there are also two small stadiums for table tennis, billiards and other games. In addition, there is a large area rented to various clubs, school teams, His personal training ground, as well as the business district he had been to before.
However, if someone hadn't taken him with him, he would have really gotten lost the first time he walked around completely.
Not only is the planning of the main stadium unreasonable, but the area added piece by piece makes the internal structure of the entire stadium very unreasonable.
For example, the office areas of each school team and each club are far away from the training ground area, and the internal roads are complicated. If you are not familiar with this place, you will definitely be confused.
After walking around, Li Ao followed Brown to the training ground.
On the day of the trial training, the basketball club rented the main arena just to save face. It would definitely not be possible to train there. In addition to hosting games, the main arena will also be used to hold concerts and large-scale events.
However, this training ground is not small. There are three full courts, as well as a large rest area and item storage area, which is enough for daily training.
Although there are no training arrangements today, many people are already training.
At first glance, Li Ao saw the current number one basketball player at USC - Brian Scalabrine.
A tall, white forward with short blond curly hair and very distinct features.
Li Ao's impression of this white forward - nicknamed White Mamba and Human Victory Cigar.
The club manager came with someone, and the team members stopped their training one after another and looked at the two of them.
Brown introduced: "This is our new teammate Leo."
Li Ao smiled and said hello: "Hello, I'm new here, Li Ao, my English name is Leo."
No one answered for the first time, so Li Ao touched his nose.
The atmosphere in this stadium is more embarrassing than Brown imagined. Fortunately, there is a white Mamba.
White Mamba stepped forward and stretched out his hand towards him: "Hello, I am Brian Scalabrine, captain of the team, just call me Brian."
"Okay, thank you." Li Ao's tone was filled with gratitude.
Seeing that Li Ao had finished saying hello, Brown said: "Bryan, please continue doing your work. Leo, I will take you to get your training clothes."
Bai Mamba nodded towards Li Ao, who followed Brown to the innermost part of the training ground.
After the two left, the teammates chatted among themselves.
A charcoal-headed man about two meters tall complained: "We already had Shelby, but now there's another bully, and our team is getting more and more lively."
White Mamba responded immediately: "Sam, you can't talk like that, we will all be teammates from now on."
The black charcoal named 'Sam' is named Sam Clancy. He heard the words and responded: "Yes, yes, captain, but he is not a good person to begin with, and I am not just talking nonsense."
Bai Mamba didn't say anything after hearing this. Indeed, their team is very lively now.
But what troubles him most now is not the newcomer Li Ao, but the teammate in front of him at the same time.
Neither White Mamba nor his old teammates from last season find Sam Clancy's attitude surprising.
This teammate doesn't like teammates who are in the same position as him or even have similar heights. He doesn't take it personally.
As the 49th-ranked high school talent in the United States in the 1998 class, there were countless teams that invited Sam Clancy. In the end, he chose the mediocre USC Trojans. At that time, some media analyzed that he was probably With the idea of 'I would rather be a chicken head than a phoenix tail'.
However, he did not have a particularly outstanding performance in his freshman season. After averaging 30+6 per game in high school, he only got 20 appearances as a freshman, all as a substitute. Not only did he not dominate the Trojans as he expected, but he had to Substitute for 'Little Ranbir'.
Over time, he became like this. He was unhappy when he saw potential competitors and was full of hostility.
If teammates were afraid of the eccentric Shelby Jordan, they were annoyed by Sam Clancy.
The good old Slaka Brian who entered college in the same year was willing to make friends with him, but he was often criticized.
On the contrary, they were not so disgusted with Li Ao, the newcomer, and were more curious.
When they first saw Li Ao, they were quite surprised. He didn't look like someone who could put 'Little Ranbir' into the hospital.
