At noon, Li Ao and Tre Paganier went to have lunch together.
The two share the same hobbies - basketball and eating.
However, if he hadn't made an appointment long ago, he really didn't want to meet his teammates now.
Because he already had a tendency in his heart, and the reason for his hesitation was precisely these teammates who had been fighting together for more than half a year.
The small shop I found today tastes very good, but Trepagnier couldn't eat it after a few bites.
Even a blind person can see that Li Ao is out of his mind today. He usually talks a lot, but today he didn't talk much.
He asked: "Leo, are you feeling unwell? Take a rest when you need to. I heard that you practiced hard every day just after the season. You don't have to push yourself like that. You are already good enough, and you will definitely become better. "
Li Ao shook his head and said nothing for a while.
Trepagnier was rough-looking but soft-hearted, and he could see what the other party was probably struggling with.
Li Ao didn't seem to want to say it. If the other party was willing to tell him, the other party would definitely tell him. If he didn't want to say it, he stopped asking.
After a while, Li Ao suddenly said: "I want to play in the NBA."
Trepagnier waited for a long time, but he didn't expect to hear such a sentence, and was stunned for a moment...
…
Li Ao went to class as usual in the afternoon and finally told his teammates what he said. If one person knows it, the whole team will definitely know it. Even if Trepagnier didn't say it, at least he told his teammates.
But what he said was that he wanted it, and he hadn't decided yet.
If his teammates don't want him to leave, there's a good chance he'll decide to stay.
It's still a long time, and he needs more time to make this decision.
Because this matter is uncontrollable, once he decides to become a professional, he will not be able to decide where he will go, and he will not know what will happen.
If he stays in college, he can live in the comfortable environment he is used to for at least two years. After practicing for two and a half years before going to the NBA, he will definitely be more confident that he can gain a foothold in the NBA than if he practiced for more than half a year now.
The comfort zone is so comfortable, why should you jump out of the comfort zone to find happiness?
But some decisions mean that you have to jump out.
After school, he headed to Memorial Stadium to continue training.
No matter what decision you make, training cannot be left behind.
Now is the critical stage to develop the three-point shot!
He quickly learned the three-point shooting training method. One method works for all methods. He is already very good in mid-range shooting. It is very simple to learn how to practice three-pointers.
The difference lies in the shooting distance, force, angle, etc. This requires shooting training over and over again to let the body remember that feeling. There is no other way.
In such a long offseason, he doesn't have high requirements for three-pointers. He can just use them as a regular shooting method in the new season.
If he fails to achieve this goal after such a long period of time, he might as well retire where he is.
When he arrived at the training ground, he heard voices inside, which made him feel strange.
In the past two weeks, except for his teammates who come to train on Saturdays and Sundays, he is the only one who comes here on weekdays. Those teammates are still worried about how to get 2 points.
Entering and taking a look...Hey guys, the whole team is here! Team manager Steve Brown also came.
When Li Ao entered the training ground, the voices of his teammates suddenly stopped, and everyone stared at him.
Although he was so handsome that he was stared at everywhere, but he still felt uncomfortable being stared at by a group of big men.
"Uh... why are you all here? Are you going to have a group fight?"
Teammates: (-ω-!)-ω-!)-ω-!)
Some teammates haven't seen him for a while, but they are still familiar to him.
Shelby Jordan stepped forward directly and asked: "Leo, are you ready to participate in the NBA draft?"
It seems that Trepagnier's choice is to tell everyone, which Li Ao expected.
He did not hide anything and said directly: "I am considering this matter and have not made a final decision yet. I will tell you in advance if I decide."
Shelby Jordan laughed and said: "Haha, if you want to go, I'm going to participate in the draft! Maybe no team will choose me, so I'll just accompany you and help you be brave. Anyway, I graduated from college and I'm going to participate in the draft." I have no influence, maybe I can catch your camera."
Granville stepped forward and said: "I'm so envious. I also want to participate in the election early. I have no regrets about my college dream. Playing with you this year is the happiest year since I played basketball. It's a pity that even if I go to college There is no guarantee that I will be selected if I participate in the draft after graduation, and no team will want me if I participate in the draft early.”
Brusenthal said: "Brandon, at least you still have hope of making it to the NBA. I have no hope at all. Isn't it worse? I will be a senior next semester, and my parents want me to go out for an internship. It's hard for me. I convinced them to let me play for another year. After graduation, I plan to go to Europe to try my luck and see if I can continue playing. If not, I will work in a car factory."
Sandy Fletcher also lamented: "Me too, I will be a senior next semester, but I don't plan to continue playing. My neighbor introduced me to an internship in the company where he works. Now I have to study hard, and I won't be able to graduate." They won't sign a formal contract with me if I prove it... I envy you Leo so much. I heard that you were either first in the department or second in the department in the exam... By the way, Costas, you are about to graduate from college, right? What are you going to do? Go to Europe like David?"
Evanisco, whose name was called, said: "Me? I found a job last summer. At an investment bank in New York, they heard that I was playing on the first-level school team and asked me to finish this year before going to work. , I have passed my thesis defense and will go to work in New York at the end of the month.”
"Vaco!"
"I'll go! You're actually becoming the top student behind our backs!"
"It's okay if Leo betrays the organization. He's new here. I've known you for so many years, but I didn't know your grades were so good..."
"NO! You already have a job!"
The entire Trojans players rioted.
Li Ao's academic performance and basketball talent are far away from them. They may be envious and jealous, but they will not reflect it on their own situation.
But Evanisco is different. Everyone is an ordinary person. He has found a good job. Others are just starting to worry about the future and their mentality is crazy.
There were three people who didn't moan.
One is White Mamba, who although second to Li Ao in the eyes of his teammates, is still the 'superior'.
When his teammates were complaining around Evanisco, White Mamba still looked like a grown-up man. He patted Li Ao on the shoulder and said, "Go if you want to. We support you! I heard that you want to run for the election in advance. At that time, I also had that thought, but now I only expect to be in the second round. I plan to play for another year, polish my skills better, and then run for the election. Maybe I can make it to the first round. I'm sorry that I can't accompany you to run for the election. .”
"You and I are running for election together. I'm telling you, if you want to choose me, I will choose you together. Maybe we can be on the same team?"
Bai Mamba knew that what Li Ao meant was "It would be great if we were on the same team in the future." He smiled and said: "There may be a chance. After all, there are few NBA teams, and it would be good to be an opponent. I really want to play against you. "
Chatting with Bai Mamba was too boring. Li Ao walked next to Tre Paganier and asked, "What about you? You haven't been in college for two years, right. What are you going to do in the future? Go to the construction site after graduation?"
"You just went to the construction site, you dropped out of school. I'm going to take the postgraduate entrance examination and continue my studies in architecture."
"I'm not dropping out of school, and I don't plan to drop out. I still have to get my diploma..." Li Ao felt that he still had a good time chatting with Tre Paganier.
As he said that, he turned to his teammates and said: "Stop hanging around Frankie, there is a top student here who is preparing for the postgraduate entrance examination!"
Granville said angrily: "Vaco! Another betrayer of the organization!"
Looking at the teammates gathered around him, Trepagnier had a black line on his face. He didn't speak just now because he was afraid of this happening.
Leo who killed a thousand swords!
Li Ao was satisfied and looked at Sam Clancy, but the guy moved a few meters to the side.
Li Ao was surprised. Could this guy also be a top student? Did you see Trepagnier’s fate and stop attacking him?
Sam Clancy, the top student? Of course he is not.
He is the one who has a headache how to get 2 points in the exam.
He is in a very complicated mood now.
Little Laimbeer has graduated from college, and the annoying handsome boy is going to participate in the draft. As long as he registers, he can no longer return to the school team to play. In this way, the coveted main force or even starting position will most likely belong to him next season.
But he didn't know why he couldn't be happy at all.
Maybe it was because they both left before they even started to really compete with them.
However, his frustration faded as quickly as it came.
That guy is gone, he has to make the team better than when that guy was here!
He is going to be the boss!
As for Granville and White Mamba...he is the new boss! I can definitely compete with these two!
Li Ao was wondering whether this teammate who seemed to have a weak brain was a hidden academic master, but he saw the other person's expressions that were alternately frustrated and silly.
Although he didn't know why the other party acted like this, he was sure that this guy was definitely not good at reading.
Looking at his teammates laughing and playing, Li Ao calmed down.
He has already made up his mind.
Before that, his teammates were his bond and the reason why he was reluctant to leave.
Now, the bond between him and his teammates is still there, but the attitude of his teammates has become the motivation for the kick he wants to take!
…
At noon the next day, Li Ao made an appointment for lunch with the assistant aunt, Dean Teng, and Liam, and he made his decision.
"You have such talent and ability. If you feel you want to go, you should go and seize the opportunity. Don't think that there will be opportunities in the future. There are not that many opportunities..." Dean Teng said very realistically.
But none of the three refuted.
Saying that if you miss it this time, you can just catch it next time, these are words of comfort to others or to yourself.
Dean Teng, who has lived decades longer than them, experienced more, and seen more, said that is the reality.
Dean Teng may have heard from his assistant that this was a small year for the draft, and the media caught Kenyon Martin and blew him to death, but those who have watched the game for two more years will know that there are no top talents in this year's draft, and he feels that he should Seize this year's opportunity and have a greater chance of being selected... Although Li Ao's own situation is different from others, he also feels that what Dean Teng said is right.
Li Ao made this decision, and the three closest people expressed support.
Vivian asked excitedly: "Leo, when will we hold a press conference?"
Li Ao asked doubtfully: "Press conference?"
"Yes, of course you have to hold a press conference to tell the NBA teams that you are participating in the early draft. Otherwise, they won't know that you are participating in the draft and will not invite you to try out. Maybe some teams will not know until the day of the draft. You run for election.
And after you announced that you were out, those agents knew that you were leaving college early, and they found you. "
Liam interjected: "When we were choosing an agent, I called our legal affairs department to prevent you from being cheated."
"Yeah, I forgot about this."
"By the way, I'll help you write out the draft application, lest you forget. In 1997, there was a fool who held a press conference after graduating from high school to announce his candidacy. As a result, he didn't submit the application and couldn't participate in the draft."
"Chris Anderson? I've heard about him. Then I'll leave the draft application to you. Auntie, you are good at writing forms."
"What do you mean I'm good at writing forms!"
Vivian became angry when she heard this, and her face bulged.
After teasing the hospital assistant and feeling refreshed, Li Ao suddenly came up with an idea: "There is no need for the press conference, I have a better idea!"
Vivian immediately forgot about being angry and asked, "What's your idea?"
"Auntie, you will know when the time comes..."
After eating, the four of them went back to school. Those who went to class went to class, and those who went to work went to work.
After school in the afternoon, Li Ao came to the Memorial Stadium for training as usual.
It doesn't mean that you should stop training when you are going to participate in the draft, but that you should train harder.
He has a place in the NCAA, but in the NBA, the weakest player there is a powerful presence in the NCAA. If you pull out the weakest player at random, he will be the boss player of the same team in college.
After arriving at the venue, he didn't go to training immediately. He found the old man first.
The old man is playing cards with the young employees again.
Seeing Li Ao coming, the old man said: "Hey, Leo, do you want to fight twice too?"
He knew that the Trojans hired a trainer for Li Ao, and his training time was only Saturday morning.
Li Ao glanced at the old man. The old man understood and said to the young employees: "You guys go out first."
After everyone left, the old man said: "Why do you have to tell me something behind others' back? Do you want to borrow money from me? I don't have money, I'm just a hard-working old man."
"..." Li Ao was speechless for two seconds and said, "McHale, I'm going to participate in the NBA draft."
As soon as these words came out, the old man stayed for a few seconds and then said: "So fast! I thought you would play in college for another year!"
After the shock, the old man sighed and said: "I thought I could practice with you for one more year. Hey, you have gone to play professionally. I don't know when I will play with you next time. Maybe you will want to see me then." By then, all my photos had been hung up.”
Li Ao rolled his eyes and said, "There is an old saying in our country."
"What old saying?"
"The harm will last for thousands of years!"
"Oh? Then you may have to live for tens of thousands of years."
After exchanging words for a while, the old man said: "Is that what you came here to talk about? I know, I know, you will always finish college and go to the professional basketball world. I have been prepared for it for a long time, so there is no need to comfort me."
"Ah, no, I'm not here to comfort you. I need your help with something."
"Fake! Do you have any conscience... Do you need my help with anything?"
"You should know someone from the TV station, right?"
"Of course, our arena cooperates with many media, what's wrong?"
"I have a decision and I need your help...so-so, so-and-so..."
The old man's eyes lit up after hearing this: "I will definitely help with this! But..."
"But? Is there any difficulty? If it's too troublesome, it's okay not to do it."
"No! It's not difficult at all. I only have one request..."
…
…
The time came to May 8, 2000.
Last night, all the first round games of the NBA playoffs were played.
This was another series in which the Lakers suffered a critical blow from public opinion. Facing the Kings, who had a record of only 44 wins and 38 losses and was eighth in the Western Conference, they played in Game 5 before narrowly winning 3-2 to advance.
In fact, anyone who has watched the game knows that the Lakers did not play well. Kobe shot 49.6% from the field and averaged 27.8 points per game. If he had chosen to hold the ultra-long-range shots at the buzzer at the end of the quarter instead of throwing them, he would have hit them. If the rate exceeds 5, it will become a capital.
Although O'Neal's shooting percentage is average, and his shooting percentage dropped by 10 percentage points compared with the regular season under the attack of Divac and Webber, his performance of 29.4 points, 17.8 rebounds and 2.6 blocks per game is still invincible.
Glenn Rice also averaged 16 points, 4.8 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game.
The performance of the three major stars is not bad.
Being dragged to grab 5 was mainly because Webb was too strong, averaging 24.4 points, 9.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 2 blocks per game.
Under the leadership of Weber, the entire Kings team showed amazing strength.
The only one in the Kings' nine-man rotation who failed was the head point guard White Chocolate.
Jason Williams was guarded by Fisher and averaged 2.4 assists and 3.2 turnovers per game. You must know that he averaged 7.6 assists per game in the regular season, which seriously hindered him in the playoffs.
Fisher showed his characteristics as a 'big-game player in the playoffs', with solid defense and stable key shots.
But with 67 wins and no sweep in the first round, the Lakers are a regular season team.
The Jazz, another team that advanced to the second round 3-2, is still the number one favorite for the championship...
The Spurs were beaten 1-3 by Kidd in the first round. Kidd only played 31 minutes per game, averaging 9 points, 10 assists and 3 steals, which made Popovich drool.
This point guard is great!
After the first round, the hottest topic in the media was not how the second round would go, but that the annual draft lottery was about to begin.
Although after watching football for two more years and understanding more about the draft, you will know that the quality of this year's draft will not be too high, and it is completely incomparable to the six drafts from 1994 to 1999 during the genius explosion period, but more fans just join in the fun. , they believe whatever the media says.
And the mentality of understanding a football player is actually the same as watching the lottery results. Who said that superstars can't be produced in young years of the draft?
If he predicts in advance which player who is currently not optimistic about the draft will become a superstar in the future, he will have the capital to show off when he brags.
Predicting which team will get the No. 1 pick is also one of the most talked about topics among fans now.
Various TV stations also seized on this hot topic and launched some basketball programs, which achieved good ratings.
Tonight, Time Warner Cable Sports will have a live program about this year's draft.
This program has been promoted for a few days and has attracted a lot of attention from basketball fans, mainly due to the invited guest - newly promoted NCAA Final Four MOP Li Ao.
He won the NCAA Basketball Championship with 33 consecutive victories. The talented rookie who only started playing basketball in his sophomore year led the team to win the championship and win the MOP of the Final Four. Most basketball fans have at least heard of Li Ao's name.
It has only been a month since the end of Crazy Three, but his personal popularity is still there, and his evaluations are polarized. Some people think he is only good in college, while others think he has a bright future.
But in short, Li Ao was invited to participate in the show and became one of the hot topics in the past two days.
Regarding this matter, some experts came forward and said that it was not in compliance with NCAA regulations. Did Li Ao receive the announcement fee when recording the program?
If I accept it, can it be understood as accepting funding from the TV station?
However, some people said that although NCAA players cannot accept funding, they do not say that they cannot work and make money. Some players have poor family conditions and need to earn living expenses by themselves, while some players have very good family conditions and have been helping their families with their businesses early on.
The controversy naturally aroused wider attention.
In the evening, many basketball fans stayed in front of the TV after dinner and wanted to watch it.
At 8pm, the show starts.
At the beginning of the program, the host chatted with a retired player who had played in the NBA for some years and whose name seemed familiar to fans but was not considered a star. They talked about trivial things. Then the two began to predict which team this year would be. The teams will get the No. 1 pick, and each gave their predictions.
After the opening content ended, the host said: "Next, we invite our guest tonight, the newly promoted NCAA Basketball Final Four MOP Leo..."
Accompanied by canned applause, Li Ao, dressed in a white casual suit, entered the studio with an energetic old man in a black suit.
"Leo, welcome to our show...Who is this?"
"One of my first basketball teachers, I have social phobia. He was afraid that I would not dare to speak on the show alone, so he came with me. Don't worry about him, he doesn't like to talk either."
The host and retired players didn't know how to answer the call for a while.
you?
Leo, the Trojans' new-looker?
There was also this local wealthy businessman. If the two of them hadn't been smoking and chatting with this old man backstage for half an hour before the show started, they would have believed him!
Both of them and those who knew Li Ao in front of the TV had a new understanding of 'social phobia'.
The greetings prepared by the host were choked in his mouth and he couldn't get out of the words, so he simply went straight to the topic: "Leo, are you paying attention to the draft lottery?"
"Of course, I care about that."
"So which team do you think will get the No. 1 pick?"
"Maybe the Nets."
"Why?"
Why? This conversation was not scripted, and Li Ao just followed his memory and told what he knew about the ownership of this year's No. 1 pick.
After thinking about it, he responded: "The Nets have been bad for so many years. If we don't give them any sweetness, their boss may have to disband the team."
The host, who was speechless at first, his eyes lit up, this young man can handle it!
Opening your mouth is a topic that can be hyped!
The host continued to ask: "You are so concerned about the draft, are you preparing for your future participation in the draft?"
"So be it."
"OK, your appearance on our program has caused a lot of controversy. Some people say that you participated in the TV program recording through channels other than the team, which violated NCAA regulations and may affect your qualifications for next season. Regarding this, you What do you think?"
"I sit and watch."
"watt?"
"Ahem, I mean, I don't need to worry about this now."
"You don't care if you lose your NCAA eligibility?"
"No, I care about this. I hope it is me who decides whether to continue competing, rather than me breaking the rules and not being able to continue competing.
I really wanted to play in college for two more years, but I found that I no longer had any goals to strive for in college. I have a group of excellent teammates, the best coaching staff, and McHale. An excellent first-year teacher taught me how to play... With everyone's efforts, we made it to the end and lifted the trophy.
But just because we had such a great season, I don’t know how far we have to go to make it even better than this past season.
So, I made a very selfish decision and I hope my fellow great Trojans fans understand my decision. "
The host interrupted at the right time and asked: "Decision?"
Li Ao took a deep breath and said to the camera: "Hello, viewers, my name is Li Ao. I am currently 18 years old. I come from a flower garden. I have practiced basketball for 8 months. I played for the Trojans in college. I am male and I like women...
I decided to leave college early and take my talents to the NBA. "
When he said these words, the figures of his teammates flashed in his mind, including middle-aged handsome men, assistant coaches, manager Brown, old men...many of them had pinned their dreams of basketball on him.
At this moment, he felt responsible.
He shouldered the dreams of those people and moved forward!
(End of chapter)
