NBA: The Basketball Miracle

The team's individual tryouts and joint tryouts are completely different. Every test is conducted equally. Everyone gathered on the sidelines and watched Lee complete each test.

At this time, besides the sound of Lee's sneakers rubbing against the floor as he ran, the only sounds in the gym were the assistant coach's shouts and the sound of the basketball going into the net.

Mark Bartelstein looked calm and composed. Compared with the physical test in early March, Lee's physical condition was even better.

The baseline shuttle run and 3/4 court sprint have both improved a little bit, and the standing jump, running vertical jump, and running high jump data have also shown an upward trend.

Even if these tests are accidental, the basic data will not lie. Generally speaking, Lee, who is less than 19 years old, is still growing and has a promising future.

When it came to the shooting test, whether it was a fixed-point shot or a full-court return shot, Lee's performance made Jeff Van Gundy and others nod their heads.

Lee, who had just completed the shot, immediately turned around and turned back, slowed down slightly when approaching the three-point line, and shot immediately after receiving the pass!

"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!

Tom Thibodeau was so engrossed in watching the game that he subconsciously opened his mouth wide. So far, Lee had only missed a few shots at the beginning.

After completing the spot shooting test, Lee completely found the shooting feeling and never missed a shot again.

Dick McGuire seemed to recall the games at Madison Square Garden a few years ago, and said to Mark Bartelstein beside him with a smile:

"Lee's performance reminded me of Reggie Miller. I was impressed by that little guy!"

Mark Bartelstein was very satisfied with Lee's performance. He was no longer polite and said confidently:

"Not only shooting, I swear, Lee's dribbling skills are definitely the best among the rookies in the same class!"

After all the praise, Mark Bartelstein still felt unsatisfied. Selling players is not an easy task. He must make a deep impression on the Knicks management.

After the shooting test, John Starks on the sidelines felt very angry.

Due to his poor performance in the playoffs in recent years, New York fans have been clamoring to replace him.

In this year's draft, the Knicks held the 18th, 19th and 21st picks, so the son of New York, Marbury, certainly had no hope. After Connecticut won the championship, many fans wore Lee's jerseys to show their support.

Seeing the assistant coach waving, Starks, who had been moving around, immediately ran over.

When Starks participated in the New York tryout, he was knocked to the ground by Ewing and injured his leg, so he was able to stay on the team.

Fortunately, it turned out to be a blessing in disguise. The Knicks got a qualified point guard and Starks also found a job.

The reason why New York fans no longer support him is largely because he made 2 of 18 shots in the finals that year and ruined the championship.

The assistant coach signaled for a few one-on-one games, and Lee didn't even look at Starks on the opposite side, but nodded nonchalantly, indicating that he was ready.

Starks threw the ball to Lee from the top of the arc, lowered his center of gravity, and whispered:

"Rookie, don't expect me to show mercy!"

The two have similar body shapes, which is why the Knicks chose to let Starks test Lee.

"You talk too much!"

The moment the opponent rushed over to defend, Lee immediately turned sideways to protect the ball, then quickly turned around with his right foot as the axis, made a tentative step to the left front, and took the moment when the opponent moved back to immediately retract his foot and made a dry jump shot from the top of the arc.

"Swish!" The three-pointer went into the net!

Starks didn't expect Lee to be so confident. He threw the ball directly from the three-point line, and his face looked a little ugly.

The assistant coach immediately signaled for the two to change positions. This time, Lee received the ball with his back to the basket in the left elbow area of the free throw line.

Starks behind him lowered his center of gravity and almost lay on Lee, while his hands kept moving, trying his best to give physical confrontation.

Lee, who received the ball, leaned towards the opponent, shook his shoulders, pretended to turn around, then suddenly lowered his center of gravity, stepped forward with his left foot, and released the ball with his right hand.

Without waiting for Starks to react, Lee exerted force with his feet, stepped back quickly, and shot a fadeaway jump shot!

"Swish!" The two-point shot hit the target steadily.

Stark's face became more and more ugly. Lee did not make any unnecessary moves. He deceived his defensive focus and completed the shot immediately.

At the assistant coach's signal, the two began to change positions constantly. Lee's attacks were very concise every time, without any fancy dribbling. With a good touch, he hit all five spots.

Jeff Van Gundy kept communicating with assistant coach Thibodeau:

"Tom, what do you think of Lee?"

Thibodeau noticed that Starks was about to burst out and said with a low laugh:

"It's consistent with the information. He started playing basketball when he was less than 6 years old. His basic skills are very good. Calhoun's transformation of him was also very successful. His playing style is no longer as fancy as it was in high school."

"A typical college defender, his physical fitness is better than I thought."

Jeff Van Gundy nodded, he valued Lee's ability to control the ball more.

The test phase was not only about offense.

When it was Lee's turn to defend, some of his shortcomings were exposed. Starks seized the opportunity, first against the defense, and then completed a strong breakthrough.

In the low post on the right side, Starks relied on his rich experience to complete two back-to-back jump shots.

However, Starks was careless in attacking the elbow area on the right side of the free throw line, and the basketball was exposed too early, and Lee cut the ball cleanly.

"Shit!!"

Feeling that he had lost face, Starks cursed.

Lee still looked calm, he had been playing this kind of one-on-one match since he was a child, and most of the time, the opponents he met were older than him.

The Knicks did not arrange any tests for their forward players, so naturally it won't put too much pressure on him.

"Take a break. It was an impressive performance, Lee. You're better than we thought!"

Dick McGuire asked everyone to take a break and drink some water. The old man smiled and patted Lee who walked to the sidelines. He was very satisfied with the test.

Mark Bartelstein was so happy that he couldn't stop smiling. He moved to Jeff Van Gundy's side and started to blow the trumpet.

Starks, who was a little embarrassed, took the initiative to talk to Lee, which was considered as recognition of Lee's strength:

"Hey man, you're from New Mexico? Are there really drug dealers there? How about chicks?"

The topic would eventually turn to women. Lee had already gotten used to the trend of this era. He replenished his water and responded with a smile:

"There are indeed drug dealers in Albuquerque, but the security there is not bad. There are more Latino girls, who are more enthusiastic than the white girls in New York."

Starks' eyes lit up. He had never been a good person. He never attended high school properly and had been in jail before. He just liked exciting things!

Jeff Van Gundy, who was standing by, immediately changed the subject after hearing the conversation between the two and said,

"Let's go to the office and talk about this, Lee. I just took over the team this season, and I want to hear your opinion on the Knicks!"

Mark Bartels gave Lee a covert wink, telling him to follow the plan that had been made before and to cater to the coach's tactical preferences when talking to him.

"No problem, I've been a Knicks fan since I came to Connecticut to study!"

Lee walked quickly towards the coaching staff. He knew that this tryout was a success.

At 4 p.m., Mark Bartelstein and Lee said goodbye to the Knicks team.

After getting in the car, Mark Bartelstein waved his fist vigorously and said excitedly:

"Perfect performance, Lee! As long as the Knicks select you, I promise to get you a contract with a good salary!"

"Sometimes the draft is like this, we have to show our precise intentions!"

Lee, in a good mood, smiled and nodded, approving Mark Bartelstein's approach.

Teams with the top 10 picks also extended invitations, but they still chose to come to the Knicks for a tryout first.

This is a pragmatic choice. After all, the teams with the top 10 picks are unlikely to consider him.

"The draft is like this. Players have to make choices, and agents have to make choices based on the actual situation!"

"Arn Traum still has illusions and expects Philadelphia to choose that high school student. This is simply a dream!"

"I can guarantee that no team with a top 10 pick will even consider this high school guard!"

After starting the car, Mark Bartelstein started talking about gossip among the brokerage companies.

During this period, agent Arn Traum also took Kobe Bryant to try out with multiple teams.

However, unlike Lee and others, this agent was very confident in Kobe and tried him out with the 76ers, Celtics and Nets.

Hearing Mark Bartelstein's gloating words, Lee knew that the other party's tryout might not be successful.

"Where to go next? Phoenix or Los Angeles?"

Hearing Lee's question, Mark Bartelstein answered without hesitation:

"Of course, go to Los Angeles, that's a big basketball city!"

Lee nodded and continued to choose the team with a later ranking. He was not a young man and he knew that Mark Bartelstein still did not have a definite grasp.

...

By the way, don't forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me :)