NBA: The Basketball Miracle

On the morning of June 9, after leaving the Santa Monica resort hotel Shutters on the Beach in California,

Clay Lee, dressed in sportswear and wearing only a simple white T-shirt on his upper body, looked out the door of the hotel.

The climate in Los Angeles in June is better than that in New York, with the temperature in the morning being around 14°C. The climate is a big factor in why the City of Angels is so popular.

A Chevrolet Blazer soon appeared in front of Lee. Mark Bartelstein waved to him. After getting in the car, Ryan West, who was sitting in the driver's seat, immediately smiled and said:

"Bigger than I saw on TV, Lee, welcome to Los Angeles!"

Ryan is the son of Jerry West. His father is the president and his son also works for the Lakers.

"I am very happy to come to the Lakers for a tryout. I have always wanted to visit the Great Western Forum. Now my dream has come true!"

Lee complimented with a smile, and Ryan West grinned. It can be seen that he has a strong sense of belonging to the Lakers.

The tryout process this time was a little different. We first visited the Great Western Forum and were introduced to the history of the Lakers, and then went to the YMCA Stadium in Inglewood to complete the tryout.

Compared with the Knicks, the Lakers place more emphasis on team culture. Lee also understands that the Lakers can show off with a lot of championship banners hanging above the arena, but the Knicks don't have the conditions.

Compared with Madison Square Garden, the facilities of the Great Western Forum are not luxurious, but the basketball elements are richer.

Historical legends of the Lakers have left photos here. Ryan West brought the Lakers staff to explain the history of this stadium to Lee.

Although he pretended to be listening, Lee was not very interested in these champions. He was not a fan of the Lakers and had no intention of chasing stars.

Throughout the morning, in addition to visiting the Great Western Forum, the two sides also took a tour around Los Angeles.

Compared with New York, South Los Angeles is still under construction. In Lee's view, it is a city that is still developing.

Ryan West was also a little surprised. He knew that Lee was not yet 19 years old, but he didn't feel like a teenager at all.

In order to cater to Lee's appetite, the accompanying staff member Michael Cooper specially booked a Mexican restaurant.

"I've been studying at the University of New Mexico for two years, Lee. I hope you like this arrangement!"

Michael Cooper is already 40 years old, but he is in great shape. Lee and the Lakers star fist-bumped in greeting:

"I almost stayed in New Mexico to study. Thanks for the treat!"

Mark Bartelstein was very satisfied with the Lakers' arrangement. At 24th pick, the Lakers did show their intention.

However, as a professional agent who has been in this circle for 10 years, Mark Bartelstein still prefers the Knicks.

The Lakers' starting point guard Nick Van Exel's position is too stable.

Head coach Del Harris, known as the Silver Fox, is not a rookie like Jeff Van Gundy, and he probably won't give the rookie too much time.

If you want to sign a big contract in three years, you have to make a name for yourself early. Even if he was warmly entertained, Mark Bartelstein was not fooled, and the Lakers are still an alternative.

For the tryout in the afternoon, everyone came to the YMCA gymnasium in Inglewood. The conditions of this venue are average. Some aisles are narrower than the locker room passages of the Great Western Forum, and the venue is not standard.

Lee didn't care about these. It is normal to separate the training hall and the competition venue.

It was still a traditional physical test. When Mark Bartelstein saw Lee getting into shape, he immediately praised him to Jerry West beside him:

"Lee is definitely underestimated. In Connecticut, he has the strength to start. Coach Calhoun has been persuading him to play for another year. Double this year's data to see Lee's true level."

"Lee is very familiar with the existing basketball tactical system. In fact, he is best at pick-and-roll offense. Unfortunately, this has never been demonstrated."

Jerry West, who had been concentrating on watching Lee's smooth shooting, suddenly smiled and said:

"Lee is indeed a genius, but you chose the Knicks first. But I understand your choice!"

Business is business. Mark Bartelstein did not feel embarrassed at all and responded in a relaxed tone:

"Lee is studying in Connecticut, which is closer to New York. His friends and teachers are all there. I have to be responsible for my client."

John Blake is the Lakers' vice president of public relations. If nothing unexpected happens, he will also serve as the Lakers' representative at this year's draft.

They were well prepared for the No. 24 pick, but they were still shocked after seeing Lee's tryout. His open shots were so accurate that it was scary.

"Come on! Lee, we've all seen what you can do, hit a few balls, and don't underestimate me, I'm not too old to be able to defend."

Michael Cooper turned his head to Lee, indicating to move on to the next step.

As an important member of the Lakers during the Show Time period, he was selected to the league's All-Defensive Team eight times and won the Defensive Player of the Year award in 1987.

The 40-year-old Michael Cooper has extensive defensive experience.

Lee, who was wearing training clothes, had fully exercised his body at this time. Looking at the old man whose figure was a little out of shape, he subconsciously raised his eyebrows.

Lee, who received the ball at the top of the arc, was not polite. Facing the old man whose lateral movement speed had decreased, he let go of the ball with his left hand, lowered his center of gravity, and dribbled behind his back twice in a row.

While the opponent was moving, Lee, holding the ball in his right hand, suddenly accelerated. Michael Cooper subconsciously slid to the left and rear, while secretly pulling with his right hand, as if he wanted to interfere with Ler.

The ball protector separated the opponent's interference. Lee, who had just crossed the three-point line, dribbled the ball behind his back again, took a step back, returned to the three-point line, created a shooting space, drifted slightly backwards, and quickly jumped and shot!

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

The staff on the scene all exclaimed in surprise, Lee's movements were really too fast.

After only three rounds, Michael Cooper knew that he could not be defended face to face. At several spots near the paint, he managed to regain some face. In the back-to-the-basket attack, Lee missed a shot.

After a few rounds, Michael Cooper was exhausted. He took a breath and said with emotion:

"Well done! Lee, your technical style is very unique..I'm getting old after all."

Lee's shooting was too accurate, and his body center of gravity was mobilized, and his front supporting foot was repeatedly attacked. The old man, whose lateral speed decreased, had no way to deal with it except to pull him up.

After fist-bumping with Michael Cooper again, Lee threw the ball to the staff and said with a smile:

"Maybe you can consider coming back and playing for a few more years. Many young players can't defend as well as you! I'm speaking from the heart!"

John Blake took the initiative to step forward and patted Lee on the shoulder, smiling and greeting everyone:

"Perfect tryout, guys! Let's go back to the office and talk!"

Mark Bartelstein gave Lee a look. According to the plan, they should return to the resort hotel in Santa Monica at 10 o'clock in the evening. Mark Bartelstein, who was drunk but not drunk at all, asked Lee meaningfully:

"Lee, what do you think of the Lakers?"

The Lakers provided a good one-stop service of eating, drinking and having fun, but Lee was not corrupted by the sugar coated praises:

"I didn't see that Del Harris, 24th pick, if they really selected me. I would probably have to sit on the bench for a season."

"The fact that no one from the coaching staff showed up already indicates something. Maybe the team doesn't like to use rookie players!"

Lee, leaning on the sofa, remained calm. He knew what he needed. To realize his talent, he needed more games. In his rookie season, he didn't want to sit on the bench all the time.

Mark Bartelstein didn't expect Lee to really notice this. He was in a good mood for a moment. Communicating with a smart person saved him a lot of trouble:

"I thought you would like the Lakers very much. Jerry West is here. He's a legend!"

Lee curled his lips. He was not really a licker and murmured a few words:

"What's the use of a legendary player? For rookie players, the coach is the boss of the team!"

...

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