Pick Westbrook

Chapter 318 You are not a good bird

Hearing Li Lai's words, Auden shook his head again and again at this moment, and he strongly denied it and said, "No, no."

"If there was another time, the Trail Blazers would never draft me. They would never want a cripple."

"I'm a lame you know that."

Li took a look at Oden, who was sitting upside down on the chair. Because of years of injuries and treatment, his legs were slightly deformed, so Oden put his legs on the bench in a particularly awkward way.

At the same time, Oden's left hand was still bandaged and protected, and he had just undergone surgery.

Li Lai said: "The Hornets have a cannonball, a mad dog, a training madman, and a center with facial paralysis and rough skills."

"We just need a cripple now, would you like to come?"

Hearing this, Auden was full of hesitation. He couldn't believe that all this was true, but the serious expression on Li Lai's face seemed to confirm to Auden that it was indeed true.

Oden naturally knew about Li Lai. When the Trail Blazers played against the Bucks, he noticed this extremely young coach.

All the players of the Bucks looked forward to him, and Li Lai also led the team to achieve the miracle of two consecutive championships.

The Hornets have shown a rising momentum under the leadership of the opponent this season, and even rank among the top in the league in terms of the team's overall defense.

Oden didn't know why a coach of such stature and achievement would come to him, and he didn't think that the Hornets, a playoff-caliber team, really needed him.

"Don't be kidding, I've already been reimbursed for the season, and I need at least two months to recuperate. It will be April when I can play."

Li Lai nodded, showing an emotion he already knew and said, "At that time, the playoffs just started, and it was the time when you could play."

Oden frowned and said, "Play in the playoffs? Me?"

"Do you know that I haven't played a game for two years. During these two years, I haven't stepped on the court, I haven't touched a basketball, and I haven't practiced any tactics."

"How could I make it to the playoffs."

This is indeed a problem. Oden's future state will really have a big doubt.

Li Lai suggested: "So from now on you have to stay with the team all the time and learn the Hornets' tactics and defensive drills."

"I found a doctor for you, he should be able to give you a good recovery advice, when you can play, when you can resume training, how to resume training can help you recover as soon as possible."

Hearing that Li Lai had found a doctor for him, Auden finally began to believe and said, "Are you serious?"

Li Lai smiled and did not give an answer, but put two air tickets and a contract in front of Auden.

"We're going to Phoenix now."

At this time, the sun had already flooded Li Lai's face, and Auden looked at the contract and air ticket in front of him, tears streaming down on them.

Turns out he was still wanted.

Auden will always remember this day. A teenager appeared before him in the early morning. At this moment, he felt that the sky was extremely clear.

Li Lai looked at Oden's trembling lips and knew that the other party still had a question.

He looked at Chaoyang in advance and said, "I want everyone to know that you were the No. 07 pick in the [-] draft, and Greg Oden is not a parallel importer."

"That's why I'm looking for you."

On the way to Phoenix, Li Lai took a special look at Auden's detailed abilities.

【Greg Oden】

【Height 214cm, Weight 124kg, Armspan 224cm】

【Speed ​​60 Strength 70 Layup 75】

[Short shot 80, medium shot 55, long shot 40]

[Dunk 75, Pass 30, Control 35]

[Defense 68 rebounds 80 blocks 78]

[ability value 65, potential value 78]

If Li Lai remembered correctly, he checked Oden's detailed abilities when he first met the Trail Blazers.

At that time, Oden's potential value was at the level of an All-Star player above 90.

But now, due to years of injuries affecting his potential, his potential value has already dropped to the point of an ordinary player.

"Oden, who used to be the top player in history with static talent and dynamic talent, now only has static talent."

Phoenix.

Hammond made an appointment ahead of time with Dr. Thomas Carter, the head of NASA's medical team and a specialist in knee meniscus and cartilage injuries.

This is not the first time that Li Lai has cooperated with Thomas Carter. The two met as early as when Yi Jianlian suffered a knee injury.

It's just that after carefully checking Oden's injury, Thomas Carter shook his head again and again, and said that the opponent's injury was much more serious than that of Yi Jianlian back then.

"Oden's injury has affected his entire body structure, which also means that his body will never return to its best time."

"In fact, Oden's knees are not good among players of the same class, so he has constant problems when bearing such a huge weight and fierce competition on the court."

"I will help Oden establish a complete rehabilitation system to help him recover better and faster."

"However, given his current situation, I suggest that he stop trying the strenuous sport of professional basketball. Even if he persists, he will not be able to play for a long time."

Hearing Dr. Thomas Carter's words, Auden was very lonely. He raised his head and looked at him and said firmly.

"Dr Thomas, I still want to get back on the court, please help me in any way you can."

"Also, if possible, can you tell me how many years of career I have left?"

Thomas Carter hesitated and said, "It won't exceed three seasons. This should be the limit that your current body can last."

Hearing this, Li Lai felt a little regretful. He thought basketball was more important than Oden's body, so he told the other party at this time.

"I advise you not to return to the court, the contract I gave is still valid."

Oden knew that Li Lai was a good person, and only someone like him would be willing to give a player a contract for no reason.

But Oden would like to say that he still wants to stay on the court not for money, but for something very important to him.

So Oden shook his head decisively at this time and said: "Coach, I also want everyone to know that I was the No. 07 pick in the [-] draft, and Greg Oden is not a parallel importer."

"Even if I am destined to be in a wheelchair in the future because of today's decision, I will insist on returning to the court."

Seeing Auden's insistence, even Hammond beside him couldn't help being extremely moved.

Li Lai chose to respect Oden's decision, and at the same time arranged for Peja to accompany Oden throughout the recovery process.

Merritt College.

Li Lai arrived at his last destination.

Payton would bring his son here every year after his college games, to shut him off completely, away from all the cronies, away from all the feasting.

Payton will not allow his son Gary Payton II to go home until he has exhausted his son Gary Payton II and completed all the tasks and goals.

The Oregon State University where Gary Payton II is located is not a traditional basketball school. They missed the NCAA competition again this year.

Therefore, Gary Payton II, who is still in his sophomore year, has high hopes from the coach of the Oregon State University team. If this school can make it to the NCAA, it must be because of Gary Payton II.

加里·佩顿二世在大学联赛里场均能够得到16分8篮板5助攻2失误的数据，投篮命中率48%，三分命中率31%，罚球命中率62%。

He also won the league's best defensive player for two consecutive years, and is the only person in the history of the Oregon State team to lead the team in points, rebounds, assists and steals.

"Son, do you know that this place, this stadium, used to be where your old man and I stayed."

"At that time, there were also a group of good brothers who played with me and stood on this court together."

"But unfortunately, most of them are dead or in jail."

"They could have come out on top like me and achieved extraordinary things, and there were even some who outdid me in terms of talent."

"But the crime on the streets has eaten their lives, so it's all different."

Peyton patted the back of his son's head. Although his expression looked extremely fierce, his eyes were full of doting emotions.

Payton hopes that his son can understand his good intentions, stay away from those street fights early, and put all his thoughts on basketball.

Payton won the championship trophy in 06 and won two Olympic gold medals. He is also the only player in NBA history to win the DPOY award as a point guard.

That period was the 95-96 season with inside monsters.

Payton edged out Scottie Pippen, Dikambe Mutombo, David Robinson, Hakeem Olajuwon and Michael Jordan for the DPOY award.

Payton also got everything he wanted in the NBA. His only expectation now is to train his son into the NBA.

Gary Payton II had heard his father say the same thing no less than ten times, and he knew exactly what his father expected of him.

Since Gary Payton II told his father his dream when he was 12 years old, the other party has been paying attention to him.

Gary Payton II wants to play in the NBA and gallop on the court like his father, which is different from those who are also the second generation of stars.

But Gary Payton II is also very aware of his talent, and he has no advantages on the court other than defense.

Even if it is an excellent defense, it was only grown up with the help of his father Payton, but it is far from the opponent.

Fortunately, Payton used many old-school player methods and methods when training his son, so Gary Payton II was trained to be extremely resilient, and he would not choose to give up in the face of any difficulties and setbacks.

Payton also knows that his son's talent may be difficult to play in the NBA, but he is still relieved.

"This temper and temperament are very similar to me, unlike Magic Johnson and his daughter."

At this time, Peyton noticed a strange figure walking over. He obviously had some impression of the other person in his mind, but he couldn't remember it immediately anyway.

Gary Payton II hurriedly patted his father on the shoulder and said, "He is Li Lai, the head coach of the Hornets."

"Single-handedly trained players such as rookies Westbrook, Curry, George Hill, Jeremy Lin, Yi Jianlian, Danny Green, Andre Ingram and Dragic."

"Now all college players want to be selected by the Hornets, just like the current Leonard and Jimmy Butler, they have been trained in the Hornets very well."

Li Lai did not expect that he was already so famous among the young players in the college league.

Seeing Gary Payton II look enviously and expectantly at him, Li Lai immediately became more confident in winning Payton.

Payton, who had already entered the hall of honor, looked much calmer when he saw Li Lai. He stretched out his hand and smiled and said, "Coach Li Lai, why are you here?"

Li Lai went straight to the topic and said, "I'm here to invite the league's gloves to prevent Jordan from being an unlovable outside defensive leader in the finals."

"If I remember correctly, that year's Finals was the one with the most points, shooting percentage, shooting efficiency, and turnovers in Jordan's 6 championship journeys."

Hearing these words, Payton was a little flustered. He nodded in satisfaction and said, "Brother, if Coach George Karl allowed me to defend Jordan from the first game, he would not have won the championship that year."

"Wait, what did you ask me to do?"

Li said: "I have two players named Leonard and Jimmy Butler in my team. They are both the type of players who are willing to give their all on the defensive end."

"I hope to find the strongest flexible defensive player to train the two into the top killers in perimeter defense."

Peyton understood Li Lai's intention, but he shook his head and refused decisively.

It's not that Peyton doesn't have time to help Li complete this matter.

It's just that since he announced his retirement in 08, in order to make up for the debt he owed his children throughout his 17-year career, he resolutely put all his focus on cultivating his son Gary Payton II.

Payton said: "All my focus is on my son now. I want to help him enter the NBA and stay in this league. Nothing can be more important than this."

"So I can only say sorry for your request."

Li Lai nodded. It was a little unexpected that Payton, who was notorious in the league, would be such a qualified father.

"If that's the case, I think I can help," he said.

After hearing this sentence, Peyton guessed something, stood up very angrily and said, "What do you mean?"

"Do I need you to pity us with a second-round pick in the future?"

"Gary Payton II will definitely make it to the NBA, but it can only be because of his strength, not because of the pity of others."

Gary Payton II on the side was also very angry after hearing Li Lai's words. In this regard, he is very similar to his father.

Gary Payton II even began to regret that he respected Li Lai so much, and hated that he had always longed to be the opponent's disciple and play for him.

Now it seems that Li Lai is not worthy of being treated like this by Gary Payton II.

Looking at the father and son who were emotionally runaway, Li Lai smiled and said, "Did you misunderstand something?"

Peyton spread his hands, his chest still heaving.

If it weren't for hearing that Iverson, O'Neal, McGrady and other big players on the court respect Li Lai very much, Payton would even want to slap Li Lai hard at this moment.

He regards the pity of others as an insult.

Li said: "I think Gary Payton II will not be bad defensively with a father like you, but he may still need some improvement on the offensive end."

"Many rookie players have received systematic training after entering the NBA, and their abilities will grow rapidly. Most young players were not treated so well in college."

"Even with a Hall of Fame-level father like you, Gary Payton II may hardly get such an opportunity."

"So, I can allow Gary Payton II to train with the Hornets players. Except for team tactics and intra-team confrontation, he can enjoy all the training opportunities for young rookies in the Hornets. "

"Vince Carter, Peja Stojakovic, Chris Paul, all can help Gary Payton II grow as quickly as possible."

Payton looked at Li Lai in shock, not because Vince Carter, Peja, and Paul, top stars with strength and experience, can help their children grow up.

He was shocked that Li Lai was willing to agree that Gary Payton II could train with the Hornets players.

This is a very big deal.

Most team management and coaching staff treat the team's training as a secret. It seems that except for the Bucks and Hornets who will open the training camp throughout the offseason, no team will do so.

"are you serious?"

Peyton looked at Li Lai in disbelief and said.

Li Lai nodded and continued: "Although you are very strict with your children, I still want to say that Gary Payton II will have a completely different future by my side and by your side."

"I know how to train rookies, and I am more professional than you at this point."

"And after you become the defensive coach of the Hornets, you can also help your children learn about the professional game earlier."

"Wait!" Payton was stunned again when he heard Li Lai's words, and he repeatedly confirmed, "You asked me to be a defensive coach?"

Li Lai frowned and said, "Why not?"

Payton hugged his head and laughed happily.

"You asked me to be a defensive coach, my God!"

"You know, there was a jerk who trash-talked me on the court, saying that my brainless way of playing can only go on the road in the early morning. If I become the coach of a team, I will definitely be a trash Rubbish."

"But you know what, that bastard is messing with the management of the team now, he is a piece of trash."

Li Lai sighed speechlessly. He naturally knew which bastard Payton was scolding. He knew that as long as it was about that guy, Payton could spray it all day and night.

Gary Payton II on the side couldn't wait any longer. He eagerly looked at his father, hoping that the other party would agree quickly, so that he could enjoy the systematic training of professional players in advance.

Peyton also saw what his child was thinking at this time, he stretched out his hand without hesitation and looked at Li Lai with a smile on his face.

"You gave me an offer I couldn't refuse."

Li Lai shook hands with each other and said, "You also have a reason why I have to take it down."

Payton said: "By the way, the salary of the defensive coach should not be low?"

Li Lai said with a smile: "Why, no money to buy a Ferrari? If that's the case, I can give you a Ferrari."

Peyton frowned and looked at Li Lai and said, "You guys are not a good bird either."

(End of this chapter)