I'm not really a role player

Chapter 96 Meet Kobe Bryant again in Los Angeles City (6.2K [-]th update)
After a two-hour flight from New York to Charlotte, Li Ke came to this new city where he will live for a long time.

It was different from the last time I left Long Beach and went to Austin alone.

This time, Li Ke brought a large group of people, the management team, his parents and cousins ​​who are going back to China together, and a filming team of Central Five...

In this year's draft, Lianmei was selected with the 40th overall pick in the first round, Li Ke was selected with the [-]th overall pick in the first round, and Dasheng was also angrily won by the Lakers who lost Li Ke, using the [-]th overall pick in the second round.

Three people were selected, and Yang Wu started to think about it and decided to make a three-episode film.

The protagonist of the first episode is Lianmei, the protagonist of the second episode is Li Ke, and the protagonist of the third episode is Dasheng.

This is the reason why this Central Five filming team will appear here.

Li Ke got into Michael Jordan's Maybach, installed a camera in the front seat, and galloped all the way to the Bobcats' training hall.

The Bobcats' training facility is located in a middle-class neighborhood, not far from the home arena, the Time Warner Center.

Between the Time Warner Center and the training hall, there is also a high-end apartment complex.

When a group of people passed by here, Li's mother, who was sitting in the back car and looked out the window curiously, patted Li's father: "Guofu, look, this neighborhood looks good!"

Father Li leaned his head over and nodded: "Indeed, it's much prettier than those neighborhoods in China."

The small city in northern Jiangsu where the Li family lives has just started urban development in recent years. Various new low-rise commercial buildings have emerged one after another. Most of them have no elevators, and most of them are painted with a layer of uneven cement dust on the outside.

I don't think it's good to stay in China, but when I go abroad, I see these mature high-end apartments in Laomei, and there is a gap immediately.

"Hey, how about buying a house in this community for our son? Anyway, he is going to play here, and he will stay for several years. Buy a house for him to live in."

Father Li hesitated for a moment, calculated quickly in his mind, and finally gritted his teeth and nodded: "Okay, then buy a set!"

When we arrived at the training hall, Jordan stood at the door to welcome him: "Meet you again, Sheldon..."

Then, he introduced to Li Ke a group of management members in suits and ties beside him.

The middle-aged bald-headed black man is Jordan's former teammate and Bobcats' vice president of operations Rod Higgins. The black man with short white hair is Rich Joe, the current general manager of the Bobcats. The middle-aged white man with glasses is Larry Cooper, the head of the scouting department. Finally, the young assistant coach Gou B. Bickerstaff...

By the way, G.B. Bickerstaff's father is Bernie Bickerstaff, who got fired two days ago.

The father left, but the son stayed. There was no other way. After all, the financial crisis was imminent, and it was hard to find a job.

What Li Ke still remembers is Gou.B. Bickerstaff, who later became a thunderous existence, a famous basketball genius, and domestic fans gave him a nickname: Xiaogou B...

Into the arena, followed by a formal signing.

There is not much to say about the contracts of rookie players. The salary and number of years that a No. [-] rookie like Li Ke can get is fixed.

Rich Joe, as the representative of this signing, directly handed over a draft contract.

For a period of four years, with a starting salary of 232 million US dollars, the contract amounts for the next three years are 250 million, 267 million and 340 million respectively. The third and fourth years are team options, totaling 1089 million US dollars.

Li Ke glanced at it, and then handed it to the lawyer behind him, John Daiger, to correct the mistake.

However, like this standard contract, there are generally no mistakes or omissions.

Soon, John Daiger nodded to Li Ke, and Li Ke took over the contract again, and signed the two big words: Li Ke!
There was a burst of applause in the training hall...

Jordan walked up to Li Ke, stretched out his right hand, and formally welcomed him: "Welcome to the Charlotte Bobcats!"

"Thank you!"

After shaking hands with Jordan, Li Ke knew that from this moment on, he was a Bobcats man. Whether it was the King of Charlotte or the King of Charlotte Ham Sausage, he would play for this rookie team who had just entered the league for three seasons!
"What number are you going to choose, how about 23?"

number 23?
This... Is Jordan really going to train himself as a successor?

If the relationship is good, ask the system if it is possible to squeeze a person's wool many times in a row. If he can, he will die in Charlotte.

Of course the system will not respond to Li Ke, even if it does, it must be one word: no!
"I'd better choose No. 20, my NCAA number..."

Jordan shook his head slowly.

Shake your head?

What does this mean, you have to force someone to choose No. 23?
Li Ke frowned, and Rich Joe on the side explained: "Number 20 is Raymond's number, you can wear it if you want to, but you have to discuss it with Raymond first."

Well, it turned out to be like this, he wronged Old Joe.

Old Qiao didn't care, and went on to say: "Choose another number first, and I'll have to use it for the press conference later."

Li Ke shook his head: "Forget it, I'll wear size 88, I don't want size 20."

As for the jersey number, he didn't have that much obsession. No. 20 belonged to Felton, so he didn't grab it. After much deliberation, he changed it to No. 88 in high school.

Jordan was surprised: "Wear such a big size?"

"Large size is better, 88, Fafa..."

Li Ke grinned, and Lu Ning and his cousin behind him also laughed.

[-] Dafa represents the most simple and beautiful wishes of the working people...

The press conference was postponed two hours later, because besides Li Ke, there was another rookie who wanted to make an official announcement together.

Soon, Li Ke met this rookie who entered the Bobcats at the same time as him - Jared Dudley from Boston College.

Jared Dudley is also a forward, with a height of 201 and a wingspan of 201. He is good at shooting and has almost no ability to attack with the ball. These points are very similar to Li Ke.

However, this guy's overall physical fitness is very average, and his defensive ability is poor. The competition within the team is obviously no match for Li Ke.

I just don't know why, when Li Ke has already been selected, why did Boss Joe choose another Dudley?

Soon, Li Ke understood why.

"Hello, Sheldon, let me introduce myself, the old rookie of Boston College, Jared Dudley, nice to meet you here."

"Hello……"

Dudley had said all the words, and Li Ke didn't know what to say, so he could only say hello, and then continued to watch this guy spit like a mountain.

"You were born in 89? What a shame, I was born in 85, four years older than you!"

"I didn't expect that I could play ball with you..."

"I watched the NCAA finals. Your performance was too crazy. That three-pointer, the desperate three-pointer, is simply driving people crazy..."

"Reaper's nickname is too appropriate..."

Now, Li Ke knows why Jordan chose Dudley.

Without him, licking is amazing!
This guy will become a great player in the future, not to say that he can succeed in the NBA, but——

With this licking skill, even if he can't play the ball, he can still live in the NBA, just like the Red Mamba Brian Scalabrian.

In a place like the NBA, even if you live in a dawdling manner, it's still a big deal. After all, a year in the NBA is worth at least a million dollars.

Although Dudley licked hard, Li Ke felt awkward, and within a few minutes, he couldn't stand it anymore.

But then, Jordan showed up, and Dudley ran over and licked again.

After licking for half an hour, Jordan always had an expression of enjoyment.

It turns out that awkward licking is more suitable for this group of muscular blacks in the NBA.

At the press conference, Li Ke held a No. 88 Bobcats jersey, and then looked at Dudley next door, who had a No. 4 Bobcats jersey.

Whoops, extra large vs extra small!
Li Ke glanced down at his present moment, and then thought about Dudley's, thinking it was very appropriate.

The spotlight flashed, and a large number of reporters came to the scene, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, Basketball Times, Charlotte Observer...all the ones who should come came.

"Sheldon, tell me how you feel about becoming Jordan's handpicked..."

Li Ke had just sat down, and the team's press officer had just announced the start of the free questioning session, when a reporter from ESPN got up and asked a rather delicate question.

Everyone knows that Jordan's hand-picking is not a good thing. From Kwame Brown to Adam Morrison, they are all messy parallel imports.

That's all for the parallel imports, the point is, after getting the pick, Jordan has to stand up and brag about it.

For example, Li Ke's predecessor Adam Morrison, Jordan blew it hard.

"We need to score, especially in the fourth quarter, and Adam can provide that for us."

"This team can only play the first three quarters. We need a leader in the fourth quarter. We need a guy who can hit the game-winning shot."

"What I value most is Adam's desire to win, and that can't be taught."

"..."

In fact, looking at these comments, Li Ke somewhat understood why Jordan chose him. There was no sense of disobedience in replacing Adam with Sheldon.

This question is hard to answer, let’s tell the truth, Jordan is right next to you, let’s tell a lie, look at the other reporters who are eager to try, I’m afraid there will be a follow-up...

After thinking about it, Li Ke unexpectedly said: "Michael didn't hand-pick me. There are many teams that want to get me. The Bobcats just happen to be one step ahead. If they don't choose me, I will be picked by another team."

As soon as these words came out, the point of contradiction was immediately shifted.

What Li Ke wanted to express was that he was very popular, and he didn't care whether Jordan handpicked it or not.

But soon, the ESPN reporter's eyes lit up, and he raised his hand and shouted: "So, in fact, you don't want to play for the Bobcats?"

With this question, everyone present immediately thought of another Chinese player, Yi Jianlian.

In the past few days, Lianmei is in a "lawsuit" with the Bucks. After being selected by the Bucks, Lianmei and his agent refused to answer all the calls from the Bucks.

The Bucks were forced to speak out through the media, asking the UAE to go to Milwaukee to report.

As a result, Dan Fagan stood up and said that the Lianmei would never play for the Bucks because Milwaukee was too remote.

Therefore, the biggest news after the draft was not that Kobe used his trade veto power to veto a three-way deal between the Lakers and the Bulls and Timberwolves, nor was it that Ray Allen went to the Celtics.

Instead, this year's No. [-] rookie learned from Steve Francis and refused to report to the team that selected him.

Therefore, Sheldon Lee, like his compatriots, is not willing to play for the Bobcats in a small ball market, but he is not so courageous?Don't dare to make trouble blatantly?

Li Ke shook his head, of course he denied it: "On the contrary, among all the teams that want to get me, the Bobcats are the team I most want to join..."

All of a sudden, everyone's mouths were blocked.

Then, a reporter from the Charlotte Observer raised his hand to ask a question, breaking the subject.

But these two questions still made Li Ke feel that something was wrong.

Jordan hand-picked this term, and I am afraid that it will be accompanied by Li Ke for a long time to come, and it will be difficult to get rid of it.

"The pressure is coming..."

After the press conference, Jordan patted Li Ke and said with satisfaction: "The answer to the question is good."

However, this guy's eyes were turned towards David Falk.

David Falk smiled wryly: "Michael, how long has he been with me, I didn't teach it."

Jordan was shocked: "I didn't expect that you, like me, are also a genius in dealing with the media."

Like you again?
Li Ke tilted his head, wanting to say: I am me, a firework with a different color!

Jordan didn't think about it that much, he just crossed his arms and looked into the distance, and then suddenly burst out with arrogance:
This time, I want to prove my vision!This time, I want Jordan's hand-picked no longer to be synonymous with bright lights!This time, I'm going to make every rookie yearn for Michael Jordan's approval!
……

After leaving the training hall, Li Ke remembered that his parents had gone somewhere.

At the beginning of the signing ceremony, Li's father and Li's mother were still witnessing it, and after that, the two disappeared.

After asking about Lu Ning, Li Ke found out that the two of them ran to buy a house.

Starting from the training hall, after driving in the direction of Time Warner Center for about ten minutes, a high-end apartment complex appeared in front of him.

The driver parked the car on the side of the road, and Lu Ning took Li Ke to find Li's father and Li's mother.

Relying on their cousin's translation, the two are negotiating the price with the real estate agent here.

The intermediary will only shake his head, all kinds of NoNoNo.

Li's father and Li's mother said all kinds of things: for this price, if you give it to me, I will take it, but if you don't, then I will leave!
Then, he pretended to go out, and after a while, he backed away.

Li Ke looked like he wanted to laugh, shook his head, and walked over: "Dad, Mom, why did you come to the United States to buy a house..."

When Li's mother saw Li Ke arrived, she hurriedly pulled Li Ke——

"Xiao Ke is here, come, come, take a look at this suite..."

Li Ke waved his hand: "Don't look at it, Mom, you don't know the market in the United States. Buying a house now is not worth it!"

"Not worth it?"

"Let me tell you in a low voice, just this house, it will cost 200 million dollars to buy this year, if you want to buy it next year, you will get tens of thousands of dollars..."

"No way, the gap is so big?"

What Li Ke said was very mysterious, but Mother Li couldn't understand more and more.

"Don't worry about it, anyway, if you want to buy a house, you can go back to China to buy it. At this time in China, housing prices are the lowest, especially in the capital city. You can buy as much house as you have, and you will definitely make a lot of money in a few years..."

Listening to Li Ke's words, Li's mother hesitated, but Li's father was decisive, and immediately made a decision: "Okay, then let's go back to China and buy it!"

Charlotte didn't buy the house, but Li Ke rented one.

That is, the high-end apartment in front of him. He rented a suite for one year.

The rent is only for one year, not to say that he is not planning to stay in Charlotte for a long time, but——

Next year the US housing market bubble will burst, and by then, he will be able to buy a house at a low price and no longer need to rent it.

Li Ke stayed in Charlotte for two days, and returning to Austin at this time would not have enough time.

Instead, you can stay for two days when you pass through Los Angeles, and go to brush up the basic subjects of Kobe's copy first.

When leaving Charlotte, David Falk parted ways, and he was going to Seattle to attend Jeff Green's signing ceremony.

The only ones who followed Li Ke to Los Angeles were his parents, cousin and Lu Ning.

Li Ke, who was counting the time, had already decided the moment he arrived in Los Angeles that he would stay in Los Angeles for two days before leaving for China.

……

When Li Ke arrived in Los Angeles, it happened to be July 7st.

This day, in China, is the founding day of the party. In the United States, it is the day when the NBA free market and transfer market open.

Just after twelve o'clock in the morning, there was a transfer rumor that shocked the entire North America.

"Shocking: Celtics close to closing trade for Kevin Garnett!"

"The Big Three are formed, and the renaissance of the Celtics is imminent!"

"..."

The farce between Lianmei and the Bucks suddenly became old news, and no one paid attention to it.

Although the Bucks were very anxious, they asked the alliance to intervene, but the alliance has no effective way to deal with Lianmei's behavior.

Li Ke didn't pay much attention. As soon as he arrived in Los Angeles, he took his parents to Long Beach.

Li's father and Li's mother met with old Westbrook and Aunt Holden, but they didn't understand the language, so it wasn't that embarrassing.

However, Li Ke always felt that the taste was not right. Looking at the quiet Russell Westbrook, why did he suddenly have the feeling of meeting his in-laws?

The problem was quickly found: Serena, stop pretending to be a good boy!
After staying in Long Beach for one night, the Celtics officially announced the next day.

In a 7-for-1 deal, Kevin Garnett changed his surname to Green and became a member of the Celtics.

The Celtics officially formed an unprecedented combination of the Big Three, causing an uproar across the United States.

"KG, PP34, Ray, this is probably the craziest trio in NBA history?" (No, the crazier ones are yet to come!)

"NBA finale..."

"Next season is probably the season with the least suspense, David Stern, let's present the award directly!"

"What I'm looking forward to now is where Kobe will go..."

……

"So, Kobe, where are you going?"

In Orange County, Los Angeles, Kobe's manor-style mansion, Li Ke brought his family here as a guest.

The Celtics formed the Big Three, but Kobe was lying on the ground, which made Li Ke involuntarily ask questions.

Kobe shook his head with a cold face: "I'm not going anywhere!"

This answer seemed to be nothing, Li Ke chuckled, he knew that Kobe was very depressed now, the Celtics made a big news, but he was locked in the Lakers, at least until 2010 to get rid of it.

In the manor, Li's father and Li's mother were sitting on a bench in the garden, teasing Jaina, who had just turned one year old.

Vanessa was busy, followed by Natalia, who was only four years old, and directed the servants to move the delicious food to the garden.

How peaceful and peaceful this scene is, how comforting it is!
Kobe broke all the good atmosphere at this time.

He disappeared for a while, and when he turned around, he put on a jersey and challenged Li Ke——

"I lost a goal in the one-on-one last time, this time, I won't lose again!"

Fighting intent, endless fighting intent...

Fighting spirit, fanatical fighting spirit...

Li Ke opened his mouth wide, and waited for a while, but he didn't wait...

Depend on!
I can't beat this one-on-one...

If they really wanted to fight, there would be only one ending, to be completely abused!
"Are you trying to bully me who flew from New York to Charlotte three days ago, then flew from Charlotte to Los Angeles, went to Long Beach yesterday, just returned to Los Angeles today, and then rushed to Orange County, and I have no time to rest?"

Kobe froze for a moment, and touched his smooth head. He felt that what Li Ke said made sense. The one-on-one at this time was really taking advantage of others.

However, Kobe still pointed to his jersey and the basketball in his arm.

Meaning: I took off my trousers while riding a horse...

Li Ke turned his head sideways and thought for a while. It is absolutely impossible for him to play one-on-one with Kobe at the moment, so there is only... Shaking people!

"Wait a minute, Kobe, I'll call someone for you."

Sun Yue's phone number was useful, so Li Ke called and explained the situation in a few words.

Then, on the other side of the phone, the Great Sage was in full bloom, and hurried over.

It still takes a little time to rush from downtown Los Angeles to Orange County. Kobe's patience gradually reached its limit, but Li Ke ran away...

He ran into the garden, teased Jaina with his parents for a while, and chatted awkwardly with his sister-in-law.

Kobe couldn't be stronger, so he could only wait until Sun Yue arrived in a hurry. At this time, Kobe's patience had been exhausted...

Kobe pointed to the Great Sage: "Is he the one you called?"

Seeing Li Ke nodding, he continued: "I know him, the second-round rookie selected by that idiot this year, is he a compatriot with you?"

Li Ke nodded again, and then, Kobe pointed at the Great Sage: "Boy, one-on-one, ten balls, let me test your quality!"

Next to the garden is an open-air basketball court, and Dasheng accepted Kobe's one-on-one challenge in a daze.

"Use more force, boy, you are too soft..."

"It's a foul, it's a foul, it's a foul!"

"Why are you so sissy when you make fouls, do you try harder?"

"What are you doing? Don't dare to vote? Coward!"

"..."

Li Ke enjoyed the food in the garden, bowed his head and mourned for the Great Sage for a second.

However, he was sure that even if he was mistreated by Kobe, the Great Sage would still thank Li Ke when he looked back.

After a long time, Li Ke, who was already half full, laughed out loud when he saw the Great Sage, who had completely slumped in spirit, and staggered back to the garden.

"My lord, when are you going back to China?"

"tomorrow."

"Then let's go together."

"Okay... well, thank you, Brother Li, for today's matter."

"Don't, don't call me Brother Li, I'm several years younger than you!"

Sun Yue and Dudley were born in one year, and they are four years older than Li Ke. It stands to reason that Li Ke should call him Brother Sun.

Turning around and leaving the Kobe Manor, when returning to downtown Los Angeles, Li Ke reminded the Great Sage again:
"By the way, Great Sage, you have seen Kobe's power today. You should also understand what kind of character this guy is. When you join the Lakers, work hard and you're done. As long as you work hard, Kobe will cover you."

Sun Yue nodded ignorantly.

　Don't underestimate the influence of the 08 Olympics. Don't forget that the national team still has Brother Yao.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)