basketball boulder

Chapter 397 Pure Kobe

Looking at this text message, Li Lei couldn't help but think of an incident from last season.

One morning, Wade arrived at the American Airlines Center with great excitement.

Seeing Wade's excitement, Li Lei thought he had taken drugs.

As a result, Wade showed off to Li Lei: "Kobe sent me a text message, and he asked me for advice on handling pick-and-rolls."

How could Li Lei believe it, and beat up Wade directly.

Until Wade took out the phone and found the text message, Li Lei coughed twice embarrassedly: "Ahem, you should have taken it out earlier. Otherwise, how would I know that you didn't lie to me, hehehehe!"

Kobe actually asked Wade for advice.

In terms of breakthroughs, Kobe himself is very strong, especially Peter Pan in the No. 8 period.

However, using the pick-and-roll to break through is Wade's strong point.

In the entire league, Wade is also one of the best in handling pick-and-roll breakthroughs, and he is indeed better than Kobe.

What Li Lei didn't expect was that Kobe would ask Wade for advice.

At that time, Kobe was in full swing, second only to O'Neal and Duncan in the league, and there is no doubt that he was the top three in the league.

Where's Wade?
A rookie, after O'Neal and Li Lei in the Heat team, the team is only the third in charge.

Kobe is not ashamed to ask.

The sage said: Don't be ashamed to ask!
But in fact, there are a few people who can really do it.

At least it was difficult for Li Lei to say this.

Li Lei was thinking at that time: Kobe Bryant, what a strange person!

Later, Li Lei heard another story.

When Kobe first entered the league, he wanted to challenge Jordan in high spirits.

Before playing the Bulls for the first time, Kobe watched countless Jordan tapes, imitating his moves.

On that day, Kobe also bravely challenged Jordan to a duel.

But what's more interesting is that Kobe asked Jordan for advice during the game: "Hey, Michael, how do you feel the position of the defender in the post-up?"

One dares to ask, the other dares to teach.

Jordan: "Use your legs to feel where the defender is!"

At that time, Li Lei still didn't feel much.

Until today, Kobe sent a text message to Li Lei, asking for advice on the technique of running without the ball, and Li Lei was moved.

As far as Li Lei knew, Kobe asked others for advice four times.

Jordan, Olajuwon, Wade, Li Lei...

And among them, Wade and Li Lei are not as good as Kobe, which is not ashamed to ask.

Li Lei suddenly thought: Kobe may not like the media, maybe he has few friends, maybe he has a lot of problems... But for basketball, he is a pure and real basketball player.

Based on this alone, Kobe deserves Li Lei's respect.

Li Lei quickly replied a text message.

"Kobe, I made an appointment with Mr. Tim Graver during the offseason, and he has also coached you. If you are interested, come to Memphis. I will teach you how to move without the ball, and you will teach me how to play low post singles."

"it is good!"

Bryant's reply was only one word.

Li Lei couldn't help but smile, this is really Kobe!

……

Later, Li Lei attended the press conference.

He naturally became the focus.

"Stone, you are now the highest scorer in the NBA playoffs, how do you feel?"

Li Lei: "Very happy! It's great! Of course it's also very tiring!"

"You scored 66 points today, does this have something to do with Michael?"

Li Lei: "No, I just want to win."

"Then do you think you have surpassed Jordan now?"

Li Lei: "Of course...no!"

Afterwards, Li Lei even received a call from NBA Commissioner David Stern.

"Popovich said, you want to become the next Michael, he was trying to disgust you!"

"But I think that guy hit the right button, and you're the next Michael!"

Stern spoke very highly of Li Lei.

He is best at making stars.

And his biggest dream in this life is to promote globalization of the NBA.

In Li Lei, Stern saw hope.

China is a bigger market than North America, and Li Lei is the best bridge to develop this market.

From this moment on, Stern has made up his mind to create the next basketball god?
And in the early morning of the next day, Jordan and Li Lei were sitting in a luxury private bus.

Jordan's royal chef made a simple supper for the two.

It's easy to say, it's the way of cooking.

The ingredients themselves are very high-grade, and Li Lei has only heard of them, and they are probably as expensive as gold.

NBA players often play late at night or early in the morning, hungry, and eating supper is a common occurrence.

Li Lei was also polite, he didn't eat for nothing, he just ate it to his heart's content.

Jordan, on the other hand, is much more elegant, patiently using a knife and fork, taking small sips, looking very delicate.

When Li Lei swallowed the jujube whole, he ate them all.Jordan ate a small piece, put down his knife and fork, and wiped his mouth slowly with a handkerchief.

Li Lei knew that the business was coming.

Jordan said: "At the beginning of the season, your first contract with Nike expired. I heard that your second contract has not been negotiated yet?"

Li Lei nodded, it's not a secret.

In view of Li Lei's performance, Bill Duffy discussed with Li Lei and hoped that Nike would give him a sharing contract.

The so-called sharing contract means that every time Li Lei sells a pair of sneakers, Li Lei can get a certain percentage of dividends.

This is a contract that can only be obtained by the top stars.

But Nike is unwilling, they want to pay in one lump sum as before, and set the endorsement fee every year.

Therefore, the two parties have disagreements, and no contract has been negotiated so far.

Jordan said: "I know you want a sharing contract, but Nike is unwilling to give it. Then come to AJ, I will give it to you! The sharing ratio can be discussed, and I am willing to make concessions."

When Jordan said this, he seemed to be sincere.

However, Li Lei was silent for a while and never spoke.

Jordan smiled and shook his head: "Well, I know what you mean."

"Actually, before I came today, I was very confident in recruiting you. But after seeing your performance today, I already knew that it was almost impossible. How could people like us be willing to be subordinated to others? However, I still want to try try."

Jordan's words are really sincere.

Li Lei could only shake his head: "Michael, I'm sorry."

Jordan waved his hand: "This is your right, you don't need to be sorry.

Don't you have an old saying in China: "Business can't be done with benevolence and righteousness."

Maybe one day in the future, we will have the opportunity to cooperate. "

The meeting between Jordan and Li Lei came and went quickly.

Afterwards, Li Lei called Bill Duffy.

"Bill, since Nike has no sincerity, don't talk about it. Although domestic sports brands are not as good, they are much more sincere than Nike. You should negotiate as soon as possible, don't delay any longer, and try to resolve this matter before next season."

Bill Duffy agreed.

Today Li Lei is Bill's most important client.

(End of this chapter)