I really play basketball

Chapter 67 The Clown Is Actually Myself

At the end of an NCAA season, there must be some joy and some sorrow.

For the winning Long Beach, they should be happy.

But in reality, they are miserable.

After the draft lottery, Lin Xing, Byron Russell and Lucios Harris will leave.

They are about to embark on the journey of the draft, from the Chicago United training camp, to the trial after another, to the summer league after the draft, and finally the NBA's first season after the summer league.

A busy summer has already begun.

Standing at the door of the training hall, I waved goodbye to Lin Xing and his party.

Seth Greenberg knew that once the championship trio was gone, they would never come back.

He sighed heavily: "We're going to start from scratch..."

After an incomparably brilliant success, it is not so easy to start from scratch.

Fortunately, because of this brilliance, the Long Beach campus has gained a reputation, and Greenberg has also become a famous coach in the NCAA.

So, halfway through the recruiting season when the NCAA finals were over, Long Beach suddenly became the favorite.

Lin Xing and his party had gone so far that they couldn't even see their backs. At this time, Greenberg turned around.

While walking towards the training hall, he asked assistant coach Wayne Morgan:

"I heard that the finals of the California High School League are over. Has Hilltop High School won the championship?"

"We won the championship. That boy Ray scored 37 points and made 8 three-pointers."

"Hey, that's not bad. He and Sta are supposed to be two extremes. Sta will hit inside, and this kid will shoot three-pointers from the outside."

"Yeah, and that Keith from Diamond Bar High School is also a shooting type. In the new season, we have to transform."

"Transformation, it's too difficult, it's better for Si Da, as long as you give him the ball, he can solve all the problems."

Seth Greenberg shook his head, with a happy and troubled smile on his face.

……

Leaving Long Beach, Lin Xing's first stop was Los Angeles.

There, he and Aaron Goodwin reunited and boarded a plane together for Chicago.

Along the way, Aaron Goodwin seized the time and reported on his business development progress during this period.

"I have already negotiated with Yardley's star Kanna. I will give them the right to use the portrait. In five years, you can get 5 million US dollars."

Lin Xing will definitely not refuse the endorsement of the star card, this thing, to put it bluntly, is a peripheral.

Unlike endorsements such as food and daily chemical products, there are various risks.

Lin Xing only needs to sign a signature, and the dollar is tantamount to earning for nothing.

The endorsement fee of 5 million US dollars for 300 years is not a lot.

You know, ten years later, Ajan's endorsement from the Yardley star card will only cost $5 million in five years.

Taking into account inflation and other factors, the endorsement fee Lin Xing received was already very high.

"Coca-Cola was not too keen on asking you to be a spokesperson, but I approached them and they gave a two-year contract totaling $2."

"Not too keen? $2 for 80 years?"

Lin Xing just wanted to shake his head when he heard that, he really didn't want to sign the endorsement contract that Aaron Goodwin wanted for face.

It wasn't because he didn't lack the money, but because he saw Coca-Cola's perfunctory attitude from this endorsement contract.

Lin Xing found it very strange that the draft was approaching, and he was so powerful that he had almost secured the No. [-] pick.

Coupled with the nationality of the florist, shouldn't Coca-Cola be so perfunctory?

Soon, he slapped his head and remembered: "Gah, I forgot the background of the times."

In the early 90s, the NBA hadn't even knocked on the door of florists.

Americans have no idea about the Chinese market.

Coupled with Lin Xing's identity of being neither average nor beautiful, Coca-Cola directly regarded him as an ordinary champion.

An ordinary No. [-] pick who is very popular and wants to get a big contract from Coca-Cola is overthinking.

"Forget it, return the contract to Coca-Cola."

"Don't you want to sign it? That's 80 US dollars. Just like a star card, you sign and give them the right to use the portrait, and 80 US dollars will be yours."

"Don't sign, next one!"

Looking at the wide-eyed Aaron Goodwin, Lin Xing shook his head secretly.

Sure enough, the brain structure of this group of black and white brokers is different.

When you see a beautiful knife, you will go for it, without any brains.

Lin Xing was very fortunate that he had the foresight to limit Goodwin's power in advance.

"In the end, it's the sneaker contract."

Sneaker contracts are more complicated. Generally speaking, apart from Nike, Adidas and Reebok are interested in Lin Xing.

Among them, Reebok's asking price is the highest, which is directly 10 million US dollars in 7000 years.

Adidas followed with $8 million in 5000 years.

Finally Nike, they gave two options.

One is 10 million US dollars for 6000 years. After the expiration, through negotiation, it can be specially designed for a lifetime contract.

The other is a shorter five-year $5 million.

"Forget about Reebok and Adidas, I'd rather sign with Nike, but they're worth the price..."

Lin Xing shook his head and told Goodwin: "Either the term is longer or the price is lower, let's talk to them."

Goodwin nodded to show he understood.

But at the same time, he also emphasized that no matter how hard you bargain, it will not increase much.

To put it simply, Nike has dominated the sneaker contract market these years.

It is not difficult to see from the bids of Reebok, Adidas and Nike.

Reebok is the last, so their asking price is the highest.

Then there is Adidas, whose asking price is a little higher than Nike.

And Nike relies on its status, and its asking price is the lowest among the three.

Moreover, the four quotations in total are already sky-high prices in this era.

Many star players who have become famous in the NBA cannot get this price, such as Gary Payton.

And this year's rookie, except Penny, no one else has a chance to get this price.

……

Arriving in Chicago, after getting off the plane, Lin Xing met an unexpected person.

"Hi Chris."

Weber stood in the terminal of the airport, staring at the entrance and exit passages of the airport, as if he was picking up someone's plane.

Surprised Lin Xing greeted, and then asked: "Who are you waiting for?"

In the end, Weber just rolled his eyes arrogantly.

At this time, Aaron Goodwin, who was pulling the suitcase behind him, hurried over and stretched out his hand to Weber.

"Sorry, Chris, I was delayed on the road for a while and kept you waiting..."

Lin Xing finally realized: "Wait, Aaron, you... with him?"

"Oh, I forgot to mention that Chris is also my client. I signed Chris before I signed you."

"So this is ah……"

He was still thinking, didn't he just lose the final?Why is Weber so stingy that he doesn't even talk to him?

Now, Lin Xing understood the meaning of the white eyes.

A group of people boarded the car arranged by Aaron Goodwin and headed to the hotel.

Weber was not so stingy that he didn't talk to Lin Xing. Along the way, the two sitting side by side still had some exchanges.

such as--

"Sta, you know, I'm a little glad I lost to you now."

"?"

"Haha, who would have thought that the Timberwolves would be the number one pick!"

"??"

"That damn place in Minnesota is just right for you to go, after all, you have rough skin and thick flesh, and you can handle the cold."

"???"

"I'm different. The Bay Area and Orlando are good places to go!"

After a few words, Lin Xing didn't even bother to give a question mark.

He patted Aaron Goodwin in the front seat:

"I'm patronizing my sneaker contract at that price, I forgot to mention it."

"what?"

"You help me spread the word, just say that I don't want to go to Minnesota..."

"Ok..."

"Don't rush to nod, and..."

"What else?"

"At the same time, let out rumors, and I don't want to lose the throne of the number one scholar."

Weber on the side was dumbfounded. You don't want to go to Minnesota. It's understandable. Who the hell wants to go to Minnesota?

But you don't want to lose the top spot, isn't that inconsistent?
But Aaron Goodwin nodded and replied: "Understood."

Weber stared, you understand what you understand?
In fact, Goodwin really understood. Not only did he understand, he even had a few gossip related to it.

If Weber hadn't been there, he would have told Lin Xing now.

As for why Weber couldn't say it when he was there?

When he arrived at the hotel, Goodwin looked at Weber with a little pity.

In the hotel room, there was no Weber anymore. Lin Xing heard these gossips.

"Gossip, the Magic are negotiating a deal with the Timberwolves. They want to use the second pick plus Scott Skiles, who has 15.4 points, 9.4 assists and 1.1 steals this season, to exchange for the No. [-] pick of the Timberwolves."

"There is also the Warriors, and the No. [-] pick Gabriel Owens is exchanged for the No. [-] pick."

"The Lakers are also looking for the possibility of trading this No. [-] pick, but they have too few bargaining chips."

"The 76ers, Kings and Pistons also have a small stack but are also working hard."

"..."

Lin Xing was stunned for a moment, he thought of——

Because of him, this year's No. [-] pick is very hot.

But he didn't expect it to be so hot.

"So, Aaron, who is closer to getting this lottery?"

"Needless to say, the Magic, they have the No. [-] pick for Chris Webber, plus Scott Skiles, who has played top-level point guards in the past three seasons,

If you spread the word that you don't want to go to Minnesota, the Timberwolves will accept the Magic's trade request very quickly. "

The Timberwolves accept the Magic's trade request, and the Magic can use the No. [-] pick to select Lin Xing.

As for the Timberwolves, they can get Skiles and the second pick.

No need to say who is the second pick?Chris Webb!

Lin Xing immediately thought of Weber's ridicule on the car from the airport to the hotel.

This wave, should be the so-called: Is the clown myself?

……

The day before the Chicago United training camp, the gossip spread wildly: Stalin, the only top pick, rejected the Timberwolves.

So, at the same time, some media revealed that Timberwolves general manager Jack McCloskey, who was hesitant to choose Lin Xing for the top pick, had already received several offers from the Magic, Warriors, 76ers, Lakers, and Pistons.

It wasn't that Lin Xing didn't choose him, and he was already considering a trade.

And at this time, the not-so-stupid Weber immediately realized——

"I'm off to Minnesota?"

"No, I refuse!"

So, agent Aaron Goodwin called the reporter who was familiar with him again.

The next day, the day Chicago Combine opened, another rumor went viral: Chris Webber didn't want to go to Minnesota.

Different from the gossip from the previous day, there are a bunch of question marks under this gossip.

"Chris Webber is having a brain twitch? Does he think he's still the No. [-] pick?"

"Before he says he won't go to Minnesota, Chris Webber better think, will the Timberwolves take him?"

"Let's not talk about the Timberwolves. Neither the Magic nor the Warriors will choose him. Aren't Penny and Jamal Mash much better than him?"

"Perhaps, Chris Webber has lost his mind after losing two consecutive NCAA finals."

"..."

……

The Chicago United training camp opened. Before entering, Aaron Goodwin asked Lin Xing: "Do you want to hide your strength?"

In this regard, Lin Xing shook his head.

Hidden strength?In case the number one scholar is lost, what about the tasks in the system?
It is impossible to hide, not only can't hide, Lin Xing has to go all out.

This champion must be him, and it can only be him!

So, during the physical examination session on the opening day of the training camp, a group of NBA managers surrounding Lin Xing opened their mouths wide open again and again.

"Height, bare feet 202.8cm!"

After a crazy three passed, Lin Xing grew a little taller again. This time, his height with shoes was really rounded to 2 meters.

"Armspan, 222cm!"

The arm span is almost 20cm longer than the barefoot height, and it is definitely not an exaggeration to say that it is top-notch.

"Weight, 101kg!"

Although the training did not stop during this period, the intensity was not high. In addition, I ate a lot, and my weight soared by 3kg.

But in the eyes of those managers on the sidelines, this weight is really all right.

It can be used after entering the NBA, without gaining weight at all.

"Standing and touching, 281cm!"

Because he is taller and his wingspan is longer, correspondingly, Lin Xing's touch height has also increased.

This high touch is already terrifying for a striker.

Not to mention, Lin Xing is still a point guard.

"Bounce in place, 95cm!"

"Approach jump, 111cm!"

The last upgrade improved the bounce, and Lin Xing's current bounce data is also terrifying.

"Three-quarters sprint, 2.98 seconds!"

"10.6-yard speed, [-] seconds!"

In the speed test, Lin Xing was also faster than Crazy Three before.

Compared with many previous tests, the speed here surprised the managers who watched from the sidelines the most.

A player with such a height is not inferior to those smaller players at all.

It's understandable that this guy can play point guard.

Finally, the bench press—

"84kg bench press, 13 reps!"

For the bench press here, Lin Xing gritted his teeth and pushed it out.

In the physical test before Crazy Three, he lied about 18 times, but actually only had 12 times.

As a result, this time, he only pushed 13 times with all his strength.

Again, sometimes the wingspan is too long, which is not a good thing.

But what Lin Xing didn't know was that even though he only pushed 13 times, the managers on the sidelines were still surprised.

"13 bench presses, more than Chris Webb!"

"The speed of the guard, the height of the forward, the strength of the inside..."

"Don't forget that he also has the top bounce in the NBA. This guy is indeed a pervert!"

In the crowd, Timberwolves general manager Jack McCloskey opened his mouth.

Now, he hesitated even more, deal?Or not to trade?
In the following non-confrontation trial training, Lin Xing did not hide his tricks.

He dunked a few very violent dunks first, and then shot a few three-pointers with a decent percentage of open shots.

In the end, he showed off his skillful cross-step stunt to the trainer brought by Aaron Goodwin.

NBA managers and scouts already know Lin Xing very well.

The current trial training only deepened their impression of Lin Xing.

And, helped them issue the final concluding scouting report——

[Name: Stalin, position on the field: point guard, physical data: ... abbreviated]

[Advantages: Excellent physical fitness, can play from one to four; has excellent body control ability, can maintain body balance to the maximum; the first step of starting is very fast, the breakthrough is very sharp; there is an above-average passing level; 】

[Disadvantages: In addition to breakthroughs, lack of stable scoring methods; no mid-range shooting, not good at post-up attacks; as a point guard, lack of organizational skills, not good at controlling rhythm; as a forward, average rebounding ability. 】

[Template: Magic Johnson, Dominique Wilkins. 】

……

Lin Xing only stayed for one day at the Chicago United Training Camp.

Lin Xing will not participate in the next match, which is also the choice of most high-ranking rookies.

When I left Chicago, the headlines that filled the screen, except for the Bulls to enter the finals again, were——

"Perverted physical measurement data, comparable to rookie Jordan, Stalin has already secured the number one spot!"

"The worst model Dominique Wilkins, why is the NBA so optimistic about him?"

"If you are rejected, you still have to choose, the Timberwolves are pointing at Stalin!"

"The only pick who refuses to go to Minnesota, Timberwolves or only two options."

The last report from ESPN made Lin Xing laugh.

The Timberwolves have only two options, one is to trade the No. [-] pick;
The other is to move now, to Las Vegas, to Los Angeles, or even to Hawaii.

Lin Xing shook his head. If it was possible to move, the Timberwolves would move right away.

Nothing else, this year's draft, Lin Xing rejected Minnesota, Chris Webber rejected Minnesota.

In the future, I am afraid that Penny and Jamal Mashburn will also reject Minnesota.

The boss, management, and coach of the Timberwolves just want to ask: Who will come to Minnesota?
After leaving Chicago, Lin Xing had to start his trial training journey.

Aaron Goodwin put the trial training invitations he had received in front of Lin Xing, and Lin Xing glanced at them.

"Timberwolves? Just reject it."

The Timberwolves' trial training must be rejected. If they do not refuse, it will give Jack McCloskey unnecessary illusions.

To refuse, and to extinguish all illusions of Michael Closkey.

Trading will become the only way for McCloskey to go.

"The rest, Warriors, Lakers, 76ers, Pistons, Magic, Kings, there are too many..."

Lin Xing frowned, he didn't want to waste all his time running around the United States.

After thinking about it, he crossed out three more teams.

"The 76ers, Pistons and Kings will not go. Anyway, according to what you said, they don't have enough bargaining chips to convince the Timberwolves."

"The Lakers don't have one either?"

"There are no Lakers, but the Lakers are my first choice. Going to stimulate them, maybe they will have enough chips?"

"alright."

Aaron Goodwin shrugged, anyway, Lin Xing had the final say on these matters.

His agent is really just an agent.

　A chapter of 5.2k words, there will be another chapter later, more than 5k words, and the plot of the draft will end.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)