"Wood's mansion is right in front. After he came to Los Angeles, he spent 8.5 million US dollars to buy this mansion, and said that he would stay with the Clippers for the rest of his life and win a championship for the Clippers. What a pity. Our 'Big Three' have been full of misfortunes since the day they were formed, and injuries have never left us." Cassel continued with a melancholy look on his face: "But the price of Wood's mansion has increased. It is said that now It’s worth at least 11 million.”
Dai Li nodded: "The surrounding environment is really good. It seems that our youngest MVP in history is living a very comfortable life. I hope this comfortable life has not dampened his fighting spirit."
Cassel seemed hesitant to speak, but finally he asked: "Coach Li, do you really plan to re-activate Wood?"
"Otherwise, his salary next season will be as high as 34.5 million U.S. dollars. The team has paid him so much money. Of course, he needs to perform accordingly, at least to be worthy of his salary." Li Dai replied.
"But now Wood is no longer the youngest MVP back then. In the past three seasons, he has only played a total of more than 20 games, some of which were as substitutes. His average points per game have gone from The 25 points at his peak dropped to 5 points, and the average assists per game also changed from 8 to 1.2. More importantly, his shooting percentage also dropped very significantly. Before this injury, his three-pointers hit The rate is only a pitiful 16.7%." Cassel said.
"Wood is not good at three-pointers to begin with. His three-pointer shooting rate in his peak period did not exceed 35%. For a defender, he is at most a qualified level. But his breakthrough is really sharp. Not only can he score, He can also cause damage to opponents. And as a point guard, he has the ability to control the rhythm of the game, which is exactly what we need." Li Dai said.
"But the reason why he was injured was also caused by his breakthrough style of play. If a defender keeps attacking the inside and engaging in physical confrontation with the inside players, his body will be unable to bear it sooner or later. His This style of play is destined to be unsustainable," Cassel said, shaking his head.
"Unless he has one of the world's top physical trainers!" Dai Li interrupted.
Cassel was stunned for a moment. Of course he knew that the "top physical coach" Li Dai mentioned was Li Dai himself. Cassel also admitted this, but Cassel still didn't think Wood could return to his peak.
The two came to Wood's mansion, and Wood also warmly received Dai Li.
Since Dai Li became the head coach of the Clippers, although Wood has been injured, he often comes to Staples Arena to cheer for the Clippers. Of course, he also wants to show his face and ensure a certain amount of exposure to avoid trouble from sponsors.
"How is your recovery from your injury?" Dai Li asked.
"I am recovering. If I want to fully recover, it will take at least a month or two. But I will definitely be able to catch up with the pre-season training camp." When Wood answered, his expression was a little unnatural.
"Really?" Dai Li smiled slightly, took out a piece of paper from his arms, and then read to it: "On February 23, 2009, the right wrist was injured; on March 11, 2010, the left wrist was sprained; 2010 On November 26, 2012, he injured his neck; on January 10, 2012, he sprained the big toe of his left foot; on January 14, he sprained his big toe on his left foot again; on February 6, 2012, he suffered back spasm; on March 14, 2012 , sprained the groin; sprained the right ankle on April 10, 2012; torn the cruciate ligament of the knee on April 28, 2012; sprained the ankles on both sides on November 1, 2014; sprained the left leg on November 15, 2014 ; On November 22, 2013, the meniscus of the knee was torn; on February 24, 2015, the meniscus was torn again; on September 29, 2015, the left orbit was fractured; on April 3, 2016, the third fracture of the left knee Suffered a meniscus tear for the first time…”
Dai Li read them one by one, all of which were Wood's major injuries in recent years, from the initial sprain to the severe meniscus tear, dozens of injuries, large and small.
The more Wood listened, the uglier his expression became. He finally couldn't help but interrupt Dai Li: "Coach Li,... what on earth do you mean by this?"
"Wood, you have experienced such a serious injury. Do you think that even if you return to the game, you can still be the same as before?" Li Dai said and put away the piece of paper in his hand.
Wood was silent for a moment, and Dai Li continued: "Actually, I consulted your doctor before I came here. He told me that your knees are almost on the same level as those of an elderly person in their fifties or sixties."
"He even told you this? Damn it, this is my personal privacy, how could he leak it to you!" Wood looked very angry.
"Don't forget that the NBA has regulations that players cannot conceal injuries from the team. You have clearly signed a similar agreement before, so your doctor telling us about your condition is not an invasion of your privacy. On the contrary, if If he hides anything, the team may be able to sue him." Li Dai spread his hands.
Wood sighed dejectedly, as if he had aged several years in an instant, and he said: "Okay, I admit, my condition is very bad. Even if I recover, I will not be able to play like before. So you guys What are you going to do? Are you going to buy me out, or trade me? To be honest, no team is willing to take over my 34.5 million contract next season, right? As for the buyout, I can tell you in advance, I demand a full buyout, don’t even think of giving me a discount, I won’t give in a penny!”
In Wood's view, now that the team has grasped its true situation, it is impossible to continue to reuse him or give himself a chance. Faced with a package worth US$34.5 million, the team is likely to seek trade, find other teams to take over, or directly buy out themselves.
"The team doesn't plan to trade you, nor does it plan to buy you out." Li Dai smiled and shook his head: "Next season, we need a starting point guard to serve as the team's tactical core and control the team. rhythm."
"What do you mean?" Wood asked in surprise.
"What I mean is that the team needs you, and I will continue to let you start and make you the core of the team." Li Dai replied.
"Are you kidding? Just what I am now? You already know the true condition of my body. Do you think it's fulfilling to tease me?" Wood looked even more angry.
Dai Li was very calm. He looked at Wood and said: "Of course you are not worthy of being a starter now, and you are not even qualified as a substitute, so you need to return to your original state."
"It's impossible. It's impossible for me to return to the previous state. Even if I wanted to, my body can't do it. My knees are useless!" Wood said, shaking his head.
"That's why I came here to find you." After Dai Li said this, he took out a manual from his briefcase and handed it to Wood.
"This is... a brochure for Coach Li's physical training center? Coach Li, is this your own physical training center?" Wood looked at Dai Li in surprise. He thought that Dai Li was here to negotiate a buyout, but he couldn't Unexpectedly, Dai Li came to look for business for his training center.
"When you are the head coach of the Clippers, you are promoting business for your own training center. Is this considered cheating? I can't believe that Coach Li is such a person." Wood thought to himself.
"Look at the content inside. This is a specially printed brochure for athletes who have suffered serious injuries or have not recovered from old injuries." Li Dai said.
Wood opened the brochure, which started with some bland introductions. They just said that Dai Li's physical training center has very advanced training equipment, very professional coaches, and rich experience in rehabilitation training.
But the content that followed attracted Wood. They were all real cases, that is, athletes who had undergone rehabilitation training with Dai Li and successfully returned to their peak form. Among them were some well-known top athletes. Even Wood had heard about it for a long time. Daimyo.
"You don't have to doubt the authenticity of the content above. These athletes underwent rehabilitation training with me, and the results they achieved after successful training can now be found online." Dai Li paused for more than a minute. Wood waited for most of it before continuing: "Your current situation is indeed very bad, but I have a way to restore your knee to its previous state, just like the athletes you see in the brochure."
"Really?" Wood's eyes showed urgency and surprise, and even his breathing became rapid.
Dai Li nodded: "Of course, but you need to pay some attention."
"How much do you want?" Wood asked immediately. He had already regarded Dai Li as someone who came to take over private work. So ask directly for the price.
"What are you thinking about? You are my player, I train you, how can I take your money!" Li Dai suddenly felt dumbfounded. He continued: "What I say about dedication is time. The dedication is the sacrifice of sweat! I mean, you need to listen to me and work hard on rehabilitation training!"
"Uh, sorry, I misunderstood." Wood also knew that he had misunderstood Dai Li.
Dai Li went on to say: "The regular season has just ended, and those teams that have entered the playoffs will continue to play, while the teams that have not entered the playoffs are now disbanded, and the training camp for next season will continue. It won't be held until October. But I need you to train now, not in October. From now until the start of the season in November, there are six months, and I am confident that I can use these six months. months, allowing you to return to your peak form. But in this case, your offseason will be ruined. During the offseason, other players are on vacation. They may go to nightclubs, go fishing, or go surfing. , go on dates with beautiful female celebrities, and enjoy happy parent-child time with your son and daughter. But for you, there is none of these. You can only sweat profusely on the training ground. Every day is boring and boring training. Are you willing? ?”
"Of course I am willing! As long as it can restore me to my previous physical condition, I am willing to do anything." Wood's eyes showed an eagerness, as if he wanted to start training now.
Dai Li continued: "In addition, I have also found a whole team of training partners for you."
"A whole team of sparring partners?" Wood looked at Dai Li with some confusion.
"It's a whole team, from position one to position five, there are all players, and there are more than one. Even in confrontations, there are several substitutes. Considering your current physical condition, I'm afraid you still can't adapt. You cannot compete physically at the NBA level, so the sparring partners I have found for you are several levels weaker than the NBA, both physically and technically. I think with your current condition, training with them is just right." Li Dai said He smiled proudly.