Every year in mid-to-late May, the NBA organizes a rookie joint training camp. NBA officials will invite about 60 rookies to participate in the joint training camp and let them do some skill tests and physical fitness tests. Every time at this time, the general managers, scouts of various NBA teams, and even some head coaches who do not have playoff duties will come to the scene in person to watch the training of the rookies.
If the team has a promising rookie, they will be invited to participate in the team's rookie trial. Some potential rookies often receive invitations from several teams.
In previous years' rookie joint training camp, many rookies who were scheduled to be high-ranking would refuse to participate, or refuse to participate in the skills training session and only undergo physical tests. This may be because they are worried that the skills training session will expose the shortcomings of their skills.
However, in the past two years, the rookie joint training camp has resumed the 5-on-5 competition program, which has allowed more and more high-ranking players to return to the training camp. Actual combat is the best way to see a player's true strength, and many rookie players are also willing to show their abilities through 5-on-5 actual combat.
Since the NBA playoffs are still in progress, the head coaches of most teams are unable to get away, so there are not many head coaches present. Most teams send their managers and players. Explore. Therefore, as the head coach of the Clippers, Dai Li came to the scene in person and became the focus of media attention.
Moreover, Dai Li has just been nominated for the best coach of the year, and many players hope to get an excellent evaluation from Dai Li, which will also help them improve their draft picks.
"Coach Li, these are the physical test data of all the players who participated in the trial training." The Clippers scout handed a stack of information to Dai Li's hand.
Physical measurement data, including height, weight, arm span, standing reach, palm width, arm length, body fat rate, penalty area running back and forth, return running, three-quarter court sprint, in-situ vertical take-off height, maximum vertical take-off height, etc. project. Every year, some players with abnormal physical test data appear, and many rookies with outstanding physical talents will use this to improve their draft rankings.
The Clippers scouts introduced Li Dai to the side, and Li Dai shook his head from time to time, showing a depressed expression.
"Coach Li, it seems you are not very satisfied with these rookies." The scout said.
"The first-round pick in our hands comes from the Bulls. The Bulls have a good record this season and have entered the playoffs. I estimate that the final pick of this pick will be around No. 20. This pick will probably be difficult to select. to our rookies.”
Dai Li took a long sigh and continued: "The rookies in this class, the ones with higher picks, are indeed very talented players. If we are the top five picks, or even the top ten picks, we will have them." You can choose, but after the 20th pick, there are really no good candidates."
"Coach Li, don't worry, there are about seven or eight players who have not accepted the invitation to the joint training camp this year. If you need it, I can give you their information," the scout said.
"Are there any strikers?" Dai Li asked subconsciously.
The scout thought for a moment and nodded: "Yes, please wait a moment while I look for his information for you."
The scout took out his tablet, clicked on it a few times, and pulled up a player's information.
"Coach Li, look, this player Kelz Kumar is 2.06 meters tall and serves as a forward. He is from the University of Utah and is a junior. He played 29 games for the University of Utah last season, averaging 16.4 points per game. He averaged 9.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists, and was selected to the Pac-12 All-NBA first team." The scout introduced.
"A junior? He's considered an older rookie. What's the media's prediction for him?" Dai Li then asked.
"The media predicts that he may be selected at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round. Among the forward players at this pick, he is the only one who did not participate in today's rookie joint training camp. What follows is a scouting report about him ." The scout said.
"Advantages: Height and long arms, comprehensive skills and good athletic ability. Very tall, currently a bit light. Standard rotation small forward, or space power forward. Defense is average. Disadvantages: Low outside shooting ability, behind the dribble His shooting ability is low, his field selection needs to be improved, and his jumping and explosive power are average..."
Dai Li looked at the scouting report carefully. Judging from the above content, the scouts did not think highly of Kelz Kumar.
"His model is Ossef. If he can really become a player like Ossef, it would be great." Li Dai returned the tablet to the scout and asked casually: "By the way, that Ossef?" What is this guy doing recently? I haven’t heard from him for a long time.”
"Osef, he announced last week that he will come back next season! But I think that is just talk, he is already useless!" The scout curled his lips disdainfully, and then said: "Pretty good. A player was ruined by drugs and women!"
…
Ronnie was traded to Los Angeles, so he did not buy a property in Los Angeles, but temporarily rented an apartment.
Although the Clippers' season has ended, Ronnie has not left Los Angeles. After all, this is the entertainment capital of the United States. There are too many temptations that will make young people linger.
At this time, in the apartment, Ronnie opened a bottle of wine and leaned on the sofa comfortably.
Next to him, Ronnie's agent said: "The Clippers have invited several forward players to participate in the upcoming rookie training camp. I heard that they are still inspecting forward players in the NBA Development League."
"Huh, this is nothing more than telling me that they are looking for someone to replace me, so that I can quickly agree to their contract renewal conditions." Ronnie curled his lips disdainfully.
"As long as you understand, I'm really worried that you won't be able to calm down and will take the initiative to lower your salary." The agent said.
"I'm not in a hurry! I don't believe the Clippers can find someone who can replace me now." Ronnie put down his glass and asked: "By the way, do other teams have any intentions? Is there any team willing to give me a replacement?" Send out an invitation contract?”
"The playoffs are not over yet. I think even if some teams have this intention, they will not express it at this time." The agent said.
"That's true." Ronnie narrowed his eyes slightly and continued: "Just let me know that I haven't reached an agreement on a contract extension with the Clippers and I am willing to consider offers from any team!"
…
The Clippers' training ground has several more rookie players coming for trial training. This is the Clippers' rookie training camp.
"American players are really strong enough. Look at that one, he doesn't look like a 19-year-old kid! And that one, he seems to be only 20 years old, as strong as a calf!" Sun Chenggong said with envy in his eyes. .
In terms of physical fitness, these rookies are indeed a higher level than the Chinese men's basketball players. As the head coach of the national team, Sun Chenggong also hopes that his players can be so strong.
"Our men's basketball team members have become much stronger after more than half a month of training." Li Dai said.
"Yes, the muscles on my body have grown. At least the muscle lines are much more obvious." Sun Chenggong nodded.
The men's basketball players have indeed become stronger than when they first came here. Although they are still not as muscular as the black men in the United States, they are definitely better than the Asian players.
Sun Chenggong was delighted that the male basketball players had become stronger, but Dai Li's eyes were fixed on a mixed-race player.
"This time the scouts were wrong again. With Keltz Kumar's talent, even if he is not the second overall pick, he will not fall out of the top five. It's just that the scouts obviously didn't seriously understand his talent! It seems that I have The 20th overall pick is going to be reserved for him!”
This mulatto player is Kelz Kumar who did not participate in the rookie joint training.
Benefiting from Dai Li, the Clippers' rookie training camp extended an invitation to Kumar, and Kumar also chose to come to the Clippers for a trial.
After all, the Clippers are a team in Los Angeles. Although they are not as good as the Lakers in all aspects, as long as they are in Los Angeles, it is a bonus project. This is also a factor that attracts players to join, especially some young players. They really hope to be able to play in Los Angeles. Start your basketball career in the big city.
At the same time, the Clippers hold a 20th overall pick, which is higher than the draft pick predicted by the media for Kumar. Kumar also hopes that he can be selected with a higher pick, so when he receives After receiving the Clippers' trial invitation, he immediately came to Los Angeles.
Dai Li looked at Kumar with a satisfied look on his face. The detector had already told Dai Li that Kumar had extraordinary potential. As long as he could bring his talents into full play, he would definitely become an All-Star player in the future. At this time, Dai Li had made up his mind to choose Kumar.
"Coach!" A voice sounded from behind. Dai Li looked back and saw that it was an administrator of the team.
"Is something wrong?" Dai Li asked.
"Please read this report." The man opened his laptop and brought it to Dai Li.
"Clippers Ronny: Willing to listen to offers from other teams"
Dai Li frowned when he saw this title.
"This Ronnie deliberately released such news to defeat me!" Dai Li curled his lips disdainfully, and said to the staff member: "Go back, I know what to do."
Before that, Dai Li might have been more concerned about Ronnie. After all, the Clippers were already short of major generals. At least on the front line, apart from Ronnie, there really was no one who could be used.
But things are different now. Dai Li discovered Keltz Kumar. Kumar's talent is much better than Ronnie's, and his potential is much greater. He is more worthy of being cultivated by the Clippers. Even if Ronnie leaves the team, the Clippers will still have Kumar to step up on the front line, so Dai Li doesn't care much about Ronnie's stay.
Dai Li thought for a few seconds, then waved his hand and called the Clippers reporters.
"Among these rookie players, there is someone I am interested in. I will chat with him for a while, take some photos, and then write a report and send it out." Li Dai opened his mouth and ordered.
The reporters accompanying the team nodded to express their understanding.
Then Li Dai called Kelzi Kumar to his side and began to inquire in detail. The reporter accompanying the team next to him took out his camera and quickly captured the footage.
…
The next day, photos of Dai Li and Kumar talking appeared on the Internet, with the caption that Dai Li was coaching Kumar.
As the head coach of an NBA team, in the rookie training camp, he is usually just a spectator on the sidelines. Sometimes the head coach does not even come to watch the rookie training, but only sends assistant coaches.
But Li Dai personally went off to coach a rookie, which obviously shows that Li Dai values this rookie very much.
For a while, all the media were speculating that the Clippers would use their 20th pick to select Keltz Kumar.
This is obviously good news for Kumar. Previously, the media predicted that Kumar's pick would be at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round. If he is picked at the 20th pick, it will mean that he has risen a lot. .
…
Boston.
The pick from the Clippers in the hands of the Celtics has changed from the top five picks to the 13th pick, which is the pick on the edge of the lottery area. This makes General Manager Dennis very unhappy.
Moreover, the Celtics' two core players were injured for the season, so they were "lost" in the playoffs and were eliminated in the first round. This also allows Dennis to focus on the next NBA draft.
At this time, the Celtics' rookie training camp is also in progress.
Dennis sat on a chair on the sidelines, looking at the rookie players participating in training, and from time to time he would ask the scouts around him for their opinions.
Not far away, Celtics coach Arnold hurried over.
"Coach Arnold, why are you here? I thought you wouldn't come today!" Dennis said.
"I want the information of a rookie." Arnold turned to look at the scout and then said: "Please give me the detailed information of Kelz Kumar."
"Are you talking about Keltz Kumar from the University of Utah? Wait a moment, I'll find it for you right away." The scout quickly found Kumar's information and handed it to Arnold.
Dennis also looked over and said while looking: "This is a striker! Our striker strength, we don't need to train to replenish it for the time being, right? The prediction is that he will be selected at the end of the first round or the beginning of the second round. Coach Arnold, you came here specially Are you interested in this player here?"
Arnold shook his head: "I just saw a piece of news. Li, the head coach of the Clippers, is very interested in this rookie. There is news that the Clippers will use the 20th overall pick to select this rookie, so I I wonder if this Kumar is a 'relict pearl'."
"Hahaha, Coach Arnold, you are thinking too much. This is just a little trick played by the Clippers." Dennis suddenly laughed.
"Mr. Dennis, do you know any inside information?" Arnold asked immediately.
"I don't know if you noticed a piece of news yesterday. It seems that the Clippers' renewal of Ronny's contract is not going very smoothly. Ronny has expressed his willingness to listen to offers from other teams. Ronny is a striker, and this rookie is also a striker. Players, at this time, the Clippers released this news just to lower Ronnie's contract renewal price.
Dennis paused and then said: "The Clippers want to tell Ronnie that they have found someone who can replace Ronnie, and they also want to tell other teams that the Clippers do not have to keep Ronnie. When other teams offer Ronnie a price, they won't raise the price too high, so the Clippers can save money by matching the offer."
Arnold suddenly understood and nodded: "That's right. If you hadn't reminded me, I really thought there was something unique about Keltz Kumar. It turned out to be just a method used by the Clippers to lower the price!"
…
Los Angeles, Ronnie's apartment.
Ronnie looked furious.
"Damn it, you actually want to use this method to lower the price? I will never compromise! 150 million in five years, I won't ask for a penny less!" Ronnie said fiercely.
The agent wanted to speak calmly, and he said: "You can see through this kind of price reduction method. I think the managers of other teams will also understand that if they are really interested in you, they will give you a The price is reasonable. But I still prefer to renew my contract with the Clippers. After all, the Clippers can give you a five-year contract, while other teams can only give you a four-year contract."
"I understand!" Ronnie snorted coldly, and then said: "Book me a ticket to Hawaii. I want to go on vacation. I will leave the Clippers alone for a while. When the playoffs are over, they will beg for help. I’m here to renew the contract!”