Paravilla Stadium was silent, so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.
Odom was slightly stunned by these words, while everyone else stared at Li Chen in shock.
Li Chen continued, "Even if you leave the Clippers, I'll still crush you, no matter which team you go to."
Even the Lakers won't do, he silently added.
The other players were dumbfounded by Li Chen's bold declaration.
Everyone knew that Odom had averaged more than 14 points per game during his four years with the Clippers. Before Elton Brand arrived, he had unquestionably been the team's second-in-command!
Even now, he was still the Clippers' third-leading scorer. For this Eastern man to claim that he wanted to replace Odom—wasn't he overestimating himself?
Odom also recovered from his shock.
He laughed loudly. "You little Eastern brat, you want to replace me? You'd better think about where you'll be going after tonight, you piece of trash."
"Then we'll wait and see." Li Chen spoke calmly.
"Why aren't you training? What are you all gathered here for? Everyone's doing extra practice today."
Seeing the players gathered together instead of training, Alvin Gentry, who was already in danger of losing his job, was also somewhat angry. He roared at them.
The Clippers players all grimaced at this. They cursed Odom viciously in their hearts. If that guy hadn't run his mouth, how could they have been punished?
They suddenly thought of a man who would probably be overjoyed by this. They all looked toward Li Chen.
Li Chen was silently training.
Alvin Gentry had just arrived and did not know what had happened, so he merely reprimanded them.
At the same time, he sighed inwardly. He had seen Li Chen's diligence. In fact, he had even secretly checked on him in the early hours of the morning to see whether he was really doing extra practice.
Li Chen had not disappointed Alvin Gentry.
Let's see how today goes. We're playing the Timberwolves today, and our chances of winning aren't high. If we collapse in the first three quarters, I'll put this kid in during the fourth.
I hope you can put on a good performance. As long as you don't play too badly, I can still give you another ten-day contract, Alvin Gentry thought silently.
After the strength training ended, Coach Alvin Gentry began arranging tactical drills. Since they had a game that evening, all the players returned to rest in the afternoon.
Alvin Gentry walked along the bustling, traffic-filled streets of Los Angeles.
Suddenly, he stopped. Had he forgotten something? After thinking for a moment, he slapped his forehead. He had forgotten Li Chen.
Alvin Gentry turned around and headed back toward Paravilla Stadium.
As soon as he arrived outside Paravilla Stadium, he heard the sound of shots being made from inside every now and then.
This made him sigh again. This young man was truly too diligent. He was the most hardworking player Alvin Gentry had ever seen, without exception.
When Alvin Gentry pushed open the gymnasium doors, Li Chen was slightly stunned.
"Coach Alvin Gentry, why haven't you left yet?" Li Chen asked politely.
Alvin Gentry said indifferently, "Oh! I came to tell you that you might play tonight, so don't do extra practice this afternoon."
After saying that, Alvin Gentry turned and left. He heard Li Chen's excited cheer behind him, and the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Young man, I hope you can seize this opportunity.
At the same time, Li Chen watched Alvin Gentry's back disappear from sight and silently said, Thank you, Coach Alvin Gentry. The East values returning favors. Don't worry—I won't let you lose your job this season.
Then he thought of something else. Although his stamina was abundant, he still did not know what ability he would randomly receive that night.
Therefore, it was necessary to conserve his energy and strive to bring that unknown S-rank Skill into full effect.
Only by displaying his best side in front of Alvin Gentry could he earn more playing time.
Perhaps this would be the opportunity for him to turn his fortunes around and rise to prominence. Li Chen truly had this feeling, and it was incredibly strong. Tonight, he would definitely make this city recognize him—the man from the East.
Li Chen did not leave the gymnasium. Instead, he continuously recalled the rhythm he had used when making shots, occasionally shooting a few balls while following that rhythm.
Just like that, Li Chen spent another half a day in the gymnasium.
At seven o'clock that evening, they assembled and took a bus to Staples Center.
Then Alvin Gentry selected the starting lineup and arranged the tactics for the night. After that, the players warmed up.
The Clippers' starting lineup for this game was Elton Brand at small forward, Corey Maggette at shooting guard, Odom at power forward, Michael Olowokandi at center, and Andre Miller at point guard.
After hesitating repeatedly, Coach Alvin Gentry still did not put Li Chen in the starting lineup.
Although Alvin Gentry valued Li Chen's attitude toward training and his tenacious will, that did not mean he could disregard the outcome of the game and act recklessly.
The Timberwolves' starting lineup was also announced.
Wolf King Garnett at power forward, Gill at shooting guard, Joe Smith at small forward, Nester at center, and Strickland at point guard.
When Odom saw this starting lineup, he looked at Li Chen with a mocking expression.
It was as if he were saying, See that, Eastern Kid? I'm an unquestioned starter. You want to replace me? Absolutely impossible.
Li Chen ignored Odom's blatant provocation. Instead, he held his breath and concentrated on listening to the system notification.
[Notice: This game has awarded an S-rank Skill...]
On January 16, 2003, Staples Center erupted in cheers.
The regular-season game between the Los Angeles Clippers and the visiting Minnesota Timberwolves officially began.
The Timberwolves' center, Nester, won the tip-off. Wolf King Garnett brought the ball forward and soon used his individual ability to make a jump shot near the paint.
After the transition, Odom received Andre Miller's pass and drove toward the restricted area with the ball.
Odom had already made up his mind. He would let that Eastern Kid, Li Chen, understand the gap between them.
Odom made a small hook shot from outside the paint. He felt extremely comfortable with the shot and had the feeling that it would definitely go in.
But at that moment, a figure soared into the air and swatted the basketball away with a thunderous slap.
That person was none other than the two-way Wolf King Garnett.
Damn it! Odom thought resentfully.
The Clippers' shooting percentage was extremely low in the first quarter. Aside from Corey Maggette and Elton Brand, almost everyone else was missing shot after shot.
Just like that, the Clippers were suppressed from the opening by the Timberwolves, who had Garnett on their side. The first quarter ended with the Timberwolves leading 23–13, a ten-point advantage.
Seeing this, Alvin Gentry's brow furrowed tightly. The gap was simply too large, and the Clippers' role players were far too inconsistent.
Alvin Gentry felt somewhat troubled. He could not help looking toward Li Chen, wondering whether he should let him give it a try.
But after thinking about it, he still shook his head. Giving up resistance in the first quarter would only make the higher-ups even more dissatisfied.
Thus, he decided to wait and see. Perhaps things would improve in the second quarter.
However, when the first half ended, the Clippers were trailing the Timberwolves 33–48, down by 15 points.
The Clippers launched a furious counterattack at the start of the third quarter, finally managing to tie the Timberwolves 20–20 for the quarter.
The Clippers were still trailing by 15 points.
Alvin Gentry was extremely dissatisfied with Odom's performance in this game. Odom had scored only seven points through the first three quarters.
Looking at his somewhat dispirited players, Alvin Gentry felt frustrated by their failure to live up to expectations.
Are we really going to lose? Alvin Gentry asked himself silently.
Before you continue