I Don't Have High Hopes For Him

Pacers post-game press conference.

"Mr. Miller, what are your thoughts on the Pacers' performance in this game?" the blonde reporter asked.

"Although we lost tonight, we played very well."

"What's your evaluation of the Clippers' performance tonight, and what do you think of Artest's foul?" the blonde reporter asked again.

Reggie Miller thought for a moment and said, "The Clippers played very well tonight, better than us. Especially Li Chen, this rookie, his drives remind me of Iverson. At the same time, his performance tonight was perfect, worthy of an All-Star Player, even better."

Reggie Miller thought for a moment and added, "As for Artest's foul at the end, it was the best choice. Otherwise, I might have been defeated by a buzzer-beater. No, we definitely would have been defeated by a buzzer-beater, because Li Chen was too accurate today."

"Mr. Miller, can the Clippers make the playoffs this year?"

"This..." Reggie Miller thought for a moment, "I think with that magical Eastern Kid leading them, they can."

Immediately after, Reggie Miller delivered a round of "poisonous milk."

The next day.

At NBA headquarters, in the president's office, Li Chen's outstanding performance sparked unusual thoughts in the mind of President David Stern.

He wanted to build Li Chen into the face of the NBA. The reason for this idea was the vast market in the East, coupled with Li Chen's miraculous rise, which would create anticipation.

However, he was still hesitant. After all, his original plan was to promote Kobe first, and then the Chosen One, James. But Li Chen's sudden appearance caught him off guard and disrupted his current strategy.

At first, he didn't pay much attention, but later, Li Chen's miraculous performance against the Lakers was exactly to his liking.

David Stern was an ambitious man who wanted to make basketball the number one sport in the world. Although he knew it was difficult.

After repeated deliberation, he decided to ask Michael Jordan for his opinion.

A short while later, David Stern explained his thoughts and concerns.

Jordan, who had just gotten out of the swimming pool, sat on a lounge chair, holding the phone. After a long silence, he slowly said, "David, honestly, I'm not optimistic about that Yellow Race. I watched the game against the Lakers. It was all luck, and it won't be successful. Believe me, David, he won't go far."

"David, you've seen LeBron James's physical talent. Why take the risk?" Jordan continued.

David Stern remained silent, lost in thought.

Seeing that David Stern, whom he had nurtured, was still somewhat unwilling, Boss Jordan added, "How about this! When the Clippers play the Wizards, I'll watch that Eastern Kid's strength."

David Stern nodded, "Okay! Michael, by the way, I'll send you Li Chen's latest physical test data later."

Half an hour later, Michael Jordan, with a cigar in his hand, was looking at the fax data sent by Schoen.

Upon seeing Li Chen's basic data, Jordan's body involuntarily straightened up. He began to take it seriously.

Name: Li Chen. Basic Data: barefoot height 199.8 cm, weight 93.3 kg, wingspan 210 cm, hand length 28 cm, Achilles tendon 32 cm, standing reach 2.60 meters, standing vertical jump 96 cm, running vertical jump 122 cm, 100-meter dash 10.6 seconds, high jump 2.22 meters, long jump 7.88 meters, maximum hang time 0.90s.

After reading Li Chen's basic data, Michael Jordan still couldn't quite believe it. This Eastern Kid's physical talent was almost on par with his own. But how was this possible?

He really wanted to call David Stern to ask if he had made a mistake with the data? But he knew that was impossible.

Michael Jordan took a deep puff of his cigar, and the red tip of the cigar instantly became brighter.

He exhaled the smoke from his lungs in a long stream, murmuring to himself, "Interesting, I'm starting to look forward to a match with you, rookie."

In the Clippers' general manager's office.

"Mr. Baylor, why did you suddenly think of having me re-test my physical data?" Li Chen asked tentatively.

Elgin Baylor smiled and teased, "How will we know if you've grown if we don't test?"

Li Chen knew it was the Functional Drink's credit, which had allowed his body to develop further.

Moreover, Li Chen didn't use his full strength during this test. He held back, fearing that his sudden explosive talent would attract unnecessary trouble.

Elgin Baylor liked Li Chen more and more as he looked at him. If Li Chen could succeed, then he, Elgin Baylor, would no longer be teased as the eternal runner-up.

If Li Chen could achieve what Jordan had, he might become the greatest general manager in history.

Thinking of this, Elgin Baylor couldn't help but feel excited.

Seeing the involuntary smile on Old Man Baylor's lips, Li Chen's lips twitched, and he maliciously speculated, Could Old Man Baylor be thinking of taking a concubine?

Just as Li Chen was mentally criticizing Elgin Baylor, the team's general manager, Elgin Baylor suddenly spoke, "Chen, next season, what kind of help do you need? I will do my best to satisfy you."

Old Man Baylor was determined to go all-in, betting everything on Li Chen.

At the same time, Li Chen was also a little surprised, and then a smile appeared on his face, "Mr. Baylor, if you do this, Mr. Donald Sterling will be angry, and if he gets angry, you might lose your job." Li Chen teased.

Elgin Baylor glared at Li Chen. This scoundrel was so annoying, always pouring cold water on him when he was feeling ambitious.

However, he immediately got angry thinking about Donald Sterling's stinginess.

So he snorted coldly and then said grandly, "You don't need to worry about that. Just tell me who you want."

Li Chen knew that Elgin Baylor wanted to prove himself, but wasn't he also trying to prove himself?

So he looked at Elgin Baylor seriously and retorted, "Mr. Baylor, wouldn't it be more interesting to win a championship with the Clippers' current lineup?"

Hearing this, Elgin Baylor was stunned. You want to win a championship with the Clippers' garbage lineup? Are you kidding me?

Li Chen smiled as he saw Elgin Baylor's shocked expression, "Mr. Baylor, the Clippers are not as useless as you think, really."

"Really? Do I not know the quality of the players I chose myself?" Elgin Baylor thought to himself.

Honestly, Elgin Baylor really didn't think highly of the current Clippers players.

But that stingy bastard Donald Sterling wouldn't give up control, so this was the best choice within limited funds.

As if Li Chen knew what Mr. Baylor was thinking, he said, "Mr. Baylor, after all, the Clippers do have two number one draft picks on the team."

"Heh! Kid, don't you insult the words 'number one draft pick'." Mr. Baylor said with a fake smile, clearly displeased.

It was obvious Mr. Baylor thought Elton Brand and Michael Olowokandi had disgraced the title of number one draft pick.

Li Chen touched his nose, feeling a bit awkward.

Mr. Baylor didn't want to bring up those annoying matters and suddenly changed the subject, bringing up Li Chen's situation again.