Once Li Chen had made his decision, he felt much more clearheaded, though it was somewhat self-deceptive.
He immediately went to the bathroom to wash up, then made himself something to eat. After finishing, he left home.
After signing the contract, Li Chen never expected there to be an unexpected bonus.
[Hint: Congratulations, Host. You have officially become an NBA player. The Functional Store has been unlocked.]
Seeing the notification, he paused slightly before clicking the newly appeared Functional Store icon beneath the Character Attribute Panel.
Li Chen opened the Functional Store and saw that it contained only one icon. It was gray and clearly unavailable for purchase.
Li Chen clicked to inspect it, and a line of information appeared before him.
[Functional Drink] [Function: Long-term consumption can improve physical strength and physical talent, speed up injury recovery, and prevent physical talent from being affected by physical exhaustion.] [Hint: The Functional Drink can only be consumed once per day.] [Unlock Condition: Break a record previously held by an NBA player.]
Seeing this, Li Chen was speechless. He had originally been looking forward to the Functional Drink, but now he had completely given up hope. That was a record! How easy could it be to break one?
Just then, Alvin Gentry walked over and patted Li Chen firmly on the shoulder.
Li Chen came back to himself and saw the complicated, unreadable look in Alvin Gentry's eyes. He was baffled. What was this old man up to?
"Coach, is something wrong?" Li Chen asked tentatively.
"I'm fine. Play well. I believe in you." As he spoke, he withdrew his hand and walked out of the General Manager Office.
Li Chen scratched his head, not knowing what had gotten into Alvin Gentry today.
Just then, Bill Duffy walked over. "Chen, no matter what happens in the future, you can call me anytime. No matter what it is."
Then Bill Duffy gave Li Chen a knowing look.
Li Chen nodded. "Then I'll be counting on you in the future, Mr. Bill Duffy."
"Chen, you don't have to put it that way. It's my job."
Bill Duffy then took his leave from Li Chen.
At that moment, Elgin Baylor approached Li Chen and looked at Bill Duffy's back. "Chen, you're a fine young man. Bill Duffy told us everything you said."
Li Chen was momentarily stunned. What did I say?
But he soon realized. He finally understood why Alvin Gentry had seemed so strange today.
Li Chen was speechless. Bill Duffy really was something else.
Clearly, the things Li Chen had said yesterday had greatly increased Alvin Gentry's favorability toward him.
Li Chen turned to Elgin Baylor and said with a hint of teasing, "Mr. Baylor, don't worry. I'll make all those people who usually mock you as the eternal runner-up shut up."
As he spoke, Li Chen walked out of the office.
At the same time, upon hearing Li Chen's words, Elgin Baylor nearly jumped up and cursed.
But the next moment, he laughed. "Kid, I'm looking forward to that day." Elgin Baylor wore a smile and shouted with great vigor.
Li Chen raised his right arm and waved, as if saying, Just watch, old man!
After dealing with the contract, Li Chen returned to the Training Gym and began that day's training.
Before the upcoming game against the Kings, he planned to raise Open Three-Pointer to B-rank. It was a heavy task, but if he persevered, he should be able to complete it, right?
Li Chen wasn't sure whether he could make 10,000 three-pointers in two days.
It probably wouldn't happen, but he still had to try.
Just then, Elton Brand came over. "Hey, Chen! Did you get your extension?"
Li Chen nodded.
"How's the annual salary?" Elton Brand asked expectantly.
Li Chen glanced at Brand, then said calmly, "Four million." After that, he turned and left to train.
"Hm? What?" Elton Brand was dumbfounded, shocked by the figure.
It took him a while to react. Pointing at Li Chen's back, he jumped up and cursed, "Bastard, you lied to me!"
The corners of Li Chen's mouth lifted slightly as he muttered inwardly, I didn't lie to you. I just didn't mention the word "theoretical."
After two days of shooting day and night, Li Chen still failed to complete his intended goal.
His experience was now 8,000/10,000.
Sunday, January 19, 2003. Staples Center.
Today, the Kings were playing an away game against the Clippers.
As of today, the teams' records were as follows:
1. San Antonio Spurs (30 wins, 13 losses)
2. Sacramento Kings (28 wins, 11 losses)
3. Dallas Mavericks (28 wins, 14 losses)
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (25 wins, 17 losses)
5. Los Angeles Lakers (24 wins, 16 losses)
6. Portland Trail Blazers (23 wins, 17 losses)
7. Los Angeles Clippers (21 wins, 18 losses)
8. Utah Jazz (20 wins, 21 losses)
9. Houston Rockets (17 wins, 23 losses)
10. Phoenix Suns (15 wins, 24 losses)
11. Memphis Grizzlies (13 wins, 28 losses)
12. Denver Nuggets (13 wins, 29 losses)
13. Seattle SuperSonics (13 wins, 29 losses)
14. Golden State Warriors (12 wins, 30 losses)
So far, the Clippers had performed fairly well, ranking seventh. However, their upcoming schedule was difficult to describe.
At the same time, Li Chen knew that the Kings would finish the season ranked second, only one game behind the Spurs in the standings. They were a powerful team.
Li Chen thought to himself, I can't embarrass myself today. I wonder what skill I'll randomly get.
At the same time, the Clippers' starting lineup was announced.
Point Guard: Andre Miller
Shooting Guard: Li Chen
Small Forward: Corey Maggette
Power Forward: Elton Brand
Center: Michael Olowokandi
Li Chen was starting largely because what he had said to Bill Duffy yesterday had played a major role. Alvin Gentry had been deeply moved, which was why he had boldly decided to put Li Chen in the lineup.
At the same time, when Odom saw that Li Chen was starting, his expression turned indescribably ugly. He clenched his right fist. Damn Yellow Monkey.
The Kings' starting lineup was as follows:
Point Guard: Mike Bibby
Shooting Guard: Doug Christie
Small Forward: Stojakovic
Power Forward: Chris Webber
Center: Vlade Divac
At that moment, Li Chen's S-rank Skill for this game had been generated. When he saw the skill, he was somewhat surprised, and his lips curled into a bitter smile.
After thinking it over, he walked over to Coach Alvin Gentry and asked tentatively, "Coach Alvin Gentry, I'd like to try playing the one today. Is that okay?"
Hearing this, everyone else was somewhat surprised. Based on Li Chen's performance in the previous game, playing off the ball at the two was what he excelled at. What was he trying to do now?
Odom sneered inwardly. Coach Alvin Gentry won't agree. Hmph! Yellow Monkey, go ahead and ruin yourself. You just signed a minimum-salary contract, and now you're already getting carried away. Trash. You want to replace me?
Just as Odom had expected, Alvin Gentry was indeed somewhat displeased.
However, when he thought of Li Chen's words about not wanting to disappoint Coach Alvin Gentry, his heart softened.
Besides, in his eyes, Li Chen wasn't an arrogant person. If he was doing this, he must have confidence.
Thinking this, Alvin Gentry nodded. "Then you play the one."
He then looked at Andre Miller. "Andre, you play the two."
Hearing this, all the players were dumbfounded. If Li Chen hadn't had an East Asian face, they would have seriously suspected that he was Alvin Gentry's illegitimate son.
Odom was also stunned. What the hell? This works too? Is the coach indulging this Yellow Monkey too much? He can play whatever position he wants?
At that moment, a deep sense of fear rose in Odom's heart. He could already imagine what would happen if Li Chen wanted to play Power Forward and take his position. Would Alvin Gentry agree to that too?
At this thought, Odom's expression grew even uglier.
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