Chapter 5: Unseen Talent
Before the 1996 Draft began, many media outlets had already started building buzz for some players.
David Falk, a renowned agent from the 90s, currently represented Allen Iverson.
Michael Jordan’s success was also inseparable from David Falk’s support; together, they pioneered sports marketing in the team basketball domain.
In the agent circle, David Falk represented success, and Mark Bartelstein had yearned to replicate his predecessor’s experience ever since starting his own business.
Sending Ray Allen to a large market like the Celtics aligned with his interests; as for Li You, he wanted to be the first to take a chance.
In an era of slow information flow, discovering talented players typically required starting from high school.
However, the United States is vast, and there would always be overlooked talents. After sending off Li You and Ray Allen, Mark Bartelstein ordered another coffee and pulled out the documents from his bag:
Li You: Point Guard
Birthday: December 31, 1977;
Height (barefoot): 6 feet 3.25 inches (191cm)
Wingspan: 198cm
Weight: 87.7 kg
Body Fat Percentage: 9.1%;
Standing Reach: 249cm;
Vertical Jump (no-step): 74.6 cm;
Standing Max Vertical Reach: 325cm
Vertical Jump (approach): 90cm;
Approach Max Vertical Reach: 340cm;
Lane Agility Drill: 11.07 seconds;
3/4 Court Sprint: 3.28 seconds;
185 lbs Bench Press (84kg): 10 reps;
Lateral quickness is not fast; it is difficult to make effective Defense against speed-type players. Physical talent is average, and athletic ability is not outstanding. He relies too much on outside shooting, and some shot selections are poor;
Proficient in handling the ball with both hands, can release the shot within 0.5 seconds, extremely fast shooting speed, not afraid of contact, possesses a high basketball IQ, can strictly execute tactical arrangements, and has an understanding of the game that is beyond his age.
Completely different from a traditional point guard, if his shooting consistency improves, he might become an excellent shooter.
Draft Template: Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf.
This report was evaluated in early March, and unlike scouts with biased views, this was an internal assessment by Priority Sports Entertainment.
Mark Bartelstein’s past experience working at Morgan Stanley Investment Bank made him prefer investing in the future.
After founding the company in 1985, if he couldn't sign big fish, he would sign role players; as long as the contracts were high enough and numerous enough, the profits would still be considerable.
On Li You’s scouting report, Mark Bartelstein drew a wavy line next to his age, encouraging himself again:
“His physical condition already surpasses Steve Nash’s. He’s under 19 and will continue to grow. His future is promising, and he won’t go undrafted!”
On March 16th, the RCA Dome in Indianapolis hosted the second round of the NCAA Championship.
The Eastern Michigan Atlanta Hawks were also a team that relied on their perimeter play, with their current leading scorer being senior Brian Tolbert.
Another junior guard, Iguins, was the team’s second-leading scorer. Neither of them was over 1.9 meters tall and lacked a physical advantage, but their shooting after screens was very accurate.
In the first six minutes of the game, a generally out-of-form Dorent Marshall continuously lost his man, and his shots were all bricked.
After more than a day of rest, the players' condition was affected. Coach Calhoun, seeing the game was somewhat tied, immediately waved to Li You.
The Rookie players on the bench watched eagerly; by the Championship, they had fallen out of the rotation.
“Attack their inside, don’t let the opponent easily launch a fast break.”
Coach Calhoun put in senior Rudy John tonight. This big black man was good at battling inside, but he was helpless against long rebounds after missed three-pointers.
Taking advantage of the opponent’s free throws, Dorent Marshall, who had been substituted, was somewhat frustrated.
He just couldn’t find his touch, and the flexible, smaller opponent players clinging to his Defense made him uncomfortable.
18:16, 7 minutes and 58 seconds into the game, University of Connecticut was temporarily trailing.
Perhaps influenced by star player Allen Iverson, the 1.83-meter tall black guard Iguins also led the full-court Defense, constantly trying to steal the ball.
However, their physical qualities were different, resulting in different defensive pressures. Near the midline, Iguins suddenly intensified his contact and quickly swiped the ball, attempting to force a turnover from Li You.
With a large-scale behind-the-back dribble, Li You evaded the opponent’s steal, and after switching to his left hand, he suddenly accelerated.
Approaching the three-point line, Li You, with the ball in his left hand, suddenly stopped short, explosively dribbling the ball in place. Just as Iguins stopped his feet, Li You quickly pushed the ball to change direction, scooped the ball with his right hand, and drove past him with a shoulder drop.
At this moment, both teams’ players had just settled into position. The big man in the paint, Theron Wilson, felt as if in a blink of an eye, he saw Li You leap into the air from the paint with both feet!
Wilson had no time to extend his hand for a block. Li You held the ball with one hand in his right, pulled his arm back, and delivered a direct tomahawk dunk!
“Boom!”
The rim roared, and Wilson was staggered by Li You’s collision. The big man stood disheveled under the basket, his ears filled with the excited shouts of the fans.
“OH—!”
“I think Lee’s decision to enter the draft this year is the right one; he can find a job in the NBA!”
Jim Nantz, tonight’s commentator, shouted in a tone as if watching a giant panda.
Dunks always boost morale. After Li You landed, his teammates also cheered excitedly.
As he retreated on Defense, Li You smiled at the opposing backcourt duo. Compared to a physical freak, he was indeed a bit lacking, but against typical shorter guards, he was tall, strong, and fast.
Li You, having received instructions from Coach, completely unleashed himself, easily driving to the paint for several consecutive possessions.
After driving, he extended for a scoop layup, and powered through the big man for a floater. Li You suddenly scored 6 consecutive points, directly forcing the opponent to call a timeout.
The timeout didn’t solve the problem. After scoring two points with a strong inside attack, Li You suddenly accelerated after the baseline inbound pass.
Near the top of the arc, Li You, continuously accelerating with the ball in his right hand, suddenly dribbled between his legs, lowering his center of gravity while scooping the ball with his left hand, pausing slightly.
Li You swayed his body to the left, faking out Iguins’ Defense, then made a large, in-front-of-the-body crossover.
Iguins, still sliding to his right, was instantly beaten by a single step. Li You, with his center of gravity low, was almost flying close to the ground, charging into the paint, enduring the block, and completing a scoop layup with the ball in his left hand!
“Screech!”
As the referee blew his whistle, the ball almost hit the top edge of the backboard, but after hitting the board, it still fell into the basket.
“Oh!!”
The University of Connecticut fans in attendance cheered happily again, and Coach Calhoun on the sidelines pumped his fist in celebration; he had made the right substitution choice.
Li You, losing his balance, slipped and fell to the floor. His teammates rushed to his side immediately.
After Ray Allen pulled Li You up, he excitedly whispered with a tone of surprise:
“Beautiful finish!”
Li You smiled and high-fived his teammates in celebration. As he walked towards the free-throw line, he felt a pang of envy:
“Allen Iverson’s exceptional ball-handling feel is truly an incredible talent!”
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