In July 1998, labor-management negotiations had made no progress, and both sides were trying to make their voices heard to the outside world.

After returning to New York, Lee first participated in the morning news talk show “The Tonight Show”, and then participated in “The Late Show with David Letterman”.

In both programs, when it comes to labor-management agreement issues, Lee also speaks with the players’ union.

Ewing also spoke up for the grassroots players on the ESPN program.

The management and the league did not compromise easily.

The three parties fought bare-handed and refused to give in to each other for their own demands.

Since player trades cannot be made during the offseason, most fans don’t have the chance to watch the show.

In the 1998 draft, the Mavericks sent Pat Garrity, Martin Müürsepp, Bubba Wells and the 1999 first-round pick to the Suns in exchange for Steve Nash.

This transaction did not attract much attention.

As a rookie in 1996 like Lee, Nash’s performance was mediocre and he had always been a substitute.

When Lee saw the news about the deal, he remembered that the two were about to enter a sweet period and Nash was about to rise.

The most popular event in 1998 was the French World Cup, and its theme song “Cup of Life” became popular all over the world.

Lee originally planned to fly directly to France to witness history, but unfortunately the events kept coming one after another and his friends were not interested in the World Cup, so he could only watch the game at home.

On July 12, the 1998 World Cup final, Brazil played against the host France.

A little gambling for fun, even if Krysten Ritter doesn’t pay attention to football, she will stare at the TV at this time.

Although the Brazilian team was sleepwalking and Zidane scored twice to help the French team lead 2:0, the little follower was anxious.

It was not until Petit scored at the last moment to help the French team score again that she threw himself into Lee’s arms and shouted happily:

“Yeah! We won a lot of money!”

Girls change a lot when they grow up.

The little follower, who is about to become an adult, has bid farewell to her image and happily hugged Lee and kissed him hard.

Lee hugged the girl in his arms, but he felt a little regretful.

He really wanted to watch the game live, but it was a pity that without the company of friends who understood football, it always missed some fun.

It was not yet evening, and the little follower, stimulated by the US dollars, blushed and, wearing only a white suspender, leaned close to Lee’s ear and whispered.

After a laugh, the two had another round of competition.

After dinner in the evening to replenish energy, Lee leaned on the sofa and read the newspaper, with Krysten Ritter still hanging in his arms and talking about school gossip.

High school students don’t have too many worries.

Besides, it’s a public performing arts school, so most of the students are African-American and Latino, and very few white people.

The gossip is about who got lucky and was spotted by scouts and made a lot of money.

“Akkelela is definitely lucky!”

“I actually got the chance to sing the theme song for Mulan!”

Young people of this era all like to watch the Disney Channel’s variety show “The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse”.

After the club disbanded in 1994, the child stars remained popular.

After watching a movie two days ago, the little follower followed them to eat lemons.

There are also famous girls in the school.

Scarlett and her brother also study in this school.

Compared with the tall Krysten Ritter, the petite Scarlett is more popular.

“Alyce, do you want to go to college?”

The little follower lying on Lee lowered her voice as soon as she heard about studying and going to school:

“I still want to stay in the modeling circle. It’s good to make money early! Then we can have a baby sooner!”

After saying that, she smiled and kissed Lee again, gently stroking his smooth back.

Lee sighed secretly in his heart:

“You are destined to be just a pretty little vase!”

On July 13, Nike was in New York for a basketball training camp, with the first phase being held at Manhattan Community College.

The first phase is mainly aimed at children aged 12 to 15, but of course younger children can also participate in the activities.

In the basketball hall, Lee, dressed in a Nike sportswear, shared his basketball experience with the children while constantly saying “Go to your basketball dream!”

13-year-old Chris Paul came to New York with his family to participate in the training camp with his dream.

He wanted to learn from his idol, but now he doubted his life.

“Nice shake, you almost fooled me!”

In front of the crowd, the short Paul dribbled the ball between his legs continuously, then suddenly changed direction in front of his body, switched to his right hand, and wanted to break through to the basket to complete a layup.

But as soon as the basketball slipped out of his hand, Lee, who was chasing him, blocked it!

“Wow!!”

After completing the block again, all the kids around were excited.

They rushed to Lee and shouted loudly.

Lee also laughed, sent a head-touching pass, and then signaled Chris Paul to kick off.

“Remember, Chris, no one will give in to you on the court. No matter your age, as long as you are an opponent, you must give it your all!”

This time, Lee was teaching while he was dribbling the ball sideways.

Chris Paul was already confused:

“I’m just a 13-year-old kid!”

In the left blocking area, Lee suddenly blasted the ball with his right hand, then quickly scooped up the ball with his left hand, turned his back and passed the defense directly, broke through to the basket, and made a left-handed one-handed slam dunk!

“ah!!”

The dunk ignited the atmosphere, and everyone cheered except Chris Paul who was still dazed.

On the first day of the event, Ler beat all the kids who refused to obey.

On the second day, subsequent activities were held in several campuses of Fordham University.

This event is mainly aimed at boys and girls aged 16 to 18.

The activity is not only about improving basketball skills, but more about sharing basketball experiences and insights, and inspiring participants’ basketball dreams and passion.

Ivanka followed Lee to the Manhattan campus early in the morning.

Unlike little follower, the blonde and the big white rabbit are more of a good friend.

“I might go to Georgetown University. I don’t like it that much. New York is better!”

Ivanka, dressed in sportswear and having just run a few laps, supported Lee and took a breath.

Normally, she would come to Lee’s place to indulge herself a little from time to time.

After the two of them became thoroughly familiar with each other, they spoke more casually:

“Wouldn’t it be nice to get away from New York?”

Ivanka glared at Lee helplessly, untied her hair, and the two of them walked towards the gymnasium arm in arm:

“Being in New York can keep those bitches from coming to your house! Clay, you seem to have signed a lot of endorsements, are you considering changing your apartment?”

“I can recommend you some good houses. Of course, by buying houses, I can also earn some income. I don’t have much pocket money anymore, so remember to do me a favor!”

Seeing the innocent-looking blonde becoming more and more concerned about the US dollar, Lee shrugged his shoulders, hugged her and said with a low smile:

“The house near Midtown is great!”

During the morning activity, Lee mainly shared some basic basketball skills with the boys and girls who came specially to participate in the event.

“Maybe you think the point guard’s job is just to pass the ball to the big guy in the paint, but I would say that’s prejudice!”

“If you are a No. 1, you must be aggressive on the court so that your opponent will not let you go easily and will always pay attention to your movements.”

“When facing the defense of a big man one-on-one, a small player still has his own advantages. Rashad, you come and defend me!”

The Knicks were unable to organize player training, and the newly selected Rashard Lewis did not participate in the undrafted summer league.

Thinking that he was still a star, Rashard Lewis finally chose to come to Lee’s training camp to make himself familiar to the crowd.

Lee raised his right hand seriously, lowered his center of gravity slightly, and saw Rashard Lewis standing with his feet parallel.

He maintained a three-threat posture and explained to the young fans around him:

“Watch my drop shot and my shake, I’m going to drop the ball left-handed!”

With his right foot quickly testing forward to the left, Lee released the ball with his left hand and quickly and powerfully blasted the ball, then stepped back.

Before Rashard Lewis could react, Lee had already made a jump shot from outside the three-point line!

“Wow!”

Seeing the basketball go into the net, the fans gathered around cheered.

Lee didn’t even look at the confused Rashard Lewis and continued to explain:

“It’s that simple! Pay attention to the amplitude of the tentative step! It’s a very simple move!”

The young people around were eager to try.

Lee demonstrated the moves again, explained the technical essentials, and then called out to the little guy on the other side:

“Hey, brother over there! This time you will defend! Use all your strength!”

Rafer Alston stood in front of Lee with an unconvinced look on his face.

In this year’s draft, the “Streetball King” was selected by the Bucks at the 39th pick.

Today, he brought his brothers to participate in the training camp.

Alston, who wanted to disrupt the scene, tried to put his forearms on his sides and kept giving physical confrontations.

Lee didn’t care, but continued to explain to the young fans around him:

“When facing a small guy like this, you still have to make good use of the probing step!”

“I will break through from the right side and then dribble behind my back. Everyone, pay attention to my footsteps and the timing of releasing the ball!”

Alston is still very famous in New York.

Some young black fans looked strange but still didn’t say anything.

Many people followed suit and cheered loudly.

Lee maintained a triple-threat posture, lowering his body’s center of gravity extremely low.

After a big tentative step with his right foot, he suddenly released the ball with his right hand, and broke through with a big step with his shoulder.

After a physical confrontation between Alston and Lee, who were defending tightly, Alston subconsciously moved to the left rear.

Lee quickly dribbled the ball behind his back, returned to the three-point line, passed the ball, and then made an easy jump shot!

“oh!!”

The basketball net was hollow, and the young fans started to cheer and exclaimed again.

Many of them shouted with joy and rushed to Lee, jumping and shouting.

“Don’t be afraid of physical confrontation. When the opponent gives a tough defense, you must control your body’s center of gravity, observe the opponent’s footsteps, and finally attack the opponent’s front supporting foot!”

“When playing, you must stay calm and dribble with a clear purpose. Don’t dribble in place. Don’t think of any fixed moves. Follow the changes of your opponent!”

“Alright, little guys! Let’s have you guys try on learning it?”

“Yee!!”

Alston looked unhappy.

At this time, no one among the boys and girls at the scene paid attention to him.

They followed Lee and shot three pointers randomly outside the three-point line.

On the other side, Ron Artest looked at Lee with envy as he kept correcting the movements of the little fan.

Then he saw a beautiful blonde girl handing him water and he was tempted for a moment.

“Shit! Watch your eyes! Don’t look at things you shouldn’t look at!”

Ben Wallace saw Ron Artest staring at Lee and Ivanka, and immediately stepped forward and gave them a fierce warning.

“Watfake!? Who are you?”

Ron Artest is also very famous in Queens.

Basically, he will fight back if he doesn’t agree with him.

Although he felt that the black brother with dreadlocks in front of him looked familiar, he still retorted.

The two had an argument and started pushing each other.

Just as the staff of Nike was about to step forward to appease them, Alston stepped forward to dissuade them:

“Give me some face, Bro, it’s all me.”

Before he finished speaking, Alston, who was about to step forward to persuade the two men not to push each other, was hit by an elbow from Artest.

The followers around him saw their boss fall to the ground and were speechless for a moment.

Artest and Ben Wallace had been pulled apart at this time.

Lee saw the situation here and also came over with a smile.

“Lee, I want to play for the Knicks. Will the team select me next year?”

“Growing up in Queens, I’ve always been a Knicks fan and I want to win a championship with the team!”

Young Ron Artest boasted about his background, acting like he wanted to play basketball in his hometown.

“Let’s not talk about anything else for now. Come and serve the ball to the little guys. This is my territory. We have to set an example for the fans!”

Lee pointed at the boys and girls who were all eating melons.

Ron Artest scratched his head and agreed immediately:

“Just call me Ron! I like the Knicks, and I will participate in the draft next year.”

“.”

The second phase of activities allowed Lee to meet Ron Artest, who wanted to play basketball in his hometown, and the “streetball king” Alston.

Ben Wallace still dislikes Ron Artest, and the two of them would argue with each other whenever they had time.

The Nike training camp was very well run, at least Lee was very satisfied, the tickets were not expensive, and most of the young fans who chose to participate in the training camp did so with the mentality of chasing stars.

The labor-management agreement has fallen into a dilemma again.

The players’ union is working hard to communicate with the league and management to resume negotiations in August.

On July 20, Lee completed Nike’s training camp and the filming of the commercial, and finally had some free time.

In the evening, several members of the Knicks gathered at Oakley’s house in Queens, and Ewing brought another piece of bad news:

“They want to limit the new players’ recruitment and link their salaries to their playing years!”

The memories in Lee’s mind suddenly tumbled again, and then he cursed inwardly:

“Shit! There will never be another contract like Kevin Garnett in the league!”

Oakley and Larry Johnson looked at the gorilla walking around, not paying any attention to it for a moment.

Instead, they asked Lee about his future plans:

“If the preseason is cancelled, the offseason will be too long. Lee, where are you going to train during this time? We have to stay in shape!”

Lee glanced at the gloomy gorilla, then smiled and told him his training plan:

“This offseason may be very long. Next I plan to go train with Tim Grover!”

“Although the price is a bit high, it should be effective. I plan to gain muscle!”

….

By the way, don’t forget to throw power stones and leave a review to motivate me 🙂

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep