Chapter 10: Causing a Sensation.

"Kobe scores 32, Lakers defeat Rockets; Li Rui breaks career high with 21 points."
"Li Rui says Kobe wanted to lend him a car; no conflict between the two."
"Li Rui destroys the Streetball King; Zen Master's smile sets the rotation."
"Li Rui hits 5 three-pointers to shoot down the Rockets; Yao Ming laments the loss in Los Angeles with 28 points and 15 rebounds."
"Yao Ming: Li Rui's shooting was the key to defeating us; we were too careless in our defense of him."

"Haha, it's definitely true that Kobe isn't happy with Li Rui, but Li Rui played too well today. If they caused a scene, he’d definitely be targeted."
"Why do I feel like Li Rui extorted Kobe?"
"Li Rui was amazing—5 threes and 21 points. It completely changed my perception of him."
"I’ve decided to stop trolling Emperor Li starting today."
"No bias, but Li Rui has always been a hardworking player. Ever since high school, he’s lived independently to chase his dream. None of you here could achieve what he has."
"Keep it up, Li Rui! Play a few more games like this, and you'll be a starter."
"Zen Master flashes a slight smile, and Li Rui's position is solidified."

Back in China, fans on the Hupu forums began analyzing the footage of Li Rui's scoring today frame by frame.
There was so much material.
All sorts of GIFs were circulating on the forum.
...

[Ding! Main quest completed. Received two free attribute points (for stats below 70).]
[New main quest issued: Score 15 points in a single game.]
[Reward: Three free attribute points (for stats below 70).]
[Do you accept?]
[Yes!]

Li Rui decisively added the two free attribute points to his ball-handling attribute.
His ball-handling improved from 48 to 50.
Since he is currently playing point guard, holding the ball is unavoidable.
This pressure constantly pushes Li Rui to improve.

After the Rockets game, the next match is against the Mavericks, again at home.
Zen Master gave the team a day off—everyone except Li Rui!
"Li, as a point guard, your ball-handling skills are far from enough. That is why you don't have a vacation."
Li Rui was in a half-squat, continuously practicing his dribbling while Daniel shouted.
Li Rui's 50-point ball-handling attribute is indeed lacking; basic dribbling is fine, but as soon as he tries anything fancy, the ball is easily lost.
"Hurry and merge a Kyrie Irving, or even a Payton Pritchard would do," Li Rui shouted internally.
"Harder! Faster!"

"Two-ball crossover between the legs."
"Quick, change the rhythm, speed it up."
"Hold on for one more minute."
"Bang!"
"Bang!"
With Daniel's help, Li Rui gradually adapted to this high-intensity advanced ball-handling training.
Li Rui knew where his weaknesses lay, so he put in extra effort.
Next, he went through a series of fundamental drills, including contested ball-handling.
"Okay, keep practicing like this every day, and your ball-handling will naturally improve," Daniel said.
Every time Li Rui completed a drill, Daniel recorded it in his notebook.
Daniel has always been strict with Li Rui's training.

"Li, as long as your ball-handling reaches the level of an average guard, you will be a qualified rotation player."
Daniel patted Li Rui on the butt: "Actually, your physical contact isn't bad. With your height and wingspan, you have the potential to be a top-tier defender. From now on, when you're on the court, play to your strengths in defense and shooting. That is the foundation for your survival in the NBA."
After watching last night's game, Daniel readjusted the focus of Li Rui's training.
Li Rui nodded.
Coach Daniel is very capable; it’s clear that the 3-and-D route is the best fit for his current NBA development.

After the morning training, Daniel took Li Rui to the team cafeteria and retrieved a meal box labeled "Li" from the chef.
Daniel said: "After the coaching staff meeting last night, Phil specifically ordered that your diet must follow the nutritionist's plan starting today."
Clearly, last night's game earned Li Rui the Zen Master’s attention. Phil Jackson is going to groom him, starting with comprehensive arrangements for his training and diet—the treatment a team gives to a potential prospect.
Young players like Bynum and Farmar receive this kind of treatment, with specialized training plans and specific diets.
"Okay, thank you, Daniel," Li Rui said.
Opening the meal box, he found a chicken sandwich, a portion of grilled chicken breast, and a salad.
The chicken sandwich was made with 100% whole wheat bread, spinach, avocado, tomato, and cucumber, served with fresh fruit and a vegetable salad—providing ample protein, fiber, and vitamins, while the chicken breast is rich in protein and low in fat.
After eating a piece of grilled chicken breast, Li Rui found it tasted awful and felt like vomiting.
"Daniel, this stuff tastes terrible. Is there anything else?"
"What do you want to eat then?"
"Braised goose, red-braised pork, sweet and sour fish, king crab."
"Fuck, we don't have that garbage here. It's this or nothing, take it or leave it." Daniel ignored him.
Although the strict diet was painful, Li Rui knew it was for his own good.
If he didn't follow the plan, the Zen Master would think he was uncooperative, and then his playing time might disappear...
The Zen Master is notoriously difficult for rookies to win over.

After Li Rui finished his nutritious lunch, he heard the system notification again.
[You have stuck to a healthy diet and gained a training boost effect (3 hours).]
*Sob!!*
I'll eat this chicken breast even if I have to cry while doing it.
Li Rui trained even harder in the afternoon. Finally, at the end of training:
[Ding! Today's ball-handling training completed, ball-handling attribute increased to 51.]
...

"Swish!"
"Clang!"
"Swish!"
"Fuck, you can't guard me!"
"Did you not eat?"
"You're too short, rookie."
"You're clumsier than a wild boar."
"You should go back to the NCAA, not the NBA."
"Hey, try a little harder and you still won't be able to stop me."
The sound of the basketball hitting the rim or brushing the net mixed with Kobe's trash talk.
In the Lakers' practice facility, a scrimmage was underway between the starters and the reserves. Kobe was verbally bullying most of the Lakers' players.
The Zen Master told Li Rui, who was on the reserve team, to shoot a three-pointer whenever he had the chance.
Li Rui was doing exactly as the Zen Master requested.
It's just that the reserve team was a bit lackluster, so they didn't create many opportunities for Li Rui.
After the 30-minute scrimmage, Li Rui had attempted 12 three-pointers. Only 3 were wide-open shots; the others were contested. He hit all the wide-open ones and made 3 of the contested shots, totaling 6 three-pointers made—a 50% shooting percentage.
"Whoa, not bad," Li Rui took a deep breath.
Even though it was a scrimmage, the intensity was high, mainly because the internal competition on the Lakers is brutal, and everyone wants to prove themselves.
Kobe is the "catfish" in the tank, cursing at anyone whenever he finds an opening, which makes everyone play for their lives.
But it must be said, Klay's shooting talent is truly incredible; Li Rui is now like a fish in water during these scrimmages.
After hitting a three-pointer right in Kobe's face, Li Rui shouted at him: "Kobe, you'll need to bring a ladder if you want to stop me."
The feeling of talking trash to Kobe is great...