Chapter 20: The Los Angeles Times—The Birth of Crazy Li
After returning to the locker room, the coach beamed with joy and encouraged the entire team, giving special praise to Li Rui.
Tonight, Li Rui made 8 out of 13 three-pointers, 2 out of 3 two-point shots, scoring 28 points along with 3 rebounds and 1 assist. For a rookie, this was an outstanding performance. When the Lakers found themselves trailing at one point, it was Li Rui who solved the problem with a series of three-pointers.
Kobe Bryant scored 41 points with 6 rebounds and 10 assists, while Walton contributed 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
The Lakers as a whole performed admirably and ultimately achieved this upset victory.
[Ping] Main quest completed, awarded 3 free attribute points (below 70).
[New main quest issued: Achieve 5 assists in a single game.]
[Reward: “Single attribute fusion from a random NBA player *1”]
[Accept?]
“What if the random NBA player’s single attribute is lower than my current attribute?”
“In that case, the fusion will have no effect and will not reduce the host’s original attribute.”
“Alright, I accept.”
This quest relied heavily on luck, but fusing a different star’s single attribute could bring greater improvements.
Without hesitation, Li Rui accepted the quest and allocated the 3 attribute points to his ball-handling skill.
His ball-handling attribute rose from 52 to 55.
Lately, he had been focusing on improving his ball control and could subtly feel his skill sharpening—he handled the ball with more composure and less panic.
Li Rui believed that with a bit more time, he could dribble like a true point guard.
...
At the postgame press conference, the coach accompanied Li Rui and Kobe, who sat on either side of him like protectors.
Click, click, click!
The Los Angeles media packed the interview hall.
Li Rui sat upright, serious and focused, while Kobe appeared more relaxed and casual.
An ESPN reporter, Adande, stood and asked, “Li, congratulations on scoring a career-high 28 points tonight. You also broke two records.”
Oh! Li Rui perked up instantly upon hearing about the records.
I’m amazing!
Time to start breaking records!
Surpassing Kobe and Jordan feels just within reach.
Li Rui smiled and asked, “Haha, thank you. May I ask what records I broke?”
Adande replied, “One is the NBA rookie record for most three-pointers made in a single game.”
Oh, as expected, the rookie three-point record still belongs to me.
No surprise there.
But Li Rui knew that record wouldn’t last long.
With the small-ball era dawning, more NBA rookies skilled at three-point shooting would emerge.
Players like Russell, Shamet, and Edwards have also made eight three-pointers in a game. George and Knect even hit nine in one game...
Li Rui then asked, “What’s the other record I broke?”
Adande said, “As a point guard playing over 30 minutes, you had a total of 51 touches and only 25 dribbles—both the lowest ever recorded for a point guard in NBA history. There has never been a point guard less skilled at ball-handling than you.”
...
That record made the atmosphere a bit awkward.
Li Rui had initially thought highly of the reporter for finding two records he broke.
He never expected this reporter to be his hater.
Li Rui awkwardly responded, “I’ll try to bring the ball up the court myself more often.”
“Haha!”
The coach and Kobe couldn’t help but laugh at Li Rui’s predicament.
But Kobe quickly lost his smile.
“Kobe, Shaq just claimed in an interview that you’re clinging to a rookie’s coattails again. How do you respond?”
Damn, that fat guy’s mouth is vicious. Kobe got annoyed just hearing the phrase “clinging to coattails.”
The feud between Kobe and O’Neal has long been a favorite topic for reporters.
During the Eagle incident, Kobe complained that Shaq didn’t speak up, and even said to the media, “Shaq was involved too.”
That caused trouble for Shaq.
Kobe likely overheard Shaq bragging in the locker room, which he then leaked to the media, turning a minor issue into a major scandal.
Similar to the Russell affair with Nick Young, it seems betraying teammates was a tradition in the Lakers’ locker room.
This incident escalated the conflict between Kobe and Shaq, eventually forcing the Lakers into a choice between the two.
However, Kobe had matured since then and said, “Li is an outstanding player who can make many three-pointers, which is what the team needs. I won’t pay attention to what others say.”
...
After the press conference, Li Rui traveled with the team to the next away game.
The Lakers were headed to Chicago to face the Bulls—a long journey ahead.
...
“Li, want to hit the club? I’ve got a bunch of girls lined up—curvy, long-legged, all kinds,” Odom sneaked into Li Rui’s room after they checked into the Chicago hotel, inviting him out.
As a seasoned player in the league, Odom was a playboy and never missed a chance to party in Chicago.
“No thanks, I’m exhausted. You go ahead,” Li Rui shook his head and declined.
It was already 4 a.m., and Li Rui had no interest in going out.
Not that he disliked having fun, but he knew restraint was necessary. Unlike Odom and other established players, if the coach found out, it might jeopardize his standing.
He could afford to party once his position was more secure.
“Rookie, you gotta learn to balance work and play,” Odom patted Li Rui on the shoulder sincerely.
“Yeah, maybe next time,” Li Rui replied, weary, shaking his head again.
Odom left with a hint of regret.
...
The Los Angeles Times headline read: “60th Pick Second-Round Rookie Continues Madness, Sinks 8 Threes to Help Lakers Top Mavericks!”
Dallas Morning News: “Dallas Mavericks Suffer Road Loss; Chinese Rookie Li Rui Explodes for 28 Points!”
Sports Illustrated: “From Second-Round Pick to Hero: Li Rui’s Chinese Fairy Tale Journey!”
The Washington Post: “A Beacon of Hope for Yellow-Skinned Players: Li Rui’s Jersey Sales Surge Within a Week!”
Among them, Sports Illustrated wrote: “Li Rui’s back-to-back comebacks are not only a miracle in sports but also a contemporary tale of youthful dreams—an overlooked underdog rewriting his destiny through perseverance and opportunity...”
“Li Rui’s success shines like a beacon for many Asian basketball players, inspiring hope and encouraging them to chase their dreams in basketball, breaking through prejudice and limitations.”
The overall reporting emphasized the positive impact Li Rui had sparked in both China and the U.S., with an increasing number of Chinese Americans following his journey.
As for Kobe’s 40+10?
Isn’t that normal?
Wait until Kobe scores barely ten points before giving him a headline.
The media clearly had more interest in the rookie’s breakout.
On domestic forums like Hupu, fans shared the American coverage of Li Rui.
“Li Rui is about to make a name for himself in the NBA.”
“Eight threes in one game as a rookie—fame is inevitable.”
“Insane!”
“Haha, Li Rui might start the next game.”
“Li Rui is a model of hard-earned success; I really admire him.”
“I apologize for mocking Li the Great before; his effort changed my view of him.”
“Li Rui must have trained endlessly to perfect those precise shots; he’s been waiting for his chance to prove himself.”
“I watched Li Rui’s eight three-pointers frame by frame. After seeing them all, I can only say—Li Rui is incredible!”
Fans kept posting and discussing the influence Li Rui had created.