Chapter 3 : "When Talent Wakes Up"

"Lee, watch the news..."

Early the next morning, Li Wan was woken up by a call from Arne Tyron. As instructed, he checked the news on his phone.

> "It doesn't matter if Phil Jackson isn't optimistic—Li Wan: I just have to perform well!"

"Confidence! The Chinese rookie comments on the Kupchak–Phil Jackson dispute, says he will deliver performances that satisfy the coach!"

"Confidence or arrogance? China's newcomer Li Wan isn't afraid to go against Phil Jackson!"

Li Wan was left with just one feeling: numbness.

What he meant back then was simply "be yourself." But the media twisted his words into "overconfident and arrogant," "not afraid of Phil Jackson"...

Still, one thing was certain—this Lakers rookie had already become a traffic magnet. Despite being the 19th pick, his exposure was on par with top-six lottery picks.

> "Am I under some Mercury retrograde spell? Why have I been running into unpleasant things lately? Or did I draw the JR Smith card and use up all my luck?"

Li Wan didn't dwell too much on the reports. Whether he wanted to "be himself" or "stay confident," one truth remained—he had to prove himself with real performance.

Tyron picked him up around 8 a.m. from his hotel, and they flew out from JFK to Los Angeles.

When they arrived, it had just rained. The air was humid, and the wind felt refreshing as they stepped off the plane.

Los Angeles, located in southwest California, rarely experiences rain outside December to February. The climate is dry, and locals often don't even bother with moisturizers. Rain here was a blessing.

> "This should count as a good sign, right?" Li Wan asked.

Tyron nodded. "You could say that."

Tyron called Kupchak and learned he was available, so they drove over to finalize the contract.

The Lakers play at Staples Center, but training and front office operations are based at the Toyota Sports Center, an arena built with Toyota's investment—just like the one in Houston.

It's a three-story facility with gyms, restaurants, drink bars, and fan shops. But the venue isn't exclusive to the Lakers; the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks and NHL's Los Angeles Kings also train there.

The Lakers only control two locker rooms in the basement and a few training courts. Even the general manager's office is in a separate building.

That's Los Angeles for you—land is expensive. And Jerry Buss? He wasn't exactly overflowing with cash...

In addition to running the Lakers, the Buss family also owned the Sparks. Just days earlier, old Buss had officially listed the Sparks for sale.

Star player Lisa Leslie was pregnant and announced she'd miss the 2007–08 season, meaning the team would go a year without their marquee player. The Sparks were already losing money, and with no championship wins in recent years, revenue was bleak. Buss decided to cut his losses.

He believed it was similar to the move he made in 1960—relocating the Lakers from Minneapolis to Los Angeles.

That decision made him realize: even though he owned the Lakers, it was still a business. The Lakers were his "real estate," worth at least $2 billion—but that didn't mean he was rich.

So, he looked toward Li Wan, a Chinese player.

China's market had already made Rockets owner Alexander billions. What better investment than that?

As for Phil Jackson's disapproval? Let him disapprove. Buss suspected Phil didn't actually dislike Li Wan—he just disliked being told what to do.

That was the problem with Phil: he was hard to control. And Buss hated that.

When Li Wan and Tyron arrived, Kupchak already had the contract ready—a standard rookie deal: 3 years fully guaranteed, with a team option for the fourth.

Total value: $5.84 million over 4 years.

Year one salary: $1.29 million, typically paid monthly. Players could also request up to 60% as an advance, to prevent salary cap issues from large lump-sum payments.

Li Wan reviewed the contract, confirmed the terms, and signed. Then he looked at Kupchak:

> "Can I get a 3-month salary advance?"

Tyron had paid nearly $30,000 for pre-draft training expenses. Add the agent's 3% cut of $38,700, and it totaled over $70,000.

He had also rented a safe apartment near the Toyota Center and Staples Center—two months' rent cost nearly $10,000.

Rental homes in L.A. come unfurnished—he'd need to buy appliances, furniture, and a car. His first-month salary of $107,500 wouldn't be enough, especially considering he needed to pay for specialized training as well.

Kupchak gladly wrote him a check for $330,000.

> "By the way, are you planning to play in the Summer League?"

"Of course!"

Phil Jackson's opinion was still a mystery—Li Wan needed to earn his spot in training camp.

Summer League might not mean much in the grand scheme, but it's still a chance to make an impression.

> "Good. Report to the team before July 10. Or if you want to go directly to Las Vegas, just contact Phil Handy."

He handed Li Wan Phil Handy's business card, labeled "Lakers Chief Assistant Coach." He was heading the Lakers Summer League team.

Li Wan accepted it and left the arena with Tyron.

Outside, he asked Tyron to help him find a training facility. It was June 26, with just under two weeks until July 10.

He needed to level up fast.

Summer League is a dog-eat-dog world—undrafted players fighting for two-way contracts. No one would pass to him. No one would play "team ball."

He wasn't there to show off his defense.

So his training focus for the next 14 days: ball-handling and shooting.

---

Talent means freedom.

With 82 potential in ball-handling, mid-range shooting, and 85 in three-pointers, Li Wan finally understood how someone like Olajuwon could become an NBA champ after only two years of training.

Because when you're talented, two years is plenty.

In just 14 days, Li Wan's ball-handling jumped from 35 to 54, reaching the level of an NBA benchwarmer.

His mid-range went from 34 to 53, and his three-point shot from 30 to 49.

No wonder people say hard work means nothing without talent.

The free agency period opened during his training, and headlines exploded: Kobe Bryant requested a trade, even making a visit to Chicago.

Optimistic L.A. media believed the Lakers would make a big trade to satisfy him. Pessimists were already calculating how much Kobe would fetch in a deal.

> An anonymous insider said: "Lakers, it's your turn to feel the pain!"

---

July 10 arrived.

Li Wan joined the Lakers Summer League team in Las Vegas.

> "You finally made it, man. I was worried you'd skip," said Phil Handy.

He didn't give Li Wan any special instructions, just encouraged him to play freely.

> "Call for the ball if you want. I've already told the team—anyone who doesn't pass to you will be benched."

Unlimited firepower...?

Li Wan didn't expect to enjoy that privilege.

But thinking it through, it made sense. Summer League is about helping rookies adapt. A first-round pick at 19th is a prized asset here—definitely a team priority.

He might not even need to ask for the ball—he'd get it.

And he wasn't giving it back, either.

---

The Lakers' Summer League opener was against... the New York Knicks!

What a coincidence.

Wilson Chandler, the guy who snubbed him on draft night, would be his opponent.

Li Wan hadn't forgotten his smug expression. And Chandler wasn't a "let it slide" kind of guy.

> "A dog bites you, and you're not supposed to bite back? Screw that—I'll kick it!"

But it wasn't Chandler who ignited his real fire—it was Isiah Thomas, the Knicks GM.

> "We see something in you others don't. We'll take you—even trade up! You'll be our rookie!"

Yet when the time came, they passed on him.

No excuses mattered.

Li Wan would make sure he regretted that decision.

---

The next day came fast.

The Summer League venue was small—just a rented high school gym with 2–3k seats, but even that wasn't enough.

Media swarmed the sidelines. That wasn't the case in the past, but now the internet gave the Summer League more visibility.

Chandler saw Li Wan and instantly turned back into the "Crooked Dragon King," glaring provocatively.

Li Wan stared back—and made a very international hand gesture.

Chandler was triggered.

> "I'll make him regret it," he vowed.

---

Tip-off.

Lakers got the ball. Li Wan called for it in the backcourt.

> "Oh?"

Phil Handy was surprised.

The scouting report said Li Wan couldn't handle the ball. That's why he told the team to pass to him.

But now, he looked confident.

Li Wan called for a pick-and-roll. Nate Robinson picked him up. After some physical contact, Li Wan drove inside and passed to a teammate for an easy score.

He didn't score, but his ball-handling was evident.

> One possession in, and Phil Handy already saw promise.

Knicks came down. Chandler got the ball and went into triple threat mode.

Li Wan didn't budge. He studied Chandler before. Explosive, strong defender, decent finisher—but no handles.

He wasn't worried.

Chandler lunged forward, trying to blow by Li Wan.

Li Wan moved in sync, cutting him off.

The ball popped loose. Marcus Williams scooped it up.

Li Wan dashed ahead, calling for the ball. Chandler chased, but...

> "How is he getting further away?"

Williams passed. Li Wan caught it, took flight, and went for the one-handed dunk.

Chandler jumped too—but he was way behind.

> "BANG!"

The dunk went down.

Li Wan turned on defense and gave Chandler a mocking smile.

> "Recognize this face? I'm right in front of you!"

> "Also... didn't your mouth twitch earlier?"