"A-Lian, your team wants you to come over early for training?"
"Yes, I just received the notification yesterday."
"Play hard in the new season. You will definitely play better than me. You are the No. 6 pick." Li Tian did not forget to encourage Yi Jianlian and sincerely hoped that Yi Jianlian could perform well.
"Haha, it must be possible, and I plan to compete for the best rookie." At this time, Yi Jianlian was very confident.
"Haha, come on, I also hope you can become the best rookie. You will be the first best rookie in China."
"come on."
After Yi Jianlian left Los Angeles, Li Tian trained by himself for a week and then ended his summer training.
The Grizzlies training camp started on October 1, and Li Tian received a notice from Memphis to go there early.
"Taylor, are you still in New York?" I dialed Taylor's number. After being in Los Angeles for so long, I still wanted to say hello to Taylor when I left.
"No, I have left New York and held concerts in other countries." Taylor's voice was a little weak.
"Why are you so tired? Are you too tired?" Li Tian heard Taylor's fatigue.
"Yes, the recent continuous concerts have prevented me from getting enough rest, so I will be quite tired. As for you, I was going to ask you if you are used to living where I live, but I have been too busy recently." Taylor said with a smile. He said apologetically.
"No, Taylor, it's me who should express my gratitude. I've been staying with you for so long and am planning to leave in the next two days. I wanted to ask you where you are now and treat you to a meal."
Li Tian was a little repelled by Taylor at first (because of his injuries), but later he slowly began to accept Taylor, but he always couldn't get over that hurdle in his heart.
"Yes, that's a pity. I haven't seen you for so long. I miss you too." When Taylor heard that Li Tian invited him to have dinner, his tired body was instantly filled with energy and no longer tired.
"But it doesn't matter. I'll invite you next time we meet."
"Okay, next time I have time, I will contact you in advance."
The two chatted for a while, and Li Tian asked Taylor to take a rest early.
...
Just after getting off the plane, Li Tian felt a little uncomfortable seeing Memphis like this. He had never been in Memphis before.
Memphis is located in the beautiful state of Tennessee, next to the Mississippi River. The environment is beautiful, but due to historical reasons, it is very messy.
The Grizzlies have always offered guns in exchange for game tickets. In order to change the ban on the movement of guns, the local government used this method to collect guns.
In recent years, the public security in Memphis has slowly improved.
Searching my memory for memories about the Grizzlies, I only remember that the Grizzlies had a dismal record this season and definitely did not make it to the playoffs.
During the season, team boss Pau Gasol was traded to the Lakers. With Gasol's addition, the purple and gold battleship set sail again, entering the finals for three consecutive years and winning two championships.
Let Kobe chase Michael Jordan and become the number one player in the league at that time.
The Grizzlies have a new coach this year, but the team boss is still there.
After taking a look at the team's main lineup, the people who can appear in my memory include Gasol, Conley, Lowry, Miller, Gay, and Milicic.
Guy is his own main rival.
During the summer league, Li Tian had a good relationship with Conley and Milicic, but Gay had not spoken a word to him.
"Hi, Li, the trainer said you have been training all summer." Bill Duffy flew to Memphis with Li Tian for Li Tian's contract.
"Yes, I attended Brother Yao's wedding and have been training since then. Thank you very much for the trainer you introduced to me. It was of great help to me. It's just a pity that he only stayed there for a week." Li Tianluo With regret.
"Yes, but there will be opportunities in the future. How will the harvest be in the summer?" Bill asked Li Tian.
"The harvest is good, and I hope to become an important rotation of the team. You also know that my previous knee injury caused me to lose a lot, and I need to start over."
Bill consoled him, "It's okay. It's better to have a chance to start over again than not to have a chance at all."
The two chatted all the way until they got off the plane, and Bill gave Li Tian a lot of advice.
Looking out the window, Li Tian was stunned. "Damn it, this is the legendary big city. Yes, except that it's so big, it doesn't look like a city at all. It's not as good as an ordinary city in China."
Forget it, there's no point in complaining. I'm already here and I won't stay here for too long.
I checked the flights here, and there aren’t even any international flights. Oh my god, are you sure this is a big city?
It's almost like a rural area, but the environment is really good.
Went directly to the arena to report.
"Hi, welcome Li Tian and Bill." Mark Jafaroni saw Li Tian and Bill arriving and greeted them first.
"Congratulations on becoming the head coach of the Grizzlies, Mark. Let's talk about Lee's contract first." Bill got straight to the point.
"Okay, let's go to the office first. Mike Haisley is already waiting for us."
The three of them came to the conference room together.
After Bill communicated with the Grizzlies management for a while, they negotiated the contract. The contract for the second-round pick was very simple, with a clearly marked price, and there would not be too many discrepancies.
"Li, it's no problem, you can sign."
Li Tian signed his first NBA contract.
The contract with the Grizzlies is a two-year rookie contract with a team option in the second year. The two-year contract totals US$1 million.
Not surprisingly, I will most likely spend the next two years with the Grizzlies.
The NBA journey begins here.
"Welcome to the Grizzlies, Lee." Mike Haisley welcomed Li Tian's joining.
"I am also very happy that the Grizzlies can choose me. It is an honor for me to become a member of the Grizzlies." Li Tian's official answer.
"Li, I wonder what jersey number you plan to choose?" Jafaroni asked Li Tian.
"I'll choose No. 0. I don't know if anyone from the Grizzlies will use it."
"No one is using it, Li, why did you choose No. 0?"
"Hope to start from 0."
"Okay, Li, our team's training camp will officially start in two days. I hope you can attend on time."
"No problem, I will participate in the team's training on time."
...
After leaving the arena, considering that he would not stay with the Grizzlies for too long, he did not choose to buy a house in Memphis and only chose to rent a house.
The two had a busy day, rented the house, and Li Tian bought some daily necessities he needed.
The house he rented is not far from the Grizzlies Arena. Li Tian can usually run to the arena, which is very convenient.
"Li, I'm going to leave Memphis tomorrow. If you have anything, you can contact me in advance." Bill couldn't stay in Memphis forever. He helped Li Tian arrange things and was ready to leave.
"Okay, Bill, I have no problem here. If anything happens, I will contact you."
Li Tian sent Bill away.
Li Tian contacted Taylor and had a brief chat.
Then he asked Yi Jianlian how he was living in Milwaukee. Yi Jianlian complained about Bogut, but otherwise everything was fine.