My Name is Kobe Bryant

"Mr. Rambis, are you saying that Kobe Bryant averaged 31 points, 3.5 rebounds, 7.25 assists and 2 steals in four games?" After the summer league ended, Jerry West received a call from Rambis. It can be seen from the data that Kobe's performance is quite impressive.

"That's right, Mr. West, what I'm going to tell you is that the statistics can't reflect his influence on the court. He can hit shots under double-teaming, he can pass 6 players in a row, and he can organize the team. Offense, from point guard to small forward, it can be said that he alone leads the entire team."

Kobe's performance made Kirtland Biss even feel that he was not Kobe's coach, but his fan. This is the powerful fan-attracting ability of Kobe's style of play. He can always use his wonderful performance and gorgeous style of play to make people fall in love with him.

"Very well, it seems that our future star has performed very well. What about the other players on the team?" West smiled. He was supplementing the team's roster. The few Kobe Bryant's attendants mentioned are also very interested.

"Bruce Bowen has shown very sophisticated one-on-one defense skills. He did not waste his time in the European League and practiced excellent defense. At the same time, he has a good outside shooting percentage under the open position. The disadvantage is that he lacks what a small forward needs. Independent offensive ability, but also slightly mediocre physical fitness. This is also the reason why he can't play in the NBA." Knowing that West will ask, Rambis has already listed the advantages and disadvantages of several players.

"Ben Wallace's speed and strength are very good. His defense ability is very strong and he has a keen sense of rebounding. The disadvantage is his height. With his height, he can only act as a power forward with no offensive ability. The extremely low shooting percentage at the basket and basketball IQ are things he needs to improve urgently."

"Derrick Fisher, our No. 24 rookie, has played what he should have in this pick. He has a strong tactical understanding, good single defense, and good three-pointers. He can act as a 3D point guard. He is a bit lacking in enthusiasm for personal offense. That's probably because of being around Kobe."

"Terry Snight, the No. 29 pick cut by the Bulls. He has solid basic skills, excellent height and wingspan, and a thick pick-and-roll. The disadvantage is that his confrontation ability is very weak, and he is easy to be overwhelmed by an excellent center at the basket. His physical fitness is weak. If he can If it improves, it can serve as a good substitute insider."

"My suggestion is that they can be signed with a non-guaranteed contract. They are still young and it is worth betting on their potential. We can see their adaptability to the NBA during the season. After all, the confrontation in the summer league is completely different from the regular season. "Rambis wants to help them, he appreciates the potential of these players.

"Okay, thank you, Mr. Rambis." West does not plan to sign them with a non-guaranteed contract. The tradition of the Lakers is never to be petty.

. . . . . .

After the summer league, Kobe did not forget that he had coordinated Rob Pelinka to sign Ben Wallace and Bruce Bowen. And Derek Fisher and Tyrese Knight already have their own agents.

"BOSS! Both Ben and Bruce have signed with the Lakers! I won them a fully guaranteed contract of $250,000!" Pelinka and West immediately contacted Kobe after negotiating the contract.

Pelinka, Ben Wallace, and Bruce Bowen signed a 4-year contract with 5% of all income. Pelinka could earn $25,000 from this deal, which was not a small sum in the United States at the time, and all of this was brought by his BOSS Kobe Bryant.

"Very good, Rob, well done!" Kobe knew that it would be very difficult to achieve S+ in life, and he needed the support of capital and connections on and off the court.

Both Kobe Bryant and Pelinka lack sufficient start-up funds, otherwise there would be many projects to invest in. Kobe has great ambitions, and he has not signed a single endorsement contract.

Bryant is looking forward to the game, on the gorgeous stage in Los Angeles, as long as you can play a good performance, you will attract a lot of attention.

"Terry Snight also signed a contract. Mr. West told me privately that his agent only won him a contract worth 220,000 U.S. dollars." Don't underestimate the difference of 30,000 U.S. dollars. Live abundantly for a year.

Very good, so this team will have four direct Kobe teammates. Although they are all rookies, they don't have any right to speak. The right to speak on the basketball court depends on strength to win on the court.

After exchanging pleasantries with Pelinka, Kobe hung up the phone and sent a group text message to Bruce Bowen, Ben Wallace, and Tyrese Knight.

"Hi, congratulations my brother. Welcome to the Los Angeles Lakers. I can't wait to fight with you. See you in the training hall!"

The summer in Los Angeles came to an end in the sweat of Kobe and his gang.

. . . . . .

Jerry West and Del Harris rounded out the roster as the preseason approached.

Point guard: Nick Van Exel, Derek Fisher, Rumir Robinson, Byron Scott

Shooting Guard: Eddie Jones, Kobe Bryant

Small Forwards: Cedric Ceballos, Jerome Kersey, Bruce Bowen

Power forwards: Eldon Campbell, Corey Blunt, Ben Wallace

Centers: Shaquille O'Neal, Shawn Lukes, Tyrese Knight

West's team building idea is very clear, centering on Shaquille O'Neal's dominance at the basket, with a large number of shooters on the outside. There are a large number of young, shooting, and impactful players hoarding on the forward and defensive lines.

Maybe 2 years, maybe 3 years, when these young players grow up under the wings of O'Neal, Jordan and the three major centers are no longer young, and the next era will belong to the Lakers.

"Mr. West, O'Neill applied to the team not to participate in the team's joint training. He said he was exhausted from the Olympics and his body needs to be recuperated." Harris couldn't laugh or cry, and told West the news.

"There is really no need for a center like O'Neal to participate in the preseason. He should focus on important times." West didn't care. You can play dominant in the playoffs, and there is no problem in refusing to play in the regular season.

There is only one championship, and the stage for superstars will only be in the playoffs. West doesn't care much about the preseason and regular season records. In his view, the regular season is just a means to train newcomers and coordinate team tactics.

"Okay." Harris smiled wryly, with some headaches, how to train after losing the core of the tactics prepared around O'Neal?