After arriving in Los Angeles and spending a day recovering, Kobe's tryout with the Clippers went very smoothly. His outstanding performance even stunned the staff on site.
But...
In Su Feng's previous life, many people suspected that Elgin Baylor was actually a Lakers mole planted inside the Clippers.
Well...
There's a saying: don't dismiss conspiracy theories too quickly — sometimes they have a point.
Because after Kobe's tryout, the Clippers' front office told him, "In our opinion, your performance was the best among all the players we've seen."
Hearing such praise, Kobe Bryant, with the confidence of a Tucson pattern, asked, "So... will you draft me?"
"No, we won't choose you. We need immediate impact players to turn around our poor record.
If we draft a 17-year-old kid, people in Los Angeles will think we're a joke. So we can't pick you."
Gotta admit — the Clippers' front office shut that door fast.
Don't ask why the Clippers were so bold.
Because in the years to come, they would prove through their actions what it truly means to make decisions that even fans couldn't comprehend.
In his past life, basketball fans often used the phrase "do whatever you want" to roast each other.
But honestly, while the Clippers may have struggled in other areas, their front office during that era really didn't need to underestimate themselves.
Kobe's young heart took a massive hit — like a 100-million-point critical blow.
Even as he walked out of the training facility, he looked at his agent Trum with a wounded expression and asked, "Am I really that bad?"
Seeing Kobe so down, Trum gently patted his head and said, "No. Believe me — you're the best high school player in America."
…
Two days later, Kobe Bryant refocused his mind on another team in Los Angeles:
The Lakers.
We'll dive into the Lakers' storied history later — for now, some people just can't wait to see Kobe in action.
Unlike the various drills he went through with the Clippers, Jerry West, after reviewing Kobe's physical data, immediately asked him to go one-on-one against University of Mississippi star East Tower Jones.
After Kobe smoked Jones on the court, West was thrilled — and decided to raise the difficulty.
Next up was Larry Drew, a former NBA player and member of the Lakers coaching staff.
But even Drew couldn't match Kobe.
By this point, the Lakers' staff could already sense West's growing excitement.
So they called in a bigger name: Michael Cooper, the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year in 1987 and now part of the Lakers' front office.
Although Cooper had been retired for six years, some staff felt West was pushing Kobe too hard.
After all, he was just a high school kid…
But Kobe won again.
After Kobe defeated Cooper, West turned to his assistant and said, "No need to see more. I'm convinced — this kid is the best player in this class."
Then West approached Kobe's agent, Trum: "We'll do whatever it takes to get him."
Trum was stunned. Before he could ask any questions, West had already walked away.
To Trum, it felt like a compliment — nothing more.
After all, the Lakers already had plenty of talent at the wing. In addition to All-Star Cedric Ceballos, they had solid players like Eddie Jones.
At the time, the Lakers were on the path to rebuilding, and every roster spot mattered.
Just as Trum was about to share the news with Kobe, West had already walked over to him on the court.
"How did it feel playing against NBA players?" he asked.
Kobe, still riding high from his win over Cooper, thought for a moment and replied, "I think Su's defense is better than his."
"Oh?"
West didn't take the comment too seriously — but out of respect for Kobe's confidence, he waited for the rest.
"Su's defensive skills aren't as refined," Kobe continued, "but if it were Su, he'd fight me to the very last second."
West smiled — a warm, spring-like smile that left a lasting impression on young Kobe.
And maybe it was West's approachable nature, but Kobe momentarily forgot who stood before him:
The Lakers legend, the franchise's guiding force, the NBA's very logo — Jerry West.
"Sir," Kobe asked bravely, "if the Lakers draft me, will you need me to change anything?"
"Why do you ask?" West replied.
"Because a lot of people think that since I'm just a high school kid, I should change my style once I enter the NBA," Kobe said.
"No," West said, patting Kobe's shoulder. "I don't need you to change anything. Just be yourself."
And with that, Kobe's Los Angeles tour came to an end.
Next, he would attend tryouts with the Bulls, Celtics, and other teams.
But in Los Angeles, the Logo Man's plan was already in motion.
Looking at scout Martin, who had just returned, West asked, "What do you think of Kobe?"
"I think he might be better than we expected — especially in his senior year. His playmaking…"
West cut him off. "Don't be fooled by the stats."
"His playmaking is still raw," West continued. "But his willingness to pass tells me he'll grow into a star who's tough to guard on both ends."
"But his current draft position worries me…" Martin said, concerned.
"I know. Scrap the previous plan," West replied. "Once the draft order is set, let's see which team needs a big man."
"But boss, if you're this high on Kobe, then the Celtics will be too…"
Martin's point was clear: the Celtics weren't the Clippers. If West saw Kobe's potential, Boston surely would too.
"Let me think… This could be tricky," West said, rubbing his head. "Arnold (Orbach) isn't Elgin (Baylor)."
"Which top wing players have declared this year?" West asked.
"Ray Allen from UConn is widely considered the best shooting guard in the NCAA.
Villanova's Kerry Kittles is ranked second.
And there's Antoine Walker from Kentucky — a 206 cm all-around power forward…"
Martin reviewed the reports he'd compiled.
"Then leak it to the media: say we're going all-in on Antoine Walker from Kentucky.
Also, tell them I said Walker could be Magic's successor," West said, patting Martin's shoulder.
"And help me compile a list of teams that might hold the 8th and 10th picks."
"Got it, boss!"
…
Phoenix — just as Kobe's Los Angeles tour was wrapping up — Su Feng was happily enjoying the "cakes" served up by Steve Nash.
Recently, Su Feng had been working on his low-post and back-to-the-basket skills with help from Fraser.
After all, "dribbling backward" doesn't mean you lack one-on-one offensive ability.
And Su Feng's "sky-high backward dribble"? Depends on who you're comparing him to.
But...
In this tryout in Phoenix, Nash didn't give Su Feng any chance to showcase his isolation game.
Don't ask why — just know he was too busy feeding him cake.
With this duo of 1996 rookies working together, the Suns' reserve squad was torn apart.
There was no helping it. In this era of heavy reliance on starters, the gap between starters and bench players was already huge.
Not to mention that Su Feng and Nash were going up against fringe players from the Suns?
And to try to balance the level between rookies and NBA veterans, the Suns' front office even added AC Green and Elliott Perry — two key bench players — to Su Feng's squad?
In the 20-minute five-on-five scrimmage, Su Feng scored 22 points, while Nash posted 6 points and 9 assists. Both performances were well received by the Suns' staff.
Since Su Feng and Nash share the same agent — Bill Duffy — they met again at today's training camp.
It's also worth noting that, during the morning physical exam, Su Feng lent Nash his socks and insoles, helping Nash officially measure in at 191 cm.
This "sock and insole diplomacy" helped warm up their friendship.
Nash admired Su Feng's muscles, while Su Feng envied Nash's lightning speed and slippery ball-handling.
"Steve, be honest — what's your actual height?" Su Feng asked, eyeing Nash suspiciously.
"Uh… 190 cm!" Nash replied, blushing.
"If you lie to me again, this friendship is over," Su Feng said, giving him a look that said, "I know you're bluffing."
"Okay… 188 cm!" Nash said more firmly, but Su Feng still shook his head.
"Fine, 186 cm. Measured last week," Nash finally admitted, defeated.
As expected…
NBA players' listed heights are like actresses' listed weights — all smoke and mirrors.
In his past life, Su Feng had seen a funny photo: Nash standing upright was almost the same height as Curry leaning forward.
If Nash were really 191 cm, then Curry would be a 198 cm giant.
But Nash's defense was even weaker than Su Feng had imagined.
During the physical exam, Nash weighed just 73 kg — skinny arms, skinny legs, barely there.
Still, it was precisely because Nash couldn't stop him that Su Feng stood out on both ends of the court during the tryout.
Even the Suns' front office began to wonder if some media outlets were criticizing Su Feng just for the sake of it.
Because with a performance like this, how could he be projected as a second-round pick?
"He's definitely a first-rounder!
It's just… Steve and Su — if only we had one more first-round pick," someone from the Suns' staff sighed.
In the 1995–96 season, Jason Kidd was still a Maverick in Dallas, and the Suns were in need of a point guard — a big reason why they drafted Nash in Su Feng's previous life.
Currently, the Suns had Michael Finley, so they weren't desperate for a wing.
But here's the problem…
Su Feng's tryout was just too good.
With Nash assisting on both offense and defense, the Suns' staff saw all of Su Feng's strengths.
And now… they were torn.