591 Love of the Game (2/2)

”Are we going to the high school where Nathan Hall is working? It is summer vacation, so we may not be able to find him at school,” Johnson said.

”Of course we can't find him at school,” Dai Li said. ”Think about what we are doing. Hall is currently the coach at a high school and we are here to recruit him. How can we go to the place where he works? I have already arranged to meet Hall in the reception room at a hotel. So let's go there and rest first. We will join Hall for afternoon tea.”

After a few hours, Dai Li met Nathan Hall in the reception room.

”Coach Li, I really didn't expect you to come to Seattle personally. I also didn't expect you to come to see me.” Hall obviously knew who Dai Li was. Although he had left the NBA, he still cared about it. He was familiar with every team and Dai Li was a candidate for ”Coach of the Year.” Hall certainly knew who he was.

Hall continued, ”Are you interested in any of the players at our high school? To be honest, I just became the head coach of the team this summer, so I am not familiar with the players. I am afraid I don't have that much information for you.”

Dai Li shook his head. ”A few years ago, when the NBA allowed high school students to participate in the draft, I might've been here to recruit students. Now that the NBA has banned high school players from participating in the NBA draft, however, I would've gone to a college to recruit students.”

”That is true. Why are you here then? What is this for?” Hall asked.

”I want to invite you to join my team,” Dai Li said.

”You want me on your coaching staff?” Hall was a little flattered. Joining an NBA team's coaching staff was much better than becoming a high school coach.

Dai Li shook his head again. ”Nathan, you misunderstand me. I want you to play for my team. We need a shooting guard.”

”You want me to play for the Clippers!” Nathan Hall exclaimed. He expressed his disbelief by saying, ”Coach Li, you're joking, right?”

”Do you think that the team manager and I flew all the way to Seattle to make a joke?” Dai Li said with a smile.

Nathan Hall became serious. He realized that Dai Li was being honest. He then asked, ”Why me?”

”Why not you?” Dai Li replied.

”I have already announced my retirement. Why did you come looking for me?” Hall asked.

”You are still very young and should not retire,” Dai Li replied.

”But my knee has been badly injured, I can't deal with the intensity of the NBA.” Hall shook his head and said, ”I only played five games in my last season in the NBA. Every time I sprinted or jumped, I'd be in unbearable pain. I couldn't take it anymore, so I chose to retire.”

”What you need is one of the world's best rehabilitation trainers,” Dai Li said. He took out a brochure for his physical training center and handed it to Hall. He then said, ”Look at this. The athletes here have suffered serious injuries and they have all returned to their peak condition. They did so by relying on my rehabilitation training.”

Hall took the brochure and read it page by page. When he read the real cases, he was obviously affected.

”Nathan, I know that you have removed the menisci from your knees, but there have been cases in which athletes have come back from that. This is why I came to you. I think you will be able to return to the court after training with me,” Dai Li said.

Hall hesitated for a long time, then let out a sigh. He closed the brochure and handed it back to Dai Li. He shook his head and said, ”Even if I could return to the court, I wouldn't be able to play like I used to. Without the menisci, my knees are useless. I can't sprint, do a crossover, or jump. I can't do any of the technical moves that used to be easy.”

”That's the next thing I wanted to talk to you about. I can get you back to your peak condition. I can even make you stronger than before!” Dai Li stared at Hall and continued, ”When did you peak? Were you 22 or 23 years old? It's was probably when you were on an All-Star team three years in a row. However, most shooting guards are just beginning their careers at 20. You have not yet reached your peak, but you have already retired. If you had not been injured, you would have become stronger.”

After listening to Dai Li, Nathan Hall lowered his head to hide the unwillingness in his eyes.

”Nathan, you are still young. Don't waste your time. Your career shouldn't have ended. You can work hard again. You should be on the court to compete, not teach high school students how to play!” Dai Li advised.

Nathan Hall took a deep breath. ”Coach Li. Give me some time. Can you let me think about it?”

”No problem,” Dai Li handed his business card to Hall and said, ”This is my contact information. I am looking forward to your reply. Oh yeah, I almost forgot. If you join the Clippers, you will get a fully insured contract. I can guarantee that.”

...

Nathan Hall took Dai Li's business card and left the hotel.

”Do you think he will agree?” Johnson asked.

”Yes. He definitely will,” Dai Li replied.

”Why dare you so optimistic?” Johnson asked, puzzled

”Because of his love for basketball.” Dai Li turned to look at Johnson. ”Some basketball players just regard basketball as a job, others have a deep passion for basketball. Basketball will always be a part of their lives.

”Nathan Hall is such a person. He loves basketball. His knees were injured, but he insisted on staying on the court. Every time he got injured and after he had his surgery, he always returned to the court as soon as possible. He eventually lost his menisci, but he still tried to play. When he had to leave the NBA, he did not leave basketball. He became a high school coach instead. When other stars retired they chose a life of riches.

”Hall has no bad habits. He earned tens of millions of dollars in his career, so he is not short of money. He went to a high school because he couldn't bear to leave basketball. I know that he is really passionate about the sport. He won't ever be able to stay away from the court. I firmly believe that he will agree because of his love of the game!”