Chapter 697: Joining the Training
"Bambi, have you ever thought about giving up?" After a long silence, Curry took the initiative to speak.
This was the first time since he got injured again that Curry had brought it up: he had considered giving up.
He knew that once he said it, everyone would think he was a coward; but when he was hit head-on with that sense of frustration, deep down, at least once, he really thought about giving up. He was serious.
"Of course." Compared to Curry's difficult confession, Lu Ke's answer was simple and direct, so straightforward that Curry couldn't help but look up at Lu Ke with a stunned and incredulous expression.
Lu Ke shrugged his shoulders and smiled nonchalantly. "In my personal opinion, every professional athlete, or even every person, has considered giving up at least once in their life, and it could even be countless times."
"I think the thought of giving up itself isn't scary," Lu Ke said frankly. "You know, I didn't become a practice squad player for my school until my third year. I was rejected in my first and second years. In fact, in my third year, I was ready to give up. If I didn't make it that time, I wouldn't have continued."
Curry didn't hide his surprise.
But Lu Ke took it for granted. "If someone keeps telling you for three years that it's impossible, that there's no hope, that it's a dead end; at the same time, you're also working hard, you're trying, you're fighting, but you're only proving that what they said is correct step by step. Then I think giving up is the right choice."
"After all, I'm not Edison, who can try hundreds or even thousands of times for a new invention," Lu Ke joked lightly, which made Curry smile helplessly. "Although my parents never told me in person, I know they were always worried about me. It's been like that since I was a child. They've always supported my choices."
"After I chose football, the first time I came home from training, my whole body was bruised and messy. That night, my mom was secretly crying in her room. She thought I didn't know, but I heard her sobbing. The only reason she didn't object was because I was persistent."
"Who would have thought that this persistence would last for thirteen years?" Lu Ke gave a wry smile. "Thirteen years is enough. If I keep going, there might not be any results. So, I told myself that if I didn't become a practice player in my third year, I would give up. If I succeeded, I would fight for two more years."
"Giving up? I've considered giving up more than once, countless times," Lu Ke said frankly. "I also thought about whether things would be easier if I chose basketball. Even if I couldn't get into the NBA, at least I could smoothly join a team in high school and college."
Curry caught the smile in Lu Ke's eyes and chuckled, teasingly. "That's not necessarily true."
Lu Ke didn't refute him. "My point is that giving up isn't scary or shameful. Sometimes, the obsession of not knowing when to give up can be the beginning of destruction. But more often than not, what's more important than the thought of giving up is the final decision. So, do you really want to give up?"
Caught off guard, Curry was speechless.
Lu Ke's gaze was direct, with no questioning, no comforting, and no ripple of emotion. He just looked at him calmly and asked the simplest question, "Do you really want to give up?"
Curry found himself stuck. He couldn't say a single word. It wasn't a denial or a confirmation. He just stood there blankly. It seemed that he had never truly thought about this question.
Lu Ke smiled. "The reason you're angry is that you're unwilling. The reason you're irritable is that you desire it. The reason you're in pain is that you're desperate. In fact, the answer has already been there; you just haven't found it yet."
Curry fell silent, savoring his words.
He recalled everything that happened today.
In fact, after Curry and Lu Ke met, they didn't talk much. They didn't mention injuries, seasons, persistence, pain, or difficulties. The only thing they did was watch game film, one football game after another, and then discuss the games.
Everything was just like when they first met.
But it was this kind of ordinary routine that made Curry feel alive again.
"You know, after going through the most treacherous and difficult paths, you can always see the most magnificent and grand scenery," Lu Ke's voice rang in his ears again, full of energy and hope. Especially after this trip to Shanghai, Lu Ke's heart was full of hope and joy. He was more grateful than ever that he didn't give up before he got the Superstar System.
Curry laughed to himself. "Whose quote is that? Why does it sound so familiar?"
"Mine," Lu Ke said with a raised eyebrow, confidently and generously.
Curry chuckled, his shoulders shaking. "Bambi, you know what? You'd be great at a talk show. Maybe after you retire, you should consider co-hosting a show with Oprah Winfrey. It'll definitely be a hit."
"I think so too," Lu Ke said seriously, nodding in agreement. Then, he said with a happy look, "My rice bowl after retirement is secured. I'm so happy."
Curry felt a mouthful of air stuck in his throat. In the end, he laughed out loud helplessly. "Bambi, can I stay here and train with you for a while?" As he spoke, he put down his nutritional meal and raised his right hand as if making a vow. "I swear, I will not be a spy for the Carolina Panthers."
For once, Curry was being mischievous.
"The doors are always open," Lu Ke said with a big smile. "Right now, JJ is also training with us."
As soon as he finished speaking, Curry's face was full of surprise. His jaw dropped as if to say, "Two lunatics meeting at an offseason training camp? This is a rare sight!"
Lu Ke's eyes twinkled. "You're welcome to join us too." Suddenly, Curry froze in place as if he had been struck by lightning. He looked very comical. Lu Ke chuckled. "But aren't you injured right now? Are you sure it's okay?"
Curry sighed, spread his hands, and complained with a look of hopelessness, "You finally noticed my injury." He wasn't in a cast, but he was wearing a protective shoe on his foot, which looked swollen and clumsy. "I'll send an email to my agent later to let him know my training plan. He'll handle the arrangements."
Lu Ke nodded in agreement. "My wide receiver, Ted Ginn, is also doing his rehab in Los Angeles now. If you want, you can join him. The hospital for rehab isn't too far from UCLA."
"Oh, Ted. Is his concussion okay?" Curry immediately followed up with a question. Then, he saw Lu Ke's surprised expression and said proudly, "I've been keeping up with the San Francisco games all the time. I'm a 49er now, too." After saying that, Curry started showing off his San Francisco 49ers baseball cap to show his loyalty.
Lu Ke couldn't help but smile. "He's already passed the concussion test and is in the early stages of his rehab. But those aren't serious problems. He can be back on the field and start official training in two weeks at most."
"Wow, that's good news," Curry nodded repeatedly. "Then I have to speed up too!" Curry adjusted his sitting posture again. "Bambi, we've watched an hour of football film. How about we watch some basketball game film and discuss it?"
"No problem!" Lu Ke agreed readily. His eager and ready-to-go expression made Curry exclaim, "I've been tricked!" "Why are you so interested in basketball game film too? It's not supposed to be like this!"
The night in Los Angeles was getting late. Curry's mournful complaints echoed in the house, but no one could save him. There was nothing he could do. He had walked into the lion's den on his own, so he had to accept his fate.
The next morning, the clock had just passed five. Lu Ke was already up. Curry, who was still in his warm bed, was forced to get up. He was sleepy and looked like a ghost, mumbling and complaining, "It's not even sunrise yet. God, didn't you just get back from your trip yesterday? Don't you need to adjust to the time difference?"
"By the time we get to the training facility, it'll be daylight. Do you know what Los Angeles looks like at four in the morning?" Lu Ke's question stumped Curry, and his mind wasn't working since he was still sleepy. After his injury, his biological clock had been thrown off, and it would take time for him to get back to normal.
"I don't. Do you?" Curry asked reflexively.
"No, I don't either," Lu Ke's answer was unexpected again. "But Kobe Bryant does. That's why he became a top superstar in the league."
"Bambi. Another dose of inspiration!" Curry sighed to the heavens.
This reaction made Lu Ke laugh out loud. He pushed Curry's back. "Let's go. We're starting our official training today. Every day is the best start, and half of the offseason is already over. We don't have much time left. It's the same for the NBA."
After a flurry of chaos, Lu Ke drove away from the house with Curry and finally stopped at the entrance of a hospital. "Ted is in the rehab room in building four. His rehab starts at six, but after he gets up at five-thirty, he'll do some simple relaxation exercises in the pool. You can go find him now."
Curry stood on the side of the road, watching Lu Ke in the driver's seat. He finished his instructions in a few words, gave Curry a salute, and said with a bright smile, "I wish you a wonderful day! Have a good training!" Then, he was gone. He just left!
Curry stared dumbfounded at the disappearing car, his eyes looking pitiful. Had he been abandoned again?
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