1In the summer of 994, after the World Championships in Toronto, 25-year-old Li got the starting point guard position of Liaoning team through hard work. Li quickly showed his talent.

From 65438 to 0996, China's men's basketball team reached the quarterfinals of the Atlanta Olympic Games, which must be attributed to Li. In that game, Li not only played eight games, but also created a maximum playing time of 34 minutes per game for the team, averaging 7. 1 minute 4. 1 assist 2.9 rebounds, comparable to the two superstars of Dream Team 3, Payton and Penny Hardaway. Li scored 17, 8 rebounds and 5 assists, helping China beat the South American champion Argentine team and reach the quarter-finals.

From 1996- 1997 to 1998- 1999 for three consecutive seasons, Li Lian continued to get league assists, and his three-point shooting rate remained above 42%. Li, Wu Qinglong and Wu Naiqun, three musketeers of Liaoning basketball, led Liaoning team to the finals for three consecutive years. It's a pity that he fell in front of the powerful Bayi team for three consecutive years. This may be the biggest regret in Li's career.