Chapter 78: The New Season
Volume 2: The Battle for the West Begins!
“Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the new season! Are you ready?!”
The DJ’s booming voice echoed through every corner of the Kings’ arena.
The fans roared back in thunderous response.
Last season’s success had given them immense confidence, so even though the team traded away their franchise star, DeMarcus Cousins, during the offseason, the arena was still filled to capacity.
Everyone was eager to see if the Kings could take things even further this year.
On the sideline, our old friend Chris Paul curiously watched the buzzing atmosphere. Compared to last year, the energy in this place was on a whole new level.
(It’s not that I want to keep writing about the Clippers—it’s just that somehow, every time the story hits a crucial point, they show up in the game.)
“Their lineup changed a lot in the offseason. No one knows what tactical adjustments they’ll bring.”
Coach Rivers scribbled on the playboard.
“For now, we’ll stick to last season’s plan—force them into half-court offense and then go man-to-man.”
It wasn’t exactly Rivers’ fault he was unsure—the Kings had changed their core players, and no one knew what new schemes they’d been practicing all summer.
The referee’s whistle blew, and the game began.
DeAndre Jordan won the tip.
On the very first possession of the season opener, Paul dribbled past half court and signaled a play.
Jordan and Griffin immediately positioned themselves on the left and right wings.
At shooting guard, JJ Redick faked out LaVine and cut toward the baseline.
Realizing too late, LaVine sprinted after him—but Jordan’s massive frame sealed him off completely.
Redick broke free, and right then Paul found him with a perfect pass.
Without hesitation, Redick rose for the jumper.
The ball flew like a cannonball and dropped cleanly through the net.
“What are you all standing around for? You can’t even defend a play this simple?!”
Coach Malone erupted from the sidelines.
The Clippers had just executed one of the most basic plays in basketball—the Diamond set.
The Diamond is simple: two big men at the 4 and 5, plus a 2 who can shake free. Even beginners can run it.
Hearing Malone’s scolding, CJ flushed with embarrassment.
Now it was the Kings’ turn to attack.
CJ signaled, and Jokić and Gay moved up to set a double screen. Afterward, Jokić rolled to the low postr to space the floor for Young.
From the 45-degree angle, CJ passed directly to Gay, setting him up for isolation.
Gay caught the ball and didn’t hesitate—one dribble, squaring up against his defender, Lance Stephenson, ready to go one-on-one.
One long step inside the arc, and he was set to attack.
That movement caught Redick’s attention in the corner. Gay even shifted in his direction, deliberately or not.
Redick stepped forward to help—but that left LaVine, spotting up in the corner, completely unguarded. He cut hard to the rim.
Gay extended and floated the pass inside.
LaVine, wide open under the basket, caught the ball, powered up, and threw down a vicious windmill dunk.
The slam sent the Kings’ crowd into a frenzy.
Chen Yilun chuckled from the bench.
This play was another one he had borrowed from the future—he’d even mentioned it to Malone during their summer talks.
It was the Nuggets’ famous “Double Drag.”
The setup required all five players to be three-point threats. The 4 and 5 set a double screen to create space, the point guard shifted to the opposite side to drag a defender, and the 2 and 3 spotted up in the corners.
The 4’s isolation was only a decoy, meant to pull in help defense.
The brilliance of the play was that, once executed, it left the paint completely wide open, creating easy cutting opportunities for the 2 and 3.
And as history would have it, when the Nuggets used this play in the future, their head coach was none other than Malone.
“Another new trick, huh?”
Rivers stood on the sideline, eyes wide. Known around the league for his lack of tactical variety, he found Malone’s constant updates to his playbook downright unsettling.
Isn’t it enough to have a few solid plays? Why so many?
The Clippers answered quickly, freeing Paul with a screen for an easy jumper.
The Kings adjusted again.
LaVine brought the ball across half court, handed it to CJ at the top of the key, then ran to the corner to spot up.
The Kings’ formation now was: CJ with the ball up top, Gay and Young at the elbows, and LaVine with Jokić in the corners.
A perfect pyramid.
Instead of stepping forward, Gay slid sideways to set a screen for Young. Young curled to the opposite side, but instead of cutting, he set another screen.
Using Young’s rotation, Gay cut sharply to the elbow, caught CJ’s pass, and calmly knocked down a jumper.
Watching the Kings’ dizzying offense unfold, Rivers felt like his head was about to split.
“What… what play is this again?”
He scratched his head, unable to recall the name, and turned to his assistant.
The assistant looked at him like he was from another planet.
Seriously? Who’s the head coach here, you or me?
After a pause, the assistant answered.
“I think it’s the Whirlpool Screen play.”
“Oh, right, right, I knew that. Just forgot the name for a second.”
Rivers nodded seriously.
“So… how do we counter it?”
Zone defense. Run a 1-2-1 zone.
The assistant cursed Rivers silently but held his temper and explained calmly:
“Pull Paul into the defense. After the double screen, have him step up to disrupt Gay’s drive. Redick, once screened, can rotate back to cover CJ.”
“Exactly! That’s what I was thinking. Lawrence, we’re on the same wavelength!”
Clippers assistant coach Lawrence Frank drew a long breath.
When I was competing for a head coaching job, I actually lost to this guy?
But while Frank fumed silently, he didn’t notice someone watching him closely.
Lawrence Frank.
Chen Yilun sipped his beer at ease.
Former head coach of the New Jersey Nets and the Detroit Pistons. A veteran tactician.
His best achievement? Leading a team to the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
This guy really has something. Should I try to bring him over?
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