Chapter 85: Special Training
“What did you notice in that game just now?”
Chen Yilun and Tang Zhou slowly made their way out of the arena with the crowd.
“The Wizards’ defense is a major problem.”
Tang Zhou glanced at his notes on his phone. “Cousins didn’t bring enough defensive intensity. The Wizards eventually shifted him to power forward and put Gortat at center just to maintain their interior defense.”
“Exactly. And on the wing, they had no answer for James.”
Chen Yilun added.
After watching today’s game, Chen Yilun had a clear picture. Unless something unexpected happened, the Wizards would have a hard time stopping the Cavaliers in the playoffs.
But that was enough. He never expected the Wizards to accomplish much anyway. As long as they could make things a little tougher for the Cavaliers in the East over the next couple of years, that would do.
“No fun to watch! Let’s head home.” Chen Yilun tightened his coat around himself and strode ahead.
“Faster! Faster!”
Chip clapped his hands sharply, setting the rhythm.
Booker gritted his teeth, sprinted the length of the court, caught the pass, and fired immediately.
“Clang!”
The ball hit the front rim and bounced out.
“Hold it.” Chip walked over to Booker. “Look, your shooting form just completely broke down. And that last shot had no power behind it.”
“Coach Chip.” Booker was gasping for air, wiping the sweat dripping into his eyes. “I’m exhausted. Catching and shooting on the move this fast—I can’t even catch my breath.”
“Then go ask your opponents during games not to guard you.”
Chip’s tone was sharp. “If you want to establish yourself in this league, you need to be able to score in every situation.”
“The team drafted you to put up points. If you can’t handle this intensity, how are you going to make it here?”
Chip’s words hit Booker hard.
“I got it, Coach Chip! Let’s keep going!” Booker shook his head vigorously, flinging sweat away, then threw himself back into training.
After a few more reps, two more people walked into the gym.
“Chip! Working guys out again today?”
Coach Chris Finley entered with Jae Crowder.
“Chris? Perfect timing. You brought Crowder to work on defense?”
“Yeah. Still fixing Booker’s shooting mechanics?”
Chip waved them over. “Booker’s about to practice contested jumpers. Let me borrow Crowder for a bit.”
Booker stood at the top of the key with the ball. Opposite him, Crowder dropped into a textbook defensive stance, eyes locked firmly on Booker.
Booker glanced at the rim, then suddenly rose up for a jumper.
Crowder stretched his right hand as far as he could to contest, but the ball still brushed past his fingertips, arcing into the net.
“Booker’s ability to shoot under pressure is improving rapidly.”
The two coaches stood on the sideline, watching one player hone his offense and another his defense.
“You know, Booker really does have offensive talent. He’s practically a born scoring machine.” Chip put his hands on his hips, looking more and more pleased with Booker.
“He picks things up quickly, and his creativity stands out too. Yilun really lucked out again.”
Right then, Crowder managed to disrupt Booker enough to force another miss.
“His output’s still a little low, though.”
“Come on, for a rookie in his first year? Be happy with this.”
Chris shook his head at Crowder’s defense. “My guy’s tougher. He’s rough around the edges with bad defensive habits. I’ve got to teach him step by step.”
He stepped forward onto the court. “Jae! How many times have I told you? You can’t defend a scorer like that!”
As he spoke, Coach Chris took Crowder’s spot.
“Watch closely. Keep a gap between you and the ballhandler. Don’t stick too close—otherwise he’ll spin and blow past you.”
“When you’re setting your defensive stance, keep your pivot foot steady. That’s the only way you’ll explode quickly when you move.”
Chris demonstrated the footwork, while Crowder listened intently. Even Booker leaned in, eager to learn a trick or two.
“Remember this: defense isn’t about steals or blocks.”
“The essence of defense is disrupting the opponent’s offense, or forcing them into tough shots.”
Chris pulled Booker closer to demonstrate.
“Look here—Booker’s right-handed. If he’s a shooter, you need to press even tighter. Most shooters go up with their strong hand. You need to angle your body to cut off that side and take away his release point. That’s real defense!”
Booker eyed Chris’s hand and tried to lift the ball. He found he had no space at all.
The moment he raised the ball, a steal was waiting.
“I get it, Coach. I’ll work harder.” Crowder nodded firmly.
For second-round picks without a signature skill, chances of survival in the league were slim. Developing into a 3-and-D forward like Crowder was the best path.
“Alright, that’s enough here. Bring over the training cannon—we’re working on footwork next.”
The “cannon” was a physical training device. In footwork drills, it added torque to players’ movements while also strengthening their core.
These days, the Kings felt like everyone was busy. Chen Yilun had built an environment where players could grow freely, and now everyone was eager to climb higher.
“I’m swamped lately. Hurry back and help me out!”
Chen Yilun yawned on the balcony. He’d just stepped off the plane, hadn’t even changed clothes, and was already working overtime. He happened to run into Divac, who was also out late at night.
“I know your mind’s not on GM work right now, but you’re still the assistant GM. Stop hovering over that precious protégé of yours every day.”
“Yeah, yeah.”
Though Divac was much older, over a year of working together had left him deeply impressed by Chen Yilun. At times, he even felt a bit of respect, maybe even awe, for him.
“The league hasn’t been very stable lately.”
Chen Yilun pulled a cigarette from his pocket and lit it.
“When I was in Cleveland for that game, I noticed other front offices were unusually active. Who knows what kind of schemes they’re brewing. Have your people stay sharp. Better safe than sorry.”
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