You haven’t noticed such a genius for 5 years?
You haven’t noticed such a genius for 5 years?
Zhang Yang recognized him as well, and the impression was even deeper—it was Aaron Afflalo.
Afflalo, too, was about to start 12th grade, and this summer he was ranked 82nd among the nation’s high school students for the class of ’04 by the Associated Press.
However, although these two top-100 talents stood together and appeared to be joking, their tones seemed to carry a sense of confrontation.
Zhang Yang had speculated when doing his research that these two would not get along in the new season.
Both being in the 12th grade, a struggle for the role of the team’s core was inevitable.
Last season, with Roderick Stuart, who ultimately ranked 36th among high school students of the class of ’03, both had played subservient roles.
Now, with Stuart graduated and gone to the USC Trojans, it was certain that both were eyeing the core spot—to have more shooting opportunities, a higher tactical status, to put out better stats, move higher in the rankings, and to get more attention after going to college.
When the two strongest on the team fought, it was their teammates who suffered.
But this had nothing to do with Zhang Yang, who was just an onlooker eating popcorn.
His goal for the new season was to make it into the freshmen or reserve team; they could fight over the main team, by which time he’d have grown stronger and would be ready to join, they would have already graduated.
With these two leading the way, people on the training grounds began to gather around to egg them on.
DeRozan and Tatum, amidst the egging on, came to the central court to start their one-on-one.
Zhang Yang went to an area in the corner where it wasn’t as crowded to watch the spectacle.
As he had thought, one-on-one was no challenge for the snake-like DeRozan; he scored easily with both inside and outside moves.
Tatum, on the other hand, was no slouch and wasn’t just talking big; he held his own against DeRozan.
The one-on-one exceeded expectations in terms of spectacle, and Zhang Yang was also quite engaged in watching it.
Thomas, after seeing the commotion on the training field through surveillance, came over with two assistant coaches to join in the fun, and they didn’t squeeze into the crowd but stood next to Zhang Yang.
Noticing Zhang Yang’s curious gaze, Thomas introduced the two assistant coaches.
The assistant coach with a hairstyle much like that of Thomas’s was named John Johnson and was in charge of leading the freshmen and reserve teams, as well as training the young players in their skills; in Thomas’s words, Johnson was doing the most arduous work on the team.
With a head full of hair that seemed to have robbed his colleagues of theirs, the assistant coach was named Del Burke, responsible for team tactics and accompanying the main team during games.
Watching the fierce battle on the court, Thomas said to Zhang Yang, “Jack, Carmelo is pretty good, isn’t he?”
Zhang Yang analyzed, “Strong body, good explosiveness, very good at utilizing his physicality, excellent ball control, his breakthroughs are formidable.”
Thomas nodded, “A very good assessment.
Those are all Carmelo’s strengths.
Although he’s not as famous as DeMar, last season as a rookie he already became the strongest player on both the freshmen and reserve teams.
He’ll be your and DeMar’s primary competition over the next three years.”
Zhang Yang wanted to be modest, but decided against it and simply replied, “Thank you.”
This response piqued Burke’s interest, who asked, “Jack, who do you think will win?”
Zhang Yang answered without hesitation, “DeMar.
He’ll bite to death all his opponents, just like a snake.”
Thomas didn’t understand, “Like a snake?”
Burke got the reference, “You mean like Kobe Bryant?”
Zhang Yang said, “His idol is Kobe Bryant.”
Burke continued, “Why are you so sure that DeMar will win?”
Zhang Yang said, “Tatum is good at using his physical advantage, but he seems to have limited scoring moves.
DeMar is already trying to adjust his defense.
If Tatum only knows how to score through breakthroughs, then he’s bound to lose…”
Right as he finished, DeRozan blocked Tatum at the edge of the three-second zone, causing Tatum to throw up a clanger on a forceful shot.
DeRozan’s defensive attitude was something Zhang Yang had noted during his face-off with Jones and his crew.
DeRozan during his NBA career wasn’t known for his defense, but in his younger days, he didn’t lag, maintaining a very decent defensive stance.
It was just that his defensive ability and awareness weren’t that outstanding in the NBA.
Such a player wouldn’t be too bad in defense during his campus days.
If Tatum had a more comprehensive range of offensive techniques, DeRozan might not be able to defend well, but against someone who only knew how to make breakthroughs, DeRozan would find the defensive knack after a few rounds, while Tatum in a one-on-one could only pray DeRozan was off his shooting game.
That play became a dividing line for their one-on-one, as DeRozan continued to have his way, while Tatum wasn’t completely shut down, but his successful breakthrough rate dropped sharply.
Burke praised, “Jack, Tony says you have a high basketball IQ, and it seems he’s right.”
He had made the same judgment, but he was a professional coach.
This young man, reportedly a former baseball player, hadn’t even played basketball for a month, so this was exceptional—especially for just a 15-year-old kid.
Before Zhang Yang could be modest, Johnson who had been silent added, “One-on-one isn’t Carmelo’s strong suit.
His real strength lies in his playmaking abilities.
Being good at one-on-one is one thing, but in a real game, there aren’t that many one-on-one opportunities.”
Zhang Yang had a question mark flashing in his mind—what kind of deal did this coach have with the charcoal head?
They certainly weren’t father and son; one’s skin was whiter than his scalp, while the other had skin as dark as his hair.
DeRozan might offend the assistant coach by blowing out his protégé before even starting his high school career?
What a way to start as the main character.
Wait, his classmate Zhang Yang might have offended the assistant coach as well.
The thought flashed through his mind, and Zhang Yang responded, “You’re right, one-on-one is one thing, a game is another…
But I believe that DeMar will still be unstoppable in a game.”
As a hint of tension arose, Burke teased Johnson, “John, you better think about how to comfort your favorite student.
He’s likely to take a big hit today.”
Realizing he had lost his composure, Johnson cleared his throat and said, “Carmelo won’t be easily broken.
He doesn’t need my comfort.
I don’t have a favorite student; I like all students who work hard.”
Thomas and Burke exchanged looks of resignation.
Their colleague was beyond compare, actually getting into an argument with a 15-year-old student, and even being the one to ‘start trouble’ at that.
On the contrary, Zhang Yang’s response pleased them both.
Unlike other young people who are impulsive, he took in the coaches’ advice but still staunchly defended his friend.
As for whether Johnson would target Zhang Yang and DeRozan, the two weren’t worried at all.
Johnson just had a weird temper; his professional capability and work ethic were top-notch.
They were more concerned about Zhang Yang having issues with Johnson, which would lead to DeRozan having issues with him…
That would be troublesome; if a talent like DeRozan threatened to transfer, a bunch of schools in Los Angeles would scramble for him, not hesitating to take Zhang Yang along as a bonus.
However, their worries were unnecessary.
Seeing Johnson’s embarrassed look, Zhang Yang thought the assistant coach was quite endearing.
Zhang Yang now had a solid understanding of the three team coaches.
Johnson was a straight talker who really liked to protect ‘his own people’.
In Zhang Yang’s view, this kind of coach was much easier to get along with than those with deeper scheming.
Burke seemed quite crafty, a lively kind of coach.
The one-on-one lost its suspense as soon as DeRozan was able to effectively disrupt Tatum.
10 to 7, 10 to 5, DeRozan took both sets of the duel.
It was supposed to be a one-set decision, but after losing the first set, Tatum wasn’t satisfied and requested best two out of three, only to lose even more miserably.
Watching DeRozan arrogantly lift his chin and look down on people through his nostrils, Tatum trembled with anger, but he couldn’t bring himself to ask for best three out of five; he could only admit defeat.
Josh, who was initially supporting Tatum, went up to DeRozan, slapped him on the shoulder, and laughed loudly, “Woah, DeMar, you’re really good.
Even Carmelo is no match for you.
I’m Josh, the team captain, welcome to the team.”
Afflalo didn’t want to be outdone: “DeMar, you’re awesome.
After I graduate, it’ll be your turn to lead the team forward.”
With the two veterans saying so much, the other team members all came to greet and get to know DeRozan.
Seeing this scene, Tatum couldn’t hold back anymore, and fled in humiliation…
But DeRozan didn’t enjoy such attention.
He said, “Sorry, I still need to practice,” ignored the gazes and voices around him, and went back to the corner of the court to continue practicing his shooting.
Zhang Yang, still in the crowd, heard some discordant comments, but this time he didn’t argue.
Instead, he followed back to the half-court next to DeRozan to continue practicing the basics.
The onlooking players gradually dispersed, going back to their own activities.
Some would snipe at DeRozan privately, others wouldn’t take it to heart—geniuses always have their quirks.
The three coaches didn’t leave.
Since they were there, they decided to give some guidance to the players in training.
Burke noticed that Johnson’s gaze often drifted towards Zhang Yang, who was training alone, and asked, “Hey, hey, hey, John, you’re not really holding a grudge against a student, are you?”
Johnson gave Burke a disdainful look: “That kid’s training is quite unique.
When other kids start playing basketball, they go straight to games…
Tony, has he always trained ?”
Thomas replied, “Yes.
He stayed at my place for 10 days, and he would practice the basics about five hours every morning and evening.”
Johnson pondered and said, “Five hours of basics every day?
He really has the patience.
His strength won’t increase as quickly at the beginning as those who spend all their time on the court, but once the basics are solid, his improvement could be frightening…
By the way, Tony, I remember you saying he’s been playing basketball for less than a month?”
Thomas, looking at Johnson’s surprised expression, laughed and said, “He started playing basketball on July 18th, which was also the day he met DeMar for the first time.
DeMar told me that when he first met Jack, Jack would even dribble the ball onto his own foot.”
Johnson’s eyes changed as he looked towards Zhang Yang: “Although his basics are still not great, for just three weeks, that’s very impressive.
His training regimen is highly integrated; it’s not something achieved by effort alone…
He has analytical skills for the game and, from what I’ve heard, he seems to have a tactical talent as well.
Plus he’s so dedicated…
Wait, Tony, did you say he used to play baseball?”
Feeling the piercing gaze of his colleague, Thomas guiltily said, “Yes, he’s been playing baseball for the past five years without much success.
He lost interest and then switched to basketball.”
Johnson gritted his teeth and glared at Thomas, “Isn’t he from your hometown?
How did you not discover such a talent in five years?
And yet you’re the basketball coach with the keenest eye in California?”
As a basketball coach, even when he visited his hometown, he would go to basketball courts to scout for talent.
Which basketball coach would hang around baseball fields looking for players?
This pot (indication of blame) was too heavy to carry!