Intra-team Training Match

No more anxiety, but excitement took its place. Chen Xi tossed and turned in bed for quite a while before finally falling asleep.

With dark circles under his eyes, Chen Xi arrived at the gym early.

He started training with the ball on his own, needing to adapt to his new abilities as quickly as possible to prepare for his upcoming performance.

If he could catch the coaching staff's eye and at least sign a guaranteed contract, that would count as barely getting a foothold.

After Chen Xi had trained for about an hour, the team's personnel gradually filed into the gym, starting a new day's work.

"Everyone, gather up."

A middle-aged white man with an M-shaped Hair began calling to the people on the court.

"The new season is about to start. I hope you can shift your focus back to work. I'll start arranging today's training content now." Billy Donovan had no interest in chatting with the players.

After Kevin Durant signed a two-year, $54.3 million contract with the Warriors this summer, joining the team that went 73-9 last season and beat them in the Western Conference Finals, it shook the world. The Thunder Team became the biggest losers. Fans angrily burned Durant's jerseys, posted it online, and condemned him. But obviously, what was done was done and couldn't be changed.

Donovan felt immense pressure. The departure of the Star Player, without leaving behind any trade assets, Caused a huge blow to the team. They went from a championship contender to a team that might struggle to even make the playoffs. As the Head Coach, he couldn't help but sweat a little.

"Chris, you're up."

As an assistant coach called out Chen Xi's English name, he jogged onto the court, replacing Cameron Payne, and the day's scrimmage began.

"Yellow race?" Coach Donovan noticed this new young man for the first time from the sidelines.

"This year's 56th Pick. Sam bought the pick from the Nuggets. Here's his file." The assistant coach beside him handed over Chen Xi's data report in time. After all, the Head Coach had no time to care about such scraps.

"Physical Talent is decent... Only shoots? Physical Confrontation is this bad? What was Sam thinking?" Donovan looked at the report in surprise, questioning Presti's judgment for the first time.

"As the team's general manager, did he consider the Eastern market?"

"Let's just take a look for now. If it doesn't work out, send him down to the G League. It's just a Two-way contract anyway." Donovan didn't want to spend too much thought on these trivial matters.

On the court, Chen Xi had no time to think about the coaching staff's opinions.

With a sharp Off-Ball Pest, he found an open opportunity. Victor Oladipo, holding the ball, immediately passed it to him.

A clean three-pointer swished through the net.

"Nice shot."

During the retreat on defense, Oladipo proactively reached out for a high-five.

"I'm very accurate, Victor. Feel free to pass me the ball, and I'll get you an assist."

Chen Xi knew this wasn't the time to be humble, so he didn't hesitate to show off.

"Of course, if the opportunity in front of you is good enough."

Oladipo shrugged. Having just arrived at the Thunder this summer, he didn't dislike this overly friendly yellow-skinned guy.

In the subsequent training, Chen Xi moved and defended very actively.

Relying on the boost from badges like Off-Ball Pest and Catch and Shoot, along with his Three-point attribute maxed out at 100, he hit five straight three-pointers, finally catching the Head Coach's interest.

"Steve, this Chris's three-point shooting is more accurate than expected." He smiled at the assistant coach.

"Anyone can have a hot streak. Maybe he's just feeling it today. He didn't perform like this in the Summer League."

"Maybe, but those off-ball cuts were good. He Shook Off his defender completely." Donovan looked appreciative. He liked smart players.

Timeout.

"Hey! Anthony! What are you doing? Terrible defense, it's hard to watch. Do you even see Chris? How many open looks has he had?!" While satisfied with Chen Xi's cuts, Donovan also expressed dissatisfaction with his defender, Anthony Morrow. He walked over to that side's rest area and emphasized to Morrow.

"Increase your defensive intensity! Put some Physical Confrontation on Chris! Are you a rookie? Do I need to teach you this?"

"Got it, Coach."

Being chewed out by Donovan in front of everyone, Morrow's face couldn't take it. He grunted in acknowledgment, ready to put some pressure on this yellow-skinned rookie when he went back in.

As the scrimmage resumed, Chen Xi clearly felt Morrow's pressure. Morrow also increased his intensity off the ball, using small moves and Physical Confrontation to make Chen Xi's cuts difficult.

"Hey, what the hell!"

Chen wasn't one to take it lying down. On the next collision, he didn't hesitate to tangle with Morrow, then went down with the flow.

The referee blew the whistle. Offensive foul.

"Smart guy. This young man is good."

Donovan smiled from the sidelines.

"He knows how to turn his weakness into an advantage. The ingrained impression of his poor Physical Confrontation made the referee misjudge Anthony's level of physicality."

The assistant coach was also surprised.

"This young man might not be as bad as the Scout Report said. Let's watch him a bit more. Hopefully, he can give us more surprises. Maybe Sam got it right again."

After a day of training ended, Chen Xi returned to his rental apartment.

Lying in bed, he organized his thoughts.

"Damn, this is exhausting. One day of training is this tiring, and they do it for a whole season. Who can handle this? No wonder AI refused to train. I get him now!"

He sat up and rubbed his slightly sore muscles.

"System."

"You said earlier—how do I get rewards again?"

[Every time the host completes a system-set achievement or record in the NBA, you will receive the corresponding reward.]

[Now listing the basic objectives for you]

[First time scoring 10 Points in an NBA Pre-season game, reward: 1 random Bronze Badge]

[First time getting playing time in an NBA Regular season game, reward: 1 Free Attribute Point]

[First time scoring 5 Points in an NBA Regular season game, reward: 3 Free Attribute Points]

[First time reaching double digits in any stat in the NBA, reward: 1 random Silver Badge]

[First time playing over 20 minutes in an NBA game and winning, reward: 2 random Bronze Badges, 3 Free Attribute Points]

"No way, one measly three points?! That's like tossing scraps to a beggar! If the neighbors see this, they'll think I can't afford it. Give me a hundred points!!!!"

[Host, please don't get carried away here]

"Damn it"

"Forget it, forget it—long road ahead. Let's just train hard and grab that Pre-season badge first!"

Chen Xi clenched his fist, then turned to pick up his phone.