Chen Xi found that the gains he made through training were starting to diminish. Improvements in stats like passing and mid-range shooting were practically negligible. Only his strength and speed continued to improve steadily through systematic training.
"Take it slow, take it slow! It's only my first year, and I'm already living the dream!"
After a bit of self-reassurance, he turned and headed to the kitchen to get dinner started.
"I'm in a good mood today, so I'll treat myself to a little extra~~"
The following evening, the Thunder faced the Grizzlies.
They were old rivals. With the Black and White Twin Bears, the Grizzlies had remained competitive in the League for years. They had even pulled off a historic upset, leaving a stain on the Spurs' franchise history. But now Randolph was getting on in years, and his level of play had dropped significantly. After starting just five games this season, the coach had sent him to the bench. Every team had its share of problems.
Adams won the opening tip against Marc Gasol. Westbrook caught the ball and brought it up. With Tony Allen switching over to guard him, Westbrook didn't force the issue. Instead, he passed the ball to Butler.
JB faced Chandler Parsons. He muscled his way past him and finished with a layup.
Chandler Parsons was a winner in life. With his excellent build, he could easily swing between the two and three positions. He had a decent shot, was good at using screens to get open off the ball, and could even run a little pick-and-roll. Last summer, as a quality 3-and-D wing, he'd landed a massive four-year, $95 million deal with the Grizzlies.
The funny thing was, he started declining rapidly as soon as he signed the contract. So far this season, he'd averaged 6.2 points, 1.6 assists, and 2.5 rebounds in 19.9 minutes per game, becoming synonymous with a bum contract. The Grizzlies' owner must still be kicking himself.
Old Carter could still average eight points and three rebounds per game! Meanwhile, the "tall, rich, and handsome" Parsons was collecting over $20 million a year from the team while averaging six points. For a while, that made the Grizzlies' management a laughingstock among their peers.
In the end, the Grizzlies, who should have been adding pieces, still had to rely on the aging Little Gasol and Conley to carry the team's production.
On offense, Conley dribbled into the front court and stopped at a 45-degree angle. Once Little Gasol had established position, Conley lobbed him the ball.
Little Gasol caught it in the post and backed down Adams. He feinted with his shoulder, dribbled, and spun around, slipping past Adams sideways before going up strong under the basket and flipping the ball in with both hands.
It wasn't pretty, but it worked—a skill that was gradually fading from the League. The new generation of centers preferred to create space and attack facing the basket.
That meant you, Big Butt!
The Grizzlies had plenty of problems, but as long as Little Gasol was still around, they had a solid foundation. Besides, Conley was still on the rise, and his future looked bright.
On the Thunder's possession, Chen Xi moved to the top of the key and took Westbrook's pass. Facing Conley, he used Butler's screen and rose straight up for the jumper. Conley was already at a height disadvantage, and his late closeout from the side did nothing to stop Chen Xi from calmly sinking the three.
Basketball was a sport that depended so much on natural gifts. No matter how strong you were in other areas, it was still a game for tall people. Looking back over the League's history, only a handful of players just over six feet tall had made it. Physical disadvantages were the hardest to overcome.
Chen Xi loved the feeling of using his height to shoot over people. Was this what it felt like for McGrady and Durant when they rose up for a jumper? Their opponents couldn't even touch their wrists. That's just unfair! So damn satisfying!
The Grizzlies had yet another problem: how to handle Chen Xi. At 196 centimeters, he could simply jump and shoot over Conley, and on top of that, he was accurate.
But if they had Tony Allen switch onto him, the consequences might be even worse. Putting Conley in front of Westbrook was practically giving away points.
Head Coach David Fizdale anxiously rubbed his head from the sidelines, looking helpless.
This was the problem most teams in the League had to consider when facing the Thunder. Their perimeter talent was so deep that opposing teams faced enormous matchup pressure.
Every team only had so many good defenders. If they covered one player, they couldn't guard another.
Unless a team had a prime Garnett or Duncan, its perimeter players could only stick close to their man. Elite help defense was what teams built around their perimeter players feared most.
But in the League at the moment, the only players with that kind of help defense might have been Brow, putting up empty numbers for the Pelicans, and Howard, who had already fallen from his peak.
Everyone else, whether Green or Gobert, still fell a little short.
The other option was to do what the Spurs did: pair an elite perimeter defensive anchor with two above-average defenders.
Unfortunately, the Grizzlies had neither. So when the Thunder's perimeter players were shooting well, the outcome was easy to predict.
The first quarter was practically the whole game. Chen Xi hit five threes in a row right out of the gate and blew the Grizzlies wide open.
Over the remaining three quarters, the Grizzlies never managed to retake the lead. With five minutes left, David Fizdale reluctantly pulled his starters, called off the fight, and conceded defeat.
In the end, the Thunder beat the Grizzlies 120–108, comfortably taking another home win.
After the game, Chen Xi returned to the locker room. Once he'd quickly wiped himself down, he headed out again to get in some extra practice.
"Chris!"
A voice called out from behind him.
Chen Xi turned around. It was Grant.
"What's up, Jerami?"
"I'm coming with you."
"Oh, sure."
Maybe being sent to the bench and seeing his numbers shrink had made Grant feel threatened, so he'd decided to follow Chen Xi and train hard alongside him.
He used to think nothing of the short, yellow-skinned kid staying late to practice after every game. Looking back now, he realized the kid had gotten so far ahead of him.
"Hey, wait up! I'm coming too." Another voice called out. It was Little Sabonis.
As a fellow rookie from the same draft class, the 11th pick was clearly another young player eager to improve. Unlike Grant, Little Sabonis had received more attention from the team. Even with the frontcourt rotation stretched thin, the coaches had never considered sending him to the bench. Before long, it seemed like he'd even surpassed Adams in the team's rotation.
"Of course. I welcome anyone who's willing to come train with me." Chen Xi smiled at the two of them.
With his memories of the future, Chen knew that both of them would make names for themselves in the League, sign big contracts, and reach the top~~
Little Sabonis in particular was one of the rare second-generation players who'd achieved a lot.
"Come on, come on! I hereby announce that the Thunder's brand-new Three Training Maniacs are officially assembled!!! I'll call you guys over the offseason, too. We'll go train with Odie!"
The three of them chatted and laughed as they headed back onto the court. A few beleaguered trainers trailed behind them.
"You guys are all smiles, but we've still got to stay late and work!!!!!"
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