A Pretty Good Little Fellow Came This Year

Because his home was nearby, Goodwin was the first to arrive. Once there, he didn't idle away his time and immediately began his daily training.

Life is movement, and training never ceases.

Time flowed slowly, and in the blink of an eye, half an hour passed. Just then, a series of footsteps echoed through the gym.

Goodwin heard the footsteps as well and guessed it must be his teammates, but he didn't stop his movements, choosing instead to finish this round of training.

Soon, two figures appeared at the entrance of the training facility, looking inside with curiosity—who could have come so early?

"Who is he?" Vin Baker asked, looking toward Paul Pierce beside him.

Paul Pierce didn't answer immediately, instead watching the figure in the gym.

Jump, hang in the air, release!

The shot was quick and decisive!

With a crisp "swish," the ball settled steadily into the embrace of the basket.

Paul Pierce couldn't help but say, "Nice shot."

Vin Baker: ??

I asked you who he was, and you answered me with "nice shot."

Just then, having finished his round of training, Goodwin stopped his movements, turned to look at the gym entrance, and said, "Hello, I am this year's rookie, Goodwin. Please take care of me."

As soon as he finished speaking, Paul Pierce strode toward Goodwin. Although Vin Baker was a bit confused, he followed closely behind.

Before long, the two arrived in front of Goodwin.

Fuck, is this guy really a basketball player? Are you sure he isn't a Hollywood actor? This level of handsomeness is no less than mine.

Vin Baker scanned Goodwin and muttered silently to himself.

"Haha, so it's you. I was wondering who it could be," Paul Pierce said, reaching out to pat Goodwin on the shoulder.

Goodwin was full of confusion.

?

In Goodwin's view, he assumed Paul Pierce definitely didn't know him.

As for Paul Pierce, he could only say he admired him—a true man!

Three years ago to this day, on September 26, 2000, Paul Pierce was stabbed 11 times at a nightclub in Boston. At the time, Paul Pierce suffered knife wounds to his face, neck, back, and head, with one wound reaching 8cm deep into his lung, missing his heart by a mere 0.25cm.

His teammate Battier quickly rushed Paul Pierce to the nearest hospital for surgery. Miraculously, Paul Pierce was discharged three days later, resumed training 18 days later, and played all 82 games in the 2000-01 season that started a month later, averaging 25.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 3.1 assists.

Before Goodwin could reply, Paul Pierce added, "I haven't had a chance to thank you yet—thank you for winning the NCAA championship for the University of Kansas!"

Only then did Goodwin react; it seemed Paul Pierce was also from the University of Kansas, which meant Paul Pierce was his senior.

Goodwin reacted very quickly and hurriedly said, "Senior, hello. I often hear the coach mention you."

"Are you sure? I don't quite believe that, and your reaction just now didn't exactly show you knew me," Paul Pierce immediately called his bluff.

Goodwin said without blushing or skipping a beat, "You caught me. My apologies, Senior."

Paul Pierce was speechless. He was, after all, a star who had come out of the University of Kansas; how glorious he had been back in the day.

In 1995, Paul Pierce entered the University of Kansas and represented them in college basketball. In his freshman season, Paul Pierce averaged 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds, and was named co-Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year alongside Chauncey Billups.

During his three years in college, Paul Pierce's scoring average increased every year. During his college career, he played a total of 108 games, delivering 16.4 points, 6.3 rebounds, and 2.2 assists in 28.1 minutes per game.

In 1997 and 1998, Paul Pierce was named the Big 12 Conference Tournament MVP for two consecutive years. In 1998, Pierce was selected to the All-American First Team, the NABC All-American First Team, the USBWA All-American First Team, the AP All-American First Team, the Sporting News All-American First Team, and the All-Big 12 First Team.

Yet, he had failed to lead the University of Kansas to an NCAA championship, which was a great regret for Paul Pierce. He never expected that five years later, his juniors would successfully help their alma mater win its third NCAA title in school history.

Even more unexpectedly, his junior, Goodwin, had actually come to the Boston Celtics.

He remembered that the day after the draft, Paul Pierce received a call from head coach Roy Williams, asking him to take good care of Goodwin.

"Paul, train Goodwin well. If he develops, he will help you reach that supreme glory!"

Regarding head coach Roy Williams' words, Paul Pierce was skeptical. How could that be? Supreme glory?

Fuck, he was in his 6th year in the NBA and hadn't even made it out of the Eastern Conference, let alone reached that supreme glory!

"Don't worry, Coach. I will take good care of him and won't let him get bullied!" However, Paul Pierce could guarantee that in the Boston Celtics, Goodwin wouldn't be bullied.

After all, he was the leader of the Boston Celtics.

"Forget it, I promised head coach Roy Williams I'd take good care of you." Paul Pierce didn't continue to press the issue and immediately introduced his teammate standing beside him—Vin Baker.

Vin Baker was also a veteran in the league. Hearing Paul Pierce's words, he immediately adjusted his attitude and was very friendly toward the rookie, Goodwin.

The two shook hands in a friendly manner.

After the pleasantries, Goodwin couldn't help but say, "Sorry, Senior Paul, Senior Baker, I need to continue my training."

As soon as he finished speaking, Goodwin turned and threw himself back into his training.

Paul Pierce looked at Goodwin's back, the corners of his mouth curling up slightly. It seemed what head coach Roy Williams said was true; this junior was very hardworking.

In Paul Pierce's view, no matter how much talent one had, if they didn't work hard in the NBA, they would sooner or later be eliminated. That was the cruelty of the NBA.

Vin Baker couldn't help but ask, "This is your junior? He also came out of the University of Kansas?"

Paul Pierce countered, "Baker, didn't you watch this year's NCAA final?"

"No!" Vin Baker replied honestly.

So Paul Pierce began to recount the process of this year's NCAA final for Vin Baker, growing more and more excited as he spoke, his voice even carrying over to the ears of Goodwin, who was currently training.

Hearing someone praise him, Goodwin felt a little embarrassed; am I really that good?

After listening, Vin Baker had a brand new understanding of this rookie, his mouth slightly agape as he said, "A pretty good little guy has arrived this year."