Because Opportunity Is Reserved for Those Who Are Prepared

As time passed, more and more players arrived at the practice facility.

With Paul Pierce introducing him, Goodwin got to meet all the players.

The other Boston Celtics players had already heard of Goodwin, after all. He had turned the tide in the NCAA championship game and led his team to victory.

"Huddle up!" Assistant Coach Jack called.

The players stopped what they were doing and hurried over to gather.

Once everyone had assembled, interim coach John Carroll immediately launched into a pre-practice speech.

John Carroll's words went in one of Goodwin's ears and out the other. Goodwin was practically falling asleep.

It felt just like his student days in his previous life, standing on the school field and listening to the principal drone on and on...

"All right. Next, we're doing fitness tests. I want to see exactly how you spent the offseason!"

As soon as John Carroll finished speaking, quite a few players' expressions changed. Fitness tests!

Goodwin, however, didn't hesitate for a moment. He immediately followed the assistant coach to the testing area. He was curious to see how much he'd improved. Even a little progress would make all that hard training worthwhile.

After the tests, some were happy and others were disappointed.

Goodwin was also quick to check his results. After looking them over, the corners of his mouth lifted slightly. Not bad, not bad. He'd improved.

"What have you all been doing during the offseason?" John Carroll's angry voice shattered Goodwin's good mood. Goodwin quickly suppressed his smile and looked toward John Carroll, expressionless.

Ever since becoming the Boston Celtics' coach during the offseason, John Carroll had been eager to lead the team to great things. But on the first day of training camp, they'd given him a huge surprise.

Aside from Paul Pierce, whose results satisfied him, every other player had failed to meet the mark.

He was so furious he wanted to beat the lot of them senseless. What had they been doing all offseason? Eating, drinking, and having fun!

So John Carroll put the entire Boston Celtics roster through an absolutely grueling workout.

By the end of the first day of training camp, everyone else was utterly miserable. Goodwin was the only exception.

After training camp ended, Goodwin went home, ate a nutritious meal, and rested for half an hour before continuing his unfinished daily workout.

By the time he finished, it was already midnight. Goodwin showered and went straight to bed.

He slept soundly. The next day, he got up as usual and followed the exact same routine: the practice facility, then home, back and forth between the two.

A week passed like that. For the Boston Celtics, it was a miserable week, but the results were clear: their bodies were gradually returning to the level they'd been at last season.

John Carroll was very pleased.

After that, John Carroll began working on tactics and defense. Almost every coach had his own system, like Phil Jackson's Triangle Offense.

But Goodwin noticed that he wasn't involved in either the offense or the defense. He figured it might just be a coincidence.

But by the time the preseason began, he no longer thought so. This was clearly John Carroll making things difficult for him—he had no intention of playing him.

Four rookies had joined the Boston Celtics that year, including Goodwin. Yet in the first preseason game, the other three rookies all got plenty of playing time, while he didn't get a single minute.

Goodwin was deeply unhappy about it, but there was nothing he could do. He simply wasn't strong enough yet.

Then, in the second preseason game, Goodwin still didn't get any playing time.

"Tweet!" The moment the whistle blew, Goodwin headed toward the players' tunnel without looking back.

The corners of John Carroll's mouth lifted slightly.

Boston Celtics General Manager's Office:

"John, I watched the first two preseason games. The team played well. Looks like you've got them under control," Danny Ainge said. They'd won both preseason games.

John Carroll waved a hand. "It's been all right. This year, I'll lead the team into the playoffs."

Danny Ainge nodded, then asked, "What do you think of the rookies this year?"

"Bell and Dahntay Jones both played well in those two games. They're worth developing. Brandon Hunter made a few too many mistakes, so we'll have to keep an eye on him. As for Goodwin, I don't think his body is ready for the NBA yet. He should focus on getting stronger," John Carroll replied calmly.

Danny Ainge then slid a document in front of John Carroll. "What do you think of this trade?"

A trade?

John Carroll hurriedly picked it up and read it.

The Boston Celtics planned to package rookies Jones and Bell and send them to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks.

Kendrick Perkins and Marcus Banks were rookies that year too.

Rookies for rookies? What kind of move was that?

John Carroll looked completely bewildered, but he knew better than to object. "You have more experience than I do. I have no objections."

Danny Ainge smiled and nodded. "I believe that under Coach John's leadership, we can make the playoffs again—and maybe even go further this time."

"Hahahaha! Thank you for trusting me. I won't let you down."

The preseason continued, and Goodwin still didn't get any playing time. Paul Pierce was puzzled by this and even spoke with John Carroll about it.

"Coach John, nearly everyone on the team has gotten playing time except Goodwin. The others might think you're picking on him," Paul Pierce said tactfully.

"Paul, I know Goodwin's your junior and that you care about him, but you need to understand one thing: I'm not picking on him. I'm protecting him. His body still isn't ready for the physical demands of the NBA." John Carroll sneered inwardly. Even if Danny Ainge thought highly of him and Paul Pierce pleaded on his behalf, Goodwin would never get so much as a second of playing time.

Paul Pierce: "..."

Not ready for the NBA's physical demands?

Fuck, what kind of joke was that?

Paul Pierce had played one-on-one with Goodwin in private. Goodwin's physical attributes were only average, but he wasn't nearly as bad as Coach John made him out to be.

Could it be...?

Seeing that Coach John was set on his position, Paul Pierce didn't say anything else. He turned and left.

Paul Pierce then went over to Goodwin and asked, "Goodwin, did you offend Coach John somehow?"

Goodwin shook his head. "Senior Paul, I didn't even know him before. How could I have offended him?"

Hearing Goodwin's answer, Paul Pierce found it strange. Why was Coach John picking on Goodwin?

"Senior Paul, even if I don't get any playing time, I'll keep working hard in training. Opportunity is reserved for those who are prepared."

Hearing Goodwin's words, Paul Pierce smiled with relief.

"Don't worry. I'll definitely do something about this!"

"Hahaha, are you afraid I'll report you to Coach Roy? Don't worry, I won't."

"Fuck, why would I be afraid of Coach Roy?"

"Hahahahaha..."

"What are you laughing at, Goodwin? Shut up!" Paul Pierce pounced on him in a fit of embarrassment.

"Ahhh..."