Doc, Welcome!

"This really sucks, Goodwin. I didn't get to play against you again today!" Carmelo Anthony complained.

On December 7, the Boston Celtics traveled to the high altitude to face the Denver Nuggets. The terrain made it difficult for the visiting Celtics to adjust, while the Nuggets played with ease.

In the end, the Denver Nuggets took advantage of their home court and beat the Boston Celtics 106–95, by 11 points.

Carmelo Anthony had a solid game, making 6 of 17 shots. His shooting percentage was a little low, but he still put up a double-double with 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 2 assists.

As soon as the game ended, Carmelo Anthony ran over to the Boston Celtics' bench to find Goodwin.

He'd won the game but hadn't beaten Goodwin, and that left Carmelo Anthony feeling really frustrated.

Goodwin helplessly patted Carmelo Anthony on the shoulder. "Maybe next time."

Carmelo Anthony really would say anything. Had he forgotten where he was? He was at the Boston Celtics' bench, and they'd just lost the game. Then he came over to "act tough"—wasn't he worried someone might beat him up?

"Then it's a deal. You'd better play next time!" After saying that, the two hugged, and Carmelo Anthony turned to leave.

As soon as Carmelo Anthony was gone, someone put Goodwin in a headlock. Goodwin looked up and saw that it was Paul Pierce.

"Goodwin, who's that punk rookie?" Paul Pierce asked, flames practically shooting from his eyes. Of course, he knew who it was.

"He's this year's third overall pick, Carmelo Anthony. Don't hold it against him, Paul. He lost to me in the NCAA final, and he's been looking for a chance to get even." Goodwin quickly explained on his behalf. Carmelo Anthony, that's as far as I can help you.

Just then, the System spoke.

"Rival for Life mission failed. Randomly deducting 3 attribute points."

Goodwin: ???

Mission failed! What the hell did I do wrong? I didn't even play!

"System, get out here! Why are you saying I failed the mission? I didn't play!"

Goodwin wasn't going to let the System off without an explanation. This was just too damn unfair.

"The host is a member of the Boston Celtics, and Carmelo Anthony is a member of the Denver Nuggets. The Boston Celtics lost to the Denver Nuggets, so the host lost to Carmelo Anthony," the System explained.

Goodwin: "..."

Goodwin hurriedly checked his attributes:

Mid-Range Shot 100–99, Three-Point Shot 100–99, Free Throws 100–99.

No! Three days of training down the drain.

Every time I ran into Carmelo Anthony, three days of training went to waste. Aaargh! I take back what I just said.

"Paul, you should go over there and beat him up."

Paul Pierce: "..."

Goodwin shouted after Carmelo Anthony, "Anthony, next time you're going down!"

Damn it! No matter what, I'm playing next time. The bastard cost me 3 whole attribute points.

Hearing Goodwin's words, Carmelo Anthony's frustration suddenly turned to delight. Hahaha, winning sure feels good. He turned back to Goodwin and replied, "That's not going to happen!"

Click, click, click!

The reporters nearby quickly snapped photos of the two. That night, they even made it into the sports section. They only got a small space, but that was better than nothing.

Paul Pierce couldn't help feeling envious. "Furious," he picked up the newspaper and said sourly, "Look at you, Goodwin. You made the paper."

Goodwin glanced at it and calmly replied, "Maybe it's because I'm handsome."

Paul Pierce: "..." Have you no shame?

Paul Pierce put the paper down and laid hands on Goodwin, the classic response when you couldn't win an argument.

The regular season continued, and Danny Ainge made a few trades in an attempt to save the team. But things still weren't looking good. The Boston Celtics were losing more games than they were winning.

By the end of December, the Boston Celtics had a record of just 12 wins and 20 losses, placing them 11th in the Eastern Conference.

The Indiana Pacers sat at the top of the Eastern Conference standings. They'd been incredibly active in the offseason, first bringing Larry Bird back as the team's general manager.

Larry Bird then fired head coach Isiah Thomas and replaced him with Rick Carlisle. The team also re-signed two core players, Jermaine O'Neal and Reggie Miller. With the two leading the way, the Indiana Pacers had built a commanding lead after more than two months of games, sitting three full games ahead of the second-place New Orleans Hornets.

Jermaine O'Neal was also named the Eastern Conference's Player of the Month for December, averaging 21.2 points, 10.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 2.4 blocks.

Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves led the Western Conference, even moving ahead of the Los Angeles Lakers, who had assembled an F4.

In the offseason, the Minnesota Timberwolves had recruited players like Latrell Sprewell, Sam Cassell, and Michael Olowokandi to strengthen the roster. But it was initially difficult to fit the new players into the lineup, and the Timberwolves ended November with a record of just 9 wins and 8 losses.

The Minnesota Timberwolves began to find their rhythm in December, losing only twice all month and surging past the Los Angeles Lakers to take first place in the Western Conference.

Their franchise star, Kevin Garnett, was also named the Western Conference's Player of the Month for December, averaging 26.4 points, 13.2 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 2.5 blocks.

At 9 a.m. on January 1, 2004, Danny Ainge called John Carroll into his office.

Danny Ainge skipped the small talk and got straight to the point. "Coach Carroll, thank you for your hard work over the past few months. But after discussing it, management has decided to let you go."

"Fine!" John Carroll gritted out. He'd already guessed this was coming, but when it finally happened, he still found it hard to accept.

At noon, the Boston Celtics officially announced: "John Carroll is an excellent coach. We respect and appreciate everything he has done for the team over the past few months. But given the team's current situation, we must pursue change if we are to compete for a championship. The new head coach will be announced tomorrow."

Boston Celtics fans erupted in cheers:

"I've been saying they should fire the coach. He wasn't doing any good."

"All I can say is, well done!"

"Good news! The Celtics can finally get back on track."

Even Goodwin cheered when he heard the news. At last, the clouds had parted and the moon had come out. Hahahaha...

General Manager's Office:

A bald man pushed open the door. Danny Ainge saw who it was and quickly stood up, greeting him warmly. "Doc, welcome!"