First Appearance

"Beep!" The whistle blew to signal the end of the scrimmage, and the game was over.

59:70

In the end, the starters won the game.

Led by Goodwin, the bench unit had held a lead at one point, but as the starters tightened their defense on Goodwin and his stamina began to wane, the starters gradually seized control of the situation and ultimately secured the victory.

In this game, Goodwin went 12-of-25 from the field, including 6-of-12 from three-point range, and made all 3 of his free throws, racking up a massive 33 points along with 3 rebounds and 1 assist—a performance that far exceeded everyone's expectations.

WTF, I didn't know Goodwin was this beastly!

"Great job, Goodwin."

"I didn't realize you were such a monster, kid."

"We almost got taken down by you!"

After the game ended, his teammates gathered around Goodwin to offer their praise.

Goodwin replied with a disgruntled look: "We still lost in the end."

The starters: "..."

Paul Pierce immediately wrapped his arm around Goodwin's neck and squeezed slightly: "Isn't that obvious? We're the starters, after all; how could we possibly lose to you benchwarmers?" If they had lost the game, the starters would have truly been humiliated.

"Exactly, Goodwin. If you want to beat us, try again in your next life," Vin Baker chimed in.

"I was wrong, senior Paul, please let me go," Goodwin quickly begged for mercy.

"What did you say? I didn't hear you clearly." Paul Pierce couldn't help but increase his grip strength.

Goodwin: "..."

"I said I was wrong, senior Paul!" Goodwin couldn't help but shout again.

Hearing Goodwin's words, Paul Pierce finally released him, looking at him with a smile as if to say, that's more like it.

In reality, Paul Pierce was indirectly protecting Goodwin; after all, not everyone possessed his level of magnanimity!

Goodwin's earlier comment could easily have offended the starting players. Even though he was there, it was hard to avoid... so to prevent any issues, Paul Pierce had to take the initiative to "teach" this rookie a lesson.

"Gather up!" Just then, assistant coach Jack shouted, and the players ran over, lining up in two rows.

Doc Rivers looked at his players with a smile. He truly hadn't expected the Boston Celtics to give him such a huge surprise, and that surprise was undoubtedly the benchwarmer, Goodwin.

Doc Rivers believed that he could definitely lead these Boston Celtics into the playoffs, and perhaps even go further. He wanted to slap those pig-headed executives at the Orlando Magic right in the face!

If this place doesn't keep me, there's always a place that will.

And the Boston Celtics were the place where he would soar into the sky.

Clap, clap, clap, clap!

Doc Rivers applauded his players and said: "You are even more outstanding than what I saw on the tapes. I believe that as long as we work together, we will definitely make the playoffs, and perhaps go even further. Do you have the confidence?"

"Yes!" the players replied in unison.

Goodwin couldn't help but sigh; he really lived up to the name of a "chicken soup" coach! Everything he said could inspire all the players.

6666666

Goodwin kept mentally giving Doc Rivers a "6" (a slang for being awesome).

However, besides being a "chicken soup" coach, Doc Rivers was also known as the "blown lead" coach. In his past life, Goodwin remembered clearly that the teams Doc Rivers coached often blew 3-1 leads in the playoffs.

It wasn't just that it hadn't happened; it had happened, and there were indeed instances of him being on the wrong side of a comeback.

In the 2002-2003 season, Doc Rivers coached the Orlando Magic to a 42-40 record, barely sneaking into the playoffs as the eighth seed in the East. In the first round of the playoffs, the Orlando Magic led the Detroit Pistons 3-1. Just when everyone thought an upset was coming, they lost three straight games and were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons with a 4-3 series score, with the team once again stopping at the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Doc Rivers had a certain level of competence—a high floor, but a low ceiling.

Goodwin: It doesn't matter, because in this life, you have me!

Goodwin believed he was the "thousand-li horse" for Doc Rivers, but it remained to be seen if Doc Rivers was the "Bo Le" (a legendary judge of horses) he needed.

At 7:00 PM on January 2nd, the TD Garden was packed. Even though the Boston Celtics' record wasn't great, the fans still came to support them on-site. They believed that the Boston Celtics would definitely be able to stand back up and bring them back to those peak moments.

"Let's go, Boston Celtics!" "Let's go, Boston Celtics!" "Let's go, Boston Celtics!"... Amidst the cheers of the fans, the game officially began.

In this match, the Boston Celtics hosted the current Eastern Conference leader, the Indiana Pacers.

As soon as the game started, the Boston Celtics immediately entered their rhythm, using their home-court advantage to pressure the Indiana Pacers.

The first quarter ended 30:25, with a 5-point lead over the Indiana Pacers.

"Good play." The Indiana Pacers' head coach wasn't panicked at all; instead, he encouraged his players. He truly wasn't worried, because he knew very well that the Boston Celtics would fall apart once they went to their rotation lineup. As long as they capitalized on that period, victory would be theirs.

Boston Celtics bench:

"Good, you all played great. Now, take a rest." After Doc Rivers finished speaking, he looked toward the bench and said: "Goodwin, it's your turn now."

Hearing Doc Rivers' words, Goodwin excitedly sprang up from his chair and shouted in reply: "No problem, leave it to me! I won't let the coach down!" Although Doc Rivers had told him before the game that he would put him in, saying it and doing it were two different things. After sitting on the bench for the entire first quarter, Goodwin had thought he wouldn't get a chance to play.

As it turned out, there was light at the end of the tunnel.

Mom, I've finally made it!

Goodwin's excited expression drew "mockery" from quite a few of his teammates.

"Goodwin, do you really need to be this excited?" "Goodwin, don't go out there and throw up an airball." "Goodwin..."

"Relax, who do you think I am? I'm Goodwin. Just sit on the bench and watch me perform. Oh, and remember to cheer for me," Goodwin said with a cocky look on his face.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Paul Pierce gave Goodwin a kick.

Caught off guard, Goodwin nearly face-planted.

Goodwin clutched his butt and glared at Paul Pierce: "Senior Paul, that's not very sportsmanlike, sneaking up on me like that."

"Just perform well. If you let the Pacers catch up, be prepared for a beating from me," Paul Pierce threatened intentionally.

Goodwin waved at Paul Pierce and said: "Senior Paul, I won't give you that chance."

The break ended, and Goodwin, wearing the number 20 jersey, walked slowly toward the court. The moment he stepped onto the floor, countless pores constricted, his body couldn't help but tremble, and his heart rate accelerated—this was the feeling of being in the game.

One word: awesome!

I'm here.