Making His Debut

"Beep, beep!" The whistle blew to end the scrimmage.

59–70

In the end, the starters won.

Led by Goodwin, the second unit had taken the lead for a while. But once the starters began guarding him closely and his stamina started to fade, they gradually took control and won the game.

Goodwin had gone 12-for-25 from the field, 6-for-12 from three, and 3-for-3 from the free-throw line, pouring in 33 points along with 3 rebounds and 1 assist. It had taken everyone by surprise.

WTF, Goodwin was actually this good!

"Nice work, Goodwin."

"Didn't know you had it in you."

"You almost took us down!"

After the game, his teammates gathered around Goodwin to praise him.

Goodwin replied with a displeased look, "We still lost in the end."

The starters: "..."

Paul Pierce slung an arm around Goodwin's neck and gave it a squeeze. "Well, obviously. We're the starters, after all. How could we possibly lose to the second unit?" If they had lost, the starters would've been a laughingstock.

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

"I was wrong, Senior Paul. Let go!" Goodwin hurriedly begged for mercy.

"What was that? I couldn't hear you," Paul Pierce said, tightening his grip a little.

Goodwin: "..."

"I said I was wrong, Senior Paul!" Goodwin shouted again.

Only then did Paul Pierce let him go, smiling at Goodwin as if to say, That's more like it.

In truth, Paul Pierce was also indirectly protecting Goodwin. Not everyone had his broad-mindedness!

Goodwin's words could easily have offended the starters. Paul Pierce was there, but still... To prevent trouble, he'd taken the initiative to "teach" the rookie Goodwin a lesson.

"Everyone, line up!" Assistant coach Jack called out. The players hurried over and formed two rows.

Doc Rivers smiled as he looked at his players. He truly hadn't expected the Boston Celtics to give him such a huge surprise. That surprise was none other than Goodwin, the end-of-the-bench player.

Doc Rivers believed he could lead the Boston Celtics into the playoffs, and maybe even further. He'd show those fools in the Orlando Magic front office!

If one place wouldn't have him, another would.

And the Boston Celtics were where he'd spread his wings and soar.

Clap, clap, clap!

Doc Rivers applauded his players. "You're even better than I expected from watching the tapes. If we work together, I believe we can make the playoffs and go far once we're there. Do you believe in yourselves?"

"Yes!" the players answered in unison.

Goodwin couldn't help marveling. As expected of a "motivational" coach! Just a few words from him could inspire the whole team.

6666666

Goodwin kept giving Doc Rivers sixes in his mind.

But besides being a "motivational" coach, Doc Rivers was also known for getting "reverse-swept." Goodwin remembered clearly from his past life that Rivers's teams often blew 3–1 leads in the playoffs.

It wasn't that it had never happened. The fact was, it had happened.

In the 2002–03 season, Doc Rivers coached the Orlando Magic to a 42–40 record, sneaking into the playoffs as the Eastern Conference's eighth seed. In the first round, the Orlando Magic took a 3–1 lead over the Detroit Pistons in the first four games. Just when everyone thought they were about to pull off an upset, they lost three straight and were eliminated by the Detroit Pistons, 4–3, once again going no further than the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Doc Rivers had a certain level of skill: a high floor, but a low ceiling.

Goodwin: No matter. This time, I'm here!

Goodwin believed he was the thoroughbred Doc Rivers needed. The question was whether Doc Rivers could be the right judge of character.

At 7 p.m. on January 2, TD Garden was packed. Even though the Boston Celtics weren't doing well these days, the fans had still come out to support them. They believed the Boston Celtics would rise again and take them back to their glory days.

"Let's go, Boston Celtics!" "Let's go, Boston Celtics!" "Let's go, Boston Celtics!" ... Amid the fans' cheers, the game began.

The Boston Celtics were hosting the Eastern Conference's top team, the Indiana Pacers.

As soon as the game began, the Boston Celtics hit their stride, using their home-court advantage to put pressure on the Indiana Pacers.

The first quarter ended with the Boston Celtics ahead, 30–25.

"Not bad," the Indiana Pacers' head coach said, calmly encouraging his players. He had no reason to panic. He knew the Boston Celtics would run into trouble as soon as they turned to their bench. If his team took advantage during that stretch, the win would be theirs.

Boston Celtics bench:

"Good. You've all played great. Take a rest now." After speaking, Doc Rivers looked toward the bench. "Goodwin, you're up next."

At Doc Rivers's words, Goodwin sprang excitedly from his chair and called out, "No problem! Leave it to me. I won't let you down, Coach!" Doc Rivers had told him before the game that he'd put him in, but words and actions were two different things. After sitting on the bench all first quarter, Goodwin had thought he might not get a chance after all.

But just when all seemed lost, a new hope appeared.

Mom, I've finally made it!

Goodwin's excitement drew plenty of teasing from his teammates.

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

"Relax. Who am I? I'm Goodwin! Just sit back and watch me work from the bench. Oh, and remember to cheer me on," Goodwin said smugly.

As soon as he finished, Paul Pierce kicked him.

Caught off guard, Goodwin nearly fell flat on his face.

Goodwin clutched his butt and glared at Paul Pierce. "Senior Paul, that's unsportsmanlike! You caught me by surprise."

"Play well. If you let the Pacers catch up, you'd better be ready for me to beat you up," Paul Pierce threatened him on purpose.

Goodwin waved at Paul Pierce. "Senior Paul, I'm not giving you that chance."

The break ended, and Goodwin, wearing jersey number 20, slowly walked onto the court. The moment he stepped onto it, every pore in his body seemed to contract. He couldn't help trembling, and his heart raced. This was what it felt like to get into the game.

One word: awesome!

I'm here.