January faded away like a rainbow after the rain, slowly and quietly disappearing into the azure sky, and February arrived without a sound.
Throughout January, the Boston Celtics went 9–7, winning more than half their games, though their overall record still fell below .500.
Doc Rivers said he was very satisfied with that performance.
Goodwin had also become an important reserve for the Boston Celtics, averaging 11.5 points, 2.3 rebounds, and 0.6 assists per game. He made 3.3 three-pointers per game and shot an incredible 56 percent from beyond the arc, the highest three-point percentage in the entire league.
Even established stars like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller paled in comparison.
As a result, several teams were rushing to make moves before the trade deadline, calling Danny Ainge one after another to ask about trading for Goodwin.
Danny Ainge flatly refused!
Trade him for what? He was a player they had developed themselves.
Danny Ainge hadn't expected Goodwin to break out so quickly. He might have averaged only 11.5 points per game, but whenever he was on the court, he greatly eased the pressure on Paul Pierce.
Goodwin's shooting from the perimeter was so absurdly good that opponents had no choice but to take him seriously. Some even assigned their best defensive stoppers to guard him. That made things much easier for Paul Pierce.
Paul Pierce said he'd never played with such a wealth of options before.
Even Antoine Walker, who had been called one of the Twin Stars alongside him last season, hadn't made it this easy for him to play against the defense.
Paul Pierce had even gone to Doc Rivers with a suggestion: Goodwin could start.
Doc Rivers considered Pierce's suggestion, then rejected it.
Goodwin was certainly an important part of the Boston Celtics now, but his strengths and weaknesses were obvious. If he became a starter, the opposing team would undoubtedly target him.
Doc Rivers thought Goodwin should first gain more game experience and work on his defense. As time went by, Doc Rivers believed Goodwin would overcome his defensive weaknesses and earn a starting spot through his own ability.
Doc Rivers looked forward to that day.
Besides Goodwin, Doc Rivers had also discovered another gem on the roster—Kendrick Perkins.
His defensive and pick-and-roll potential was even greater than that of starting center Mark Blount. His screens were especially impressive; his massive frame could carve out space for his teammates.
But there was one fatal problem: Kendrick Perkins lacked experience. He often picked up four or five fouls after playing only a short time, forcing Doc Rivers to take him out.
Doc Rivers: ε=(´ο｀*))) Sigh!
A gem was a gem. He just needed a little polishing.
So whenever he had time, Doc Rivers watched game footage with Kendrick Perkins, making sure he understood when to help on defense, how to do it, and how not to fall for fakes.
At the same time, he had Mark Blount teach Kendrick Perkins about the ins and outs of the game.
The Boston Celtics were on the rise, and Doc Rivers believed they would go even further as the players continued to develop.
February 1, Boston Celtics practice facility:
Goodwin had once again been invited to this year's NBA All-Star Three-Point Contest.
"Sorry, but I don't think I'm good enough to compete in the Three-Point Contest yet," Goodwin declined.
The Three-Point Contest was one of the events held during NBA All-Star Weekend, taking place the day before the All-Star Game. The contest normally consisted of two rounds, with each player getting one turn per round. The top three scorers in the first round advanced to the final. The second round followed the same format. If players tied in the final, they competed in additional rounds until the winner was decided. The player who scored the most points in one minute won.
The Boston Celtics had once had a three-time Three-Point Contest champion: Larry Bird.
He had also given fans a quote they would never forget. At the 1986 All-Star Three-Point Contest, the brash Larry Bird walked into the locker room before the event and asked the other competitors, "Which one of you is coming in second?"
He made good on those words, winning the 1986 All-Star Three-Point Contest and beginning his own run of three consecutive titles.
Hearing that Goodwin had declined again, the NBA staff member was completely dumbfounded. This was practically unheard of. Being invited to the All-Star events was an honor for any player. Plenty of players wanted to participate but never got the chance, and yet Goodwin had actually refused twice!
How was I supposed to explain this when I got back?
The NBA staff member tried to persuade him, but Goodwin stuck to his decision.
His teammates nearby looked on enviously.
This guy really was "The Chosen One." Not only did he have a handsome face, he could play, too. In his very first year in the NBA, he'd already been invited to an All-Star event. He was the perfect protagonist in a novel.
Michael Jordan: ???
Magic Johnson: ???
LeBron James: ???
Actually, Goodwin's situation was nothing compared to that of the other "Chosen Ones." Other superstars had already made a name for themselves before they were even drafted. Some had even helped their teams win a championship in their rookie season.
Magic Johnson was a rookie who reached his peak right out of the gate, winning Finals MVP in his first season and becoming the NBA's greatest point guard of all time.
Magic Johnson had been selected first overall by the Los Angeles Lakers in the 1979 NBA Draft. In his debut season, he averaged 18.0 points, 7.7 rebounds, and 7.3 assists per game. He was a dominant force on the court and showed an incredible ability to make his teammates better. His presence helped the Lakers finish 60–22 and secure the top seed in the Western Conference.
Magic Johnson's true greatness, however, was on full display in the playoffs. He led the Los Angeles Lakers to the NBA Finals against the Philadelphia 76ers. Johnson put on an unbelievable performance in the series. After star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar went down, he scored 42 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, and dished out 13 assists in Game 6, leading his team to victory and helping the Los Angeles Lakers win the championship in six games.
For his outstanding performance in the NBA Finals, Magic Johnson was named Finals MVP. He became the first rookie in NBA history to win the award, and his performance is still considered one of the greatest in NBA Finals history.
By comparison, Goodwin had a long way to go.
So Goodwin knew perfectly well that keeping a low profile and developing steadily was the way to go.
One step at a time.
Did Goodwin not want to be an All-Star? Of course he did. Being an All-Star meant popularity, and popularity meant money. But all of that needed to be backed up by ability.
No rush, no rush. I'll wait until later to claim that Three-Point Contest title.
After turning down the invitation, Goodwin left the staff member with nothing but his back as he went straight back to training.
Before you continue