Los Angeles Lakers' bench:
Huff, huff... Gary Payton, who was guarding Goodwin, was panting too.
Fuck! Gary Payton cursed inwardly. What a useless old man I am. I'm only guarding a rookie, and I'm already panting after just one quarter!
This season, Gary Payton was about to turn 36.
At 36, an NBA player was already nearing the end of his career.
That was why Gary Payton had joined the Los Angeles Lakers. He wanted to win a championship near the end of his career and bring it to a perfect close.
"Gary, you all right?" Phil Jackson asked with concern, noticing Gary Payton's condition right away.
"I'm fine," Gary Payton replied.
"Want Kobe to guard Goodwin while you take Paul Pierce?" Phil Jackson considered the situation. Gary Payton was getting old, and his stamina couldn't keep up. It took much more energy than usual to guard a player like Goodwin, who was constantly moving without the ball.
Hearing Phil Jackson call his name, Kobe spoke up from nearby. "I'm fine with that."
The corners of Gary Payton's mouth lifted slightly as he gave Kobe a knowing look. "Kobe, are you sure? He's your least favorite type of player to guard."
The two had talked about it privately once. Kobe had said that the player he hated guarding most was Hamilton, the Masked Man.
Hamilton was famous for his incredible stamina. Born into a family of athletes in Pennsylvania, he'd received proper physical training from a young age, building a solid foundation. Though he lacked explosiveness, he had rare endurance, much like his father, a long-distance runner.
But Hamilton loved basketball, not running. As a child, he'd been fascinated by Jordan on television and dreamed of becoming a basketball player like him. At 15, he decided to make basketball his life's work. In high school, his coach taught him a special breathing technique: alternating between breathing through his mouth and nose in a set rhythm. It helped him conserve energy on the court and further improved his endurance.
That gave him terrifying stamina. Even Kobe, a physical freak, would be left panting when he guarded Hamilton.
Hearing Gary Payton's words, Kobe was clearly taken aback.
"Hahahaha." Seeing Kobe's expression, Gary Payton burst out laughing, then added, "I'm kidding. He's nowhere near Hamilton. Leave him to me. You focus on guarding their star, Pierce."
Kobe nodded. He was more concerned about Paul Pierce than Goodwin.
Paul Pierce was an All-Star, while Goodwin was just a rookie.
Phil Jackson didn't force the issue. They'd go with what the players had said, and he'd make adjustments if it didn't work.
Paul Pierce and Vin Baker took the court with three bench players in the second quarter, hoping to cut into the lead.
But the Los Angeles Lakers gave them no chance. Phil Jackson kept Kobe on the floor, and Kobe played alongside four bench players.
The teams traded baskets.
The nine-point gap held steady. The Boston Celtics couldn't close it, and the Los Angeles Lakers couldn't extend it.
Half a quarter passed, and both coaches brought their starters back in.
Looking at Goodwin just a few feet away, Gary Payton said, "Rookie, that's all the points you're getting tonight."
"Oh, got it. Go play somewhere else," Goodwin said, waving him away without a care.
Gary Payton: "..."
Goodwin said it, but his mind was racing as he tried to figure out how to shake this leech.
Damn, this was annoying!
Goodwin ran like crazy, and Gary Payton stayed right behind him, refusing to let him get away. The two chased each other relentlessly, neither giving an inch.
As time passed, both teams started to tire. Sweat streamed down their faces and dripped onto the floor.
Whenever they got the chance, the staff on the sidelines rushed to mop up the sweat.
Damn it! Why couldn't he shake him? Goodwin wanted to punch the relentless Gary Payton and knock him out in one hit.
For the rest of the second quarter, the two might as well have been spectators. Neither took part in the teams' offense or defense.
Beep, beep. The second-quarter buzzer sounded, ending the first half.
45:58
The Boston Celtics trailed by 13 points.
Goodwin wiped the sweat from his forehead as he headed toward the tunnel.
On the other side, Gary Payton trudged toward the tunnel, his stamina already flashing red.
This season, Gary Payton averaged only 33 minutes per game, his lowest average playing time in the past ten years. His job was to run the offense and provide some scoring. Defense wasn't his responsibility anymore.
The Los Angeles Lakers had Kobe, who was tasked with guarding the opposing team's best perimeter player.
But the situation now was making Gary Payton miserable. He had no problem with physical contact, but this was different: all that running.
For an old man like him, the relentless running was hard to handle.
It was only halftime, yet his legs felt as though they were weighed down by dozens of pounds of sandbags. Every step was a struggle.
Fuck. Gary Payton wished he were two or three years younger.
Time had slipped by. Now, Gary Payton silently encouraged himself: Hang in there, Gary. There's no way you're going to lose to a rookie!
Meanwhile, Goodwin returned to the locker room, sat down, and covered himself with a towel, not moving.
His teammates saw him and left him alone.
That was until Doc Rivers came in.
Doc Rivers walked straight over to Goodwin and asked, "Goodwin, can you keep running in the second half?"
Hearing his coach's voice, Goodwin immediately pulled off the towel and looked up at Doc Rivers. "Yes!" Even if he ran until he had no strength left, he wouldn't go down.
"Good. Keep running in the second half, until Gary Payton is worn out."
Goodwin: "??"
Goodwin looked at Doc Rivers, puzzled.
Doc Rivers explained, "Haven't you noticed? Gary Payton's stamina is already at its limit. If you push a little harder in the second half, you can finish him off."
His stamina was at its limit?
A smile appeared on Goodwin's face. Holy shit, how did I not think of that?
Even I was exhausted from running on offense. Gary Payton, who was chasing me, had to be even more tired—especially since he was nearly 36.
"No problem, Coach. I'll get it done." Goodwin shot up from his chair and answered loudly.
His voice rang out, startling his teammates.
Startled, Paul Pierce walked over and kicked Goodwin. "Goodwin, could you keep it down next time?"
Goodwin paid Paul Pierce no mind. He was grinning, his mind already racing.
Gary, you old man, I'm going to run you into the ground.
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