"Doug!"
As the meeting ended and everyone was filing out, Chen Yu called out to Rivers again.
Rivers hurried over. "Chen, thank you for your understanding and support."
If Chen Yu hadn’t nodded in agreement, Lynam might have continued to make a scene.
Chen Yu waved his hand dismissively.
’Even without me, Rivers is the head coach. The management would have listened to him in the end anyway.’
Lynam was a holdover from the former general manager, Bob Whitsett. If their opinions truly clashed, John Nash definitely wouldn’t have chosen to support him.
"Here’s the thing," Chen Yu said. "The players are all young men, so their self-discipline is relatively poor. To achieve our goals, I’m going to be extremely strict, and my demands will be very high."
To put it bluntly, he was going to train them to death.
’Don’t worry about injuries. I’m here. If they develop any problems from the training, it’s on me.’
"Under this kind of high-pressure situation, we can’t neglect the players’ mental state. That’s where you come in. You need to play the role of the kind one, comforting them and boosting their morale so they can complete my training."
Simply put, Chen Yu would play the bad cop, and he wanted Rivers to play the good cop.
When these young players were subjected to Chen Yu’s inhuman training and torture, someone needed to be there to comfort them.
Rivers was taken aback for a moment, then immediately said, "I don’t know about that, Chen. It would be easier for you to win their trust."
He was being quite polite about it.
’I wonder how much of that is genuine, though.’
"No need. I’m just a temporary figure on this team. You’re the head coach."
’I’ll be gone once the training is done. Why would I bother playing the good cop?’
"Alright, I understand. Chen, don’t worry. No matter what you decide, I’ll support you completely." Rivers hurriedly pledged his loyalty again.
Chen Yu shook his head to himself but said no more. He turned to find Nelson and the others to prepare for the upcoming training session.
On the court, Nelson took direct control of the practice.
Seeing everyone looking at him, the stone-faced Nelson suddenly broke into a brilliant smile. "Alright, gentlemen. Let’s start with a run."
First, conditioning. And they were going to be run into the ground.
While Nelson watched over their conditioning, Chen Yu stood on the sidelines, discussing the specific training plan with his own team, along with D’Antoni and the others.
They needed to tailor each player’s training focus to the team’s tactics.
"The point guard is crucial," D’Antoni said gravely. "In my system, the point guard needs the ability to push the ball quickly up the court and to find teammates while on the fast break. He also needs to be able to run a high pick-and-roll, drive to the basket, and kick the ball back out. On top of all that, he even needs one-on-one ball-handling and scoring ability."
"Hold on, hold on." Ewing held up a hand to interrupt D’Antoni, looking exasperated. "Why don’t you just list every single positive attribute a point guard could possibly have?"
How many point guards like that existed in the entire league?
To be honest, a point guard who could just bring the ball safely past half-court and get it to the team’s main scorer was already considered competent.
A point guard who could spot an open teammate and deliver the pass on time was already considered an All-Star level player.
And now you’re asking for individual scoring ability? Look at J Kidd. He’s been clanking shots for almost two years and still hasn’t developed that skill.
D’Antoni didn’t argue. He knew Hughes wasn’t quite up to snuff, which was why he believed Nash was the better choice for the point guard position.
Chen Yu raised a hand. "We’ll know if he can do it or not once we train him."
D’Antoni nodded and continued to elaborate on his vision.
For example, Joe Johnson needed to work on his shooting, his three-pointers. Miles needed to work on his wide-ranging help defense and his passing out of trouble.
Randolph had to work on post defense. Milicic needed to practice the pick-and-roll, high pick-and-roll coordination, rolling to the basket, and his three-point shot.
The demands for the two key players, one inside and one outside, were the highest. They had to be proficient at everything.
Ewing and the others frowned as they listened.
Chen Yu, however, remained calm. "Alright, we’ll figure out how to solve it."
He was providing a consultation service, after all. If the team could really train themselves, they wouldn’t have spent the money to hire him.
Meanwhile, the players on the court were already groaning in misery.
And to make matters worse, Nelson was on the sidelines with a megaphone, crushing their confidence.
"You call yourselves professional athletes? Is your stamina this pathetic? My grandma runs faster than you!"
"Randolph, are you a fucking snail? Keep up!"
"Go, go, go! If anyone falls behind in the next minute, the whole team runs ten extra laps!"
Every single one of them was gasping for air, feeling like death would be a relief.
"I give up! I really can’t run anymore!"
Randolph was the first to break. He stopped, gasping for breath, nearly collapsing to the floor.
Once he stopped, Rebrasha and Chris Crawford, the two older players, couldn’t take it anymore and stopped as well.
Nelson blew his whistle and strode over.
"Didn’t you hear my order? I’m going to count to three. Get your asses moving now, or you’ll face the consequences!" Nelson shouted, his face dark.
"One!"
He started counting immediately.
Rebrasha glanced slyly at Randolph.
Randolph kept panting, acting as if he hadn’t heard a thing.
"Two!"
Nelson continued his count.
Chen Yu looked over, and the players still running laps on the court also turned their gazes in that direction.
"Three!"
Without a moment’s hesitation, Nelson pointed off the court. "Out! The three of you, right now, immediately! Get the hell back to the locker room, pack your things, and get out!"
The three of them were instantly dumbfounded.
The players still running were also shocked.
This kind of punishment suddenly reminded them of high school and college, of coaches who could kick them off the team at a moment’s notice.
Rebrasha’s face changed dramatically. He said frantically, "No, Coach! I’ll run!"
With that, he hurriedly started running again.
He was a role player, an international one at that. It wasn’t easy to make it to the NBA and earn a salary of two or three million.
Randolph, stunned, widened his eyes and retorted, "What do you mean? No one trains like this! You might as well just kill me."
Nelson’s face was grim as he pointed off the court again. "Out!"
Then he raised the megaphone and shouted to the others, "Let me make this clear to all of you! To me, you’re just a bunch of rookies! You’re not stars yet, so you have no right to tell me the training is too hard. If anyone can’t handle it, then get out! There are plenty of players in this league who can’t get court time, and they can replace you at any time."
Chris Crawford shivered and quickly prepared to start running.
"Too late!"
Unexpectedly, Nelson put out a hand to stop him, pointed toward the locker room, and motioned for him to get lost.
Chris Crawford was stunned.
At this, Randolph’s temper flared. He turned angrily and stormed off, muttering curses under his breath.
Chris Crawford stood there at a complete loss. He looked at Nelson, then at the silent Rivers, and finally followed Randolph dejectedly.
"What are you looking at? Did I say stop? Keep going!"
Nelson roared through the megaphone.
Everyone immediately picked up the pace, their attitudes much more serious.
On the sideline, Chen Yu gave Rivers a meaningful look from a distance.
Rivers understood and immediately headed for the locker room.
Inside the locker room, Randolph was throwing a huge tantrum.
Chris Crawford looked lost. He was a role player who had suffered a major injury; it wasn’t easy for him to get playing time.
If the team got serious and really benched him, suspending him indefinitely... just one year of that and he’d be finished. He wouldn’t be able to get another contract. He might as well start thinking about retirement.
Just then, Rivers pushed the door open and walked in.
"Chris, you can step out for a minute."
Rivers waved Chris Crawford out, then pulled Randolph down to sit.
"Zack, stop throwing a fit. Listen to me. Go and apologize to Coach Nelson," Rivers said.
"Apologize?" Randolph’s eyes widened. "Impossible. I did nothing wrong. Why should I apologize?"
Rivers sighed and continued to persuade him. "Zack, be reasonable. If you don’t apologize, what do you think will happen to you?"
"Nelson works for Dr. Chen. You should know this. The owner was the one who brought Dr. Chen here to improve our team. Think about his status. The owner listens to him. Even I don’t dare to cross him."
"If you don’t apologize, he has plenty of ways to deal with you. You’re still young, and you have two years left on your contract. What if he suspends you indefinitely, keeps you off the court for two years? Do you think you’ll get another contract after that? You’ll be washed up. Your career will be over, just like that."
"Think about Carl Malone. Even he was indefinitely suspended by the Phoenix Suns. What does a rookie like you count for?"
Randolph’s expression changed drastically, and a hint of panic appeared in his eyes.
Rivers continued, "Zack, I know you’re upset and resentful, but this is not the way. You’re a smart kid. You should know that even though the training is painful, it’s good for you."
"Like I said, you’re still young. You have at least ten more years in your career. The hardship now is so you can get a huge contract in the future, a max deal, and earn countless money. Do you really want to end your career after just a multi-million dollar rookie contract?"
"Endure it. Train hard. In my eyes, you’re the most talented player on this team, the one I value the most. I believe you can become a top-tier star in the future."
"Go on. Listen to me. Do it for my sake. Apologize and get back to training. Coach Nelson might be a bit harsh, but he’s doing it for your own good."
He patted Randolph’s shoulder, his eyes full of encouragement and warmth.
By now, Randolph was actually feeling scared.
Rivers’s words gave him a way to save face. He said, "Alright, Coach. But I’m only apologizing because you asked me to."
Rivers smiled, pulled Randolph to his feet, and gave him a warm hug. Then he said with a grin, "Go on. Be serious during training from now on. If you have any problems, come to me anytime. I’ll help you solve them."
"Coach, thank you."
Randolph was genuinely moved.
The previous coach, Cheeks, had never shown him this kind of concern.
Rivers left the locker room with him, smiling as he sent Randolph off to apologize. Only then did he turn to Chris Crawford.
"Coach, I didn’t mean for this to happen. I know I was wrong," Chris Crawford apologized hurriedly.
’I was too rash. Why did I follow that idiot Randolph and walk right into this mess?’
"I know." Rivers was still smiling. He stepped forward, hugged Chris Crawford, and patted him on the back. "Chris, I need you to do me a favor."
He released Crawford and said, "The team needs to make an example of someone, to make the others understand how serious the consequences are for defying the training. So, I’d like to give you a week off. Get some rest, and don’t contact any of the other players for now."
"Don’t worry. After a week, I’ll have you back."
"This team is full of rookies. If we want to win, we still need veterans like you. So in my mind, you are still one of the most important players on this team."
Chris Crawford’s eyes went wide.
’So, that whole thing was an act?’
’Doesn’t that make me a complete sucker who jumped right into the net all by himself?’

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