"What do you think about Kayce playing point guard? That's an idea that just popped into my head after seeing him today," Coach Brooks said to Coach Ben beside him.
"Kayce has excellent ball-handling skills. As a guard, he has a height advantage and a wide field of vision. Of course, these are just superficial advantages. A point guard needs to control the team's rhythm and better understand team tactics. Let's see his performance first."
Although the Assistant Coach was optimistic about Kayce's physical qualities, organizing the offense was not a simple matter!
Look at Russell, the team's current point guard; he also needed some time to adapt after entering the NBA, and the Head Coach didn't seem to like some of his offensive choices on the court.
Coach Brooks had long discovered the team's problem: when Russell played as the primary ball-handler, the team's offense would sometimes be too impatient, but relying on his unreasonable physical qualities, he could still complete the offense.
This made the Coach Brooks scratch his head a bit; the ball went in anyway, even if it didn't follow the tactics.
Coupled with Kevin Durant being more of a finisher, this sometimes led the team into a chaotic tactical approach, and Coach Brooks had endured it for an entire season!
Kayce first bumped fists with the many role players, and after a brief understanding of their technical characteristics, the practice game began.
Kayce slowly dribbled the ball past half-court, signaling the number 5 role player for a pick-and-roll. Russell had problems defending the pick-and-roll in college, either being late to contest or slow in rotating on the baseline.
Sure enough, that hadn't changed much now. Kayce accelerated directly after the pick-and-roll. Russell couldn't keep up, which made the interior role player come over to help defend. The result was Kayce easily passing the ball to the corner.
"Swish!" The open three-pointer went in.
The role player signaled that Kayce's pass was beautiful. Russell, at this point, was a bit perplexed; he hesitated for a moment while defending the pick-and-roll on that play, and Kayce blew past him in one step.
When Kayce defended Russell, he gave him a step, letting him shoot a jump shot, but cutting off his drive. Kayce also went under the screen when defending the pick-and-roll, not fighting over, which made it extremely difficult for Russell to play.
"Kayce understands Russell's characteristics too well; after all, they played together for a year in the NCAA," Brooks said to the Assistant Coach beside him with a smile.
"Russell sometimes isn't smart enough in handling the ball. He could get rid of Kayce's defense with a few off-ball screens, but he still chooses to drive directly."
The Assistant Coach also complained a bit, but good physicality sometimes defies logic. Russell was too fierce, driving through the defense and scoring.
On offense, Kayce quickly passed the ball after crossing half-court, then used an off-ball screen from the interior role player to get to the low post and demand the ball. After receiving the ball, he immediately turned around for a fadeaway without dribbling.
"Swish!" It went in easily. The mid-range shot near the baseline was his sweet spot, enjoying the bonus from the [Hot Zone Hunter] badge.
Next, Kayce continuously used his one-on-one skills, frequently drawing defenders to provide assists to his perimeter role player teammates. Coupled with constant pick-and-rolls, he also successfully fed a few easy baskets to the interior role players.
On the other side, it was mainly Russell driving and kicking, Durant driving and kicking, with Russell occasionally taking a few isolation plays, and Durant taking a few more. The abilities of these two were undeniable, with shots swishing in.
"I've decided, I'm going to sign Kayce. Not only his physical qualities, but his control of the offensive rhythm is also excellent!" Coach Brooks was completely won over by Kayce's performance.
"But Presti seems to be very optimistic about Blake Griffin and James Harden," the Assistant Coach said, knowing which players the team's General Manager favored.
"It's okay, I'll convince him. Of course, we also need to see the performance of those two players. I hope we can get an early pick!"
Coach Brooks was now single-mindedly focused on transforming Kayce into a point guard; he wanted to bid farewell to the chaotic tactical play!
In the evening, Russell, Durant, Jeff Green, and Kayce went out to have fun together. They frequently visited this place where they could drink.
"How do you feel, Kayce? I think the team is a great fit for you; this way, we can play together again!" Russell came over, chugged his drink, and then directly invited Kayce.
"I feel great, but the lottery draw hasn't started yet; it has to wait until the 18th. It's a bit early to talk about these things now," Kayce also took a sip of his drink and replied casually.
"I think the team will get a good pick. Presti always does his job excellently, and Brooks really appreciates you!" Durant also tried to persuade Kayce.
"If the Thunder can draft me, it will be my honor, as I also greatly look forward to us playing together," Kayce stated directly.
"The Minnesota Timberwolves also invited you for a tryout, right? That guy Love has always looked forward to playing with you. He's bored to death over there, haha!" Russell started chugging again, then teased Love.
"Indeed, he keeps calling me. To be honest, I don't really like the weather in Minnesota," Kayce also sympathized with the unlucky Love.
"Alright, guys, the hot girls have arrived. Let's not talk about these things now, let's have fun!" Jeff Green, seeing that the girls had all arrived, decisively called everyone to have fun together.
"I didn't expect this guy to have the same taste as Harden!" Kayce felt a bit speechless internally.
Time slowly moved to May 18th. In the past half-month, Kayce had successively gone to the Grizzlies, Kings, and Minnesota Timberwolves for tryouts. Overall, he had gained a lot.
"Kayce, the Minnesota Timberwolves really want to sign you. Their General Manager has called me several times these past few days," Chapman, temporarily acting as a sports agent, said to Kayce beside him.
"That's great! It basically guarantees I'll be selected in the top few, so the rookie salary should be good, and you can earn more!" Kayce said while lifting weights.
"This is a favor! I'm not charging. I looked at the song you sent me; it's simply perfect, and the style suits you very well. The Ms. Britney you recommended also has an excellent voice. Is she really not considering a career as a singer?"
Ever since Kayce sent the prepared song to Chapman for him to arrange the recording, this guy had been pestering him.
"Her father wouldn't agree to this, and do you think Britney is short on money? She's just a bit curious. If she had to do vocal training every day and perform frequently like Taylor, she'd be complaining and quitting within a week."
Chapman sighed helplessly. In this day and age, can't he even give money away? It was truly difficult to find a girl as diligent as Taylor.
Taylor Swift, who had some family ties to the Dutton Family, discovered her musical talent as a child and studied vocal music with Kayce. Joanna even bought Big Machine Records for the two of them.
The Taylor Swift of this world was an exceptionally hardworking homebody. Since childhood, besides music, her favorite things were those melodramatic romance novels. It is said that those novels gave her a lot of creative inspiration.
"The lottery draw is about to start, come over, Kayce! This concerns your draft prospects!" Chapman immediately urged.
"Coming! I hope the Thunder get a good pick; after all, playing with Russell is quite good!" Kayce sat in front of the TV, waiting for the final results.
When he saw the Los Angeles Clippers draw the first pick and the Grizzlies draw the second pick, he frowned. The Los Angeles Clippers aside, the Grizzlies were not his ideal team.
When he saw the Thunder draw the third pick, Kayce's heart settled.
"It seems the situation isn't as bad as expected; the Thunder got a very good pick!"