Chapter 607: Fulfilling Potential
Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
A 30+20 double-double, even if achieved by accident, was still notable enough to make the headlines.
There weren’t many players inside the three-point line who could get a 30+20. Of the players that were currently active, one could count how many of them could get it on one hand. Players inside the three-point line who could achieve a 30+20 were all-star players.
It wasn’t hard for a player who was part of the rotation of his team to get 20 points in a game. As long as they had some offensive ability and they were given enough chances to shoot, they could get 20 points. It was much more difficult to get 30 points per game. If they were given enough opportunities to shoot but didn’t possess the offensive skill that was required, they wouldn’t be able to get 30 points. After all, the defenders on the opposite team weren’t weak. If the attacker’s offensive ability wasn’t strong enough, even if they were given unlimited opportunities to shoot, it would still be difficult for them to get 30 points.
It wasn’t difficult for most players inside the three-point line to get 10 rebounds in a single game, but getting 20 rebounds per game was something else entirely. Even good players might not be able to do that in their entire lifetime. Getting rebounds not only required physical strength and mental awareness, but it also required the attacker on the opposing team to miss their shots. Even if one was good at getting rebounds, it was difficult for them to get many rebounds if they played against players with a high field goal percentage. Getting a lot of rebounds didn’t just depend on one own’s ability, but it also depended on how good or bad one’s opponents’ field goal percentages were.
30 points or 20 rebounds in a single game wasn’t something achieved by accident. In addition to luck, the most important thing was one’s own ability.
Getting both 30 points and 20 rebounds together in a single game was at least ten times harder than getting only either 30 points or 20 rebounds per game. Anyone who could achieve that should be considered a top-level player.
Gray was not some nameless veteran. He was the second high school student in the history of the United States to win the t.i.tle of “Mr. Basketball.” He had acc.u.mulated a large number of fans as a high school student. Later, he made a big splash in the NCAA. He was considered the best center in the United States in the last 30 years and was even hailed as the combination of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and David Robinson. Everyone knew that these two predecessors were legendary centers. The two of them needed to be added together to reach the level of Gray, that was how terrifyingly good Gray was.
When Gray achieved a 30+20, he was an instant sensation. Gray’s fans from the past came back overnight. Almost all of the media was talking about Gray.
…
“30+20, ‘The Great’ returns!”
Miles looked disdainfully at the headline. He threw the newspaper aside and looked at the next one. In the NBA section, the headline read “The Strongest Center in History Has Been Resurrected!”
“It’s about Gray again!” Miles curled his lips, his unhappiness showing on his face.
Miles was the Pacers’ center. He was only 22 years old, but he had already made it onto the Pacers’ starting lineup. He averaged 14+8. This was particular dazzling for a young player inside the three-point line.
Achieving such results at such a young age, Miles had the right to be proud. He also had the potential to improve. Of course, he would be full of disdain when all of the media touted Gray as the next big thing.
He gets injured so easily. He is only good once in a while by accident. There is no need to blow this out of proportion! I will let you taste my power next game! Miles thought.
…
Miles was six feet and 11 inches tall and he weighed 245 pounds. He had height and a wide wingspan. He was not slow. He did not lack strength. He also had an outstanding jump. His attacking ability, however, was poor. He did not know how to attack from the low post area. He depended on his teammates’ a.s.sists and rebounds to get points.
These kinds of centers, who could run and jump but lacked the ability to attack, were representative of the current state American centers. After the rise of the small ball playstyles, the centers with big physiques were not able to keep up with the fast attacks and defenses. They got completely destroyed during the switch between the attack and defense. Players with good adaptability and good physiques became highly valued inside the three-point line.
…
The Pacers were playing against the Clippers as the away team. For both sides, this was a hard battle.
The Pacers were a powerhouse team in the Eastern Conference. They were tough and tenacious. Even top teams, like the Warriors and the Rockets, got a headache when playing against the Pacers.
The Clippers had shown signs of being a dark horse. Wood’s recovery had given the Clippers an MVP-level player. The other ex-star players were also getting better game by game. This was especially true for Gray, who had just attracted the attention of the whole United States with his 30+20.
The Staples Center was packed. Many of the people there were not fans of the Clippers. They were there to see Gray.
Dai Li and the entire Clippers team understood this so, when they were on offense, they would pa.s.s the ball to Gray as much as possible.
Gray was not the kind of player who needed a.s.sists to score. He could attack from the low post area. His offensive method had defeated many experienced veterans when Gray was still a rookie. The confidence he gained from getting a 30+20 spurred him on to bravely lead the team’s attack.
Miles was responsible for defending Gray. He received two fouls in less than five minutes. He sat down on the subst.i.tutes bench looking depressed.
…
“Swoos.h.!.+” Gray scored a free-throw.
His scoring rate for his free throws had reached 78%. This was good for a center. At least with this field goal percentage, no team would employ the “Hack-a-Shaq” tactic against him.
“20 points! There are still three and a half minutes left in the third quarter and Gray has already gotten 20 points!”
The commentator at the Staples Center was clearly on the Clippers’ side. He was speaking very excitedly. The DJ used this opportunity to liven up the atmosphere.
Miles, who had four fouls, could only sit on the bench. The unyielding expression on his face had given way to astonishment.
What the h.e.l.l? How could someone like this exist! He has such good innate physical talent. Is this guy Superman?
He is stronger than me because he is taller than me and weighs more than me. I can admit that, but he is so much stronger than me. I have no way to guard against him, but he can guard against me easily.
He is able to jump much higher than me although he is 40 pounds heavier than me. This guy may even be able to touch the board when he jumps.
He can jump higher than me. Fine, whatever, but he is faster than me as well. He is also able to change to play as a point guard!
The key is his offensive method. There’s no way I can guard against him underneath the basket. I’m completely swept away in the low post area!
He’s taller than me, more robust than me, stronger than me, jump higher than me, faster than me, and has better technique than me. How can I guard against him?
Miles looked at the statistics on the big screen. Gray had already scored 20 points. Miles suddenly felt sorrow and grief. From a young age, Miles had always felt that he had very good physical talent and was a natural born basketball player. When he looked at Gray now, he saw that his physical talent was only at a very low level. Gray was the real natural born basketball player.
For the first time, Miles met an opponent that possessed far superior physical talent. He could not help but whisper, “This is not fair!”
“I also feel that this is unfair!” Another person said. It was the Blazers’ head coach.
Miles turned his head and looked at the head coach. The coach said, “His physical talent is top-notch. He can run fast and jump high. He is very fast and, most importantly, he has amazing offensive abilities. He has all the advantages of every different type of center put together. How can G.o.d have created such a player? This is really unfair.”
Miles screamed at G.o.d. He knew that the head coach was talking about Gray.
The Blazers coach sighed and said, “This is talent, the kind of talent that only appears once every 30 years! He is a genius that can only appear once every 30 years!”
…
On the Clippers’ bench, Dai Li took a deep breath.
From the looks of Gray’s performance this game, the 30+20 he achieved was not a flash in the pan. His offense that game was as good as it was in the last game. He scored 20 points in the first three quarters.
Gray has finally gotten it together! Dai Li’s expression was very calm. One couldn’t tell if he was happy or sad.
There were always some lackl.u.s.ter players in the NBA who were subst.i.tutes or not part of the rotation who would suddenly have some sort of epiphany and become an all-star level player.
As for Gray’s sudden outburst of performance, Dai Li felt that it was a matter of course. The detector had rated him as an S+ level talent long ago. It was obviously a matter of course for such a player to display the talent of an all-star.
Next to him was Ca.s.sel. He was very excited. Every time Gray scored, every rebound he got, Ca.s.sel could not help but stand up and cheer.
“You look like one of the fans in the stands,” Dai Li couldn’t help but say.
“Hahaha, yes. I am a fan of Gray!” Ca.s.sel said, “You have to know that anyone who paid attention to the NCAA was a fan of Gray! I still remember that finals game between Ohio State University and the University of Florida. Gray’s right hand was injured. He used his left hand to outplay two of his opponents inside the three-point line. Those two centers are now all-star centers! This guy is simply a monster. Even with two defenders hovering around him, he can still slam dunk.”
“I know everything that you just said.” Dai Li interrupted Ca.s.sel and then said, “I know that Gray is very talented. That is why I chose him to come to the Clippers.”
“Yeah, he is very talented. More importantly, after so many years, he has finally begun to fulfill his potential!” Ca.s.sel said with great enthusiasm.
…
Gray achieved a terrifyingly good average result of 25+15 in three consecutive games.
After playing in more than 130 games in the NBA regular seasons, Gray had finally begun to fulfill his potential once he had the opportunity to appear in games on a regular basis with the opportunity to shoot.
At the highest level of compet.i.tion, athletes were compet.i.tive when it came to talent. All athletes at this stage worked hard and all of them would have their fair share of luck and opportunity. The only thing that separated them was talent. They may only differ a little but, in a compet.i.tion, the one who was less talented was suppressed by the one who was more talented.
Gray was hailed as the most talented player inside the three-point line within the last 30 years. This was not an exaggeration. Before he entered the NBA, he had already been suspected to become a legendary superstar. His injury had gotten in the way.
Now that Gray was no longer plagued by injuries, he finally began to fulfill his amazing potential.
Although it took a few years longer than expected, it was better to be late than never.