Testing Klay's Form

[A/N: Do you guys want me to explain certain sentences and words like some basketball terminology? For example, explaining what a tween or teardrop is?]

Word Count: 2155

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[Ego Namikaze POV (Japan: Sumiredōri Shopping District)]

"I'll see you at school!"

Looking back with a bored look I just give a thumbs up, before leaving right after.

With two plastic bags now in my possession I felt elated at what I got today. My own personal Basketball and the information of a certain anime world. I can't help but wonder if there could be more stories. The fact is that I have a basketball system, there has to be a Basketball anime here.

'I wonder what anime there are in this world. Also, how would the original anime work if it already exists here?' I question myself as Grandpa and I head towards the car.

While walking down the district where there were multiple people now in the district my world view widened. Even when I notice a few people with weirdly coloured hair, it's still rare. I'm not sure if using dye for your hair was popularised in 2004 so something like this isn't explainable to me.

But the fact is this isn't the exact same as my original world but still has the base of it.

"Hey, Ego," Grandpa says making me turn my head. "You said you wanted to become a professional Basketball player right"

Hearing the question I nod making the old man contemplate a little bit.

"You're able to join a youth club for the JBL, the closest one to our home is called Toyota Alvark." He says making my eyes shine.

The opportunity was there and there was no reason to refuse this right in front of me. I've never played professionally but I did attend a few camps like Lebron's Skills Camp, so the atmosphere could be different.

Unfortunately, I never got invited to the Nike Hoop Summit though.

'This is still Japan, the college games I had at Duke was definitely bigger and more crowded, especially considering it's 2004. The league isn't even called the B.League yet.' I off-handedly thought

Anyone who knows state collage, have seen intense crowds equivalent to play off matches in the NBA.

"Sure!" 

Grandpa seeing the sheer excitement got a small smile. "First we will need to hire a basketball coach. For now, I'll search for one. If you want to reach those heights a foundation is key."

He lectures me to which I just attentively listen.

This kept going on and eventually touched on the topic of practice makes perfect to which I couldn't agree more.

'He do be spitting facts.'

I used to know a short guy around 5'4 who played for a youth club all the way to high school with his fundamentals extremely sound. While he couldn't compete with other kids with the same upbringing with monster genetics most of the time, he gave a lot of value to the team.

It's not that he was fast or annoying to be pickpocketed by. The man just knew how to use and position his body which he works out, efficient jumpshot with elite ball handling with minimal turnovers.

But unfortunately, he wasn't the only option and having a better defence and a little worse offence is more effective.

My eyes couldn't believe the mismatch abuse at the time that he was on my team, but I guess stuff like that really gets punished for almost every possession.

It is basically what was happening to Steph Curry at the start of his career or even now. He had no breaks with multiple plays drawn up by coaches to get an advantage.

...

The drive to Grandpa Tokei's house took just over half an hour with most things outside feeling pretty empty. It was still the early morning but I noticed that every person that we passed by didn't have a phone in their hand.

'That could be the reason why the NBA isn't as well known in Japan as the country from what I know mainly caters to itself.' 

A lot of Japanese companies from my past knowledge never branched out internationally even though they would be successful. Especially video games and the entertainment industry. 

So other than the Olympics and some FIBA here and there, Japan was mostly never exposed to international Basketball. It's also around the time the USA got a few bronze and silver medals which made them a laughing stock.

"The house is right over here..."

Hearing Grandpa's words I look outside through the windows in awe. I've seen a lot of luxurious houses in my life but never lived in them. So the fact I'd be living inside the house in front of me is mind-blowing.

'Or if I made the NBA in my past life I'd be enjoying a mansion right now. I'm never letting that go' I thought a little salty.

It wasn't some house that was compacted into three stories for extra room, it was very spacious. Which can be considered rich and not wealthy though,

'DAMN! I can't really talk though as my dumbass was basically broke...'

Staring at the three-story house that seems more than a little too large for a single guy, my eyes dart behind me where there is a park in the vicinity. Grandpa wasn't lying when he said the place was literally a few seconds walk away.

"Ego I'm contemplating on hiring a nanny for you, do you want one?" He asks to which I slightly panicked.

"Ehh? It's alright Grandpa, I don't need one." I quickly answer not wanting to take any risks. Just the thought of needing to constantly watch over my shoulder for privacy is annoying. It's not like having one would be bad, but I can take care of myself.

If I keep my "mature" and responsible image going there shouldn't be any problems as I take care of all of my necessities. My school supplies were apparently already taken care of.

"I guess that's true. Anyway, I'll always be with you as I can return home and pick you up from school anytime. " He says while realising something. "Also if a woman enters the house then don't be surprised, she's someone I hired to clean this huge place."

Listening to the man run me down the basics of living here, we proceeded to walk through the little stone pavement that led to the door. The house had a whole front yard with well-kept plants, trimmed bushes and grass with a little driveway where the garage is.

There wasn't much else to comment on but the place is now my home.

*Creak*

Heading inside with Grandpa, It didn't take long to make myself at home. 

Anything was better than a slightly chilly white room in the hospital to be fair…

…

[Ego Namikaze POV (Japan: Local Park)]

"I'll just be sitting here alright, go and play. There's a towel to wipe your sweat and some water next to me."

Nodding at Grandpa I just give him a weird look as he brought some newspapers from the house. That unfortunately wasn't what I gave my weird look for. He was wearing glasses which seemed to be there just for the look while crossing his legs in a comfortable position.

I mean there's nothing wrong with that but my mind always found it weird to wear glasses for aesthetic reasons.

'At least he looks his age.' I joke to myself as I walk up to the court.

In front of me was one basketball court with a generic park design. They usually have a black, blue or green coloured floor, it didn't seem to be concrete flooring which is pretty cool. This one had a blue colour with the paint being green.

The four corners of the court had some fences to prevent the ball from bouncing too far, the hoop had a wooden backboard which made it look old but the saving grace was the pale white netting.

Taking my newly pumped ball I started to slowly do some drills that were instilled in my head from my past life.

*Boing* *Boing*

Hearing the bounces was music to my ears, the dribble felt lethargic while my body felt a little awkward. Despite getting acclimated to my new body, coordination with a ball is completely different than normal movement as I move a certain way with a Basketball in hand.

'This is a little difficult, but I can handle it.' I thought going through my drills. It wasn't everything I do but to get myself started, it consisted of in-n-outcross and a pound drop into a tween.

The court was currently empty with a cold atmosphere as it was still sometime in the morning. But some people might come as it's currently a weekend.

*Boing* *Boing*

The dribbling drills went on for 5 minutes before my hands started to tire out a little.

Nothing better than warming myself up before shooting.

'Alright, it's time to test out Klay's form.' I thought excited as my hands trembled a little. Getting up to the free throw line, it already felt awkward with my height practically regressing. But this didn't stop me at all.

Thinking of the form my mind suddenly got hit with some muscle memory as I moved instinctively.

It took me a few seconds but I positioned myself with my feet balanced and staring at the rim. I had a wide stance shoulder width apart with the ball being held slightly to the right. Interestingly enough there were a few points where there was a huge advantage for me over a normal form.

"Dude Klay doesn't need to fully dip the ball before shooting for rhythm, no wonder the man is just popping three-pointers. I mean he can also dip the ball before shots but as long as his form is squared he has the practically same chance to score." I murmured in awe.

He's the ultimate catch-and-shoot machine as homie can just catch and immediately keep the ball above his chest.

Other than this being impressive the way he also positions himself before catching the ball is amazing.

When moving left to catch and shoot, Klay plants his inside foot and "loads it" while his right shoulder is facing the hoop. The opposite occurs with going left with his outside food being planted first with his shoulder facing the other way.

This gives him ample time to gather himself and make a consistent shot.

Staring at the rim and focusing, I dip the ball before shooting. Watching the ball leave my hands it took just a split second to realise how weak my shot really was. The ball proceeded to hit nothing but air and bounced on the ground.

*Boing!*

'Oh hell no. There's no way Grandpa saw that right?' I thought turning around.

Grandpa who was reading and close by, could be seen lowering his glasses a little making me smile in pain. "Ignoring" the look I got, my body forces itself to jog to the ball and start to do some Mikan drills to ease my stress a little.

Or in shame.

It's the same thing...

'God damn it.'

It's never not embarrassing to air-ball a shot no matter the situation.

...

A few hours passed and my body felt like it was sweating a little more than it should. Thankfully I had a towel and some water due to some prior preparations.

Now a few more people have arrived at the park with a few more adults on the other side of the court. At first, I was planning to get into a one-on-one because it lets my creativity shine and is a good first introduction.

But I'd rather check my other techniques like [Advanced Spatial Awareness] and [Defensive Breakdown] used in tandem.

Anyway, I didn't really get a good look at them the first time as they only got into a match a few minutes ago.

"Grandpa I'm gonna try to join their game, I'll leave my ball here."

Grandpa who heard me and was mostly "reading" this whole time, turned his eyes just above the newspaper and nodded. Starting to walk back, in my head I already knew he wasn't reading anything anyway.

The first water break I had the man had the papers upside down for god's sake. He was probably just watching over me for my safety as I just got out of the hospital to be fair.

Now looking on the side opposite where I first played this morning, there were five guys, three of them were probably adults and others were in their late teens. While a majority had black hair and one had brown hair.

There was an obvious outlier.

'Purple hair huh...' I thought squinting my eyes a little.

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[Techniques]

Klay Thompson's Shooting Form Lv(1/5) ★ ★ ★ 

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[Skills]

Finishing in the Paint: C+

Inside Shooting: F > D-

Outside Shooting: F > F+

Dribble Control: F+ > D

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[Body]

Agility: F > F+

Dexterity: E+ > F