Chapter 67: New season

"Ladies and gentlemen! Welcome to the new season! Are you ready?!" The DJ's voice boomed across the packed arena, igniting a roar from the fans that echoed through every corner of the Kings' home court. Last season's success had fueled confidence among the fans, even though their star player, Cousins, had been traded in the offseason. The stands were packed as Sacramento fans eagerly awaited the Kings' first game of the season, hopeful that their team could go even further this year.

Standing courtside, Chris Paul glanced around the energized arena, taking in the newfound buzz. Compared to last year, the energy in the building was on a whole new level. As he looked over at Coach Rivers, he noticed the strategic shift in the Kings' lineup. With the offseason changes, no one quite knew what to expect from Sacramento's revamped tactics.

"Their lineup's had a lot of changes since the offseason. We can't predict the tactical adjustments they'll make," Coach Rivers muttered as he drew on the whiteboard. "We'll stick to last season's approach early on. Force them into positional play and execute a man-to-man defense."

It wasn't surprising that Coach Rivers felt uncertain—after all, the Kings' core lineup had shifted, and there was no telling what new strategies they'd been working on over the summer.

The game kicked off with a jump ball that the Clippers won. In their first offensive play, Paul dribbled across half-court and signaled to his teammates, who moved to their assigned spots. Jordan and Griffin positioned themselves on either side, creating an open lane. J.J. Redick faked a move past LaVine and slipped to the baseline. Recognizing the tactic a split-second too late, LaVine tried to chase after him but was screened by Jordan's imposing figure, leaving Redick with an open shot. Paul's pass arrived on target, and Redick sank the basket without hesitation.

"What are you standing around for?! That was a simple play, and you let them walk all over you!" Coach Malone's voice rang out as he paced the sideline. The Clippers had just executed a diamond formation, one of the most basic offensive setups in basketball. It only required two strong players to set screens and a skilled shooter to create the opening. Malone's frustration was visible, but the players quickly refocused.

When it was the Kings' turn to attack, CJ called for a play, signaling Jokic and Gay, who moved into a high double screen. As they screened, Jokic cut down to the baseline, opening up space for Thaddeus Young. CJ passed the ball to Gay at a 45-degree angle, setting him up with room to operate. Gay didn't hesitate—he dribbled in on Lance Stephenson. As Gay stepped into his attack, Redick moved forward to help, leaving LaVine unguarded in the corner.

LaVine took full advantage of the opening. Gay tossed the ball his way, and with a powerful windmill dunk, LaVine's slam ignited the home crowd. Sitting on the sideline, Jake grinned. This was a tactic he'd suggested to Malone over the summer—an adaptation of the Nuggets' double-drag play, which required everyone on the floor to be a shooting threat. The two big men screened to create space for an isolation move by the power forward, while the guards stayed low to spread the defense. The setup virtually guaranteed that someone would be left wide open under the basket.

Off the court, Coach Rivers looked on, visibly irritated. Known for his traditional approach to coaching, he couldn't fathom why Malone was adding such elaborate plays to his rotation. "Another new trick?" he muttered under his breath. Rivers prided himself on his straightforward coaching style, and watching the Kings' versatile tactics unfold left him feeling frustrated.

After the Clippers used screens to free Paul for another open shot, the Kings altered their formation. LaVine brought the ball across half-court, passed it to CJ at the high post, and then drifted into the corner, anchoring the Kings in a pyramid formation. CJ held the ball at the top of the arc, with Gay and Young at the high post on either side, and LaVine and Jokic stationed in the corners. Gay set a horizontal screen for Young, who rotated around and set a screen of his own, allowing Gay to run into the corner for a catch-and-shoot opportunity from CJ's pass.

Watching the play unfold, Coach Rivers shook his head in disbelief. "What kind of tactic is this?" he asked his assistant, Lauren Frank, as he tried to place the move in his mental playbook.

"It's called a vortex screen," Lauren explained, glancing sidelong at Rivers, whose approach to tactics was famously simplistic.

"Oh, yeah, yeah, of course," Rivers replied, trying to hide his confusion. "I knew that. But how do we stop it?"

Lauren suppressed a sigh. "Let's try a 1-2-1 zone. Pull Paul into the defensive lane and get him to disrupt Gay's movement on the screen. Redick can then loop around and close on CJ to help cover the outside shot."

"Exactly! You read my mind, Lauren," Rivers said confidently. As Lauren nodded, he couldn't help but wonder how Rivers had managed to win out over him for the head coaching role.

Meanwhile, sitting courtside with a cold beer in hand, Jake observed Lauren Frank with interest. Frank was a former head coach for the Nets and Pistons and a seasoned tactician. He'd led his teams as far as the Eastern Conference semifinals, and it was clear he knew his stuff. Jake found himself wondering if maybe, just maybe, it was time to try bringing someone like Frank onto his team's coaching staff.

Back on the court, the Clippers continued to rely on their traditional screen-and-shoot approach, trying to create space for Paul. But the Kings countered with more tactical surprises, switching up their formations and keeping the Clippers off balance. LaVine brought the ball up, passed it to CJ in the high post, and quickly settled into his spot in the corner. CJ took his position at the top of the arc, with Gay and Young rotating in and out, setting screens to keep the Clippers' defense on its toes. The Kings moved with ease, creating mismatches and drawing the Clippers into a defensive puzzle they couldn't seem to solve.

As the game progressed, Jake felt a surge of pride watching the Kings execute the complex plays he'd helped devise. His summer discussions with Malone and the other coaches had paid off, adding layers of sophistication that set the Kings apart from their opponents. The Clippers had arrived expecting a team they could handle, but instead, they found themselves facing a versatile, unpredictable Kings lineup.

For the fans, the game was nothing short of exhilarating. Jake knew it was only the beginning of a season that promised intense battles and thrilling matchups. With the team's new lineup and tactics, the Kings were set to take on the league with a confidence and energy that had been missing in previous years. Jake took a long look around the court and the crowd, knowing that this season, the Kings were a team with real potential to contend.