Trainer

*Sound Effects*

**Language**

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

(Point of View)

[System]

|Flashback|

A few days had passed, and once again, I found myself wide awake at precisely 4 a.m. It was an unusual feeling to be so alert and full of energy at this hour. I had received a call the other night, notifying me that practice would begin today. The assistant trainer had been kind enough to arrange transportation for me since I didn't have my own car. He said a ride would pick me up at 7:00 a.m.

I decided to make the most of the early morning hours and went for a jog. Afterward, I had a light breakfast before heading back to the park. It had come to my attention that I had earned 231 gold from the shots I had taken the previous day. I wasn't entirely sure if it was based on my shooting accuracy or something else. However, after experimenting with different types of shots, I discovered that only made shots counted. For the denominations, layups counted as 1 point, midrange shots as 2 points, and three-pointers as 3 points.

As I contemplated this, I couldn't help but sigh, realizing that accumulating enough points for packs through this method would be a daunting task. On a positive note, whenever I opened the system, it seemed to pause time. Initially, I hadn't noticed it because there was nothing around me to serve as a reference point for motion. I wasn't sure if this feature would work during actual games, but it was handy for keeping my sanity intact in public.

At 7:00 am I finally got my ride outside my apartment, it was a taxi that had come to pick me up. We made our way to a different place than the spurs office. We made our way to a big multiplex I couldn't help but look around in amaze at how big the area was. We quicky passed by a security check who let us through the gate into the multiplex. I soon got out of the car and was confused on where to go.

Luckily I saw a man walking towards me, he had a fair complexion and short, neatly combed blond hair. He had a prominent forehead, arched eyebrows, and appears to be middle-aged. His eyes are a light color, and he had a straight nose. His facial expression is focused and serious, with a closed mouth that suggests concentration or concern. He had a clean-shaven face, and his cheekbones are slightly pronounced. He was dressed in a black athletic shirt featuring two grey stripes running down each side, adorned with an embroidered Spurs logo on the front.

"Javier?" he said, and I nodded calmly. He looked slightly surprised by my composure but gestured for me to follow him into the building.

"What is this place?" I couldn't help but ask.

"This is the practice facility," he replied, giving me a quizzical look. "Don't tell me you thought we practiced on the NBA court," he added.

I maintained a straight face. "Yes, yes I did," I admitted before continuing to follow him.

After what felt like 10 minutes of walking, he led me to a wooden door, opened it, and gestured for me to enter first. Inside, I saw a single regulation basketball court with the Spurs logo at the center.

"Where is everyone?" I inquired. He quickly replied, "They're practicing for the finals. Did you seriously think I'd let you play with them?" he said.

"True," I replied, unfazed, before starting to stretch and warm up. As I prepared, I asked, "Is it okay if I go through my routine before we start?" He looked over at me, his surprise replaced by a more serious expression, and said, "Be my guest."

I completed my routine, even though I didn't need to do it to calm my nerves anymore, I had gotten in the habit of it for so long that I couldn't stop doing it.

Time flew by, and almost half an hour had passed when I looked back at the trainer and confidently said, "I'm ready." He nodded in acknowledgment.

We proceeded to go through a series of routines that were common among NBA trainers when examining players on a 10-day contract. We worked on various drills, from shooting and dribbling to defensive exercises and agility tests. I put my all into each drill, determined to prove myself.

Throughout the session, the trainer didn't say much but instead diligently wrote down notes on his clipboard. After what felt like an intense and thorough workout, he finally spoke, "We're done for the day." We had been training for three hours straight.

I caught my breath and nodded, affirming my commitment to returning the next morning at the same time. With that, I left the practice facility, my mind firmly fixed on the opportunity that awaited me and the relentless effort I needed to invest to seize it.

Days had passed, and it was now June 15, 2005, my 9th day under contract. I had been diligently putting in effort each day. Joe, my trainer (whose name I had figured out), alternated between basketball drills and workout sessions. During the workouts, I could push myself to failure without the burden of pain, thanks to my unique abilities. Joe had enlisted a muscular guy to spot me during weightlifting sessions, ensuring my safety.

The next morning, I always woke up feeling fully rejuvenated, thanks to the 10x recovery rate I experienced while sleeping. This alone made a significant difference in my training regimen. While others needed a day to recover, I could immediately get back to grinding.

Yesterday, Joe had me go through various tests, including blood tests to ensure I wasn't using any drugs, and physical examinations to record my measurements. My standing vertical had improved to 34 inches from 33. I never once complained, partly because I didn't experience pain.

Today, I was scheduled to join the bench team for a scrimmage. I had been gradually grasping the concept of the Mamba Mentality passive skill. Mentally, I could resist the calming sensation it induced, but it didn't necessarily reflect in my physical demeanor. However, when I chose to stop resisting, I entered a state of zen-like focus, impervious to distracting emotions. As my nerves threatened to overwhelm me, I consciously relinquished my resistance and allowed the calm to wash over my mind completely.

I arrived at the facility and swiftly made my way inside. I spotted Joe, and I followed him to a different court. Upon entering the spacious room, I noticed two courts side by side, much like the one where I had practiced alone earlier. However, what caught my attention was the banner on the wall, proudly displaying the championships from 1999 and 2003.

(1st Person - Joe Prunty)

I entered the building followed behind Javier, this kid he was special, I didn't think so at first but upon seeing him I knew it to be true. I remember my conversation with Coach Pop about the kid yesterday after he finished practice and left

|Flashback 1 day ago - 3rd Person|

Popovich sat in his office, a basketball on his desk, as he peered at Joe Prunty, who had just entered the room. Popovich folded his arms and leaned back in his chair. "So, Joe, how's the kid been progressing?" he asked, his characteristic stern demeanor softened slightly by a hint of curiosity.

Joe Prunty leaned against the door frame, a hint of a smirk playing on his lips. "Surprisingly well, Coach," he replied, a note of approval in his tone. "I tried pushing him to his limits during training sessions, dragging them out longer than usual, but he never once complained. Even with lifting weights, he pushed himself to failure each time without hesitation."

Popovich raised an eyebrow, his interest piqued. "And I hope you've tested him thoroughly to ensure he's not doping or taking any enhancements," he said, his gaze steady.

Joe nodded, a knowing glint in his eyes. "Of course, Coach. We ran all the necessary tests. Clean screens all the way."

Popovich leaned forward, resting his chin on his steepled fingers. "Good. Now, here's what I want you to do," he said, his voice taking on a more authoritative tone. "I want him to play in a scrimmage game with the bench. Let's see how he reacts when he's thrown into the mix with teammates he doesn't know."

Joe Prunty's smirk widened as he nodded in agreement. "Consider it done, Coach." With that, he turned and left Popovich's office to prepare Javier for the upcoming challenge.

|Flashback End|

(1st Person - Javi)

I walked into the gym just ahead of Joe, the squeak of my sneakers echoing through the spacious court. As I entered, a sharp whistle cut through the air behind me, but I didn't flinch. I observed the players as they halted their practice and rushed over to Joe.

"Coach, I thought no Make-A-Wish during playoffs," commented the European man with a distinct accent. He had a fair complexion, short light brown hair, and striking light-colored eyes. His round face, straight nose, and a hint of facial hair above his upper lip and chin defined his features.

I chuckled inwardly at the mix-up. 'That hurts,' I thought to myself.

"He's not a Make-A-Wish kid, Rasho," Coach clarified, pointing directly at me. "This is Javier, and he'll be joining you all for a quick scrimmage. We'll split into teams and play a full-court game with regular regulation time," he announced.

Rasho, the European player, looked at me, his expression shifting to a slightly guilty one. "Sorry, I thought you were a Make-Wish kid," he admitted in broken english. I managed to control my facial expression, to express a smile, "It's all good." His face brightened with gratitude as he accepted my response.

Joe briefly introduced me to my new teammates, seven in total, as we stood on the court.

The team members were:

Nazr Mohammad

Devin Brown

Tony Massenburg

Beno Udrih

Glenn Robinson

Rasho Nesterovic

Brent Barry

While I met each of them, it was evident that Beno, Devin, and Rasho were more welcoming than the others, who didn't seem to take me seriously.

Coach Joe then organized us into line-ups. My team consisted of Rasho, Tony, Brent, and myself, and we were set to face off against the opposing team, which comprised Nazr, Devin, Beno, and Glenn. We were gearing up for an intense 4-on-4 match.

(1st Person - Joe Prunty) 

I observed the game, and I couldn't help but be shocked by Javier's performance. Given that he hadn't played in D1 ball, let alone pro ball, some common mistakes were expected. However, throughout the game, Javier displayed a composure that was inconceivable for his age.

He played exceptionally well, and as the game progressed, he began to understand the skills and tendencies of his teammates. It was from this point onwards that he really began to control the flow of the game.

Javier ended the game with an impressive 18 points and 8 assists, despite not having prior familiarity with his teammates. While his team ultimately lost, it was an expected outcome as they were up against the other team that had played together for much longer and had experience.

What stood out the most, though, was the respect the other players had for Javier at the end of the game. Despite being the shortest player on the court, he had the most heart and didn't give up until the very end. He even mounted a comeback, but unfortunately, there wasn't enough time left to secure the victory.

I couldn't help but admire Javi's determination and his ability to adapt to his teammates over the course of the game. Despite his initial hiccups, he didn't allow Beno to dictate the pace and remained composed throughout, earning the respect of everyone on the court.

After the brief game, I informed Javier to head back home early as they still needed to prepare for the finals game tomorrow so it was a lighter day today. He nodded before saying his goodbye to the players and myself.

After he left, I informed the players to continue with their practice as I prepared to talk with Coach Pop in person about the development of Javier.

After driving to the spurs office, I made my way over to Pop's office before knocking.

"Come in" he yelled through the door.

I entered the door before informing coach about Javier. I recounted his performance but most importantly his fearlessness. Javier maintained his calm despite making some common mistakes that can be expected with the lack of experience. I also recounted that he faced the challenge of not knowing his team well and near the end of the game he began to really understand the strengths of the team and began to capitalize on it. He amounted a comeback, though it was too late to bring them to victory, he played with heart. He didn't shy away from driving to the basket despite the size difference and used his body to create space for layups.

Coach Pop sat there, known for his straightforward attitude, and nodded before stating assertively, "Have him observe the game tomorrow. I want him to see firsthand how much room for improvement there still is. I don't need him developing an ego."

I nodded, acknowledging his decision. As I was about to leave, I heard one last instruction from Coach Popovich. "Make sure he wears his jersey. It'll be here later today." he stated firmly.

I couldn't help but be surprised. Allowing a player who hadn't even played a college game, let alone a regular NBA game, to step onto the court during the finals was unheard of. I voiced my concern, "Coach, are you serious? He hasn't even played a college game, and you want his first NBA game to be during the finals!? Even if he comes in as a reserve, that's still a stretch,

Coach Popovich gave me a stern look and responded in his trademark dry and straightforward manner, "Let's use our heads here. I don't intend to put him in the game. I just want him to believe that he might. It's crucial for him to grasp that the gap between practice and the real deal is vast."

I sighed, understanding his perspective. "Alright, Coach, I'll let him know," I stated before making my way out of his office. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A/N: I hope you liked the chapter thus far, It's been a bit challenging to captivate Coach Pop's bluntness, I hope I'm still doing a good job thus far. Let me know your thoughts. From here on out the updates will go from daily to 3-4 chapters dropped every Monday. This makes it easier for me to ensure the consistency of the updates with college starting up and all that. I don't plan on making the chapters less than 3 a week however so you can rely on them.

Stay tuned for the next chapter, I have a surprise in store that I hope you will enjoy!