Chapter 54: k
"I need to be able to shoot... I need to be able to find space... I need to be able to set the tempo..."
Kein spelled out each of his writings. Although he didn't get much out of it, for now, he didn't want to be too hasty and started everything slowly but seriously. He scratched his head after learning that a Point Guard should be able to shoot. Kein could do that, but it wasn't perfect like a Point Guard on par with him.
Meanwhile, passing and dribbling have been mastered although he hasn't dared to make variations to create unique and more powerful moments. But for now, Kein is still Kein. His gameplay is always looking for safety and seems to want to celebrate victory without even holding the ball. It was like a soldier celebrating the victory of a battle without killing or defeating the enemy.
"Alright, I'll learn to shoot later. It's a coincidence that my daily mission also told me to practice my aim. Thank you, system." Kein was a little happy when he decided what his next step would be.
He returned the book used as a paper pad as well as the ballpoint pen in his possession. He kept the piece of paper in his bag in case he needed it for the next training process or to remind him that a Point Guard is not a player who only relies on partners and passes to find safety.
When it was time for practice, Kein decided to arrive, 45 minutes before practice started. Because at that time he was free to do whatever he wanted without following the directions of the coach.
When he got to the front of the basketball building, he opened the door so vigorously that it slammed quite hard. The sound that echoed inside the building surprised him. After realising that someone else had arrived earlier, Kein just grimaced widely while scratching the back of his head.
"Kein? Why did you come early?" A question was thrown by the figure who did the same.
"This is the second time. He came at the same time before." Davies replied
"I wanted to ask that first. If it's Senior Davies, I know that he has done this repeatedly after confirming with me. Then, why did you decide to come early as well, Senior Gilbert?" Kein's face looked both curious and arrogant as if he had already established himself as the most diligent player among the others.
"T... that's none of your business. Don't ask questions back when people are asking you questions!" Gilbert's face looked panicked, but Kein saw that he had nothing to hide from him.
"There's no particular reason, Kein. Sometimes Gilbert also follows me to practice early because we believe extra practice is also necessary to hone our skills."
Kein just rounded his mouth, walked back, and entered the building. He put on his shoes and did a short warm-up. That caught the attention of Gilbert.
'How can that guy relax when he never even came this early?' Gilbert wondered but was interrupted by his friend to start training.
While warming up, Kein could see his two seniors doing a 1v1. Even though they had been together for over a year, Kein had never seen them train like this. Usually, the match between Davies and Gilbert only happened when Coach Marlon organised a mock battle. Both of them were equally capable, even though they played in different positions.
This round, Kein watched Gilbert as a forward and Davies as a defender. He would watch this match seriously and meticulously, as Kein desperately needed a reference to practice his skills.
Gilbert bounced the ball for three seconds and then started to dribble. He was looking for space to get into the attacking area and finish with at least two points. He bounced the ball between his legs three times and immediately tried to stab inside.
But Davies was not caught off guard. With his speed, he was able to keep up with Gilbert's movement although for a split second, he did not expect Gilbert to stab straight in with his body lower than his chest.
The ball bounced back and Gilbert's body straightened up. He moved away slightly, backing away slowly. But Davies recognised the movement so he narrowed their distance in anticipation of Gilbert shooting.
He chuckled in annoyance, 'What a troublesome enemy.'
Meanwhile, Davies seemed to be smiling as he saw his friend struggling to get past him for not deciding to give him space. "Where are you going, Gilbert? Try to get past me and score points without a three-pointer."
"Alright, you asked for it."
Gilbert bounced the ball a little faster, his body slightly bent and his left hand slightly raised. Now the tempo of the attack was quickening and both could feel it.
"Too slowly!"
Davies could see the bouncing ball still slipping out of his enemy's hand. Davies quickly tried to pick up the ball and shut down its movement. But he didn't realise that Gilbert was good at fakes. So his friend who tried to grab the ball, Gilbert immediately bent as deep as possible and took the ball.
With his stipulations set, he immediately spun his body, making sure Davies really couldn't come back and try to grab the ball. Gilbert performs a spin move while holding the ball with one hand
"SPIN!!!" On the sidelines, Kein was visibly excited that the move could not be performed arbitrarily.
Gilbert smiled and ran towards the hoop. When the ball was in front of the free throw line, he immediately took two steps and spun the ball.
'This is going to be my point," Gilbert could feel himself on the cusp of victory.
As the layup was released and the ball shot toward the hoop, a large hand suddenly appeared from the front side, blocking the ball from leaving the court.
"What the..." Gilbert's eyes widened. He couldn't believe he'd failed to score when he'd made sure his opponent wouldn't be able to catch him.
The ball was pushed so hard that it bounced off the wall and back onto the court. They both landed and looked at each other. One face was annoyed and surprised, the other looked satisfied and proud to see his opponent fail to execute his idea.
"Don't get excited, Gilbert. I, Davies, will not let you get past me even a fake move is your weapon."
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