บท 70: Chapter 69: Situation Analysis
In Sacramento, Lauren Frank leaned back on the couch, chuckling as she read an article online. "No wonder the league calls Jake 'the vampire from the East,'" she laughed, gesturing towards him. "He plucks players like flowers. I finally understand it now."
Jake, seated across from her, merely shrugged, crossing his legs casually. "Not my problem. I'm just doing my job, not breaking any league rules."
Frank raised an eyebrow, nodding. "I know, I know. It's just… look at the impact. And to be fair, I'm glad to be with the Clippers right now. Coach Doug trusts me and gives me a lot of freedom—I don't have any plans to move on just yet."
Frank then leaned forward, a glint in her eye. "But if a chance ever came up to work alongside you, I wouldn't miss it for the world."
Jake laughed, a smirk forming on his face. Smart. Not easy to fool, he thought, eyeing her carefully. Frank's reputation as a tactician was solid, but he sensed her real ambitions were much larger. She'd probably love to have Malone's spot as head coach, he mused. Despite a respectable resume, Jake still saw Frank as more suited to assistant roles, unlikely to fill the shoes of a lead coach.
Frank's tone grew serious, suddenly changing the subject. "The league isn't quiet this year. Golden State's championship last year stirred things up."
Jake nodded. Golden State's win had indeed marked a turning point, pushing the league into the "small-ball" era. Traditional centers, who used to dominate the league, were now being replaced by nimble, high-scoring guards and forwards. Teams without versatile outside shooters found themselves struggling to keep pace.
"So," Jake asked, "who do you think stands a chance this year?"
"Let's talk about the Eastern Conference first," Frank replied. "Cleveland's still got a monopoly over there. With the Big Three, there's hardly any real competition in the East. Look at last year's Eastern Conference Finals—Cleveland took down the Hawks easily."
The Hawks, a solid but unspectacular squad, were known for their balanced lineup—Horford, Millsap, Teague, Carroll, and Korver formed a strong starting five. But when the playoffs hit, their lack of a true superstar showed. The Hawks were no match for LeBron and the Cavaliers, who breezed past them with minimal resistance.
Frank continued, "But there's one wildcard this year. You know who I mean: the Wizards. They've got potential with Wall, Beal, and Cousins. They might just shake things up."
Jake nodded, recalling his involvement in bringing Cousins to Washington. The league's Eastern Conference was starting to change, with Cleveland as the team to beat. Below the Cavaliers were teams like the Hawks, looking to overthrow LeBron and company, and the Wizards, a younger, flashier team with their eyes set on the future. Then there were the Bulls, revived under Coach Thibodeau's tough regime. Since Derrick Rose's injury, the team had turned to new stars like Jimmy Butler, hoping to make waves in the playoffs.
"And let's not forget the Raptors up north," Frank added. "They're biding their time with Lowry and DeRozan, hoping for a breakout season. And the Pacers—they've got Paul George back from that brutal injury. They might surprise some people."
Teams like the Bucks, with a budding Giannis still refining his game, and the Heat, trying to stay afloat with Wade as their focal point, rounded out the Eastern Conference. While they weren't strong contenders, they were far from pushovers. Jake knew each team would bring its own set of challenges as they vied for dominance in the East.
On the other side of the country, the Western Conference was shaping up to be a battlefield. "The West is especially chaotic," Frank noted, her tone contemplative. "The Warriors held onto their roster after last year's championship, but it's no secret that the other teams are coming after them hard."
Frank continued, "And the Spurs… they're ruthless. They grabbed Aldridge and West in the offseason. They want the throne back, and they'll do whatever it takes."
The Clippers were another strong force in the West, though many thought they'd wasted their best opportunity for a championship. With their core still intact, it was clear they'd face the Warriors and Spurs head-on. Meanwhile, the Trail Blazers had gone in the opposite direction, trading away star players and starting from scratch.
The Grizzlies, Thunder, and Rockets hadn't made any drastic changes, sticking with their well-established lineups. "That's the thing with the West," Jake thought aloud. "Teams here don't trade much within the conference. No one wants to help out their competition."
Frank nodded. "Exactly. That's why, when you traded Cousins, you looked eastward first. As long as the East is dealing with their own battles, the West gets a little more breathing room."
Even with his moves shaking up the Eastern teams, Jake knew the league structure hadn't changed significantly. The only notable difference was the accelerated growth of several Eastern teams, thanks to his hidden moves. In his mind, there were only two real threats to his ambitions: the Cavaliers and the Warriors. Beating those teams was the ultimate test.
Lost in thought, Jake muttered, "It's still not enough." After Frank left, he sat on the couch, deep in contemplation. The Kings had made strides, but they were still far from championship material.
"There's so much work ahead," he sighed.
Two days later, the Kings welcomed another Los Angeles team, this time facing off against the Lakers. Their head coach, Byron Scott, stood on the sidelines with a relaxed expression, his mission for the season clear: tank for a high draft pick and make Kobe's final year memorable. The pre-game atmosphere was unusually friendly, with young players going out of their way to greet and honor the legendary Bryant.
With the Lakers focusing on giving playing time to rookies like Russell, Randle, and Clarkson, while allowing Kobe his final moments of glory, it was no surprise the Kings cruised to an easy win.
After the game, Jake spotted Kobe on the sidelines and headed over with a friendly wave. "Kobe!" he called out.
Kobe turned, grinning. "Jake! The man of the hour."
It was their first real conversation, but the two greeted each other like old friends. "So," Jake asked, "you really calling it quits after this season?"
"Yeah," Kobe replied, nodding. "It's been a long ride, but it's time. I don't have the fire I once did."
Jake smiled, sensing Kobe's calm acceptance. The years had softened the once-fiery player, making him reflective. "Thought about what's next?"
"Probably gonna focus on my brand," Kobe answered. "Maybe try my hand at animation. I've always had a soft spot for storytelling."
Jake nodded, impressed. Kobe had always been multifaceted, driven by curiosity and ambition. Of course, he'd want to dive into something creative, Jake thought.
As they parted, Jake reflected on his own journey. Where Kobe had evolved into a cultural icon, Jake was carving his path behind the scenes, shaping teams with precision and foresight.
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