Zhang Yang entered the stadium in what could be described as gym rat mode, along with Rondo and Felton.
Alan Anderson also followed and trained for two days but couldn’t handle it and gave up.
During those ten-plus days learning from Nash, he trained as hard as the other three because he could learn a little bit of something new every day and had new things to practice.
But as a role player, he only learned simple applications. Nash only made detailed corrections to what he already knew, and he usually mastered these the same day he learned them. After returning, there was nothing new to practice.
Alan Anderson’s talent was average in the NBA. Many skills he excelled at in college couldn’t be utilized in the NBA. Strong and above-average athletically, he also had a bit of shooting talent and above-standard defensive skills. After two seasons, he had become entirely functional and no longer tried other playing styles in games.
The team needed him to do just those things, and his personal talent was limited, not enough to develop many abilities that could be utilized in NBA games. His training was monotonous, and when the skill or fundamentals he was practicing reached a certain level and improvement slowed, enduring daily training became truly hard.
In Alan Anderson, Zhang Yang saw a sad reality for role players—it’s not that role players don’t want to work hard, but they genuinely lack the conditions to do so.
Zhang Yang remembered, news articles often wrote about how incredibly hard superstars worked, but seldom did you hear about role players putting in so much effort.
A few days later, it was late September, and teammates began returning one after another.
Not having seen each other for two to three months, Zhang Yang did not feel estranged when chatting with his teammates; in fact, they felt closer than at the same time last year.
Having won the championship together, for most it was their first title, and given no one had high hopes for them, their bond solidified as they broke through the East and overturned the Spurs to claim the championship.
There was also very little change in the lineup.
Joe and Bickerstaff followed the tradition of the defending champions, trying hard to keep the championship roster during the off-season, except for the necessary sign-and-trade deal involving Gerald Wallace, no other trades were made.
Last season’s championship lineup retained ten players, with only four newcomers, including the draft pick Aaron Afflalo, who was a senior when Zhang Yang was in high school. Although not very close, they were still acquaintances.
The only free agent signed was Grant Hill, admired by all, even the idol of many teammates. Everyone was enthusiastic about him, and with his amiable personality, he fit in smoothly.
Grant Hill preferred hanging out with veterans like Muhammad who entered the NBA in the 90s as well, both being 30+ players with more in common.
The teammates acquired in trades, Mike Miller and Cardinal, were both known for their good characters.
Mike Miller was the captain of the strong NCAA Florida Gators team at the turn of the century, known for his warm and generous personality and leadership qualities. He quickly brought together the new arrival Afflalo, the ’struggle squad’ remnants Perkins, and Cardinal, who was traded along with him.
Cardinal was an interesting case; on his first day with the team, he was the last to leave. When Zhang Yang, having finished his therapy and showered, was ready to leave, he saw his new teammate helping the staff clean up the training equipment and tidy up the gym and locker room.
Zhang Yang felt somewhat embarrassed and asked, "Is there anything I can help with?"
Cardinal replied, "Jack, you’ve trained hard enough, go rest properly. You’ve definitely never done these tasks before, I’ll stay and help."
Zhang Yang responded, "Uh... alright then."
Watching Cardinal bustling about with the chores, a towering figure with great strength and stamina, doing more work than three staff members combined... Maybe Joe should consider streamlining the staff roster?
The next morning, Zhang Yang mentioned it to Felton.
Felton responded, "Jack, don’t you know Brian’s nickname?"
Zhang Yang asked, "What’s the nickname?"
Felton answered, "The Janitor. He was drafted by the Pistons in 2000. He was supposed to be cut after his rookie season, but he stayed in the Auburn Palace during the offseason helping with rookie training and chores, worked hard on his own training too, and impressed the new Pistons coach... Oh, right, the coach was Rick at that time. He also played with Michael for a while after being traded to the Wizards..."
Zhang Yang exclaimed, "Turned floor-sweeping into a mid-career player contract?"
Felton remarked, "Hmm... you could say that!"
Zhang Yang grew curious about this teammate, thinking Cardinal was just a reliable shooter, defensively minded, and a hardworking forward. He never expected such a ’legendary’ career path.
He went to find Carlisle to verify if what Big Fatty said was true.
Even though Big Fatty was a know-it-all, he could sometimes be a purveyor of rumors.
Carlisle confirmed what Felton had said, "Yes, I saw his hard work back then and decided to keep him, but unfortunately in the summer of ’02 we had to let him go to the Wizards to get Hamilton. He didn’t get much opportunity there and was cut. When I went to work for the Pacers in ’03, he came to try out again. I really wanted to sign him, but the Pacers’ roster was full. Fortunately, I knew Musselman, the then coach of the Warriors, and recommended him there. After three years of development in the NBA, he became an outstanding player. During the ’03-’04 season, he performed excellently, and in the summer of ’04, the Grizzlies gave him a full mid-level four-year offer."