After training with Livingston, Hansen understood why the fadeaway had become one of his killer moves. For origınal chapters go to 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝⁂𝙛𝙞𝙧𝙚⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
Excellent core strength and hang time were the foundation, but more importantly, it was his technical precision.
Especially the use of half-turns and pivot fake moves combined with exceptional turning speed allowed him to be versatile.
Such a refined level of technique could not be achieved without years of training and real combat experience.
This provided a significant boost to Hansen’s training.
After the training session ended, Hansen also arranged to continue training together the next day.
Naturally, Livingston had no reason to refuse; opportunities to build a good relationship with the team leader were rare.
Half a month later, the Grizzlies training camp officially started.
On the first day, the players of the Grizzlies team had all arrived.
Hansen still paid attention to Randolph.
Different from last season, or more accurately, different from the past two seasons, Randolph appeared at the training camp unexpectedly without having gained weight.
Not only had he not gained weight, but he also looked a bit thinner.
"Are you sick?" This unusual condition prompted Guy to ask.
Naturally, he was dismissed by Randolph with a scowl.
Only then did it become known that Randolph had rented a gym to train by himself this summer.
"I need to see if the sun has risen from the west." Guy’s actions made Hansen laugh; this guy couldn’t help but tease Randolph.
However, Randolph’s actions were indeed unexpected.
But after thinking about it, it made sense.
Although Randolph played reasonably well later last season, given his role in the team, it was clearly not enough.
If he didn’t get back in shape soon, he might have had to concede his position as the core of the team’s frontcourt tactics to Little Gasol.
But this was the Randolph of now; the Randolph of the past would probably have caused a ruckus with the coaching staff.
Now much matured, Randolph would rather prove himself on the court.
This also greatly related to the team’s atmosphere; when the team leader is making sacrifices, it’s hard for others to make trouble.
Of course, one point that couldn’t be ignored was the salary structure of the Grizzlies.
Wallace was right, the Grizzlies faced significant financial pressure after renewing contracts for key players, but on the flip side, since the main players had long-term contracts, there wouldn’t be a scramble for stats for the sake of new contracts.
A stable lineup, what the team needed to worry about most, was actually the lack of desire for another championship after winning it.
On the first day of training, the Grizzlies displayed very high spirits, and the enthusiasm of the players was at full throttle from the beginning of the camp.
This was completely different from what Hansen had experienced previously with the Lakers.
After all, the Grizzlies and Lakers were quite different.
Or, to make a more straightforward comparison, Kobe and Gasol’s Lakers were like the 1995-1998 Bulls, while the current Grizzlies were more like the 1990-1993 Bulls.
One appeared worn out; the other was vibrant.
Hmm, there was also the emergence of the Heat Team.
Last season, the appearance of the Lakers had ignited the Mavericks’ desire to defend their title; this season, the emergence of the Heat similarly fuelled the competitive spirit of the Grizzlies.
Now, the external voices all seemed to believe that the Heat were the favorites, doubting the Grizzlies’ chances of defending their title, which triggered a defiant response from the Grizzlies.
"We are the defending champions; even without Randolph performing at his usual level last season, we still swept to the championship. Why, before we’ve even played, do people think we can’t do it again?"
You say I can’t? Fine, I’ll just have to show you I can!
Setting aside whether they could successfully defend their title, at least their fighting spirit was fully activated.
When the first day’s training session ended, Jamison couldn’t help but share his thoughts with Hansen.
"It feels like I’ve switched from being a librarian to emergency medical staff; my body can hardly keep up."
Jamison’s metaphor made Hansen laugh; it was very apt.
"Just get used to it," Hansen said with a smile, patting Jamison on the shoulder.
Though Jamison verbally expressed his struggle to adapt, his performance in training showed he was the best of the new additions to the team.
Barring any surprises, Jamison was set to play the role of the team’s sixth man in the new season.
Last season, while Jamison averaged 17.2 points per game with the Cavaliers, although his shooting efficiency of just over 40% was a bit low, his status and ball-handling rights in the system indeed maintained his performance well.
The Grizzlies should thank the Cavaliers; having sent them Hansen before, and now Jamison, it wouldn’t be overstatement to call them a subsidiary team.
Training camp flew by, and as October approached, the preseason of the new season also arrived.
In the first two preseason games, the Grizzlies played the Blazers and the King, only participating in the first half of the games, and both outcomes were fairly predictable.
At this point, Hansen had successfully trained the "God’s Afterglow" to its limit.
Starting from the third game, Joerger began experimenting with rotations and fringe players.
Jones’s performance was worse than the coaching staff had anticipated, especially his perimeter shooting.
Although the team traded for him to intimidate opponents, swapping Allen for him was still intended for rotational play.
With Hill suffering an injury during the training camp, suddenly Hansen was without a backup.
So, in addition to having the coaching staff take Jones to practice threes, Joerger also gave Livingston some opportunities.
Although Livingston primarily played at the point guard position, with his height he could actually play from position one to three, and even four against non-powerful low-post players.