Y13 [EN]: Chapter 204

Y13-204 2011-2012 Regular Season

Perhaps buoyed by their enjoyable visit to the White House, the Dallas Mavericks embarked on a 3-game winning streak. This began with a game against the Detroit Pistons on January 10th and extended through their January 13th game against the Milwaukee Bucks. Notably, aside from a narrow 5-point victory against the formidable Boston Celtics, the other two games were decisive wins with margins of 17 and 26 points.

Considering that defending champions often struggle after a White House visit, Dallas achieved remarkable results. They even managed to win back-to-back away games despite traveling by plane for three consecutive days.

“Contrary to initial concerns about a slump, we’ve rebounded to nearly a 60% winning rate, surpassing the 50% mark with a record of 7 wins and 5 losses. What do you attribute this to?”

Before the home game against the Sacramento Kings, Coach Rick Carlisle, owner Mark Cuban, and General Manager Donnie Nelson held a pre-game interview with reporters.

“I believe the players’ conditioning was a major factor in the early games. Since the roster remained largely intact from last season, teamwork wasn’t an issue, and there were no significant tactical changes. As the games progressed, the veterans successfully rediscovered their rhythm. However, some players still need to put in more work.”

Dirk Nowitzki and Shawn Marion continued to exhibit inconsistent performances. In the game against New Orleans, Nowitzki and Marion had poor shooting percentages of 2/11 and 1/6, respectively, scoring only 10 and 6 points. However, in the subsequent game against the Detroit Pistons, they rebounded with shooting percentages of 9/10 and 4/6, scoring 18 and 14 points, respectively. Kidd, at 38, and Terry, at 34, performed better due to their prior training, but they weren’t in peak condition either.

Other players exceeded expectations, contributing to Dallas’s resurgence. Barea, Chandler, and Youngjae showed improved performances compared to the previous season, effectively carrying the team instead of the aforementioned four players. Brewer, Beaubois, and Mahinmi saw increased playing time due to the struggles of the veterans.

New additions Chandler Parsons and Brandon Wright gradually increased their playing time. Chandler Parsons resembled a Peja Stojakovic [a Serbian former professional basketball player] with improved defense and energy, although his shooting needed refinement. Brandon Wright actively leveraged his exceptional athleticism, demonstrating a high shooting percentage and a significant number of blocks relative to his playing time.

“What’s the overall team condition like for the Dallas Mavericks? I’ve heard that Brandon Haywood’s physical condition remains poor, and there are concerns about his sluggish movements during games, his inability to lose weight, and his use of inappropriate language. Are there any conflicts stemming from this?”

Cuban and Donnie Nelson remained silent, seemingly deferring to Carlisle, who nodded subtly.

“It’s concerning that his performance isn’t improving. However, he’s a professional, and I’m confident he’ll demonstrate his professionalism soon. He’s a valuable player for us, and he understands the importance of self-control. He’s a player who could be a starting center on another team. He’ll regain his form shortly, and there are no other underlying issues.”

Naturally, Carlisle wouldn’t recklessly disclose sensitive information to the media. A coach who reveals locker room issues to the press isn’t fit to lead. Even if conflicts existed, it was best to remain discreet and address them internally.

In reality, Brandon Haywood’s performance remained underwhelming. The previous year, a direct conflict with Coach Carlisle led to Haywood’s submission and subsequent decent performance as a backup. However, this year presented a different challenge. While he wasn’t openly defiant and diligently participated in team training, his performance showed no signs of improvement.

“What are your thoughts on today’s game?”

“One win carries significant weight. I believe today’s game is equally important, and we’ll approach it with that understanding. Besides, today…”

Observing the packed stadium, the players waited in the locker room, dressed in suits instead of their usual jerseys.

“Hmm-hmm! It looks good on you!”

Youngjae, video chatting with Emily, responded with “Really?” to her compliment, and Emily gave him a thumbs up as if it were obvious.

“Did you wash your fingers well?”

“Of course!”

Youngjae displayed his right fourth finger, demonstrating its cleanliness. Emily giggled at his playfulness and smiled, placing her finger on the screen.

“I’m sorry I can’t be there with you.”

“Don’t say that. It’s not like you’re just relaxing at home; it’s because of filming. I’ll let you try on this ring later, so film hard and don’t get hurt.”

At Youngjae’s promise to let her try on the ring, Emily nodded with a bright expression. Soon, as makeup artists applied soot and fake bloodstains to her face, Emily waved with a regretful smile.

“Wear the ring well, and don’t forget it!”

“Okay. See you later.”

Youngjae ended the call and returned to the locker room. The team members teased him again, asking who he had been on the phone with outside, but Youngjae confidently, or rather, matter-of-factly, stated, “Who else would I be talking to? It was Emily. Everyone has someone to call at important moments, right?” This comment stung the single players.

Drum roll – Doo-goong, doo-goong, doo-goong, doo-goong –

The sound of drums reverberated through the stadium, and tens of thousands of Dallas home fans rose to their feet and applauded as owner Mark Cuban appeared at center court.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Mark Cuban!”

Clap, clap, clap!!

Amidst thunderous applause, Cuban waved in all directions. Even in this formal setting, Cuban, wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt with the Dallas Mavericks logo on his chest, shook hands and smiled as the players approached him one by one.

“From this moment, we will begin the Dallas Mavericks’ NBA 2010-2011 season championship ring ceremony!”

The first to receive the ring was team captain Dirk Nowitzki. Nowitzki, wearing a beige suit, accepted the ring and shook hands with Cuban again.

“This is…”

Nowitzki, seemingly overcome with emotion, placed the glamorous Dallas Mavericks ring on his right fourth finger and gazed at it.

Chuck!

As Nowitzki raised his right hand, thunderous applause erupted from the fans, and Nowitzki smiled contentedly and picked up the microphone.

“This is what it feels like to have my first ring in my life! I haven’t gotten married yet, so I haven’t been able to wear a wedding ring, so I guess this is my first ring ever, right?”

The American Airlines Center instantly erupted in laughter. Nowitzki’s story was witty, but the primary reason for the laughter was Nowitzki’s hand holding the microphone. He held the microphone with only his thumb and index finger, while his third, fourth, and fifth fingers were spread wide, emphasizing the ring.

“Ah! My hand feels so comfortable. Can I just stay like this all the time?”

Even if his fingers were tingling, Nowitzki had no intention of changing his hand position, and he didn’t change it once while expressing his feelings about the ring, even showing it off, which he usually avoided. However, the players watching closely struggled to suppress their laughter, noticing his trembling fingers.

After that, co-captains Jason Kidd, Jason Terry, Shawn Marion, and Tyson Chandler received their rings in order and briefly spoke. Finally, Youngjae received his ring and shook hands with Cuban.

“Wow. So this is what a championship ring looks like?”

Youngjae looked at the ring, clenching and unclenching his right hand, seemingly experiencing a surge of emotions.

“I really… want to get another ring.”

It was a soliloquy, but he spoke into the microphone, so some fans clearly heard Youngjae’s voice, and, appreciating his ambition, they began chanting Y13 louder than ever.

Y13! Y13!!

“Wow! Our youngest is so bold?!”

Only then did Youngjae realize that he had spoken into the microphone and gasped. However, feeling that there was no point in hiding it since he had already said it, he raised his hand with the ring and spoke clearly into the microphone.

“My skills are still lacking, but I can dream big, right? I will continue to wear this uniform and put this championship ring on this finger!”

Wow!!!!

The atmosphere was already electric. Both the players and the fans were caught up in the excitement, making it impossible to lose the momentum. Youngjae realized the impact of his words only when he returned to his seat and gasped, but the players praised him, calling him confident, ambitious, and manly.

After that, J.J. Barea, Brian Cardinal, Rodrigo Beaubois, etc., received their rings. Finally, Peja Stojakovic, no longer a Dallas Mavericks player but a member of last year’s championship team, came out and accepted his championship ring in front of the fans.

“Thank you. I never imagined I would receive the championship ring in such a grand manner, and I would also like to thank owner Cuban for inviting me. I was even happier to win the championship in my final season, and I wouldn’t be retired like this now if I hadn’t won the championship. And it seems like fate that the ring ceremony is being held during a game against my former team.”

Clap, clap, clap-

Although he joined the team mid-season and couldn’t replicate his prime years with the Sacramento Kings due to his age, his accurate shooting perfectly complemented the Dallas’s basketball philosophy. He was a valuable asset for Dallas as long as the opposing small forward wasn’t LeBron James or Kevin Durant. The fans recalled his contributions and applauded him in gratitude.

Peja announced his retirement after the previous season. His shooting ability remained, but his speed and agility had diminished, making proper defense impossible. He had achieved his dream by winning the championship and coolly announced his retirement, stating that he had no regrets. From his perspective, receiving the ring right before the game against the Sacramento Kings must have been particularly meaningful.

“I can’t play with the Dallas players anymore, but I will carry last year’s victory in my heart as I move forward. Last year, which was unforgettable and deeply satisfying, will never be forgotten. I hope that my two former teams will put on a good show for the fans today. Thank you!”

Wow!!!

Finally, with Peja Stojakovic as the last recipient, the championship ring ceremony concluded, and the stadium began preparations for the match against the Sacramento Kings. The players shook hands, expressing their regret at the brief reunion with Peja Stojakovic.

The remaining two individuals who were to receive championship rings, Caron Butler and DeShawn Stevenson, were scheduled to receive their rings separately at a later date. Due to the ongoing season, they couldn’t travel to Dallas to receive them. Typically, the rings are presented when playing against their respective teams, but the games against their teams, the LA Clippers and the New Jersey Nets, were too far in the future, leaving no other option.

============================ Author’s Notes ============================

★Thank you to those who gave 선작 [pre-emptive favorites], recommendations, comments, and coupons!!

★Thank you to 마케렐레 [Makelélé, likely a username] for the sponsored coupon^^.

＠Originally, the championship ring ceremony was planned for the home game against Minnesota in late January, coinciding with J.J. Barea’s transfer. The existing Dallas members would receive their rings, and Barea would also receive one. Butler and Chandler were to receive theirs separately at the stadium later. However, in the novel, only Butler and Stevenson have transferred, and the games against their teams aren’t until after February…

＠Somehow, it turned out that Peja was invited to the game against the Kings to receive the championship ring. It must have been a strange feeling to receive the ring in a game against his former team, having never won the championship with the Kings, where he spent his prime, and then winning it with another team as a supporting player.

야베스 [Yabes], 울트라10 [Ultra10] /// Haha… it’s still early in the season. Please look forward to what happens^^

마케렐레 [Makelélé] /// LeBron trampled on Chicago’s future ㄷㄷ [onomatopoeia]. The Bulls were always blocked by Miami in the playoffs;;;

이동석동 [Lee Dongseokdong], 사라질영혼 [Sarajil Yeonghon], -DarkANGEL-, 오마리온 [Omarion], 먹깨비7 [Meokkkaebi7], 파이넨시아 [Painen Sia] /// Thank you for the comments!! Have a good weekend~

ㅎ0ㅎ [H0H] /// Well, that’s how it is since I’m a job seeker ㅠ.ㅠ [crying emoticon]