Y13 [EN]: Chapter 36

Boboua’s chatter was incessant, even during dinner. Although I was three years younger than Boboua, who was born in ’88, his stories were amusing, especially considering my mental age was closer to 30, thanks to my past life. It was refreshing to hear perspectives from someone in their early 20s.

After parting ways with Boboua, Youngjae arrived at his accommodation. Looking around the modest single room, he couldn’t help but sigh. Youngjae felt grateful for his current situation, a stark contrast to his past life, but he also feared that such comfort might breed complacency and laziness. He knew he’d be finished the moment he became satisfied.

“Hooa.”

However, rather than dwelling on such abstract anxieties, the physical pain and cramps he’d suppressed in front of Boboua’s imposing physique surged forth, forcing him to collapse onto the bed. He needed proper rest, or it might affect tomorrow’s training.

“Monster.”

He didn’t outwardly show it, but he was inwardly envious. He had to admit that no matter how hard he trained, he couldn’t match the inherent physical advantages of someone like Boboua. If he were the Youngjae from his past life, he wouldn’t have admitted it, instead grumbling with envy and stubbornly focusing on improving his existing strengths. But the current Youngjae was different.

Of course, he had no intention of pushing himself to the breaking point in areas where his physical limitations were insurmountable. Minimizing weaknesses within the realm of possibility was wise, but striving for the impossible was foolish.

“Hoo, I should consult with the coach.”

He was only nineteen. Naturally, he had shortcomings, but he was young enough to be afforded time to improve. He would be given opportunities, and he was confident he would seize them. Youngjae wasn’t rushing like a seasoned veteran, but methodically planning how to compensate for his weaknesses.

And his ability to act decisively on those plans was a significant advantage.

July 9, 2010, Las Vegas.

“Ah, Yoon? To be honest, Yoon doesn’t really need this kind of specialized training yet…”

Dwayne Casey was taken aback when Youngjae requested a personal interview first thing in the morning, and even more surprised by the nature of Youngjae’s request. The request itself was the reason for his surprise.

“However, I’m tired of hearing that I’m physically weak. I’ve seen many NCAA stars encounter physical limitations in the NBA and ultimately fail. I can’t guarantee that won’t happen to me. I felt this acutely during yesterday’s training with Boboua.”

Coach Casey was about to commend the rookie’s admirable words, but he had to remain impartial. He could have favorites, but outwardly showing it would compromise his position as a coach.

“Yoon, it’s difficult to say this, but focusing on refining your strengths might be more beneficial. Versatility can be an asset, but it can also be detrimental if not managed carefully. Developing the strength and stamina you desire, specifically muscular endurance, takes time, and you might miss opportunities to enhance your existing skillset. Prematurely bulking up can also reduce speed or increase the risk of injury.”

Versatile. All-around. In some ways, it could be a balanced asset, like a gear that fits anywhere, but if not careful, it could lead to mediocrity. A player who consistently underperforms regardless of their role. The NBA allows players to thrive with one exceptional skill, even if other abilities are lacking, but it’s difficult to survive with below-average abilities across the board.

“I understand that. I believe the coach is aware that I played point guard, shooting guard, and even small forward in college. At the time, I shared the coach’s concerns, but Steve Fisher, who recruited me, wanted me to play those positions and believed it was the right path for me. Of course, I know the coach has far more experience with players and training than I do. However, I don’t believe my physique is currently adequate for the NBA. I believe strength and stamina are fundamental virtues for any player, regardless of skill.”

Youngjae stared at Coach Casey with unwavering eyes, then bowed his head and politely requested,

“I hope the coach will grant my request.”

Could there be a rookie who could so coldly assess himself, identify his weaknesses, and offer such a candid evaluation? And how many rookies would willingly embark on the arduous path of addressing those weaknesses?

After careful consideration, Casey felt a surge of excitement. This rookie was the real deal. He was determined to nurture him properly. The desire to create a masterpiece as a coach, a desire he hadn’t felt in a long time, was rekindled by Youngjae.

Still, Casey, not entirely free of his reservations, probed Youngjae one last time.

“It will be incredibly difficult. Yoon, I acknowledge your current skill level, but I don’t consider it star-level. Technical training won’t be reduced at all. It could be hellish training leading up to the Summer League and even the start of the season. Are you still willing to proceed?”

Instead of offering excuses, Youngjae nodded slowly and firmly.

“First, focus on today’s game. I’ll brief you on the details at the start of team training. And regarding Yoon’s weaknesses…”

Coach Casey immediately recognized what was most needed to improve Youngjae’s muscular endurance. As if to demonstrate his dedication to self-improvement, Youngjae impressed the training camp with his remarkable flexibility and agility for his height. He had clearly gained strength, but Youngjae had a significant flaw.

‘They are not mutually compatible.’

He struggled to exert strength consistently while performing flexible movements. Reflecting on yesterday’s 1-on-1 with Boboua, Youngjae’s approach to dealing with Boboua’s speed and power was clever. He cut off the ball or drew offensive fouls before Boboua could accelerate, denying him the opportunity to gain momentum.

While slower than Boboua in a straight-up strength contest, Youngjae possessed the quickness and unique flexibility necessary to succeed in the NBA, along with a textbook side step [a step to move sideways]. He also used his built-up strength to avoid being pushed back by Boboua, making it difficult for him to shoot.

However, Youngjae only utilized flexibility or speed when those attributes were specifically required, and strength only when strength was needed. Without his age-inappropriate, seasoned, and sly play to confuse opponents and create favorable situations, Youngjae’s weaknesses would have been exposed long ago.

“Yoon’s problem is that strength, speed, and flexibility aren’t expressed simultaneously. He’s adequately masking this weakness with experience and skill beyond his years, but… if Yoon could unleash all of his ‘physical energy’ in any situation, yesterday’s Boboua would have been overwhelmed without even resorting to brute strength. Developing your abilities is important, of course, but what Yoon needs most right now is the ability to access all of his energy at once.”

Youngjae was surprised to hear something he hadn’t even considered. In fact, Youngjae was genuinely taken aback. He had certainly experienced frustrating moments when he thought, “If I had a little more strength here, a little more speed there…” He had attributed these regrets to a lack of overall ability, but Coach Casey was approaching the problem from a completely different angle.

“Yoon, we’ll conduct one hour of individual training starting today. We’ll plan your training in consultation with Darrell Armstrong, a Mavericks expert in the field you’re interested in (Darrell Armstrong: Darrell Armstrong served as an assistant coach for 6 seasons with the Mavericks as of 2014, primarily focusing on the development of young players. He also participates in the Summer League, guiding young players alongside veterans, according to the Mavericks official website).”

At Coach Casey’s words, Youngjae nodded and left the office, satisfied with the outcome. Now he just had to prepare for today’s game.

2:00 PM (US Summer Time Applied). Cox Pavilion Center. Las Vegas.

This is where the first game of the Las Vegas Summer League between the Denver Nuggets and the Dallas Mavericks will be held. While it could be considered a Summer League opening game, the Summer League doesn’t truly have the significance of an official opening.

Even so, it’s an important opportunity to make a name for themselves in front of spectators and the media. Among the players participating in the Summer League, only a select few are drafted and have guaranteed contracts. In Dallas, only Boboua and Youngjae have guaranteed contracts; the rest are invited players, meaning they don’t have formal affiliations with a team and only sign a Summer League contract for the duration of the event.

Given it’s the Summer League, the defense will be relatively lax, and there will be a lot of individual play. Since the players are newly assembled, complex passes will be rare, and only simple, pre-arranged plays will be executed. Of course, players of a certain caliber will still produce high-level plays.

Youngjae stepped onto the court wearing the Dallas Mavericks uniform for the first time. Of course, it’s different from the Mavericks uniform worn during the regular season.
The starting lineup alongside him consisted of point guard Rodrigo Boboua, small forward Mohamad Faye, power forward Deshaun Sims, and center Musa Sek.

The opposing Denver Nuggets featured point guard Dontaye Draper, shooting guard Ty Lawson, small forward Brian Hamilton, power forward Othello Hunter, and center Brian Butch, lining up against Youngjae and the Dallas players. His matchup would be Ty Lawson.

‘Ty Lawson…’

Ty Lawson of the Denver Nuggets was the team’s starting point guard in the mid-2010s when Youngjae was an active NBA player in his past life. Despite being a shorter player at 6-0 (183cm), he excelled at initiating fast breaks and delivering bold, quick passes. However, his limitations were also apparent: the challenges of being a shorter player, a high assist-to-turnover ratio, and recurring minor injuries hindered his progress.

Youngjae stared at Ty Lawson without a word and finished greeting the opposing players. Unlike Boboua, he had actually faced Ty Lawson in his past life. At that time, Youngjae’s skills were inferior to Ty Lawson’s, and he lost the matchup. Youngjae remained vigilant.