Chapter 2: Vic's Forest Devil Executor
Winston-Salem is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina, also known as Winston and Camel City.
Winston-Salem is not a big city, with only 150,000 people, but it's also not small. It's the fourth largest city in North Carolina. However, this small town has a private university that ranks among the top 30 in the US, Wake Forest University.
It's early June now, the NCAA crazy March has ended, and all NCAA teams are in the off-season. There are still more than five months before the start of next season. Some seniors from Wake Forest University have left the team, so currently, there are only five players on the Wake Forest Demon Deacons team, including 1 freshman, 2 sophomores, and 2 juniors.
Zhuang Fei is the formal coach of the Vikings Forest basketball team, he lives in a special apartment provided by the school for him, where he lives is very close to the team's gymnasium. Zhuang Fei got up very early this morning and now wants to go take a look at those players under his command.
The Wake Forest University basketball team has always been a strong contender in the NCAA, and this year they even made it to the final 16 of the NCAA tournament. So this team is also one of the star teams at Wake Forest University. The school's treatment in all aspects is also very good.
"Tim, I really don't know what you're insisting on. If I were you, I would definitely go to the draft this year. You're the champion and super hot right now."
"Stephen, if you're in such a hurry, go yourself."
"Me? Tim, don't be kidding me, I gave up a long time ago. You and Lando are the most likely to make it into the NBA. Lando is already trying out for the Pistons, while you're still stuck in this small town of Windsor. The Warriors have been calling you for over a month now."
"I don't care" Tim Duncan slammed down on Stephon Green's body, then a quick turn around, and the blue challenge was hit.
"Ah, ouch, Tim, can't you be gentler? After all, we're teammates."
Zhuang Fei arrived at the training hall, and the players were already there, divided into groups of two or three to practice. Zhuang Fei took a glance around and quickly found a familiar figure under the basket on the left side - Tim Duncan.
"Steven, you're in trouble, the coach is here."
"Ah, yesterday's shot wasn't intentional, coach will understand, let's gather together"
"Mark, why are you the only one here? Where's Bill?" Zhuang Fei knew from the Wang Dynasty system that this black man was his team's assistant coach, but now the team had five players and an assistant coach short of a full lineup, specifically the scout Bill Lanbo in the system.
"Didn't Bill go to scout high school players last month? You forgot?"
"Really?" Zhuang Fei nodded, although he wasn't very familiar with the American NCAA, but he also knew that here, college recruits were all invited by coaches from various high schools. Wake Forest may not be as strong as fellow ACC teams Duke and North Carolina, but it's still a traditional powerhouse, and recruiting players is also a very cautious process.
Looking at these players, Zhuang Fei nodded secretly. From the data on the Wang Dynasty system, except for Duncan, the ratings of the other four players were not high. This team can be said to rely solely on Duncan, and it's not easy to achieve results. However, seeing this slightly immature future first great power forward, Zhuang Fei was still very happy. He had never thought that one day he would coach a player like Duncan.
"Everyone is about to go on holiday soon, our team has performed well this season and everyone's mood is good too," said Zhuang Fei with a smile to the group of players.
"Yes, coach, this season we are the ACC league champions and a top 16 team in the country"
"This year we had two players on the All-American First Team, but unfortunately Lando went to the draft this year." Stephon Green said with a hint of regret and a smile.
This is the player who smashed Zhuang Fei yesterday. Zhuang Fei recognized him from the photo shown by the Wang Dynasty system.
Stephen Green, 20 years old, 2.06m, sophomore, position: PF, shooting: 40, defense: 55, offense: 40, physical talent: 55, ability rating: 50
Potential grade: C+ (potential grades are divided into nine levels: A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C, C-, with A+ potential representing a player who can grow into the best)
Players with high ability are 95-99, A is 90-94, A- is 85-89, B+ is 80-84, B- is 75-79, C+ is 70-74, C is 65-69, C- is
60－64）
System Evaluation: A very mediocre attacking player with some development value, can grow into a good role player, recommended to develop in the defensive direction.
Zhuang Fei used to play NBA Live's dynasty mode, and players like him were usually second-round picks or undrafted free agents. However, according to Zhuang Fei's understanding, Stephon Green was a starter for the team.
"Stephen, are you satisfied with the team's performance last season? Did you and Steve have the same idea?" Zhuang Fei interrupted Stephen Green.
"Yes, our team has been established until now, and the number of times we have entered the top 16 is only thirteen. This achievement is already very good." Stefan Green continued to say. The other players did not speak, but they also agreed with Stefan Green's statement.
"It seems like you guys are thinking the same way as Steve, I don't deny that Coach Odom did a great job leading the team last season, but this season, our goal is only one, and that's to win the NCAA championship and the first title in school history."
Seeing the surprised expressions of the players in front of him, Zhuang Fei was very satisfied. This was exactly the effect he wanted.
"Zhuang, are you okay? The overall champion? How is this possible?" Mark Allen, who had been quietly listening beside Zhuang Fei, could no longer remain silent.
"You didn't hear that wrong, our goal this year is the overall championship, we need to go further, I know it's unthinkable for you because there are too many teams in NCAA stronger than us, but that doesn't mean we don't have the ability to win the overall championship"
Zhuang Fei ignored Mark Allen who was still trying to interject and continued speaking.
"I need everyone to understand that last season we performed very well, but it's still far from enough. Our limit shouldn't just be the round of 16. I don't want you all to be complacent and lose your goals because of this. Tim, are you satisfied with the team's performance in the round of 16? Do you think the team has the ability to win the championship?" Zhuang Fei suddenly shifted his gaze, looking steadily at Duncan among the players, and everyone else also turned their attention to Duncan.
"We can get the championship"
Zhuang Fei nodded in satisfaction, Duncan was one of the sources of his confidence. Although it would be out of place to mention winning the championship today, Zhuang Fei knew that as a new head coach, he must have his own coaching philosophy and goals. Even if this philosophy and goal were not realistic, they could still make these players feel a sense of identity and responsibility. The biggest fear for a new coach was to be bound by conventional rules, which would lead to being confined by the previous successful coach and losing one's self, thus losing the respect of the players. If all the players were stuck in the mindset of last season under Coach Odom's leadership, and Zhuang Fei's goal was only to be like Odom, then he would never be able to break free from Odom's framework.
"Alright, that's settled. Now the school is about to have a holiday, I hope everyone can continue training during the summer vacation. Our goal is only the championship, for the championship, you need to work twice as hard, got it?"
"I understand!"
"Speak louder, your voice is too soft."
"I understand!!!!!"
"Alright, that's it, let's continue practicing then."
"Zhuang, this isn't good, I know you want to establish your authority, but if you set such a big goal and don't achieve it, you'll lose their trust," Mark Allen said worriedly.
"Mark, do you think if I don't reach the same level as Coach Odom last season, can I still stay here and continue to be a coach?"
"Alright, fine, Zhuang, you win, but you know Lando has already joined the draft, last season's dual-core this season only has Duncan alone, our strength has declined, it is impossible for this team to win the championship"
Landolf was the team's top scorer last season, Landolf Childress, who was the team's top contributor to winning the ACC championship over Duke and North Carolina last season.
"I'll think of something," said Zhuang Fei with a smile.
NCAA athletes' training and Zhuang Fei in Zhejiang such professional teams are different, they also need to attend classes, so the training time is before class in the morning and afternoon.
After school, but after Zhuang Fei's speech was over, it was clear that the morale of these players had improved a lot.
"Mark, about the team's training, I want you to make some changes."
"What's wrong with the team's training?" After Odom left, the team's training schedule was arranged by Mark Allen and Bill Lamb, who also served as a scout.
"Others' training remains the same, Stephon Green's adjustment makes him reduce shooting practice and focus on rebounding and defense. For now, let him have a good one-on-one with Duncan." According to the team's scouting report, Stephon Green is currently the second-highest potential and ability player in the team, and the scouting report also points out that he is suitable for developing into a defensive player. Apart from Duncan and Stephon Green, the other three players are not impressive to Zhuang Feizhen, with very ordinary abilities.
Under the guidance of Zhuang Fei, Mark Allen quickly arranged Stephen Green's training. Looking at Stephen Green's bitter expression and Duncan's sinister smile, Zhuang Fei was also amused.
