After everyone had finished seeing the players of our next match, we got back to court and started to practice. Coach Kyle let me do the training, so I decided to play king of the court.
Today I had brought a JBL speaker and put some music on as we started the matchups. I put "Jack Harlow - What's poppin?".
The first match and was James. This king of the court would be a defensive type of training. So today I will have to go off on them so that they can improve their tempo and attention.
I dribbled the ball in front of James and looked him in the eyes. I did an in-and-out dribble and drove through his right, I stopped and dribbled between the legs with the ball, he suddenly froze as he tried to get back to me, but I dribbled once to left and pulled it back to the right making him switch stances 3 times by the time I drove into the paint.
I quickly scored with a layup and turned around to talk to James.
"You need to be calmer. Don't switch stances easily if the guy has quick handles, he also can switch at any time. That makes it easier for you to fall. At the championship, don't try desperately to compensate for your mistake. Instead, if your teammate tries to cover for you, do the same for him, guard his opponent. This way everyone can make the best of the team." I said also directing my speech to the others.
Coach Kyle also nodded as he approved my advice.
The next was Phill. I first attracted him to the post. He did the right thing, he put his body against mine and didn't let me back him down. I answered with a pump fake and he jumped. When his feet were back on the ground I quickly scored.
Again I gave an advice.
"When you are guarding the post, try to not leave your feet to far away from each other. This way, you can put your hands up and contest the shot and prevent the pump fake. Also try to make leave your dominant foot in front of your body for quicker movement."
Next was Paul. I did the same with him, but this time when he didn't back down I did a step-back fading-away. He tried to contest but couldn't move quick enough.
"You see. This is what I talked about just now. You didn't leave your foot in front and couldn't recover quick enough. 'Pay attention to the details.' This is what the sentence means." I said again.
At Harris turn, I worked in the paint using solely footwork. Didn't even use strength.
"Good defense, Harris. Keep it up and try to work with your bench so that both of you can simulate the different routes you can make."
The best for last, they say. If the other weren't paying attention, now they were. This match was always the best; Me and Mike.
This match was longer. As I dribbled around and occasionally created separation, Mike always comes back and contests the shot. I was focused on shooting the most uncontested shot I could give.
After a few dozen of seconds I dribbled the ball in an angle that wasn't possible for Mike to see, so he thought I was going to shoot as he saw my elbow raising, without seeing my hands he jumped to contest the shot but I quickly drove to the basket to make the layup.
The spectators didn't understand well what happened, but they didn't want to ask either.
Mike smiled knowing it was inevitable. When I play one on one, I have a myriad of weapons, and in a 5v5 match, this practically doubled by the presence of teammates. That's what makes me one of the best basketball players. I can play in any situation.
"Now, everyone go with your back-up position players and try to work on what you just did. The one that defended now attacks trying to use their defense against themselves and the bench defends trying to follow the advice I just gave." I instructed after playing all the starters. The school's training facility has a lot of backboards around the court and also a few mobile ones if there's a need.
Around 5 hours passed as they practiced, as it was a 'lighter' training, they got through it well.
As we finished today's practice, me and Mike once again went home together.
When I arrived home I thought about somethings, and one thing that came through my mind was if I should raise my popularity after the state championship. Maybe that could make things more interesting.
Anyway, I took a shower and ate while talking to my parents. They were thinking about traveling when school break starts. Which means, after the State championship and before the NBA's playoff start.
After eating I went to Mike's house to play some games again.
When I arrived, I greeted uncle Jake as he was the only one home besides Mike. Aunt Rachel went out with her friends, my mother didn't feel like going, that's why she stayed at home.
"So, Jay. How is the team doing?" Uncle Jake asked me.
"It's good. You know about the SNAB's decision, right? We got our next opponent already. They are called Mountain Bears. We searched a little the team's players. They have a good SG and PF, the rest of the team is also consistent." I replied.
"So we got the win? That's good. Hahaha" Uncle Jake said half-jokingly.
After that, we kept talking about the other team and even got to discuss the NBA.
A while later I went up the stair to Mike's room. When I arrived, Mike looked at me and said.
"I thought you weren't going to come anymore. Maybe you guys could talk a little more." He said jokingly.
"You can talk, huh? Forget it, let's play." I replied.
"2k?" Mike asked.
"Yeah, sure."
"Ohh, I forgot to tell you. MyBallingGod entered in touch. He said he wanted to play some matches. He said maybe he could upload it on Youtube or live stream it." Mike said.
"Sure, why not."