Jake stumbled his way down to the edge of the court just as the celebrity game ended. On the floor, rookies from the 2014 class and some from 2013 were warming up. This year's rookie game was a new twist: Team USA vs. Team World. The USA squad, led by Oladipo, Burke, and LaVine, didn't look particularly strong. In contrast, the World Team was stacked with talent: first overall pick "Maple Leaf Jordan" Wiggins, "Aquaman" Adams, "Antetokounmpo" Giannis, "Eiffel Tower" Gobert, "Blackie" Schroder, "Love Killer" Olynyk, and the under-the-radar Jokic.
2015 was a pivotal year—the first after Adam Silver took over as commissioner, and later seen as a watershed moment for the NBA. Small-ball tactics were about to sweep the league, and international players were about to take on an increasingly dominant role. In retrospect, this was the beginning of a decline in the dominance of American-born players.
Jake straightened his slightly wrinkled suit and took his spot on the sidelines, just in time to catch Jokic's eye. "How are you feeling? Nervous?" Jake asked, watching the Serbian big man sweating after his warm-up.
"Not really. Feels just like normal. Just a bit noisy," Jokic replied in his thick European accent, grinning as usual.
Jake chuckled, thinking about their past six months together. Jokic always seemed to be in good spirits, even when most rookies were crumbling under pressure. While others hit the dreaded rookie wall, Jokic handled it with ease, rewarding himself with a hearty meal and moving on. "You've grown faster than I expected," Jake thought to himself. Without Jake's influence, Jokic likely would've been playing another year in Europe. But here he was, already ahead of schedule, thriving under Divac's mentorship.
As the game kicked off, LaVine earned a starting spot, while Jokic sat on the bench, watching intently. Soon, LaVine delivered a highlight—an alley-oop dunk over Giannis, courtesy of a perfect pass from Oladipo. At this point, Giannis was still a raw, skinny player, a far cry from the muscular beast he would later become.
"Nice pass!" LaVine praised Oladipo as they retreated down the court.
"You've got hops! Didn't expect that," Oladipo replied with a grin.
Oladipo, recognizing LaVine's potential, signaled for a clear-out in the next possession, handing him the ball for a one-on-one play. It was a rare chance for LaVine, who had grown comfortable as a 3-and-D role player. Even though his team had asked him to take on more responsibility, he had fallen into the trap of sticking with what was easy—focusing on defense and three-pointers to secure playing time.
But now, with the ball in his hands and Wiggins in front of him, LaVine hesitated, unsure. From the sidelines, Jake caught his eye and gave him an encouraging nod. "Let's go!" LaVine took a deep breath and attacked.
Wiggins, with his otherworldly athleticism, was no easy challenge. He closed the gap quickly, forcing LaVine into a difficult position. But LaVine faked a drive, stepping back for a clean jumper. The ball sailed through the hoop smoothly.
"That's what I'm talking about!" Jake jumped to his feet, applauding and shouting from the sidelines. His excitement caught the attention of Team USA's coach, Gentry, who shot him a sharp look as if to say, "You're not the coach here!" Jake quickly sat back down, not wanting to risk LaVine's minutes.
Soon, the bench players, including Jokic, got their chance. Jokic and Schroder immediately connected, outsmarting the defense with their clever passing and ball movement. The rest of the World Team thrived in this system, finding easy scoring opportunities just by staying active and cutting to open spots.
With the international team dominating, only LaVine and Oladipo managed to keep the USA team competitive. By the time the fourth quarter came around, it was clear the game was over. Team World cruised to an easy victory, and Wiggins was awarded the MVP trophy for his performance.
As Wiggins accepted the award, LaVine was already packing up, thinking his night was over. But before he could leave, Oladipo approached him.
"Zach, your two teammates are beasts," Oladipo said, nodding towards Jokic and Bojan.
"Yeah, they are," LaVine replied proudly. The chemistry between Jokic and Bojan had been undeniable, their connection more seamless than anyone else's on the court.
"I'm jealous. You're in your rookie year, and your team's already on the rise," Oladipo said with a hint of envy. He had been the second overall pick the previous year, only to lose the top spot to Bennett and end up on a struggling Magic team that was likely to tank again this season. Meanwhile, LaVine had landed on a Kings team in the middle of a revival, getting a prime opportunity from the start.
LaVine nodded, grateful for his situation but understanding Oladipo's frustration. Sometimes, luck played just as big a role as talent in shaping a career trajectory.