After the Kings secured a home victory over the Raptors, Jake boarded a flight to Cleveland, bracing himself against the biting cold wind of Sacramento. "It's getting chillier by the day," he muttered, wrapping his coat tighter as he stepped into the cabin and found his seat in first class.
"Boss, are we really booking first-class seats for this trip?" Miller, who had just taken the seat beside him, asked a bit timidly.
"What kind of question is that?" Jake raised an eyebrow at Miller. "I've put my heart and soul into this team! I think I deserve a little comfort. Anyone who's got a problem with it can talk to me face-to-face!" He took the warm towel from the flight attendant and wiped his face, rolling his eyes slightly. It was about time he enjoyed some perks after all his hard work—first as a player, then as a manager. Young folks like Miller just didn't get it sometimes.
Miller quickly tried to shift the subject. "So, why are we on this scouting trip, Boss? Couldn't Coach Finley or one of the assistants have taken this?"
"Not enough people on staff," Jake sighed, pulling a newspaper from his bag. "The other coaches are tied up prepping for tomorrow's game against the Hawks. And you, still have a lot to learn. You'd just be wandering around if you went alone."
Jake and Miller were in Cleveland to scout a possible Eastern Conference Finals matchup between the Cavaliers and the Wizards. Tonight's game marked the first time the full-strength Wizards would face the Cavaliers on their home turf. And though he didn't say it out loud, Jake had another reason for making the trip. If the Eastern teams weren't stacking up as he hoped, he was ready to stir the pot before the trade deadline.
By nightfall, they were seated courtside at the Cavaliers' Quicken Loans Arena, surrounded by Cleveland fans who had shown up in full force to support their team. Settling into his seat, Jake called a passing vendor over and ordered a drink, sipping slowly while taking in the lively crowd.
"Boss, what are you looking for?" Miller asked, noting Jake's subtle glances around the stands.
"Scouting the competition," Jake replied, a small smile playing on his lips. "We're not the only ones here keeping an eye on this game. See over there?" He gestured with his drink. "That guy glued to his phone? That's Sean Sweeney, assistant coach for the Bucks and Kidd's right-hand man. And down there? That's Tom Steiner, an assistant coach for the Raptors and a protégé of Coach Casey."
"Wow, you know everyone, huh?" Miller remarked, impressed.
"Flattery won't get you anywhere," Jake smirked, sitting back. "Stick around the league long enough, and you'll know everyone. With only about a hundred key players in each organization, it's a tight circle."
Just then, Jake noticed Steiner eyeing him from a few rows away, eyebrows furrowed. "What's he doing in the East?" he muttered to his assistant.
"Relax. He can't touch us from the Western Conference," the assistant replied.
"Don't underestimate him," Steiner replied cautiously. "Whenever Jake shows up, there's always some plot brewing."
As the game began, the focus shifted to the court. With Irving out due to injury, Mo Williams stepped in for the Cavaliers, while the Wizards were fielding a full roster. Cousins won the tip-off against Thompson, handing the ball off to Wall, who drove up the court with his trademark speed and precision. Setting up the play, Cousins laid a high screen, giving Wall an open lane. Wall dashed into the paint, drawing Thompson up to defend. Cousins slid to the three-point line, while Williams scrambled to cover him. Wall faked a drive, then pulled back, leaving Thompson out of position before sinking a clean jumper.
"Cousins is really tuned into Wall," Jake murmured, noting the shift. Cousins, typically hesitant to fully integrate with other players, had finally committed to playing as a team. Most inside players like him resisted sharing the spotlight, but that was exactly what Cousins was doing tonight. It reminded Jake of peak Howard, who had struggled to work with outside players, favoring solo tactics instead. That style worked until physical fitness waned, forcing players into obscurity.
"Wall really has Cousins on board," Jake noted to Miller. "Keep that in mind. Cousins' chemistry with Wall means the Wizards don't have any glaring weaknesses on offense."
Just as Jake finished, the Cavaliers took possession. LeBron James seized the ball, dribbled to the arc, and with a swift, powerful start, bypassed the defense to throw down a thunderous dunk.
Jake turned to Miller. "Remember this, too. The Wizards' front line has a soft spot—they'll struggle against someone like James in the playoffs."
To acquire Cousins, the Wizards had traded Porter and their newly acquired rookie Oubre. Coupled with Cousins' big contract, they hadn't been able to reinforce their front line. With makeshift veterans and G-League players in those spots, they would face a serious mismatch against James' strength and athleticism.
Jake's mind was already working through different scenarios, but he couldn't help but enjoy the buzz of the arena. Watching the teams clash, he knew the Eastern Conference playoffs would be a thrilling battleground—and maybe, with a little push, he could shift the balance to ensure his team had the upper hand.