Almighty Coach

The regular season of NBA had entered into its last month, April. It was the most competitive period of the season.

The teams at the bottom were competing to lose in order to get a better draft pick. If they accidentally won a match, they would definitely face an angry manager.

The teams at the top had confirmed their home-court advantages in the playoffs. At this time, they had to consider their first opponents in the playoffs, especially the first and second-placed teams in the Western and Eastern Conference. They could try to manipulate their rankings to select their first-round opponent. For example, they could intentionally lose to certain teams to help increase their rankings in order to remove the opponents they would rather not face in the first round of the playoffs.

The mid-tier teams in the Western and Eastern Conference, on the other hand, had begun their battle for the home-court advantage in the playoffs. For example, the fourth and fifth-placed teams in both conferences were only separated by one spot and the fourth-placed team would have one home game more than the fifth-placed team. In such situations, where the difference was insignificant, the lower-ranked team would definitely try to catch up, so that they may get one more home-court advantage. The higher-ranked team, on the other hand, would try their best to win as many games as possible to keep the extra home-court advantage.

As for the teams at the periphery of the playoff threshold, they would have to fight every game. It was highly possible that every victory they gained would help them get into the playoffs. It was also possible that a defeat would make drop them out of the running. It was even possible for both sides to have the same win/loss ratio. In such cases, their division results or their results against the entire Western Conference would have to be compared to determine which team would advance.

As for the Clippers, it was certain that they would not make it into the playoffs. Their first-round draft pick was already handed over to the Celtics, so tanking was also meaningless. Whether the Clippers obtained a good result or not, it was not important. They were more like troublemakers.

The Clippers had an away match on the East Coast. They headed towards Boston and would challenge the Celtics in an away match. After that, they would head to New York to face off against the Knicks.

…

The general manager of Boston Celtics, Dennis went to the head coach, Arnold.

“Coach Arnold, I would like to know if the team plans to rotate the players?” Dennis asked.

“You’ve got that spot on. I do plan on resting a few key players against the Clippers. It’s what the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Cavaliers did,” Coach Arnold stated. “At this point in the season, the players have expended a lot of stamina, especially our key players. They will definitely benefit from saving their strength if we can let them rest for a match or two. Moreover, the Clippers are called ‘L.A.’s Overtime Team,’ to battle against them in overtime would be detrimental for us.”

“No, we can’t rotate and rest our players,” Dennis said impatiently. “We must win this match against the Clippers!”

“Why?” Arnold looked confused and said, “We’re currently sitting firmly in second place in the Eastern Conference and we’re four games behind first place. It would be difficult to catch up in the remaining matches. Moreover, the Clippers are a Western Conference team. Our win-loss record against them won’t really affect our ranking in the Eastern Conference.”

“But the ranking of the Clippers is too high!” Dennis exclaimed.

Arnold’s expression was conveyed his confusion. What’s Clippers’ result got to do with me.

Dennis had no choice but to explain. “We have a draft pick from the Clippers. A few months ago, we were on course to get the first pick. Now, this pick is at the periphery of the lottery area. If the Clippers continues to win like this, our draft pick this year will become even less relevant.”

Arnold frowned.

Based on Arnold’s understanding, the new draft picks were quite decent. Several of the players were being touted as younger versions of the superstars in the league. That meant that everyone had high hopes for them. Arnold himself had his eyes set on some rookies too. As such, Arnold hoped to get a better pick in the draft so that he may choose the rookie he wanted.

“However, I’m more worried that the additional overtime would cause extra fatigue for our players. It will also increase their risk of being injured,” Arnold said hesitantly.

“Coach Arnold, the Clippers belong to the Western Conference, so we only face off against them twice a year. We’ve already played against them once, so this game is our only chance to suppress the Clippers. More importantly, we can show other teams in the league that, as long as victory is possible, overtime isn’t something to be afraid of!”

“Alright, I’ll put all our key players in the next game.” Arnold nodded as he agreed, reluctantly.

…

“The Celtics are actually sending out their entire first team lineup, they sure think highly of us.” Dai Li held the Celtics’ roster in his hand as he talked in a relaxed manner.

“I initially thought that a title-challenger such as the Celtics would be like the other teams, and send their substitutes to play against us. I never would have thought that they would send out their entire starting team. Looks like they really want to win,” Cassel said.

“Since the Celtics afforded such respect, we shouldn’t disappoint them. Tell the fellows, let’s play overtime again this game!” Dai Li announced. “Boston has always been the Devil’s home stadium. It has been a while since we won here in Boston, isn’t that right? This time, everyone should do their best. Even if we fail to defeat the Celtics, we will let them know that we, the Clippers, are not a team that people can just push around!”

…

“As I predicted, the game has entered into overtime. They sure are L.A.’s overtime team,” the commentator said enthusiastically.

On the sideline, the head coach of the Celtics, Arnold, looked very dispirited. He clearly did not want the game to go into overtime.

Please God, let us beat the Clippers now. Please let there be no second overtime, Arnold prayed.

It was at that moment that the point guard of the Celtics, Kerry, attempted a breakthroughl. He collided with a defensive player of the Clippers and to the ground. The referee blew the whistle, and he gave the Clippers a blocking foul.

“They’ve reached their limit on fouls. Time for free throws.” Arnold tightened both his fists as he spoke. However, Kerry remained on the floor. He did not get up and his arms were wrapped around his left knee. His expression showed that he was in great pain.

“Please don’t be injured!” Arnold became grim and his gaze radiated his sense of anxiety.

Arnold suddenly remembered that Kerry had experienced a left knee bone fracture three years ago. Two screws were screwed into his left tibia and, recently, Kerry often complained about pain in his left knee. After some examination, they discovered that it was caused by the tendinitis in his left knee. The region where the screw was had a staphylococcal infection.

Under normal circumstances, he would have sought early treatment when faced with situations like that. They would have removed the screws through surgery to prevent an even more severe infection. However, if they proceeded with surgery now, that meant that Kerry would be out for the rest of the season. The Celtics aimed to win the championship, so Kerry had to persevere through with his injury.

On the big screen of the stadium, a slow-motion clip of the breakthrough was finally shown. From a different angle, one could see that while Kerry was advancing, his left knee collided with the knee of a Clippers’ defender. It was that collision that left Kerry lying on the ground.

Oh no, a direct collision. Arnold’s entire body tightened.

The game had to be stopped as a player was injured. The team doctor made his way to the court to examine Kerry. Kerry looked to be in extreme pain. He could not stand at all, so it looked like there was no way for him to continue playing the game.

After three minutes, Kerry was carried off the court on a stretcher so that he could be looked at further. There was no way he could continue playing in the game.

Kerry was the core point guard of the team, his injury completely messed up the offensive rhythm of the team. In the next few minutes, the offensive plays of the Celtics were held off, while the Clippers caught up. The first overtime ended in a draw.

…

If Kerry had not gotten injured, there’s no way we would have needed a second overtime! Arnold complained in his head but, at the same time, he was worried about Kerry’s injury.

Kerry was an all-star player and a point guard. That meant that he was the organizer as well as the offensive playmaker of the Celtics. If he were no longer around, their entire strategy, and their strength reduced greatly.

God bless Kerry and please don’t let his injury be too severe.

As Arnold prayed to God, the Celtics were rallying themselves for an attack. The Celtics’ small forward, Gordon, ran towards the basket. The guard on the outside directly shot the ball towards the hoop with the intention of doing an alley-oop with Gordon.

However, the defenders of the Clippers were not weaklings. The center below the basket jumped up quickly and blocked the ball in the air.

At that moment, Gordon had already started his jump and was prepared to complete the alley-oop. In the end, he collided with the center of the Clippers. Both players were in the air and no one could really control their body.

However, the center weighed a little more so he had the advantage. Gordon lost his balance so, when he hit the ground, his left ankle twisted 90 degrees outwards as the impact was too great.

Gordon fell to the ground in pain. The referee had no choice but to stop the game. The players around Gordon even turned their heads away from Gordon. They didn’t dare look at Gordon’s pained expression.

It must be a bone fracture! Dai Li thought. At that moment, the team doctor, as well as Arnold, rushed over immediately.

Why? Why did someone else get injured? Looks like Gordon’s injury is far worse than Kerry’s. He can’t be out for the rest of the season! Arnold became indescribably panicked.

Gordon was an all-star player and Kerry’s injury severity was still unknown. If Gordon also got injured, the first round of the playoffs would seem hopeless.

“It’s an ankle dislocation and a humerus fracture! It would be best if he was sent to the hospital immediately for surgery,” a voice from behind everyone called out.

The doctor looked back in annoyance wondering where the claim originated from. Who dared to give such diagnosis before an X-ray was even taken? He saw Dai Li standing there.

Dai Li used the detector on Gordon, so he immediately knew Gordon’s injury. He couldn’t bear watching Gordon in pain, so he just went and told them the diagnosis so he could receive treatment as soon as possible.

“Coach Li, what did you just say? What fracture?” Arnold asked impatiently. By then, he didn’t care if Dai Li was his opponent.

“I said an ankle dislocation and a humerus fracture!” Dai Li repeated himself and said, “It’s unfortunate news, but Gordon is out for the rest of the season.”

“How do you know?” The team doctor asked, unconvinced.

“Apart from being a coach, I’m also a sports rehabilitation specialist,” Dai Li answered.

Upon hearing that, Arnold remembered Dai Li’s training center really did have a sports rehabilitation business. As the head coach of the Clippers, to have the courage to give such a diagnosis in such a situation, he would definitely have to be certain.

At the same time, Arnold realized that, if the diagnosis of Dai Li was correct, then Gordon was definitely out for the season.

Two overtimes and two key injured players. This damned game. Why did I go all out? I should’ve just been like the Spurs, the Rockets, and the Cavaliers. That way, not only would Kerry and Gordon not have been injured, they would have been able to rest for a day. I have really condemned myself!

Arnold became overwhelmed with a sense of regret.