Opening Scene – November, One Month Into the SeasonThe NBA high had worn off.
Gone were the lights and confetti of Opening Night.
Gone were the poetic write-ups and ESPN "Reaper Watch" segments.
Now?
Scouting reports. Rotations. Fatigue. Film. Ice. Repeat.
Kyle Wilson stood in the Celtics locker room staring at the rotation board.
His name?
13th Man. "Situational Minutes."
The Grind BeginsThree weeks into the season and Kyle's stats were modest:
4.7 points per game
2.9 rebounds
0.8 blocks
38% FG
24% from three
His defense?
Still above average.
But teams were adapting.
Now they dared him to shoot.
They ran him off closeouts with pump fakes.
They forced him to chase high-speed shooters around 3-point curls.
His greatest strength—defensive awareness—was now being studied.
And exploited.
Ime's WarningCoach Udoka pulled Kyle into his office.
Film playing behind him: Kyle slipping on a switch, late on a rotation, bricking a corner three.
