Chen Yilun stood in front of Stockton's somewhat old arena.
"If the team ends up with any extra funds this year, we should use some of it to renovate this place."
Pete, the arena manager walking beside him, immediately brightened at the remark.
After all, last year—after diligently taking care of the young lady—Chen Yilun had kept his promise and given him a substantial raise. Now, Pete practically treated Chen Yilun like family. Working under a boss like this was too comfortable—he actually delivered on raises.
"How are the kids on the team doing lately?"
Chen Yilun and Pete walked into the gym, one after the other, as he asked.
"They're doing great," Pete replied, sticking close behind him.
"Ever since the young lady returned to the main team, I've been handling most of the day-to-day work here. The two new guys who joined this year have been training really hard."
"Good."
Chen Yilun murmured.
"Keep an eye on things. Stockton is short-staffed, so I'll need you managing a lot."
"No trouble at all," Pete said with a smile.
"It's all for the team."
As they spoke, they stepped fully into the gym. The sharp rhythm of fast dribbling instantly pulled their attention.
Caruso spun around and stopped on a dime, pulling up for a jumper. Anunoby stretched out his long arm, but it was too late—the ball was already arcing toward the rim.
When it dropped cleanly through the net, the players resting on the sideline burst into cheers.
"Whoooo~~~~"
"OG, can you even defend? If not, let me take a crack at him!"
"Aren't you the big defensive stopper? How many times have you gotten cooked already?"
Dillon Brooks was the loudest of them all. Loud by nature, he'd quickly become the team's walking megaphone—the guy you could hear from anywhere.
Anunoby took the teasing in stride, smiling as he shook his head.
"One more! I've got a feel for your rhythm now. I'm stopping the next one for sure!"
While the chatter was going on, one of the players with sharp eyes suddenly spotted Pete and Chen Yilun approaching. He immediately shot upright, and the others followed like reflex.
"Boss, they usually train super hard. They're just relaxing a bit right now."
Behind Chen Yilun, Pete felt sweat running down his back. When the guys were grinding like crazy, nobody came to check. But the moment they played some one-on-one? Of course Chen Yilun walked in.
"This counts as training, doesn't it?"
Chen Yilun answered casually, then turned to break down the previous play.
"OG, look—why didn't you stop that shot just now?"
"Why?"
Anunoby blinked, confused. "I guess… I was too slow?"
"No."
Chen Yilun shook his head, clearly unhappy with that answer.
"You're not slow at all."
He took the ball as he spoke, demonstrating step by step.
"Your real issue is that you're crowding Caruso too much in an attempt to apply pressure."
He continued demonstrating.
"Yes, crowding compresses the ball-handler's space and increases the chance they turn it over. But if the ball-handler makes a quick move, you lose half a step instantly."
"If you were just messing around at a pickup court bullying amateurs or semi-pros, that strategy is fine. But you're in the NBA now—and this league has no shortage of elite players."
"What do you mean?"
Anunoby asked, still a bit unsure.
"Take that last play," Chen Yilun continued.
"The goal of defense is to disrupt the shot—make the opponent miss. Not just to get steals or blocks. You could have simply stepped back and waited for Caruso's next move, using your body and speed to better interfere with the shot."
He returned the ball to Caruso.
"Try it again exactly how I described."
The two ran it back.
This time, Anunoby positioned himself a full step back. Caruso dribbled hard, attacked, and then pulled up from the free-throw line.
But now, Anunoby's right hand was nearly brushing his face. The ball bounced around the rim a couple of times before dropping in, but Anunoby stood there, thoughtful—finally understanding.
"What'd you think of that defense?"
Chen Yilun asked—directing the question not to Anunoby, but to Caruso.
"Really good," Caruso nodded.
"OG was right there. I had to change my release just to avoid getting blocked, and even then my shooting form was a bit distorted."
"You see?"
Chen Yilun smiled at Anunoby.
"That's the point of defense—forcing the opponent out of their comfort zone. He made the shot, sure, but his rhythm was already messed up. In a real game, that kind of defense can seriously disrupt an attacker's touch and timing."
Not just Anunoby—everyone fell silent, thinking.
The players still in Stockton were all clear underdogs. Even once they reached the main team, they wouldn't get many touches. So defense had naturally become their primary development path.
"Alright, almost forgot why I'm here."
Chen Yilun clapped his hands, pulling everyone's attention back.
"I've got news. It's not great for the Kings, but for some of you… it's a massive opportunity."
"Our starting shooting guard, Devin Booker, felt unwell after yesterday's game. Tests showed his shoulder injury has flared up again."
Eyes immediately lit up around the gym.
The Kings had been having a rough stretch. After Butler got injured, Booker's offensive burden skyrocketed. A few heavy-load games later, his body finally reacted.
"Alex!"
Chen Yilun called.
"Pack your things. We're heading to Sacramento."
"Me?"
Caruso froze—then his eyes burst with excitement.
"I can play in the main game!"
"That's right."
Chen Yilun smiled.
"I heard you and LeVert had great chemistry here in Stockton. I'm expecting you two to keep that going for me on the NBA court."