Darius Miles didn't come to camp quiet.
He came with a stereo. Full volume. Neptunes beats rattling the locker room walls.
"New era," he said. "Old energy."
He wasn't even technically on the roster. Paxson called it a "vibe check." The Cavs front office wasn't subtle.
The vets welcomed him. Bron dapped him quick. Smush started talking louder. Ricky still hadn't shown since the 1v1.
I just kept my head down.
We opened with 3-on-3 shells. Controlled sets. Coaching emphasis: play through contact.
I got paired with Bron and Diop. Opposite: Darius, Smush, and Tractor Traylor.
First rep, Bron skipped it to me in the corner. Darius closed out hard. I shot-faked, sidestepped, hit the 15-footer.
Second rep, I drove baseline, wrapped it behind Traylor's back to Diop for the dunk.
Third, Darius jab-stepped, then hit me with a double-cross pull-up. Clean.
We went three rounds.
After, Silas pointed to me.
"New wrinkle coming. Marcello, you'll quarterback the horns delay in tomorrow's set work."
SYSTEM NOTIFICATION
Tactic Slot Unlocked: Horns Delay Leader
Prerequisite Met: Midrange + Vision
Reward: Playbook Familiarity +2, Trust +1 (Coaching)
In the film room, we broke down yesterday's scrimmage. Silas slowed the tape on a chase trap that got us a turnover.
"Watch how Marcello communicates here. Corner reads. Back foot lines. He's buying us time."
Paxson stood in the back. Didn't speak. But he wrote something down.
We hit the weight room after.
Darius was benching light but loud.
"You run like you got bricks in your pockets," he told me.
"Still beat you to the spot."
He grinned. "Maybe. But the league don't care who gets there first. Just who dunks last."
LeBron walked past us. Didn't join in. Just smirked.
I caught up with him after lifts.
"He gonna be a problem?"
Bron shrugged. "D-Miles just wants to hoop. But if they make him fight for minutes... maybe."
Then he added: "You? You're already a problem. Keep stacking."
That night I spent my last SP.
Purchase Confirmed:
Floater Fade → 5/10 (SP -1)
Playbook Familiarity → 5/10 (SP -2)
SP Remaining: 0
Next morning, we installed horns delay.
I ran the first unit.
Wing entry to Bron. Cross screen for Diop. Delay backscreen and clear-out.
Bron missed the first shot. Nailed the second. Called for the ball again.
Confidence is contagious.
Silas clapped. "That's rhythm. That's trust."
SYSTEM BOOST: Playbook Execution Tier I Activated
Bonus: Ball Control +1, Team Chemistry Modifier Unlocked
Media rolled through for a mid-camp check. Questions came fast.
"Marcello, are you making this team?"
"I'm making an impact. That's all I control."
"Ricky Davis hasn't spoken since the scrimmage. Thoughts?"
"No comment."
Paxson spoke after.
"This kid's earned his voice. He's in the mix."
That night, I watched tape alone.
Me vs. Darius. Me vs. Smush. Me vs. the expectations.
I wasn't winning every matchup.
But I was making every rep count.
And the System kept humming.
END OF CHAPTER 6
STAT SNAPSHOT
Marcello Wyatt - Undrafted Rookie Invitee
SP Total: 0
Trust Meters:
Coaching Staff: Strong (6)
LeBron James: Strong (6)
Ricky Davis: Frozen (-5)
Darius Miles: Neutral (0)
Badge Progress:
On-Ball Hound: 6/10
Floater Fade: 5/10
Communication Vision: Active
Playbook Familiarity: 5/10
Attribute Traits:
Speed: 3
Midrange Shot: 4
Defensive Read: 2
MEDIA ECHO:
"Wyatt's no fluke. Coaches trust him with sets. Vets still unsure. The undrafted guard might just crash the rotation." — Cleveland Plain Dealer