"The game is over, UCLA successfully advances to the next round, let's congratulate them! Dude, what do you think UCLA's performance will be like in the next round?" Smith began his post-game commentary.
"It's clear that Coach Ben's team focuses on outside shooting, while also using high-pressure defense to force the ball-handler. As long as Kayce maintains good form, they have a chance to keep winning."
Reggie Miller began his reverse jinx.
At this moment, Kayce was being interviewed by a Los Angeles reporter on the sidelines.
Christine was a new reporter, but with her outstanding looks and a supermodel-like figure of 178cm, she was very popular in Los Angeles.
"Hi, Kayce, you played exceptionally well in this game. Can you briefly explain how you managed to turn the tide after a slow start?"
"It's about trusting teammates, staying patient, protecting the rebounds, and executing Coach Ben's tactical arrangements. We trust each other!" Kayce was already experienced with interviews.
As soon as Christine heard Kayce's answer, she knew there wouldn't be any explosive content. Their feel good interview quickly ended, and before leaving, the blonde bombshell even gave Kayce a flirtatious wink.
Britney, who was on the sidelines, happened to see this and was instantly fuming. Anne quickly tried to calm her down. This girl was probably raised in a vinegar jar.
Kayce returned to the locker room, exhausted. By this time, his teammates were already celebrating, and Collison was even dancing.
It wasn't surprising that he was under pressure; there were too many guards participating in this draft. If they were eliminated in the first round, it would definitely affect his draft prospects, and that was all about money.
Coach Ben gathered everyone, and he started his usual motivational speech, cheering on the players.
Kayce just wanted to get back to the hotel quickly and enter the Dream Space in the early hours of the morning to see what had happened.
After returning to the hotel, Kayce took a quick shower, first replied to the well wishes from his friends and acquaintances, then cheered up Britney, and finally had a heart-to-heart with Anne.
After all that, it was almost midnight. Adjusting his posture, Kayce prepared to enter his dream.
Entering the Dream Space that had accompanied him for over 5 years, Kayce skillfully called up the holographic projection control panel.
Sure enough, an Achievement Room had been added.
After Kayce entered the Achievement Room, the sci-fi-themed room currently only contained a portrait of himself and a bronze badge.
Kayce first lightly touched the bronze badge, and a line of description appeared before him.
Achievement Badge [Posterizer]: 1/50
Increases the chance of successfully dunking over a defender and temporarily boosts stamina after a successful dunk.
Kayce was a bit stunned. He thought his Dream Space wouldn't have skill-like items appear, but this achievement badge shattered his preconceived notions.
"Was I using it incorrectly in the past?" Kayce pondered.
Kayce suddenly remembered the process by which this achievement badge appeared: it was born after he successfully posterized Thabeet.
In other words, for the past 5 years, he had been using his cheat incorrectly.
In high school, he mainly focused on shooting. Later, because Klay's dribbling was questionable, he even played point guard. After 4 years, although he won many games, his playing style was indeed rather conventional.
In his freshman year, because he was just a rookie, Kayce basically did whatever Coach Ben arranged. After Collison's injury, the team's core became Westbrook and Love.
Kayce and Luc Mbah a Moute played as wing role players. Luc Mbah a Moute handled defense and rebounds, while Kayce was responsible for outside firepower.
Thinking back, he had always relied on tough jump shots in the past. He played too safely.
As he thought about this, Kayce's mouth twitched slightly. Why didn't tough jump shots generate an achievement badge?
Was it because he didn't pound his chest and roar?
After looking at the badge, Kayce touched his portrait again, and a bunch of data immediately appeared before him.
Many data points were blank, such as post-up hook shot, post-up moves, post-up fade away, passing ability, passing vision, passing IQ, and so on. All these data fields were empty.
Some basic data already showed relevant values.
Kayce's Personality: Normal
Position: SG/SF
Weight: 97kg
Height: 200cm
Wingspan: 215cm
Standing Reach: 270cm
Speed: 84, Strength: 70, Stamina: 93, Vertical Jump: 82, Defensive Agility: 84.
Close-range Shooting: 84, Open Mid-range Shot: 84, Open Three-point Shot: 85, Free Throw: 93.
B-level Functional Drink (Unlocked).
Achievement Badges: 1
Kayce silently looked at his physical data, feeling a little relieved that years of drinking the enhanced beverage had not been in vain.
The large areas of blank data should be due to his technical deficiencies and insufficient game experience.
"To get achievement badges, I have to be more aggressive. Playing like a role player really has no future!" Kayce silently complained.
Looking at the empty Achievement Room, Kayce was filled with motivation. He had to unlock dozens of achievements!
In the next game, if there was a chance, he would have to show off fade away shots and step-back moves.
Satisfied, Kayce decided to complete his basic training and then go to the 1-on-1 training space to get a feel for things and play against Holiday.
At 5:30 AM, Kayce woke up on time, feeling discomfort in his stomach, and quickly chugged a large glass of water.
He went for his routine morning run to maintain his physical condition.
When Kayce returned to the hotel, seeing Holiday in a listless state, he knew for sure that he must have been too excited to sleep last night.
After all, he was still young.
Holiday saw Kayce walking into the dining room and immediately called out, "Kayce, over here!"
Kayce got his food and came over to Holiday, who excitedly said,
"We were on TV, brother, that was so cool! My family saw me on TV, and my little brother was so jealous!"
In yesterday's top 10 plays, Holiday's steal and assist for Kayce's dunk over Thabeet was ranked first.
"Kayce, your popularity has soared! I really hope we can make it all the way to the finals, then a first-round draft pick will definitely be no problem!" Holiday was already fantasizing about his wonderful life ahead.
"Calm down, Bro. If we win the championship, I'm really afraid you'll just faint," Kayce teased.
"If we win the championship, I can brag about it for a lifetime!" Collison also came over to join in the bragging, and everyone laughed together.
They would have a day off on the 18th, and then the Sweet Sixteen games would begin tomorrow. Coach Ben distributed the compiled materials to the players. This morning would be a simple video session, and in the afternoon, they would do some light physical activity.
After completing a day of training, Kayce was waiting at the hotel entrance for Britney and Anne to come for dinner, when he noticed Stephen Curry nearby.
"Hey, Steph, waiting for your girlfriend again?" Kayce began his journey of superficial friendships again.
One couldn't have too few acquaintances! What if it could trigger a 'Respect' achievement badge?
Stephen Curry was very enthusiastic when he saw Kayce.
"Ayesha always has to put on makeup every time she goes out. Women are always so much trouble. Kayce, your dunk yesterday was so cool!"
Although his own dunking skills were unremarkable, Curry really loved dunking.
After all, every boy has his own dunking dream!