Pascal. Siakam has been in the team for almost two months now, and the pace of progress in that time has been very exciting.

In NBDL games, Siakam already has a 38.7% three-point shooting percentage. Of course, playing NBDL games alone will certainly not be effective in improving Siakam's technical level. So, Siakam is the only player on the Mad Ants to play against the NBDL but train with the first team.

That said, Siakam often had to go back and forth between the Mad Ants and the Pacers. It's likely that just after training with the Pacers in the afternoon, he'll have to take a long-distance bus ride to Fort Wayne and then compete in the next day's Mad Ants game.

Although the days of such a rush were very hard, Siakam lived an extremely fulfilling and happy life. After all, being called back to training from time to time at least proves that Henson values him. At least he knew he was still part of the team's plans.

Today, as always, Siakam stepped out of his rental house with anticipation into the banker's life arena. Looking at the huge player posters outside the arena, Siakam also hopes to appear on these posters one day.

When he walked into the locker room, everyone was very friendly to Siakam and didn't snub him because he was playing an NBDL game.

In teams with Henson, the dressing room atmosphere is usually very good. Because when a group of people really become a whole and are willing to work towards the same goal, there are few contradictions and conflicts between individuals.

Siakam, as always, began to change his shirt and gear, and then the first to set foot in the training gym to warm up. Forty minutes later, Pacers head coach and general manager Henson Henson. Joe showed up on the training ground. Everyone greeted him, and Henson smiled and nodded at everyone.

Everything seemed to be the same as usual, the only difference was that Siakam noticed that Coach Henson seemed to look at him a little more today.

In the afternoon, confrontational training, this is the time of the day when Siakam is most excited. Although it was only an intra-team practice, it was one of Siakam's few opportunities to play at an NBA-level level.

When you're on the court against Antetokounmpo, Channing. When Frye is waiting for players, and going to the NBDL to face players who can't play in the NBA, it's a completely different concept.

Siakam cherishes the opportunity to participate in confrontational training every time, and at the same time plays very seriously every time. Henson, on the other hand, has always liked players who are more serious in training.

On the pitch, Siakam covered for Brogdon on the bench first team. Brogdon bravely broke through, but was held back.

Despite this, Brogdon did not panic, but calmly passed the ball back to Siakam outside the three-point line!

Two months ago, Siakam was largely unshooting threes. Even Raptors coach Devin. Casey agrees that Siakam is not a good three-point shooter.

But now, in the face of this three-point opportunity, Siakam did not hesitate, but directly threw the ball.

The basketball crossed a very high arc and finally hollowed into the net in the eyes of everyone!

"Well done!" Brogdon yelled at Siakam and slapped him on the ass. Although only a rookie, Henson found leadership qualities in Brogdon that didn't match his playing age.

"You've got your chance, well done, man." Antetokounmpo, the new billionaire, also patted Siakam on the shoulder, he didn't forget what Henson had told him to help Siakam regain some confidence.

After receiving praise from both teammates, Siakam showed his white teeth. The guy smiled very shyly, but Henson off the court knew. Behind the shyness is actually a crazy beast!

"This guy is getting more and more confident in his three-point shots, and I think he has the ability to open up space." With his hands on his chest, Henson on the sidelines with his own player development consultant Steve Henson. Nash began to talk.

"He's working hard, as long as there's no game on the NBDL side, he's going to practice from morning to night. When it comes to shooting, Siakam is like a tireless shooting machine. Of course, the other players seem to like him very much and give him some guidance from time to time. But I have to say that this kid's progress is still amazingly fast. Two months ago, he was inconsistent even with mid-range shots. But now, his open three-point shooting percentage is very secure. ”

Listening to Nash, Henson smiled even more smugly. It seems that the badge bonus of progress speed is very useful for Siakam.

"Do you think he's ready?" Henson asked again.

"What do you mean?"

"Preparing to play in the NBA."

"Of course," Nash replied without thinking, "he's definitely going to play in the NBA, and this kid has everything he takes to be a good role player." The only thing is that it will be slightly worse in terms of self-confidence. There is no problem with his ability, the only thing that needs to be improved is self-confidence. ”

"Hmm......" Henson touched his chin thoughtfully.

Tomorrow, the Pacers' opponent after the victory over the Cavaliers is James' previous club, the Miami Heat. Today's heat is naturally not as good as it was back then. Not only did they lose James, they also lost Wade and Bosh at the same time.

Therefore, the current Heat lineup is actually not very strong. Even if the Heat have Whiteside, an incomparably inspirational two-pair machine, it's hard to change the fact that they're not as good as they were back then.

According to Henson's research on the Heat in the past two days, he said that the No. 4 position of the Heat team is their "hardest hit area." ”

Their starting No. 4 was Luke. Although Babbitt was very famous in college, after entering the NBA, he fell into the embarrassment of "not being three, not four".

Playing in the No. 4 position, his defensive and confrontational ability is a weakness. Let's play the No. 3 position, which is ridiculously slow in today's small-ball era. Babbitt averaged 21 points per game in his final year at university, but only seven points per game in his career-high season since entering the NBA.

On the bench, James. Johnson, despite his rough playing style, looks more powerful than Babbitt. But the guy was considered a bit crazy to go too far, with frequent turnovers, inconsistent shots, and a penchant for gambling defense.

He's crazy, and that's both his strength and his weakness.

Overall, the Heat can't even find a consistent figure at the No. 4 spot. If Siakam needs to find confidence, the next game is undoubtedly the best chance!

Of course, if Siakam faces Luke tomorrow. Babbitt and James. Johnson's inability to play well was doubly damaging to his confidence.

Henson thought about it and made his decision. He believed that the worst kind of situation would not be for Siakam.

※※※

By the time Siakam finished his day's workout, it was half past nine in the evening. Half an hour ago, Antetokounmpo left the arena. As a result, Siakam was the only one left in the entire training hall.

He practiced his 500 shots and sat on the floor sweating. Siakam looked up and saw how the three championship fakes hanging in the training hall were so eye-catching.

Winning an NBA championship as a key player, Siakam fantasized about something like this in his head countless times. Most boys who like basketball actually have this fantasy too.

And now, he has the opportunity to turn his fantasy into reality.

He still remembers training today, Coach Henson kept his eyes on him and discussed something with Nash. He believes his performance has certainly caught the attention of the manager.

Moreover, when he first joined the team, Henson assured him that he would definitely become a full member of the Pacers.

It is precisely because of Henson's attitude that Siakam will work so tirelessly. Because he believes that his efforts will be rewarded.

After a short break, Siakam made a phone call to the general manager of the Mad Ants, George Brown. Jordan. He told Jordan that he would like to take the bus to Fort Wayne tomorrow morning to join the team, and then take part in joint practice and games in the afternoon.

"Joining up with the team? Are you tired Pascal, you don't play with the Mad Ants. ”

"What did you say!?" Siakam looked confused, the last time someone spoke to him like that, he was traded to Indianapolis. This time, I shouldn't be traded again!

"Henson didn't tell you? You're going to Miami tomorrow with the Pacers. You're going to play at the American Airlines Center, kid. Tomorrow, you'll play in a Pacers jersey. ”

Siakam's mouth was wide open, and he couldn't say a word for a long time. The resolute boy's eyes were also rosy.

Meanwhile, Henson, who was at home in Carmel, looked at the time and thought to himself that Siakam must be dying of excitement by now.

He deliberately didn't tell Siakam just to surprise him. Henson's bad taste is sometimes quite heavy.