Sports Medicine Master System-Chapter 53: The Ranking Match for First in the East

Chapter 53: Chapter 53: The Ranking Match for First in the East

On the training court, the sharp squeak of sneakers against the floorboards filled the air.

The Magic’s head Trainer, Daniel Ingles, blew his whistle. With a collective groan, nearly every player on the court collapsed to the floor.

"Get up."

Daniel clapped his hands as he walked over, signaling a few other trainers to help pull all the players back to their feet.

"Darrell." Ings approached Armstrong, his tone filled with disbelief. "You’re faster. Faster than you’ve been in the last two years. It’s incredible, truly. I was worried you wouldn’t be able to keep up."

In truth, Ings didn’t want to train them this hard. In his experience, a sudden spike in training intensity mid-season was most likely to result in injuries.

But Pleasance insisted, and there was nothing he could do.

That’s why he paid special attention to veterans like Armstrong and Monty, who both had old injuries. He was afraid this high-intensity training would cause them to flare up.

To his surprise, however, these guys had all managed to endure it. Not only that, they were even showing results.

Armstrong, panting like an ox, waved his hand dismissively and asked if it was over.

’This is insane.’ Three whole hours of training, and it felt like all he’d done was run.

But there was no helping it. In an era where zone defense still wasn’t allowed, you had to run to stay on your man.

The real kicker was that, just when they thought it was over, they were hit with a suicide run test. It was a true challenge to their physical limits.

Pleasance walked over.

He was very satisfied with the results.

’See? The fact that they could endure it proves these guys still had something left in the tank. They were just slacking off before.’

He clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention, then announced loudly, "I know you’re all exhausted, but we’re in a tough spot this year. To win games, we have no other choice. Fortunately, we’ve endured, and we’re seeing results. That’s why tomorrow, against the Bulls, we must win!"

After speaking, Pleasance couldn’t help but sigh to himself.

’If this were the beginning of the season, the Bulls? They were a dead bull, not even worth a second glance.’

’Now, look at us.’ Pleasance felt like they could lose to any of the 28 other teams in the league.

The players dispersed.

Armstrong turned his head, looking for Monty.

Monty was already looking his way. Their eyes met, and without another glance, they understood each other’s intentions.

"Let’s go."

Monty gave a hand signal, and Brown, Outlaw, and the others automatically fell in behind him.

Nowadays, they were relying entirely on Chen Yu’s massages and cupping therapy to keep themselves going.

「December 21st.」

The Magic hosted the Bulls at home.

Ordinarily, this would have been an unremarkable game—a classic case of two weak teams pecking at each other.

But that morning, the Magic’s management made an urgent announcement through the media.

Hill would be coming to the Waterhouse Center to watch the game.

The remaining forty percent of tickets were instantly snatched up.

His ability to sell tickets was no joke.

The media also scrambled into action at the news.

Even NBC Television made a last-minute schedule change. After broadcasting the Lakers vs. Rocket game, they would air the Magic vs. Bulls game live.

The game was at eight in the evening.

The hosts were once again Hanna Strom and Kevin Johnson.

Before the game started, the two were on a conference call with the on-site commentators, David Steel and Little Matt Guokas.

"Matt, you have a good relationship with the Magic’s management. Do you think Hill’s sudden appearance to watch the game today is a sign he’s about to return?" Kevin Johnson asked.

Little Matt Guokas was, after all, the first head coach after the Magic was founded.

Guoqias thought for a moment before replying, "I don’t think we should read too much into it. According to Chen, Hill needs to be out for two months. After he’s fully healed, he’ll still need close to two weeks to get back into game shape. So his most likely return date would be mid-to-late January of next year."

"His being here today is probably just to encourage his teammates. As you know, the Magic’s record has been terrible lately."

The mention of Chen Yu prompted Kevin Johnson to say, "I saw in the news that Penny also went to Orlando for treatment from Chen. Matt, have you seen him? How is he doing? I remember you two had a good relationship."

After he stopped coaching, Guoqias had been working as the Magic’s on-site commentator for the past two years.

Shaking his head, Guoqias said, "No, I haven’t. But Chen’s medical skills are brilliant. I do hope he can heal Penny and help him make a smooth return to the court."

Just as they were speaking, a huge cheer erupted from the stands behind them.

Over by the player tunnel, Hill emerged, dressed in a gray suit. He had Tamia on his arm, was accompanied by Weisbrod, and, of course, was followed by Chen Yu.

The entire arena instantly erupted.

Hill’s name echoed throughout the venue.

The cameras immediately cut to Hill, who smiled and waved to the stands.

Kevin Johnson’s attention, however, was on Hill. "He looks very healthy," he commented. "He must be recovering well."

The reporters swarmed him immediately.

The first question, naturally, was about Hill’s injury and whether he had a timeline for his return.

"I feel great right now. As for when I can return, you’ll have to ask Chen." Hill smiled and pointed to Chen Yu beside him.

Staring at the microphones now thrust in his face, Chen Yu silently shot Hill a dirty look.

In reality, Chen Yu hadn’t been supportive of Hill coming to watch the game in person.

’It’s not like he couldn’t watch it on TV.’

Coming to the arena for an eight o’clock game meant it would be at least ten-thirty by the time it was over. If he went home and engaged in some... ’pleasurable activities,’ it would completely disrupt the recovery schedule he had set up.

But Hill had insisted on coming.

The Magic’s recent losses had been pretty brutal.

After a moment’s thought, Chen Yu said, "Grant is recovering very well. As for when he can return, all I can say is that it won’t be long."

Over the past few days, Chen Yu had focused the effects of one Silver Level and seven Bronze Level treatments entirely on Hill’s ankle.

The damaged cartilage was regrowing and returning to normal at an incredible rate.

The original plan was for a two-month recovery, meaning early January.

But at this rate, by early January he might be able to skip team practices and go straight back to playing in games.

So saying "it won’t be long" was no exaggeration.

As the players from both teams took the court, the atmosphere in the arena grew even more intense.

So intense, in fact, that a few of the Bulls players were a little envious.

Although their franchise had the legacy of a championship dynasty, the Bulls were now tanking and rebuilding, and the United Center had long since lost its former buzz.

"Stop looking," Head Coach Tim Floyd said, clapping his hands to get his players’ attention. "Don’t let them get to you. Remember our goal for today."

Elton Brand, Ron Artest, and the other players nodded nonchalantly. ’It’s just losing a game. Do we really need a reminder for that?’

Floyd opened his mouth, wanting to say a few more words.

He actually cared quite a bit about this game.

The Magic’s current record had made him suspect that they were also preparing to tank. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Therefore, this was a crucial matchup—a seeding game to determine who would be first in the East... from the bottom.

But once the game started, Floyd, who had been sitting calmly, suddenly began to panic.

The Bulls were actually winning!

Just like a coach whose team was trailing and was getting frustrated, he shot up from his seat, walked to the sideline, and stared intently at the Magic’s number 1.

’Is this guy putting on an act?’

From what he remembered, Tracy McGrady’s drives to the basket were incredibly dangerous.

But today, it was as if the Bulls’ paint had become a no-fly zone. The first quarter was almost over, and Tracy McGrady hadn’t driven inside much at all, instead just floating around the perimeter and taking outside shots.

And to make matters worse, his shooting percentage was abysmal. Floyd hadn’t kept a precise count, but he recalled that despite taking quite a few shots, he’d only made one.

Just as he was thinking this, Ron Mercer found an opening, used a crossover to squeeze past Tracy McGrady, and threw down a spectacular one-handed slam dunk with a thunderous CRASH.

Floyd was stunned.

’Dude, just because the Magic didn’t sign you this Summer, do you have to be so desperate for revenge?’