The Best Point Guard-Chapter 71 - 6: [Coach, What’s the Next Training Subject?]

Chapter 71: Chapter 6: [Coach, What’s the Next Training Subject?]

Before his trainer Tim Grover arrived, Su Xi specifically woke up the Little Elf to scan his talents.

Super Explosiveness Talent. (90% integrated.)

Super Strength Talent. (93% integrated.)

Super Flexibility Talent. (94% integrated.)

Super Speed Talent. (74% integrated.)

Elite Leaping Talent. (Upgraded from Normal Leaping Talent, boosted by the Explosiveness Talent.)

Elite Coordination Talent. (Upgraded from Normal Coordination Talent, boosted by the Super Flexibility Talent.)

Elite Agility Talent. (Upgraded from Normal Agility Talent, boosted by the Super Speed and Super Flexibility Talents.)

Elite Stamina Talent. (Purely from training. Recovery speed is insane.)

The Little Elf’s talent rating system: Normal, Elite, Excellent, Top-Tier, Super.

At the NCAA level, Su Xi’s overall talent was definitely top-tier. He could exploit mismatches against many opponents and could even contain a lottery pick like Collison. However, at the NBA level, his average stats wouldn’t be enough. Anyone who makes it to the NBA is bound to be talented. But in terms of strength, flexibility, and explosiveness, he was certainly first-rate. If his talents were fully integrated, he could reach the absolute peak.

In the NBA, having three top-tier talents, combined with average basketball skills and the right tactical system, gives a player a chance to become an All-Star.

To become a superstar, you need even more. You either need balanced development across all talents—a well-rounded "no-weaknesses" type of player with comprehensive skills. Or you need multiple top-of-the-line talents, skills and basketball IQ that are above average, and a compatible skill set.

Tim Grover and his assistant conducted physical assessments for Su Xi and James.

The basic combine data for both players was quickly available.

Combine Data:

Player: LeBron James.

Position: Small Forward.

Body Fat: 6.7%.

Barefoot Height: 203.4 cm (6’8.1").

Weight: 111.2 kg (245.2 lbs).

Wingspan: 214 cm (7’0.3").

Standing Reach: 269.9 cm (8’10.3").

Standing Vertical Leap: 97 cm (38.2").

Standing Jump Reach: 364 cm (11’11.3").

Max Vertical Leap: 110 cm (43.3").

Max Jump Reach: 380 cm (12’5.6").

Draft Comparison: Magic Johnson, Pippen, Jamal Mashburn.

Combine Data:

Player: Su Xi.

Position: Point Guard.

Body Fat: 7.2%.

Barefoot Height: 192.3 cm (6’3.7").

Weight: 91.5 kg (201.7 lbs).

Wingspan: 206.6 cm (6’9.3").

Standing Reach: 260.1 cm (8’6.4").

Standing Vertical Leap: 70 cm (27.6").

Standing Jump Reach: 326 cm (10’8.3").

Max Jump Reach: 343 cm (11’3").

Max Vertical Leap: 84 cm (33.1").

Draft Comparison: Mark Jackson, Andre Miller.

Su Xi had gained a bit of height and weight.

Based on the data, James’s talent was clearly superior to Su Xi’s.

However, when compared to other players at his position, Su Xi’s advantages in height and wingspan were significant. While his vertical leap wasn’t outstanding, the NBA has plenty of excellent ground-bound players.

Grover then conducted some dynamic tests, including strength tests, explosiveness tests, and speed tests.

After a series of tests, he began to design customized training regimens for the two players. 𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

"Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant both came to me for their training plans. But even they would slack off sometimes, moments where they couldn’t push through. Can you two handle it?"

He was starting off with a challenge. For young men, if you give them two formidable rivals to chase and provide them with the tools to surpass them, they’ll push themselves to the limit.

It was a trick Grover had used time and again, and it never failed.

James declared loudly, "Coach, I hired you to surpass everyone, including Jordan and Kobe."

"Good. Lots of spirit," Grover said approvingly.

Then he turned to Su Xi. "And you? Our NCAA superhero."

"I want to know what their training regimen was. How is it different from mine? And will mine be more difficult than theirs? I demand extra work on top of whatever they did!"

The moment Su Xi spoke, he stunned Grover.

’Is he really this intense?’

James was also surprised and glanced at Su Xi. ’Don’t be such a try-hard, man. It’s a gradual process.’

"Everyone’s physical foundation is different, so every training plan is different. Jack, just focus on completing your own regimen first. We can talk about other things after that," Grover said.

He then arranged for his assistant to start training with James while he personally took charge of Su Xi.

Grover’s training methods were certainly unique. He had Su Xi work on his explosiveness.

Following his methods, Su Xi felt his Super Talents stirring within him, attempting to integrate further.

Su Xi’s explosiveness was already at the Top-Tier level, with a rating of 90. The higher the rating, the more difficult it became to integrate.

This proved Grover’s reputation was well-earned.

He was, after all, the top trainer who had been with Jordan for 17 years.

His training methods were a perfect match for Su Xi.

After an hour of training under his guidance, Su Xi was completely exhausted.

Then Grover handed him some ice packs and let him rest a bit.

Just then, that monster James collapsed next to Su Xi, not in much better shape himself, panting heavily.

Su Xi seemed even more tired, his chest heaving violently as if he were trying to expel every last bit of air from his lungs.

"Is this how Jordan trained?" LeBron James asked Grover.

Grover said, "No, LeBron. Jordan’s first training session was far more grueling than this. That was a truly hellish workout."

LeBron immediately sat up, chugged a pre-mixed nutrition drink with a GLUG GLUG GLUG, and said, "Ten more minutes of rest, then we continue."

Grover nodded in satisfaction. In terms of conspicuous physical gifts, James wasn’t far behind Jordan, even holding an advantage in size and weight. But when it came to the unseen talents—coordination, flexibility, agility—they weren’t on the same level. That was why Jordan had been able to hone his skills to a state of near-perfection.

While training for explosiveness, Su Xi’s flexibility caught Grover completely by surprise. He had never seen an athlete with such a limber torso; it was like watching a female pole dancer. He’d thought Jordan and Kobe were already incredible, but visually, Su Xi seemed even more pliable.

Moreover, his core strength was immense... his trunk strength was even greater. That was why Su Xi could hold his ground against Collison’s low-post game and wrap around him for the steal.

In Grover’s opinion, the talent of Kansas’s star big man, Collison, was nothing special. He might have seemed unstoppable in the NCAA, but if he didn’t adapt his game for the NBA, he’d be weeded out quickly.

About 12 minutes later, while Grover was still contemplating the next phase of the training plan, Su Xi, who had been lying on the floor, sat up. He picked up a bottle of the nutrition drink and slowly drank it down.

Grover stared at Su Xi in disbelief. Su Xi slowly rose to his feet, rotated his wrists and ankles, and then performed a couple of forward folds... easily placing his palms flat on the floor.

He looked as if he hadn’t just gone through more than an hour of intense training.

"Coach, let’s keep going. What’s the next drill?"

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