Linndale GM Roberto Gurgone looks at the trophy case in the team complex.
“I know what you’re thinking,” head coach Pio Reina said to his longtime friend and teammate. “Enjoy it, but don’t dwell on it. We still have work to do.”
“Yeah,” Roberto replied. “We still haven’t won a thing in Division III. I suppose we ought to get down to business. Let me guess, Byron has the bigs, Marshall has the wings, Air has the guards, and we’re getting the entire squad. No rookie meeting?”
“Not this year. Time for men to be men and leaders to lead. We’re going to find out which of our veterans can lead. It’s time for some guys to show up or grow up…”
At a local restaurant in a private dining room…
Happy Ourer sat at a table with his colleagues Joshua Doe, Jimmy Buckitts, and Sam Dunkley. “Alright,” Happy said, “Jimmy, what do you see from the bigs?”
“Happy, the team upgraded the center position, but we don’t know what it actually looks like yet. Renato Corro was ineligible for the playoffs. The team grabbed him with an eye towards this season. This move puts a target on the back of Ondrej Lecian. He needs to starting showing up and showing out. Rookie Duane Carlson is a non factor. Pere Vendrell should continue the strong development path he was on once he was acquired. I think he forces his way into a prominent role. Gian-Luca Twaruschek is the guy to watch. He or Vendrell should anchor the second unit, likely with Rafet Ozver, who should not be slept on. Linndale is deeper up front than they ever have been. We all know what Joy Beko brings to the table. This is as deep a group as we’ve seen in Linndale top to bottom.”
On the practice courts…
Byron Helms looked at the group. “Team assignments on the board. Rookies sub in for whichever team calls you, so pay attention. If you guys aren’t in shape we’ll find that out fast. Full court, first team to 100 wins, myself, coach Allnite, and coach Richards will call the fouls. Point guards, run your squads...
At the restaurant…
“Joshua,” asked Happy, “you can’t be serious about that, can you?”
Joshua calmly spoke. “Happy, I said what I said. This is the best and deepest roster I’ve ever seen here, but there are some serious concerns here. Inside offense is a concern. Who is that guy that has to be stopped? Who’s starting with Beko? Corro makes the most sense, but I suspect it’s a contest between Ozver, Twaruschek, and Vendrell. This season has to be about Linndale fundamentals; defense, rebounding, and ball security. We’re going to have to outwork everyone, and don’t get me started on the shooting!”
On the practice courts…
“Well Marshall, Pio is in midseason form.” Byron was amused.
“Think we ought to step in and be the voice of reason,” asked Marshall.
“Nope. We’re gonna have to ride this group hard, Marshall. I got 7 bigs. I‘m gonna have to lean on 2 and make the others force their way into our plans. They have to.”
“Well, I got 4 wings. I might need to borrow a couple of your guys on occasion. Looking in the backcourt, I don’t know that Frias will be made available to me this season, and Air is gonna have to use Kops and Bodura a lot. Gonna need to get Uzek more court time somehow. Ultimately, everyone is going to have to step it up. Even us coaches.”
Air Allnite walked over to Marshall and Byron. “Marshall, we’ll talk who’s available and where with Pio. Byron, expect the same deal as last season. Staff meeting after practice, boys.”
Last edited by Speedtraps at 9/19/2024 12:41:28 AM