The Inner Thoughts of AB, and the Potential Year That Won't (A)Be

[AngryBanana]

Word Count: 1,009

As Antonio Blakeney stepped onto the court for the first game of the season, he couldn't help but feel a sense of nervousness. The previous year had been a dream come true for him, winning his first championship with the Boston Celtics after six years with the franchise. But now, as he looked around at his teammates, he realized that things were different. Cade Cunningham and Gerry Folse, two of his closest friends on the team and key players in the championship run, were gone. In their place were Chief K, Angelo Romero, and Quincy Johnson, players that he barely knew.

Blakeney had hit it off with Chief K and Angelo right away, but Quincy was a different story. He was a self-righteous player with an ego the size of the court, and Blakeney just couldn't stand him. He was relieved when the GM, Angrybanana, approached him and asked what could be done to make him happy. Without hesitation, Blakeney told him that he wanted Quincy gone, and to trade him for Mikal Bridges, someone he was good friends with from playing AAU basketball together. He was sad to see another friend, Don Long, get traded in the deal, but he knew it was for the best.

As the season started, Blakeney felt the pressure of becoming the leader of the team. He had grown so much since his early years in the league, but he still had much to learn. Thankfully, Makur Maker and Justin Alcantar, two of the longest-tenured members of the Celtics, were there to guide him. However, the beginning of the year was tough, as the team faced a difficult schedule and Angelo was out for over a month with an injury, which hurt the team's cohesion. Blakeney felt overwhelmed with the pressure and found himself playing hero ball, trying to compensate for the lack of production from his injured teammate. Despite this, he was named the player of the month for November, but it also led to the team losing more games.

Over time, Blakeney learned to rely on Chief K and the rest of his teammates, and the team's cohesion started to improve. With the addition of Mikal Bridges and Angelo's return from injury, the defense improved dramatically, now ranking fourth in the league and allowing only 104.6 points per game. The team was finally healthy, and the chemistry was starting to show on the court.

The All-Star break was a special time for Blakeney, as he made his fifth All-Star appearance and started for the Alpha Conference. He also competed in the dunk contest and put on a show for the fans. Now, at the end of February, the Celtics were 32-25 for the season and fifth in the Alpha Conference standings. They had won six of their last ten games and were starting to hit their stride.

Blakeney was playing at an extremely high level, averaging 24.9 points per game, 4 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.3 steals, and a personal efficiency rating of 28.4. His inside shooting was good, his jump shot was the best on the team, and his free throw shooting was exceptional. His passing was decent, his defense was solid, and his stealing ability was one of the best in the league. With a quickness of 94 out of 100, strength of 97 out of 100, and a jump of 93 out of 100, Blakeney was a force to be reckoned with on the court.

As the season continued, Blakeney felt more and more comfortable in his role as the leader of the team. He learned to trust his teammates and rely on their strengths, which helped to alleviate some of the pressure he was feeling. The team's chemistry continued to improve, and they started to make a push for the playoffs.

Blakeney was a key player in this push, averaging 26.5 points per game in March and 27.7 points per game in April. He was also making clutch shots and plays to help the team secure important wins. The fans and media started to take notice of his improved play, and he was getting recognition as one of the best players in the league.

In the playoffs, the Celtics faced tough competition, but they managed to make it to the Conference Finals. Blakeney continued to play at an incredibly high level, averaging 29.2 points per game and hitting game-winning shots in key moments. The team fought hard and made it to the NBA Finals, where they faced off against the a common foe from last years championship, the Chicago Bulls.

The Finals were a hard-fought battle, but in the end, the Celtics came out on top, winning the championship for the second year in a row. Blakeney was named the Finals MVP, averaging 32.4 points per game and making clutch shots in key moments. He was overwhelmed with emotion, realizing that his hard work and dedication had paid off. He was now a champion, and the leader of one of the best teams in the league.

After the championship celebration, Blakeney reflected on the journey. He remembered the tough beginning of the season, the growing pains of being a leader, and the many ups and downs along the way. He was grateful for the support of his friends and teammates, who helped him to reach his goal. He was also grateful for the fans and the city of Boston, who had supported him through thick and thin.

Looking ahead, Blakeney was excited to continue his journey as a professional basketball player. He was determined to continue to improve, to be a better leader, and to help his team reach new heights. He was proud to be a part of the Boston Celtics and to represent the city of Boston on the court. He knew that there would be challenges ahead, but he was ready to face them head on, with the support of his team and the fans behind him.

And so, Antonio Blakeney continued to play the game he loved, with passion, dedication, and a fierce determination to be the best.

[greepleairport]

we will be getting away from the "team-focused" or "league-focused" judgement calls and point systems.

So with that being said, even though it's exclusively about the author's player...
~1010words, +5pts