The Legend Coach: Slam Dunk

Early the next morning, Shinichi Kudo woke up naturally, feeling refreshed. He stretched his back and said with a smile, "It's so cozy here. It feels good to have a home!" After washing up, he enjoyed the breakfast Nobuko had prepared for him. "Mom, I'm going out today, so I won't be home for lunch," he announced as he finished his meal.

Nobuko looked up from her chores. "Where are you going, Shinichi?"

"I'm visiting Coach Anzai today," Kudo replied.

"Oh, I see. Be careful on your way, and come back early," Nobuko said warmly.

"Don't worry, I will. I'll be going now," Kudo said, grabbing his bag and heading out the door.

Coach Anzai's home was a traditional Japanese house, spacious and surrounded by lush greenery. The peaceful environment, far from the city's noise, made it an ideal place for someone of advanced age to relax and recuperate. Standing at the gate of the large yard, Kudo double-checked the nameplate to confirm he was at the right place before ringing the doorbell. After a short wait, the gate creaked open.

A kind-looking elderly woman in a kimono greeted him. Her gray hair and gentle demeanor suggested she was in her fifties or sixties. She looked at Kudo with mild curiosity. "May I ask who you are?"

"Hello, I'm Shinichi Kudo, the captain of the Fukasawa University basketball team. I'm here to visit Coach Anzai," Kudo replied politely.

"Ah, you're Kudo! Anzai-sensei is at home. Please, come in," the woman said with a warm smile.

"Thank you. You must be Mrs. Anzai, right? How is Coach Anzai's health these days?" Kudo asked as he stepped inside.

"He's doing much better now. He's even put on a little weight," Mrs. Anzai replied cheerfully.

As they entered the living room, Kudo saw Coach Anzai sitting on a tatami mat, dressed in a kimono and reading a newspaper. Mrs. Anzai announced, "Dear, Kudo-kun is here to see you."

Coach Anzai looked up, his face lighting up with a smile. "Ah, Kudo-kun! Come in, come in."

"Excuse me," Kudo said with a respectful bow before kneeling down to sit across from Coach Anzai.

"Please make yourself comfortable. I'll prepare some tea," Mrs. Anzai said before leaving the room. Moments later, she returned with a bamboo tray carrying a teapot and cups. "You two talk. Call me if you need anything," she said before stepping out into the courtyard.

"Thank you," Kudo said, accepting the tea. After taking a sip, he began, "I came today to check on your health, Sensei. How are you feeling?"

"I'm much better now," Coach Anzai replied. "But I owe you and the team an apology. My sudden departure left you without a coach, and I didn't consider how much pressure that would put on you as captain. I'm truly sorry."

Kudo shook his head quickly. "No, no, please don't blame yourself. Your health is the most important thing. We all understood why you had to step away. It was out of your control."

At the mention of his health, Kudo noticed a flicker of discomfort cross Coach Anzai's face, but it vanished almost instantly. "I've watched some tapes of your matches this year," Coach Anzai continued. "You've been playing well, Kudo-kun. It's my fault that I held the team back. You could've done even better."

"Coach, none of us blame you. Your well-being is what matters most," Kudo insisted. "Actually, besides visiting you, I wanted to ask for your advice on something."

"Of course, Kudo-kun. What is it?" Coach Anzai asked, leaning forward slightly.

"Well, as you know, I'm graduating soon. Basketball is all I know, and I've been thinking about becoming a coach. But I don't have much experience, so I was hoping you could guide me," Kudo said earnestly.

Coach Anzai raised an eyebrow. "A coach, huh? What level are you aiming for?"

"I don't think I'm ready for college coaching yet," Kudo admitted. "I'm considering starting at the high school level. But I'm not sure where to begin, so I wanted to learn from your experience."

"High school coaching, eh?" Coach Anzai mused. "It's about nurturing students' interest and developing their skills. Many players only start playing basketball in high school. I believe you were the same, weren't you?"

"Yes, it was Coach Tadaoka in Lingsnan who introduced me to basketball. I wasn't very strong back then, so I couldn't help him achieve his dream of reaching the national tournament," Kudo said with a hint of regret.

"Ah, Tadaoka. He's a fine coach," Coach Anzai remarked.

"He really is. He showed me the beauty of basketball. It's a shame I couldn't fulfill his dream," Kudo said.

Coach Anzai nodded thoughtfully. "As a coach, you must focus on building strong fundamentals in your players. The foundation is everything. In high school, it's crucial to cultivate their interest and let them grow naturally. Some players may be more individualistic or struggle with teamwork, but don't force them to change abruptly. Let them learn through experience and adapt on their own."

Kudo frowned slightly. "But that's different from how you taught us. You always emphasized that the team comes first, and players must work together. Basketball is a team sport, after all."

Coach Anzai's expression shifted momentarily, but he quickly recovered. "You're right, Kudo. Teamwork is essential, and I still believe that. What I mean is that some players may have developed habits from playing alone in the past. They might pass less because they're used to relying on themselves. If you encounter such players, don't force them to change immediately. Guide them gently and let them learn the value of teamwork over time."

"But your methods worked so well for us. No one on our team ever struggled with that," Kudo said, still puzzled.

Coach Anzai fell silent for a moment, his gaze distant. "If you become a coach, I hope you'll avoid my mistakes. I wasn't always successful, and I failed in some ways. Don't be too harsh on your players. They're still growing, and pushing them too hard can do more harm than good. Be patient and adapt to their individual needs."

"Coach, if your methods aren't considered successful, then no one in Japan can claim to be a good coach," Kudo said sincerely.

Coach Anzai didn't respond immediately. The room grew quiet, the weight of unspoken thoughts hanging in the air.

What happened to you, Sensei? Kudo wondered. I remember something being mentioned in the manga, but I can't recall the details. If only I'd paid more attention back then.

After a long pause, Coach Anzai finally spoke. "I'm sorry, Kudo. I got lost in thought for a moment. Let me give you some practical advice. As a coach, you'll need tactical knowledge and the ability to manage your players' emotions. Pre-game psychological preparation is crucial, especially for high school students. As for tactics, keep it simple. Focus on the basics: passing, cutting, screening, and spacing. Save the advanced strategies for later. Watch game tapes to learn how experienced coaches manage their teams and think about what you'd do in their place."

Kudo nodded, absorbing every word. "Thank you, Sensei. I'll keep that in mind."