SOD | Chapter 99

The next morning, when the alarm went off, Nie Chuan rolled over and opened his eyes.

In previous games, Nie Chuan would sit on the edge of the bed in a half-asleep daze, while Reese prepared everything. But this time, it was Nie Chuan kneeling by the bed, tying Reese’s shoelaces.

Reese looked down at Nie Chuan and spoke just as Nie Chuan was about to get up, “This is the first time I’ve seen you charging ahead.”

Nie Chuan’s shoulder paused, “Now you can experience what it’s like to watch someone else’s back.”

Reese laughed. His smile was faint but powerful.

The whole team gathered and boarded the bus.

Everyone was very quiet, and Coach Gordon didn’t say much. Nie Chuan could tell that Chuck was nervous. Ewin also seemed a bit uneasy.

Nie Chuan tightened his grip on Reese’s fingers beside him. He knew he had to use his strength to boost his teammates’ confidence.

DK and KSU were both top teams in the league, and this matchup attracted even more fans than before. Not to mention the crazy sports reporters and NBA scouts. Even the governor came to watch.

This made Nie Chuan even more nervous. Although he had heard that last year’s finals even had the president attending to support his favorite team, seeing the somewhat portly governor made that news feel real.

Unfortunately, the governor supported KSU.

When all the main players gathered around Coach Gordon for the final pre-game guidance, the audience and the three special commentators noticed that Reese was still sitting on the bench.

“Oh my god, although we knew from the lineup submitted by DK’s coach that Reese’s injury hadn’t healed, I held onto hope until the last moment before the game started that maybe his ankle was better today!” Robert’s voice was filled with regret.

“Everyone was prepared for Reese’s injury, but what surprised me even more was that DK actually put Nie Chuan in as the small forward!” Engel was very surprised.

“Seeing Nie Chuan as the small forward is surprising, yet it makes sense. In the last two games, although Nie Chuan didn’t score much, his number of cuts and assists were impressive. It’s just that his explosiveness is a bit worrying, but also intriguing,” Espenson admitted.

This game not only attracted the governor but also three other seed teams: CBU, UFR, and AZU.

When Sethston Lind walked into the stands with his hands in his pockets, many fans screamed.

Next to him, Ben Robbins dug at his ear, showing a helpless expression, “This is why I hate walking with you. I can’t watch the game properly.”

Sethston glanced coolly at Reese sitting on the bench, “I don’t see any point in watching this game. Without Reese, DK is like a dull sword, with no lethality.”

Just as Sethston was about to leave, Ben grabbed his arm, “Don’t go! I want to watch! If KSU wins this game, don’t you want to understand the potential opponent’s strength for the finals? Plus, Owen Whishaw and Larvin are here to watch. I think this game isn’t as pointless as you think!”

“Is your goal really to understand KSU?” Sethston deliberately pressed his arm on Ben’s back, and Ben showed a strained expression, leaning on the railing.

“Actually… when I heard that Nie Chuan was replacing Reese as the small forward, I got really excited… I really want to know what it’s like for a point guard like him to play as a small forward.” Ben’s expression became serious as he looked at Nie Chuan’s profile on the court, “And I have a premonition.”

“What premonition?”

“DK will be our opponent in the finals. Whether Reese is there or not.”

Sethston’s lips slowly curled up, “Interesting. Your premonitions are usually accurate.”

At this moment, Nie Chuan’s heart was pounding. He glanced at Reese on the bench, whose expression was calm, as if nothing could shake him.

I am the small forward.

My only goal is to score.

I’m doing what Reese has done.

I not only have to become Reese but must surpass Reese, or we can’t win this game.

Raven walked up to Nie Chuan and smiled, “Hey, kid, long time no see.”

Nie Chuan looked up at him; this guy’s smile revealed a mouthful of white teeth.

If it were before, Nie Chuan might have bristled at being called “kid” by Raven. But at this moment, he was letting his emotions sink, sinking to a seemingly calm yet ready-to-boil temperature.

“Yes, long time no see.”

Raven glanced in Reese’s direction, nodded his chin as a greeting, “Kid, I’m sorry Reese isn’t here. But I’ll still give my all in this game, so don’t think I’m bullying you.”

“I won’t. But if I score, don’t think I’m bullying you either.”

Nie Chuan knew the audience had doubts about him.

Although he already had many fans and had proven his strength along the way, in most people’s eyes, he was still seen as an excellent and often surprising point guard.

“Good kid, I like you like this.” Raven nodded with a smile, “Don’t disappoint me.”

Raven moved to his position.

The gym was still buzzing, but all the noise faded from Nie Chuan’s ears. He looked up at the center of the court.

As the game began, the basketball was tossed high by the referee, and all emotions were pulled up. The basketball soaring in Nie Chuan’s eyes was like a universe about to explode.

With a loud “bang,” it drowned out all the noise. Heishan and the opposing center were evenly matched, and it seemed impossible to know where the ball would be hit until the last 0.01 seconds.

Finally, Heishan lost by a slight margin, and the ball was hit towards Raven.

Raven had just made a gesture to catch the ball when a figure flashed past him, and the ball slipped past Raven’s fingertips, taken away.

“Defense—”

KSU’s small forward Ashley shouted, quickly chasing after Nie Chuan.

This guy was really fast, and so was Raven.

In less than two seconds, Nie Chuan cut into KSU’s three-second zone, but Raven and Ashley were about to catch up to him.

No, this first ball must be DK’s!

It has to be DK’s!

Nie Chuan sped up again.

Such an attractive opening scene made even the commentator Robert shout, “Go for it, kid—”

Nie Chuan reached the basket, leaped up, and the height and speed of his dunk were completely unexpected, like a comet, seemingly burning the air.

Raven and Richard jumped from behind Nie Chuan, but they were a step too late.

What stirred the audience’s emotions was Raven’s incredible jumping ability, as if he was going to block Nie Chuan’s shot!

Feeling Raven’s arm touch his hand, Nie Chuan gritted his teeth and used all his strength to dunk the ball into the basket.

“Bang—”

Nie Chuan landed, the score showed 2:0, and the audience cheered!

The referee blew the whistle, indicating a foul on the hand, with an additional free throw.

Raven squinted, tugged at his collar, and exhaled.

He looked at Nie Chuan’s figure, his gaze becoming heavy, “Kid, you’re pretty good! That move just now really looked like Reese Reddington.”

Nie Chuan caught the ball, walked to the free-throw line, and coldly said as he passed Raven, “Sorry, I’m not Reese, I’m Nie Chuan.”

He walked to the free-throw line, with players from both sides standing on either side.

Nie Chuan jumped and beautifully made the free throw.

“Espenson, who was it that was worried about this kid’s explosiveness just now?” Robert looked at Espenson.

“The speed and jump just now were indeed sharp, I’m still not over it. But I believe… with such an impressive start, KSU will surely respond.”

In the stands, Ben tugged on Sethston’s sleeve, “Did you see that? Did you see that! Wow! Amazing! If only our point guard had that level!”

“You’re comparing our point guard to him?” Sethston flicked Ben’s head hard, “Watch your head.”

“But it’s really amazing!” Ben showed a longing expression.

The next round of offense began, KSU’s point guard brought the ball, Chuck defended, and the opponent used a jab step followed by a shoulder fake to get past Chuck.

Nie Chuan rushed over, ready to face the opponent head-on, but KSU’s small forward Ashley came in front of Nie Chuan, blocking his path, allowing KSU’s point guard to pass smoothly and pass the ball to Raven.

Nie Chuan moved left and right, but small forward Ashley followed Nie Chuan’s direction, his knees very agile, making it difficult for Nie Chuan to break free.

Raven had already received the ball, rushing full speed towards DK’s basket, ready to send the ball in.

Nie Chuan’s breath caught in his throat, Heishan had jumped, but from behind Raven, at a bad angle, unable to block the shot.

At that moment, Carlo suddenly rushed to the basket, jumped with all his might, seemingly about to block Raven’s shot.

The audience gasped.

In that instant, Raven’s eyes suddenly widened, changing his layup to a dunk, breaking through Carlo’s defense and slamming it in.

This shot combined jumping power, balance, and reaction.

When Raven landed, the basket was still trembling.

Raven looked at Nie Chuan, raised his chin, unclear whether it was a provocation or a reminder not to underestimate him.

The breath stuck in Nie Chuan’s throat finally released.

He instinctively looked at Reese on the bench.

Even though Reese wasn’t on the court, Nie Chuan felt Reese’s presence was full of strength.