score maniac

Chapter 39: The Mega Comeback!

(Part 1) Where’s Gu Yu…?! The Kings had just finished their play, and as Cousins was about to turn and drive to the basket, Gu Yu had vanished from the court. “The Greasy-Haired Guy’s gone!” The reporters were taken aback; many of them jumped right out of their seats, as if standing a little taller might help them spot Gu Yu’s whereabouts. But no. The media section was located in the center of the court, near the Kings’ half. From this vantage point, Gu Yu was nowhere to be seen. One, two, three, four… The other four Kings players were all there, but Gu Yu was nowhere to be seen. Yet the basketball had already been passed from Cousins’ hands. Who on earth was he passing to?!! With absolutely no target in sight and flying off in an unknown direction, Cousins’ pass soared high into the air—as if a guard were feeding the ball to a big man in the paint—only to land in the arc, where he still exchanged a loud high-five with Gu Yu. The court, however, was deathly silent. “W—what on earth is going on? I didn’t see it—I really didn’t see when ‘Hairstyle Guy’ ran over there!” Not to mention the fans—even the media reporters and the Bucks players on the court looked completely baffled. What the hell kind of tactic is this? How can a player just vanish into thin air on the court? And… “Coach, this…” On the Bucks’ bench, Brandon Jennings—already one of the team’s core starters but still traveling with the team to Las Vegas—looked at head coach Skiles with a strange expression, his eyes even betraying a hint of fear. “I… I don’t think so!” Skiles was a tough coach. He was about to begin his third season leading the Bucks; the team had a solid roster, and everyone—from the owner to the fans—had high hopes for the upcoming season. However, as he watched the tactics being employed on the court by the Kings—a Western Conference bottom-dweller—Skiles felt a sudden chill run down his spine. That play looked all too familiar…! “Clang!” On the court, caught off guard by a bizarre play from the Kings, the Bucks’ offense grew a bit frantic. Sun Yue’s pass was on point, but Larry Sanders’ hook shot under the basket missed, and the rebound was snatched decisively by Whiteside. “Stop the fast break!” Skiles shouted urgently. This current Kings team possessed impressive athleticism; aside from Gu Yu, even Cousins could sprint down the court quickly. However, when the Bucks players returned to their own half, they realized the Kings had no intention of running a fast break at all. “Thud, thud, thud.” “Stay calm, run another play!” Jeter steadily dribbled the ball up the court, crossing half-court almost at the very last second before the eight-second violation. The Kings players showed no signs of impatience either, each executing their plays step by step. This play was… “Over here!” Once again, Jeter and Cousins held down the strong side, while Kasbi dropped to the corner. On the weak side, Gu Yu and Whiteside set off-ball screens and quickly cut toward the strong side. That opening move, that follow-through, that unhurried, steady, and composed rhythm—this play was indeed… “Whoosh!” This time, Cousins didn’t hesitate for a moment after receiving the ball. Before Sun Yue could step up to double-team him, he immediately lobbed the ball high. Steal! As a tall point guard, Sun Yue possessed top-tier physical attributes for an Asian player on the perimeter. Seeing that the pass was a bit slow, he immediately took off. “No way!” Whiteside, ever the team player, was right on his mark, blocking Sun Yue’s path. But this was all part of Sun Yue’s plan; he slowed down half a step early, cut around, and slipped past Whiteside’s side. Here’s his chance! Ahead of him, Gu Yu was still looking up, his eyes fixed on the ball. Sun Yue roughly estimated the speed and distance—as long as he didn’t slow down, he was sure to be able to disrupt this shot! “Smack!” The moment Gu Yu caught the ball, Sun Yue was already in position. His spectacular defensive movement drew spontaneous applause—even Skiles pumped his fist vigorously from the sidelines, cheering on his star player. But “…Phew!” What…?! When Gu Yu caught the ball, his whole body snapped back like a spring, and as he launched the ball with all his might, Sun Yue was completely dumbfounded. What kind of confidence is this?!! “So close…!!!” Sun Yue’s reaction was lightning-fast; he leaped just as the ball left Gu Yu’s fingertips. Yet Gu Yu’s fadeaway shot left him just short of a block, and he could only watch helplessly as the ball soared toward the basket. Surely this shot couldn’t… “Swish!” Another one! “…Wow!!” With a string of mid-range jumpers, the fans on the sidelines were getting excited. Although the score gap remained as wide as 17 points, making it extremely difficult for the Kings to catch up, witnessing such a performance in the fourth quarter was still a pleasant surprise. But… Why?? “How did that slick-haired guy get around him? Why didn’t I see a thing???” Over in the press box, the reporters were already in an uproar. Gu Yu’s incredibly subtle movement must have taken advantage of countless double screens. Everyone had clearly seen the setup, but the moment Gu Yu slipped past Cousins from behind, everyone’s eyes lost their focus. What on earth was that all about?? “Not paying enough attention!” What?! With a soft “snap,” Sun Yue—still kicking himself for his defensive lapse—committed a turnover. Jeter, swift as the wind, lunged forward and swiped the ball away with a one-handed steal. Oh no! Sun Yue already knew that the Kings were looking for Gu Yu on every play. Almost the moment the ball was stolen, he turned around to scan the court for Gu Yu’s whereabouts. But… “Thud!” “De… De Marcus Cousins?! Why is he over there?!!” Amid the fans’ gasps, Cousins set a perfect screen, completely blocking Sun Yue’s path, while Jeter zoomed past from the side. In the split second when his view was completely blocked by Cousins, Sun Yue saw the Kings’ veteran rookie flick the ball with his right hand toward the left side. Just left of the top of the key, one step inside the three-point line. Gu Yu’s sweet spot. “…Swish!” Another one—in, in, in!