The Media's Reaction I

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 23rd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Penthouse Apartment, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:15 AM)~~~

My eyes slowly open, and I look up at the ceiling. The warm and soft body of Hannah is next to me. Today is a rare day when we both don't have something to do. These won't come along often. I have no practice or games, and she doesn't have school.

Yesterday's game will be talked about constantly when all the media talk shows start. In fact, Undisputed will start in about 10 minutes.

But that's not something on my mind at the exact moment. Right now, I open my system and see the quest from yesterday that I got when the fouls started rolling in.

[Rough Riding][Failed]

[Details: The refs in this game will purposely blow calls to give the Bulls a fighting chance against you.]

[Objective 1: Don't foul out of the game.][Complete]

[Objective 2: Win by at least 12 points or more.][Failed]

[Objective 3: Make Zach Lavine or Kostos Antetokounmpo foul out before the end of the game.][Failed]

[Rewards: Unknown]

[Failure: You must complete 2/3 objective to earn the Reward. If you fail to meet 2/3 objectives, you'll be placed on a minutes restriction for 5 games.]

I was able to complete the first objective of the mission from the system. Making Zach or Kostos foul out from the game was something I knew I wouldn't be able to do with the calls I was getting last night.

So, I focused on the things I could do. Sadly, getting pulled out of the game for the entire second quarter and parts of the third made things tough. We weren't able to win by more than 12 points.

This is the first mission I've failed from the system. And I missed out on the reward, whatever it would be. The worst part is I'll be placed on a minutes restriction for the next 5 games. I don't know what that specifically entails, but I'm upset with it.

I throw the blankets off and lean up.

"Hmmm..."

Hannah lets me know she doesn't like I'm leaving, but I want to see what the analyst has to say after that game. After all, the game was called unfairly. And I was flagrantly fouled without any repercussions. You can bet your ass The Knicks Organization is mad about that.

The moment I enter the living room, I see Ellie on the couch. Already watching TV. Undisputed's intro is going, and I make my way over. Taking a seat next to my mom.

"How are you doing? You sore?"

That would be impossible, thanks to the badges I have. I'm not one for acting like I'm hurt or sore. No point.

"I'm fine, but I know a lot of heat is coming the way of the refs."

As I say that, my eyes lock onto the TV screen, and Skip Bayless is sitting across from Shannon Sharpe as usual.

They do their normal thing and eventually get to the NBA games. As they make their way to me, there is a distinct shift in the conversation.

~~~(POV: Shannon Sharpe)~~~

~~~~(Date: October 23rd, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Undisputed Talk Show, Los Angeles)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:49 AM)~~~

"Okay, now. Let's talk about that abysmal game last night in New York!!! Never in my life have I seen referees take the side of a team in hope of stopping one player!!!"

Skip is rightfully outraged, and so am I. There should be a level of professionalism and a code of conduct for refs, but last night. That didn't exist.

"Yeah, Ulysses was phenomenal in his performance and effort to bring the game back into the Knicks' control. But the real opponent the Knicks faced tonight were the refs."

Looking at the kid's stat line, I can't help being immensely impressed.

"The rookie scored 47 Points, 10 Assists, 13 Rebounds, 1 Block, and 2 Steals. Not only did he fill up the stat sheet, he also didn't miss a single shot last night. That's two games in a row where he was perfect from the field."

He's out there making these grown-ass men look like little boys.

"Yeah, and last game against the Celtics, he had a Record-Setting 62 Points, 13 Rebounds, 14 Assists, 3 Blocks, and 1 Steal. Shannon, I'm convinced. This kid is the real deal. I know it's really early in the season and his career, but geez. He's ripping people apart at the seams."

As an ex-professional athlete and a sports head, today will be a bad day for the NBA officiating crews. A lot of scrutinies are coming their way.