All Star Weekend: Rookie Challenge I

*Sound Effects*

**Language**

'Thoughts'

"Dialogue"

(Point of View)

| Setting |

[System]

| Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas|

| Date: Friday February 17, 2006 8:10 pm |

(3rd Person)

"Welcome to the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge!" exclaimed Teryl Gray, the announcer.

"For the Rookie team, the head coach, former member and current assistant coach of the Detroit Pistons, Siiiidneeeeeeey Lowe!"

He said as a bald black man wearing a tan suit waved toward the crowd.

"The assistant coach, 12 time NBA all-star, hall of famer, and one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history. The Big E, Elviiiiiiin Haaaaayes!

"Head guard from the San Antonio Spurs. Javieeeeeeeeer Mooooorales!"

"Head forward from the Indiana Pacers, Daaaaany Graaaaaaaaanger!" 

"From Lithuania, also head forward from the Indiana Pacers, Sarunaaaaaaaas Jasikevicius" 

"From Australia, and forward from the Milwaukee Bucks, Aaaaandreeew Booogut!"

"Head guard from the New Orleans Oklahoma City Hornets, Chriiiis Paaaaaul"

"Head forward from the New York Knicks, Channiiiing Fryeeeee!"

"Head guard also from the New York Knicks, Naaaaate Robinsoooon!"

"Head forward from the Toronto Raptors, Charlieeee Villanuevaaaa!"

"And head guard from the Utah Jazz, Deroooooooon Williaaaaams!"

"For the Sophomore team, the head coach, NBA Veteran and assistant coach of the Dallas Mavericks, Dellll Harriiiis!"

"The assistant coach is 12 time Hall of Famer, one of the 50 greatest players in NBA history, Houston Rockets legend! Moseeeees Maloooone!"

The crowd erupted in cheers, seeing their home legend.

"For the sophomores, not playing tonight due to injury, Emekaaa Okafoooor!"

"Head guard for the Boston Celtics, Delonteeeee Wesssssst!"

"Head guard for the Chicago Bulls, Luooooool Deeeng"

"Head guard, also from the Chicago Bulls, Bennnnnnn Gordooooooon!"

"From Argentina, Head forward for the Chicago Bulls, Andreeees Nocioniiii!"

"Head guard from the Dallas Mavericks, Deviiiiiin Harriiiiiiis"

"Head guard from the Milwaukee Bucks T.J Fooooord!"

"From Serbia, head center for the New Jersey Nets, Nenaad Krstiic!

"Head forward from the Orlando Magic, Dwiiiiight Howwwwward!"

"And Head forward from the Philadelphia 76er's, Andreeee Iguodaaalaaaa!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, one more round of applause for the rookie challenge Sophomore team!"

"We'll come up with the starting lineups for the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge"

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(3rd Person)

"Dad, it's 8:25! The game is gonna start in 5 minutes!" the young boy exclaimed, his voice echoing through the apartment.

"I'll be there in a sec, Miggy," replied the father, his attention divided between tasks.

"Luis, the game's about to start!" the father called out to his older son, urgency coloring his tone.

"I'm going!" Luis replied, hastily making his way over to join the rest of the family.

They all gathered around the TV just before the announcer began to go over the starting lineup.

"The starting lineup for the Rookie team consists of Nate Robinson, Chris Paul, Andrew Bogut, Charlie Villanueva, and Luther Head," the announcer declared.

"What? Why isn't Speedy starting!?" Miggy exclaimed, his disappointment evident, echoed by his older brother, who shared the sentiment.

"I don't know, son. We'll have to wait for him to come in," the father reassured them, trying to pacify their disappointment.

"It's okay, Speedy is gonna show them when he gets in!" Miggy declared optimistically.

The announcer continued on to introduce the sophomore team.

"For the sophomore team: Andre Iguodala, Andres Nocioni, Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Devin Harris," the announcer announced.

Moments later, the starters flooded the court.

In a moment of comedy, Nate Robinson lined up at the jump ball, facing off against Dwight Howard.

As expected, Dwight Howard easily secured the ball, but the sight elicited laughter from the family, breaking the tension.

The family settled in, eagerly awaiting the moment their favorite player would take the court.

//////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

| Location: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas|

| Date: Friday February 17, 2006 8:10 pm |

(1st Person - Javi)

I smiled as I scanned the crowd and took in the sight of all the great players gathered here today. Glancing over at my teammates, I noted the mix of nerves and excitement among them. Nate, always the joker, seemed to be having a good time, which helped ease the tension.

It was a familiar feeling being among these players, having crossed paths with them briefly during the regular season. Our interactions were usually limited to simple exchanges before and after games.

As our coach settled into a chair in front of us, going over the lineups, I couldn't help feeling a twinge of disappointment at not starting. However, I knew the dynamics of an all-star game were different, and everyone would get their chance to shine.

"Coach, Jav can start over me," came a voice from beside me. I turned to see Chris Paul volunteering to give up his starting spot for me.

"No, you're starting," the coach replied sharply, shutting down any further discussion. Chris persisted, but I quickly intervened, thanking him for the gesture and accepting my role from the coach.

I couldn't help but feel a newfound respect for Chris after that interaction. It was surprising and humbling to see him willing to sacrifice his starting position for me in such a big game.

As I watched the team take the court, I couldn't shake the feeling of not being taken seriously.

It was obvious that I was still not taken seriously.

'Are these people blind?' I wondered with a sigh. Despite consistently proving myself on the court, it seemed like some still doubted my abilities.

But I was determined to prove them wrong whenever my time came on the court.

That moment came after just 5 minutes into the game when I was subbed in. A smirk crossed my face as I got ready to step onto the floor. It was unusual that the rookie vs sophomore game followed a format of two 20-minute quarters.

With conviction, I thought, 'I'm going to silence all the doubters in this game.'

As I stepped onto the court a system prompt appeared as time stopped:

[Rising Star - Show dominance on the court]

[Reward: Varies based on performance]

[Accept]

[Y/N]

'I guess only quest's can stop a game' I thought momentarily as normally time only stopped outside of games probably to avoid abusing the time stopping ability.

I mentally accepted the quest, determined to make an impact.

Stepping onto the court, I replaced Nate Robinson, giving him a quick high-five as he headed to the bench.

Looking at the score that 11-7 with us leading, I wanted to pull us further into the lead.

On defense, I took on Devin Harris, keeping my off-hand on him to feel his movements while I surveyed the court. Ever since acquiring 'Pippen's Defensive Instinct,' I've improved my ability to track plays without sacrificing my defensive stance. Using my off hand as a guide, I stayed alert to Harris's every move.

As I watched the play develop, Iguodala drove into the paint and dished a bounce pass to Dwight Howard, who attempted a dunk only to be blocked by Bogut.

Sensing an opportunity, I sprinted to the other end of the court before their defense could set up. I looked back at Chris and motioned upwards for a lob pass.

Chris swiftly located me and launched the lob, wanting to put on a show, I activated 'Penny's Scoring Surge' before exploding upward. Ascending into the air, I seized the lob and executed a windmill dunk, electrifying the crowd with excitement.

I nodded towards Chris to acknowledge the lob, and he returned the gesture.

'I'm just getting started' I smirked.

Next possession, the sophomores struggled to generate offense, missing another mid-range attempt.

Bringing the ball up the court, I faced off against Devin Harris, who challenged me. "You ain't gon do shit," he taunted.

'bet,' I thought as I faked right with a crossover before executing a sharp behind-the-back move, causing Harris to stumble. With the crowd reacting, I confidently rose for a jumper from beyond the arc, sinking it smoothly.

"I ain't gonna do what?" I remarked sarcastically as I made my way onto defense.

As I returned to defense, Harris, frustrated, called for the ball. Seeing that he hoped to get his 'get back'. However, utilizing my lateral speed, I shut down his driving angle, forcing him to pick up his dribble and sending a pass to Iguodala, who scored another mid-range shot.

Taking advantage of our momentum, I orchestrated a pick-and-roll with Bogut, delivering a lob pass for an easy dunk. The score now stood at 18-9, maintaining our lead.

Their team attempted to spark other players by giving an open corner 3 to Ben Gordon, but it fell short and hit the front iron before Paul secured the rebound.

Seeing that their team was a bit sluggish getting back, I sprinted up the court.

Racing ahead of the pack, I received a pass from Paul. Glancing back, I noticed the defense scrambling to get into position, leaving me wide open beyond the arc. Without hesitation, I pulled up for a three-pointer, capitalizing on the opportunity, sinking the shot.

*WHOOOOOOOOOO*

"Good shit!" Paul shouted as I gave him a dap and thanked him for the pass. Making my way to the bench, it was clear I had earned the respect of my teammates, having led the team with 8 points in just under 2 minutes, bringing the score to 21-9.

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A/N: Hope you enjoyed the 1st part of the All Star Rookie game! Let me know your thoughts, I'm planning on having a few more chapters after the rookie game before we get into the playoffs!