Chapter 8: A Center Without a Market? The Guard Era!

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"Bookert, get your head in the game, are you asleep?" The bellowing from the Oklahoma Sooners' sideline startled the white center, Bookert, who visibly flinched.

It was clear that the fiery-tempered coach had left a lasting impression on him. Determined to redeem himself, Bookert called for the ball in the paint, confident in his post-up skills. He completely dismissed the Asian center behind him.

Thud! The sound of muscle clashing reminded Bookert of his dominance in the post during practice games. But something felt off. Despite the initial contact, Wang Song was still glued to him like a shadow, his seemingly slender frame hiding surprising strength.

Realizing brute force wasn't working, Bookert switched to his most prized asset—his nimble footwork in the low post. After a series of back-down moves, he feigned a shot towards the basket. As he prepared to turn for a face-up, he found his vision obscured by Wang's towering presence, arms stretched wide.

Off balance, Bookert hastily passed the ball, which was promptly intercepted by the Wolfpack, leading to a fast-break score. The scoreboard read 4-0.

"Stupid Bookert, what's he thinking? First, a poster dunk, now an assist to the opposition?"

"Oklahoma's inside man, we need to investigate him!"

"He tried all these moves on the Asian rookie, who didn't even budge. What a clown!"

The boos from the stands were overwhelming, making Bookert wish he could disappear. To be jeered by home fans in what was essentially a home game added a dark mark on his record.

The Oklahoma Sooners' coach glared daggers at Bookert without uttering a word, his silent fury evident. Shaken, Bookert played passively for the next few possessions, serving only as a role player.

This adjustment allowed the Sooners to open up their offense, thanks to Hollis Price's hot hand from beyond the arc. However, as the first quarter progressed, they faced a new problem: Wang Song's speed in switching and delaying defense.

The Sooners found their 35-second shot clock dwindling fast. Bookert, hesitant after his earlier block, missed several opportunities, forcing Price into desperate buzzer-beater shots.

The score stood at 14-8. Trailing, the Sooners called a timeout. Their coach, red-faced, unleashed a tirade on Bookert, who retreated further into his shell, dazed on the bench.

Meanwhile, North Carolina's bench was calm.

"Coach, your strategy is working."

"Is it?" Herb Sendek looked puzzled but maintained a composed facade, giving his assistant Jim a knowing nod, though he was as surprised as anyone.

In truth, Sendek's pre-game strategy was meant to catch the Sooners off guard and test Wang Song's compatibility with the starting lineup. More importantly, it aimed to tire out the Sooners' starters for a challenging second half. The unexpectedly strong start was a pleasant surprise.

[Sturdy post defense: +80 steady experience points]

[Forced turnover: +50 steady experience points]

[Effective delay: +30 steady experience points]

Wang Song, smiling on the bench, had tallied 2 points, 2 rebounds, and 1 assist in 5 minutes. While his stats seemed modest, his real impact on the game was evident to discerning spectators.

During the timeout, disgruntled fans voiced their displeasure loudly.

"What a joke! So much for the East's top seed being unbeatable!"

"Oklahoma Sooners, did you buy that top seed? Championship contenders? Ridiculous."

"Disgraceful! I wasted half a year's savings on this game!"

Among the crowd, two men in suits remained unaffected by the surrounding outrage, their eyes fixed on the North Carolina Wolfpack.

"Mr. Randy, does he meet your expectations?" John asked confidently.

"He could be Miami's cornerstone for the next decade, no, twenty years!" Randy Finley, the Heat's GM, flipped through the scouting report John handed him.

"His performance is solid, and his play style is steady..."

John's eyes lit up, but Randy turned to him, returning the report. "But John, are you sure a player like this will be embraced by Miami fans? Statistically and in terms of flashiness, he hasn't been the standout."

"The era of dominant centers is ending. The league's future belongs to guards!"

"Fans would much rather invest in guards."

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Last for the day , but stones should flow in continuousy ❤️