On Our Way To Las Vegas

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~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~

~~~(Location: July 17th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Teams Private Airplane, Heading To Las Vegas)~~~

~~~(Time: 8:44 AM)~~~

Ulysses and Hannah are silently watching a movie with their headphones on. Hannah is snuggled up with Ulysses. We've been flying since 6:15 AM this morning, and we should be arriving in las Vegas around 3 and a half more hours. It takes 5 hours to get there.

My eyes look around at the young and hopeful players in the plane. Ulysses is the only one here that isn't in the G-League. The rest of Knick's main squad is staying in New York and not participating in Summer League, which I get.

It's the off-season, and they want to rest and have a good time.

Ulysses's eyes are starting to shut, and I find it surprising since he usually never sleeps after waking up in the morning. But I peek over and see the movie Hannah is making him watch. It's a chick-flick that can put any guy to sleep.

I take my phone out of my pocket, and I send Hannah a quick text. Her phone goes off, and she slowly raises it to see. She reads it, and I watch her turn and look at Ulysses, who has his eyes closed now.

She has to stifle a laugh and nearly wakes Ulysses up. This will mess up his sleeping schedule, but I don't think it'll bother him.

After a couple of seconds, she sends me a text back.

"This is the first time Ulysses has fallen asleep watching a movie like this. He tries to stay awake for me, but I guess this is just too boring for him."

Ulysses puts up with a lot for the people he loves, and while a chick-flick may seem small. It's really hard for guys to get through them. I'm glad Hannah finds it funny. Most girls would get upset.

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

~~~(Date: July 17th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: The Simulation Space)~~~

~~~(Time: 10:41 AM)~~~

I've been practicing here for the last hour, and we've got around an hour left until we land. So it's a good way to spend some time. Hannah and Ellie think I'm asleep, and that means no interruptions until the flight is over.

The system has been quiet since that day, but I'm guessing right before I start my first Summer League game, I'll get a quest. I've gotten a few of them in the past. But I'm supposed to start getting more.

I do a quick spin move and hit a fading shot above the elbow. And I haven't missed a shot since I started in The Simulation Space.

Once I get to the NBA, I know my shooting percentages will start to drop a little, but I don't think it'll be that much. The defense is supposed to be better there than in high school, but I'll wait to see it before that decision is made.

"I wonder what it'll feel like to play in Madison Square Garden..."

MSG arena is iconic, but the Knicks have been a major disappointment since the late 80s and beyond. Despite the loyal fans of the Knicks, everyone has been waiting for that one player to come to MSG and turn it around.

And I'm that player. Many players would hate being stuck with the Knicks. I'm not one of those guys. It's the perfect stage for me to start.

There wouldn't be any challenge or fun in going to a team that's already built and ready to win a championship with me. The Knicks don't have that. We have one of the worst teams in the League due to last year's metrics.

A stage where I can shine and start the first steps of my legacy.

~~~(POV: Stephen A. Smith)~~~

~~~(Date: July 17th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Hotel, Las Vegas)~~~

~~~(Time: 12:17 PM)~~~

In two days' time, Ulysses will be playing his first game as a Knick. And while it's the Summer League, everyone is watching and waiting to see what this kid can do with all the cameras on him.

"Please, God. Let this one turn out for us."

My prayers for the past 48 years have been answered when we got Ulysses, and now it's time for a new prayer. Please, Lord, let a championship and formation of a dynasty come our way in New York.