Summer League: Knicks v. Thunder VI
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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~
~~~(Date: July 19th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: On Court, Thomas & Mack Center)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:28 PM)~~~
[The Singularity Is Coming...]
[Details: Show the world that you're where you belong, and there is nothing stopping you from being the best player in the world right out of the gate.]
[Objective 1: Score 45 Points, 12 Rebounds, 10 Assists, 4 Blocks, and 2 Steals.][Complete]
[Current Progress for Objective 1: 51 Points, 15 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 7 Blocks, and 6 Steals.][Complete]
[Objective 2: Don't Shoot Less than 80% from the Field or Three-point.][Complete]
[Current Progress for Objective 2: 100% from the Field and Three-point.][Complete]
[Objective 3: Hold your Defensive Match-up (Scotty Hopson) to 20% or lower from the Field and Three-point.][Complete]
[Current Progress for Objective 3: 0% from the Field and Three-point.][Complete
[Rewards: Upgrade to The Simulation Space, A New Badge]
[Failure: You must complete 2/3 Objectives, or all Stats will suffer an entire grade drop.]
The game's final buzzer goes off, and we beat The Thunder 106-77. And as the final buzzer goes off, I see the system mission complete, and I almost continue reading. But instead, I'll wait until later to read the rewards.
As I'm walking toward the bench, I see Ellie and Hannah standing up with everyone else cheering and celebrating. My stat line tonight is right out of something you'd see in a video game. I scored 51 Points, 15 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 7 Blocks, and 6 Steals.
I'm the youngest player to ever score a triple-double at 19 years, and 6 months old. I'm about to head to the locker room, but Coach Yoshimoto walks up to me and tells me something important.
"ESPN wants to do a courtside interview with you. The reporter is standing over there. After that, we've got the post-game interview to do. So save some energy for questions during that too."
He walks off; I head over to the report and stand next to the woman. The cameraman takes a step back to get her and me in the same frame. She smiles as the cameraman gives the thumbs up that we're live, and she takes a breath for a question.
"I'm here with Ulysses Kennedy after the greatest breakout performance we've ever seen in a Summer League game from a rookie. Scoring 51 Points, 15 Rebounds, 12 Assists, 7 Blocks, and 6 Steals. Ulysses, what do you think about your performance tonight?"
She brings the microphone in my direction, and I lean forward a bit to get a little closer to the microphone. I could go arrogant here, or I can be humble. Perhaps somewhere in the middle would be good.
"Well, many people thought I wasn't ready for the NBA. I decided before the game that I'd show the world that I'm here and I'm coming for every superstar in the NBA."
That's a good answer for the media. And one that the networks will eat up.
"Do you have any parting words for the Knicks fans that are watching from New York?"
Knicks fans are diehards and people who value certain principles in their players. I could tell them what they want to hear, but I'm taking my own road here.
"To Knicks fans everywhere, if you treat me right, I'll give you what you pay for."
That seems to cause her to raise an eyebrow, but I smile, give thanks for the interview, and make my way to the back locker room.
~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~
~~~(Date: July 19th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Watching Post-Game Interview, Thomas & Mack Center)~~~
~~~(Time: 3:40 PM)~~~
That was one of the best performances I've seen from Ulysses, and it's something that I didn't think he'd do in the first game he's played at this level. While it's still Summer League, it's an amazing performance.
Ellie is standing next to me with a tissue as she dries her tears, and we both watch as Ulysses takes a seat for the post-game interview.
Before he can really even get settled in, he's already asked a question.
"Ulysses, do you think this performance is a one-time thing, or can we expect something like this every night?"
That's a question that ticks me off. That's a lot of unnecessary pressure that he doesn't need right now. They should just be happy with what he's already done.
But he smiles and prepares his answer.