Chapter Two: The Block at the Buzzer

“The Thunder must be desperate,” the commentator joked as Lu checked in. “Nine appearances and eight total points this season. Waived yesterday, facing his former team today.” Haiyue’s center Han Yue scored over him immediately, pushing the lead to seventeen. The system gave Lu no extra strength. The pain in his chest was real. At the other end, Lu set a hard screen for Zhou Yan. Zhou missed, but Lu fought two rebounders and tipped the ball outside. On the second chance, Zhou hit a three. “Again,” Lu said. He asked for no post touches. He screened, sealed Han away from drivers, and guided opponents toward their weaker hands. Six minutes later, the deficit was four.