Chapter One: Day 992 on the Bench

“Announcement is nine tomorrow morning.” Robinson avoided his eyes. “We need a spot for a return specialist. Don’t take it personally. That’s the league.” It was a verdict delivered early. Reporters surrounded Kane inside. He blamed the drop on rain, lights, and a high pass. Nobody mentioned Lin. Lin opened the locker in the darkest corner. It held two pairs of gloves, an old practice shirt, and a red good-luck knot his mother had mailed from Shanghai. He packed them into the bag, then picked up the black notebook filled with hand-drawn routes. Eli approached from the showers, wet hair stuck to his forehead. He was only twenty-three, yet an entire city had already loaded its expectations onto his throwing shoulder.