Chapter 108: From the First Minute

“Michael, I can tell you’re in great form today.” Watching Wu Rui sink a mid-range jumper during warm-ups, Magic head coach Frank Vogel patted the young player on the shoulder. “You know, this game means more than just a regular-season match.”

“Of course, Coach. I understand.”

Wu Rui knew why Vogel said that. Although everyone claimed before the game that it was just another regular-season matchup, deep down, everyone knew this was no ordinary game.

The Milwaukee Bucks, Giannis Antetokounmpo—the very reason Yi Tian missed a game, which led to the Magic’s home defeat!

Wu Rui was never petty, but he was also not one to let grievances go unaddressed.

“Good that you understand,” Vogel smiled knowingly. “That’s why you’re starting at home tonight.”

“Starting?”

Vogel’s decision surprised Wu Rui. All season long, he had been defined as a bench enforcer, leading the second unit against the opponent’s backups. Occasionally, he matched up against starters, but he had never truly started a game.

“That’s right. From the very first minute, I want you to lock down Giannis.”

Vogel’s smile held a hint of something unspoken, a silent confidence. “I believe you can handle him.”

“Coach, but I’ve never started before,” Wu Rui admitted, feeling a rare flutter of nervousness in his career.

“Think of it as being sent on the court during a tie game,” Vogel explained simply. “Michael, a day like this was bound to come—today just happens to be the day.”

Just as Vogel said, Giannis Antetokounmpo had a history with Wu Rui—a history marked by that infamous elbow incident. This game was Wu Rui’s second after returning from injury. His stellar performance in the last game proved he was unaffected by any lingering issues.

Moreover, Vogel had cycled through multiple starters at the small forward position throughout many games—Jeff Green had started, Aaron Gordon had started, but the consistent scorer Wu Rui had yet to earn that role.

Today marked the beginning of everything. Wu Rui deserved this start.

As time passed, the referees took their positions, signaling the imminent rematch between the Bucks and the Magic.

Milwaukee’s starting lineup was unchanged from their first encounter: Delly, Snell, John Henson, Jabari Parker, and Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Giannis looks even stronger this season. He’s been waiting a long time for this game!” the sideline commentator remarked, then shifted his gaze toward the Magic and gasped, “Look! There’s a change to the Magic’s starting lineup!”

“Jeff Green and Aaron Gordon are both sitting out, meaning Michael Wu will make his career-first start tonight!”

In that moment, the Magic starters took the court—Ibaka and Vucevic leading the charge, followed by Payton and Fournier, and finally, Wu Rui, wearing the Magic’s number 0 jersey.

A sharp intake of breath echoed through the arena.

As Wu Rui stepped onto the floor, tens of thousands of Bucks fans erupted into a thunderous chorus of boos directed at the Chinese-American rookie.

“Fake flopper! You don’t belong in the NBA!”

“You fall at the slightest touch! Was your body made just for show?”

“Coward with no physicality—go home and play ping-pong!”

“Starting this guy? Is the Magic’s coach out of his mind?”

The crowd spared no mercy, hurling insults and even flipping Wu Rui the middle finger.

“Welcome to Milwaukee, Michael Wu!”

Giannis showed no signs of warmth either. Standing nearby, he gritted his teeth and said, “From the first minute, I’m locking you down.”

“Is that how you treat guests?” Wu Rui snapped back, his face hardening. “I’m the visitor here, the guest in Milwaukee.”

“Cut the trash talk. Milwaukee never treats visitors kindly!” Giannis retorted sharply, his only thought to crush the rookie on both ends of the floor.

The jump ball commenced. Perhaps fueled by Wu Rui’s first start, Vucevic, who usually lost nine out of ten jump balls, surprisingly won this one, tapping it to Magic point guard Payton.

Payton expertly pushed the ball forward, raising a finger in signal.

Ibaka caught on and approached Wu Rui, clearly ready to set a screen.

“Serge, no need,” Wu Rui called out, halting him.

He glanced at Giannis and waved dismissively. “Give me some space. I’m going to take him one-on-one.”

“Michael, think carefully—this isn’t a joke!” Ibaka was startled by the sudden request. Aside from catch-and-shoot jumpers after screens, Wu Rui had never demonstrated many other scoring options.

“Trust me, man, this shot has to be one-on-one.”

Wu Rui’s tone was resolute. Ibaka gave in and retreated toward the basket, signaling Payton to pass.

Payton was equally puzzled by the unorthodox play.

When had their usual tactics changed?

“Pass the ball, man, pass it!” Payton shouted.

But Wu Rui wouldn’t stop calling for the ball. Ibaka drew the defender away, and Wu Rui shouted again.

Seeing his teammate’s determination, Payton gritted his teeth and fired a pass.

The ball landed in Wu Rui’s hands.

“Michael Wu refuses the screen but still demands the ball. He’s going to take on Giannis Antetokounmpo one-on-one!” the commentators exclaimed, stunned that the game’s theme was set from the outset.

“Incredible. This season, I haven’t seen a single highlight of Michael’s individual moves. Could this young man from across the ocean be hiding a secret weapon?”

“Even if he has tricks, trying to go one-on-one against Giannis without a screen is overestimating himself,” another analyst shook his head. “The Greek Freak has a wingspan of 7’3” and a defense as solid as a fortress.”

Giannis thought the same way. He never imagined Wu Rui would be foolish enough to challenge him alone.

Stepping forward, Giannis didn’t even raise his arms—just spread them wide, allowing Wu Rui to drive.

“Swish!”

Without any feints, no trickery, not even a moment’s hesitation, Wu Rui caught the ball, leapt high, his body straight as an arrow, and released a mid-range jumper.

Giannis was caught off guard by the sudden release, powerless to do anything but watch the ball trace a perfect arc before swishing through the net.

With the ball in, Wu Rui blew a breath onto his palm. “From the first minute, I’m going to break through your defense.”