Chapter Ninety-Eight: Secretly Studying the Armory

"Michael Wu has torn through Milwaukee’s defense, and he’s scored four straight!"

At Orlando’s Amway Arena, the announcer on the sideline flipped open the stat sheet in his hands. "So far in the second quarter, Michael Wu is three for five from the field and already has six points!"

"He’s playing with real confidence. After missing his first few shots, he found his rhythm in no time. Now the Magic are widening their lead on their home floor, and they have complete control of this game!"

Wu Rui reached double digits for the night and, in the process, pushed the score to 40-29, giving Orlando an eleven-point lead over the Bucks at home.

"Michael, nice work!"

Bismack Biyombo slapped Wu Rui’s hand in excitement. "Kid, you’re about to drive them crazy. They can’t stop you at all!"

"That’s normal, Bismack. I haven’t even broken a sweat."

Wu Rui shrugged. To be honest, Michael Beasley’s talent was indeed exceptional, but some of his habits on defense were less than ideal. Against the pick-and-roll, for example, he seemed a little lost, and that gave Wu Rui multiple chances to pull up from mid-range after the screen.

He was not about to waste scoring chances that easy.

On the other side, after being shaken loose by Wu Rui and hit by another mid-range jumper, Beasley was deeply frustrated. Back when he first entered the league, he had been hailed as a rare talent, yet his career had still fallen far short of expectations.

Now that he had finally made his way back to the NBA and been entrusted with a major role, he was getting lit up on offense by the opposing team’s second-round rookie from this year’s draft!

If Jason Kidd, the Bucks’ head coach, saw a performance like this, it would only hurt his standing.

Beasley shook his head, then looked toward the team’s backup point guard, Malcolm Brogdon, who had also been selected in this year’s draft. "Malcolm, are second-round picks this good now?"

Brogdon had also been taken in the second round this year, but he had put together a solid season so far. In a recent game against the New Orleans Pelicans, the young guard played twenty-three minutes and posted fourteen points and four assists.

With rookies across the league generally struggling this season, he had even become a serious contender for Rookie of the Year.

"I don’t know, Michael, but that kid is definitely no joke." Brogdon stared at Wu Rui across the floor, sighing as well. "You know I pay close attention to second-rounders. A few days ago, that guy couldn’t shoot at all!"

"He looked like a complete novice, with nothing but explosive athleticism to his name. But now everything’s changed. His mid-range game is excellent. I almost think he’s a different person!"

The two men sighed and exchanged a look.

The baseline inbound came next. No matter how shocking Wu Rui had been, the game had to go on, and with more than ten points to erase, they had to find a way to claw their way back into it.

But Wu Rui was not only hot on offense. Back on defense, his pairing with Aaron Gordon, a duo overflowing with athleticism, was also making life miserable for Milwaukee’s attack.

Beasley, especially, who wanted badly to answer back, was being tracked so tightly by Wu Rui that he felt as if he had been glued in place.

With Milwaukee’s offense stalled, Orlando showed no mercy. Wu Rui still could not shake Beasley completely, but he drew the attention of the defense and kicked the ball to Mario Hezonja, who was left open on the perimeter. Hezonja rose for the three and buried it cleanly!

"Michael Wu isn’t forcing isolation. Even with his shot falling like this, he’s still thinking clearly!"

The shape of the game became increasingly clear. Because of Wu Rui’s sudden explosion, the two teams’ second units were now completely mismatched. By the latter part of the second quarter, Orlando had once led by as many as fifteen points, 49-34.

"Beep!"

At the next dead ball, both benches seemed to have agreed on the same thing and made substitutions at once.

Though the reasons were very different.

For Milwaukee, Kidd was extremely dissatisfied with the second unit’s performance and went straight to a four-man rotation, pulling everyone except the old Jet, Jason Terry.

For Orlando, however, head coach Frank Vogel’s changes were meant to protect Wu Rui and the others physically.

"Michael, get some rest. Your assignment in the second half will be even tougher."

Vogel patted Wu Rui on the back as he spoke. "While you’re on the bench, pay attention to the movements of Giannis and Jabari. You don’t necessarily have to figure out how to stop them, but you should watch how they attack."

"Watch how they attack?"

Wu Rui blinked and nearly collided with Aaron Gordon behind him. "Coach Vogel, do you mean I’m supposed to learn from the opponents during the game?"

"Exactly, Michael. Just like that dunk you did earlier, imitating Giannis." Vogel nodded. "The Milwaukee Bucks are loaded with enviable talent. Jabari Parker and Giannis Antetokounmpo are both gifted physically and exceptionally intelligent future stars."

"But that’s also what you have. So right now, all you need to do is steal a couple of moves from their arsenal. That will be a tremendous gain for you."

What Vogel meant was that Wu Rui’s scoring options on offense were still limited. But since there happened to be two perfect models right there on the floor, he might as well learn by watching and use them immediately, saving the trouble of going home to watch film.

"I understand, Coach Vogel. I’ll make good use of this time."

Wu Rui was about to leave, then turned back. "But sir, didn’t we agree that if Giannis is on the floor, I’m on the floor too?"

"The game’s only halfway over. It’s not like you’ll never get back in." Vogel shot him an indifferent glance. "Now get your ass to the bench and rest!"

"Uh... yes, yes..."

The coach’s sudden outburst startled Wu Rui badly, and he hurried back to the bench.

Vogel’s anger had a reason, though. In the stretch while the starters for both teams had returned to the floor, the game had changed in an instant.

Just as Vogel had said, the Bucks possessed two players with absolutely elite athletic gifts, and those two were exactly why Kidd still believed his team could win even while trailing by more than ten points.

"Giannis with the block on Serge Ibaka, long outlet to Jabari Parker... gliding slam!"

The announcer on the sideline was startled by Milwaukee’s lightning-fast transition. "Unbelievable! This excellent defense turned straight into points, and the young men from Milwaukee needed only three seconds!"

After finishing the dunk, Parker jogged back on defense while lifting a finger toward Antetokounmpo, who had delivered the pinpoint outlet.

Antetokounmpo answered with a gesture of his own, and there seemed to be fire burning in his eyes.

With a minute and a half left in the second quarter, the deficit had already been cut to eleven points through his effort.