WebNovels

Chapter 123 - Chapter 123: Pre-Game

Booker sat in the locker room, taking short, shallow breaths.

Locker placement followed unspoken rules. The closer to the corner, the more valuable the spot—less likely to be disturbed, more convenient for interviews.

Though Booker had already become one of the team's main scorers, his lack of seniority still showed. His locker was stuck in one of the worst spots.

"Nervous?"

Butler's voice came out of nowhere beside him.

Booker looked up. Butler, fully geared up, leaned casually against the locker door, watching him with a hint of amusement.

"How could I be nervous! I'm just excited!"

After more than half a season together, Booker had already figured out the new leader's temperament. Show even a hint of weakness, and Butler would step on him without hesitation.

That's how Butler pushed the young guys—driving them to toughen up with almost cruel intensity.

"It's fine. Deep breaths. Feeling dizzy from nerves is normal."

This time, Butler didn't mock him. Instead, he surprised Booker with words of comfort.

"Ever told you my story?" Butler asked, dragging a stool over from the locker next to Booker's and sitting down.

Ben, the actual owner of the stool, watched helplessly as his seat was taken. Hugging his pants with a wounded look, he shuffled off to change in a quiet corner.

"My first team scrimmage after I joined the Bulls," Butler began, whether Booker wanted to listen or not.

"Back then, I was nothing—just the 30th pick in the first round. The team was stacked: Derrick Rose in his prime, Joakim Noah, Luol Deng, Taj Gibson."

"You know about that time?"

Booker nodded without hesitation.

Everyone knows about LeBron's enforcers, but who remembers the guys who had Rose's back? Back then, Rose's supporting cast was the very best in the league.

"Rose and those guys—he was tight with Noah and Gibson." Butler leaned forward toward Booker. "But in that scrimmage, I saw them going at each other."

He raised a finger and waved it slightly.

"Not joking around—really heated. They looked like they wanted to tear each other apart."

"They were trading trash talk, shoving, going at it hard. I thought they were about to come to blows right there in practice."

"But as soon as it ended, it was like nothing happened. They were all smiles again, chatting away, even making dinner plans."

"For a moment, I wondered if they had split personalities."

Butler fell silent for a moment.

"That's when I learned the rule of survival in this league. You have to be tough—against enemies, against your brothers. Toughness is the only rule that matters."

Then Butler fixed his eyes on Booker.

"I'm telling you this because you need to understand—when I push you or get on your case, it's not personal."

"I just want to win. I want my teammates to be as tough as I am. We're going to take that damn championship together. You get me?"

It was the first time since joining the team that Butler had truly opened up.

Booker was caught off guard, almost flattered.

"Got it! I get it!"

"Good."

Butler stood and clapped him firmly on the shoulder.

"You're good—really good! Way ahead of most guys in their rookie years. Get your head right, and let's win that damn game!"

With that, Butler walked off without looking back.

Not long after, Ben—now fully changed—sidled up with a mischievous grin. "So, what did that scary guy want with you?"

Booker hesitated.

"Uh... hard to explain. If I said he came to encourage me, would you believe me?"

"Like hell I would!" Ben nearly spat in his face. "That emotionless guy encouraging you? Not buying it!"

Nearby, Gay, who had seen the whole thing, chuckled. When Butler came back, he teased, "So you can actually say nice things, huh? Maybe I should hand over my locker too."

Gay's locker was the best in the room, a clear symbol of his leader status.

"Rudy, don't start." Butler let out a rare laugh. "Stuff like that I only do once in a while. Too much of it gives me goosebumps. You're still the one everyone looks to as captain."

The two leaders, inside and out, shared a light moment.

"You guys ready?"

Coach Malone entered the locker room. "Come hear the game plan!"

...

A piercing alarm blared inside the Kings' arena. The high-frequency noise set everyone's nerves on edge.

"Ladies and gentlemen!"

The DJ's booming voice roared from the speakers.

"Welcome to the grand stage of the 2015-2016 playoffs! Are you ready?"

In the tunnel, Rudy Gay led the line of players waiting for their names to be called.

"Stay sharp, guys."

The player at the front suddenly spoke up loudly. Gay didn't turn his head, so it wasn't clear if he was talking to his teammates or himself.

"Last year we lost—it was a lesson. But if we lose again this year, we won't be able to lift our heads! Play hard! Take this game!"

Right as his words ended, the DJ's voice rang out:

"Six-foot-eight! From the University of Connecticut! The pride of Baltimore, Maryland! Number 8—Rudy Gay!"

Gay turned, flashed his teammates a reassuring smile, then sprinted onto the court without looking back.

High-wattage spotlights converged on the tunnel's exit as Gay led the team one by one into the blinding glare.

It felt like running toward an uncertain future—one impossible not to long for.

...

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