Of course, criticism aside, LeBron was undeniably a historic player.
Even only playing his own system, he'd won multiple championships.
That alone placed him above 90% of players in league history!
"Point is, someone like that can never be a true point guard."
Yuuto showed Kagami no mercy, thoroughly annoying Seirin's ace.
But deep down, Kagami actually understood what Yuuto meant. Because his own playing style in America had been similar to Yuuto's.
American basketball culture was completely different from Japan's. Those players had one particular trait.
They were extremely selfish.
Stars would always say, "As long as we win, stats don't matter."
But the moment they got back to the locker room? They'd immediately grab the stat sheet to check how many points they'd scored, how many assists, how many rebounds.
The most ridiculous example was Ricky Davis, LeBron's first "alpha."
This guy, needing one rebound for his career's first triple-double, actually threw the ball at his own basket, then grabbed the rebound to pad his stats.
Mind you, the game was basically over, victory secured. Players were already walking toward halfcourt waiting for the final buzzer.
This disgraceful behavior infuriated the opponents. The league stepped in and eventually voided that rebound from Davis's record.
A classic negative example.
But back to the game.
Jabberwock's possession.
Nash took the ball, facing Yuuto head-on.
This time, he noticed the defensive pressure from Yuuto was... different.
"Am I imagining things?"
Nash wondered.
But another part of him recalled ESPN's reports on Yuuto.
A player exceptionally skilled at adjusting mid-game!
How could that be?
His eyes could see through everything!
Nash refused to believe it. He used flashy moves to throw off Yuuto's balance.
He got past.
After several seconds of entanglement, he still broke through Yuuto's defense.
Something even Akashi couldn't manage—because Nash possessed superior physical talent.
After all, in the movie, regular Nash could compete with Zone-activated Aomine and Kagami, even suppress them.
He crossed the three-point line in one step, faked Haizaki to the ground, and even Kagami in Zone was beaten in two moves.
"Even Zone can't stop him?!"
Zone's invincibility myth shattered once again.
In memory, the first person to accomplish this had also been Yuuto.
"This is world-class!"
Kagetora felt the gap between Japan and the world.
Even their most exceptional talent, unleashing 100% of his abilities, couldn't resist.
Nash accelerated and reached the basket, ignoring Murasakibara's leap.
And Yuuto?
He transformed into a beam of light, chasing all the way to the paint. Kagami and Murasakibara's delays had bought him enough time.
Yuuto came from behind, using a "from behind" angle, reaching out mid-air to grab the ball.
"Yu!" Nash gritted his teeth, trying to force the ball through the rim, only to find it wouldn't budge.
Finally.
SMACK!
Yuuto enhanced his arm strength and swatted Nash's layup away.
"What the—?!"
Jabberwock's eyes went wide as saucers.
Why was Nash Jabberwock's leader? Why did even Jason Silver follow his orders?
Because he was the team's most dominant player.
In the NBA, when stars clashed with coaches, it was often the coach who got fired.
If a player was good enough, even if he didn't want to be the team's alpha, the organization would ensure his status was established.
Anyone who didn't fall in line got shipped out.
Take Dennis Rodman. When he joined the Spurs, he was already the league's rebounding king, a champion from the Pistons' Bad Boy era.
San Antonio signed him hoping he'd free up David Robinson, letting the Admiral focus more on offense.
But Rodman never respected Robinson, considering him "soft."
So even though Rodman averaged 17.4 rebounds that season, Popovich had no choice but to trade him East—completing the Bulls' second dynasty.
The only reason Nash could be Jabberwock's leader was simple.
He was their strongest player.
Yet now...
Well, actually, it wasn't that hard to accept. After all, Yu and Nash were on the same level—both top five-star recruits in America.
ESPN had already penciled Yuuto into the first round of a future draft.
Nash, Yuuto—they were both freaks from another world entirely.
SLAP—
Nash's dunk was blocked. On the sideline, Momoi jumped up in excitement.
But the ball wasn't secured. Zack picked it up, spun to shoot, only to see Murasakibara bearing down on him.
With no choice, he kicked it to Nick in the corner.
Then.
A crimson flash tore through the air. Kagami covered several meters to contest, once again dismantling Jabberwock's attack.
This time.
Kuroko didn't let the ball escape. He'd appeared at the landing spot early—or rather, Kagami had deliberately sent it his way.
"Cyclone Pass!"
Kuroko focused, his palm striking the ball squarely.
In an instant, the ball ripped through the air. Haizaki caught it, splitting into two images to beat his defender and drive into the paint, preparing to dunk.
But a hand swept across at the last moment.
Haizaki glanced over—it was Nash. "This guy was just at the other basket?!"
Monster!
Haizaki couldn't beat most of the Generation of Miracles, and Nash was on another level entirely!
However.
Since Nash had chased all the way here, that guy must be here too, right?
Thinking this, Haizaki immediately pivoted. Using the post-move he'd stolen from Kiyoshi, he switched from a dunk to a pass, lobbing the ball backward.
In an instant, a dark figure soared up, catching the ball in mid-air and slamming it over both Haizaki and Nash.
Mini Meteor Jam!
"Nice work, Haizaki."
"Hmph. That monster's all yours."
SLAP—
Yuuto landed and reached out to bump fists with Haizaki.
Kagami watched, his double eyebrows twitching furiously.
"Why does he high-five Yuuto but not me?!"
He was indignant. They were all teammates! Why the different treatment?!
"Haizaki-kun already said—he's not close with Kagami-kun."
Kuroko appeared right on cue to twist the knife.
Kagami's face darkened. Not backing down, he retorted, "So when Haizaki refuses to fist-bump you, that means he's not close with you either, huh?"
Pfft—
An arrow pierced Kuroko's chest too.
Damn, your words hurt!
Team Yu's atmosphere was warm and lively. Nash's face, meanwhile, had gone completely cold.
...
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