Chapter 110: Creating a Space for Action

“Kid, remember what you just said!”

Wu Rui’s provocation stiffened Giannis’s expression. This was his home court!

“My memory has always been pretty good.”

Wu Rui showed no fear of his opponent, his face calm and composed. “Today, I’m going to crush you, right here on your own turf!”

With that, Wu Rui turned sharply, leaving nothing but his back to Giannis Antetokounmpo.

“Giannis, it’s time to serve!”

At the baseline, John Henson called out to the slowly simmering Antetokounmpo, signaling it was time to receive the ball.

Giannis responded with a nod, caught the ball, and immediately passed it to Delavedova beside him.

“Has Giannis abandoned his usual drive and attack tactic?”

The commentator by the sidelines was puzzled. “Michael’s provocations have been evident since the tip-off, yet Giannis has chosen not to respond directly?”

Milwaukee's home crowd was equally surprised. Although Giannis’s first offensive play was below par, the duel had heated up intensely—neither player was willing to back down.

Whoever yielded first would be admitting defeat.

No one wanted to see their star player concede on home ground.

But Giannis was clearly not surrendering. Instead, he began repositioning himself.

Since solo drives were ineffective, he decided to lean on his teammates’ support.

John Henson and Jabari Parker formed a wall, one in front and one behind, assisting Giannis. Wu Rui pursued relentlessly, but ultimately, Antetokounmpo found his opening.

Delavedova passed seamlessly, and Giannis rose from midrange, sinking a two-pointer, showing he could fight back!

“Oh, this is what Coach Jason Kidd has been shaping in this young Bucks team—his tactical designs are truly distinctive!”

The commentator was captivated by the Bucks’ double screen play. “Giannis utilized his long limbs perfectly, leaving Michael trailing far behind!”

“This is the real Giannis! Milwaukee’s leading star!”

The home crowd erupted in cheers, initially thinking Giannis was avoiding confrontation, unaware this was his own way of stepping up.

“I still have teammates strong enough to overpower you.”

After nailing the midrange shot, Antetokounmpo didn’t forget to taunt Wu Rui verbally: “Michael, I admit you’re excellent, but look at your teammates—they simply don’t match your talent!”

“You can’t beat me, so you’re leaning on your teammates now?”

Wu Rui remained unfazed. “That’s the coward’s way out. If you’ve got the guts, fight me one-on-one.”

One-on-one? Impossible. Not in this lifetime. Wu Rui relied on his teammates because inside the team, it felt like home—older brothers who spoke kindly and set solid screens. He loved playing with them.

Giannis shrugged casually, and Wu Rui instantly caught on. He grimaced slightly and then exploded to his right, ready to accelerate.

Antetokounmpo wasn’t about to be shaken off so easily and hurried to keep pace.

But Wu Rui’s move to the right was a feint; the next second, he darted in the opposite direction, accelerating sharply!

“Such agile movement—Michael Wu’s move, where did he learn that? It’s quite something!”

The commentator chuckled, amused by Wu Rui’s nimble footwork. “As far as I know, the Magic never designed specific drills for Michael in this area!”

The commentator’s insight was sharp. Coach Frank Vogel hadn’t designed specific training for Wu Rui’s off-ball movement, but during practice, Vogel had told him:

“You’ll only be consistent if you shoot when you’re open.”

Wu Rui was a little puzzled. “Coach, isn’t that just common sense?”

No matter the situation, open shots were the most reliable scoring opportunity.

“Good that you know that,” Vogel replied, glancing at Wu Rui and then at the players scrimmaging on the court. “So, how many open shot chances do you think you’ll get in a game?”

“As long as Nikola sets a solid screen, every possession, I’m open.”

Simple as that. Yet Vogel lightly tapped his head.

“Watch how Evan moves,” he said, pointing to Evan Fournier, the player running tirelessly.

“When the ball isn’t in your hands, when teammates can’t screen for you, you have to create your own open shot opportunities.”

He paused. “That’s when your off-ball movement skills are truly tested.”

“Michael, your running and jumping abilities rank among the very best on the team. In fact, across the entire league, there are few who can outmatch you in those areas.”

Having access to Wu Rui’s physical data, Vogel spoke with full confidence. “I won’t set up specific drills for this, but you have to figure it out yourself.”

Now, watching Wu Rui’s first attempt at off-ball movement bear fruit, the Magic’s head coach, Frank Vogel, smiled faintly.

“Bang!”

With Wu Rui creating the opportunity, Payton was right there to deliver the ball.

Wu Rui caught it smoothly, faced up, adjusted slightly, and released a midrange jumper.

The ball traced a perfect arc and swished through the net.

“Michael Wu easily shook off Giannis’s defense—wow, this is nothing like the Michael I remember!”

The commentator was taken aback by Wu Rui’s play: “He used to only shoot open shots created off screens, but today, in Milwaukee, he’s shooting off pull-ups and creating his own chances. He’s a completely different player!”

Meanwhile, Giannis Antetokounmpo, relying on his teammates’ screens, once again used a double screen wall to shake off Wu Rui’s defense and sunk another midrange jump shot.

“Giannis scores again, using screens to create his midrange jump shot!”

“Hey, guys, these two young stars have completely reversed their scoring styles today!”

“Giannis should be the one going one-on-one, while Michael should be the one depending on screens to get his shot!”

The commentators could only marvel at how quickly the game—and perhaps the world—was changing.

But neither team’s young stars would slow their scoring pace.

Midway through the first quarter, Wu Rui had taken most of his team’s shots, shooting efficiently and scoring 12 points.

However, since he was creating his own scoring chances every time and had to constantly defend against the opposing screens, his energy was being drained like never before.

To protect him, during a dead ball, Magic coach Frank Vogel took advantage of the break to sub Wu Rui out for Aaron Gordon.

The moment Wu Rui left, Giannis’s style shifted instantly. Facing Gordon, he no longer relied on screens but used his own strength to power through, scoring easily and drawing a foul on Gordon!