Chapter Fifty-Four: Additional Deductions!

“Perhaps this is a signal—whenever Orlando puts Michael Wu on the court, something special happens,” the commentator continued, offering his perspective. “Even though he’s only a second-round pick, he’s already created so many unbelievable moments.”

“That’s right. Even though his attempt to challenge Rudy Gobert with an alley-oop was denied, he still managed to draw a foul from the big man. Now, counting this one, Rudy Gobert—the defensive anchor of Salt Lake City—has picked up his third foul.”

The two ABC commentators remained cautious; in the NBA, surprises lurk around every corner. In a league where miracles are born, they would never ignore the slightest signal!

Yet, Rudy Gobert, the man at the center of it all, showed none of the commentators’ caution. To him, that last play was a victory—Wu tried to challenge his dominance in the paint and ended up on the floor. Even with the foul called against him, Gobert considered it a win.

“Rudy, that was my mistake—I lost focus for a moment,” Hayward admitted, taking responsibility for being beaten by Wu’s quick cut.

Gobert merely shrugged. “No problem, Gordon. You did great.”

“Let that kid keep coming at me. Let him try,” Gobert said as he inbounded the ball. “Trust me, he’ll never dunk on me—not even once!”

“He might try a layup, but you know as well as I do—any layup in front of me will be swatted away.”

With an average of 2.5 blocks per game this season, Gobert had every right to be confident. His long arms were the source of that confidence.

Gobert’s words acted like a shot of adrenaline. Hayward, who had been feeling guilty, now felt completely at ease. Just as his teammate said—even if Wu could slip past his defense and charge to the rim, waiting there was the team's best defender, an immovable force no second-round rookie could hope to challenge.

With his mood settled, Hayward’s form stabilized. Facing Wu on offense, he threatened with all three options, feinted with his shoulder, then executed a crossover step, leaving Wu behind with ease.

“Gordon Hayward is striking back on offense—that’s exactly what an All-Star should do!” The commentators grew excited as Hayward showed his true abilities. “Michael challenged his teammate, and now Gordon is challenging Michael!”

No sooner had the words left their lips than Hayward pulled up for a jumper. Wu rushed to contest, but he was a step late—the ball brushed his fingertips, bounced off the back rim, and finally fell through the net.

“Oh! Brilliant offense and defense—Gordon Hayward escapes a scare, as Michael Wu’s relentless pursuit almost earned him a chase-down block against the All-Star forward!”

The commentators marveled at Hayward’s offensive play, while Wu’s determined defense left them breathless. Hayward may have made the shot, but even he felt a tremor of nerves—Wu’s last-second gamble for the block made his shooting hand quiver. Truthfully, had he delayed even a moment longer, his shot would have been sent flying.

On the other side, Wu was equally disappointed. He couldn’t stop Hayward’s series of moves before the shot, but at the final moment, he sprinted full speed to contest. Alas, he could only watch as the ball found its way in.

“Michael, that was some defense!” Just as Wu was lamenting, Ibaka, ready to sprint to the frontcourt, offered praise. “You were just a hair away—I saw Gordon Hayward’s hand shake!”

“Honestly, my hand was shaking too,” Wu replied with a grin. “Otherwise, the other side would already be inbounding the ball.”

With that, Wu and Ibaka exchanged smiles and ran toward the frontcourt. Now was not the time to regret a single defensive possession—he’d have plenty of time for reflection on the bench, but here on the floor, his teammates still expected even the smallest contribution.

The game transitioned—Magic on offense. In previous possessions, both teams had traded blows. Now, having conceded a basket, they needed to answer. But this time, Hayward’s defense on Wu grew even tighter.

Gobert had made his bold claims, but as a star, Hayward knew he had to lock down his assignment.

“Hey, man, why so serious this time?” With Hayward ramping up his defense, Wu felt a flicker of pride—after all, his opponent was an All-Star.

Still, his banter flowed undiminished. “Come on, give a rookie a break, will you?”

“Are you joking with me?”

Wu’s words left Hayward astonished. If last time Wu had seemed to back down, this time he was outright begging. Was this really an NBA player?

“No joke—I’m serious.” Wu spoke, but his eyes silently tracked Fournier, who was preparing to shoot. “Just give me one shot—just one.”

“Forget it, kid. That’s not how you survive in the NBA…” Hayward was at a loss, and, with a veteran’s concern, was about to say more when Wu suddenly turned and sprinted toward the basket. At the same time, Magic guard Fournier launched a long two-pointer, the ball striking the left side of the rim and bouncing out.

Bang!

Almost simultaneously, in a scene echoing the previous possession, Magic’s number 0 and the Jazz’s center both leaped, arms outstretched toward the same target.

“Michael and Rudy are jumping—they’re battling for the rebound!” The ABC commentator was nearly speechless. “That’s Rudy Gobert’s rebound—Michael Wu is standing in the way of a giant!”

Yet, as soon as he’d spoken, he regretted it. In midair, Wu’s exceptional vertical leap opened a gap between him and Gobert, allowing him to snatch the rebound first.

In the next moment, as the crowd stared in disbelief, Wu controlled the ball in midair—without landing, he soared toward Gobert at his peak, braced against him, and slammed the ball home with both hands!

Bang!

Boom!

Like a mirror image of the previous play, Wu, overpowering Gobert in the air, threw down a put-back dunk off the rim, the ball bouncing out as both he and Gobert crashed to the floor!

Then, after a moment’s hesitation, the referee blew his whistle again.

“Rudy Gobert, defensive foul!”