NBA : Formidable Center

****

"Welcome back to the live broadcast! The second half has begun."

"The Knicks maintain their dominance, and it's as if Nash and Wang Song have completely swapped roles today. Nash has become the Knicks' primary scorer, while Wang Song has transformed into a defensive anchor and assist maestro. It's as if their souls have exchanged places!"

"Unbelievable! The Windy Boy's offensive prowess is terrifying—scoring from the paint, beyond the arc, and mid-range with equal ease."

"Of course, this could also be because Arenas is a classic offense-heavy, defense-light player who simply can't contain Nash!"

---

**Fans flood the chat with reactions:**

- **["Stop mentioning Arenas; he's probably shedding tears in the locker room!"]**

- **["Now I get it—Arenas was strategizing against Jordan himself!"]**

- **["Arenas is young but overpriced. Instead of paying $8.5M for him, why not sign Nash for $5.5M, save $3M, and add Wang Song? Then, build a team called the Knicks. How about that, everyone?"]**

- **["Top-notch idea! NBA management really missed out on you!"]**

- **["Speaking of which, did anyone notice Jordan's face on camera? He didn't seem upset about the loss."]**

- **["He's probably numb from losing!"]**

---

Madison Square Garden was louder than ever, with Knicks fans cheering wildly.

At the end of the third quarter, the Knicks had secured a commanding 20-point lead. The Wizards' two stars, Arenas and Kwame Brown, had been benched by Eddie Jordan to reflect on their poor performances.

By the final whistle, the Knicks held firm, maintaining their 20-point lead. The game ended with a decisive victory for New York, 108-90.

**The Knicks secured their first win of the season, and the MVP of the game surprised everyone:**

- **Steve Nash:** 31 points, 7 assists—earning him the MVP title.

- **Wang Song:** 12 points, 10 rebounds, and 8 assists—a near triple-double. His performance was defined by one word: versatility!

Nash's rare scoring outburst thrilled Knicks fans, who now saw him as not only a skilled playmaker but also a potent scorer. This newfound hope for the Knicks had the Madison Square Garden crowd buzzing.

---

Meanwhile, on the Wizards' bench, despair loomed.

Arenas, leading the charge to the locker room, kept his head down, hoping to avoid the media.

Kwame Brown, at the rear, repeatedly glanced at Michael Jordan seated nearby, longing for some reassurance or encouragement. Yet Jordan, grim-faced, ignored him, his attention fixed elsewhere—on the Knicks' bench.

Once the arena began to clear, Jordan made an unexpected move, positioning himself at the Knicks' tunnel entrance.

This caused a stir among the remaining fans, many of whom stopped to watch.

---

**Jordan greets Nash:**

"MVP, Steve Nash!" Jordan's voice echoed, drawing attention.

"Michael! Never thought I'd see you as part of a team's management!" Nash responded with a bright smile.

As a fellow member of the 1996 draft class, Nash and Jordan were familiar with each other. Jordan's Bulls had a 3-1 record against Nash, but after his return with the Wizards, that flipped to 1-3—today's game included.

Despite the history, Jordan appeared cheerful and unbothered by the loss, a detail Nash picked up on.

"Michael, you're not just here for small talk, are you?" Nash teased.

"Steve, I like dealing with sharp minds like yours," Jordan replied, his sharp gaze shifting to Wang Song.

"Hello, Wang Song. I believe I need no introduction." Jordan extended his hand toward Wang Song, his demeanor unusually cordial, shedding his infamous "bad boy" image.

Before Wang Song could respond, a larger hand intercepted.

"Michael, long time no see," said a familiar figure.

Jordan's expression hardened as he recognized the face before him.

Scott Layden, the Knicks' general manager, stood firm, his jaw visibly clenched.

Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on [email protected]/Twilight_scribe1

*(End of Chapter)*