NBA : Formidable Center

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As sparks flew in the stands, the first quarter came to an end with Allan Houston missing a three-pointer. The Knicks led 26–22, holding a narrow 4-point advantage over the Wizards.

**Quarter Break**

Wizards' head coach Eddie Jordan gave an impassioned speech on the sidelines, rallying his team. While Jordan might not be the most tactically astute coach, his motivational skills were evident. After all, both the courtside Jordan and the Wizards' management believed in his leadership—enough to retain him despite several seasons of sub-30% win rates.

Regarding Kwame Brown and Brendan Haywood switching matchups, Eddie Jordan had no objections. However, he was growing increasingly dissatisfied with Wang Song's spectacular performance. Nonetheless, adhering to his usual positive reinforcement coaching style, he refrained from voicing criticism.

"Kwame! Focus less on offensive rebounds in the next quarter! Keep a close eye on that Asian kid and try to minimize his ball-handling opportunities," he instructed firmly.

"Got it, coach!" Kwame Brown nodded, though his motivation extended beyond mere tactical adjustments.

Kwame had noticed Jordan's eyes locked onto Wang Song throughout the first quarter. Being overshadowed in the eyes of the legendary Michael Jordan, the man he idolized, was unacceptable.

To Kwame, earning Jordan's attention wasn't just about basketball. With Jordan representing unparalleled commercial value in the NBA, gaining his favor could lead to lucrative contracts and endorsement deals.

His determination to outshine Wang Song on the court was palpable.

Similarly, Gilbert Arenas sat on the bench, visibly frustrated. Aside from his opening three-pointer, Arenas had managed only three additional points in the first quarter, leaving him with a lackluster 6-point total.

His performance was overshadowed by Steve Nash, who delivered an electric 10-point, 4-assist showing in just 10 minutes, igniting the Knicks' offense.

The second quarter began with both teams rotating their lineups. Arenas, however, remained on the court, seizing the opportunity to exploit the Knicks' weakened second unit.

Arenas found his rhythm momentarily, scoring six consecutive points with a mix of drives and jumpers. Just as his confidence began to soar, **Wang Song re-entered the game.**

With Wang Song back on the court, the Knicks' interior defense stiffened. Arenas' path to the basket became a minefield, forcing him to rely on outside shooting. Unfortunately, the roaring Madison Square Garden crowd rattled his rhythm, and after three consecutive misses, Eddie Jordan had no choice but to call a timeout.

"Gilbert! You can't keep playing like this!" Jordan scolded, only to pause mid-sentence as he saw Arenas' red, frustrated eyes.

"Coach, sometimes I just want to dunk over that damn Asian kid! He's just standing there in the paint, making it impossible to drive!" Arenas vented.

"Calm down, Gilbert! Keep your composure!" Jordan urged, understanding Arenas' struggles yet knowing he needed to keep his emotions in check.

Meanwhile, Brendan Haywood, still smarting from Wang Song's earlier highlight-reel dunk, tried to console Arenas. But Arenas' frustration stemmed not only from Wang Song's dominance but also from the Wizards' lack of spacing, which allowed Wang Song to control the paint with ease.

Eddie Jordan ultimately benched Arenas, replacing him with Steve Blake. While the Wizards' ball movement improved, their offense faltered without their leading scorer.

On the other side, Kwame Brown decided to take matters into his own hands. He sought to step up offensively, but his limited skill set and lack of polish were evident. The power and finesse that made him a high school sensation were no match for NBA defenses.

Facing Wang Song, the NCAA's most reliable rim protector, Kwame's attempts turned into a humiliating sequence:

- **Blocked on a spinning layup.**

- **Missed a contested hook shot.**

- **Denied again with a ferocious swat.**

The Madison Square Garden crowd erupted after each rejection, while Wizards fans groaned in dismay.

**"Kwame Brown challenges the Knicks' paint! Spins past Kurt Thomas, but Wang Song was waiting—denied again!"**

**"Another try from Brown—blocked! It's a hat trick of rejections from Wang Song!"**

In the live broadcast chatroom:

- **"The #1 pick is breaking down. He's screaming, 'Give me the ball, I want to go home!'"**

- **"Kwame is Wang Song's best friend tonight, padding his stats like crazy!"**

- **"Brown's desperation to impress Jordan is backfiring horribly."**

**Halftime**

The Knicks entered the locker room with a commanding 54–43 lead.

On the Wizards' bench, Kwame Brown and Gilbert Arenas sat side by side, both visibly dejected. Eddie Jordan's frustration mirrored theirs, though he masked it well.

As for Michael Jordan, seated just behind them, his expression was unreadable. The camera panned to him, capturing his contemplative, darkened face.

But for Kwame, the meaning was clear—his first half had been nothing short of a disaster.

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

**(End of Chapter)**