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Chapter 38 - Sooners vs Wildcats (Take the shot)

Lin Yi pulled off that wild sequence of crossovers and ankle-breaking moves, continuously smashing the expectations of how a big should play.

Then Blake Griffin came down the other end and made the whole arena feel it. Not just the dunk—the shockwave.

It felt like these two giants had hijacked the spotlight.

But somehow… folks had forgotten about Davidson's main weapon.

Stephen freaking Curry.

When Klay gets hot, defenses panic—cause you can't stop him, only hope he misses.

When KD drives downhill. That's pain—pure pain. You're helpless.

But when Steph's feelin' it?

It's game over.

Davidson's squad had its ups and downs, but how far they went always came down to that baby-faced killer.

Lin Yi was the spark, the thunderbolt that made you jump out of your seat—but Steph? He was the heartbeat.

And it wasn't just how strong Curry was—it was the way he scored.

You'd push him eight, nine meters out, thinking, Alright, this is it, we've got him.

Then he just casually flings the ball like it's a warm-up shot—and boom, nothing but net.

That kinda shot doesn't just hurt—it sticks with you.

It eats at your soul.

Right now, the Sooners were starting to feel that.

Steph tried a few things—cross, hesitation, left-handed runner—no open lane.

Two seconds on the clock. The shot clock winding down.

And suddenly…

Steph just let it fly.

Didn't set his feet. Didn't square his shoulders. Just let it go like he was tossing a paper ball into the trash.

Blake and Tyler Griffin were both in position, already thinking about the rebound.

But instead?

Swish.

Reggie Miller's jaw hit the desk.

Sure, everybody knew Curry could shoot.

Sure, everybody tried to guard him.

But the difference between him and others?

Curry's shots go in.

You think it's impossible… until he makes it.

And he keeps doing it.

That's the nightmare.

He's not just a shooter. He's a problem.

Since college, teams hated playing this guy.

Because the moment you let your guard down?

Boom.

Nothing but net.

......

Wildcats fans were losing it—chanting his name like a rock star.

Lin Yi watched him with wide eyes, breathing deeply like he was watching a dream unfold.

Even if you know what's coming… it still hits differently when it lands.

If Steph ever retires? He's taking every three-point record with him.

Forget Miller. Forget Ray Allen.

Curry didn't just prove threes could win games.

He proved they could break your heart.

Head coach Jeff Capel had seen enough.

Timeout

He looked at his bench—those players were shook.

...

Steph's three had knocked the wind right out of 'em.

"Crazy cool, right?" Steph said, strolling over, grinning like he'd just pulled a harmless prank.

Lin grinned back. "Straight up fire."

And then he remembered what Chris Paul once said:

"If you don't beat that Warrior… then what's the point?"

That stuck with him.

Why else would CP3 keep chasing rings well into his 30s?

It wasn't just about KD. It wasn't even about rings.

It was about the challenge.

Basketball is the challenge.

And challenges? That's what makes it fun.

Timeout over

Back on the court, both squads locked back in.

The Sooners had a plan: make someone besides Curry or Lin shoot the ball.

And McKillop, Davidson's coach, knew it too.

That was the nightmare—the rest of the Wildcats just couldn't step up.

The game got tight. Real tight. No popcorn, no chill—just heartbeats and squeaking sneakers.

Both teams traded buckets and made adjustments on the fly.

Then—bang!

Griffin hammered it down. The Sooners took the lead for the first time in the half!

82–80.

Blake was roaring, fire in his eyes.

That was his 38th point of the night. And this wasn't just any 38—it meant something.

It was personal.

Timeout

One last play.

McKillop turned to his stars.

Steph had 35.

Lin had 29.

Combined for 64.

Final play. Pick-and-roll between the two stars. Whoever got open—take the shot.

But then Lin grabbed Steph's arm. Looked him dead in the eyes.

"You're gonna be the best shooter alive. I don't care if it's half a second—if you get a look, you take it."

Steph blinked. That trust hit him hard.

Timeout over

Steph and Lin ran the play—clean pick, Griffin bit, Lin rolled just enough to pull Tyler Griffin away—

That was all Steph needed.

He caught it.

He pulled.

Breathe.

Splash.

82–83. Wildcats lead.

Steph and Lin bumped fists at midcourt, roaring with the crowd.

Blake and Tyler Griffin locked eyes—damn.

Reggie Miller and his partner were shaking their heads in disbelief.

The fans? Already chanting Steph's name like he was a god.

Jeff Capel? One timeout left.

Fourteen seconds. One last shot.

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