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Chapter 34: Sooners vs Wildcats (Great start)
🕑 Added 2025-04-26 09:31:11 +0000 UTC"F***!" Taylor Griffin slammed the ball on the floor, pissed off.
Early in the game, the Sooners were down 4–8. That Chinese had just knocked down another jumper. Dude already had six points off three clean shots.
Blake Griffin threw a glare his brother's way.
"Man, that Lin Yi is crafty as hell."
Hiding out and pulling up from deep like it's nothing.
When Taylor called for the ball on the next second possession, Lin Yi didn't even bother guarding him close. He just floated away like Taylor wasn't worth his time.
Taylor's blood started to boil. You think I'm a joke, huh?
He caught the ball at the 45-degree angle and squared up. Maybe he wasn't as gifted as Blake, but Taylor was still built like a tank in college ball.
Right as he was about to drive, Lin Yi glanced at him looking unconcerned.
Like—whatever, I'm not worried about you.
Taylor clenched the ball and burst forward with his left hand, full force. He was ready to dunk all over Lin Yi and let the whole building feel it.
He could already see it—posters, replays, maybe even a little trash talk for good measure.
But—
The crowd gasped.
Even the cheerleaders were covering their mouths.
Lin Yi sprang up like a volleyball player going for a spike.
Smack
Monster block. The ball shot off Taylor's hand and flew out of bounds.
As Lin Yi landed, he stared down Taylor like, Not today, kid.
"Cold-blooded!" Reggie Miller laughed from the commentary booth. "Taylor forgot the dude in front of him is a legit seven-footer!"
"And the best shot-blocker in the South!" Dell Curry chimed in.
Taylor just stood there, stunned. Lin Yi's reaction time, elevation, and length were all off the charts.
But what burned most? Lin Yi's indifferent stare.
The Sooners inbounded, still rattled from that block. They flubbed the play, and the baby-faced Davidson guard picked it clean for a coast-to-coast finish.
4–10
Coach Jeff Capel looked like he was this close to calling a timeout.
Blake Griffin finally answered with a tough layup the next play, which bought them a little breather. Coach nodded and decided to trust his guys.
Davidson came right back down. Another pick-and-roll.
Taylor stayed with Lin Yi this time. He had to. The guy was too hot to leave alone.
Lin Yi locked in.
Got you right where I want you.
Quick cross, and he blew past Taylor on the weak side.
Damn, he's fast! Taylor thought, legs scrambling to keep up.
But he wasn't giving up. Lin Yi had embarrassed him once—he wanted payback.
As Lin Yi rose for the layup, Taylor jumped too.
WHISTLE
Foul. Taylor bodied him in mid-air.
But Lin Yi wasn't done.
Clang
Still airborne, he twisted midair and forced the ball into the hoop with that ridiculous wingspan.
The home crowd erupted.
That wasn't just a bucket—that was a poster, a highlight reel, a statement.
Lin Yi stared down Taylor again as he landed.
Taylor dropped his head. They weren't even five minutes into the game, and Lin Yi had already torched him.
The crowd roared as Lin Yi knocked down the and-one free throw.
Scouts on the sidelines were shaking their heads. That balance, that vertical… and the coordination of a guard in a 7-foot frame?
Coach Capel finally called a timeout.
Davidson was getting whatever they wanted—especially Lin Yi.
As he jogged back to the bench, Lin Yi was already thinking about the mission in his head.
Still gotta hit a three on Taylor before this matchup's over…
Reggie chuckled. "Wildcats beginning to take over. Let's see the game from Sooners after the timeout."
After the timeout, Taylor looked more composed. He slipped away from Lin Yi this time and got a clean bucket off a slick pass from Blake.
"Damn!" Lin Yi muttered. "Almost had that one."
Stephen Curry brought the ball up for Davidson. Another pick-and-roll with Lin Yi. Taylor defended tighter this time—he wasn't biting on the screen. He'd rather contest than gamble on a block again.
Blake was already shading over, ready to double if Lin Yi attacked.
But Lin Yi saw his chance.
He pulled the ball back—
Step-back jumper. Three-point.
The scouts leaned forward.
Most of Lin Yi's threes so far had been catch-and-shoot. But this? This was off the dribble, clean as snow.
Splash!
Nothing but net.
Lin Yi grinned. Finally! Nailed it.
Stephen ran over and jumped on his back. "That was sick!"
Lin Yi laughed, setting him down. "Your turn now, Super Steph."
Stephen nodded, grinning. "Leave it to me. I'll torch 'em."
Meanwhile, Taylor was starting to feel the heat.
Blake walked up and gave him a pat on the shoulder.
"I got him now."
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
Oh? The older brother's tapped out, so now the future No.1 pick wants some?
