The flight back to New York was quiet. Brian leaned back in his first-class seat, eyes closed, but his mind was racing. The private run had been a success—no, more than that. He had dominated some of the best players in the world, and they knew it. The respect in their eyes, the nods of approval, the subtle acknowledgments… he was already shifting the landscape of basketball, and he hadn't even played an official NBA game yet.
His phone buzzed.
Durant: "Enjoy your moment. It's about to get real."
Brian smirked, typing back.
Brian: "I was born for this."
He turned his phone off and exhaled. His time was coming.
---
A week later, the world erupted with the news.
"BRIAN MOSER DECLARES FOR NBA DRAFT."
It was everywhere. Sports networks debated his potential. Analysts dissected his private runs, his college tapes, his streetball dominance. The league's GMs were in a frenzy. A talent like this didn't just appear—it rewrote the rules of the game.
Brian, however, stayed silent. No interviews. No statements. He just trained.
Then came the NBA Draft Lottery.
The team that secured the first pick?
The New York Knicks.
Madison Square Garden. The Mecca of Basketball. The most pressure-filled franchise in the league, desperate for a savior.
Brian's smirk widened when he saw the headlines.
Perfect.
---
Draft night arrived. The arena was packed. Fans held their breath. The analysts spoke in near-reverent tones.
Then, finally, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver walked to the podium.
"With the first pick in the 20XX NBA Draft, the New York Knicks select… Brian Moser, from Los Angeles, California."
The crowd erupted. A mix of cheers, disbelief, and a few skeptics who still didn't understand what was about to happen.
Brian walked onto the stage, shaking Silver's hand, his expression unreadable. Cameras flashed, questions were shouted, but he barely paid attention. He just took the Knicks hat, put it on, and stared into the sea of fans.
This was just the beginning.
---
His first press conference as a Knick was packed. Journalists leaned forward, waiting for their soundbite.
A reporter raised a hand.
"Brian, how do you feel about joining a franchise with so much pressure and expectation?"
Brian leaned forward, gripping the mic.
"Pressure's not real. Just people's way of explaining why they fail."
The room went silent for a second. Then murmurs. Some nodding, some skeptical glances.
Another reporter jumped in.
"What are your personal goals for your rookie season?"
Brian smirked.
"Win."
More murmurs. He didn't elaborate. He didn't need to.
The final question came from a veteran journalist.
"Some people say you haven't been truly tested yet. That the NBA is a different level. What do you say to that?"
Brian chuckled, shaking his head.
"They'll find out soon enough."
---
His first game was against the reigning champions—the Golden State Warriors.
The world was watching.
Madison Square Garden was packed. The energy was electric, the anticipation suffocating. The Knicks fanbase, desperate for a superstar, held their breath.
Then, Brian stepped onto the court.
From the moment the ball tipped off, he was in control.
His first possession? He caught the ball at the top of the key, Curry guarding him.
Brian smirked.
One dribble, then a lightning-fast step-back.
Swish.
His second possession? He drove past Klay Thompson like he wasn't even there, finishing with a one-handed dunk over Draymond Green.
The crowd lost its mind.
Possession after possession, Brian put on a clinic. Three-pointers with Curry in his face. Post-ups against Wiggins. Crossovers that left defenders frozen. The Warriors tried throwing double teams, switching schemes, adjusting on the fly.
Nothing worked.
By the time the final buzzer sounded, Brian had dropped 45 points, 12 assists, and 8 rebounds in his NBA debut.
The Knicks won.
The crowd chanted his name.
As he walked off the court, a reporter caught him in the tunnel.
"Brian! That was one of the best debuts in NBA history! What do you have to say about it?"
Brian wiped his forehead with a towel, then glanced at the camera.
"Like I said… they'll find out soon enough."