"I've always believed that if you put in the work, the results will come." - Kobe Bryant
It was a hot and restless day inside the Math 101 of Dojing High School
I sat in my team dozing off almost completely, as I wiped the sweat off my face I turned behind me as Mr: Izonhu continued to ramble around.
"Oi! Akira! When's our first game?"
"Tommorow.." Akira looks forward toward my as he raises his head up from his desk.
"Dope.." I then turn around taping my pencil against the desk, all I could think about was playing in my first ever varsity came as starting point guard. I'd have Akira as my shooting guard... Daichi Sakomoto as my small forward.. Ryohei Ikeda as my power forward... and... Sora Fujimoto as my center. Daichi was a 6"6 ankle taking menace when he got onto the court, his game somewhat resembling Kevin Porter Jr.
As I began to ramble in my head suddenly the bell rang as I slumped up from my desk, snatching my bag I then ran out before looking at the rapid motion moving into the court yard. I followed behind Akira as we walked into the busy courtyard for a free period.
"AY NOOBIE! GET OVER HERE!" Suddenly Ryohei yelled toward me, his dominant yell could be heard all the way down the yard.
Me and Akira walk over into the group of the starting 5 players, "Whats going on..?"
"The team were facing tomorrow, the South Bukura Tigers." Suddenly Sora spoke out, his laid back voice could soothe even the most craziest of people.
"What about em?" Me and Akira look at each other with anticipation.
"Could you wait Newbie?! Damn..!" Ryohei rubbed his head, a vein about to pop out of his knucklehead of his.
"They have one of the top 10 National players in the world, the 4th ranked player in the world.."
The two Ryohei and Sora spoke almost in perfect sync.
"Aoi 'The Phantom' Nakamura..." As Sora cut Ryohei off Sora swipes his hair out the way... his tireless gaze changing into a gaze you'd see in a sugar head.
"Some say he's got the 'Gift'..." Daichi spoke out, looking at the other players. Suddenly everyones gaze changed toward Daichi.
"Nah! Thats just a myth!" Ryohei Complained.
"No... i've seen it.. his handles are so smooth they can make even the smoothest defender go mad... even better than mine!"
"Well thats no surprise.." Sora Cracked a joke before rubbing the back his head. "OI! Shut up!" As Daichi laughed back he couldn't help but admit it was a funny joke.
The school day got hotter as the group disbanded after school to go their separate ways. Akira and me walked to the basketball court before we saw the Menace himself. It was Aoi Nakamura.. the dribble god. His game almost resembled perfect to Kyrie Irving. Me and Akira looked raising a brow, "Lets go see huh?" Akira nodded toward my question as we walked toward the basketball court, it seemed to be a 1 on 1.
A small crowd of people watched almost screaming out crazy remarks every second the match went on! Aoi drove up, he wore Kyrie Irvings Anta 1's Triple Yin. He was about 6"4 with a swole type build, he had a black buzz cut that was perfectly lined up.
It was a haircut you'd have to go straight to the best of the best with. As Aoi dribbled upward his footwork was almost relentless. His opponent looked like some random scrub picked up off the. court.
Aoi than posts up toward the defender, he then dribbled to the left wing. Aoi's left hands dribbled from the opposite of the defender, his fingers rolling off the ball just perfectly every time. His defender raised his arms almost laughing right in his face thinking he had him figured out. Aoi than dribbled forward, his right hand pushing against his stomach to create distance between the two. As the defender closed inward Aoi face toward the defender dribbling the ball once between his leg.. but it was from the behind ?! a between the leg from behind the back.
As Aoi did this he followed up by dribbling to the left and pouncing the ball through the defenders legs. "OOOOOH!" The crowd went crazy and wild as Aoi did this, the defender looked shocked.. almost out of place. The defender than caught back on defense with a B+ recovery, Aoi dribbled forward before dribbling behind his back once to the left and than back to the right, it was almost like a afterimage was being made. His defender fell backward on the court underneath the net, the court almost shaking from the small crowds hype.
Aoi stepped back than smirking, he leaped up slowly... his form almost ideal to Kyrie Irving as well. As his elbow straightened out and his fingers positioned onto the ball he release it from his palm, his wrist snap almost textbook perfect. The ball flew into the net not even rubbing the rim?!
"THATS GAME BOY!" Suddenly Aoi went crazy, his aura going from serious and silent to almost like a hothead like Ryohei.
The crowd ran onto the court cheering and begging for a picture. "He's gonna be a problem." I turned to Akira as he made this statement, "Yeah but we got it."
"No.. I got it." His stutter almost completely going away... his hair covered his eyes as he turned. "Go on ahead, ill see you later." I didn't know much about Akira since we just started hanging out but it seemed like his whole posture changed when it came to basketball.
But what was important was being ready for the challenge to come tomorrow.
"Prepare for our arrival, South BukuraTigers, "