NBA : Formidable Center

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The North Carolina Wolfpack team decided against making last-minute adjustments to their starting lineup.

Before the game, Herb Sendek had asked Wang Song if he needed some time to adjust his state of mind and whether he'd prefer to start on the bench.

Wang Song's adamant shake of his head gave the answer.

This was the stage of the NCAA Championship. Every second of playing time was precious. Wang Song didn't want to waste even a single moment that could help him solidify his experience points.

Moreover, the fans in the stands yelling for his benching would only feel vindicated if he didn't play. That was the one thing Wang Song refused to accept.

---

**In China, on NewFox Sports Live:**

"The game is starting! Both teams' starting lineups are out, and Wang Song is still in the lineup. Don't worry, everyone!"

Bai Yang reassured viewers after seeing the players on the court.

Moments earlier, the cameras had shown fans in the stands jeering loudly at the Wolfpack players. Herb Sendek, the team's head coach, had responded sharply, rebuking the unruly spectators.

Though Bai Yang couldn't catch every word due to the lack of subtitles, he managed to get the gist through his advanced-level English and the broadcast's close-up shots of Wang Song.

When Bai Yang explained the situation to the domestic viewers, it caused a stir in the chatroom:

— *"Damn those arrogant Americans, always preaching about political correctness. Hope Wang Song doesn't let it get to him!"*

— *"Second Battalion, bring me my intercontinental missiles! Let's give these fools a taste of real power!"*

— *"When Yao Ming first entered the NBA, he also faced similar treatment. It's a rite of passage for Chinese players entering the U.S. basketball market."*

— *"To be honest, these fans are just mad. They can't handle the idea of the NCAA championship being taken by a Chinese player."*

— *"Exactly! If someone's this worked up, it usually means you've already won the mental game."*

— *"Mark my words: we're not just taking the NCAA title; we're going for NBA domination next!"*

---

**Back on the Court:**

The referee's whistle blew. The game had officially begun.

**Jump Ball!**

As Wang Song stepped up to the center line, the crowd erupted in boos.

NCAA powerhouses like Kansas had a significant fan base even in a smaller city like New Orleans.

Yet, when Wang Song stood in front of Nick Collison, the intensity of the boos seemed to lessen slightly.

Kansas was a team built on balance—even down to their players' heights.

Nick Collison, standing at 6'9" (206 cm), was the second-tallest player on the team. While his height might be a minor disadvantage in the NBA, in the NCAA, it wasn't noticeable, especially with his elite skill set.

The tallest player on Kansas, Frenchman Moulaye Niang, stood at 6'10" (208 cm), which suited the mobility-focused playing style Coach Roy Williams preferred.

"Selecting players just for height? That's the foolish standard used by Chinese basketball," Roy Williams famously remarked. This philosophy made him skeptical of Wang Song's effectiveness.

Back on the court, Wang Song easily secured the jump ball, giving the Wolfpack the first possession.

However, the Kansas defense quickly showed its teeth.

When the Wolfpack's point guard tried to organize the offense, Wang Song set a screen for him, but disaster struck.

**Slap!**

The ball was stripped away.

Aaron Miles, Kansas' nimble 6'1" (185 cm) guard, capitalized on his low center of gravity and lightning-quick reflexes to swipe the ball clean. A former top-ranked recruit, Miles was in a different league compared to the Wolfpack's guards.

Without hesitation, he sped to the other end of the court and finished with a clean layup.

---

The Wolfpack's point guard apologized immediately, pounding his chest to acknowledge his mistake.

But the next possession wasn't much better.

Hodge missed a three-point attempt, and Kansas immediately turned defense into offense, scoring off a fast break.

Kansas' strategy was crystal clear: relentless defense leading to fast-break opportunities. It was a crushingly efficient approach that exploited the Wolfpack's lack of depth and experience.

Roy Williams nodded in approval.

In the stands, the Kansas fans roared louder with each successful possession, their confidence growing.

On the Wolfpack bench, Herb Sendek called for a timeout after Kansas went on a 7–0 run.

---

**In the Chinese Live Stream:**

"I can't watch this anymore! The Wolfpack's offense is completely disjointed under Kansas' pressure!" Bai Yang groaned.

"Maybe they should let Wang Song handle bringing the ball up. Their point guard is struggling out there!"

---

Sendek's expression was grim but calm. He didn't want to put too much pressure on his players, knowing the uphill battle they faced against a team as storied as Kansas.

The solution was clear: they needed a go-to offensive player to break down the Kansas defense and force them to ease off their full-court press.

In past games, Sendek would have designed plays around Wang Song to exploit weak points in the opposing defense.

But after everything that had happened before the game, he wasn't sure if Wang Song was ready to shoulder that burden.

As he mulled over his options, Hodge spoke up.

"Coach, I've got an idea. Let me play inside with Wang and sub in another three-point shooter. What do you think?"

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