Chapter 4 Post Match Efffects

Rin's consecutive three-pointers at the start of the game nearly sent the audience into a frenzy, and the morale of Trenton Players was completely boosted.

At the end of the first quarter, they were trailing Rivers Creek University by 2 points, 26 to 28. Rin alone made four three-pointers and scored a game-high 14 points.

However, once the game entered the second quarter, the situation on the court changed. Creek quickly widened the gap. The root of this change came from Jace.

In the first quarter, he focused on organizing, trying to transition into playing as a point guard, but he seemed to be dancing with shackles on.

However, in the second quarter, he switched directly into offensive mode.

Trenton had no one who could guard him. To limit him, coach Brandt had to mobilize the team's defensive resources to double-team Jace. And as a result, Trenton University, already at a disadvantage in one-on-one matchups, saw their defense completely collapse.

Jace, on the other hand, used his offensive threat to create numerous opportunities for his teammates under the double-team. The score quickly widened, and with 5 minutes left in the second half, they had extended their lead to more than 15 points.

Rivers Creek University began to substitute out their starters at this point. But Trenton did not give up, with Rin leading the team until the last second, ultimately losing 51 to 58.

In the post-game stats, Jace had 22 points and 10 assists, Rin scored a game-high 28 points, while Dan had 10 points and 6 assists.

After the game, Rin attended the post-game press conference with coach Brandt.

"Jace Tucker completely destroyed our defense. He's fully capable of playing in the NBA." Trenton College basketball team coach, Mathews Brandt, said candidly to the reporters.

The reporters eagerly took notes as this was exactly what they wanted to hear before the game. Hearing this from him made it even more credible, after all, Brandt wasn't just anyone. He was a former NBA All-Star player and had been the head coach of the NBA's Sacramento Kings before coming to College.

The reporters then turned their attention to Rin. Coach Brandt had already been humbled by Jace's magic, so what about Rin?

"Satoshi, your team ultimately lost the game. What do you have to say about that?" One reporter asked directly, while the others all looked at him.

Seeing the eager eyes in the audience, Rin moved the microphone closer to himself, then spoke.

"It's regrettable that the team lost by a close margin..." Rin started.

The reporters almost couldn't hold back their laughter. A close loss? How could he even say that?

However, Rin cleared his throat and continued:

"But my stats prove what I said before the game- I outscored Jace as I promised. I'm the better shooter."

The room instantly erupted. Questions flying here and there, yet Rin remained calm.

"Look at you, acting like you've never seen greatness before."

"If this era had plus-minus stats, I'd show you some real numbers!"

[Ping!]

[+230 HP]

[Ping!]

[+590 HP]

[Ping!]

[+320 HP]

Huh?

At that moment, Rin noticed a sudden spike of Hate Points in his system.

[Total HP gained = 550]

[Current HP = 3,550/10,000]

So, besides the number of people, it also depends on how much they hate you? He thought.

But I talked big before the game and didn't see much of a rise, meaning there's a threshold for the level of hate?

"But 10 of your points came during garbage time!" A bold reporter challenged cutting off Rin's thoughts.

The reporters stopped their murmuring and all stared at Rin again.

It was an undeniable fact, and they were curious to see how he would respond.

"I need to correct something," He suddenly sat up straight, his expression becoming extremely serious.

"There's no such thing as garbage time in basketball. Until the final buzzer sounds, anything can happen."

"If teams give up just because they're trailing, how would you explain all the comebacks in basketball? Why would the NBA use 'Where Amazing Happens' as a slogan?"

The reporters were stunned.

Not only them, even Brandt was shocked by his straight-faced delivery of such a statement!

Still, you couldn't say Rin was technically wrong. For whatever reason, Trenton College did manage to narrow the gap in the final moments. If they had a little more time, they probably would've...

Well, of course not! They wouldn't have been able to make a full comeback still.

Though the reporters couldn't refute Rin's high-minded reasoning, their annoyance with him reached new heights. The stereotype of Asians being humble and polite was thoroughly shattered by his audacity.

Rin just smiled. Not only was his judgment validated, he had gained over a thousand Hate Points from this press conference alone.

After the press conference ended, he headed to the gym for extra practice. Losing tonight was expected as the gap in strength between the two teams was clear.

But it was also true that Rivers Creek didn't play well tonight. Besides Jace's sub-par performance, several of their key senior players from last season had graduated, and their overall strength had declined compared to the previous season.

Their ability to pull ahead in the second half was due to not only Jace's offensive adjustments but also their defensive strategy.

The fact that they went all-out to double-team Rin in the second and third quarter was a sign of respect from the opponent, but also it exposed his weakness in passing.

Sometimes his mind saw the opportunity, but his hands just couldn't keep up.

Fortunately for him, passing is a basic skill that can be trained.

Planting his feet, ball in hand, he practiced against the wall, incorporating dribbling movements. It was the most common yet effective way to train one's passing abilities.

Dribble left, pass to the wall.

Crossover, pass to the wall.

Behind-the-back dribble, pass to the wall.

Crossover, behind-the-back dribble, pass to the wall.

When Rin finished a set and was taking a break, he noticed Brandt had quietly entered the gym and must've been watching him train.

"Coach?" He called.

Brandt smiled and gestured for Rin to come sit down for a chat.

"You've changed a lot," he said, turning to look at Rin. Though he was new. Brandt had done his homework, including consulting with the former coach.

Rin Satoshi, the team's only four-star recruit, naturally became a focal point of his attention. But his overflowing confidence on and off the court didn't match the reserved 'Rin Satoshi' described by the former coach.

"Coach, if I don't change, I won't have any chance of making it to the NBA," he said quickly.

Brandt was momentarily stunned but then nodded with a smile. However, he soon turned serious, looking at him intently.

"Do you really believe you can make it?" This was a soul-searching question. Since the expansion of Division I, no player from Division II or III had made it to the NBA.

Moreover, Rin was currently a junior. A junior player from a Division II school? It seemed almost impossible for him to reach the NBA.

"Of course, I'm convinced I can do it!" Rin's tone was firm.

"If not this year, then next year! If not next year, then I'll keep pushing as a free agent!"

These words came from the heart because they were also his dream in his previous life. In his past life, his height was a limitation. In this life, he had the height and the physical gifts, so there was no reason to give up.

It had nothing to do with having a system. The system only made him more certain of his goal.

"Alright, I will fully support you!" Perhaps infected by Rin's confidence, Brandt also felt a surge of determination as he give him a firm pat on the shoulder.

"Keep training; I won't hold you up any longer," Brandt said as he stood up.

"Thank you, Coach!" Rin hadn't expected him to come specifically to encourage him and was genuinely grateful.

Brandt smiled and nodded before leaving the gym.

But as he walked out, he paused and turned back to look at Rin, who had already resumed training.

Last season, Brandt had been the head coach of the NBA's Sacramento Kings, but after just one season, he was unceremoniously fired.

Afterward, he faced repeated rejections during NBA interviews, and he couldn't even secure a head coaching position with an NCAA Division I team. Ultimately, he was forced to come to a Division II league.

Such a steep decline in his coaching career was even more devastating than Rin's experience, almost like a death sentence for his career. But if... if Rin could make it to the NBA, perhaps their teacher-student story could help him resurrect his career.

H