Chapter 221: Chapter 37: The Magician’s Super Talent

No rookie had ever done something like what Jack did at an All-Star Game.

Even Michael Jordan was isolated and ostracized during his first All-Star appearance.

Kobe merely said, "You don’t have to set a screen for me," and Carl Malone used his seniority to have him benched.

But now, there was the rookie, Jack. The entire basketball world believed he was unworthy of his title as the All-Star vote king. All the fans thought he would likely be isolated and ostracized. Yet he did something utterly unthinkable.

He repeatedly slammed into Garnett head-on. The second time, he knocked Garnett flat on the floor, stood over him spewing trash talk, and then stepped over him.

This season, Garnett was the undisputed number one player in the league across various advanced stats and in the regular season MVP race.

And Jack, a rookie fresh on the scene, dared to be so arrogant and domineering, lording it over Garnett.

Wasn’t he afraid of being suppressed? Of retaliation?

But at this very moment, the Staples Center was in an uproar. Jack’s dominance and arrogance were exactly to their taste.

They cheered wildly for Jack. The people of Los Angeles loved this kind of excitement.

Besides, they were pissed that the Minnesota Timberwolves had surpassed the Lakers to become first in the West this season.

Jack’s step-over ignited their adrenaline.

’Let them fight!’

That was the thought on every fan’s mind.

James, watching from his TV at home, felt this urge even more strongly. He was having a terrible All-Star Weekend. First, Jack had snatched the Rookie Challenge MVP award that he was sure was his. Then that detestable Doug Collins had benched him at a critical moment.

And Collins had even compared Jack to Jordan and Hill.

’I’m the real Chosen One!’

What made him even unhappier was that tonight, Jack was the sole representative of the 2003 draft class on the All-Star stage, while he, the "Chosen One," could only watch the show on TV. Jack’s passes in the first quarter had been dazzling.

He grew even more furious. ’So this guy has been hiding his true strength all along! He’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing! He deliberately pretended he wasn’t that talented, all so he could launch a sneak attack on me. He wants to ride my hype train and steal my spotlight.’

’I fell for it!’

The more James thought about it, the more he felt he’d been tricked by Jack.

When Jack faced off against Cassell, he started hoping the All-Stars would team up to put Jack in his place, making his first All-Star Game end in humiliating defeat.

When Jack confronted Garnett, he grew even more excited. He knew Jack’s personality—the kid would never back down. He always believed in fighting fire with fire.

When Jack knocked Garnett down the first time, he was already getting excited.

The second time, when Jack dunked on Garnett and arrogantly stepped over him, he screamed in excitement, "Yes! Yes! Yes!"

He pumped his fist.

He knew Jack’s arrogant move would infuriate Garnett. With Garnett’s status as the league’s number one player, he could definitely crush Jack. Moreover, with Garnett’s reputation in the NBA, he could absolutely rally a group of powerful teammates to completely shut down this rookie who didn’t know his place.

’Oh, Jack, just you wait. You’ll be crying soon enough.’

James gloated inwardly.

This was the happiest moment of his All-Star Weekend.

Jack had truly become his inner demon.

It wasn’t that he hated Jack; he just didn’t want Jack to be so successful, especially more successful than him.

When he saw Garnett on TV, his face contorted with rage and his eyes practically shooting fire, he knew Jack was in for a miserable second half.

"Why did Jack and Garnett suddenly get into it? For no reason! They didn’t have any beef before." 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

TNT announcer Earl Johnson asked on air.

Barkley and Magic Johnson were also baffled.

Until the production staff found the replay.

For All-Star night, TNT, as the broadcasting channel, had placed cameras and microphones at various angles around the court. This was to give the viewers at home more information. For instance, in the first quarter, they had picked up the back-and-forth between Kobe and Tracy McGrady.

Kobe teased Tracy McGrady: "The scoring champ is only getting on the court now? Didn’t Adidas pay to get you in earlier?"

Tracy McGrady replied, "Whose money can compete with all those female fans?"

Their conversation was broadcast, and the viewers at home all knowingly smiled.

Now, the TV audience heard Garnett’s foul-mouthed tirade, and the remark that made Jack snap... the "steel rebar... black truffle..." comment.

Everyone’s confusion was suddenly cleared up.

No wonder Jack was so angry.

Anyone would have been angry in his shoes.

Garnett’s mouth was just too foul.

At first, some neutral fans felt Jack’s actions toward Garnett on the All-Star stage were a bit excessive.

But now, they all felt it was completely justified.

When Garnett provoked and humiliated someone like that, any normal man would fight back.

Jack was so damn tough.

Watching the dunk that knocked Garnett over again, everyone felt a rush of excitement and a sense of catharsis.

The male fans were all on Jack’s side.

As for the female gossip fans glued to their TVs, every single one of them was beyond excited.

They liked Jack even more now. They loved his powerful, protective nature. It gave them such a sense of security, and a woman’s desire for security is greater than one can imagine.

In their eyes, the scene of Jack teaching Garnett a lesson with his actions was a key Chapter in the bible of manliness.

And... ’He actually drew his sword against the NBA’s number one superstar for Scarlett? That’s so touching!’ ’This is how he defends Jessica! Even though his opponent is such a powerful superstar, and he’s just a weak rookie, he won’t allow anyone to defile his Jessica.’ ...

These gossip fans were right on the money.

But in any case.

The broadcast of this clip cloaked Jack in a halo of righteousness. No one thought his actions were excessive in the slightest.

On the contrary, it was full of manliness and heroism!

"Garnett’s trash talk has always been like this. He loves using low-blow tactics, and he’s always going after his opponents’ female family members," Barkley said on TV. "Usually, he manages to mess with his opponent’s head and always comes out on top. But tonight, he kicked a steel plate."

"Alright, Charles. We have more important things to do now."

Magic Johnson stood up and said this, and his words sent the TV audience into a frenzy of anticipation.

Although Kenny Smith had been silent for most of the night, his face a mask of resistance, he now had to fulfill his promise.

Can’t keep the jackass waiting too long.

If it eats too much hay and takes a dump in the Staples Center, it’ll be embarrassing.

The TNT crew, followed by cameras, headed into the inner corridors of the Staples Center.

Now, the ratings were skyrocketing. Everyone was waiting for this moment.

Three minutes earlier, Jack had been stopped in the player tunnel by a TNT reporter and crew. They invited him to witness the event and to give a quick interview.

"Jack, your performance tonight has been spectacular. How would you rate your first All-Star trip so far?"

"The game isn’t over yet. It’s too early to give it a score."

Jack replied humbly.

Then, the reporter asked Jack, "In the first quarter, you showed off passing skills we’ve never seen from you before. Magic Johnson was full of praise for you. Will you continue to play like that?"

"No, I’m still learning and figuring out my passing. Magic is the one I’m trying to imitate, so I’m very happy to receive his praise. But it’s still too early for me to use those kinds of moves in a real game."

Jack said.

Finally, the reporter brought up Jack’s last dunk of the first half. He asked, "We saw you throw down an incredibly spectacular, dominant, and powerful dunk that even knocked Kevin Garnett to the floor. That’s a scene we’ve never witnessed in an All-Star Game before; it looked very confrontational. We also sensed some animosity. Can you tell us what happened between you and Kevin Garnett?"

In truth, the fans at home already knew the answer.

But they still wanted to hear what Jack had to say.

"I don’t like him." Jack’s answer was blunt.

The answer was unexpected, yet perfectly reasonable.

Countless viewers in front of their TVs cried out, "Cool!"

Did they really expect Jack to repeat Garnett’s disgusting comments? A simple "I don’t like him" was more than enough.

I don’t like him, so I dunked on him!

Was there a more legitimate reason than that?

At that moment, Magic Johnson and his group walked over.

Barkley immediately ran over and threw an arm around Jack’s shoulder. "Jack, we’re about to witness the strangest scene in basketball history. A certain self-proclaimed championship point guard is about to perform a head-to-tail kiss on a donkey."

Jack just smiled.

Just then, Magic also walked over and fell into step with Jack.

He wasn’t as excited as Barkley, though he too was eager to see how Kenny Smith would intimately acquaint himself first with a donkey’s butt, then with its lips.

"Jack, your passing in the first quarter was excellent," Magic Johnson said to Jack. "You showed me a very high ceiling. You’re not a point guard who just goes for novelty and flash. You’re different from Jason Williams."

"I learned it all from watching your tapes," Jack said sincerely. "There are still many things I don’t do well. If I have the chance, I hope I can learn from you in person."

Magic beamed when he heard that.

He was thrilled. He pointed to a nearby camera, "Hey, did you get that on tape? I knew it! I saw my own shadow in those passes long ago. Barkley thought I was just jealous. He has no idea how great I am."

After saying this to the camera, he turned his head back to Jack. "Of course, you can. I’ll be in Indiana for a while at the end of April. I can teach you passing techniques every day. You’ll definitely become one of the best passers in the NBA."

"Really?" Jack was overjoyed.

"Of course. I think very highly of you. I’m willing to pass on all my passing skills and experience to you," Magic Johnson said with great seriousness. He even pointed to the camera again, "It can be my witness."

Jack was ecstatic. He hadn’t expected this at all. He was so excited that his voice rose unnaturally, "You’re really willing to pass your gift on to me?"

...