Halftime (Page 186)

~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Fiserv Forum Arena, Milwaukee, Wisconsin)~~~

~~~(Time: 4:10 PM)~~~

The second quarter ends, and the Bucks crowd is showing how excited they are now that they have the lead going into the third quarter. The score is now 72 to 65. The Knicks only scored one more 3-pointer after I left the court.

Tom isn't happy about what's going on. We're all walking to the locker room, and he's clearly fuming from the terrible basketball played.

"You must be out of your motherfucking minds if you think that's professional-level basketball! Never in my life have I been so embarrassed to be a coach!"

That's quite the claim considering how long Tom has been the coach for the Knicks. My teammates have their heads low, and I can tell many aren't happy about what's happening.

There is a bright side to all this. The score isn't as far apart as I thought it'd be. The lead we created at the beginning of the second quarter really helped out. They've got 7 points on us right now. When I come back in the game, it won't be hard to get those back.

"When halftime is over, I'm reworking the entire scoring structure for this game. Obviously, some of our main scorers aren't doing their jobs. That means more time for the role players, and I have a feeling you guys will do better than the starters."

Tom is referring to Barrett and Brunson. They're not playing great. They've each got 5 turnovers, and have only made a few shots on a dozen attempts apiece. I can tell it's getting to them, and I don't doubt that's changing for the rest of the game.

That means the responsibility will fall onto me to lead the team to the end of the game. I'm so glad I don't have to sit out any time in the fourth quarter. But for now, I need to focus on the third. I'll be coming out with my team.

"Ulysses, you'll be starting in the third quarter, but to be able to allow you to play the entire fourth, I'll have to pull you out with 7 minutes left in the third. You'll only have 5 minutes of playtime in the coming quarter, so make it count."

That's not something you want to hear, but I expected it. I'm on a minutes restriction because that front office doesn't want me getting injured. After the Bulls game, they're thoroughly spooked.

Not that I blame them. Superstars are assets to a team in the end, and my value is higher than anyone else in the league. I'm facing a bonafide champion, MVP, and DPOY and crushing him as I do it. He's in his prime too.

"Don't worry. I've got this."

Those are the only words I need to say to reassure my team that I'm putting them on my back and carrying them to this win. You don't shy away from the big moments when you're a great player. When your team needs you, step up.

That's my responsibility, and I'm not shrinking away from it.

~~~(POV: Hannah Fiona)~~~

~~~(Date: October 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Apartment, New York)~~~

~~~(Time: 6:15 PM)~~~

Halftime is almost halfway over, and Ellie and I are stuck watching commercials. That's the biggest downside to not being there in person. You have to sit through these awful advertisements.

"The Bucks are one of the best teams in the league, and I can see them being a title contender. However, with the addition of Ulysses Kennedy to the league. It's shaken a lot up."

Ellie is on her phone, watching a TNT take from a couple of days ago. The Knicks weren't the game being broadcasted on TNT, but Shaq and Chuck still wanted to talk about Ulysses and the impact he's already having.

That was a quote from Ernie Johnson.

"Now, hold on a minute. We're only a few games into the season, and this kid is being considered one of the best in the league? Don't you think that's ridiculous? He could hurt his foot tomorrow and never play the same way again."

A sigh leaves my lips as I reach over and snag the phone out of Ellie's hands. She looks at me with confusion.

"You'll only stress more. Just relax, and enjoy the game. Nothing with happen to Ulysses."

Ellie is having a harder time than she thought. But that's what happens when kids get older.