NOVEL NEXT Chapter 19: Chapter 19: An Insurmountable Gap
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"Back to the game. Welcome to the livestream, new viewers!"
"With Carmelo Anthony taking a break, Syracuse University has substituted a forward into the game. Meanwhile, North Carolina's lineup remains unchanged, and Wang Song is still on the court."
"Wait, Syracuse has made a defensive adjustment. Hakim Warrick is now guarding... Wang Song?"
The commentator's surprise mirrored that of the audience, as the camera cut to Warrick sticking closely to Wang Song, showing relentless effort to disrupt his movements.
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**[Chat Reactions]**
- *"This matchup feels like an ant trying to stop a car. What is Syracuse's coach thinking?"*
- *"I get it. Wang Song's pace and movement are exhausting for any defender to follow all game. Rotating defenders makes sense, especially since Wang Song's role as a utility player is undeniable."*
- *"Hakim Warrick is that sophomore forward with first-round potential, right? Averaging 15 points—he's got some skills."*
- *"Some, but not enough!"*
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The barrage of comments rolled by as Bai Yang, the livestream host, kept pace with the action. Watching the live feed, his excitement was palpable.
"Say what you will, but Syracuse's defense is looking solid without Anthony on the court."
"The shot clock is down to 15 seconds. The ball returns to Wang Song after some quick passing on the wing. He hands it off, sets a screen... wait!"
"Wang Song fakes a pivot, charges to the rim! But the pass is intercepted mid-flight—no, it's too high! The ball bounces off the rim, headed out of bounds!"
Bai Yang prepared to announce the turnover when suddenly—
A figure leaped into the frame, snatching the ball mid-air. In one fluid motion, Wang Song slammed it back into the hoop with a one-handed dunk.
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"WHAT?! Wang Song with a putback slam! A one-handed hammer!" Bai Yang shouted, disbelief evident in his voice.
"This is the kind of move I only see in my dreams. Absolutely insane! A center from China pulling this off—it's unreal!"
The chat exploded:
- *"?!"*
- *"??!"*
- *"???!"*
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**At the Game**
The arena fell silent as the ball slammed into the net, leaving the rim shaking audibly. Wang Song roared, releasing pent-up adrenaline as the scoreboard updated: **14:13—North Carolina takes the lead!**
*[With a spectacular recovery and finish, Steadfast XP +200]*
The vibrant orange-clad Syracuse fans were momentarily stunned. Across the court, a small cluster of North Carolina supporters erupted into cheers, waving banners and rallying behind their team.
The Wolfpack's bench erupted, players mimicking Wang Song's slam dunk celebration with towels flying in the air.
Even the stoic coaching staff couldn't hide their grins as they glanced at each other, nodding in satisfaction.
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**VIP Suite**
"Oh my God!" Knicks executive Scott Layden exclaimed, unable to contain his excitement. He glanced around sheepishly, realizing he wasn't alone.
Meanwhile, Glen Feld glared at the ceiling, pretending not to have heard the outburst.
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**Back on the Court**
The commentator regained his composure as play resumed.
"Syracuse's offense now led by freshman guard Gerry McNamara. Despite his youth, he's ranked 38th in the RSCI rankings."
"Quick off-ball cuts... McNamara receives the pass and—BLOCKED! Wang Song sends the shot flying!"
The crowd erupted as Wang Song's emphatic block landed perfectly in the hands of a teammate, igniting a fast break.
"Run! Defense! Defense!" Syracuse's coach waved frantically from the sideline, his shouts echoing across the court.
Warrick was the first to react, sprinting back to cover the rim. However, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a blur of motion—Wang Song, sprinting past him like a freight train.
"Signal received," Wang Song gestured subtly to his teammate as he charged forward.
**BOOM!**
With impeccable timing, Wang Song soared above the rim, catching the lob pass with both hands and slamming it home for an alley-oop dunk.
Behind him, Warrick stood frozen in place as the referee blew the whistle.
"Two points count! And one!"
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Warrick was dumbfounded. He had thrown his full weight into defending Wang Song, practically hanging off him, but it was like trying to stop a charging bull. He sighed internally, finally realizing the gap between them wasn't just about skill but something far more insurmountable.
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**Steady Dominance**
Wang Song sank the free throw, completing the three-point play. **17:13!**
*[And-one play increases individual points. Steadfast XP +150]*
The rest of the game turned into Wang Song's stage.
- *[Defensive anchor—protected the rim successfully. Steadfast XP +150]*
- *[Unyielding presence—set a high-quality screen. Steadfast XP +100]*
- *[Visionary playmaker—drew a double-team and assisted a teammate. Steadfast XP +100]*
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By the end of the first half, the scoreboard read **27:18**, with North Carolina pulling ahead on an 8-0 run. Syracuse's coach had no choice but to send Carmelo Anthony back in.
Anthony reignited Syracuse's offense, but his tunnel-vision approach hindered the team's overall performance. North Carolina's defensive schemes, led by Wang Song's agility and intelligence, began to suffocate Anthony's effectiveness.
Forced into difficult mid-range shots, even the superstar's shooting percentage started to drop.
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**(To Be Continued)**