Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Kai was hunched over a bulky desktop in a small, cramped computer shop downtown. The noise of kids yelling at each other over games filled the room, but Kai ignored it and focused on the task at hand. He was staring at the waiver form, the cursor blinking at the signature line. He was still a minor, so the signature of his guardian was needed. He leaned back, rubbing the back of his neck. He thought he was going to have a hard time explaining what an e-signature was to his grandma. After all, this was the same woman who had used a flip phone all her life. But the memory of earlier flashed through his mind. She had just sent in an e-signature with no questions asked! He was convinced his grandma was a millennial dressed as an old woman. Kai laughed in disbelief, shaking his head. Now, sitting in the computer shop, he could only chuckle again. With a final look at the waiver, he clicked the 'Submit' button. The confirmation message popped up: Your waiver has been successfully submitted. Good luck at the Global Games! Kai let out a long breath, feeling a mix of relief and anxiety. "Well, that's it. No turning back now," he muttered to himself. He couldn't deny the rush of excitement that surged through him, but there was also a nagging sense of unease. He opened a new browser tab, figuring he might as well check the latest basketball news while he was here. He had been so wrapped up in his own turmoil that he hadn't had time to keep up with the internet buzz. As he typed in "Global Games lineup," the first headline that caught his eye made his stomach drop. Global Games Controversy: Are High Schoolers Ready for the Big League ? He clicked on it, and the article loaded slowly. "What kind of computer shop is this?" he muttered impatiently. Fortunately, after a whole minute, the article finally loaded. Global Games Sparks Debate with Inclusion of High School Elite Five The recent announcement of the Global Games lineup has sparked major controversy as the top players in the high school league, the Elite Five, have been included among professional-level competitors. Many basketball enthusiasts are questioning the decision, pointing out the age and experience gap between the Elite Five and their opponents. Despite their impressive performance at the Nationals, critics argue that the inclusion of a high school team undermines the prestige of the Global Games, traditionally a showcase for the most elite players. "Sure, they have talent, but they're not ready for this level of competition," said one anonymous coach. "It feels more like a publicity stunt than a legitimate decision." However, fans of the Elite Five argue that their star players like Jian Niu have proven their skill against seasoned teams, and this opportunity is well-deserved. Whether they can hold their own against the giants of the sport remains to be seen. Kai felt his face heat up. He scrolled down further to the comments section, and it was worse than he'd imagined. OopsWrongHoops : This is ridiculous! A high school team? What were the organizers thinking? BallStar29 : They're going to get crushed. It's like putting kids against men. Total mismatch. RomeroFan69 : I actually think this is exciting. Let's see if the young players can prove everyone wrong. ShanghaiHustler : Nah, they're going to embarrass themselves. Stick to high school leagues, kiddos. ProPlayer45 : As a former pro player, they'll be lucky if they score even once against the pros. Kai cursed under his breath. "Are you kidding me?" He clicked off the page, his heart pounding in his chest. The criticism stung, but it also lit a fire inside him. It was too late to back out now—he'd already sent the waiver. He stood up abruptly, grabbing his bag. He needed to clear his head and work off the frustration. He left the computer shop, ignoring the curious glances from a couple of kids who seemed to recognize him. Kai made his way to the school's gym, intending to spend some more time on the court. But when he arrived, his jaw dropped. The entire area was cordoned off with yellow tape, and workers were busy ripping up the old floorboards. "Great timing," he muttered sarcastically, kicking a small rock on the ground. He watched as the workers hammered away, making a racket. Their principal sure wanted to renovate their court quickly! Without much choice, he turned on his heel and started walking towards the direction of their house. He needed to shoot some hoops, and if he couldn't do it at his school, Richgate was his best option. As he approached the entrance, he felt a wave of déjà vu. He hadn't been here in ages—not since his last onion delivery. He could still remember the game with those Feng Falcons. It ended with him practically being banned from the court by the grumpy guard. To his surprise, the guard was still there, slumped in his usual spot like a garden gnome. The man's sharp eyes flicked up as Kai approached, and for a moment, Kai thought he was going to get turned away again. The guard huffed, crossing his arms. "What do you want, Guo?" he grumbled, eyeing Kai like he was a stray dog who'd wandered too close. Kai forced a smile. "Just here to shoot some hoops. I promise I won't cause any trouble this time." The guard snorted, but his expression softened slightly. "You better not," he said, his tone gruff but lacking its usual bite. He uncrossed his arms and stood up, motioning toward the gate. "Go on in." Kai's eyebrows raised in surprise. "Wait, that easy?" The guard clicked his tongue and threatened to close the gate. "Don't make me repeat myself." Kai chuckled and went over the gate. "Thanks, grumpy." The guard merely grumbled under his breath as he watched Kai make his way to the court. However, before he could fully leave, the guard exclaimed. "Make sure you make Jilin proud out there." Kai blinked in surprise. "Wait, you know about the Global Games?" The guard rolled his eyes. "Of course I do, kid. It's all over the news. I may not like you much, but you're one of ours. So don't mess it up." Kai grinned. He gave the guard a small, respectful nod. "I won't," he said. "Thanks, old man." The guard scowled, waving him off. "Yeah, yeah. Just get in there and practice. And don't call me old." Kai laughed and continued his journey to the court. He glanced up at the hoop, the sun setting behind it and casting a golden glow over the entire court. He spun the ball in his hands, the cool breeze ruffling his hair. He knew what he was up against. The critics, the professionals, even his own doubts. But standing there on the court, he felt a sense of calm. He was exactly where he needed to be. And he was ready to show everyone that he belonged. With a smirk, he dribbled the ball a few times, then took his first shot. He grinned, feeling the rush of adrenaline he had been missing. "Global Games, wait for me."