NBA: Warrior godfather.

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Bankers Life Fieldhouse, located in the heart of downtown Indiana, was bustling with activity.

This time, Mark Baum didn't drive his usual Ford Mustang. Instead, he rode in style in the latest model Rolls-Royce Phantom, with a chauffeur at the wheel. The luxury car cruised through the streets and eventually joined the line of vehicles slowly entering the parking lot adjacent to the stadium.

Liam knew that if it were just him and Mark Baum, he would never have had the luxury of riding in such a car. The reason Mark Baum opted not to drive himself was because Curry was in the car with them.

"Boss, how do you know such a wealthy friend?" Curry leaned close to Liam's ear and asked in a low voice.

"We met by chance," Liam replied nonchalantly.

Curry ran his hand over the seat beneath him, admiring the car's luxurious yet understated interior, a hint of envy in his eyes.

"What's the matter? Jealous?" Liam chuckled softly.

"A little, but I'd still prefer a Porsche," Curry answered with a grin.

The United States is truly a "country on wheels," with high rates of private car ownership. Many boys often own their first car in high school. Because of his strict family upbringing, Curry hadn't bought a car yet, which only made him more eager to have one.

"Just make sure to drive carefully next time and avoid any car accidents," Liam said, a knowing smile on his lips as he recalled something from his past life.

"Huh?" Curry was caught off guard, staring blankly at Liam. But Liam turned around and started chatting with Mark Baum, leaving Curry a little bewildered. His boss was great in every way, but sometimes, he would say things that were incomprehensible and odd.

"Mark, I'm surprised that a financial mogul like you has time to watch a basketball game in person," Liam said with a smile.

"Well, it seems Todd didn't tell you—I'm a die-hard Pacers fan. I attend every home game," Mark Baum replied.

While they chatted, the Rolls-Royce finally parked. The three of them got out and began walking toward Bankers Life Fieldhouse.

Yesterday, Mark Baum had called Liam and invited him to watch the game. Liam agreed without hesitation and asked for an extra ticket, which he then gave to Curry.

Although Curry had watched countless NBA games since he was a child and had practically grown up in NBA arenas, he certainly wasn't going to turn down his coach's invitation.

On the way, Liam glanced at the ticket Mark Baum handed him and was a little surprised to find out it was for a game between the Pacers and the Warriors.

"Liam, what's wrong?" Mark Baum turned around and saw Liam staring at the ticket, deep in thought.

Liam raised the ticket and smiled. "Oh, nothing. I just happen to be a Warriors fan. Thanks. I've never watched a Warriors game live before."

"Boss, you're a Warriors fan?" Curry's eyes widened in surprise.

"Warriors? You actually like the Warriors?" Mark Baum also seemed taken aback.

"Why are you all so surprised? Is there something wrong with that?" Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Of course not. I just didn't expect anyone to support the Warriors... Oh, sorry, what I meant to say is that the Warriors don't have much of a story. And you're Colombian—I just never connected you with the Warriors. I've met quite a few Colombians, and they generally support the Rockets. Yao is one of the league's top three centers, so I always thought you were a Rockets fan," Mark Baum explained, shrugging.

Laughing and joking, the three of them entered the stadium through the VIP entrance. Liam chuckled and said, "Trust me, this Warriors team is going to surprise people this season."

It was no wonder Mark Baum dismissed the Warriors so easily. They were, after all, one of the worst teams in the league.

The last time they made the playoffs was 12 years ago.

Over the past 12 years, the Warriors had become infamous as a bottom-dwelling team in the league, often finishing last in the Western Conference and frequently securing high draft picks.

But Warriors fans have endured the futility. The team's management was notoriously incompetent, rivaling even the Clippers' front office. They contributed several infamous draft busts to the league, keeping the team mired in mediocrity while providing the NBA with annual fodder for jokes.

"Maybe, but the Pacers are definitely going to win today," Mark Baum said with a smile.

"That's not necessarily true. Let's wait and see," Liam replied confidently.

Though he hadn't watched many Warriors games this season—or NBA games in general, for that matter—Liam clearly remembered that this season the Warriors were going to make a significant mark in the playoffs. They, alongside the Mavericks, would pull off the most legendary "Black Eight Miracle" in NBA history.

Nowitzki's embarrassment while accepting the MVP trophy would become the best reminder of the term "soft," and if it weren't for the single-core championship in 2011, it would have marred his legacy forever.

The three of them stepped out of the VIP tunnel just in time for the players' entrance ceremony. The stadium was dark, with the players under the spotlight as the only focus. They groped their way to the first row and sat down.

Mark Baum had a box at Bankers Life Fieldhouse that he booked year-round, but he rarely watched games from there. He claimed it didn't "feel like watching a game" from up there.

Soon, the players' entrance ceremony ended. The players from both teams did their final warm-up on the court, and the game was about to begin.

Liam's gaze passed over the players shooting around and locked onto the other side of the court. The white-haired old man, Nelson, was tall and strong with a ruddy complexion. He was whispering something to Rick Carlisle, who had not yet lost his hair.

NBA's "Jim Carrey" wore a very serious expression. The Pacers' performance this season was mediocre, even worse than the same period last season, and he was under immense pressure.

The "mad scientist," however, had a relaxed demeanor. Unlike Carlisle, Nelson was the only coach in NBA history to win the Coach of the Year award three times and have 1,000 wins—a Warriors legend. Even though the Warriors had a poor record, he could boldly experiment with his crazy tactics without fear of getting fired.

Liam looked at them with a mix of emotions. This was the first time he was so close to the NBA. Just moments ago, Baron Davis had dribbled past him, nearly sending the ball right to his feet. One step forward, and he would be on an NBA court.

But he knew this was just a brief intersection. After this game, he would still return to the Bulldogs.

Finally, the warm-up ended, and the game began.

"Gogogo!"

"Crush those Golden State guys!"

"Jermaine, you're unstoppable!"

Bankers Life Fieldhouse erupted with fiery cheers, guided by the live DJ. Everyone seemed to be enveloped in a wave of emotion, ready to unleash all their passion in a single burst.

Mark Baum stood up, shouted a few words, and then leaned over to Liam's ear, yelling, "Liam, welcome to the most passionate hell in the NBA! Accept the noise baptism of Conseco!" (the old name for Bankers Life Fieldhouse)

Liam heard him but didn't fully process his words. He was staring blankly at the court.

Liam wasn't new to basketball. He was used to the lively atmosphere at Hinkle Fieldhouse. However, Hinkle Fieldhouse could only accommodate over 10,000 people, while Bankers Life Fieldhouse could hold more than 18,000—almost twice as many.

Moreover, Bulldogs fans were mostly students and local residents, and though the arena was always filled, Bankers Life Fieldhouse was always packed with passionate fans, creating an atmosphere far more electric than Hinkle Fieldhouse.

This was Liam's first NBA game, and he felt overwhelmed. The NBA's allure was on full display.

Every night, in various cities, thousands cheer fervently for their teams. Players sweat and pour their passion onto the court, while coaches strategize on the sidelines. All of this combines to create the world's largest basketball stage.

For the first time, Liam felt a deep yearning for the NBA. He understood, perhaps for the first time, the original body's obsession with coaching an NBA team. While many might see it as just a business, many more burn with a dream, striving to achieve it.

Since traveling back in time, Liam had led the Bulldogs to the top of the Horizon League. He'd successfully raised initial capital and invested it in the financial market. The promise of immense wealth was within sight, and it made him feel as though he was simply playing a game, believing everything was within his reach.

But now, that illusion was shattered.

Though he was a time traveler who could foresee the future, he realized that he was facing some of the most talented basketball minds and athletes in the world—the omnipotent superstars, the championship-winning coaches, the gritty role players. They battled fiercely for the Larry O'Brien Trophy and never backed down.

The NCAA was just a stepping stone. Its strongest players were only 22 years old—physically green and technically immature. Many legendary NCAA coaches, like Rick Pitino and John Calipari, had achieved little in the NBA and could only return to the NCAA to regain some semblance of authority.

Liam felt deeply uneasy. Could he really achieve the "ambition" he'd proclaimed before traveling back in time?

"Boss, Baron Davis is so strong!" Curry's excited shout brought Liam back to reality.

Startled, Liam turned to see Curry, face flushed with excitement, pointing at the court. Baron Davis had just burst through the lane, swinging his body, leaping into the air, and driving his left hand toward the basket.

A fierce dunk!

Liam's expression was complicated as he shifted his gaze to the Warriors' bench. Monta Ellis, still just a rookie, was holding a towel and jumping up and down, screaming wildly with a towel in his hands. Standing beside him was an expressionless, lanky Asian youth.

Before coming to the game, Liam hadn't expected Yao Ming to sit out this game, giving way to Patrick O'Bryant, their ninth pick in the draft.

This was an omen. Yao Ming's injuries would soon start piling up, and his health would become a long-standing problem for the Warriors.

Yet the Warriors had assembled a unique squad that could push limits—an eclectic mix of veterans and unproven talents. Their "We Believe" spirit would rally fans and surprise critics, and they'd soon become synonymous with grit and heart.

At this moment, amid the cheers of the crowd, Liam's resolve only grew stronger.

He could see it now. His future wasn't just to make noise in the Horizon League or in some underdog story. No, he was destined for a bigger stage. One day, he'd be here on the sidelines of the NBA, guiding his team to the top.

For the first time since his reincarnation, he felt both nervous and excited.

"This is the NBA," he whispered to himself, his eyes gleaming with a newfound determination.

End of this chapter

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