Chapter 199 - Cheers

Boogie was up by one point. We were playing to five. I had to stop in his route and not let him think that he had an edge on me.

I checked it up to him once again. He dribbled through his legs extremely fast before driving it in, this time; I kept up with him. He tried to lay it up, but I blocked it off the backboard and grabbed the rebound.

Gilbert Arenas had stars in his eyes after seeing what I had done. That was the great defense I had just played against Boogie, so Gilbert was pretty impressed.

I checked up the ball once again this time; I had the ball; I started dribbling, I also began to do tricks by dribbling fast between my legs, and I copied the same move he did as I drove towards the hoop. 

Boogie was by my side the whole time, but this time when I went to lay it up, I threw it straight up, avoiding the block as it went into the hoop. 

Everybody around the court started yelling out in surprise as they said "and one" because he had fouled me on that play.

I checked it up to him once again, and this time, due to so much space between us, I decided to take the shot, two points. As it went in, everybody started saying, oh.

Now boogie was a little angry that he was losing to a kid as he started playing better defense. I didn't care; I wanted to finish this game quickly; I faked him left but went right just like how he did to me on the first play, but on my space, I broke his ankles as he didn't think I was going to do that, he fell to the floor and I took the shot to gain two more points for the win 5-1, game.

The whole place went crazy as they were impressed with my game. Gilbert Arenas came up to me, all smiles as he said" okay, boy, I see you got game, but now it's time to go against me, your captain. I doubt you can beat me but with the skills you're showing, let's see how you do". 

I smirked at this and said, that's fine let's see how you do against me then.

Everybody around the court got excited and even called up with their friends to come and take a look at this game. Some were recording it live on youtube. Some were gaining many views as they had the title rookie versus captain live in the hood.

I know these videos will get on ESPN, but I didn't care that Gilbert asked for this. He's going to get embarrassed. He checked up the ball; he said I could have the ball first since I won the previous game. That was the first mistake he made. The second mistake he made was giving me space, so I took the shot swish two points.

"So that shot of yours is no joke. I guess I'll have to play some defense". 

I shrugged and said, you better step up; otherwise, I'm going to break you. The crowd went wild; after I said that, Gilbert looked a little bit frustrated, but that wasn't about to break him. He's played with the best trash talkers, so this was nothing new to him.

I started dribbling as he played against me. He pushed me back, which ended in a foul. The crowd went crazy because as soon as he had pushed me, I tossed up the ball.

He said," my bad, that was foul".

I shook my head and said no, that's a and one. He looked back as the ball went into the hoop, surprised that I was still able to make it.

"How I fouled you, but you were still able to make it. How is that possible,he said? 

I shrugged and said I don't know, but you can't sleep on me, homie; otherwise, I might bite you.

He laughed at this and said" I like your spunk I guess one more point and you will be able to beat me".

I checked it up to him once more this time; he wasn't hawking me as he did before, scared that he might foul me once more as he gave me a little bit of space. I drove it on him, but he was able to push me back but still stayed on my tail, not giving me a chance to shoot it. 

I backed him into the post, but he was stronger than he looks as I didn't get too far. I fake to the left, and I pretended to the right, but he didn't bite.

This guy was more resilient than I thought. His defense was good. He had to be. He was in the NBA after all; I decided to try a hook shot since I couldn't move anymore as I tossed the ball up, he jumped up bȧrėly missing the block as it went into the hop, shocking everybody there as they went wild.

One guy was like a commentator for his YouTube channel, "and there you have it guys. The rookie has beaten the captain first time in our hood for something like this to happen. Shout out to Gilbert arenas for coming through and repping his hood to the day he dies".

Gilbert was out of breath as he watched me and smiled. He said, okay, bro, you'll do okay out here. Make sure you stay by my hip, and you'll be the best. I make sure we get this ring this year. With you by my side we will be sure to win the whole thing".

I shook my head and said I'm not interested, but we'll see how it goes. He was surprised I said that but he didn't get it, but he ignored it.

Gilbert took out a bunch of drinks and said, "drink up, cheers to the next level".

I said, cheers back as we clapped cups, and we had a drink or two after telling him I had to leave because I was starting to feel funny. A soldier can't drink too much, especially within the enemy territory; otherwise, bad things might happen.