Kyrie Irving Playoffs

[Story is being rewritten for a chance to be contracted and to be in WSA 2025.] Yang has a disease that limits her from playing sports she loves basketball. She always had a basketball in her hand for as long as she could remember but she was diagnosed with her illnesses at birth. But she still played but was limited on how long she could by her couch, parents, and doctor. But her love for the game and drive kept her going but there was also something else, her best friend Lucy they were childhood friends and grew up playing together. She would always support her and be there for her when she needed her Lucy also was a star player and captain of the team she was head and shoulders above the rest. With Yang limitations she wasn't able to be on the court with her for long even though she was talented the game put a lot of strain on her body so she would sit most of the game or sit out one half of it. She wanted to be able to play as long as she could without the limitations placed on her and play with the one that she loved and chased after. But in highschool Lucy got an offer of where she could go to a prestigious renowned all girl highschool that was the best in girls basketball. They offered Lucy to join them after this season and if she managed to lead the team to the playoff for the 3 third time making it 3 years straight or win MVP this year it would be an all paid scholarship. Hearing that Yang world came cracking down she thought that none of her hope or dreams would come true if she couldn't manage to stay with Lucy. Even though she was the co-captain the number 2 who rivaled Lucy but due to her illnesses it limited her and stopped others from making offers to her because of the risk. She thought she would lose Lucy at this rate until one day at practice when she over sorted herself at practice a screen popped up in front of her asking one question will you sacrifice your body to achieve your wishes?

I never asked to be a part of werewolf society - or this world. Every day that passes, the mating bond between my protector and I threatens to occur, once and for all. To consume me entirely... and lock my path with this world on the brink, even when I still think of home. ⧖ ⧖ ⧖ One minute I was Citra Lomdi - a Princess to a kingdom of silk and secrets in a whole other place. There, I was a *magnificent* Fox shifter... maneuvering in the gilded cage that was my life. The next thing I knew... I was trapped in the body of a she-werewolf being rejected by her mate. A man that wanted the original owner, Helene Duskpaw, to accept the rejection of the mate bond so badly that he'd be easily convinced to kill me. He did *almost* seem to be trying! But my problems didn't end there. An 'Apocalypse System' has chosen me and a countdown timer reminds me whenever I look that fate can be measured. That there might be a point to my arrival here. A fierce & brilliant CEO of a supernatural society tech empire has their sights on me, too. The Alpha of the Rimecoat Pack that is quite annoyingly... as sexy as she is powerful. This Kyrie Voss also seems to believe she is my fated mate. Silly wolf superstitions. Whether that is true or not, isn't really important! I'm caught in between a cold-snap future and a hot-love pursuit... but I am Citra Lomdi and I will not be tamed. Not by the wolf within me I share this body with, the rogues that see me unmarked, or the Alpha that can set my blood on fire with her amazing restraint. The only problem is: Helene was pregnant before she died. So now, I am too.

In The Online Cricketer, Nitish, a 28-year-old unemployed cricket fanatic from the dusty streets of Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, trades his lethargic days for a shot at rewriting cricket history in the Premier Cricket League (PCL) 2025. Once a small-town dreamer who ditched odd jobs faster than he could count, Nitish now spends his time glued to cricket reruns, crunching stats, and firing off brash takes on Twitter from his family’s cramped, sunbaked home. His life flips upside down in February 2025 when Preeti Zindal, the fierce owner of the Northern Lions—a PCL team stuck in a rut—stumbles across his tweet: “Northern Lions could rule PCL 2025 if they ditch the safe playbook for chaos.” Drawn to his raw, unfiltered brilliance, Preeti yanks him from obscurity, appointing him chief analyst just 30 days before the season begins. When her seasoned analysts, Rohan Sethi and Ananya Vohra, storm off to rival teams—the Mumbai Monarchs and Chennai Champions—Preeti doubles down, naming Nitish team manager. Armed with a laptop, a love for the game, and zero formal experience, Nitish shakes up the Northern Lions with a bold, youth-centric strategy that swaps tradition for unpredictability. The PCL erupts on March 22, 2025, and Nitish’s “chaos theory” delivers a stunning first win against the Gujarat Gladiators, thrusting him into the spotlight. But the path is rocky: a loss to Ananya’s Chennai Champions reveals cracks, while Rohan’s Mumbai Monarchs plot revenge. Facing skeptical players, relentless media, and his own Kurnool-bred insecurities, Nitish leans on Preeti’s faith to refine his game plan. From Kurnool’s offline fringes to the PCL’s electric arenas, Nitish’s journey unfolds across a season of wild highs and brutal lows. His small-town grit and offline instincts—honed far from cricket’s elite circles—fuel the Northern Lions’ transformation into playoff contenders. In a climactic showdown, Nitish pits his unconventional genius against the league’s giants, proving that a slacker from Andhra can turn chaos into triumph. The Online Cricketer is a gritty, heartfelt underdog saga, blending cricket’s pulse with the rise of a man who never played the game Offline but mastered it Online.

The apocalypse arrived, and Irving was betrayed and killed by his own girlfriend. After his rebirth, he was chosen by the Will of the Blue Star to be an internal beta tester of the Shelter Game, starting with a [Tenfold Drop Rate] and becoming a [Necromancer]! Ferocious and brutal exotic beasts are all tamed by him, gradually forming a powerful "Exotic Beast Legion" under his command! Building sanctuaries, hoarding supplies, upgrading outer walls, setting traps... Constructing the most powerful fortress in the apocalypse! "Since I have been given a second life, I will trample those who've betrayed me once under my feet!" ... When the Dark Lord descended, Irving's shelter had become the strongest on the Blue Star! "You evil creatures, dare to covet Blue Star?" "Come on! Let me show you what true despair is..." "Remember, from now on, Blue Star is under my protection! Got it?"

When Maeve Irving, a tomboyish twenty-one-year-old girl struggling with her identity, and the prospect of her future, begins to show signs of the Howling, she is visited by two men who show her the truth about the world and people she belongs to. However, as a late bloomer to the Howling, Maeve falls short in every regard other than beauty; etiquette, tradition and confidence are traits that the other aspiring Lunas have already acquired, and they make sure she feels her inadequacies at every turn. The life of an aspiring Luna is treacherous. In a mere week, Maeve has to contend against other werewolves in a contest that will decide the fate of werewolves in Glendale, as well as her friends. The price for a loss, is very steep, and for Maeve, it may as well be death. --- Disclaimer: The locations noted in the novel are not based in the real world. Additionally, all lore in the book is tailored towards this story, and no other. Thus, please be sure NOT to compare it to the lore from other books. Discord: https://discord.gg/fAjMB7eFDn

Ryder, a superpowered officer, also known as an SPO, has a mission separate from his job. A mission to find his best friend, Kai. What will happen when they finally reunite? Will it be on good terms, or the opposite?

'What happened to Oresas?' Was a question that Lucas often found recurring in his mind. Leading a rebellion to destroy the Oresas officials in order to avenge his parents, Lucas finds himself diverging into a path thats sways from his original goal. And with Shane, the son of the leader of Oresas, Victor, hot on his trail, Lucas will found out that meeting his goals may be more difficult then meets the eyes.

Irving, un chico de dieciséis años, introvertido, serio y depresivo empieza a florecer en él el sentimiento romántico al ver a la persona equivocada, o tal vez no. Una historia llena de sorpresas, dolor, traiciones y finalmente después de la tempestad, amor. ¿Su amor será lo suficientemente fuerte para que esa persona le corresponda y así poder empezar a ser feliz?

INTRODUCTION IRVING, one of the most powerful realms, full of mystique, grandeur and wealth and no lack of resources and picturesque landscapes. People of all realms some watching closely from afar, others trying to get in an acquire a citizenship there. King Atlas Koa Zyair, the sun of the kingdom, noble, strong and everything you desire in a king, the people’s pride Queen Kahlila Zenha Ejder, the moon of the kingdom, born of the highest nobility after the royal family itself. Often described as the most beautiful woman in all the realms undisputedly, praised and admired by even her enemies. Behind the image of perfection, Irving houses many secrets, some that the other realms would give anything and everything to uncover. Curses, mythical beings with powers untold, love stronger and truer than ever seen, hate and resentments blood deep, warriors, brothers, betrayals that could ruin everything built, loyalties upheld even in the grave, tragic heart-rending tales and thrilling surprises and triumphs. The vast lands in Irving house great secrets and grand revelations await. EXTRA The Dragon Empress “It’s funny how people only know you for your race. What about my other exquisite qualities.Atlas why don’t they call me the most beautiful empress? Atlas “Or the most conceited” Lila frowns with obvious displeasure Atlas “Just kidding my love, well your dragon features are very expressive since you started accepting yourself my empress” He smiles at her lovingly Lila “You haven’t changed Koa” she says as she smiles warmly back Atlas “Neither have you Lila Lila “still as annoying as I remember you” she says with a smirk Atlas laughs out loud From the author: Read the book to see how “annoying” Atlas is in Kahlila’s words. This is my first published book, feel free to comment anything you’d like to see as we go on, your opinion on the characters or what you think I should add to make the book better. Happy reading!!!

I could hear the hum of life in my ears. It was hard to breathe…. … I raised my gaze and stared into the distance. However, my blurred vision could not see anything. The light began to fade. That was my last memory. When I opened my eyes once again, it was 10 years before that last memory took place. And of all the things I could have become, it was from the enemy country that drove Secretia to ruin – I became Kyris’ third prince Calian. ….. Bern was the proud Crown Prince of Secretia who fought and died in the war against Kyris. But he woke up 10 years into the past – as the timid Third Prince of Kyris, Calian.

[WARNING: R18+ content] “To gain money, I climb on every man’s lap to have sex with them. One was bearable, since I gain benefits. Second is worse, since I lost dignity for wealth.” Noelle Iris wants to give up on life already when her ill mother’s hospital bills reach a massive amount of money she cannot provide. She got fired from her work, too. Out of all the darkness she experiences that day, a man named Blake Villano, comes up and offers his help. However, in exchange of paying Noelle’s bill, she needs to work as a porn star. How can she overcome the sexual pleasure when all men wanted to taste her? .... [EXCERPT] Blake stated, “In order to make you wet faster, I have to kiss you, Noelle.” She liked granting permissions, only on technical but not on body talks. Blake didn’t touch her breasts but pulled her closer. Her nipples found his brusque chest. Holding her safely in the back, Blake tilted her chin up, and slowly leaned down to meet her lips. It’s the first time Noelle experienced a kiss. Her virgin lips screamed further than her subconscious. Blake didn’t move, waiting for Noelle to open her lips. When she responded, Blake didn’t hesitate to kiss her gradually. Nibbling in her lips, Noelle got confused where to place her hands. She held on to his waist, steadying her posture. Blake reached her butt and squeezed one of them. Noelle felt something coming out of her groin. Blake slipped in one finger in her butt crack, fiddling at the outer skin. Noelle pressed her groin to his crotch, and he felt it hardened. Continuing the minimal torture, Blake rubbed it back and forth, reducing the tension. His tongue swirled inside her lips, and oh, Noelle felt so good about it. She forgets all her problems by just a kiss, an erotic stimulation, and Noelle started to love the job she accepted. Blake didn’t resist travelling his hands to her breasts, squeezing it. It detached Noelle from his body, stepping back, as if being electrocuted. Their sloppy kiss got interrupted instantly. Noelle covered her chests. Blake pursed his lips, left hanging, recovering from their body warmth. “What am I…” Noelle got confused. ... [Cover is not mine, and there is no way the author claimed the picture as her own. The text is edited through Canva.]

“No one should lay a hand on my wife. If anyone of you touches a single strand of her hair, I’ll be able to commit a massacre in no time.” – LL When Zella Albert wakes up in the middle of a King’s bed with no memory of what her identity was, she tried to insist answers from one of the Cassano members with a knife, threatening to slit his throat if they don’t reveal who she was. Until Leo Luciano showed up in the middle of the ruckus and claimed her to be his wife. But is Leo truly her husband or is just an impostor who tried to win his heart and kill her instead? ------------ [WARNING: MATURE CONTENT ON THE LATER CHAPTERS] ------------- “Kiss me if you need to prove our love. I can’t seem… to remember everything.” Leo’s lips turned pale. Zella was an observant. That slight change in his lips grew a suspicion in her. Why would he hesitate to kiss his wife? Is she really his wife? Leo didn’t even know what to have as an excuse. This time, he should be reckless. He approached her, closing the gap, placing his hands in his waist, pulling her closer to him. Zella got surprised, and looked up. His charm exuded through those smoldering eyes. Even though he’s not glaring, it looked at her with attention. Zella caught her breath. She tiptoed one of her foot. Leo brought his hand to her cheek, tucking her hair behind her ear. A feather light touch and it turned her on. Why do Zella feel he was skeptical with his every move? Like he doesn’t want to touch her? Leo didn’t desire to have a romantic relationship for now. But Zella came, and he had to act as a husband taking care of his wife. Besides, if he let Zella out of the mansion, they’re going to take the blame of hiding a death convict fugitive inside their house. The Cassanos will guarantee a guillotine death. This is all for their safety. “Like this…” Leo leaned in. ------ Updates will be regular since this will be part of Webnovel Spirity Awards 2022. ------ The cover is not owned by the author. Copyright goes to the artist who drew and posted it in Pinterest. Text made by the author through Canva.

Well-built, with silky brown hair and dark brown eyes. Everyone believes William is some kind of wealthy CEO, but in reality, he is just a simple butler who has such a ravishing young master. * After finishing college abroad, a wealthy man's 26-year-old son Kyrie Benjamin is finally brought home and encounters William Alexander, his family's private butler. Even though Kyrie has only recently met the man, he dislikes him right away. Kyrie can't help but think suspiciously of William since, despite what others have told him, he just doesn't fit the picture at all. As William advances on Kyrie, his prudence appears warranted. Advances that Kyrie can't respond normally to.

“I was never beyond guilty until now. I wanted to hold you, but I can’t. I wanted to say everything to you, but you’ll push me away. I wanted to love you, but you wouldn’t allow it. Hesitation is never my thing, but after I met you… it became a habit.” – Prince Gomez Prince Gomez resorted not to fall in love with any woman in his entire life right after his father got imprisoned. He formed a secret code entitled as The Marriage Proposal to avenge his father’s suffering. The time came when he met a woman named Avery De Leon, the daughter of De Leon-Cortez, and the one he supposed to kill, as per his father’s orders. They both agreed to have a relationship, but both of them were clueless of each other’s plans. Prince had grown as ruthless, and as an expert of calibers, he killed Avery, and didn’t even feel guilty at once. Along with his plan, Bryce Fajardo, who had the same imprisoned father, abetted the murder of another woman named Aria De Leon. Prince thought the secret code had worked out, and they’re now clear of any nuisance. They finally killed the one who made their fathers suffer. But his hopes deteriorate when he ran into a woman with the same face as Avery, pregnant and wounded, pleading for his help. Will Prince be able to set boundaries to his feelings when he was supposed to kill her? Or he’ll let his heart dominate the feelings he once withheld? … EXCERPT: He walked past ahead. Aria couldn’t hold it anymore. “Kill me,” Aria mumbled. After she breathed those words, the rain started to pour a little. It mirrored her emotions racing inside her heart. Prince halted in his tracks. “Kill me not with the bullet in your hand, but with the love you have been resisting to vent out.” Aria turned around, staring at his back. Prince widened his eyes, turned halfway. As slowly as it would get, they still met each other’s eyes. Aria sighed. “No matter how hard you try to push me away, my heart still beats for you. I want you to like me, to say you cherish me, worry about me, find me, touch me, hold onto me, love me, care for me, marry me, everything you do about me… I want you to do everything to me, Prince.” Aria felt sick of hiding it for a long time. That distance made her suffocate. “I want your breath to be my air. Just once, claim me with all your heart,” Aria begged. A tear fell down her cheek. Prince’s heart thumped, and when the silence stretched on, he knew he had to run. After he did so, he met her soft lips, claiming her, as she ordered. ------ [WARNING: MATURE CONTENT IN THE LATER CHAPTERS] ------- Updates will be regular since it's a part of WSA 2022. ---- Cover not mine. Text edited by the author through Canva.

Synopsis The Needle in this fiction embodies Martial Law. The skull mangled exemplifies the Filipino people specifically human rights victims from all persuasions – enforced Desaparecidos to combatants, students to academicians, civilians to soldiers, peasants to landlords, laymen to religious, ordinary taxpayers to oligarchs, voters to politicians, officials to professionals, – all victims of militarization offered as sacrificial lambs in the altar of Dictatorship. The crucifix and holy rosary, guns, and bullets symbolize the protagonists – heroes and villains - and the causes and institutions they represent. The red roses, a love affair that blooms and blossoms among the main characters. The timeline was September 21, 1972, covering fourteen long years of dictatorship when Martial Law was declared until February 24, 1986, during the restoration of democracy ushered in by People’s Power at Epifanio de Los Santos or EDSA. Post EDSA events from Fidel V. Ramos to Benigno “Noynoy” Aquino III or PNoy to Duterte’s presidency and Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. are briefly treated in an Epilogue. The choice of fiction was deliberate because of its timelessness and very important lesson drawn from that historic event–the restoration of democracy no less by President Cory Aquino. Whether it succeeded or not thereafter doesn’t matter. Filipinos are that unpredictable. Their memory is way too short and the hardest to please. But what is important is we have thrown away the tyrant, award-winning Investigate Journalist Shiela Coronel emphasized restoring fourteen long-lost hostage democracy in 1986. Add to that is the consequent didactic message to all Filipinos especially the Post Martial Law babies: “Beware and never again Martial Law!” In format, the author uses four of Irving Wallace's criteria in writing fiction from his “The Writing of One Novel” with some innovation on grounding characters using flashbacks and other tools characterizing bestsellers like Dan Brown, Grisham highlighting the author’s premium on the relevance of the said historical event and its political ramifications surrounding the subject throughout the story. First, no loose ends in the plot. This one is a tough act to follow. The subplot should be tied together as much as possible to the end. Second, narrative excitement rings the bell for readers. Third, is the use of research to disabuse and mitigate elements of violence and sex. Treating this work as social commentary on different implacable social issues of the day was deliberately utilized by the writer given his Philosophy, Theology, and Sociology background. Note that pictorials used in the work unless indicated in the caption are meant to highlight the theme of each respective chapter. Lastly, the most unlikely ending squeezing creative juices of the imaginative mind. Breaking the rules of writing known to man is also a challenge here. Ergo, treating the subject as fiction against the social commentary backdrop to make the narrative captivating journey instead just plain Martial Law account which is surely dry and monotonous story. How these criteria are treated and addressed by the writer especially the first, third, and fourth is left to readers and critics. Copy editing of the first draft has been done by the author using Grammarly, relevant creative writing tips culled from the internet from the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Jeff Goins, Catherine Reid, Cynthia Jones-Shoeman, Joe Bunting of NaNoWriMo, Billy Wilder, and Pruelpo, an FB friend and OFW dabbling as free-lance writer and guru. The third is actual editing from Ricardo S. Maulion Jr., my son, doing the proofreading. I have yet to accept any copy editors to do the favor for me packaging this project into a cohesive whole work. Ricardo F. Maulion For book order: Email ad: ricardomauliond1205@gmail.com

It’s time for humanity to fall and the city of Laserath is a wonderful place for the Chars to start it all. Legends slaughtering humanity stalk the walls of human cities. Cities guarded by magic barriers and energy guns. Places where children learn to fight, to defend themselves, and at fifteen that child must choose the path their life will take. That’s what Centra, DJ, Liza, and Jasper did. But not all children got to choose. Kyrie trained from the day he was born, for when Kyrie loses control cities turn to craters. He failed to protect his home from an English Dragon. Now he has a new life, a new team, perhaps new friends but his new start is in Laserath and the Chars are already there. note: I'm publishing the full books elsewhere with professional editing (probably Amazon). Please enjoy the teasers posted here and look out for the official full release starting in 2021. update: the book art is here!!! The first book will be off for proof reading by October 31st! :) Updated 11-2-2020 Book website: https://www.legendslayers.com/home

"The end." These two words make Kyrie feel like his world is falling apart. After being a loyal reader of a novel for ten years, he feels destroyed to read that Ian, his favorite character, died without a single happy moment. Throughout Kyrie's life filled with misfortune, Ian became the light that gave him the strength to overcome his hardships to stand up again. However, seeing that Ian did not have a happy ending, he felt a thorn in his heart. [If only I can change his fate...] And that is what happened precisely. Kyrie meets the author that turned out to be a small god who records accounts from other worlds as a hobby. The small god allows Kyrie to go to Ian's world to save him from his tragic fate. Kyrie, filled with enthusiasm, declares, "Ian, this time... I will make you happy! I will not let you suffer ever again!!!" This is the story of a reader who wants to save his favorite character in a collapsing world desperately. He enters into a world ruled by magic and tries to get strong to save the world. His enemy? A fallen god. Then what about the protagonist? A crazy killing machine whom he has to team up with. What about his favorite character? Still a cute innocent bunny whom he has every desire to tease!!!! *** Warning, some chapters will contain mature content *** Discord server featuring three other BL authors: SleepyKola, LinShui, and ForeverPupa! https://discord.gg/8pnVAGqENG Please join us! ***This cover was taken from Pinterest. All credits to the creator/owner. If the owner wants it taken down, please comment on it. Thank you! I love how perfect this fits my story!! TT v TT

A heartless CEO, who has sworn never to have anything with women, after the sudden disappearance, of his wife encounters a washed up sexy lady on his private beach, on his private property, with no memory apart from the fact that she is married. Cinderella thinks the heartless CEO, is her husband, and she gave birth to DJ, and Kyrie (his kids) so she tries everything to win the affection of her husband back. But what happens, when she finds out that she is living amidst Vampires?

Liam Jones was described to be bubbly and lovable. He was loud and adventurous, compassionate and kind while Nikki Mosheyev was known to be stone-faced, cold and stubborn. He always be a model student and was afraid of failures. So, he hates being incompentent and always think first than to act recklessly which is a contrast to Liam's personality. The two met at the school grounds and their flaws attracted to each other like magnets. They were dissatisfied at first, but it got better as time passed. Until one day Nikki found out Liam's weird hobby... Reading BL stories.

What happens when two people from opposite worlds run away from their lives; when a game is the only medium through which they can feel like they are equal? Kadian picks up an MMO game on a whim after attempting to cut ties with his wealthy family. Kyrie attempts to live a more grand life through the game as a high-level player despite her all-but-interesting real life in the suburbs.

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Aku gak pernah tau kalau ternyata 'dia' adalah kakak sepupunya. Ternyata dia mendekatiku hanya untuk dipermainkan. Aku menjauhinya dan tidak memberitau Dia tentang kandunganku. Tapi semua usahaku sia-sia, dia malah tau kandunganku sudah berumur tiga bulan. Dan makin susah menjauhinya. Sampai akhirnya dia menikahiku. - Iriz Marcel - Aku cemburu ketika melihat gadisku begitu dekat dengan keluarga Fraser. Aku harus mendapatkannya apapun caranya juga menjauhkannya dari keluarga Fraser, Aldo juga Tania. Dia Hanya milikku. Aku menikahinya tiga bulan setelah menghamilinya. Keluarga Fraser menyambut pinanganku dengan suka cita tapi tidak dengannya. Aku memperhatikannya tapi Dia mengacuhkanku. Aku berusaha keras mengontrol diriku agar tidak memarahinya, Dia sedang mengandung bayiku. Aku baru sadar kalau ternyata Fina sering membully istriku. Fina tidak pernah menyukai Iriz karena Iriz sangat dekat dengan Aron. - Axel Lucifer - Aku dekat dengannya lagi. Aku sangat menyayanginya. Seandainya saja aku belum bertunangan, aku ingin Iry jadi milikku seutuhnya. Hmm, ternyata mendekatinya susah, dia tidak bisa membuka hatinya untuk orang lain, kecuali Axel. Jadi iri, Tania juga bukan pilihan yang buruk Kok. - Aldo Fraser - Aku tidak menyangka kalau ternyata Kak Aldo sangat mencintai Iriz, menyayanginya sebagai adiknya ternyata itu hanya kedoknya. Untunglah mas Axel menikahinya. Ia mulai menjaga jarak dengan Iriz. - Tania Kaspar - Aku melihatnya lagi. Tapi Dia sudah bersama Aldo dan Axel. Tapi gak apa-apalah dia belum punya kekasih. Aku kecewa ketika tiba-tiba Axel melayangkan undangan pernikahannya dengannya. - Aron George - - Fina Irving -

Un ángel no puede enamorarse de un humano está prohibido. Pero... ¿Que sucede si un ángel se enamora de un humano?

Some exist with pride, others struggle with pride, some compete with pride, and there are those who fail with pride, but very few can walk away with pride. Congratulations, for as you read these lines, you have witnessed the whole lives of many great basketball players. This pronunciation was embodied when Stephen Curry, after facing defeat in 2021, claimed that no one would want to face them the following season; When Tim Duncan was convinced before the start of the 2014 Finals that they would not mess up; When Kobe Bryant promised at Old Buss's memorial to take the Lakers to the playoffs; When Nowitzki, shedding his label as a soft player, retreated to the locker room in tears at night; When Kevin Garnett let out a skyward howl after holding the championship trophy; When the 2004 Detroit Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost… Our story begins in an era when pride still mattered.