Chapter 67: The Return of Marcus Camby
###
**Domestic Scene: New Fox Sports**
New Fox Sports, now the dominant force in domestic sports forums, is experiencing an unprecedented surge in traffic. With Wang Song making waves in the NBA, the platform he endorsed during his early career is riding a wave of success.
Following Wang Song's historic achievement in the NBA, the forums exploded with activity. Every Knicks-related post garnered hundreds of comments, each teeming with enthusiasm.
- **"Single-handedly dismantling Seattle's interior defense—this is the power of the Chinese giant!"**
- **"The Light of the Knicks! Official highlights released: Wang Song claimed three spots in yesterday's Top Ten Plays!"**
- **"A new historical record! The youngest player in NBA history to achieve 25 points, 10 rebounds, and 5 blocks—Wang Song from China!"**
- **"Coach Don Chaney: Wang Song will be the Knicks' future centerpiece and top developmental focus!"**
- **"Averaging 18.5 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks in his first two games, neck-and-neck with top pick LeBron James!"**
---
**Comments Section:**
- **"Averaging a double-double from the start—this guy has been improving since the NCAA March Madness. We still don't know how high he can climb."**
- **"No one knows his limits. Breaking historical records in just his second NBA game? Wang Song is a serious contender for Rookie of the Year!"**
- **"Definitely. He's already adapting better than Yao Ming did in his early NBA days. He's living up to his draft position—and maybe even beyond it."**
- **"Beyond that? Are you saying he should've been the Pistons' #2 pick? We can't strip Cleveland of their top pick! Also, Rookie of the Year might be far off—there's a more immediate award to aim for!"**
- **"Are you talking about Player of the Week? That's a league-wide competition. Honestly, it's tough, especially with LeBron putting up such versatile performances."**
- **"Versatility doesn't matter. It's all about how the Knicks perform against Denver in the next game. A 3-0 Knicks record would overshadow anything LeBron does."**
---
**On the Flight:**
Leaving Seattle behind, Wang Song settled into his seat and opened his attribute panel mid-flight. After the Knicks' victory over the SuperSonics, his teammates had partied late into the night, leaving him no time to check his rewards.
As he opened the system interface, an unexpected surprise popped up.
**"Ding! Congratulations to the host for unlocking an NBA historical honor. A silver badge has been randomly drawn…"**
On the virtual panel, streaks of light flashed across his vision, eventually slowing to a stop. Wang Song stared at the result:
**[Rim Protector Elite]**
Based on his experience with 2K, Wang Song deduced that this badge enhanced blocking and defensive abilities around the rim. He eagerly clicked on the details:
- **[Rim Protector Elite]: Increases proficiency in blocking techniques, enhances jumping ability, and boosts block success rate.**
The comprehensive benefits of this badge brought a bright smile to Wang Song's face. With this enhancement, his rim protection abilities would reach new heights.
---
**In Denver:**
The Knicks' plane descended through the clouds, landing smoothly in Denver. The towering players stepping off the plane turned the small local airport into a spectacle.
After a restful night at their pre-arranged hotel, Don Chaney wasted no time. The next morning, he organized a practice session to maintain the team's rhythm.
Despite their exhaustion, the players complied. While the game against the Nuggets was still a day away, Chaney's philosophy emphasized consistent routines and stable circadian rhythms to combat jet lag.
**"Don, the game is tomorrow. The players could use some rest to recover."**
Knicks assistant coach Herb Sendek voiced his concerns from the sidelines.
Without even turning his head, Chaney dismissed the protest:
**"Herb, keeping the players' schedules consistent is the key to adjusting to the time difference."**
**"But Don, we're in Denver—at high altitude…"**
Before Sendek could finish, Chaney walked away, leaving him standing there. This exchange did not go unnoticed by Wang Song, who was practicing with Nash to improve their on-court chemistry.
---
**Meanwhile in Denver:**
Having been in Denver for some time, Carmelo Anthony had already established himself as the Nuggets' leader. Following their disastrous performance last season, the team had fully committed to rebuilding.
Core players like Juwan Howard, James Posey, and Nene Hilario had all been shipped out, leaving only Marcus Camby as a non-negotiable cornerstone. Over the offseason, the Nuggets drafted Anthony, a move that energized their rebuild.
In their first two games, Anthony averaged 21 points and 6 rebounds, proving his worth and validating the Nuggets' decision. His offensive firepower cemented his status as the team's new focal point.
**Pepsi Center:**
The day before the game, the Nuggets practiced diligently. Head coach Jeff Bzdelik was busy implementing new strategies to counter the Knicks.
**"Marcus, tomorrow's game will be won or lost in the paint. That's your domain—I'm counting on you!"**
Camby, the second overall pick from the legendary 1996 draft class, patted his chest confidently. Despite a career marred by injuries, he had shown resilience, posting double-doubles in the seasons prior to his recent setbacks.
Now, fully recovered, Camby was eager to remind the league of his dominance.
**"Carmelo, I heard you've faced that Asian rookie in college?"**
Hearing that the Nuggets' top scorer had history with Wang Song piqued Camby's interest. As a veteran preparing to face a rising star, he couldn't resist learning more about his opponent.
Check out my P@treon for advance chapter on p@treon.com/Twilight_scribe1