Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

At first, nobody registered what he had done. However, as soon as the two points were added to their score, the crowd began to scream. It wasn't the usual cheers from the fans.

Instead, it came from fans and non-fans alike. In fact, they weren't cheering for the added score. They were cheering because he looked really cool! Some stood, discussing what he had just done.

"That was a reverse dunk, right? And it's just the beginning of the second quarter?"

"What the heck did this kid just do? It's so cool!"

David leaned forward, gripping the edge of the commentator's table. "This kid, Kai Guo, is just unreal. Is this a new skill, or is he just improvising on the spot? Either way, he's an idea machine!"

The camera zoomed in on Park Jinwoo, who had leaned forward on the bench, eyebrows raised.

He muttered under his breath, "Cool." Realizing what he said, he quickly straightened and looked away, brushing it off.

Kai jogged back down the court, shaking his head slightly. To him, the dunk wasn't some grand statement.

The defender had been so aggressive, pressing him so tightly, that the reverse was the only viable option. He wasn't out to show off, but hey, being praised like this was still a good incentive.

His teammates watched him with wide eyes.

"This is why you shouldn't bench Kai for a long time," Zheng said, shaking his head.

Aside from the initial shock factor, the dunk had also rattled the South Korean team. They exchanged glances, their previously confident demeanor faltering. Their coach called for them to get their head in the game, shouting instructions from the sidelines, but the unease lingered.

The game resumed, and Kai found himself gradually stepping into his rhythm. It seemed like all the upgrades and extra training were actually paying well.

He executed another shot not long after his reverse dunk. The defenders tried to read him, but Kai was always a step ahead, adapting to their every move.

However, most good things really do come to an end.

As the minutes ticked by, the South Korean team began to adjust.

"Are they fighting among themselves?" Jinwoo muttered when he noticed Jimmy trying to block Kai from a shot.

Kai's eyes widened as Jimmy's finger touched it slightly. However, it was enough to make it stray from its course, bouncing on the rim and making its way to the hands of its opponent.

"They're good," Jinwoo said to their coach. "But they're too focused on shining individually. They're not syncing up."

His coach nodded. "If we can exploit that, we've got a chance."

Jinwoo smirked. "Then let's do it."

On the court, Marcus was in control of the ball. As he drove to the basket, three defenders closed in on him. Instead of passing to Kai, who was wide open, Marcus forced a contested shot.

The ball clanged off the rim, and the South Korean team snagged the rebound.

Kai clenched his jaw but said nothing. He knew Marcus wanted to prove himself, but he was open!

Jimmy was next to take a shot, his form slightly rushed. The ball wobbled on its trajectory and barely grazed the rim before bouncing out. Another rebound for the South Koreans.

"Pass the ball next time!" Max shouted frustration heard in his voice.

Jimmy glared but didn't respond.

The South Koreans, on the other hand, were starting to find their groove.

They weren't relying on solo plays anymore. Jinwoo had joined to lead the charge. Quick passes, sharp cuts, and coordinated screens began to dismantle the defense.

"Look at that," Gina said, her tone impressed. "South Korea is showing us why they're such a formidable team. They've figured out that teamwork is the key here."

David nodded. "Meanwhile, the other side is starting to unravel. The individual brilliance is there, but they're not connecting the dots."

Kai could see it, too.

His team was slipping, the lack of cohesion becoming glaringly obvious. Marcus was too focused on proving himself, Jimmy was playing nervously, and Caleb seemed to be in his own world, taking shots whenever he could. Max, caught in the middle, was trying his best to hold things together, but he couldn't even bridge the growing gap.

Kai took a deep breath, trying to calm the rising frustration within him.

"Focus," he muttered to himself. "We can't lose this lead."

But the South Koreans were relentless.

Jinwoo executed a perfect pick-and-roll with one of his teammates, leading to an easy layup. The crowd roared as the scoreboard shifted, narrowing the gap.

On the next play, Kai managed to intercept a pass, his instincts kicking in. He sprinted down the court, defenders hot on his heels. Spotting an opening, he passed to Caleb, who finished with a clean mid-range jumper.

It was a momentary relief, but the South Koreans came back just as quickly, answering with a three-pointer that sent their fans into a frenzy.

The frustration among Kai's team was obvious. Marcus missed another contested shot, and Jimmy hesitated on a fast break, losing the ball to a defender. The South Koreans capitalized, scoring in transition and closing the gap further.

By the final minutes of the second quarter, the lead was down to just two points. The South Korean bench erupted in cheers as Jinwoo sank a flawless jump shot, bringing them within striking distance.

The buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the quarter.

Kai glanced at the scoreboard, his fists clenching at the sight of the two-point lead. How could they lose the lead just like that?

As they walked off the court, the atmosphere was heavy. Max shook his head, muttering under his breath. "We're playing like strangers out there."

Kai didn't respond, his mind racing.

He knew they were better than this—individually, they were some of the best players on the court. But basketball wasn't a solo sport. And if they didn't figure that out soon, their lead would slip through their fingers.

On the South Korean bench, Jinwoo leaned back, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. "Not bad," he said to himself. "But not good enough."