Temptation

Los Angeles

California

USA

The news that the 8th seeded team, the Houston Spacewalkers, had beaten the first seed, the San Antonio Rodeo, had caused ripples across the league. Many people were all praise for Lokesh and his team. Others attributed the win to dumb luck.

But anyone who understood NBA basketball would’ve known. Their win was anything but dumb luck.

Keon Jordan Jr sat down in an interview. He answered all the questions calmly and maturely, which his team couldn’t believe.

But finally, one question came. “Your franchise player, Lokesh Kumar, has made waves in this league ever since his Rookie of the Year season! What do you think makes him so special?”

Keon smiled.

“Gravity, and the laws of physics. They just don’t work the same way on him!”

Listening to the interview, was a man. He grinned.

“I agree, kid!” said Josh Okongo.

“It’s about time we have a chat!”

*

Lokesh’s phone rang. He swiped up. “Hello?”

“Lokesh Kumar, we speak again!”

“Who is it?”

“You may know me as the face of the NBA. My name is Josh Okongo!”

“So it’s you,” said Lokesh calmly. “How did you get my number?”

“Ways and means, kid. Now listen up. I watched your game yesterday. That Raw Intimidation. You’re the same as me, aren’t you? That’s why you’ve never feared me!”

“I guess so.”

“We’re both franchise level players, Kumar,” he said. “As someone who understands that pressure, I want to make you an offer.”

“To join you in Baltimore?”

“You’re an intelligent kid,” said Josh. “Play poorly the next set of games. Then, demand a trade. We’ll pay you well. You could be a champion!”

“By betraying my team?”

“Don’t think of it as betrayal. Think of it as progress. Think of all the championships we could win together!”

“I appreciate the offer, Josh,” said Lokesh. “But the reason I’m not on the verge of committing suicide somewhere in my home country right now is because this city gave me an opportunity. I will never let them down!”

“You’ll regret this.”

“I won’t,” said Lokesh. “I will never turn my back on Houston and Marcello Rodriguez and all my coaches and teammates! You wait for us in the finals! It’ll be a good rumble!”

“You’d lose.”

“And never compare me with you!” growled Lokesh. “I face my rivals. You’ve joined them!”

With that, he hung up the call.

*

Houston’s next playoffs opponent would be against the Los Angeles Stars. These guys were famous for their size. And for having an amazing franchise player in Trent Clarke.

“We have two big men!” thought Lokesh, remembering Keon Jordan Jr and the Kenyan center, Kerubo Kimathi.

But then, Los Angeles’ center walked out, and Lokesh’s jaw hit the court.

“He’s huge!”

He wasn’t wrong.

The man, The Slovak Lumberjack, Josef Biely, stood at 7 feet and 8 inches tall. And he was rearing to go.

He won the tip off easily against Keon. He then proceeded to catch a pass, push Keon away, and dunk it.

”OH MY GOODNESS! JOSEF BIELY! DUNKS THE BALL WITHOUT EVEN JUMPING! WHAT A BEAST! HOW WILL HOUSTON FACE HIM? IS KEON JORDAN JR ALIVE?”

Trent Clarke caught a pass and eyed down Keon. He then shot a one-legged fadeaway packed with elegance.

SWISH.

“HOW WILL HOUSTON FIGHT BACK?” yelled the commentators.

They couldn’t.

Houston lost the first game.

Badly.

*

For the next game, Lokesh made a plan.

“I’m on Clarke,” he said. “Odai, you and Kerubo will handle Biely!”

“Why me?” said the Kenyan. “I’m a role-player!”

“Then do your role,” smiled Lokesh. “You have a high body mass and you’re impossible to move! Take him on!”

The move worked. Trent Clarke’s fadeaway was useless against Lokesh’s jumping. Kerubo kept Josef Biely at the same place, being the brick wall that he was, as Odai stole the ball.

Houston won games 2, 3, and 4.

In game 5, Biely and Clarke switched gears. They started piling points by letting their teammates, Kent Hyland, and DeShaun Oboki, their two rookies, take shots. The move worked for some time as Lokesh and club were confused. Once they went onto the two, Biely and Clarke would destroy the rim.

Clarke shot a one-legged fadeaway. Lokesh blocked it and passed to Dan, who sunk in a three-pointer.

Los Angeles led 115-114.

Then Kerubo Kimathi refused to let Josef Biely go, and Lokesh stole the ball, he quickly ran to the other end. But, Biely got there first. Lokesh flew at him from the free throw inner circle as the Slovak Lumberjack tried to block him.

“You’re kidding,” thought Biely. “How long can he stay up there?”

Lokesh waited for Biely to descend, then, he dunked on the 7’8 giant, stunning everyone around. “How?” they thought.

YOU’RE KIDDING!” yelled the commentator. “LOKESH KUMAR! POSTERIZES THE 7’8 GIANT BIELY! HOUSTON WIN 116-115. WHAT A GAME IT’S BEEN!”

Los Angeles was eliminated.

Houston would play the conference finals.

As Lokesh walked back, he was met by the 7’8 giant Biely.

“Win the championship!” said Biely, extending a hand. “For our sake as well! It was an honor playing against you!”

Lokesh smiled and shook his hand.

“What do you know?” thought Lokesh. “He’s a gentle giant!”