Chapter 352: The Rivalry That Matters.
The moment Jokić's shot swished through the net, he threw both arms into the air, shaking them in pure exhilaration.
For the first time since entering the NBA, he felt the rush—the thrill—of making a game-winner.
If this had been a play drawn up by Malone, he would've just felt relieved.
A job assigned, a job completed—nothing more than fulfilling his responsibility.
But Han Sen?
Han Sen threw him into the fire.
It was like when Ron Artest caught that unexpected pass from Kobe in the Finals.
A moment of pure, unplanned trust.
And who didn't love surprises in the middle of their otherwise structured, rigid jobs?
Even Malone had been momentarily stunned by Han's decision.
Passing up a shot to the second-year center whose three-point percentage barely scraped the low 30s?