604 Free-throw Lane Defender (2/2)

The Thunder's point guard averaged three double-doubles in previous seasons. Not a lot of people in the NBA could do this. He received his title as MVP because of this. He scored a triple-double in this game. However, his triple-double was overshadowed by the Clippers' player's triple-double.

It wasn't Wood who had gotten the triple-double; it was the center substitute, Karaby.

Karaby got 13 points, 15 rebounds, and 10 blocks.

In a basketball game, 99% of the triple-doubles were a combination of scores + rebounds + assists. It was difficult for players who didn't have many chances to get ten points. It was possible for those who had an adequate ability in getting rebounds to get ten rebounds. Those who were decent at passing, as long as their teammates weren't too bad, could easily get ten assists as well.

However, getting ten blocks and ten steals required a bit of luck and cooperation.

Karaby had been the blocked shot leader four times. He had achieved four triple-doubles in his career. All in scoring, rebounding and blocking. This was the fifth time he had a triple-double. It wasn't out of the ordinary.

At the ”old age” of 35, however, getting a triple-double in scoring, rebounding, and blocking was seen as incredible.

This was thanks to the Thunder. The Thunder's point guard was competing with Wood. Wood scored by breaking through the opponent's defense. He wanted to prove that he was better than Wood, so he kept using the same scoring method as Wood.

The Thunder's defender was good. He was a seven-feet and could shoot from a middle distance. He also had the ability to defend in the free-throw lane. However, he only managed to block one shot the entire game.

On the Clippers' side was Karaby, a four-time blocked shot leader. After using the age-reduction card, he had reverted back to his skill at 30, his prime. Coupled with his years of experience, this old timer was able to determine when his opponent would turn and when they would do a layup. When they attempted to put the ball into the basket, his hand would reach out and block them.

So when the Thunder's point guard insisted on breaking through his opponent's defense to score, the result was obvious. Every attempt to score was a chance for Karaby to block him. Karaby did not hesitate to do so. When he couldn't block the ball, he found ways to interfere with the opponent's layup. This resulted in his triple-double.

A triple-double consisting of scoring, rebounds, and blocks was something that might not happen even once in a season. Such a performance would undoubtedly make the next day's headlines.

People started to notice Karaby's performance this season. He averaged 10.8 points, 12.2 rebounds and 4.3 blocks per game. His stats were high because his triple-double dragged his averages up. 10.8 points and 12.2 rebounds were not expected of a 35-year-old veteran.

When people compared his current performance to when he was the blocked shot leader, they found that them similar. If Karaby maintained his current performance, he would become the best defender in the free-throw lane.

Karaby had been exchanged for Ronny. When they were being traded, many people felt that it was a bad deal for the Clippers to get a first-round draft pick and a 35-year-old veteran in exchange for a young, key player from their team.

Now it seemed that the deal benefited the Clippers. Not only had the Clippers gotten a first-round draft pick, but they had also received one of the best defenders in the free-throw lane.

There was never a shortage of players outside the three-point line who could score in the NBA. There were always rookies with strong attacking abilities every year. However, there was always a shortage of good defenders inside the three-point line. Those who were able to defend in the free-throw lane were not typical players. Even when small ball playstyles were popular, a good defender inside the three-point line was still something that most teams needed if they wanted to become champions. Every strong team wanted to have a player like that.

...

In a luxury apartment in Sacramento, a 40-year-old man was sweating on a treadmill.

He was 6.5 feet tall, had a shaved head, and no tattoos on his muscles. He looked very clean.

The TV hanging on the wall next to him was playing the five best performances in the NBA from yesterday. The first wasn't a shot, but a beautiful block.

It showed Karaby leaping high up, slapping the basketball in the air, and the ball flying to the other half of the court.

”Beautiful block! Karaby is only a few years younger than me, but he can still jump so high! He got a triple-double as well. It seems like he has become a young man again,” he said to himself. He pressed the treadmill's pause button and the treadmill slowly stopped.

The man picked up the phone on the table, opened Twitter, and found Karaby.

”Hey, old guy! I can't believe you can still jump!” The man typed.

A few minutes later, Karaby actually replied.

”Flyboy, jealous? I have found youth again! You wanna have a go?”

After the man read the reply, he furrowed his eyebrows.