Chapitre 179: The Fiserv Forum Arena

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~~~(POV: Ulysses Kennedy)~~~

~~~(Date: October 25th, 2026)~~~

~~~(Location: Team Bus, Milwaukee, Wisconsin)~~~

~~~(Time: 2:45 PM)~~~

Everyone is relaxing as best they can, but some of my teammates know that the first road game of the season is an important one. You don't do well in the NBA if you can only win home games. Half the games every year are on the road.

This is a perfect chance to set the tone for our road trip. But that's something to think about later. What I have to focus on is the Bucks. They're the best team in the NBA, right beside Boston. It's a coin flip between the two, but I feel the Bucks are better.

"Alright, gentlemen. We're walking into hostile territory. Almost every person in that Arena will be against us. Let's get our first road win of the year and take down one of the strongest teams while we do it."

Tom is doing his best to inspire some fire in the team, and it works for most. I close my eyes and put my headphone in. Listening to music to pass the time. The drive is short, and we make it to the Arena.

The place is empty at the moment since we've got some time before the game starts, and they begin letting people into the Arena.

The game is starting early compared to most days. Around 3:30 EST, so that is actually right around the corner.

Time passes, and the stands begin to fill. I'm doing my regular warm-up routine, and people are already starting to boo every time I touch the ball.

I push them out of my head and focus on the important task ahead. That's crushing the Bucks, even on a minutes restriction. For the next five games, I'll be on a minutes restriction. I have to set the tone for all the teams we'll be facing.

Even if my minutes are restricted, that doesn't mean I'm not winning games. Tom has promised that I won't miss any time in the fourth quarter, and that's where all the action will happen.

It's the only way we'll be winning games. The fourth quarter will be the place that has the most critical minutes I play.

As we finish warming up, we head back to the locker room to put away our personal belongings. I pull out my phone one last time and see that I've got some texts from my two favorite girls in the world. Ellie and Hannah are busy in New York, but I'm glad they got ahold of me.

Especially Hannah. The text she's sent is sweet and something I like to hear from her any time I can get it.

[I know you'll do great, Ulysses... I cross my fingers and toes for you, and I'll try to catch the game live, but classes are a bitch right now. See you at home after your road trip is done, and I can't wait to make up for the lost time when you get back.]

My fingers slide across the keyboard and respond to her. Telling her, I'm about to head onto the court. Ellie's text is shown to me again as I scroll through the messages on my phone, and I read it again.

[Listen, sweetie. No matter what happens, just go out there and be you. That's all you've ever needed to be. I'll be home soon and will be sure to head for ESPN.]

That's right; today, it's a broadcasted game on ESPN. The networks blackout all the good games, taking them from everyone else. I think it's annoying how people with The NBA League Pass can't watch games that are broadcasted on ESPN.

It's a toxic business strategy I plan to speak out against.

I place my phone in my personal bag, and I turn around. Heading for the exit, and toward the court. I make it to the benches as the announcer starts to hype up the crowd and introduce the teams. The Bucks fans are super supportive of their team.

And their multi-time MVP and Finals winner. Giannis.

This is a match-up everyone is looking forward to. I'll get as much time in as possible, even with a minutes restriction. I want everyone to see how much better I am than the best guys in the league.