章 145: Knicks v. Celtics III
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~~~(POV: Ellie)~~~
~~~(Date: October 20th, 2026)~~~
~~~(Location: Madison Square Garden, New York)~~~
~~~(Time: 8:05 PM)~~~
As Ulysses gets back to guarding Tatum, I can't help feeling incredibly angry about all of this. I'm doing something I've never done before. In the next second, my phone is in my hand, and I'm sending out a Tweet to the NBA.
[Something has to be done with the roughness and favoritism being displayed by the refs. It's absolutely ridiculous. Never in my life have I been so upset regarding the actions on the court taken against my son. Shame on you.]
The Tweet is sent, and I know this isn't what Ulysses would want. But I need to vent my rage somewhere that isn't screaming. My throat is already getting sore, and I don't want it to get raspy from one night of screaming.
The crowd has since calmed down, and Ulysses is playing stellar defense against Tatum. He's not letting him advance into the paint, and he's forcing him to pass the ball away after a few dribble moves.
Ulysses has learned his lesson and knows that going for steals will end up with reach-in fouls being called. Normally, they wouldn't do that with such good steal attempts. But Ulysses is special.
"I can't believe this. Are the refs under orders to do this?"
Bianca, our friend, is asking the question that's on my mind. The refs wouldn't be doing this so consistently if they weren't under orders.
"The NBA sees Ulysses as an unfair advantage for any team to play against. They're giving his opponents the edge they need to compete. If they didn't do this, I doubt Ulysses would lose."
Hannah answers before I can.
My attention shifts to the game as Ulysses brings the ball down the court after locking down Tatum. People are cheering for their Knicks team. The passion of the fans in this place has never been an experience I've had before.
He's already getting doubled-teamed by Tatum and Smart. They force him to pass the ball, and he shifts into the paint. RJ passes it to him after a few seconds pass, and he immediately turns around and sinks the shot for 2 more points.
"He's handling it like a Superstar."
I really don't like that word. I can't stop people from saying it. Even if they're random strangers in front of me. Everyone can see what's going on. The media invented the term Superstar. It's a basketball player at the highest level.
Only a few people in the world are qualified to be called that.
"Most people think it's a Black Hole coming to ruin the stars of the NBA."
Another narrative the media has created. It's not going to Ulysses's head, and I know it never will. But so many people treat him differently now. He's not a kid anymore... I know that... But I miss the days when he'd have me drive him to the park when he was a kid.
That's the Ulysses I want everyone else to see. What people see when they look at Ulysses is a 7'0 tall, perfect basketball player. They never saw the work he put in to get there. Every day since he was a kid, he would play.
After his parents died, basketball was the only thing that got him through it. Then all his growth spurts happened every summer. It was unbelievable... I remember the times when he'd walk out of his room after going to bed the night before, and he'd be a little taller.
It didn't take him long to pass me up...
"Are you okay?"
Hannah's voice breaks me from my thoughts, and I turn to see her. She looks at me in concern.
"You're crying."
I quickly realize what's going on, and I dry my tears.
"I'm fine. Just sent down memory lane."
One of the hardest things for a parent to see is their child doesn't need them anymore. It's one of the best too. I've had this talk in my head before. But now that Ulysses is actually here. It means so much more than before.
Before Hannah can say anything else, Ulysses gets another block on the defensive end, and the crowd goes wild. But it's ruined as the refs blow another whistle and call it a shooting foul.
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