Chris Patt always considered himself a genius—a legend among short players, just like his idol, Allen Iverson.
So, the moment he stepped onto the court, he went on the offensive.
He actively targeted Aaron Brooks, convinced he could outplay this short, dark-skinned man.
Dreams are often beautiful, but reality is often harsh.
Brooks dominated his challenger without hesitation; he couldn’t even fathom why the young man wanted to challenge him one-on-one.
Aside from his flashy appearance, what did he actually bring to the table?
From physical attributes to ball handling and court awareness, the guy was utterly useless.
*Thwack!
Thwack!* Brooks recorded two blocks.
*Clang!
Clang!
Clang!* Chris Patt missed two shots.
In less than three minutes, Stanford went from a 4-point lead to a 5-point deficit.
Throughout this time, the cheers in the arena—like sparks—gradually grew into a roaring blaze.
Finally, after Brooks once again blocked a forced shot by Chris Patt out of bounds, a unified chant erupted: “We-want-Bruce!” *Beep!* Jamie Lin was forced to call a timeout.
Chris Patt’s amateurish performance had pushed Stanford to the brink of disaster.
If this wasn’t stopped immediately, Stanford would be ruined.
“How did this player even make the Stanford team?” Even the usually composed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar couldn’t help but ask on air.
Chrisspat’s performance was truly baffling.
Once he entered the game, Stanford—previously a solid, cohesive unit—instantly turned into a one-man show.
If he possessed elite individual skills, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but he was utterly useless; he essentially became a shot-blocking target for Brooks.
Brooks, who rarely recorded blocks, managed to swat three of Chrisspat’s attempts in less than three minutes.
“You can’t just feast on easy pickings like that!” “Brooks is truly exceptional.
He’s already scored 16 points in this game.
His speed and scoring ability are unique in the Pacific Division.
I think he has the potential to be the best undersized point guard in the NBA.
He’s far better than T.J.
Ford.” Jonny Wallson seized the moment to praise Brooks, emphasizing, “If he leads Oregon to a successful comeback and into the tournament’s field of 64, he’ll be a legitimate lottery pick.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar composed himself…
…and then said seriously, “Brooks is indeed a rare, speedy guard with above-average shooting ability.
But I don’t think his NBA prospects are particularly bright.
By comparison, I’m more optimistic about Stanford’s number 10.” Uh…
Bruce Li was stealing the spotlight again.
Finally, Watson couldn’t hold back and asked, “Just because his name is Bruce?” “No.
It’s because of his basketball IQ.
He’s adept at finding opportunities.
Watching him in the first half, I noticed his spatial awareness is excellent.
Even without a height advantage, he can accurately sense his teammates’ movements in the paint and deliver an immediate pass.
It’s a talent that’s easily overlooked but crucial.
Many shorter guards lack spatial awareness, resulting in tunnel vision; when they get the ball, all they see is the basket.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar analyzed the situation with great seriousness: “On top of that, he’s incredibly quick, and his dribbling skills are outstanding.” To prevent the conversation from turning into a “praise-fest for Bruce Li,” Watson quickly added firmly, “But his defense is poor, and his physical attributes are terrible.
Do you think the NBA would take him?” “It’s possible.” Kareem Abdul-Jabbar maintained a serious, thoughtful expression: “Physical attributes can be improved through training; every NBA team has a professional staff dedicated to that.
But the talent within a person’s mind—that is unique and irreplaceable.” Wollson was nearly exasperated: Damn it, this game was nothing more than a publicity stunt for Bruce Li.
Just then, the whistle blew, and the game resumed.
Seizing the moment, Mr.
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar added, “I just checked this season’s standings.
I found that Stanford is currently tied with Oregon on points.
If they win this game, they have a chance to rally and make it into the tournament.” What?
Watson felt his mind reeling: “Why do you think Stanford could make the tournament?
They’ve lost two key players, and their head coach is scouting for the new season.
How could they possibly win and pull off a miracle?” “But what if?” Abdul-Jabbar countered, offering a speculation: “If Stanford wins and makes the tournament, this Bruce Li—who stepped in at the last minute—would instantly become famous.
NBA interest in him would skyrocket, and he might even make it to the league.” Abdul-Jabbar’s words instantly ignited boundless anticipation among the viewers watching at home.
Compared to a renowned Pacific Division star like Brooks staging a comeback miracle, the public was far more eager to see an unknown figure suddenly emerge and soar to the pinnacle of glory.
Moreover, in terms of the odds stacked against them, Stanford’s challenge was clearly far greater.
As Wollson had noted, Stanford was in a situation where the coach and key players were gone, yet Bruce Li had stepped up from the bench to lead them into the tournament just when everyone had given up hope.
What could be more legendary than that?
Who wouldn’t be at least a little curious?
Wollson fell silent for a moment.
Yet, he simply felt that Bruce Li stood no chance—that Stanford couldn’t win.
Meanwhile, the game was underway.
Bruce Li’s first play resulted in a beautiful assist.
Moving with the agility of a lynx, he utilized a screen set by Benson beyond the three-point line, sliced through Oregon’s defense, and rapidly drove into the paint.
Matt Lenning—who had been berated by the head coach during the first half—stepped up aggressively, playing tight defense and initiating immediate physical contact.
However, just as he was about to collide with Bruce Li, Bruce suddenly stopped and spun around him…
leaving him standing there flat-footed.
As Bruce Li decisively beat Matt Lenning, Oregon’s star forward Malik was forced to slide over quickly to help.
As he shifted, the ball zipped past him; Thompson caught it, took a step back, and rose for the shot…
*swish!* A three-pointer.
The point deficit narrowed to two.
This play perfectly showcased Bruce Li’s adaptability, court vision, and passing ability.
Coupled with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s earlier commentary, viewers at home suddenly gained a deeper understanding of Bruce.
Although the fans in the arena couldn’t see the finer details, the three-pointer and the narrowed gap were undeniable facts.
That immediate impact drove them to chant in unison: “Bruce!
Bruce!
Bruce!” The combined roar of the crowd created an intense, reverberating atmosphere, much like a rock concert.
Bruce Li—having played only two games—was receiving a hero’s welcome at Stanford.
This left Chris Patt, sitting on the bench, seething with jealousy and resentment.
He muttered coldly, “Just wait until my cousin gets back in a few days; then we’ll see who gets to act so arrogant.” Meanwhile, Brooks gritted his teeth; the kid had stolen too much of the spotlight tonight, and with little time left in the game, he had to redeem himself—and fast!