Chapter 126: The Observer

Alexander Luo walked off the court in a state of utter dejection. There were three minutes and twelve seconds remaining in the third quarter, yet Alexander’s departure was no routine rotation; he had been forced out.

In the span of just five minutes, Alexander had been sent to the free-throw line five times. His four-of-ten shooting performance spoke volumes about his mental state, and by his final trip to the line, he missed both shots entirely. He was mentally crumbling.

It was not that Alexander hadn't practiced his free throws; he had been grinding away at them for two years. But it seemed as though God had stripped away the suppleness of his wrists and the dexterity of his fingers. He could dominate the paint, pulling down rebounds and slamming them home with authority, yet he could not find a way to make the basketball rotate with the soft, fluid touch required for a free throw.

Throughout the third quarter, the European Youth team’s rhythm had been shattered by the Frontier Youth team’s shameless tactics. Their once double-digit lead had evaporated, replaced by a double-digit deficit of their own.

Wang Lei stood on the sidelines, conferring incessantly with Xu Hui. He and his coaching staff had to keep a close eye on the players' foul counts, ensuring no one got into too much trouble, all while constantly adjusting the lineup to maintain offensive efficiency.

The Frontier Youth players, conversely, grew more energized with every passing minute. Perhaps they had harbored doubts about their coach’s strategy before the third quarter began, but no one questioned the effectiveness of Wang Lei’s tactics now—the results were simply too blatant to ignore.

A chorus of boos rose from the stands, mixed with laughter. The boos came from the European Youth supporters or those displeased with the ugly spectacle, while the majority—the ones laughing—found Alexander Luo’s hide-and-seek antics on the court genuinely hilarious. It was a scene never before witnessed on a basketball court in this era.

Coach Latamantis waited as long as he could before finally pulling Alexander. It wasn't due to stubbornness; Alexander was simply too vital to the team. Despite his abysmal free throws and shooting, his tactical execution was the best on the squad. His playmaking and passing were the core of their offense, and the bench players simply couldn't replicate his level of contribution.

The European Chinese Youth team’s loss to the Guangdong Youth team in the previous match had been due to Hong Kai completely neutralizing Alexander.

Once Alexander was benched, the Frontier Youth team abandoned their "shameless" tactics, settling into a half-court game focused on efficiency and high-percentage shots. They deliberately slowed the pace, comfortable with the commanding lead they had secured.

In an obscure corner of the arena, an elderly man with a head of white hair and two middle-aged men were locked in a quiet discussion.

"Haha, this kid is truly bold. To think he could dream up such a strategy—it seems he hasn't been as listless these past few years as we thought." The white-haired man laughed heartily; the subject of his praise was clearly Wang Lei.

"Indeed, it fits his character perfectly. He was always this daring when he was on the team, often driving you to the brink of rage. You aren't still angry with him, are you?" one of the middle-aged men asked, clearly referring to the same person.

"Haha, what is there to be angry about now? Just seeing the boy again is comfort enough. Alas, it is a shame his parents couldn't see this."

"Coach Qi, there is nothing to be done. Life has its sorrows and joys, just as the moon has its waxing and waning. If the boy can achieve something now, it might serve as some consolation to his parents' spirits in heaven."

"Xiao Wu, what do you think about bringing him onto the team?"

"Aren't you afraid he’ll drive you mad again?"

"The boy seems much more steady these days."

"I personally believe he should walk his own path. You’ve seen it yourself, Coach Qi—the tactics he is employing now are entirely different from our philosophy. Bringing him onto the team would only hold him back. However, I do think we could invite a few of his young players to get a taste of high-level competition. That white-haired kid is quite exceptional."

The three men were members of the Republic's National Youth team coaching staff. The elder was the current head coach, Qi Haifeng, accompanied by his protégés and assistant coaches.

When Wang Lei first joined the national team, Qi Haifeng had been the coach. Qi had thought highly of Wang Lei and had even supported his move to North America to face higher-level competition. Qi had never anticipated the tragedies that would befall Wang Lei, whose father had also been coached by Qi in his own youth.

The National Games youth division was established for two reasons: to provide a grander stage for young players and to scout talent for the upcoming Olympics. Qi and his staff had been curious about the team Wang Lei was coaching, leading them to Jinghai, though they hadn't expected such bizarre tactics.

"You’re right, Cheng Kai. Sigh, I’m old, and my way of thinking has aged; I can't keep up with these changes. The future will be up to you young ones."

Qi Haifeng was over seventy. He remained deeply invested in the development of basketball in the Republic, but he knew he was out of touch with the modern game. Consequently, his role as head coach was largely symbolic, with the two middle-aged men handling the daily training and tactical arrangements.

When the fourth quarter began, Latamantis attempted to reinsert Alexander, but the Frontier Youth team immediately reverted to their foul-heavy tactics the moment he stepped onto the court. It left Latamantis with a splitting headache. As the seconds ticked away, he could find no way to close the gap.

As the final five minutes arrived, the Frontier Youth team used fast breaks to push their lead beyond fifteen points, effectively sealing the game.

"Let’s go. We should take this time to observe a bit more elsewhere." Though the game wasn't over, Qi Haifeng rose to leave.

"Won't you go see the boy? Maybe offer him some encouragement?"

"No, there will be plenty of opportunities later. If I encourage him now, he might get cocky. Let him and his team finish their tournament well. I'll see him when they reach the finals."

"You’re that certain they’ll make the finals?"

"Haha, this old man may be out of date, but I still have an eye for talent. The style he’s playing is quite effective; he won't face much resistance in this youth bracket."

Qi Haifeng and his staff left quietly. Wang Lei had no idea he had been under such observation, nor did he realize his players had already caught the eye of the national program.

As the game ended, Latamantis shook hands with Wang Lei with a dark expression before turning to leave. The Greek coach had lost the poise and confidence he possessed before the match; he looked like a man who had been thoroughly scorned. In truth, Wang Lei’s tactics had left a deep, lingering shadow on Latamantis.