Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 636: Jonathan Samson
Jimmy's and Max's snores filled the space.
Despite complaining that they wouldn't be able to sleep after Kai woke them up, the room felt like the set of a zombie film because of how loud their snores were.
Still, their noise wasn't the reason why Kai was still awake.
Jonathan Samson.
The name still remained in his head. His mind went back to the story he'd once read about the late-blooming basketball legend.
For most of his 20s, Jonathan was a bench player. Then, it all changed during his late 20s when he started improving drastically on the court.
Then, before he knew it, his name became synonymous with greatness in basketball.
As a key player for the L.A. Lions, he became the backbone of the team for five remarkable seasons. Over his eight-season career, Samson's skills as a guard stood out.
He was great at ball handling, precise shooting, and had an exceptional defensive power. Most critics would say he was a complete player in every sense.
During his prime five years with the Lions, Jonathan led his team to three championship victories, cementing their dominance in the league. His brilliance on the court earned him the coveted MVP title twice, solidifying his status as one of the era's brightest stars. He was a natural leader, making him a fan favorite and a nightmare for opponents.
Tragically, his career came to an abrupt halt in his final season. During a crucial playoff game, Samson collapsed mid-match, a shocking moment that paved the way for the New York Nobles to seize the championship. The basketball world mourned the loss of a legend whose career ended too soon.
His death sent shockwaves through the sports world.
That was when Kai read an article about his life written by none other than his best friend, Steven Murr. The two had been in the L.A Lions for the longest. However, compared to Jonathan, who was a late-bloomer, Steven Murr was chosen as a starting player right from the beginning.
Steven wrote the article for a special magazine about his death, and Kai admired Jonathan even more after reading it. He remembered the contents vividly.
Jonathan had been raised by a single mother. They struggled to make ends meet, so at a young age, he pushed himself to work side jobs to alleviate the harshness of their circumstances.
It resonated with Kai, bringing back memories of his life before basketball, back when he was still Kaiden—when he felt that life couldn't get any worse.
Jonathan had been the protector, the provider. It was a narrative that felt painfully familiar.
"Is the universe giving out systems to separated siblings?" he muttered.
Him and Aiden.
Julian and Jonathan.
However, he felt that the similarities stopped there.
Kai frowned as he thought about Julian's privileged upbringing.
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Jimmy said that his father was a prominent businessman, one with enough influence to ensure Julian's place in professional basketball despite his lackluster early career.
Julian hadn't clawed his way up the ladder the way Jonathan had. He hadn't faced the same struggles or adversities.
Kai's thoughts spiraled further.
If Jonathan had been granted a system—a theory that seemed increasingly plausible—then it stood to reason that the system had transferred to Julian upon Jonathan's death.
It wasn't far-fetched.
The signs were there.
Kai chuckled, shaking his head. Julian was truly a piece of shit. How could he call Kai out for lacking hard work? Kai's system started off with the noob level!
It was true that the system had helped him, and the fact that he could tangibly see his level allowed him to play to the best of his ability.
However, he still struggled for every inch of progress. His system had granted him tools to improve but never handed him success on a silver platter.
He'd fought his way out of the second string, earning his place on the main team, and now, on the Global stage.
Julian's rise, on the other hand, had been meteoric.
Sudden and unnatural.
A player who'd been mediocre at best was now hailed as one of the greats. Skills that took years to develop seemed to materialize overnight. It was almost too perfect.
Kai's fingers gripped the edge of his blanket as the realization settled over him. If Julian truly had Jonathan's system, then this wasn't just a rivalry.
It was a dangerous game.
One he was unsure he could win against.
***
Kai's eyes never closed that night. The hours dragged by in tense silence, his roommates blissfully unaware of what was going on inside his mind.
When the clock struck 4 AM, Kai couldn't take it anymore. The stillness of the room felt suffocating, and the unanswered questions burned in his chest.
He slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake Jimmy and Max. He knew they needed all the rest they could get before their game this morning.
His feet padded across the floor as he grabbed his jacket and stepped out into the cool morning air. The corridors were empty, as expected. Who would wake up at 4 AM in the morning when nearly every athlete was exhausted?
Kai didn't know exactly what he planned to do, but he knew he couldn't sit idly by. He needed answers.
He needed to talk to Julian.
Kai wandered through the hotel, his steps echoing softly against the tiled floors. He wasn't sure where Julian might be—was he even awake? Would he even entertain a conversation?
As he approached the lobby, a voice broke through his thoughts.
"Kai Guo."
Kai froze, his heart leaping to his throat. He turned sharply, half-expecting to see Julian's smirking face staring back at him.
But it wasn't Julian.
A tall, broad-shouldered man stood a few feet away.
Steven Murr.
Kai blinked in surprise, trying to process the unexpected encounter.
Steven was a well-known figure, a veteran player who was well-respected wherever he went.
"Steven?" Kai whispered.
Steven smirked, his posture relaxed as he inserted his hands in his pockets. "Out for an early stroll, huh?"
