Y13 [EN]: Chapter 82

Y13-82. 2010-11 All-Star Weekend

After that, the Rookie team and the Sophomore team continued their spectacular back-and-forth performance. Cousins lost the ball after a steal while dribbling at the high post, and DeJuan Blair lofted a pass toward the rim for a fast break.

[DeMar DeRozan soars! Alley-oop pass from DeJuan Blair!]

[Oh, a bit clumsy?! DeJuan Blair needs to practice his alley-oops!]

As Chris Webber commented, the alley-oop pass was at an awkward height, neither too high nor too low. Consequently, DeRozan had to think about how to handle it, and that hesitation led to a steal.

[John Wall steals! He rises with DeRozan and intercepts the pass! John Wall throws the ball forward! Who’s there?!]

[Ah, Youngjae Yoon! He’s already past the half-court line. Quick thinking, as expected. He runs and leaps toward the rim!]

“Haaah!!”

KWAANG!

[BANG!! Youngjae Yoon!]

[Even though it was a long-distance pass, the ball landed perfectly in front of Youngjae Yoon – a great pass from John Wall!!]

[Youngjae Yoon, not relying on power, gracefully rises and slams a one-handed dunk? It even looks somewhat elegant!]

As soon as Youngjae released the rim, he sprinted back on defense, high-fived John Wall with enthusiasm, and did his signature shoulder-shrugging dance. John Wall, also a skilled dancer, matched him perfectly, creating a synchronized effect.

“……”

While everyone else was caught up in the excitement, Emily scrolled through the photos on her smartphone. Sitting in the excellent front-row seats that Youngjae had arranged, she captured some incredibly dynamic moments.

“Wow…”

Emily stopped scrolling, captivated by one photo. She couldn’t help but stare.

It was the most striking photo from a series of zoomed-in shots, capturing both energy and fluidity at the moment right before he slammed a one-handed dunk in his white uniform after a fast break.

The game was more about showmanship than strategic plays. Coach Budenholzer and Coach Amare Stoudemire constantly rotated the ten rookie team members, allowing everyone to enjoy the festive atmosphere. The same was true for the Sophomore team. But even in this exhibition, there was always a standout, and for the Rookie team, that standout was increasingly Youngjae.

The rookie was exceeding all expectations this season. Youngjae had always been known for his unusual maturity for a rookie, his frustrating tenacity, and his consistent performance. But today, he was unleashing the explosive power he had kept hidden.

[Today’s Yoon is not the stable and consistent rookie we’re used to! In the league, Yoon’s strengths were practicality and consistency rather than flashiness, but today’s performance is more flamboyant and amazing than anyone else’s!]

[Here comes Youngjae Yoon again! Today, he’s showcasing everything, both offensively and defensively! What will he do now?!]

Youngjae grabbed the ball after Blake Griffin rebounded and drove straight to the basket. He quickly bypassed DeMarcus Cousins’ screen and smiled at Stephen Curry, who came to provide help defense.

Puck-

“?!”

Youngjae’s strength, steadily built through weight training and bulking up to 97-98 kg [214-216 lbs], had reached at least an average level, even for a shooting guard.

Curry, unable to withstand Youngjae’s power, jumped with him in the air to try and stop him, but couldn’t help but look surprised at Youngjae’s next move.

[Hook shot! Hook! Textbook form!]

[A hook shot after pushing off his opponent! Haha! Is Youngjae Yoon imitating centers today?!]

[BANG! Whatever, it went in! I could mistake him for a center!]

He was confusing his opponents with hook shots.

[Stephen Curry with a 3-pointer! Accurate!]

[Ah, the Rookie team! Cousins immediately fires an outlet pass to Youngjae Yoon, who is sprinting past the half-court line! Brandon Jennings is guarding Youngjae Yoon closely!]

Hook!

[Ooooh!! Step-back fake! Jennings is completely fooled! Youngjae Yoon, 3-pointer!]

[BULLS EYE! Accurate! Stephen Curry, Brandon Jennings, or any Sophomore team player hits a 3-pointer, and Youngjae Yoon immediately answers with one of his own! Is this a showdown between the Sophomores and Yoon Youngjae?!]

The audience was now completely focused on his play, immersed in Y13’s performance. Amidst the dazzling displays, Youngjae boasted a monstrous field goal percentage of 67%, with 8/11 two-point shots, 5/8 three-point shots, and a total of 13/19 field goals. He also scored 38 points with 6/6 free throws, along with 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals, and 2 blocks, with only 3 turnovers. It was a truly unbelievable performance that earned him thunderous applause and cheers.

[The game ends! 152 to 136! The Rookie team wins by 16 points!]

[Wow, that was a truly entertaining game! Amazing! If we were to create a 2011 highlight reel, it would have to be from today! February 18th. A really fun game!]

[The MVP will definitely go to Youngjae Yoon. He had an incredible performance, didn’t he?!]

[Of course, John Wall had 18 points and 20 assists, and Blake Griffin had 22 points and 14 rebounds, but today Youngjae Yoon was the star! 38 points, 10 assists, 5 rebounds, 5 steals! And only three turnovers. Three!]

As Chris Webber and Mike Breen predicted, Youngjae won the MVP award. After accepting the award and raising it to the audience, Youngjae smiled as he answered Conan O’Brien’s interview questions.

“Oh, that’s really amazing! Actually, I wasn’t very interested in the NBA, but from today on, I’ve become a huge fan of Youngjae Yoon and the Dallas Mavericks! How does it feel to be the star of today’s game!”

MVP!

The audience chanted “MVP” continuously, applauding and cheering for Youngjae. He grabbed the microphone, nodded, and began the interview.

“It’s ecstatic, Conan. Wouldn’t it be like when Conan started the first episode of the Conan Show?”

“Wow, it’s an honor that Y13 knows the Conan Show! It would be really great if you could come out as a guest sometime!”

“If you invite me, I’ll be there! I’m up for anything. Anyway, it was my first All-Star Game, and I’m proud to have had a great time at the first Rookie Challenge!”

Conan laughed and gave a thumbs up, praising Youngjae’s performance.

“You’re also participating in the Three-Point Contest on the 20th, how’s that going? Is your shooting touch good?”

“Of course! Just competing with the league’s top shooters is exciting. I think these extra competitions are rare opportunities. If I don’t enjoy them, I’ll regret it for the rest of my life. I’ll do my best to compete with them.”

“Isn’t that being modest? Haha! You’re being too humble with your shooting ability, especially since you’re uniquely maintaining a 180 club [50% FG, 40% 3PT, 90% FT] this season, aren’t you?”

Youngjae shrugged slightly and answered.

“The tournament and the league are different. It’s not modesty, it’s just trying not to let my guard down, Conan.”

The interview ended there. Youngjae went into the locker room and lightly high-fived his teammates, who were smiling awkwardly. Although they were only a team for one day, they were players who would face each other as opponents again when the league started. But for now, they could share the happy feeling.

The drinking age in the United States is 21. As a result, Youngjae had to exercise a lot of patience to resist the temptation to drink. Perhaps it was even harder because Youngjae in his previous life had been quite a heavy drinker, but he recalled his previous life and shook off the temptation each time.

“Kheu!”

But Youngjae’s glass contained non-alcoholic beer with bubbling carbonation and a chilling sensation. Youngjae was happy enough. The taste wasn’t different just because it was non-alcoholic with 0% alcohol. The taste was almost the same, while minimizing the adverse effects on his body and not violating US drinking laws.

Individual hotel rooms were provided to the players participating in the All-Star Game, including the Rookie Challenge. Youngjae spent the night in his private room, enjoying the feeling of beer for the first time in a long time, relieving stress and fatigue.

“……”

Still, being alone like this wasn’t ideal for Youngjae. It was unavoidable, and he didn’t particularly regret it because it was the path he had chosen. If he could live again, he wanted to dedicate himself to basketball and correct the path he had been on, so he had been focusing only on basketball and adhering to an ascetic life.

– I wanna hold em’ like they do in Texas Plays~

Lost in his thoughts, Youngjae answered the phone call on his smartphone. It was a number he didn’t recognize, but he usually answered most calls, so he answered without hesitation.

– Ah… Yoon?

“Yes, this is Yoon.”

– That’s a relief. I was wondering what to do if it wasn’t… Hello. This is Emily. –

Emily’s sudden phone call, and Steve’s playful laughter in the background. Youngjae couldn’t help but notice. Unless he was an idiot, he couldn’t misunderstand the situation.

‘She was pushed to call.’

Youngjae figured that Steve and Lauren were making it difficult for Emily, giving her Youngjae’s phone number and encouraging her to call. That’s why Youngjae found Emily’s awkward tone cute.

“Yes, Emily.”

– Well, I received the tickets and was invited, but it seems like Steve, Lauren, and I haven’t really done anything for you. Steve said he knows LA well, so I’d like to treat you to a meal tomorrow and show you some of LA’s attractions. –

Youngjae couldn’t help but laugh. He didn’t have anything to do anyway, and he wanted to take a break from basketball and enjoy life, at least in this festive atmosphere.

“Sounds good. What time should I meet you tomorrow?”

– Can you be at the Starbucks across from the hotel front gate by 8 o’clock? –

8 o’clock. Youngjae nodded, saying it would be fine.

“Okay. Can you put Steve on for a moment?”

Emily handed the phone to Steve.

– Oh! Superstar! –

“Steve, you’re being too mischievous. It’s embarrassing to have someone pushed to call.”

– Hey, who pushed her? She wanted to do it, she wanted to. –

Youngjae matched Steve’s tone, saying, “Then let’s say that’s the case,” and then got to the point.

“Steve, can we meet up and talk for a bit?”

– Hmm… yeah. Should I come to your room? –