Basketball Soul System: I Got Westbrook's MVP Powers in Another World!
Chapter 69 : Offensive Kaleidoscope

Chapter 69: Chapter 69 : Offensive Kaleidoscope

The Vega City streetball court crackled with tension, the midday sun baking the asphalt as Ryan Carter squared off against the masked man.

A crowd of forty-plus packed the chain-link fence, phones up, filming every second.

The six-foot-eight stranger, cap low and mask hiding his face, dribbled with a slow, menacing rhythm, his linebacker build looming over the faded lines.

First to seven, make-it-take-it, no fouls—pure street rules.

The masked man smirked behind his face covering.

"You’re the pro, so I’ll take first ball."

Ryan nodded. "Be my guest."

He took the ball, planted himself deep in the post. Ryan pressed tight, arms up, stance solid.

The stranger jabbed left, then right—sharp, deliberate—before spinning baseline with a vicious drop-step, using his shoulder to bump Ryan just enough.

He faded away smoothly, the ball kissing the net as it dropped through.

1–0.

Ryan, hands on hips, half-smiled. "Not bad."

The masked man smirked behind his mask. "Heh, better get serious."

Ryan nodded, jaw tight. "Let’s go."

The masked man posted up, jabbing left, right, left, freezing Ryan before a quick drop-step and a soft hook that kissed the net. 2-0.

Whispers spread: "Who’s this guy? He’s legit!"

Someone muttered, "Ryan’s going easy, right?"

Third possession, the masked man backed down again, triple jab-step into a dream shake, then a silky fadeaway. 3-0.

Ryan’s face darkened. Who is this guy? Too good.

Fourth ball, the masked man jabbed, spun, and slammed a rim-rattling dunk. 4-0. "What’s up, MVP?" he taunted. "Not locked in, or is this your ceiling?"

Ryan gritted his teeth. "Run it back."

The crowd grew louder: "Ryan’s not holding back!"

"This dude’s a beast!"

"Pro level?"

"More like All-Star—mask’s to hide his face!"

"You saying he’s an All-Star?"

"Man, I didn’t say that..."

Guesses flew, but no one clocked him.

Amid the chatter, the masked man faked a spin, dropped a hook with a quick step. 5-0. His crew roared.Jamal leaned to Eddie: "Boss, you know that guy, right? Who is he?"

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "How you figure I know him?"

Jamal: "You didn’t flinch when his crew rolled up. Gotta be someone you know."

Eddie smirked. "Offensive kaleidoscope."

Jamal blinked. "Kaleidoscope? What’s that?"

Eddie: "His game’s like a kaleidoscope—endless moves, dazzling."

Jamal muttered, "Wait, I’ve heard that nickname..."

A roar cut through. Ryan finally locked in, swatting the giant’s layup into the crowd!

A fan tossed the ball back.

Ryan caught it, eyeing the masked man. "My turn."

No matter who this guy was, Ryan couldn’t afford to lose—not with dozens of eyes watching, cameras rolling. A loss here would go viral. He’d be a punchline by sundown.

Ryan dribbled, locking eyes, unleashing everything—shoulder fakes, a burst of speed, crossover, another burst, then a hard right cut. The masked man’s lateral move lagged, and Ryan broke free, soaring for a tomahawk dunk that rattled the rim. 5-1. The crowd erupted, screams shaking the air.

Next possession, Ryan tried a post-up, grinding low, but the masked man was a wall, stance unshakable. Ryan pulled back to the three-point line, checked the ball, then ripped through crossovers—left, right, left—shedding the giant again for a banked floater. 5-2.

He grinned, tossing the masked man’s taunt back: "What’s up? Off your game, or is this your ceiling?"

The masked man stayed silent, his expression hidden, eyes cold.

Ryan, ball in hand, smirked: "I’m coming." He’d cracked the code—slow lateral movement. Keep accelerating, keep switching directions.

Third possession, he hit a crossover, quick stop, and drained a three from the top. 5-3. Fourth, a pump-fake into a reverse layup. 5-4.

The crowd was no longer just spectating—they were invested. Every fake, every pivot drew gasps. Someone near the fence was already live-streaming, narrating like it was an NBA broadcast.

Fifth, another burst of speed and a crossover, then a midrange jumper to tie it, 5-5.

The crowd lost it: "Ryan’s on fire!"

"He’s dialed in now!"

Ryan set up again at the top, but the masked man raised a hand: "That’s it. We’re done."

Ryan’s lip twitched. "We said seven. Scared to lose?"

The masked man tilted his head, "A tie’s fine. You’re a pro. You really need to prove something against a nobody like me?"

Ryan scoffed: "Nobody? Yeah, right."

That offense screamed ABA starter—slow feet might mean an old injury, but this guy was pro-level, maybe retired.

"See ya." Ryan didn’t ask his name—he barely knew anyone in the ABA anyway, and even if he asked, the name probably wouldn’t mean a thing.

Ryan walked back to Eddie and Jamal, pulling his mask and cap back on.

"Let’s bounce."

Eddie didn’t move. "You two head back first," he said. "I’m gonna have a word with him."

Before Ryan could respond, Eddie was already striding toward the masked man.

Ryan watched for a beat, then turned to Jamal. "He knows the guy?"

Jamal shrugged. "He said something earlier. Called him an ’offensive kaleidoscope.’"

Ryan raised an eyebrow. "That’s... a weird nickname."

"Unofficial," Jamal replied. "I swear I read a player profile years ago that used that phrase, but I can’t place who."

Ryan exhaled, the tension easing. "Forget it. Let’s go walk the plaza."

He and Jamal turned and walked off, melting into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Eddie approached the masked man.

"Let’s grab a drink," Eddie said, his voice cutting through the lingering tension.

"Good," the masked man replied with a nod, waving off his crew. "You guys head out."

His guys gave a quick nod and peeled away.

Eddie chuckled, watching them disperse. "Big crew, huh?"

The masked man shrugged, his voice slightly muffled behind the mask. "You know the rep I carry."

——

In a quiet café tucked off a side street, Eddie sat across from the masked man in a dim corner booth.

The man had removed his mask and cap. His hair was neatly trimmed, his beard and goatee groomed with precision. The face beneath held the weight of both battles fought and dreams deferred.

Cameron Anderson.

Age: 35. Position: Small forward.

Ten-time All-Star. Former scoring champion. Rookie of the Year sixteen years ago with the Roarers.

A year later, Marcus, unearthed by Coach Crawford—paired with him. That same year, Marcus won Rookie of the Year too. Two ROTYs in two seasons. Championship buzz was electric.

But the chemistry fizzled. First-round playoff exit. Crawford built the offense around the versatile Marcus as the clear alpha, relegating Cameron to second fiddle.

Young and brash, Cameron bristled, convinced he outshone Marcus. He demanded the top role, bolted to another team post-rookie deal.

His game dazzled—flashy stats, an All-Star nod—but the playoff run ended in the second round.

That same year, Marcus led the Roarres to a title.

The media couldn’t help themselves. Comparisons flooded in.

And the verdict was brutal:

Marcus > Cameron.

For six years, Cameron lived in Marcus’s shadow.

After Marcus died, a new wave of talent emerged. LaVonte, dubbed "Marcus’s heir," rose fast.

Cameron never won a ring. Never won MVP.

As he aged, his athleticism waned. His defense—always a weak spot—became a liability that left him exposed.

Teams targeted it, turning him into a defensive sieve.

Then came the benchings.

The first time he was asked to come off the bench, he barked at the coach:

"Me? An All-Star off the bench? Are you kidding?"

He was traded soon after. Then again. And again.

He insisted on starting, but couldn’t deliver wins.

Eventually, he gave in. Accepted the bench role.

This season, he signed a veteran minimum with the Nova City Starships. Played a few games. Then—cut. No warning.

And then he vanished.

Now, months later, he sat across from Eddie, nursing a black coffee.

"You disappeared," Eddie said, taking a sip. "Finally showing your face again."

Cameron leaned back. "Needed to clear my head. Getting cut hit hard."

Eddie tilted his head. "What’s next?"

"I’m not done. I still believe I can earn a contract. Somewhere."

Eddie grinned. "Back to the Roarers?"

Cameron smirked. "You’re not with them. Can’t speak for ’em."

Eddie pressed. "If they invited you?"

Cameron leaned back, thinking. "Months ago, maybe. But now? They’ve got Ryan."

Eddie chuckled. "Still chasing that starting gig, that alpha role?"

Cameron shook his head. "No. I’ve changed. This season proved it—I embraced the bench. Did what the team asked. Gave everything I had. And they still tossed me like garbage."

His voice stayed calm, but his eyes burned with quiet frustration.

"I don’t need to be the star. But I want a team that needs me. That values what I bring. I’m not asking to be the face of the franchise—just don’t ice me out and throw me away without warning."

Eddie leaned in. "Any teams sniffing around?"

Cameron shrugged. "Only the four new squads for next season."

Eddie raised an eyebrow. "So, you’re joining a new team?"

Cameron nodded. "New builds need help—my skills, my experience,leadership. They won’t ditch me cold. Still thinking it over, though."

The barista called out an order, the clatter of a tray breaking the moment as Cameron’s gaze drifted to the window, lost in thought.