By late November, the Kings were cruising. Over the past month, they'd gone 13–3, sitting comfortably atop the Western Conference standings.
Tonight, their opponent was the Cleveland Cavaliers—firmly holding the number one spot in the East.
On Friday night at Quicken Loans Arena, the league had pulled out all the stops. Not only was the game nationally televised, but media buzz had been building nonstop for days.
The hype wasn't just because both teams were leading their conferences—it was also the first head-to-head clash between the league's two kings since Durant's team switch.
"Our offense will still revolve around Durant tonight!"
In the visitors' locker room, Coach Malone was in full control, barking instructions fast and sharp. "CJ, focus up—your off-ball movement last game was awful. Don't make the same mistake again!"
"The Cavs' perimeter defense took a big hit without Delly. That's where we attack tonight—pressure their outside!"
"We'll run handoffs between Durant and CJ. Booker and Butler, you two set screens or crash in when needed."
After wrapping up the offensive plan, Malone moved to defense.
"Their main threats are still James and Irving. For James, Jimmy, you'll—"
Before he could finish, Durant raised a hand, signaling he had something to say.
"What is it, Kevin?"
"Coach," Durant said firmly, his eyes locked on Malone's. "I want to guard James one-on-one tonight."
The locker room fell silent. Only Butler, after a brief moment of surprise, looked at Durant with clear admiration.
"You sure about that? It's gonna take a lot out of you."
Malone frowned, not answering right away.
Durant was already carrying the team's main offensive load, and guarding the opponent's star would test even his freakish stamina.
"I'm fine," Durant said with steady conviction. "I can handle it."
"Alright then."
Seeing the fire in his star's eyes, Malone finally nodded.
"Kevin's got LeBron one-on-one. Everyone else—stay alert on the wings and decide if you need to help."
With that, Malone dismissed the players to finish their prep before tip-off.
"Man, you've got guts," Butler said with a grin as he walked over, watching Durant tidy his locker.
"I really underestimated you before. You're a lot tougher than I thought."
"What'd you think I was? A cupcake?"
Durant laughed, teasing himself with the old joke.
"I don't care what people say," Butler replied, suddenly serious. "To me, you're a warrior—a real man."
"I don't care either."
Durant shook his head. His move to Sacramento hadn't caused too much backlash, but there were still plenty who mocked him online—calling him "cupcake" for supposedly running away to join a contender.
"I only care about winning," he said, voice firm. "Let them talk. Time will prove us right."
Butler nodded. "That's the attitude. I'll be ready on the wing. If you need help, I'll be there."
"Got it."
They exchanged a grin. In that moment, they became brothers in battle.
That's what brotherhood's about.
...
"Tonight's matchup is one everyone's been waiting for," Charles Barkley said in the studio, voice booming.
"The Cavaliers have three All-Stars. The Kings have two—Durant and Butler. But from the looks of it, Jokic and Booker making it soon is only a matter of time."
"So this could end up being a clash between seven current and future All-Stars."
Before he could finish, Kenny Smith jumped in with a laugh. "You're counting those two already? Why not throw in Old Guy too? At least he's a former All-Star."
"You just can't help yourself, can you?" Barkley glared at him.
"So what?"
Ever since the Donkey Butt incident, Smith never missed a chance to roast Barkley.
"What do you say—want to bet on it?"
"No way!"
Barkley shook his head like a rattle drum. Ever since that mess, he'd sworn off betting for good.
"Anyway," he said, regaining his composure, "these are the kings of the East and West. This one's destined to be an all-out war. Let's just sit back and enjoy it."
And just as Barkley predicted, the game started with both sides going full throttle.
"Yo! You guarding me?"
LeBron James caught a pass on the weak side and grinned at the focused Durant standing in front of him.
The two had battled for years and shared mutual respect off the court. Seeing Durant's intensity, LeBron couldn't resist a jab.
"Of course," Durant said with a grin.
"Sorry, bro—I gotta make my mark on the new team."
"Ambitious, huh? Don't bite off more than you can chew."
LeBron faked a crossover, driving toward the lane, but Durant had read it perfectly and cut him off cold.
Then LeBron stepped back suddenly, pulling up for a jumper.
"That weak fake? Not fooling me!"
Durant exploded upward in an instant, stretching an arm to contest. He didn't block it, but his contest was enough to make it miss.
Clang!
The ball hit the rim twice and bounced out.
Under the basket, Jokic muscled out Thompson to secure the rebound and handed it off to CJ pushing upcourt.
Thompson—the "Eight Wise Prince"—could only watch helplessly as the chubby big man snatched it away.
"Get it to Kevin!"
Butler shouted as he sprinted ahead.
CJ crossed half-court and handed it off to Durant at the top of the key.
"Here we go, bro!"
LeBron stepped forward, squaring up as the two formed a perfect one-on-one duel.
Durant held the ball steady, eyes locked on LeBron's. Both radiated pure fighting spirit.
"Alright," Durant said with a grin. "Tonight, the Big and Small Kings are settling this once and for all."
...
(40 Chapters Ahead)
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