The pregame hype didn't cause much of a stir.
The Timberwolves were a small-market team, and ever since Kevin Garnett left, they'd existed on the league's fringes, barely drawing attention.
As a result, even their newly formed "Big Three" failed to gain much media exposure.
As for Ogawa Tetsuya—an unknown rookie—almost no one cared at all.
The only reason his name surfaced was because of that massive contract, which had caused a brief splash.
The cameras and flashing lights were trained elsewhere.
On superstars like LeBron James.
Or on lottery picks hailed as future cornerstones.
The Timberwolves' starting lineup was:
Teague, Butler, Wiggins, Gibson, and Towns.
The Lakers countered with:
Ball, Caldwell-Pope, Ingram, Randle, and Ogawa Tetsuya.
The NBA preseason was never about results—it was a proving ground. A place to test lineups, polish chemistry, and prepare for the long regular season ahead.
The Timberwolves, heavily reinforced during the offseason, were clearly stronger than a Lakers squad built largely around rookies.
Only when Ogawa Tetsuya stepped onto the court did the Timberwolves' Big Three finally get a clear look at the rookie the reporters couldn't stop talking about.
The Opening Tip
Ogawa Tetsuya versus Karl-Anthony Towns.
"Heh, man," Towns grinned as he strolled toward center court.
"I heard you won Summer League MVP. Heavy trophy?"
He chuckled mockingly.
"Must be nice, getting to play in games like that. Me? Even my preseason minutes are restricted."
As Ogawa Tetsuya approached the center circle, Towns leaned in, smiling casually as he delivered those sarcastic jabs.
Damn it.
That smiling face...
Why did Towns suddenly look like a smug, brainless husky?
No wonder Embiid would later lose his temper and body-slam him in an all-out brawl.
This guy really had a punchable face.
Ogawa Tetsuya rolled his shoulders, loosening his muscles, then cast Towns a cold glance.
"Let's see if you're still smiling after the game."
"…What?" Towns blinked in surprise.
Ogawa Tetsuya ignored him and took his position.
Beep!
The referee tossed the ball into the air.
Ogawa Tetsuya exploded off the floor.
He easily tipped the ball back to Caldwell-Pope.
The ball moved to Lonzo Ball.
The moment possession changed, Ogawa Tetsuya shook off a stunned Towns and sprinted straight down the lane.
Ahead of him—
A wide-open fast-break highway.
Lonzo flicked the ball forward.
Ogawa Tetsuya caught it effortlessly in full stride.
In the Summer League, more than half of Lonzo's assists had come from feeding Ogawa Tetsuya.
Behind the play, Wiggins jogged back lazily with Caldwell-Pope, while Butler chased Ingram.
In the paint, only Gibson stood between Ogawa Tetsuya and the rim.
But Ogawa Tetsuya...
A man fused with the talents of prime Shaq.
Was already charging at full speed.
No fancy footwork.
No tricks.
Just two massive strides.
BOOM!
WHISTLE—WHISTLE!!
A thunderous, one-handed slam!
And the foul!
Gibson didn't even have time to set his feet for a charge before he was flattened to the floor.
The referee immediately signaled a blocking foul.
2–0.
"OHHHH!"
"That was nasty!"
"Beautiful!"
"LET'S GO!"
The arena erupted in applause and cheers.
The commentators were already whipping the crowd into a frenzy.
"We imagined all kinds of opening plays—but not this!"
"Good heavens! That was Ogawa Tetsuya! The man said to be the closest thing to Shaq in raw talent!"
"He won the jump ball against Towns and opened the game by slamming a warning straight into the Timberwolves' Big Three!"
Ogawa Tetsuya stepped to the free-throw line for the 2+1.
Towns and Butler took their positions on either side of the lane, both watching him with complicated expressions.
Losing the opening tip had already rattled Towns.
And his momentary lapse had given the Lakers their fast-break opportunity.
In his mind, the dunk—and the foul—were the result of underestimating his opponent.
If I get serious, this kid won't stand a chance.
That's what the media's "new Wolf King" and future No.1 center told himself.
Ogawa Tetsuya flicked his wrist.
The moment the ball left his hand, he knew.
His arm muscles were still tight from that violent dunk.
Clang!
As expected.
The ball rattled out.
Towns and Butler sealed their positions near the baseline and jumped straight up for the rebound.
But...
The instant Ogawa Tetsuya sensed something was off, he exploded forward.
Just as the ball was about to touch Towns' hands—
A massive pair of hands appeared above his head.
Ogawa Tetsuya ripped the rebound away over both of them.
The next second.
He landed.
Then detonated again.
THUD!
His broad frame and terrifying strength sent all three defenders flying backward.
BOOM!
Ogawa Tetsuya leapt again like lightning.
And smashed the ball through the rim with both hands.
A brutal two-handed dunk.
Simple.
Direct.
Violent.
Exactly like the iconic finish of the Big Diesel himself.
4–0.
On the very first possession of the game.
Ogawa Tetsuya had crushed the Timberwolves with a 2+2.