NBA: Giant Killing

A new frontier was emerging on the court.

Traditional playstyles were being challenged, and the unpredictable nature of small-ball offense was proving to be a nightmare for defenses. The concept was still in its infancy, requiring real-game refinement, but one thing was clear—this style had the potential to revolutionize basketball.

Oliver had been repeatedly denied entry into the paint by Marquette's suffocating defense, yet he continuously found success from beyond the arc. The Marquette players wore grim expressions; their strategy had been clear—lock down the inside and force the smaller guard to take low-percentage shots. But Oliver wasn't taking reckless attempts—he was scoring with remarkable precision.

Marquette's head coach was quick to realize the problem. This wasn't just a heat-check or a lucky streak. This was a calculated approach. The rapid succession of three-pointers had widened the gap on the scoreboard, putting Marquette in an increasingly dire position.

This style of play was unconventional, but for Marquette, it was lethal.

The players on the court felt the most frustration. They believed their defense had been airtight.

The paint was completely locked down, resembling an impenetrable fortress.

Yet Oliver had no intention of attacking the paint. He simply kept launching from deep.

Their supposedly impenetrable defense now felt like an illusion—like a joke.

And the worst part? There wasn't an obvious solution.

How do you stop a player who refuses to play by conventional rules?

Oliver wasn't simply playing recklessly—his hands were on fire, and his shooting touch was undeniable. With the feel of peak Stephen Curry guiding him, why wouldn't he embrace the small-ball philosophy?

Quick, agile, and relentlessly efficient from deep, this style of basketball would torment any opponent.

In the future, the NBA would refine this approach, embracing versatility over rigid positions. The value of smaller, more dynamic players would only continue to rise.

But in this moment, small-ball was still a foreign concept to many. However, after tonight, plenty of teams would start paying attention.

The scoreboard read 81-72. A nine-point lead, created almost entirely by Oliver's devastating shooting.

His hot streak was giving Marquette nightmares.

Yet, adjusting their defense wasn't so simple. Extending their coverage to the perimeter would leave the paint vulnerable—an unacceptable trade-off.

At this critical juncture, Marquette needed someone to step up.

And there was only one man for the job—Dwyane Wade.

Mike Johnson (commentator): "Marquette is in trouble! Oliver is dismantling their defense with his three-point barrage. They need a hero, and it looks like Wade is ready to answer the call!"

Kevin Grant (commentator): "That's why Wade is the heart of this team. He sees the game slipping away, and now it's his turn to take charge!"

Wade watched Oliver's shooting display with equal parts awe and urgency.

He couldn't allow their season to end here.

If Marquette was going to survive, he had to lead them out of this crisis.

This was what made Wade special. Future NBA legend, "The Flash" himself—when the stakes were highest, he remained calm. He observed Oliver's relentless deep shooting and decided to respond in kind.

Wade wasn't an elite three-point shooter like Oliver, but he was more than capable of adapting.

When he needed to, Wade has been able to pull out a smooth jumper out of his bag of tricks.

Just like how he did so during the Beijing Olympics.

A lot of people would disagree, but Wade was the best player on the 2008 Redeem Team. The Mamba and The Flash were unstoppable.

He signaled for Norton to pass him the ball near half-court. As soon as he received it, he exploded forward.

Golin stepped up, anticipating Wade's usual aggressive drive.

But Wade didn't drive.

Instead, he pulled up for three.

His speed had already unsettled the defense, making it difficult to read his next move. Now, adding an outside shot to his arsenal only made him more unpredictable.

Swish!

The ball sailed cleanly through the net.

Mike Johnson: "Wade responds! A pull-up three! That's not his usual move, but he's making adjustments mid-game!"

Kevin Grant: "This is what separates great players from good ones—adaptability. Wade is evolving right in front of us!"

Oliver watched, impressed.

Wade had simply realized they needed a change, a spark of motivation, and he decided to ignite a fire himself.

This guy is a future star.

The man who will become Miami's best.

Aina University resumed their offense. Oliver had possession at the three-point line, but Marquette's defense was now entirely locked in on him.

Previously, they were unaware how much of a three-point threat he actually is.

Now, after conceding multiple deep shots, even the most stubborn defenders had learned their lesson.

Norton and Wade closed in on Oliver, trapping him in a tight double-team.

Oliver could feel their tension—they were fully committed to stopping him.

This was expected.

At Curry's peak, his shooting ability forced defenses into desperation mode. Oliver understood that sensation well.

However, people often forgot—Curry wasn't just a shooter. He was also an elite playmaker. He was also one the best players in off-the-ball movements.

And Oliver could be, too.

As Marquette's entire defense collapsed onto him, Oliver scanned the floor.

His sharp eyes caught an opening.

A quick hesitation move sold the illusion of a drive, baiting the defenders into shifting their weight.

Then—a no-look pass.

The ball zipped to Muller on the wing.

No hesitation. Catch-and-shoot.

Swish!

Mike Johnson: "Oliver with the assist! Marquette's defense is so focused on him, they completely forgot about Muller!"

Kevin Grant: "That's the problem with overcommitting—one mistake, and the floor opens up for easy baskets!"

Oliver wasn't just a scorer. He was dictating the game.

The crowd erupted as Marquette's coach immediately called for a timeout.

During the break, Marquette's coach was blunt.

"Shadow Oliver. Do not let him breathe. The paint defense stays strong, but you CANNOT let him shoot or pass freely. Norton—be ready to attack as well."

He didn't yet have a full answer for the small-ball approach.

But he knew one thing—Oliver was the engine of Aina University.

If shutting down the paint wasn't enough, then the entire defensive scheme would need to evolve.

On the other side, Aina University's coach, Boeheim, was all smiles.

Oliver's three-point shooting had completely disrupted Marquette's defensive structure.

His strategy was simple—let Oliver keep leading the charge.

"Stick to the rhythm. Golin, keep moving off the ball—Oliver will find you."

With a nine-point lead, they weren't out of the woods yet.

But victory was within reach.

If they could close this game out, they would advance to the championship game—a historic moment for Eina College.

The final stretch was upon them.

Would Marquette find a way to stop Oliver's rampage?

Or was this the moment a new era of basketball took its first true step forward?