Chapter Twenty One

Naruto sighed as he dropped the ball low while holding it in both hands. Russell Westbrook played up close on him but out of the corner of his eye he saw Nick come up to set a screen. Naruto quickly ran Westbrook to it and quickly fired away from the three point line over the outstretched hand of Kevin Durant.

Naruto took a few steps back and watched as the ball sailed through the air and rolled out.

"Fuck...Get back!"

Naruto raced back on defense and got in front of Westbrook hoping to stop his fastbreak opportunity but the powerful point guard just ran into him not stopping until he threw the ball into the basket, ignoring the whistle that Naruto drew as he scored.

"And tonight we've seen a complete one eighty by Naruto Uzumaki just a few days before he is set to take part in the All Star game and it looks like he's given his all into the first half of the season. With just five minutes to go he has picked up his fifth foul and is one away from having to sit down."

Naruto smirked and chewed on his mouth guard showing everyone on the outside that he was fine but on the inside he was freaking out. He had only six points and three assists to top it off he had five turnovers to match his five fouls.

The rookie watched as Westbrook made his free throw and Whiteside inbounded the ball to him and Naruto slowly walked the ball up the court. When he reached halfcourt he passed to Livingston. Once the ball was out of his hand Naruto ran to the corner and waited.

Naruto watched as Nick came over and set a screen to get him open. The moment he caught the ball the rookie got his defender, Kevin Durant, to jump and quickly took a step forward before going into his shooting motion but he threw a pass to Whiteside inside who dunked the ball.

Naruto clapped his hands as the Thunder called a timeout with four minutes left in the game. The coach sat him and he watched as his team stayed within striking distance of the game.

When the rookie finally came back into the game his team was down by five with forty seconds left.

Butler inbounded the ball to him and Naruto held the ball for a few seconds before driving to the basket. He spinned off of Westbrook and went for a layup.

Naruto landed on his back as ball rolled out. Luckily Whiteside grabbed the rebound and went to put it back in but he got swarmed by the Thunder and had to throw it out to Butler. Naruto quickly got off the ground and ran out to the three point line to catch the ball.

Once the ball was back in his hands the crowd at Staples center stood up as Naruto looked in Westbrook's eyes and pulled up for a deep three.

"IT'S GOOD! IT'S GOOD! Mr. Fourth quarter still making big plays as the Lakers trail by two and OKC calls their final timeout."

Naruto took his mouth guard out of his mouth and threw it to the ground and screamed as Nick ran at him and shoulder bumped him.

Naruto held his hand out and the three bumped wrist three times, before slapping hands three times. Then they slid their hands up and intertwined their thumbs before sliding their hands back and they both bowed.

"Namaste."

After the timeout Westbrook drove past Naruto and all the way to the run before being blocked by Whiteside. Naruto caught the ball and pushed it down the court. He looked at the clock and saw the seconds slowly tick away. Naruto threw the ball to Butler in the corner and Butler quickly touch passed it back to the point guard and Naruto didn't hesitate to fire away from the three point line.

Everyone watched as the ball sailed though the air but fell inches short of the rim and airballed it just as the buzzer sounded.

The entire arena stared at Naruto in shock as the Thunder celebrated their victory. Naruto hung his head and slowly walked off the court. As he passed the bench he drapped a towel over his head and untucked his jersey.

As he walked down the tunnel he felt his teammates pat him on the back but he paid it no mind. As he went to turn the corner he felt someone give him a hug.

"You ok?"

Naruto didn't say anything as Kendall kissed his neck lightly.

"C'mon babe, talk to me."

"I'm just tired. Ready to go to sleep."

Kendall nodded. "Well hurry up and change so we can get out of here. Your mom already packed everything so we can get in the plane and you can rest."

Naruto only nodded as he kissed her forehead and headed to the locker room.

When the rookie got to the locker room he showered and changed into a pair of black Bape sweatpants, a white t-shirt under a black hoodie. He also wore a red snapback hat with a pair of red sneakers.

On his way out Naruto was directed to the media room.

"Tonight you just seemed out of it. Five turnovers, nine points, one for nine from the three point line and an airball to end the game. Care to make a comment on your play."

Naruto just scratched his head. "I'm not sure if you can really comment on that with any other thing than the way I played was uncharacteristic and highly unacceptable. Now I'm not gonna promise that it won't happen again cause in this league you never know but I will try my hardest to prevent this."

"Naruto despite how the game ended your team is sitting in a good position with a 37-18 record going into the All Star break. With your busy weekend how will you rejuvenate yourself for the second half of the season?"

The point guard scratched his chin before sighing.

"Well one thing I can do is this...it pains me to say it but as of now I'm officially pulling myself out of the three point contest. I hope that maybe next year I will have another opportunity to participate but this year I need at least a Saturday off of the court."

With that said Naruto got up and left the media room. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and put his headphones on.

The rookie walked to the players parking space ignoring the cameras as he put his hood up so they couldn't see his face.

When he reached his destination he entered a black SUV that drove off the moment he got in. Naruto felt Kendall lay her head on his shoulder as they drove to the airport.

"Babe I have something to tell you."

"What is it."

"I won't be flying with your family to New Orleans."

"Why not?"

"Cause my mom and sisters are flying down there too and they want me to fly down there with them."

"Oh...well at least you'll still be there."

"They also invited you as well."

"Oh well then I guess your not to excited about."

"No I want you to meet my family it's just they can be a bit extra."

The All Star nodded before smirking.

"So can mine."

Kendall looked out the window and saw Naruto's friends posing on the wing of the plane.

"Don't worry I can handle your family."

Kendall wearily nodded and Naruto reassured her with a kiss on the top of her head before getting out of the car.

"Yo y'all get your asses off that before you break it cause I ain't paying for it."

His friends reluctantly began to climb down from the aircraft while Amanda walked up to him.

"Where's Nina?"

"I put her to sleep it's gonna be a long weekend and she'll need lots of rest, still has school on Monday."

"Thanks ma."

Amanda nodded as she looked in his eyes.

"You ok?"

"Yeah just need some rest."

"Ok well make sure you get some cause you've got a busy weekend."

He nodded and kissed his mother on the cheek.

"Thanks for your concern Ma but I'm fine."

"I'm your mother it's my job to be concerned. Especially when you pay the bills."

She smirked when she said the last part and Naruto couldn't help but laugh.

"Glad to see I'm appreciated."

"I love you Naruto."

Naruto nodded and waved his hand as he turned around.

"Yeah yeah yeah, love you too."

And Done!

Not much but it sets up the next chapter.

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