NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

Before we dive into this chapter, I gotta give a HUGE shoutout to my 1st and 2nd Patron, Kieron Hayden and Joshua Stadt! You're the real MVP for supporting my work, and I seriously appreciate you. This chapter's for you, my dude!

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Chapter 20: I Will Score 50+ on Jordan within Two Seasons

"Zhao Dong, are you excited to win your first 'Player of the Week' award?" A beautiful mulatto reporter asked during the post-game interview at Madison Square Garden.

"This is my first professional individual honor, so yeah, I'm really excited," Zhao Dong replied, his excitement clear, but his body was already wiped out. After playing 33 minutes in the paint, he had battled Camby, who wasn't strong enough to challenge him properly. If Camby had been a better defender, Zhao Dong might not have lasted as long. He was only at 80% fitness, considering himself in decent shape but not yet at an elite level.

After finishing the on-site interview, Zhao Dong made his way to the locker room, where he ran into Coach Van Gundy.

"Zhao Dong, get ready. You and Ewing are next," Van Gundy said.

Zhao Dong was taken aback. "A press conference?"

"Of course, what else?" Van Gundy chuckled.

"Okay," Zhao Dong nodded, eager for the next step.

Fifteen minutes later, after a quick shower and changing into his training clothes, Zhao Dong followed Ewing out to the press conference.

"Charles, why not you?" Larry Johnson asked, glancing at Zhao Dong as he walked past.

"He's young, handsome, and just hit 20+10 in a row. I'm old, ugly, and can't put up those kinds of stats anymore. Who wants to see me all the time?" Oakley shrugged.

Larry Johnson paused, feeling helpless. Oakley's attitude didn't exactly scream support for the rookie, but it didn't show opposition either. It was clear that for Oakley, the rookie had earned some respect, but not necessarily his endorsement.

"Damn injuries!" Johnson cursed inwardly. As the first overall pick in the league, Johnson was now worried about losing his starting spot. He could sense that if Zhao Dong kept up his strong performances, the rookie would compete for the starting role, and Johnson might find himself on the bench.

Alan Houston, also a little frustrated, thought back to his time with the Pistons. He had been well-trained, even becoming the future core of the team. However, since joining the Knicks, he had lost that central role to Ewing and was now just a shooter on the side. He had accepted this role, but it still stung. Now, with a rookie threatening his importance in the lineup, it left him feeling unsettled.

Among the locker room, there was even more resentment—especially from the two other first-round picks. While Zhao Dong focused on competing for the starting spot, they were still struggling for playing time.

"Zhao Dong, Michael Jordan scored 53 points at home yesterday. He said you'll never reach that number. What do you have to say about that?" A reporter asked, throwing another challenge his way.

At the press conference, a reporter asked, "Zhao Dong, do you think you can score 50+ points in a game one day?"

Zhao Dong answered confidently, "One day, I'll score 50+ on his head. I believe I can do it within two seasons."

The reporters in the room reacted with excited murmurs and gasps. Van Gundy, standing next to Zhao Dong, scratched his head, feeling the weight of his recent stress. Oakley nudged Zhao Dong with his elbow, signaling him to be more cautious with his words. He knew too well that Jordan wasn't someone to take lightly. As Jordan's former teammate and now a rival, Oakley understood the challenge Zhao Dong had just made.

"Patrick, what do you think of the team having Zhao Dong?" a reporter turned to Ewing for his opinion.

"I'm glad the team has such a talented rookie," Ewing replied, his tone neutral. He had no strong opinions on Zhao Dong, as he still considered himself the Knicks' cornerstone. No one could shake his position as the team's star, and he knew that the fans and management fully supported him. The team had shown this when they replaced the previous coach, Nelson, who had insisted on using him alongside O'Neal. As for Zhao Dong's impressive 20+10 streak, it was something Ewing had seen before in great centers, so it didn't particularly impress him.

Back at the training facility, Zhao Dong opened the system and decided to allocate his three quality points to speed. His speed, previously at level 77, increased to level 80, placing him at a second-tier level. This improvement meant that his speed would now be competitive among top-tier interior players, and at the small forward position, he would be solidly in the second tier. It helped alleviate the issue of his slower pace due to his larger physique, making him more versatile on the court.

Simply put, the increase in speed, along with improvements in his leaping ability, significantly boosted Zhao Dong's overall strength. His athleticism, once mediocre, was rapidly improving, and this raised his potential. If he wanted to compete with someone like Jordan, he needed the speed of a top guard, and speeding up had become crucial for his future success.

From the Knicks' lineup perspective, when Zhao Dong plays power forward, Oakley's position must shift outward. Despite Oakley's shorter stature, he's a true insider, which meant their positions often overlapped. This realization made Zhao Dong feel a sense of urgency to move to the small forward position, which offered the best fit for his skills. Moreover, the Knicks lacked a strong small forward, making him the ideal candidate for that role.

The next morning, Zhao Dong began his shooting practice again, preparing for the Timberwolves game. He was eager to face Kevin Garnett, a rising star in the league, and hoped the system would offer sniper missions with rich rewards to help him prove himself.

Meanwhile, during an interview, Houston and Barkley reacted to Zhao Dong's bold claim about scoring 53 points on Michael Jordan within two seasons. Barkley laughed before saying, "The 'No. 1 pick' for the Knicks should show respect to Michael. Jordan's earned his accolades, while Zhao Dong's done nothing yet. His focus should be on proving himself worthy of the Knicks' top contract."

Later in the afternoon, the team held a training session with Larry Johnson participating in confrontation drills, signaling his return. Zhao Dong observed his potential competitors and noticed that Johnson's movements were still hindered by his back injury. He couldn't exert full force, which diminished his effectiveness in the low post. It was clear that Johnson, after multiple injuries, would never be the same player again.

Van Gundy, along with coaches and General Manager Grant, carefully watched Johnson's performance. "Jeff, it might be better to bring him off the bench to strengthen our depth," Grant suggested. Van Gundy agreed, noting that Johnson's competitiveness had slipped since the beginning of the season. "At his peak, Johnson could have been a strong inside presence, possibly comparable to Malone or Barkley. But now, his size puts him at a significant disadvantage inside."

Van Gundy wasn't rushing into any decisions yet. He needed more time to evaluate both Zhao Dong and Johnson.

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