novelhk Chapter 1: I've been playing in the NBA for 3 years, and you're only just now showing up,
Chapter 1: I've been playing in the NBA for 3 years, and you're only just now showing up,
"Sizzle!"
A sharp, sudden screech of brakes shattered the tranquility of a peaceful morning in Los Angeles in mid-October 1999.
Inside the car was a tall, handsome Asian man.
His name is Lin Ze, and he is a forward who was acquired by the Los Angeles Lakers from the Dallas Mavericks this summer.
However, at this moment, he seemed to be terrified.
Of course, just as terrified as Lin Ze was a fat, dark-skinned man about five meters away from the car. This man was currently giving Lin Ze the middle finger, cursing, "F*** you! Are you trying to kill me, Lin? Do you also like that girl with the big, fat ass and cornrow-like hair from last night?"
Everyone in Los Angeles knows this fat guy: Shaquille O'Neal.
Lin Ze didn't rush to talk to O'Neal, because what had startled and shocked him to the point that he almost stepped on the gas and destroyed the cornerstone of the Lakers' three-peat was a voice that had just rang in his mind.
"System loading complete! Host successfully selected by the Atlanta Hawks and entered the NBA! NBA Dominator System successfully activated, main quest issued."
Main Quest: Become the First to Strike!
"Becoming a starter is the goal of every rookie, and it's also a matter of pride for an NBA player. As a rookie, strive to become a starter for your team!"
After a moment of shock, Lin Ze regained his composure.
"Go to hell, Shaq! I would never like a girl who looks like Allen Iverson!" He rolled down his car window and gave O'Neal the middle finger as a greeting, then parked the car and got out, giving O'Neal a complicated West Coast gangster-style greeting.
This is also his secret weapon for establishing himself in the NBA.
He cultivated good relationships with the team's leaders! He had only been in Los Angeles for a month, and he was already one of the people O'Neal had the best relationships with within the Lakers organization.
While chatting with O'Neal, Lin Ze was also thinking.
This system is so bizarre!
He didn't just travel here; he's been here for many years, and has been playing in the NBA for three years!
Before transmigrating, Lin Ze was a 00s kid who had just started his sophomore year of college and was an All-Star player in CUBA.
The original owner lost both parents when she was 7 years old and was adopted by her uncle who owned a restaurant in Chicago and brought to the United States. When Lin Ze transmigrated to this world, it was 1994, and the original owner was already in her final year of high school.
Over the next two years, relying on the skills he honed in his previous life and the extraordinary physical gifts he received in this life, Lin Ze went from high school to the NCAA, and finally made it to the NBA. Three years ago, in the 1996 NBA draft, 18-year-old and 5-month-old Lin Ze was selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 28th pick in the first round.
That's where the problem lies!
According to the system's description, shouldn't this piece of junk have been activated three years ago?
Why was it three years late?
Three years! System, do you know how I've survived these past three years?
Moreover, how could this system be made with substandard materials?
"Where's the newbie gift pack? Where's the newbie lottery? Where's the attribute panel?"
"System, confess honestly, did you pocket all the transmigration perks?!"
"Hey! Say something!"
"Bro?"
"Say something! Let's become the GOAT together!"
Unfortunately, the system remained silent.
Has the system crashed again?
Moreover, this broken system seems to be in the timeline of three years ago when I was first drafted by the Hawks. If we look at my journey so far... what year was my first time starting?
He spent the first two years of his professional career mostly sitting next to the water dispenser.
After all, his so-called exceptional physical gifts are only considered top-tier compared to other Asians: a height of 205 cm, a wingspan of 220 cm, and decent running and jumping abilities. But in the NBA, his talent is just average.
Fortunately, he possessed some advanced skills from his previous life, which combined to get Lin Ze into the NBA, but that was all.
We've reached our limit.
Then, it seems that in April of his second year in the NBA, after being traded to the Bulls, he finally made his first career start while Phil Jackson was taking a rest.
In other words, we have to wait until the end of next season to complete this stupid main quest?
What kind of idiotic system is this...?
"Alright, alright kids, quiet down." A very magnetic and enthusiastic voice came from behind. Lin Ze and O'Neal had already entered the locker room.
The person speaking was none other than the team's head coach, Phil Jackson.
"Strictly speaking, training camp still has three days left, but I've decided to give everyone a break early. Today is the last day of training, and after that, everyone should go home and get some rest. In a week, it will be our first preseason game!"
"This year, we will not leave the playoffs in a humiliating way again! This year, we have only one goal!"
"Championship!"
Jackson waved his arms and shouted loudly.
"Champion!" Lin Ze was the first to raise his arm and shout.
This is the second reason why he, despite having mediocre talent, has been able to do well in the league.
The head coach's top-notch straight man.
Or, Phil Jackson's top straight man.
Lin Ze played for the Bulls for nearly two seasons. Although the Bulls won the championship in both years, it is no exaggeration to say that they were in a precarious situation with internal and external troubles and could collapse and disband at any time.
As a result, the smart and sensible Lin Ze became Jackson's favorite player. He was always the first to applaud and cheer when Jackson gave a speech. Every time Jackson asked the players to watch a movie, Lin Ze was always the first to submit a long and thick review. When watching the game from the sidelines, Lin Ze could contribute a triple-double of waving a towel 30 times, high-fiving 20 times, and encouraging his teammates 15 times per game.
Overall, he is a smart person who is not particularly strong, but is absolutely obedient, a good team player, and likable.
Jackson has always liked smart people, which is why the first thing he did after arriving in Los Angeles, a place where he knew no one, was to have West bring Lin Ze over.
This is his trusted team, his trump card that will help him quickly establish himself and integrate into the Lakers team.
In this respect, Ron Harper, who also came from the Bulls, is far inferior to Lin Ze. Although he is stronger, he is a taciturn man who can't utter a word in three sentences, making him far less useful than Lin Ze.
Jackson nodded in satisfaction as he looked at Lin Ze's enthusiastic manner. He was indeed a direct descendant!
Then, Jackson decided to give Lin Ze a reward.
"Now, let's announce our starting lineup for the first preseason game."
"Ron, Kobe, Glenn, Shaq, and..."
Jackson blinked and looked at Lin Ze: "Lin, you're starting!"
Almost as soon as Jackson finished speaking, a sound that sounded exactly like winning the jackpot in a slot machine rang in Lin Ze's ears.
"Host has completed the main quest! Rewards will now be distributed!"