NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

Chapter 3: Reward: Kobe's Jumping Talent

As O'Neal planted himself firmly under the basket, his eyes locked on Zhao Dong's aggressive drive. Zhao Dong charged in, determined to make his mark. Just as Zhao Dong leapt into the air for a dunk, O'Neal reacted with uncanny precision.

Smack!

The sound of the block echoed throughout the arena. O'Neal's powerful hand struck the ball cleanly, sending it flying out of Zhao Dong's grip. The impact was so forceful that it halted Zhao Dong's momentum mid-air, causing him to crash hard onto the hardwood.

Thud!

The entire arena gasped in unison.

"Shit, this isn't part of the script!" Zhao Dong winced, lying on the court. Pain shot through his body, but he wasn't out for long. The ball was still in play.

O'Neal seized control, and the Lakers transitioned into a fast break. On the right wing, Kobe caught the outlet pass, spun past his defender, and sped down the court with ferocious intensity.

Zhao Dong, fueled by sheer grit and frustration, scrambled to his feet. The sting of his fall and the humiliation of being blocked lit a fire in him.

"Not on my watch," he muttered, chasing after Kobe with everything he had.

Kobe, moving with the precision of a predator, crossed the left wing, cutting into the paint. His defender had no chance, and Kobe rose for a thunderous dunk, the ball cradled in one arm like a trophy.

Knicks point guard Charlie Ward, seeing the inevitable, stepped aside and rushed out of bounds to avoid being posterized.

But Zhao Dong wasn't backing down. His sneakers squeaked loudly as he bolted into the paint, his legs burning with every step. Ignoring the pain from his earlier fall, Zhao Dong leapt at the perfect moment, his hand slicing through the air like a sword.

Smack!

The ball was yanked from its trajectory, and Kobe was knocked off balance. The collision sent Kobe crashing out of bounds, toppling into the press row and scattering reporters like bowling pins. Cameras flashed as chaos unfolded.

Kobe scrambled to his feet, his face twisted in anger. "What the fuck was that? Are you out of your goddamn mind?" he roared, pointing a finger at Zhao Dong.

Zhao Dong stood tall, his chest heaving. He jabbed a finger back at Kobe. "Rookie, let me spell it out for you—nobody dunks on the Knicks in our house."

Kobe's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with venom. "Bullshit! O'Neal did the same thing earlier, and you didn't say a damn word."

Zhao Dong didn't flinch. His tone was ice-cold. "O'Neal better watch his back, too. One of these days, he'll end up flat on his ass under our basket."

The crowd buzzed with anticipation as the tension between the two players grew.

The rapid clicks of cameras echoed from the sidelines, capturing every fiery exchange.

"That was reckless," Bill Walton commented from the broadcast booth, shaking his head. "Zhao Dong's got guts, but plays like that are dangerous. He's putting himself and others at serious risk. Sure, it's entertaining, but it's not sustainable for a long career."

Matt chimed in, "He's undrafted and on a ten-day contract. Guys like him are desperate to prove themselves. They'll do whatever it takes, even if it means risking injury."

Walton nodded. "Credit where it's due, though—he's tough as nails. Took a hard hit from O'Neal, got up, and chased down Kobe to block him. That kind of heart and tenacity is rare. Still, he's walking a fine line."

The Lakers' coach, Del Harris, called for a timeout.

On the Knicks' bench, Zhao Dong slumped into his seat, his back throbbing with pain. But despite the discomfort, a sly grin crept across his face. "Man, that felt better than riding a jet ski," he muttered to himself.

On the other side, Kobe was fuming. He sat on the bench, his hands gripping a towel tightly. "That asshole thinks he can show me up?" he growled under his breath.

Zhao Dong's thoughts, meanwhile, were elsewhere. He knew the game was his chance to shine, and his mission was clear. O'Neal was a towering obstacle, but Kobe's jumping ability was the real prize. Zhao Dong's own vertical was average, a far cry from Kobe's explosive leaps. If he could somehow replicate Kobe's athleticism, it would elevate his game to the next level.

The game resumed, and the Lakers leaned heavily on O'Neal. The "Big Diesel" dominated the paint, bullying everyone in his path. Even Patrick Ewing, one of the league's elite centers, struggled to contain O'Neal's sheer power.

Coach Van Gundy adjusted by moving Oakley to the power forward position, but the 225-pound Oakley was no match for O'Neal's 325-pound frame. Despite his gritty defense, Oakley was simply outmuscled.

The Knicks eventually lost the game, dropping their record to 2-1 for the season. Zhao Dong didn't get another chance to play, leaving him to stew on the bench.

After the final buzzer, Zhao Dong's system interface activated, and a notification popped up.

"Congratulations! You have acquired Kobe Bryant's jumping talent."

Zhao Dong couldn't help but chuckle. "Finally, something good came out of this mess."

But then, another message appeared:

"Warning: You have angered Kobe Bryant and earned the title of 'Sworn Enemy.' Dynasty-level sniper mission activated: Snipe the Lakers' OK Dynasty."

Zhao Dong's brow furrowed as he processed the mission. Dynasty-level sniper missions were the most challenging tasks in the system, reserved for only the toughest adversaries.

"OK Dynasty?" Zhao Dong muttered, glancing at the Lakers' bench. His eyes met Kobe's, and for a moment, the air between them crackled with tension.

Kobe scowled, his lips curling into a smirk. But beneath the bravado, Zhao Dong could sense the frustration simmering in the young star.

As the players headed to the locker rooms, Lakers general manager Jerry West approached O'Neal. "Shaq, what do you think about that No. 46 on the Knicks? Zhao Dong, right?"

Before Shaq could respond, Kobe interjected, his tone sharp. "You're not seriously considering him, are you?"

Jerry West raised an eyebrow. "Why not? He's got heart, and we could use someone like that to energize our bench."

Kobe shook his head vehemently. "No way. That guy's reckless and dangerous. I don't want him anywhere near our team."

Jerry West sighed, sensing Kobe's firm stance. "Alright, if you feel that strongly about it."

Years later, West would look back on this moment with regret.

As Zhao Dong changed out of his uniform, he leaned against his locker, deep in thought. His eyes flickered with determination. "This is just the beginning. If the system wants me to take down the Lakers' dynasty, then so be it. I'll do whatever it takes."

For a brief moment, his mind wandered back to Kobe's future. He remembered the tragic helicopter crash that would one day claim the star's life.

"Should I warn him?" Zhao Dong pondered. "Nah, he probably wouldn't listen anyway."

With a wry smile, he grabbed his bag and headed out of the locker room. The journey ahead was daunting, but Zhao Dong was ready to face it head-on.

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