Chapter 35

"Haha, Perry, have you seen this morning's newspaper? That rookie from the Jazz team actually scored 62 points yesterday, like he had nothing to lose. This morning, all the media in America is like a grand feast. If I remember correctly, this rookie seems to have been your teammate in the rookie training camp, right?"

On November 6, 1993, in the Orlando Magic's training facility, the other players who were doing their morning training stopped when they heard this jester-like laughter. The only player who could be so carefree after being late for morning training and still face the head coach and assistant coach with such ease was none other than the team's star player, Shaquille O'Neal.

"Hey, Perry, don't be so cold, give me a smile, come on, just one smile."

Seeing that Penny Hardaway was still ignoring him, the young big man walked over, picked up a basketball, and took a few shots from the three-point line. His comical actions almost immediately turned the busy training ground into a burst of laughter.

"Shaq, I think you should give it a rest. You don't train hard enough, and you shouldn't disturb Perry. He's different from Biko."

Seeing that Hardaway still ignored him, the Magic's star player pouted and pretended to be angry. At this moment, Nick Anderson couldn't stand it anymore. Because of O'Neal's antics, the team's head coach, Brian Hill, was on the verge of anger.

"We just played a game yesterday, how exhausting. Why do we need to train today? We should have a day off. If we get injured from training, it would be a waste. I think Perry is too rigid. He should be more open and relaxed. I think that Jazz rookie is pretty good. He went all out in his first game, how exciting. He's ready to dominate the league, just like I did last season. Unlike Perry, who could have had a triple-double in the last game but ended up with a near-triple-double, disappointing all the reporters and fans. You know, the NBA is a big entertainment show."

Although the Magic's star player was very frustrated that everyone in the team had different values from his, he still didn't forget to constantly instill his values into his teammates. This made Brian Hill, the Magic's head coach, furious but unable to say anything. This big guy was good in every way except for this one flaw. If the whole team were like him, the Magic would have no future.

"You are you, I am me, and that Jazz rookie has nothing to do with me. If you think he's good, you can go to the Jazz."

After being annoyed by O'Neal, Hardaway glared at him and coldly said. After Hardaway spoke, the rest of the Magic team burst into laughter again.

"Hahaha, Perry finally spoke. And Perry, you're wrong. I don't like that guy from the Jazz. My favorite person is you. Give me a kiss."

After saying that, O'Neal actually hugged Hardaway's head and kissed it. Suddenly, O'Neal let out a painful "Ouch" and released Hardaway. He had been tricked by Hardaway, who had lightly kneed him in the groin. Seeing O'Neal hunched over and hopping around, the Magic's training facility erupted in laughter again. Even Brian Hill, the head coach, couldn't help but laugh. In his mind, the Magic finally had someone who could rein in O'Neal, this wild horse.

At this moment, all the Orlando players, led by O'Neal, were enthusiastically discussing Lin Han's outstanding performance in yesterday's Jazz vs. Mavericks game. Except for Hardaway, who knew Lin Han's true capabilities, the other Magic players, whether it was Nick Anderson or Dennis Scott, these near-All-Star level forwards and guards, seemed eager to face Lin Han.

In fact, in today's NBA, besides the American media's frenzy over yesterday's Mavericks vs. Jazz game, almost all NBA teams were also preparing to face Lin Han, like the Magic. For example, in nearby Chicago.

"This kid is really arrogant. If Michael were still here, he would show him a thing or two."

"Right, if Michael were still here, this kid would need a stretcher to be carried off the court. Does the Mavericks, this garbage team, even know what the Jordan Rule is? A team that only won 11 games last season has the nerve to say they did their best. That rookie is too strong. Look at the score, 144 to 90. Is this an NBA game? I think the Mavericks will win at most 11 games this season, just like last year. And if that rookie really faces the Pistons, he'll be crippled."

As the first season without Jordan in the past ten years, the atmosphere in the Bulls' training facility was much worse than in the Magic's. Although the team won their opening game against the Hornets, the final score was 124 to 123, and the Hornets almost spoiled their opening game. Last season, with Jordan, they wouldn't have been so exhausted, needing overtime to win by one point. Although the national media was against Jordan, the Bulls were still supportive of him internally.

"Alright, you guys, enough. Can you stop saying 'If Michael were still here' every time you open your mouths? It's like Michael is dead. The Bulls are a championship team, and there's more than just Michael. The Bulls are not a team that can't function without anyone. Do you understand?"

Seeing that his teammates were still not over the impact of Jordan's departure, Scottie Pippen sternly scolded them. When Jordan was around, Pippen was a junior, but now that Jordan was gone, Pippen couldn't remain a junior. After being scolded by Pippen, the Bulls players who kept saying "If Michael were still here" stopped.

Seeing that most of the Bulls players were following his lead, even the head coach, Phil Jackson, nodded in satisfaction. Pippen felt much more relaxed. At least with the Bulls' strength this season, he didn't have to worry about embarrassing himself.

"But that Jazz kid is really arrogant. Don't think that just because Jordan is gone, you can casually put anyone in his shoes. Next time, I'll see if you really have the ability to wear that hat."

If Lin Han knew that he was being targeted by Scottie Pippen, the league's best forward defender, he would be terrified.

"Nick, congratulations. Coach Randy Fender has you starting in the first game of the new season. The team really values you. Now, with Anfernee almost getting a triple-double yesterday against the Magic and Lin scoring 62 points in his first game with the Jazz, I never thought that our team, once called the worst, would have three players become NBA stars."

In the Lakers' locker room, the game against the SuperSonics was about to start. After the head coach, Randy Fender, finished laying out the strategy, the other Lakers players started chatting in small groups. Antonio Harvey, dressed in a suit and not on the game roster, looked at his friend Nick Van Exel and said with a sigh. The SuperSonics were a very strong team, and being trusted to start against a strong opponent was a rare opportunity for a rookie. Nick Van Exel's starting position in this game meant he was being heavily cultivated by the Lakers. Although his opponent, Gary Payton, was a strong defender and not a top-tier point guard, it was still a tough challenge. So, while Van Exel had a star's pass, he still needed to work hard. However, Lin Han was different. Scoring 62 points in his first game as a rookie, he was already a star.

"Hmph, what stars? One is just lucky, and the other is just a small-time success. They really think they're something. Wait until the future games, and you'll see."

At this moment, another rookie, George Lynch, overheard Antonio Harvey's words and muttered disdainfully. Since joining the Lakers, this year's rookie had been thoroughly outplayed by Van Exel. The 12th pick this year was now only a bench player, while Van Exel had stepped on him to become a starter. George Lynch was already dissatisfied with this group, especially when he saw that Lin Han, who had dominated him in the talent training camp, scored 62 points in his first game. He thought the world was about to end, or else why would everyone be hallucinating? When he realized it wasn't a hallucination and Lin Han really scored 62 points, he felt envy, jealousy, and hatred, gnashing his teeth in frustration.

However, in the face of George Lynch's cold sarcasm, Van Exel didn't say anything. As a starter, arguing with a bench player he had outplayed would lower his status. So, the Lakers rookie glanced around, picked up a remote control, and turned on the TV, which surprised the entire locker room.

The image on the TV made the entire Lakers locker room gasp in shock. Even George Lynch, who had just been extremely dissatisfied with Lin Han and Van Exel, opened his mouth in disbelief, staring at the TV with wide eyes.

The TV was showing an interview after an NBA game broadcasted by ABC. The player being interviewed was none other than Lin Han, who had caused a storm across America and the NBA that day. The most prominent subtitle on the TV showed that the final score of the Jazz vs. Timberwolves game was 133 to 100, a significant victory for the Jazz over the second-worst team in the West, the Timberwolves. No one doubted this score, as the Timberwolves were on par with the Mavericks.

The key was the last part of the subtitle: Lin Han had 18 of 29 field goals and 5 of 9 free throws, scoring 41 points, and had scored over 40 points in two consecutive games!

"How is this possible? This guy actually beat Laettner and scored over 40 points again?"

At this moment, George Lynch, hearing his teammates' amazed comments and seeing Lin Han smiling in the interview, felt a wave of malice from the world.

"This kid is pretty interesting."

James Worthy, after a brief moment of shock, looked at Lin Han on the TV and said with a playful smile.