Chapter 94

Yang Mo turned around to look at the person calling his name. This person had a face that looked tough and simple, with a skin color darker than that of African Americans. Indeed, this was Dikembe Mutombo from Africa.

If Allen Iverson reached his peak in 2001, then the year 2001 was also the peak for Mutombo, who won the Defensive Player of the Year award and helped Iverson reach the NBA Finals.

At his peak, Mutombo's defensive performance was terrifying. However, for most Chinese fans, the most memorable image of him was as a backup center for the Rockets a few years later, the black uncle who would shake his fingers after a block. Everyone called him Uncle Mutombo.

Yang Mo used to love watching Rockets games, especially with Yao Ming, who made the Rockets almost like China's home team due to national sentiment. Therefore, when Yang Mo was so close to Mutombo, he couldn't help but feel a bit excited. Playing against the peak Mutombo was not an experience everyone could have. Although the current Yang Mo was not himself but Allen Iverson, his consciousness was still his own.

Having the experience of possessing Shaquille O'Neal, Yang Mo quickly handled the ball, getting familiar with Iverson's ball handling, his center of gravity, and his rhythm. He didn't need to worry about strength, as the source of strength came from Yang Mo, and the feel of the game seemed to be Yang Mo's as well. In a sense, the current Iverson was 100% Iverson, plus Yang Mo's shooting and 60% of Shaquille O'Neal's peak strength.

This was undoubtedly a terrifying combination, enough to elevate Iverson's already formidable abilities to another level. However, the 76ers' chances of winning were still not very high, given that they were facing the OK duo. The 2001 Shaquille O'Neal was the strongest center in NBA history, leading the league to repeatedly change rules to limit him, something even Wilt Chamberlain couldn't achieve. While Kobe Bryant, the Lakers' perimeter core, hadn't yet reached his peak, he was already a formidable scorer, averaging a staggering 31.7 points per game in the playoffs.

In fact, the Lakers' playoff journey was very straightforward: sweep, sweep, sweep. They only met the 76ers led by Iverson, who managed to steal a win in a hard-fought overtime game.

However, despite the 76ers winning the first game, no one was optimistic about their chances. Everyone believed the Lakers were just taking a nap in the first game and would decisively eliminate the 76ers in the following games. Indeed, in the historical record, the OK duo took control of the next four games, decisively defeating the 76ers led by Iverson. But now, Yang Mo was here to change history.

After familiarizing himself with Iverson's ball handling and rhythm, Yang Mo felt he had grasped about 80% of Iverson's style. After all, Iverson was one of Yang Mo's idols, and he had grown up watching him play, knowing which moves Iverson could pull off and which he couldn't.

Just then, the whistle blew, and the game officially began.

The Los Angeles crowd, led by the in-house DJ, gave a thunderous welcome to their home team players. Then, the visiting team players took the court one by one. When Yang Mo, or rather, Allen Iverson, took off his jersey and stepped onto the court, the entire Staples Center erupted. Everyone was shouting insults and boos, the noise almost lifting the roof off the arena.

For a moment, Yang Mo's mind went blank. He then shook his head with a bitter smile and muttered, "Those boos I heard before are nothing compared to this. Iverson is truly great, to win a game under such circumstances."

While Yang Mo's mind was blank, Shaquille O'Neal walked over, patted his head, and with a wide grin, said, "AI, you don't want to draw fouls on me tonight. I'll definitely knock you to the floor with one slap, and you won't be able to fly again."

Looking at O'Neal's grin, Yang Mo felt a strange sense of familiarity and absurdity. In the previous mission, he was Shaquille O'Neal, and now... he was the opponent. It felt a bit messed up!

"No, history will repeat itself," Yang Mo shook his head and replied firmly. He had already figured out most of O'Neal's technical characteristics and physical habits through his previous possession of Shaq, so drawing fouls tonight would be even easier.

"History will not repeat itself!" Kobe Bryant, standing nearby, interjected with a serious face, "I won't let you win again."

While the 2001 Shaquille O'Neal was relatively amiable, the 2001 Kobe Bryant was definitely sharp and aggressive, his eyes gleaming with a fierce light.

Yang Mo understood this. He knew the obsessive man had no other intention but to win and to establish himself as the team's leader.

So, Yang Mo just shrugged and said with a relaxed smile, "You'll see after the game!"

Kobe Bryant turned away with a stiff face, looking cold and distant. Yang Mo found it amusing because he couldn't connect this Kobe with the smooth, smiling Kobe of a few years later. Moreover, his slightly curly, wavy, and messy hairstyle and scruffy beard looked incredibly shabby.

However, Kobe Bryant didn't think so. This was the most popular style at the time, showcasing his mature image.

But, dear, Yang Mo was from 2008! How could he not find the 2001 hairstyle outdated and uncool?

Soon, the game began with the referee's whistle.

Mutombo and O'Neal stood at opposite ends of the center line, preparing to jump for the ball. Yang Mo focused intently on the basketball the referee was about to toss, ready to intercept it. After all, the battle had begun.

...

[First update delivered. PS: Thanks to "Hai Wu Yan" for the 1888 RMB red envelope. Also, please give recommendations and add to your collection. Next update at 3:30 PM.]