Chereads / NBA: LeBron James wants to team up with me / Chapter 152 - Purple Hall of Fame Badge, Sharpshooter!

Chapter 152 - Purple Hall of Fame Badge, Sharpshooter!

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"Mission Objective: Win the 05-06 season league scoring title."

"Mission Reward: 3,000 points, Purple Hall of Fame badge - Sharpshooter."

When Wang Chong saw the mission reward, his eyes widened in excitement.

Putting aside the 3,000 points for now, the badge reward from the system was astonishing—a Purple Hall of Fame-level badge, specifically a Sharpshooter Badge! Unlike the previous random badge that was somewhat underwhelming, this was a fixed sharpshooter badge, known to anyone familiar with NBA2K.

The Sharpshooter badge in NBA2K is one of the most iconic signature badges for shooters, reducing the negative impact of defensive interference when shooting. Although it doesn't directly improve shooting ability like the Corner Three-Point Shooter or Hot Zone Hunter badges, which boost specific stats, it provides incredible utility for players with high ability ratings, such as those over 90.

For elite players, reducing the defense's negative effects is often more valuable than just boosting shooting stats. Especially in high-pressure environments like the playoffs, when facing aggressive double-teams, a high-level Sharpshooter badge can be a game-changer.

Unlike other badges that activate only in specific situations (like Corner Three for corner shots or Hot Zone Hunter for certain areas of the court), the Sharpshooter badge provides a consistent and stable boost throughout the game. It's incredibly versatile.

In later editions of NBA2K, however, the badge became less impactful due to new mechanics like domination mode, which allows players to perform at exaggerated levels. In these cases, even the best Sharpshooter badge couldn't guarantee a high hit rate against face-to-face defense.

But Wang Chong wasn't bound by video game rules. While his abilities were data-based, he wasn't restricted like in NBA2K. Thus, for him, the Sharpshooter badge was the highest-value badge he could get.

More importantly, the system offered him the badge at its highest level, the coveted Purple Hall of Fame tier. If he could win the scoring title, this would be Wang Chong's first purple badge, making it a significant milestone.

However, the task ahead was daunting. To win the 05-06 season scoring title, Wang Chong would need to face none other than a prime Kobe Bryant.

Kobe won his first scoring title that season, averaging an incredible 35.4 points per game. Since the NBA's official merger, only Michael Jordan in the 86-87 season (37.1 PPG) and James Harden in the 18-19 season (36.1 PPG) had higher averages.

Harden's points came during the small-ball era, with a faster pace and more three-pointers. But Kobe's 35.4 points per game stood the test of time as one of the greatest scoring feats in NBA history.

Wang Chong understood the challenge ahead. Although their scoring averages were close now, Kobe was known to turn up the intensity in April. In a bid to lead the Lakers to the playoffs, Kobe had averaged 41.6 points per game during that stretch, pulling the Lakers into the seventh spot in the Western Conference.

Kobe Bryant was, without a doubt, a force at his peak. The Lakers' current record was better than in 05-06 due to some improvements in their roster, but Wang Chong knew Kobe would step up if he sensed a threat to his scoring title.

While Wang Chong was confident in his scoring efficiency and consistency, he knew it would be difficult to match Kobe's explosiveness. Kobe was an all-time great scorer, capable of dropping 81 points in a game. Even prime Durant would struggle to match Kobe's scoring explosiveness, let alone Wang Chong.

Yet, the rewards for completing this task were too valuable to pass up. The 3,000 points would push Wang Chong's overall rating to 97, placing him at the same level as peak Durant. And with the addition of the Purple Hall of Fame badge, his abilities would reach new heights.

Wang Chong was determined to take the scoring title from Kobe.

As January ended, the Bulls finished with an impressive record, climbing to third in the Eastern Conference and nearing the second-place Miami Heat. With 50 regular-season wins in sight, Wang Chong was on track to achieve his personal goal for the season.

During this period, Wang Chong averaged 35 points per game, serving as the Bulls' primary offensive weapon. His consistent performance earned him the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for the second time in a row. The Bulls' only competition was the Pistons, but their team-oriented play left no individual player standing out like Wang Chong.

However, even with his standout performance, Kobe's stats still edged out Wang Chong's. Kobe averaged an astonishing 43 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists per game in January, leading the Lakers with his usual scoring brilliance.

The media and fans soon began debating who was the better scorer between Kobe and Wang Chong. Wang Chong's fans highlighted his efficiency and versatility, while Kobe's supporters emphasized his spectacular shot-making ability and skill under pressure.

As February began, Wang Chong's focus shifted towards the All-Star Weekend. Despite being invited to defend his Three-Point Contest title, he declined, choosing to focus solely on winning the scoring title.

Wang Chong's strategy was simple: with Kobe's explosive scoring bursts slowing down in February and March, he would need to take full advantage. By maintaining a consistent 35+ points per game, Wang Chong managed to surpass Kobe in mid-February, albeit by a slim margin of 0.1 points.

Feeling the threat, Kobe responded by dropping 40+ points in back-to-back games, reclaiming his lead.

The competition between the two stars was fierce, overshadowing even the All-Star Game. On February 19th, the 2006 All-Star Game took place in Houston, with Wang Chong and Kobe as the main attractions. However, both players took it easy, reserving their energy for the second half of the season, where the true battle for the scoring title awaited.

End of this chapter

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