Chereads / NBA: LeBron James wants to team up with me / Chapter 175 - Sensation in the League, the Golden Two-Weapon Team of the Nuggets

Chapter 175 - Sensation in the League, the Golden Two-Weapon Team of the Nuggets

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Despite suffering a three-game losing streak in November, the Bulls maintained the best record in the Eastern Conference. During this challenging period, Wang Chong averaged an impressive 32 points, 8.6 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game, securing his position as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month for November.

Surprisingly, the player competing with Wang Chong for this monthly accolade was Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic. Howard had indeed stepped up during November, averaging 17.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 1.9 blocks per game. His dominance on the defensive end helped lead the Magic to a respectable record of 10 wins and 4 losses. However, no matter how stellar Howard's performance was during this stretch, it felt fleeting in the grand scheme of things. In the original 2006-07 season, he was only selected to the All-NBA Third Team and did not make the All-Defensive Team.

But the narrative would shift for the upcoming 2007-08 season. By then, Howard would fully mature, with regular season stats expected to exceed 20 points and 14 rebounds, while averaging over 2 blocks per game. The Magic was poised to become one of the formidable opponents in the Eastern Conference, and with Wang Chong aiming for the championship, those adversaries would require close attention.

November saw Wang Chong crowned as the Eastern Conference Player of the Month, while in the West, it was Yao Ming claiming the same title. Yao's performance during the month had been nothing short of exceptional, and it came as no surprise that the Bulls fell to the Rockets during their match. Over the 15 games he played, Yao averaged nearly 26 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.7 blocks per game, propelling his team to a commendable record of 10 wins against just 5 losses. No one could match his personal performance in the West.

This marked the first time in Yao's career that he was awarded Player of the Month. For many Chinese fans, this recognition felt akin to celebrating the Lunar New Year, as it showcased the growing success of Chinese players in the NBA. Wang Chong's identity as a Chinese-American reflected this success, as he embodied the potential and talent of Chinese athletes on a global platform.

Additionally, the NBA landscape was beginning to shift, with two young Chinese players set to test the waters in the upcoming draft. One was the emerging talent known as "Arab League," while the other was Sun Yue, a promising guard who many hoped would become a future star.

Should these two players navigate the draft successfully, it would signal a growing presence of Chinese players in the NBA, further elevating their international influence.

As a time traveler, Wang Chong was well aware that both Arab League and Sun Yue eventually found their way into the league. In particular, Arab League's agent's famous "sit-in" method had successfully deceived a group of seasoned NBA scouts, helping him secure a lottery pick.

The emergence of players like Arab League would ensure that Chinese basketball remained competitive on the international stage, especially after Yao's retirement a decade later. In the absence of Yao and his contemporaries, the focus would shift to new talents like Arab League, who would become the cornerstone of the Chinese national team for years to come.

For a while, the Chinese Basketball Association had been in constant communication with Wang Chong, primarily due to his previous indication of wanting to switch his nationality back to China to bring glory to his homeland. With each achievement he earned in the NBA, the urgency for the Chinese national team to secure his talents grew exponentially.

Wang Chong's exceptional performance—averaging 35.6 points per game the prior season—had sent shockwaves through the basketball world. This feat was particularly notable, as only Michael Jordan had achieved such scoring averages in NBA history, indicating that the Chinese national team might soon have a superstar of its own.

Initially, the attitude of the Basketball Association had been somewhat arrogant. It was as if they believed Wang Chong owed it to them to return home and represent the country. They even proposed some outrageous conditions, including an annual fee akin to what Yao had paid, along with restrictions on his playing conditions.

Wang Chong found these demands absurd. Unlike Yao, who was trained within the closed system of the Chinese national team, Wang had developed his skills in the competitive environment of the NBA. He saw no reason to submit to such demands.

After considering their proposal, Wang simply responded, "I'll think about it," and subsequently dismissed the representatives from the association.

As a result, Wang Chong, who had initially planned to return to China during the summer and join the national team for the 2006 World Basketball Championship, instead opted for an extended vacation that summer.

He had little interest in competing for the U.S. national team. The quality of the World Championships and the Olympics was lagging significantly. Most of the stars of the NBA had declined to participate, resulting in a team that was led by James and Wei. The roster, featuring promising talents like De, Anthony, Bosh, and Howard, was dubbed a "rookie version" of the Dream Team, ultimately finishing third after a disappointing showing.

The shocking defeat at the World Championships caused a significant stir in the United States. The dominance of the Dream Team had been a longstanding tradition, and their lackluster performance was particularly glaring after the underwhelming showing in 2004, where the team still managed to win gold.

In this context, Wang Chong's contributions to the Dream Team's success became crucial. His deadly mid-range shooting proved to be a significant challenge for teams that relied heavily on zone defenses, especially European teams that were highly effective in that strategy.

In the aftermath of the World Championship, numerous basketball commentators argued that regardless of who else participated in the 2008 Olympics, Wang Chong must be included in the Dream Team roster. His presence would provide an invaluable edge against European teams.

As word of these sentiments reached the Chinese Basketball Association, panic began to set in. Losing a superstar like Wang Chong due to unyielding conditions would severely undermine the team's credibility, and they risked facing significant backlash.

Subsequently, the personnel responsible for liaising with Wang Chong underwent a significant overhaul, and their approach shifted dramatically. Where they had once presented multiple demands, they now adopted a far more conciliatory tone, asking if Wang Chong had any conditions of his own.

This abrupt change prompted Wang Chong to smirk inwardly. He appreciated their newfound humility, though he didn't vocalize his thoughts. Instead, he recognized the importance of maintaining a cordial relationship, understanding that keeping options open for future collaborations was wise.

The negotiations between Wang Chong and the Basketball Association continued, albeit at a more relaxed pace. While the association was growing anxious, Wang Chong remained unhurried. As long as an agreement could be reached before the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, everything would be fine.

The 2008 Chinese men's basketball team was poised to be the strongest in history. Even though Yao would be sidelined due to injury, he was still expected to be in prime form, and alongside Arab League, Da Zhi, and several other national players, Wang Chong felt confident that they could secure a medal.

Whether Wang Chong would have the opportunity to compete for gold, however, remained uncertain. It depended on his ability to complete his system upgrade within the next two years and surpass the limitations of his current abilities. His goal was to reach an overall skill score of 99, particularly improving his physical conditioning to the same level, allowing him to play with full energy throughout games and make a substantial impact on both offense and defense. With such improvements, defeating the Dream Team in 2008 would not be an impossible task. After all, the only competent center on the Dream Team was Howard, while other internal players like Bosh and Boozer would struggle against Yao.

Though Boozer might have posed some challenges to Yao's style, Howard would find it particularly difficult to handle him. Before Yao's retirement, he had proven time and again that even in Howard's prime, he was no match for Yao's skills.

However, it was still November 2006, with nearly two years left before the 2008 Olympics. There was no need to rush into these considerations.

Wang Chong's focus had to be on playing well in every game, dedicating all his energy to the NBA season, and aiming to secure both the MVP and FMVP awards as soon as possible. Completing the system upgrade and enhancing his abilities further remained his top priorities.

As December arrived, the Bulls' schedule turned far more favorable.

While the league could be unforgiving, it also had its moments of kindness.

After enduring a grueling series of seven consecutive away games, the league compensated the Bulls with an equal stretch of eight home games in December.

This arrangement meant that following their road game against the New Orleans Hornets on December 1, the Bulls would enjoy the luxury of playing at home in Chicago for half a month, allowing them to recuperate and recover from their earlier exertions.

Once back on their home court and re-establishing their rhythm, the Bulls wasted no time showcasing their dominance, launching into a winning streak that began with the season.

Kicking off with a hard-fought victory over the New Orleans Hornets (111-108) on December 1, the Bulls went on to defeat several formidable teams, including the Wizards, Celtics, Raptors, Timberwolves, Pacers, and SuperSonics. They achieved seven wins out of eight games played at home, and with three consecutive victories at the end of November, they kicked off an exhilarating run of ten consecutive wins.

This impressive winning streak catapulted the Bulls' record to an astonishing 19 wins and 4 losses, solidifying their position at the top of the Eastern Conference.

In the midst of this success, Wang Chong's personal performance was equally commendable. He continued to produce jaw-dropping scoring numbers, finishing games with astonishing averages, and even exceeding the 40-point mark in multiple encounters.

With his ongoing excellence, Wang Chong established a close rivalry with Kobe Bryant for the league's scoring title. By mid-December, Wang had accumulated an impressive average of over 34 points per game, trailing Kobe by a mere 0.5 points.

As December progressed, Wang Chong consistently showcased his skills, quickly reaching new heights in the league. His shooting efficiency, court vision, and rebounding prowess came together, positioning him as a dual-threat that defenders struggled to contain.

In contrast, Kobe's performances had become a spectacle to witness. The young shooting guard from the Los Angeles Lakers was making waves in the league, displaying an unmatched scoring ability that had fans eagerly awaiting his every game. The fierce competition between Wang Chong and Kobe fueled their rivalry and excitement for basketball fans nationwide.

Both players were achieving incredible feats, setting the stage for a memorable season filled with thrilling highlights and intense matchups. The league was set to witness unforgettable moments as they continued to push the boundaries of excellence on the court.

As the year drew to a close, anticipation began to build around the highly anticipated matchup between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers, which would mark the first time Wang Chong faced Kobe in a regular-season game.

All eyes were on the January 1, 2007, showdown—a New Year's Day extravaganza that promised to deliver an unforgettable spectacle. With both players vying for the scoring title, the stakes were high, and fans eagerly awaited the opportunity to see two of the league's brightest stars face off.

In the meantime, the situation for the Chicago Bulls was looking optimistic.

With their players continuing to gel and develop chemistry, it was becoming increasingly clear that they were on the verge of something special.

Their formidable performance on the court drew attention from media outlets, and fans eagerly awaited the team's next big matchups. The franchise's resurgence had reinvigorated their fan base, and they were hungry for a championship run.

As December continued, the city of Chicago buzzed with excitement. The Bulls' home games were drawing record crowds, and the atmosphere in the United Center was electric. Wang Chong's presence was making a tangible impact, and his stardom was helping to elevate the team's profile.

His charismatic style of play and dedication to improvement resonated with fans, and he quickly became a symbol of hope for a franchise that had experienced a long period of rebuilding. The connection between Wang Chong and the city was palpable, and the community rallied behind him.

As the days passed, and the countdown to the showdown against the Lakers intensified, Wang Chong knew he had a responsibility to deliver not only for himself but for his teammates and fans. He was eager to face Kobe Bryant and prove himself on the biggest stage.

With the New Year just around the corner, Wang Chong found himself in an exhilarating phase of his career, surrounded by the possibilities of what the future held. The anticipation surrounding the upcoming game against Kobe Bryant had created an undeniable buzz, and the stage was set for an unforgettable showdown.

As Wang Chong prepared for the challenge ahead, he reflected on his journey thus far—the dedication, sacrifice, and countless hours of hard work that had shaped him into the player he was today. The determination to succeed burned brightly within him, fueling his desire to claim victory for himself, his teammates, and the fans who believed in him.

With the season's momentum on their side, the Bulls were ready to embrace the challenges of January and beyond. The NBA world would be watching as Wang Chong continued to write his own story, one that was destined for greatness.

End of this chapter

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