Improving Skills

The thudding sound of a basketball hitting the floor echoed once more in the Paravilla Stadium, as a rather unbalanced battle began silently.

A short while later, the battle ended.

Li Chen was still no match for Kobe.

However, Li Chen was very happy because he felt he had gotten one step closer to Kobe.

He snorted inwardly, Little Blacksmith, enjoy your moment. Just you wait. I'll get my revenge soon enough.

But I can't let you off the hook right now.

So, Li Chen shouted at Kobe's retreating back, "Kobe, I heard you lost your last game."

Hearing this, Kobe's steps faltered slightly. Kobe was very sensitive and immediately understood the underlying meaning of Li Chen's words.

Kobe gritted his teeth, finding this bastard truly annoying, always dampening his mood when he was feeling good.

After composing himself from his frustration, Kobe calmly said, "But you still can't beat me."

With that, Kobe strode away, afraid that if Li Chen said anything else to provoke him, he might lose control and get into a real fight.

However, as soon as he left the Paravilla Stadium, Kobe's expression turned serious. This kid Li Chen had gotten stronger than last time. How long had it been? Wasn't this progress rate too fast?

Wednesday, February 5th. The Clippers were on the road against the Knicks.

In this game, Li Chen played 46 minutes, scoring 28 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block.

His teammates played poorly, and the team lost the game 105 to 92.

Wednesday, February 6th. This was a back-to-back game, with the Clippers on the road against the Pistons.

Although the era of the Bad Boys had ended, the Pistons were still one of the league's top defensive teams.

With Li Chen being contained, the Clippers' offense was a mess.

In the end, the Clippers, unable to recover from the previous game, suffered their second consecutive loss.

In this game, Li Chen played 47 minutes, scoring 21 points, 6 assists, 6 rebounds, 1 steal, and 2 blocks.

In this game, apart from Elton Brand scoring in double digits, the other Clippers players performed poorly.

Thursday, February 7th.

There were no games during the All-Star break. Li Chen needed to use this time to improve his abilities.

Through continuous experience grinding, on February 9th, he finally upgraded several C-rank skills to B-rank.

Li Chen opened his personal status panel.

[Team: Los Angeles Clippers (Current Player)]
[Position: Shooting Guard, Point Guard]
[Height: 200cm]
[Weight: 93.3kg]
[Wingspan: 212cm]
[Age: 21, Birthday: August 28, 1982]
[Skills: Tenacity (S-rank Passive Talent Skill)]
Open Three-Pointer A-rank.
Assist Master B-rank.
Miracle Shot D-rank.
Foul Baiting C-rank.
Rebounding Monster B-rank.
Prince of Floaters B-rank.
Clutch Shot D-rank.
Prohibit Flight D-rank.
[Rating: 80]

Li Chen was somewhat pleased that his rating had increased by two points.

He then opened his attribute panel again.

[Shooting: 83]
[Passing Ability: 79]
[Rebounding Ability: 79]
[Defensive Ability: 70]
[Speed Ability: 80]
[Strength Ability: 79]
[Basketball IQ: 86]

[Physical Fitness: 99]

Just as Li Chen was happily closing the status panel.

His phone rang. Li Chen picked it up and saw the caller was Little Blacksmith. He was a bit surprised.

After Li Chen finished the call, Kobe's cool voice came through the air.

"I've sent someone to deliver a ticket for you, you must come," Kobe said without room for argument.

A moment later, Li Chen curled his lips and muttered, "This Kobe really holds a grudge. I just provoked him a little the other day, and now he's looking for a chance to prove himself!"

Li Chen pursed his lips, thinking that if he hadn't joined the Clippers so late, with the massive base of domestic fans, it wouldn't have been a problem for him to enter the NBA All-Star reserves.

If he could get a powerful S-class offensive skill, he could even snatch the All-Star MVP from Garnett.

However, he immediately thought of something, and a barely concealed curve appeared at the corner of Li Chen's mouth. "Little Blacksmith, Little Blacksmith, you've really stuck your face out for me to slap this time!

If I don't fulfill your wish, I'd really be letting down your painstaking efforts."

He knew that although Kobe became the top vote-getter in the All-Star game, he didn't become the NBA All-Star MVP that year. That's why Li Chen said Kobe was slapping himself in the face.

A moment later, a middle-aged man drove to the Paravilla Stadium and stated his purpose.

Li Chen got into his car, and they headed to the airport.

Li Chen was a bit speechless. He didn't know what Kobe was thinking. Sending a ticket and providing transportation, was it really worth it just to get back at him?

At nine o'clock in the evening, Li Chen arrived at the Philips Arena in Atlanta.

Kobe went to great lengths to let Li Chen witness his All-Star splendor. He prepared a front-row ticket for him.

Not long after, successful people began to arrive and sit next to Li Chen.

Some of them even nodded and greeted Li Chen. Although Li Chen didn't know who they were, he smiled and returned the greeting.

At this moment, a blonde beauty with smoky makeup and another beauty walked over and sat in the seats next to Li Chen.

Li Chen found the person somewhat familiar but couldn't recall who it was for a moment.

At this time, the beauty also looked at Li Chen and politely nodded at him.

Li Chen smiled and returned the gesture.

Just then, "Oh! My God!"

The black-haired beauty sitting next to the blonde with smoky makeup exclaimed in surprise and delight.

"Li Chen, I'm your fan! My name is Kelly Clarkson."

Li Chen stood up, extended his hand, and politely shook hers. "Hello, Ms. Clarkson."

Afterward, Li Chen and Kelly Clarkson chatted for a while, and she also asked for an autograph.

Meanwhile, the blonde beauty with smoky makeup was somewhat surprised. This Eastern man was also an NBA player and one of her partner's idols.

At this moment, the game began.

The starting and reserve lineups for the Eastern and Western Conferences in this All-Star game were as follows:

East:

Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Michael Jordan, Jermaine O'Neal, Ben Wallace

West:

Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Steve Francis, Tim Duncan, Yao Ming

West:

Shaquille O'Neal, Dirk Nowitzki, Shawn Marion, Gary Payton, Peja Stojakovic, Stephen Marbury, Steve Nash

East:

Jason Kidd, Jamal Mashburn, Vince Carter, Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker, Brad Miller, Žydrūnas Ilgauskas

Before the game, the introverted Yao Ming was a bit nervous. Kobe thought for a moment, walked over, and smiled to comfort him, "Yao, relax, don't be nervous. Just play like it's a regular game." As he spoke, he massaged Yao Ming's shoulders to relax his muscles.

Yao Ming was very grateful. "Thank you, Mr. Kobe."

Hearing the thanks, Kobe felt quite pleased. As expected, Easterners were very polite, except for that annoying bastard Li Chen.

Hmph! Today, I'll prove it to you. I, Kobe Bryant, am the strongest. Today, I'm going to win the MVP.

At this moment, the game began.

Yao Ming tipped the ball to Kobe as a reciprocal gesture.

Kobe had a strong desire to attack today. After driving to the basket, he delivered a one-handed slam dunk.

This drew a roar of cheers from the fans in the arena.