"Congrats, host! You've completed all objectives for the top-level sniper mission and earned double rewards. You've randomly received 5 quality points and 7 skill points as your reward."
"Congrats, host! You've completed the All-Star sniper mission and earned 3 skill points as a reward."
That's 5 quality points and 10 skill points in total. Zhao Dong put the quality points into flexibility and balance, leveling both up. As for the skill points, he had a decision to make—either perimeter defense or upgrading his quick stop jump shot (pull-up jumper) to elite level.
He needed a second gold medal skill.
After dominating the game and securing Player of the Game, Zhao Dong hit the locker room for a quick postgame shower before heading to the press conference with Ewing.
On the way, Ernie Grunfeld and Van Gundy brought up a topic that had been lingering for weeks—Allan Houston.
Dude had been struggling, averaging only 10 minutes per game over the last four outings, and management was debating whether to move him in the offseason.
Zhao Dong, being reborn, knew exactly what was up. Houston could shoot—one of the smoothest mid-range jumpers in the game—but in a few years, he'd get a brutal injury and sign one of the worst contracts in NBA history, basically handcuffing the Knicks financially.
Ewing, being the veteran leader, gave a neutral answer:
"I have no objections."
Translation: I don't care, just get me a ring.
Zhao Dong, though? He wasn't about to let some dude take his ball touches and still get big minutes.
"With Houston's value, we should be able to get a solid return," he said, keeping it blunt.
Ewing looked a little surprised but didn't argue.
"Okay, good suggestion," Grunfeld nodded, clearly satisfied.
---
Time to Level Up
After the press conference, the Knicks hopped on a flight. They had a back-to-back against the Raptors, then the Celtics, before heading home for a showdown with the Bulls.
On the plane, Zhao Dong distributed his upgrade points:
Balance & Flexibility → 84
Speed → 89
Next time he got quality points, he'd focus on strength—core and lower body were key for absorbing contact.
As for skill points?
His spot up jumper and pull-up jumper were both 92-rated.
To reach 95, he needed 6 points.
"Which one do I boost?"
After thinking it over, he chose the pull-up jumper. The spot up was too draining, and he needed something efficient for heavy minutes.
"Congrats! Your Pull up Jumper has been upgraded to 95. It is now a Gold Medal Skill and has unlocked special effects!"
+30% shooting stability
+30% separation from defenders
Zhao Dong grinned. "Hell yeah! That's two Gold Medal skills now!"
He used the remaining 4 skill points to upgrade perimeter defense from 71 → 75.
--
On March 5th and 7th, the Knicks took care of business, beating both the Raptors and Celtics.
Zhao Dong? He went back-to-back 30-point, 10-rebound nights, testing out his new pull-up jumper.
The results? Deadly.
27 total attempts → 17 makes (63%)
13 contested shots → 7 makes (54%)
14 open looks → 10 makes (71%)
With real NBA defenders draped all over him, he could feel the difference. The separation, the stability, the confidence—it was clicking.
But the real test was next: the Bulls.
---
On the morning of March 8th, as the Knicks flew back to New York, Zhao Dong got a new system mission.
---
God-Level Sniper Mission (vs. Jordan)
Score 30+ points on MJ with 50%+ FG
No more than 3 turnovers against MJ
Block MJ 3 times
Dunk on MJ once
Trash-talk MJ 5 times & celebrate early
Win the game
Rewards:
Complete 5/6 → MJ's Fadeaway Jumper
Complete 6/6 → MJ's Core Strength Talent
---
Hall of Fame Sniper Mission (vs. Pippen)
Score 30+ points on Pippen with 50%+ FG
No more than 3 turnovers against Pippen
Block Pippen 3 times
Dunk on Pippen & step over him
Trash-talk Pippen 5 times
Get 5 assists
Win the game
Reward: Pippen's Defensive Talent
---
Hall of Fame Mission (vs. Rodman)
Outrebound Rodman → Earn Rodman's Defensive Talent
---
Zhao Dong skimmed the missions and immediately called out the system.
"Yo, you lazy as hell! These are just copy-paste missions."
"Impossible," the system shot back.
Still, he strategized his approach.
Taking on MJ was too much right now.
But Pippen & Rodman? That was doable.
Pippen's defensive talent was elite for a wing defender.
Rodman's rebounding? Also insane, but Zhao Dong had the size & hops.
There were 4 games against the Bulls this season—this was just round two.
---
That night, Zhao Dong's phone blew up.
The Knicks had a new owner—James Dolan had officially taken over.
Zhao Dong wasn't shocked. In his past life, Dolan bought the team for $30 million, but this time, he dropped $45 million—a 50% increase.
His teammates kept calling, wondering what it meant for their future.
The next morning, Dolan met the team at practice, bringing gifts and promises.
"I will invest whatever it takes to build a championship team."
After the team meeting, Dolan pulled Zhao Dong aside.
"Zhao, got any roster suggestions?"
Zhao Dong knew this was a trap question. He wasn't about to step into front-office politics.
"That's for management," he said, keeping it diplomatic.
Dolan liked the answer.
"Good. I'll back you and Ewing to bring home banner number three."
Zhao Dong nodded.
"We got the squad. We'll get it done."
Dolan laughed. "After Ewing, you're the future of the Knicks. No doubt about it."
Zhao Dong smirked.
"Appreciate that. Now let's go get this ring."
---
With MJ, Pippen, and Rodman on deck, Zhao Dong was locked in.
It was time to test his new pull-up jumper against the GOAT & the Bulls' legendary defense.
Let's get it.
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