"Congratulations to the Thunder Team on successfully winning the 2025 NBA Finals!"
"..."
Veteran basketball fan Wang was watching the live broadcast of the NBA Finals. The Indiana Pacers had ultimately lost. Even though Tyrese Haliburton pushed his Achilles to the limit, he still couldn't secure the final victory.
But he was still a hero, knowing the odds were slim yet giving his all for his beliefs and for victory.
Suddenly, Wang thought of that man and couldn't help but sigh. How great it would be if the boss were still around… Today's basketball games were far less entertaining than the star-studded era of the past.
It was no longer pure competitive sport; it had become a commercial show like WWE.
Casually, Wang turned off the mobile live stream, skillfully opened his computer, and started playing NBA 2K.
As an office worker and social animal, he had loved basketball since junior high.
He still remembered the excitement of watching Yao Ming and the Houston Rockets live on CCTV5 for the first time.
Basketball back then was pure and wonderful!
Super teams weren't yet dominant, every team had a star player, the competition was fierce, and the playing style was enjoyable.
Kobe Bryant, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Allen Iverson… From then on, basketball became a part of his life.
People cannot possess youth or the feelings of youth.
He deeply missed those beautiful memories that basketball had brought him.
But time cannot flow backward.
His body was increasingly out of shape, and in his free time, he could only play 2K, imagining himself as a younger version, sweating on the court.
He opened 2K25 and began creating a player.
Without a second thought, Wang created a shooting guard character; basketball, to him, was all about scoring in various ways.
He set the physical attributes according to Michael Jordan's talent.
Position: Shooting Guard / Small ForwardHeight: 198 cmWeight: 98 kgWingspan: 218 cmHand size: 25 cm
After finalizing the player, Wang saved the character and copied him to the 2010–2011 season.
Just as he was about to make his big move, a flash of white light streaked across Wang's computer screen, and he felt the world spin.
His mind went blank, and he fainted.
He had no idea how much time had passed… A thunderous cheer, like mountains roaring and oceans surging, jolted Wang awake.
He looked around in a daze and found himself in a basketball arena.
The surrounding stands were packed with people!
An intense game was taking place on the court!
"Where am I?"
In that instant, Wang realized something was wrong. He had just been playing 2K — how had he ended up here? Was this still China? Was he dreaming?
He pinched his thigh; the clear pain confirmed that this was real.
What surprised him most was that he was wearing a basketball uniform.
As a veteran fan, he instantly recognized the uniform — it was the Charlotte Hornets, an NBA team.
Wang carefully scanned his surroundings.
He could hear English commentary and saw foreign faces around him.
Most importantly, familiar basketball stars were on the court:
Yao Ming, Chris Paul, Trevor Ariza, Luis Scola, Shane Battier…
Wang realized he was sitting on the team bench, at the very end.
Next to him were other players also wearing Hornets jerseys.
"What's happening? Did I transmigrate?"
Just then, memories flooded his mind — it was 2011.
His counterpart in this timeline had been exceptionally gifted in sports since childhood.
He had been selected for the national school team in junior high and went to the U.S. for high school.
After graduating, he was rated a three-star recruit and received a full scholarship to a mediocre university, playing one year of NCAA basketball.
In 2010, he entered the draft and was selected 59th overall in the second round, thanks to his Chinese heritage and excellent athletic talent, signing a two-way contract.
He was lucky enough to secure a one-year, $470,000 non-guaranteed contract for the Summer League.
When the season started, Wang had been training with the Hornets.
This Hornets team was the predecessor of the later Pelicans, also known as the New Orleans Hornets — not the current Charlotte Hornets.
However, with his limited skills, he didn't get much playing time.
By now, almost a third of the season had passed, yet he had appeared in only two games.
He averaged three minutes per game, with 0 points, 0 rebounds, 0 assists, and 2 turnovers.
The good news: he had broken through zero.The bad news: the turnovers.
If this were 2K, he would probably have a rating of 50.
However, being the second Chinese guard selected in the NBA after Sun Yue was already a success.
Still, many domestic fans who had high expectations were greatly disappointed.
Some even predicted he would be cut and return to the CBA.
Although his skills weren't outstanding, his static physical attributes were top-notch even in the NBA.
Just as Wang was processing his situation, a whistle blew on the court — timeout.
The Rockets vs. Hornets game was intense.
It was the fourth quarter, 8:52 left, and the score was 80–70.The Rockets, without Tracy McGrady, still led by ten points.
The Hornets' starting shooting guard, Marco Belinelli, was severely off-target, shooting 2-for-15. The team's perimeter shooting was a major issue.
Hornets head coach Monty Williams stood on the sideline, looking at Wang and shouting:
"Wang, you're in.Just play good defense."
He didn't have high hopes for this young Chinese player.He was putting him in purely to give Belinelli rest and to satisfy the Chinese derby audience.
Wang nodded:"OK!"
Clenching his fists, he didn't know what level he could play at once on the court.
But since he was here, he would give it his all. Playing in the NBA was the dream of millions.
As Wang stood, ready to enter the game, a crisp sound echoed in his mind.
A translucent panel appeared before his eyes:
[Ding! Congratulations, Host!][Basketball God System successfully bound!][Newbie Reward: Randomly merge the abilities of a star player.][Congratulations! You have successfully merged peak Klay Thompson's three-point shooting and defensive abilities!]
Name: WangAge: 19Height: 198 cmWeight: 98 kgWingspan: 218 cmOverall Rating: 65
In short, he now had Jordan's static athleticism combined with peak Klay Thompson three-point shooting and defense.
Although his current abilities weren't very high overall, his three-point shooting and defense were rated 90+, making him a perfect 3-and-D player.
This was enough for him to establish himself and survive in the NBA.
Wang stood on the sideline, full of excitement, as Belinelli walked off the court.
Belinelli hung his head, realizing his shooting was terrible today, expecting Coach Monty Williams to substitute him.
But he didn't expect the rookie to replace him.
Belinelli smiled faintly, probably guessing the coach's thoughts: this rookie wouldn't last long on the bench.
He slapped hands with Wang:"Rookie, don't be nervous.Just hold on a few minutes — I'll be back soon."
Wang saw Belinelli's somewhat condescending look and immediately felt his anger rise.I have a system. What do you have to fight me with?
"So, you're Belinelli, huh? The starting shooting guard? That spot's mine."
Wang snorted coldly:"If you're tired, just sit down and rest a while longer."
Belinelli was stunned — he never expected this young rookie to speak to him like that:"You…"
Before he could finish, Wang walked onto the court, rubbing his hands together with an excited expression…