Following the road win against the Cavaliers, Kobe Bryant completely unlocked "Scoring Mode."
From late January through early February, the entire NBA was engulfed in Kobe's scoring storm.
Returning to their home court to face the visiting Toronto Raptors, Kobe staged a performance at the Staples Center destined for the history books—a night that would echo through the ages.
He shot 28-of-46 from the field and 18-of-20 from the line, racking up a wild 81 points and single-handedly slaughtering the Raptors.
It was the ultimate feast of individual scoring in modern basketball history.
That night, to Kobe's eyes, the basket must have looked as wide as the ocean.
Sitting on the bench, Link watched it all unfold. Even though he had seen the highlights countless times in his previous life, witnessing it in person was an incomparable shock.
The tiny "butterfly effect" caused by his time travel hadn't disturbed Kobe's historic night in the slightest.
Even before this, Kobe had already scored over 45 points in four consecutive games.
After the 81-point explosion, the massacre continued.
Against the Golden State Warriors, he dropped 51.
Against the Minnesota Timberwolves, he put up 50.
Then, facing the Memphis Grizzlies, he unloaded another 60!
Throughout late January and into early February, Kobe swept every headline and trending topic with a string of jaw-dropping performances. He seemed tireless, pouring massive energy into both offense and defense.
The media went completely berserk. News about Kobe was everywhere.
He was the undisputed Western Conference Player of the Week. With a terrifying average of 43.4 points per game, he edged out Tim Duncan and Steve Nash to be named the Western Conference Player of the Month for January.
Kobe was practically dragging the Lakers into playoff contention by sheer force of will.
Amidst this purple storm sweeping the league, Link was quietly leveling up as well.
Late one night, while Kobe was out there rewriting history, Link completed his training quest in the empty practice facility.
---
[Task: Layup (Intermediate)]
[Training Requirements: Complete 1,000 paint floaters, 1,000 underhand layups, 1,000 reverse layups, 1,000 hook shots.]
[Progress: 4000/4000]
[Status: Task Complete. Reward: Layup +15%, Skill Unlocked: Soft Touch Lv. 2]
[Soft Touch Lv. 2: Significantly improves finishing stability and contact resistance near the rim (Duration: 30 minutes, Cooldown: 6 hours). Passive Effect: Slightly increases bank-shot accuracy.]
[New Training Unlocked: Layup (Advanced)]
---
Link's finishing at the rim was becoming increasingly steady and reliable.
During an away game against the SuperSonics, he even pulled off a spectacular double-clutch layup right over Ray Allen during a transition play, drawing gasps from the commentators and the coaching staff.
His performance was stabilizing, with his minutes increasing to 22.6 per game and his scoring average quietly climbing to 13.8 points.
His three-point shooting percentage was a scorching 39.7%.
Link had become an indispensable source of firepower off the Lakers' bench.
---
On a rest day morning, Link was enjoying breakfast at his apartment.
Andrew rushed in like a whirlwind, waving a copy of an ESPN newspaper.
"Link! The All-Star voting results are officially out! Look at this!"
He slapped the paper onto the dining table.
Link walked over and scanned the page.
Western Conference Frontcourt: Yao Ming, Tim Duncan, Tracy McGrady.
Western Conference Backcourt: Kobe Bryant, Steve Nash.
Eastern Conference Frontcourt: LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal.
Eastern Conference Backcourt: Allen Iverson, Dwyane Wade.
"Kobe is a lock, obviously!" Andrew rubbed his hands together excitedly. "And his vote count is leading the Western guards by a massive margin! This scoring spree is just too explosive! The media is debating every day whether he's the greatest scorer in history!"
Link nodded, unsurprised.
Kobe's January performance was unprecedented, exactly the kind of drama the league loved. Meanwhile, thanks to the massive market, Yao Ming had set a record for votes, becoming the All-Star vote leader.
"However..." Andrew's tone shifted, suddenly becoming mysterious. "I heard a little rumor... about All-Star Weekend."
"Hm?" Link raised an eyebrow.
"The Three-Point Contest..." Andrew lowered his voice, but the excitement in his eyes was spilling over. "Out of the eight original invitees, Chauncey and Jason both pulled out due to injury. The league is looking for replacements..."
He paused, staring intensely at Link.
"Your name... is on the shortlist."
Link froze.
The Three-Point Contest?
The individual events at All-Star Weekend were always the stage for the elite snipers. Ray Allen, Peja Stojakovic, Steve Nash... just hearing those names felt like looking at a galaxy of stars.
A few months ago, he was struggling just to get a minimum contract.
"Is the source reliable?" Link asked, his voice trembling slightly.
"An agent friend leaked it..." Andrew nodded vigorously. "He said the league has been watching you, especially after that Christmas buzzer-beater. And..."
He leaned in closer.
"Yao is the vote leader this year. The league definitely wants more elements involved. Your popularity back has skyrocketed lately; there's no way they aren't considering the market factors."
Link fell silent for a few seconds, his heartbeat accelerating.
The Three-Point Contest...
If he could really stand on that stage...
"Don't get your hopes up too high," Amy's voice drifted in from the kitchen.
She walked out carrying three glasses of freshly squeezed juice. "The list isn't finalized yet. There are a lot of variables..."
"But it's an opportunity!" Andrew countered. "If Link can participate, or even place well, his commercial value will shoot straight up!"
Link took the juice Amy handed him.
"Let's wait for the official news," Link said, calming himself down. "No point overthinking it now."
"By the way, Link, New Year is coming up soon," Amy suddenly mentioned. "Do you... have any plans?"
Link paused mid-sip.
Since traveling back in time, he had poured almost all his energy into basketball. He had completely forgotten that the Lunar New Year was around the corner.
In his past life back home, New Year's Eve was always lively. Family gathering together—simple, but warm.
"I don't really have a plan," Link smiled. "Probably just training."
"That won't do!" Andrew immediately objected. "I know that's the most important holiday ! We have to do something!"
Amy nodded seriously. "I agree!"
But... the three of them didn't have any immediate ideas.
Just as they were stuck, Andrew suddenly suggested, "Why don't we host a small get-together at the apartment? Invite some teammates over to experience a New Year?"
"Hmm..." Link pondered.
"I think that's actually a pretty good idea," Amy nodded, looking interested. "We can throw a small New Year's party. We'll prepare some food, keep it low-key."
"Alright, I'm in!"
Seeing his two friends in agreement, Link cast his vote in favor.
"Leave it to me!" Andrew patted his chest confidently. "Food, decorations, atmosphere—I guarantee it'll be authentic!"
Link and Amy looked at this white guy solemnly vowing to prepare an authentic New Year and couldn't help but burst out laughing.