Reborn in 96, I started by taking charge of the Dallas Mavericks.

Back to the locker room.

Chen Fang first praised all the players and then announced the participants for the post-match press conference.

In the NBA, it is a tradition to attend a press conference after a game, regardless of whether you win or lose.

Those attending press conferences are usually the head coach, the team's star player, and players who performed well in the match.

As the owner and head coach of the Mavericks, Chen Fang will definitely be attending.

Kobe is the cornerstone of the Mavericks' team, and he scored a game-high 33 points in this game, making him the MVP of the game.

As for the last spot, Chen Fang gave it to Ben Affleck.

Although Ben Wallace didn't score many points in this game, he grabbed a game-high 18 rebounds, including 8 offensive rebounds.

While the players were showering, Chen Fang opened the system panel.

"Not bad, 50 points for each win, that adds up to..."

Chen Fang started counting on his fingers.

An NBA season consists of 82 regular season games. Assuming a 50% winning percentage, a player can earn 2050 points in a season.

"That's not enough!"

He still remembered that he needed to exchange for traditional Chinese medicine bone-setting massage for McGrady, which required 2 points.

This season only yields a little over 2 points, and it would take ten seasons to redeem them.

Thinking about this, Chen Fang instantly felt immense pressure.

……

Half an hour later, Chen Fang brought Kobe and Ben Wallace to the post-game press conference.

At the press conference, the first question a reporter asked Kobe was.

"First of all, congratulations to the Mavericks for their victory over the Spurs in their opening game. Now, I'd like to ask Kobe to answer this question."

"Kobe, this is your first real game in the NBA, and you put up such explosive numbers. Keep in mind that Michael Jordan only had 16 points, 7 assists, and 6 rebounds in his debut game."

What do you think of the outside world saying that you will be Jordan's successor?

Upon hearing this question, Kobe immediately frowned. "First of all, I want to say that Jordan is very strong. He has already proven his strength to the world."

"I'm still just a rookie, and I need to compete for the championship and more honors to prove myself."

"Regarding the claim that I am Jordan's successor, I want to say that Jordan is Jordan, and I am me. I will not become anyone else; I will only become a better version of myself!"

After Kobe finished speaking, Chen Fang nodded and picked up the microphone.

"I think Kobe said it very well. Jordan has already won a three-peat and won another championship in his first season after retiring and returning. His strength is beyond doubt."

"However, I believe Kobe's future achievements will surpass Jordan's, and that's my opinion!"

Kobe is now his prized student, so naturally he'll speak up for Kobe.

Moreover, he believes that Kobe in this lifetime will definitely have more than five championships.

Seeing Chen Fang step forward, the reporters immediately turned their attention to him and began questioning him.

"Coach Chen, we all know that after you took over the Mavericks, the team entered a rebuilding phase. When do you think the Mavericks will be able to complete the rebuild?"

Chen Fang smiled and looked at the reporter who had stood up, saying, "Didn't you see that we just beat the Spurs, who were second in the Western Conference last season?"

"I can tell you all with certainty that beating the Spurs is just the beginning. We still need to beat the Bulls and compete for the championship this season."

"Coach Chen, don't you think you're being a bit too ambitious by saying you're aiming for the championship?"

"We all know the Bulls have Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman, but who does the Mavericks have?"

Chen Fang tapped his fingers on the table, his face contorted with malice. "That's right, the Bulls have Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman, but we also have Kobe, Nash, Peja, and Ben Wallace."

"Don't forget, Ben Wallace grabbed 18 rebounds today."

Upon hearing Chen Fang praise him in front of so many reporters, Ben immediately sat up straight, like a proper schoolboy.

Then, Chen Fang continued.

"I don't think my players are worse than the Bulls'. Yes, they are rookies, but there is a gap between rookies."

"Coach Chen, when you said there's a gap between rookies, are you referring to this year's number one draft pick, Allen Iverson?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Fang shrugged. "I didn't say that; you said it."

Shortly after the Mavericks vs. Spurs game ended, the 76ers vs. Bucks game also concluded.

Unlike the Mavericks, the 76ers, who have Allen Iverson as their number one draft pick, lost to the Bucks 103-111 at home.

Iverson played 37 minutes, scoring 30 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds, and 1 steal on 12-of-19 shooting, while also committing 3 turnovers and 5 fouls.

Although he was slightly inferior to Kobe in terms of individual statistics, the Mavericks won and the 76ers lost.

No matter how many points you score, it's useless if the team loses.

Originally, everyone thought Kobe was already "arrogant" enough, but unexpectedly, Chen Fang, as the owner and head coach, was even more "arrogant" than the player!

After asking a few more trivial questions, the press conference concluded.

What annoyed Ben was that he sat on the side like a mascot throughout the entire press conference. Apart from Chen Fang calling on him once, no reporter asked him any questions, which made him very unhappy.

On the way back, Chen Fang seemed to sense the resentment in Da Ben's heart and took the initiative to pat him on the shoulder.

"Don't be sad, I believe that one day they will remember your name."

Encouraged, Ben watched Chen Fang's retreating figure with unwavering determination, secretly resolving to fight even harder in the next match.

The game was over, and the players went home to rest, but the reporters' work was not over yet; they began writing news articles overnight.

The first day of the new NBA season featured 14 games, including several close matches, but surprisingly, the Mavericks dominated the headlines of many media outlets afterward.

It wasn't because the Mavericks beat the Spurs, but because of the comments made by Mavericks owner and head coach Chen Fang at the post-game press conference.

The Mavericks' owner declared that the team will contend for the NBA championship this season!

Dallas Mavericks owner Chen Fang makes outrageous remarks, claiming Jordan is inferior to Kobe!

"Not all rookies are the same; Mavericks owner subtly criticizes Allen Iverson!"

……

For a time, countless media outlets turned their attention to Chen Fang, making him the target of criticism from Jordan and Iverson fans.

Of course, besides criticism and attacks on Chen Fang, there were also those who praised him.

The vast majority of media outlets, especially those in Dallas, treated Chen Fang like a god, practically worshipping him.

In their first game of the new season, the Mavericks defeated the Spurs by a large margin, and super rookie Kobe Bryant outperformed the number one draft pick of his year, all of which proved Chen Fang's unique vision.

And Chen Fang's statement about competing for the championship is not impossible in their eyes.

While Dallas fans were celebrating, San Antonio fans were furiously hurling insults at their home team.

"Has Bob Hill lost his mind? Why doesn't he sleep with David Robinson?"

"Get lost, Bob Hill! You're a head coach, but you can't even call a timeout. I could do that!"

"..."