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

June 7th, US time.

The 1996-1997 NBA All-Star Weekend officially kicked off in Cleveland!

This year's All-Star Game coincides with the 50th anniversary of the NBA.

To celebrate this historic milestone, the league invited veteran players to attend the game.

The first day of All-Star Weekend is the Rising Stars Challenge.

The Rising Stars Challenge began in 1994, and for the first two years it was a format where first-year rookies challenged second-year rookies.

However, due to the generally strong performance of the 96 draft class, the league temporarily changed the rules this year.

The division of first and second graders into teams has been eliminated. Instead, first and second graders will be grouped into teams based on their respective divisions, and the competition will be between the East and West divisions.

In this way, the Rising Stars Challenge has become just as popular as the All-Star Game.

The Answer vs. the Black Mamba: Who is stronger?

This year's Rising Stars Challenge saw six players selected from the Mavericks, meaning half of the Western Conference Rising Stars team consists of Mavericks players. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the Western Conference Rising Stars team is half a Mavericks team.

In addition to the six Mavericks players, the Western Conference rookie team also includes Garnett, Marbury, Michael Finley, Fisher, and others.

The Eastern Conference rookie team was led by Allen Iverson, and also included Ray Allen, Kemba Walker, Eric Dampier, Kittles, Marcus Camby, Jermaine O'Neal, Jermaine Stackhouse, Damon Stoudemire, John Wallace, Vitaly Potapanko, and others.

In his previous life, Kobe scored a game-high 31 points in the rookie game, but the Western Conference rookie team lost to the Eastern Conference rookie team 91-98, and the rookie game MVP was handed over to Iverson.

However, in this life, with Nash and others by Kobe's side, Chen Fang believes that the MVP will surely be won by Kobe.

Before the match, Chen Fang specifically called the group aside and gave them some instructions.

"Guys, your only mission tonight is to pass the ball to Kobe and make sure he wins the MVP!"

Hearing Chen Fang's words, Da Ben patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, boss, we were planning to do it even if you hadn't said anything."

"That's right, we've already agreed on it, boss, you can rest assured."

Nash, who was standing nearby, also said with a smile.

"Thanks, guys. I'll treat you all to drinks after the game!"

Seeing how loyal his brothers were, Kobe naturally wouldn't be stingy with his own.

"How can you drink without inviting us?"

Just then, Garnett and the others also came over.

Seeing that it was Garnett and the others, Kobe smiled slightly: "Yes, yes, we have them all."

"That's a deal, no take-backs allowed."

"Go ahead and shoot, I'll help you grab the rebounds."

Garnett put his arm around Kobe's neck and said with a smile.

When Ben Wallace heard Garnett's words, he frowned, thinking to himself, "Why is this guy stealing my lines?"

Although everyone usually serves their own interests, they are teammates now, and the atmosphere is very harmonious with everyone chatting and laughing.

"Okay, you guys keep talking, I'm going to go talk to the coach of the Western Conference rookie team."

After saying that, Chen Fang walked towards the substitute bench.

Although Garnett and others have clearly stated that they will help Kobe win the MVP, Chen Fang still needs to speak with the head coach of the Western Conference rookie team.

Even with teammates' help, Kobe wouldn't win the MVP if they didn't let him play.

"Hello, Mr. Reed!"

Upon hearing the voice, Reed Holzman turned around and saw Chen Fang. He quickly stood up to greet Chen Fang.

"Oh, it's Chen. Is there something you need?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Fang nodded and said, "I would like to ask you for a favor."

"They probably want me to give Kobe more playing time."

Mr. Reid gave him a knowing look.

Chen Fang chuckled: "You really can't hide anything from the old man."

"Don't worry, I like this child too."

"Then I thank you, sir."

After chatting with the old man for a few more minutes, the competition began.

It's worth mentioning that both coaches in this year's Rising Stars Challenge are very prestigious.

On the Western Conference Rookie Team is Coach Reid, the greatest coach in New York Knicks history. Under his leadership, the Knicks became a fierce defensive team, winning the NBA championship twice, in 1970 and 1973.

Meanwhile, in the NBA's official list of the top 15 head coaches for the 75th anniversary, Reid was also prominently featured.

The head coach of the Eastern Conference Rookie Team is also a very prestigious figure; he is Red Auerbach.

As head coach, he led the Celtics to nine championships, including an eight-peat. After stepping down as general manager, he helped the Celtics win seven more championships.

He was also among the top 15 head coaches for the 75th anniversary.

It can be said that this year's Rising Stars Challenge was not only a contest between Iverson and Kobe, but also a competition between two legendary coaches.

The match began, and the starting players from both sides took to the field.

The starting five for the Western Conference are:

Point Guard: Steve Nash.

Shooting Guard: Kobe Bryant.

Small forward: Michael Finley.

Power Forward: Kevin Garnett.

Center: Rasheed Wallace.

Three of the five starters on the Western Conference rookie team come from the Dallas Mavericks.

In the east:

Point Guard: Allen Iverson.

Shooting Guard: Damon Stoudemire.

Small Forward: Ray Allen

Power Forward: Marcus Camby.

Center: Eric Dampier.

This year's Rising Stars Challenge is brimming with talent!

The next fifteen years will belong to these young people.

With the players in position, Iverson's gaze involuntarily fell on Kobe.

Feeling Iverson's gaze, Kobe also looked at Iverson.

Kobe could clearly sense Iverson's fighting spirit from his eyes.

Kobe smiled and said to Iverson, "Allen, tonight's MVP is destined to be mine."

Iverson curled his lip and refused to back down: "That depends on whether you have the ability."

The game officially began as the referee tossed the basketball high into the air.

"Whoosh!"

Rashid Wallace and Eric Dampier jumped at the same time.

Rasheed Wallace helped the Western Conference rookies gain possession on their first possession.

The moment Garnett received the ball, he immediately threw it towards the frontcourt!

He had promised Kobe before the game that he would help Kobe win the Rising Stars Challenge MVP.

At this moment, Kobe had already arrived at the frontcourt.

Kobe leaped high to receive Garnett's pass, spun around to avoid Iverson's attempt to steal the ball, and launched a three-pointer.

The basketball traced a perfect arc through the air and swished through the net!

3:0

Kobe helped the Western Conference Rookie team take the lead, scoring his first basket in the Rookie Game.

"Kobe's shooting is simply a beautiful sight!"

"The pass was decisive, and the shot was even more decisive!"

Inside the CCTV sports channel studio, Zhang Heli immediately became a Kobe fanboy upon seeing Kobe score, showering him with praise.

After watching more than half a season of games, fans have become accustomed to Zhang He's commentary style and know that he is Kobe's number one fan.

For this reason, fans affectionately nicknamed him Wei Ping Bryant.