Basketball: The Path to the Extraordinary

Lian Dao assessed his abilities and found that they were basically in line with his expectations. Even without a ready-made system, with his physique, he was capable of entering the NBA with targeted training.

His wingspan and ball-handling skills are at the NBA Hall of Fame level, and his court vision is close to superstar level. His three-point shooting potential is comparable to that of NBA rookies. His lateral movement, athleticism, ball-handling, passing, mid-range shooting, and defense are all at the level of an NBA reserve player. However, while other aspects are excellent in the minor leagues, they have not yet reached the standard of an NBA reserve player.

In summary, with targeted training, he could reach the level of an NBA reserve player, and might even become a starter on some weaker teams. However, his injury assessment shows that he has not reached NBA standards, not even reaching the second division level, and is currently closer to the level of an amateur league player.

Before his rebirth, Lian Dao was forced to leave the NCAA due to injuries. Now, according to the data provided by the system, injuries remain the biggest obstacle for him after his rebirth.

This realization left Lian Dao feeling incredibly frustrated, as if a bucket of cold water had been poured over his ambitions. But he immediately thought of the "golden finger" he had just acquired, believing that this system held the key to changing his destiny.

"System, is there any way to improve my injury recovery ability?" Lian Dao asked anxiously, seeking an answer.

The system replied: "Talent templates can be obtained through quest rewards and other means, but your current level is insufficient to acquire them."

Hearing that it might be possible to change his injury-prone constitution, Lian Dao breathed a sigh of relief.

"Open the gift pack!" Lian Dao shouted without hesitation. He remembered that he still had two unopened gift packs, so he quickly sent a request to the system and waited expectantly.

[The New Player Gift Pack is now open. Congratulations, host, you have obtained Stephen Curry's S+ level three-point shooting skill and its cap, an S-level strength boost card, 20 defensive skill points, a strength training effect 4x bonus card (lasts 24 hours), and a full skill training effect 2x bonus card (lasts one month). The Compensation Gift Pack is now open. Congratulations, host, you have obtained Andre Miller's S-level damage prevention skill: Endurance Standby. All gift packs are now open.]

A series of notification sounds rang out, and Lian Dao was overjoyed, carefully examining the skill he had just acquired. The system had rewarded him with Andre Miller's astonishing injury resilience, which dispelled his previous worries about his injury risks. Although Andre Miller wasn't as well-known as some NBA stars, his long career, including a record of playing 632 consecutive games, earned him the reputation of an "NBA miracle." At the age of 34, he even scored 51 points on 22-of-31 shooting in a single game, a truly remarkable feat. Andre's injury resilience was exactly what Lian Dao needed at this crucial stage of his life.

Stephen Curry's superb three-point shooting skills rewrote NBA history and left an indelible mark on basketball history. At the time of his rebirth, Curry's career three-point shooting percentage had climbed to 43.2%, and he broke the record with 2974 three-pointers, surpassing legendary star Ray Allen.

Despite obtaining the maximum S-level strength card, strength remains Lian Dao's main weakness, affecting his physical confrontation ability and his performance in defense, blocking, and other areas.

After using the Limit Up Card, all of Lian Dao's skills were improved, with the most significant increase in defense. The increase in strength threshold allowed him to more effectively utilize his height and wingspan advantage, directly enhancing his defensive capabilities.

To make full use of these advantages, Lian Dao immediately allocated the 20 defensive skill points he had acquired.

Thinking of this, Lian Dao couldn't help but feel excited. Although the reward card that increased the strength training effect by 4 times was only valid for 24 hours and could be paused, its clever use was enough to make up for his current lack of strength. Moreover, if he combined it with the reward card that increased the effect of all skill training by 2 times for a month, which could not be paused but whose effects could be stacked, his strength training efficiency would increase to six times the usual amount.

Such rapid growth prospects filled Lian Dao with both confidence and determination for the future. Therefore, he did not hesitate to issue an instruction to the system: "Absorb all available skills."

"state".

Host: Lian Dao "Scythe"

Position: Small Forward

Current number of jerseys owned: 0

Birthday: December 15, 1990

Height: 203 cm (potential 205 cm)

Wingspan: 223 cm

Weight: 82 kg

Vertical Jump: 46 (Potential 62)

Strength: 41 (Potential 63 → 94)

Sprint speed: 42 (potential 54)

Lateral speed: 65 (potential 72)

Agility: 53 (potential 73)

Endurance: 52 (potential 64)

Vision: 86 (potential 93)

Basketball IQ: 98

Skills assessment (current/potential):

Possession: 73 (78)

Passes: 64 (79)

Breakthrough: 47 (62)

Final score: 51 (69 → 74)

Mid-range shooting: 50 (73)

Three-pointers: 74 → 90 (81 → 97)

Rebounds: 52 (64 → 73)

Defense: 54 → 74 (72 → 89)

Injury resistance: 40 → 93

Note: Completing tasks in the NBA talent pipeline system can raise your talent ceiling; physical attributes can be gradually improved to reach your current talent level through rigorous training—the values ​​in parentheses represent your potential ceiling.

Lian Dao noticed that his strength and injury resilience had reached the level of an NBA superstar, while his scoring and rebounding abilities under the basket had reached the level of an NBA reserve player. Furthermore, his defensive capabilities had also improved to the level of an NBA starting player.

"Hmm?" Lian Dao checked the three-point shooting talent with a puzzled look. "Is there something wrong with the system? Shouldn't the three-point shooting skill and talent both be at S+ level? Why is the strength only S level?"

[The system is error-free. Currently, only NBA players' talents, skills, and templates from before 2012 are unlocked. Stephen Curry's three-point shooting ability in 2012 was rated 90, with a three-point shooting talent ceiling of 97. Please do not question the system.]

As the authoritative voice from the system ended, Lian Dao understood the reason. Curry's peak three-point shooting season was 2015-16, when he attempted 886 shots, making 402 for a 45.4% success rate. However, the Warriors also narrowly lost to the Cavaliers in that season's Finals, failing to defend their title.

In contrast, during the 2011-12 season, Curry attempted 272 three-pointers, making 55 for a 45.5% success rate. This was his most efficient shooting period in his career before his resurgence. However, it was clear that Curry had not yet fully realized his potential at that time.

Although Lian Dao's three-point shooting rating didn't reach 97, a score of 90 is more than enough for his current needs. Considering the limited emphasis on three-pointers in the NBA during the 2008-09 season, and even in the NCAA college basketball league, this improvement is a significant leap forward.

In addition, he received two training reward cards, which will help him significantly improve his strength through rigorous training.

With that in mind, Lian Dao stopped worrying about the details of the system.

"Hey buddy, why is it so quiet? Warm-up time's almost over. Ready for a one-on-one fight? Or are you scared?" DeRozan's taunt snapped Lian Dao out of his focus on the system and made him exit the system interface.

"Afraid of challenges?" Lian Dao assessed his physical condition and his confidence immediately soared.

Despite his current accuracy in three-point shooting and solid ball-handling, Lian Dao believes that this is sufficient to deal with DeRozan. While there is still room for improvement in strength, he is currently at a basic level and requires extensive training to reach S-level.

"Hey, are you sure you're not out of your mind? You think you can beat me?" DeRozan flexed his muscles like a bodybuilder, emphasizing pure physical strength.

Lian Dao glanced at his own slender figure and couldn't help but swallow, feeling a pang of envy. Despite being 203 centimeters tall, he weighed only 82 kilograms—compared to DeRozan's imposing physique, he was practically a bamboo pole.

Considering that his strength rating is only E, below the NCAA standard, Lian Dao knows that gaining weight and increasing strength are the most important tasks at present.

[System Beginner Mission: Win the upcoming 1v1 duel! Rewards include: Sprint Speed ​​Limit +10, 20 Training Stamina Recovery Potions; no penalty for failure. Accept mission?]

"I accept," he replied, his focus hardening. He knew that winning this duel was not only about proving himself to DeRozan, but also about gaining a valuable reward that would improve his strength.

If Lian Dao had been relatively polite to DeRozan before, his attitude completely changed after accepting the mission. He knew that getting possession of the ball on the first possession would give him a slight advantage. After dribbling to a position about one meter from the three-point line, Lian Dao noticed that DeRozan's defensive positioning was inside the three-point line, leaving him a lot of space.

At that moment, DeRozan stood less than two meters away from Lian Dao, carefully analyzing his opponent's previous shooting habits. Although he knew that Lian Dao had a high shooting percentage near the three-point line, he had never seen him attempt a long-range shot.

Lian Dao's eyes locked onto the basket, and he got into position. He gently released the ball, which spun through the air towards the rim. DeRozan was caught off guard by the long-range shot and rushed forward to block it, but he was too late.

Swish! The ball cleanly pierced the net, the crisp sound echoing throughout the court. Lian Dao, emboldened by this successful shot, turned and grinned at DeRozan.

"One to zero," Lian Dao said, his tone carrying a hint of competition.

DeRozan was clearly surprised by the shot, nodding with a hint of mockery. "Not bad. Let's see what else you've got up your sleeve."

So he picked up the ball, ready to respond to Lian Dao's challenge.