NBA: Jordan at His Peak, Kobe's Lifelong Rival

Duke returns to 1996 and gets a peak Jordan template from the start. He goes to try out for the Philadelphia 76ers, just as Kobe, the star player at Lower Merion High School, is riding high after beating Stackhouse in a one-on-one game.

Kobe: Who's next?

"Go on, this is your chance. Show them what the Jordan template can do!"

"Beat him, and you'll get 20 talent and 50 ability!"

Egged on by the System, Duke steps forward and cleanly defeats Kobe, leaving everyone staring in stunned silence.

The whole arena is shocked!

Shaq: Why did Logo trade for Kobe instead of Mark? He owes me several championships.

Jordan: I came back in '95, but not entirely. He stole two championships from me.

Kobe: Ever since he beat me in that one-on-one game, he's been my lifelong rival!

This novel and its characters are entirely fictional. Any resemblance is purely coincidental. Do not imitate.