After the final buzzer, with the Knicks securing a tough win over the Nets, the postgame analysis immediately kicked off.
CCTV Studio – Beijing Broadcast
Zhang Heli leaned back in his chair, voice measured but impressed.
"Make no mistake—the Knicks won tonight, but it was no walk in the park. The Nets played their game. Their bigs stretched the floor and opened up driving lanes for Marbury, who torched New York for 32 points."
Su Qun nodded.
"In terms of floor spacing, the Nets are clearly ahead. Fordson doesn't have enough range, which limits the Knicks' ability to drive from the perimeter. The spacing just isn't the same."
Zhang added thoughtfully, "The Nets are pioneering a new interior style—pulling the big men away from the paint. It's a shift from the traditional 'camp-the-big-under-the-rim' style. If Zhao Dong weren't so mobile—able to keep up with Yao Ming all night—this could've gone the other way. It's no fluke they're now fourth in the East, right behind the Philly, the Knicks, and the Pacers."
Su Qun continued, "And it's not just the spacing. The Nets also run a heavy low-post offense through Yao. He's become a dual threat—inside-out—and it gives them flexibility against any matchup."
Zhang nodded again. "Exactly. Against dominant centers like O'Neal, they space the floor and attack from the outside. Against weaker interior defenses, they just let Yao feast in the post. That fadeaway jumper of his? Unblockable. He's already a killer on the low block."
---
Front Office Moves
Back in New York, Knicks GM Ernie Grunfeld was deep in thought.
The Knicks had a problem—an obvious one: the interior needed reinforcement.
Fordson could bang down low, but he couldn't shoot. That lack of floor-spacing limited the team's perimeter attacks. Zhao Dong was constantly dragging defenses to create lanes, but it couldn't just be him every game.
Ernie's eyes fell on Kurt Thomas, currently stuck behind Oakley and Rasheed Wallace in Chicago. A gritty, defensive-minded big. Get him, pair him with Fordson, slide Zhao Dong back to the small forward spot—it solved a lot.
Three birds with one stone:
1. Strengthen the interior rotation.
2. Shift Zhao Dong back to his natural position.
3. Move a three-guard starter to the bench to strengthen second-unit depth.
But there was a catch.
The Fordson–Kurt combo was all grit and no spacing. Offense would stagnate. Ernie needed a guy who could defend, score in the post, and stretch the floor. A rare unicorn—likely a star—and that meant high cost.
He flipped through every roster, every cap sheet.
Popovich had called—offering two role players for Manu Ginobili. Ernie shut that down immediately. Ginobili, despite being a rookie, had flashed brilliance and was on a dirt-cheap deal. Exactly what a contender needed.
Meanwhile, rumors swirled about Dikembe Mutombo. The Hawks might move him. Elite rim protector, rebounding machine. If they got him next to Zhao Dong, it would be an inside fortress.
But Mutombo's contract? Astronomical.
Owner James Dolan had already committed to paying $10 million in luxury tax for the year, but that was it. They couldn't afford Mutombo's ballooning salary, especially with Fordson and Stackhouse set to become free agents. Both were in their primes and would demand fat new deals.
Ernie sighed. He needed someone elite—but affordable.
Then a name popped up: Jamal Mashburn.
The Heat's starting small forward. Injury-prone, yes. But when healthy? All-Star-level talent. And best of all, expiring contract.
The Heat were fading. The Knicks had them pinned in the East. The Pelicans were rising, and the Pacers were surging. It might be time for Pat Riley to cash out.
Grunfeld opened his playbook—and changed the plan.
He wasn't trading Ginobili.
He was trading the Madman.
Latrell Sprewell, 29, locked into a $52 million deal with three years left. With Ginobili on the rise, there was no room for two shooting guards making big plays and bigger money.
Sprewell's value was still high. He was averaging over 20 a game with strong efficiency.
Stackhouse? Younger. More versatile. Cheaper.
The decision was made.
---
Trade Talks
December 2, 9:03 a.m. – Knicks Practice Facility
Ring… ring…
"Hey, Pat," Ernie said, leaning back in his chair, looking at the cap sheet.
On the other end, Pat Riley's voice came cool and direct.
"Ernie."
"I'm thinking of sending Sprewell for Mashburn. Straight swap."
There was a pause.
Mashburn had been Riley's go-to wing for years. Even when he had a shot at trading for McGrady, he kept Mashburn. But now?
Mashburn was on an expiring. And the Knicks were in position to make a Finals run. If he didn't move him now, he might lose him for nothing.
It didn't take long for reality to hit.
After Pat Riley heard the full terms of Sprewell's contract—five years, $52 million—he cooled off fast.
"No deal," Riley said flatly. "We're heading into a rebuild. I'm not locking myself into that kind of number. Besides…" he paused, "I never liked that choke-happy headcase anyway."
Click.
Another door slammed shut.
Grunfeld sighed and leaned back in his chair. He wasn't shocked. Riley was old-school, and Sprewell's past still haunted his rep.
Next, he tried the Chicago Bulls.
Nope. They had McGrady and Mobley already running the wings. "Too many guards, and we're not touching that contract," came the blunt reply.
Grunfeld's fingers tapped the desk anxiously. Every team saw it the same way: Sprewell's deal was poison. But Grunfeld wasn't done yet.
He phoned the Seattle SuperSonics, eyeing rookie Ron Artest.
"Sorry," came the GM's reply. "Coach doesn't want any distractions. We're passing."
Grunfeld cursed under his breath.
"Damn it. Is he gonna rot on our bench?"
Still, he had to admit: Sprewell wasn't exactly playing bad ball. His scoring dipped a little, but that was due to the Knicks' new three-guard rotation, not a decline in ability. He was still explosive. Still tough. If nothing else, they could ride out the season and shop him in the offseason.
But Grunfeld wanted cap space—now.
There was one more move left.
The Phoenix Suns.
He had been scouting them for weeks. Their two forwards—Rodney Rogers and rookie Shawn Marion—were exactly what New York needed.
Marion, just one month into his rookie year, was already flashing two-way potential. He averaged 9.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, and a block in just 25 minutes a game.
Rogers was a stretch-forward, capable of spacing the floor and switching on defense. He put up 13.8 points, 5.5 boards, and chipped in with playmaking and steals.
The bonus? Both had low salaries. Rogers was making just $2M. Marion, still on his rookie deal, was even cheaper.
Grunfeld packaged up an offer:
Sprewell for Rodney Rogers, Shawn Marion, Rex Chapman, and Kevin Johnson.
Chapman and KJ were throw-ins—veterans past their primes, plagued with injuries. Both were on expiring contracts. Grunfeld planned to waive them after the trade cleared.
---
Suns Front Office – Danny Ainge's Office
Danny Ainge, now four seasons deep as head coach of the Suns, sat behind his desk reviewing the proposal.
He knew what Sprewell brought—explosive scoring, tenacity, and playoff grit. He wasn't afraid of volatile personalities. He'd played with plenty of those in Boston.
With Nash evolving into a legit floor general, Hardaway at the three, and Robinson-Gugliotta in the paint, adding a gunner like Sprewell might push the Suns into serious playoff territory.
Ainge picked up the phone.
"Deal."
---
December 2 – 3:12 p.m. – Knicks Training Facility
Sprewell was mid-drill when the assistant coach waved him over.
"You're traded," he said quietly. "To the Suns."
Sprewell froze. "The hell?!"
His chest tightened. "Damn it! I don't wanna go to that desert!"
He turned toward the sideline where Zhao Dong was watching.
"Boss?" he asked, hopeful.
Zhao Dong exhaled and shook his head slowly. "It's business. If they say I'm gone tomorrow, I'm gone too."
Sprewell clenched his jaw. "Got it."
Zhao Dong walked up, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Listen, don't let the past follow you. No more wild stuff. Go play ball. Be a pro."
"…Yeah," Sprewell muttered, nodding.
---
Phoenix – Suns Practice Facility
Shawn Marion was halfway through defensive rotations when his name echoed across the gym.
"You're headed to New York."
Marion blinked. "Seriously?"
Traded. One month into his rookie season.
But surprisingly, he wasn't upset. Not at all.
New York? Bright lights. Bigger checks. Bigger stage. And most of all—Zhao Dong.
Marion had heard all the stories. Investments, endorsements, side hustles, and Jordan himself hanging out with Dong.
If you wanted to be somebody, you followed Zhao Dong.
"Heh…" Marion grinned wide, "Let's gooo!"
Next to him, Rodney Rogers chuckled. "I'm not mad either. Let's get this money."
Behind them, the locker room buzzed.
"Yo, you lucky!" Steve Nash called out. "You're going to the Mecca, man."
"Congrats, Rodney, rookie," another added. "You boys about to level up."
Morning of December 3 – Knicks Practice Facility
The private jet landed at JFK around noon. By 3 p.m., Shawn Marion and Rodney Rogers walked into the Knicks' practice facility for their first official session.
Zhao Dong had been waiting.
He greeted them calmly, but there was always presence in his silence. Both players, one a seasoned vet, the other a rookie with sky-high potential, addressed him with respect usually reserved for team owners.
"Boss," they said in unison.
Zhao Dong nodded. "Here, effort is mandatory. I don't care if it's a fast break, a closeout, or boxing out a rebound—every play is your last play. Defense is life. Understand?"
"Yes, Boss!" Marion and Rogers replied instantly.
He'd already done his homework. Rogers—solid shooter, but past his prime. Injuries had sapped some of his bounce. Marion—a whirlwind rookie with weird mechanics and a face only a mother could love, but the kid could jump out the gym.
Old Coach Nelson liked what he saw. That night, Marion was named starter at small forward. Rogers would come off the bench. The timing was perfect—they were playing at home against the Hawks.
---
Madison Square Garden – Knicks vs. Hawks
Marion was buzzing. He'd just been traded, and now, he was starting on a championship-caliber team. He couldn't believe his luck. Even Rogers, though benched, accepted his role with professionalism—he understood the assignment.
Zhao Dong's role was fluid now. With Sprewell gone, Coach Nelson had more flexibility. Against teams with weak interior defense, Zhao Dong would slide down to guard and let Ginobili come off the bench to stabilize the backcourt.
The Knicks won that game. But the real test came six days later.
---
December 9 – Knicks vs. Philly (NBC National Broadcast)
The stage was set. Two teams. Same record. One crown.
The Philly had snatched a win last time, knocking the Knicks out of first in both the Eastern Conference standings and the MVP race. Zhao Dong remembered. So did the entire Garden.
Starting Lineups:
76ers:
C: Theo Ratliff
PF: Karl Malone (The Mailman)
SF: George Lynch
SG: Allen Iverson
PG: Eric Snow
New York Knicks:
C: Zhao Dong
PF: Danny Fortson
SF: Shawn Marion
SG: Jerry Stackhouse
PG: Manu Ginobili
---
NBC Broadcast – Marv Albert and Doug Collins on the Call
Marv Albert's voice boomed over the intro package:
"Tonight at the Garden, a marquee matchup in the East! The surging New York Knicks, now armed with rookie sensation Shawn Marion, take on Allen Iverson's 76ers in a battle for conference supremacy!"
Doug Collins chimed in:
"Marv, the Knicks are betting on Marion's athleticism. Coach Nelson is bold—giving a rookie the start this early. But Marion has bounce, can hit the mid-range, and brings great help defense. The kid's raw, no doubt, but he's fearless."
Bill Walton, chiming in from the halftime desk, laughed:
"This is a guy who hasn't mastered the dribble, can't shoot the three, and has an unorthodox release—but somehow, he gets it done! He brings chaos, and chaos sometimes leads to wins!"
Matt Goukas added:
"Rodney Rogers is the safety valve off the bench, but with his injury history, Marion may become a fixture if he can stay consistent."
---
The Game
The Garden crowd roared from the jump. It was playoff energy in December.
Iverson came out firing—floaters, step-backs, pull-ups—dropping 16 in the first quarter alone.
But the Knicks answered with team ball.
Zhao Dong anchored the defense, patrolling the paint and switching onto guards when needed. Fortson banged bodies with Malone, and Stackhouse found his rhythm from mid-range.
Marion impressed early—slashing hard off-ball, throwing down a lob from Ginobili, and skying for two chase-down blocks.
The game stayed tight until the fourth quarter.
That's when Zhao Dong turned it up.
With five minutes left, he powered through Ratliff and dunked on Karl Malone with both hands. The Garden exploded.
Marv shouted, "Zhao Dong with the throwdown in traffic—YES, AND THE FOUL!"
The Knicks pulled away late and won by eight.
Final score: Knicks 98, Digital Team 90
The win pushed New York to 17–4, now tied with the 76ers Team, but ahead due to point differential—first in the East, and first in the league.
---
Postgame Reactions – NBC Studio
Bill Walton:
"The Knicks proved tonight that even with a depleted backcourt, they're deeper and more complete. Zhao Dong is playing MVP-level basketball, and Marion might just be the X-factor going forward."
Matt Goukas:
"This trade was a win for both sides. The Suns offloaded salary and added a veteran scorer in Sprewell. The Knicks got flexibility, youth, and depth. If Marion and Ginobili keep developing, they'll have cap space to re-sign Stackhouse and Fortson next year."
---
December 10 – Zhao Dong Watches Nets vs. Digital Team (On TV)
Zhao Dong watched from his lounge chair, notepad in hand.
Yao Ming was going head-to-head with Karl Malone and Theo Ratliff—the same frontcourt from last night.
And the rookie center delivered.
27 points on 52% shooting, 11 rebounds, 3 blocks.
Malone couldn't bully him. Ratliff couldn't outjump him. The Nets, powered by Yao's dominance, handed the Digital Team its second straight loss.
Now at 17–5, the 76ers Team fell half a game behind the Knicks.