Fifty-eight points—that was Lin Yi's fourth-highest career score. Still, he couldn't hide his satisfaction; breaking the scoring record at the United Center tonight made his performance feel complete.
Meanwhile, Noah's humbling plan had clearly flopped tonight. Even after the final buzzer, he was still fired up, but Lin Yi knew better than to judge him too harshly.
After the game, the media swarmed Thibodeau with questions.
Could he have expected Lin Yi to shatter the United Center scoring record?
The coach looked like he'd just run into a wall. Finally, he admitted, "I feel like we've angered a monster. Every time Lin scores, I get nervous. Honestly… how does he do it? How does he keep scoring? Next time the Knicks come here, we'll double-team him for sure."
It was a mix of awe and frustration—half-professional courtesy, half-real fear. Losing coaches often praise the victors because disparaging them only highlights your own failure.
Reporters, sensing a good story, asked Lin Yi why he'd brought up the scoring record to Thibodeau at the start of the game. Lin Yi grinned. "I wanted to give Joakim a pair of my Death shoes—his defense was unreal tonight. Almost had me collapsing a few times. But I remembered my idol's saying: if someone wants to make me fall, I'll make them fall first. That's why I told Coach I was last season's scoring champ."
Lin Yi wasn't shy about showing confidence. He knew when to step into that Conqueror's aura, even in interviews.
And Noah?
He got props, too. The higher Lin Yi praised Noah, the more impressive his own 58 points looked. Kind of like how Isiah Thomas became Jordan's biggest fan after retirement—admiration grows when your opponent is truly great. Or how Kobe praised Tony Allen and Shane Battier. The best scorers need elite defenders as foils; without them, your status feels hollow.
Seeing Lin Yi in a playful mood, reporters tried to bait him. "Lin, Barkley said scoring comes as easily as drinking water for you. Are you the best scorer in the league now?"
Lin Yi smirked. "Well… since it's night, I can answer—yes. I'm the best scorer in this league."
The reporters blinked. "Why 'at night'?"
"Daytime's for practice," Lin Yi said smoothly. "Nighttime's for dreaming."
No one tried to argue after that. Lin Yi didn't make enemies lightly.
This season, he knew the Bulls and Knicks wouldn't meet in the playoffs anyway. Even a strong Bulls team couldn't get past the Heat. And if the Bulls somehow made that matchup, Lin Yi didn't mind—they couldn't rely on defense alone in today's game. Modern basketball was about offense, not just stifling the other team.
After the postgame press, Lin Yi checked in with Derrick Rose. Since their All-Star Game chemistry last year, Rose had opened up to him more than almost anyone. Lin Yi's advice was simple: "Derrick, don't overdo it. There's a saying in China: Health is the capital of revolution. You've got the present and the future—take care of both."
Lin Yi suggested selective rest, knowing Rose might listen… or not. After all, even a rose wilts not because someone plucked it, but because its season has passed.
...
Lin Yi's question to Thibodeau that night quickly became the talk of the internet. Fans were buzzing, dissecting every word. Lin Yi couldn't help but think: if Bird had played in this era, with his flair for showing off, he'd have amassed legions of fans.
Sometimes Lin Yi even wondered if Bird came with a built-in show-off mode that only leveled up every time he pulled something spectacular.
After defeating the Bulls, the Knicks returned to New York. D'Antoni, as usual, gave the team a day off. March in the NBA was pure chaos—March Madness wasn't just for the NCAA—and even strong teams were falling left and right. Yet somehow, the Knicks stayed steady.
On the 13th, Lin Yi spent the morning at home playing a few rounds of LOL with Olsen. The S2 World Championship was already in the works, and Lin Yi reminded Alexander Wang, who was coordinating the finals and to make sure the equipment was all set, especially the internet.
After all, in Lin Yi's previous life, if WE hadn't had their connection cut, Big Curly's Blitzcrank might have carried the team. In this life, Lin Yi was effectively the behind-the-scenes boss of Riot Games—he didn't want to suffer the same fate as the company if Chinese players cursed them.
What surprised Lin Yi even more was that Durant had called him that day.
That's weird… didn't James say Kevin considered me a thorn in his side? Lin Yi thought. They'd exchanged numbers before but had never texted, let alone called.
Turns out Durant was in a real bind. "You mean, when you play mid, you always get completely wrecked by Twisted Fate?" Lin Yi asked, looking up at the ceiling. He couldn't help but think: Shouldn't Hayward be the NBA's top gamer now?
These days, Lin Yi often got calls from star players seeking LOL advice, and the media has reported on his high-level skills.
Durant nodded. "Yeah… Russell usually wants to play ADC, and he's just as lost."
Twisted Fate was brutal in S2. After a moment, Lin Yi said, "Kevin, you only play normals, right? If you can't beat Twisted Fate, why not play Twisted Fate yourself?"
Durant: "Huh… that actually makes some sense!"
Exactly. If you can't beat him, join him.
After some small talk, Durant hung up and immediately tried practicing Twisted Fate.
Lin Yi grinned to himself: Does this count as turning an enemy into a friend?
Back to the present: after a morning of gaming, Lin Yi and Olsen decided to go out shopping. New York was bustling.
He hopped into his BMW X5—license plate IPX-128—and Olsen followed. She wanted to drive, but Lin Yi refused firmly. He'd seen Olsen's backing skills, and he wasn't about to risk it.
Olsen pouted. "You don't trust me at all!"
Lin Yi shook his head. "It's not distrust—it's for both our safety!"
Olsen crossed her arms dramatically. "I won't listen. You're heartless, cruel… cold."
Lin Yi, knowing what she needed, basically scooped her out of her seat and sat her on his lap and began...
...
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