On the 10th and 11th, the Knicks swept the Bulls—home and away—taking full advantage of Chicago missing Rose.
After the second game, Thibodeau's face practically said, "We're in trouble," while D'Antoni looked as if he'd just walked out of a spa.
The same media that used to preach "defense wins championships" immediately pivoted, showering praise on offense instead. And Thibodeau? Reporters grilled him. Without Rose, the Bulls were averaging only 94 points per game—everyone wanted to know how a team could win with numbers like that.
The pattern never changes: winners get praised, losers get picked apart. Lin Yi couldn't help thinking—if this were his previous life, D'Antoni would've been roasted in New York. Now? Coach D's reputation was creeping up toward Popovich-level respect.
Some neutral fans even joked that D'Antoni's run-and-gun had single-handedly "saved the league."
Offense wins fans—that part never changes.
To be fair, Thibodeau did try adjusting, but if he had the same offensive creativity as he did defensive instincts, he wouldn't be Tom Thibodeau.
…
On the 13th, the Knicks beat the Bucks on the road, pushing their record to 54–4. Chris Paul picked up Eastern Conference Player of the Week: 27.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 7.2 assists.
It was Paul's first of the season, and he'd earned it—his shooting the past week had been absurd: 55.1% from the field, 60.2% from three.
Battier and Wilson Chandler, both back in the rotation, delivered solid minutes as well. Battier was timeless—you didn't need to worry about him. He was the definition of reliable.
As for Wilson Chandler, Lin Yi often joked he was one of his growing dynasty veterans. In the Knicks' locker room, he held more sway than Paul. That's seniority for you. Wilson had basically decided he'd follow Lin Yi everywhere for the rest of his career.
…
On the 14th, during a back-to-back in Washington, Lin Yi noticed Yi Jianlian had gotten noticeably darker and more muscular since they last met.
Yi was enjoying a healthy season—credit to the Wizards' plan.
Yi was playing well—11.7 points, 7.8 rebounds, 50.2% shooting, 36.7% from three. Wizards fans were even asking the coaching staff to give him more responsibility.
Truth was, playing as a stretch big was perfect for Yi Jianlian. His game was cleaner, simpler, and—most importantly—kept him healthy.
Plus, he had a great relationship with John Wall, which meant plenty of easy points.
Yi still envied Lin Yi's playoff position, though. The Wizards were tanking, again.
"Ah Lin… should I ask for a trade to a contender?"
Lin Yi immediately sensed his agent's fingerprints all over that idea.
"Lian, the Wizards just committed to you. Your reputation's rising here. And be honest—how many point guards in this league are as friendly as the big man, Wall?"
Yi Jianlian froze, then nodded hard. The logic hit him all at once. Why trade your BMW for a bicycle?
If Washington rebuilt properly, Yi wouldn't need to worry about the playoffs. And with Vucevic learning the same stretch-big system, the Wizards might actually be better than in Lin Yi's previous life.
Lin Yi suggested Yi finish the contract calmly and aim for one more from Washington, especially since the next deal would line up with the massive salary-cap jump. If things went well, Yi could land a solid payday.
Yi Jianlian agreed.
In truth, Yi wasn't incapable of playing in the NBA—his style just didn't stand out. In the league, everyone who sticks around is unique in some way. That's how you survive.
Kenyon Martin, for example, was underwhelming in the CBA—not because he was bad, but because the CBA didn't value what he brought. In that league, teams wanted high-volume scorers. In the NBA, there were too many of those. Without elite talent, you simply didn't last.
...
Wall had tried to stay one step ahead of Lin Yi before the game, but out on the court, there was no escaping him.
In the third quarter of the China Showdown between the Wizards and Knicks, Wall accelerated past Paul and readied a stylish floater. Just as the ball was leaving his hands, Lin Yi—the block maniac—slapped it away.
Getting blocked wasn't new to Wall; his speed was Ferrari-level, after all. But being stopped by Lin Yi felt… different.
Because after the block, Lin Yi, at the cost of a technical foul, wagged his finger at Wall.
"John, your floater might clear the rim, but it ain't clearing me!" Lin Yi called out, delivering a line fans would quote for years.
Wall bristled, frustrated. And Lin Yi's arsenal of mind games didn't stop there—cheerful jabs, theatrical gestures, even clever little sayings. Whenever Wall made a basket and tried to respond, Lin Yi was already gone, slipping away with impossible speed. Show off, then escape—that was Lin Yi's court philosophy.
On CCTV, Zhang Heli jumped in with his commentary: "Lin Yi blocks Wall! This is the 'Number One Pick Block.' The number one pick blocks the number one pick, and the number one pick gets the number one pick block from the number one pick!"
..
Back on the court, the Knicks dominated the Wizards, finishing 117–102. After the game, rookie Nikola Vucevic approached Lin Yi, autograph book in hand.
"Lin, you are incredible!" Vucevic exclaimed, giving him a thumbs-up.
Lin Yi nearly spat out his post-game snack.
Talk about getting your ass handed to you and complimenting it. This was the real masochist, not Lin.
...
By the 15th, the Knicks returned to New York. Lin Yi had finally completed the grueling one-on-one sessions with Tony Allen.
Now, he turned his attention to Tyson Chandler.
The Heat players, arriving in New York that day, were immediately plunged into Riley-style hell by Pat Riley, never suspecting the Knicks were running their own brand of torment.
In the Knicks' practice facility, a liberated Tony Allen looked at the groaning Chandler and grinned.
"Go on, Tyson! We're all rooting for you!"
...
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