Preseason opener: Lakers vs. Clippers. Lin Mo tried to mimic LeBron—calling plays, slapping backs, but his voice felt forced. Dalton, starting at small forward, took 15 shots (made 4) and ignored Lin Mo's hand signals.
Final score: 122-108, Clippers.
In the locker room, Dalton tossed his jersey. "This offense sucks. We need to run more."
Lin Mo stood. "We need to pass more. You had three guys open on that last play."
"Whatever, old man," Dalton said, shouldering past him.
Coach pulled Lin Mo aside. "LeBron didn't win over rookies by arguing. He won 'em by proving he cared more about the win than stats." He nodded at Dalton's stall, where a photo of a little girl—his sister, Lin Mo remembered from draft night—sat on the shelf. "Find the thread that connects him to the team."