Chapter 96: Steph Curry
Some teams even sent their general managers to scout the joint training sessions.
Among them were New York Knicks General Manager Donnie Walsh and Golden State Warriors General Manager Chris Mullin. Chris Mullin was reluctantly sent by old Nelson, who was adamant about acquiring both Lian Dao and Stephen Curry in this year's draft.
Nelson, known for his unorthodox methods, believed that Lian Dao and Curry could become the cornerstones of the Warriors for the next decade. Mullin found this prospect somewhat absurd, especially given the Warriors' position in the draft, which would require trading up to secure either player. Nelson's insistence and his bold statement that both players would be future cornerstones of the team left Mullin skeptical.
Mullin questioned whether two rookies could truly become like Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, or LeBron James—transformative players capable of leading a franchise to multiple championships. While Mullin had fewer reservations about Lian Dao, whose physical prowess was widely recognized, he was more doubtful about Curry. Curry's slender build and less physically imposing presence made him appear more like a high school player than a future NBA star.
Thus, Mullin was on-site to assess both players' potential.
Lian Dao also noticed Donnie Walsh among the crowd. Walsh had previously reached out to Lian Dao privately, discussing plans to rebuild the Knicks around him. The Knicks' owner, James Dolan, was frustrated with the team's poor performance, especially in the wake of the Isaiah Thomas scandal. Dolan had made it clear that the Knicks needed to make the playoffs within three years, or changes would be imminent. The team's consistent low performance had led to widespread criticism and fan calls to "Trade Boss Dolan."
Dolan had taken a keen interest in Lian Dao after watching his games and had instructed Walsh and the Knicks management to secure him if possible. With Dolan's mandate, the Knicks management was given the green light to pursue aggressive strategies to get Lian Dao.
Mike D'Antoni, the Knicks' coach, was also a fan of Lian Dao and embraced the team's new strategy of focusing on acquiring top talent. This approach led to an interesting dynamic: the Knicks were determined to win games to improve their draft position while simultaneously preparing to rebuild with Lian Dao as a cornerstone.
By the end of the regular season, the New York Knicks had achieved their worst record in history. With a dismal 19 wins and 63 losses, they ranked last in the Eastern Conference and second-to-last in the league. In contrast, the Wizards had managed one more win than in their previous worst season, and the Kings, despite their own poor performance, had the same record as before—17 wins and 65 losses.
The Knicks' poor performance was starkly evident even in their games against weaker teams. During a matchup with the Kings, despite fielding a full bench lineup, the Knicks couldn't secure a victory. The Kings themselves, although struggling, managed to edge out the Knicks in that game.
This abysmal season led to intense backlash from fans, with frustration boiling over into angry protests. Rotten vegetables and eggs were thrown onto the court in disgust.
Despite the off-court chaos and fan outrage, the Knicks remained focused on their long-term goal, largely ignoring the immediate criticism.
Amid the turmoil, a rumor began circulating on the internet: the Knicks' poor performance was a deliberate strategy to secure the No. 1 pick in the draft, aiming to select Lian Dao. This theory quickly gained traction and was widely shared and discussed, with fans and netizens speculating about the Knicks' intentions.
Although Lian Dao was well-known in New York, his fame had not yet reached widespread acclaim. However, his impressive performance in March Madness caught the attention of many, and perceptions shifted dramatically. Fans who were initially skeptical began to rally behind Lian Dao, praising the Knicks' supposed strategy and celebrating the prospect of his addition to the team.
Moreover, it emerged that Lian Dao had attended high school in New York, further fueling local enthusiasm. A popular post on social media read: "Welcome back to your hometown, Sickle!" It seemed that the Knicks' fanbase, despite their initial doubts, had embraced Lian Dao with open arms.
"Hey, Sickle!"
Lian Dao, lost in thought as he observed Donny Walsh deep in concentration, was startled by a familiar voice from behind.
Turning around, he saw the ever-energetic Stephen Curry. At just 21, Curry's youthful appearance made him look like a high school student, but his warm smile and friendly demeanor were unmistakable.
Lian Dao greeted Curry with a smile, appreciating his genuine personality. In his previous life, Curry had been one of Lian Dao's favorite players. Curry's skill on the court was unparalleled, but his character off the court also earned him admiration. Known for his leadership and scandal-free personal life, Curry and his wife Ayesha were often seen as a model couple.
"Your dunk is awesome, and your three-pointer is even more powerful," Curry said, his eyes lit with admiration. As someone with a renowned obsession with dunking, Curry's praise carried weight.
Lian Dao responded sincerely, "Your three-point shooting is incredible. I've seen your game footage, and it's clear how dominant you are from beyond the arc. My own three-point ability owes a lot to players like you."
Curry beamed at the compliment, clearly pleased that Lian Dao's praise was genuine. "Oh, no, no. I still have a lot to improve. You broke two NCAA three-point records this season—really impressive! By the way, I heard you set up a training camp. Can I join in the future?"
Curry's eagerness and slight embarrassment were endearing. Lian Dao extended his hand with a smile. "Of course, you're very welcome to join!"
Curry grasped Lian Dao's hand firmly, excited about the prospect of joining his training camp.
...
The two began a lively exchange about their basketball experiences and aspirations.
DeMar, observing from the sidelines, couldn't help but notice the ease between Lian Dao and Curry. Despite the fact that USC had never faced Davidson College and this was their first meeting, they interacted as if they were long-lost friends.
DeMar, who was introverted by nature, watched with a tinge of envy. He admired how effortlessly Lian Dao, an extrovert, could strike up conversations with anyone. It was a stark contrast to his own reserved demeanor, and he found himself wishing he could engage with others as effortlessly as Lian Dao did.
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