Bab 143: The New York Times' Interview
After the Knicks' impressive victory over the Celtics, a surprising trade deal between the Knicks and the Utah Jazz was announced. The Jazz agreed to trade their 2010 first-round pick and their 2011 first-round pick in exchange for Al Harrington.
When Lian Dao heard about the deal, he was stunned. The idea that Al Harrington, a solid but not superstar player, could be worth two first-round picks seemed unbelievable to him. While such a move might make sense for a championship-contending team like the Jazz, it felt like a poor decision for a rebuilding team like the Knicks. Lian Dao couldn't help but wonder if the Knicks' management was making yet another questionable move.
He joked to himself that if the Knicks continued down this path, staying with the team might be a risky decision for his future. The management's decisions seemed toxic, and Lian Dao feared that if things didn't change, it could drag down his own career.
However, the reasoning behind the Jazz's decision became clear. The Jazz's 2010 first-round pick wasn't actually their own—it originally belonged to the Knicks. Back in 2004, the Jazz acquired the Knicks' 2010 first-round pick in a trade involving Tom Gugliotta. So, in essence, the Knicks were getting back what they had lost years ago.
The Knicks had a history of mortgaging their future by trading away draft picks for short-term gains. Unlike teams like the Lakers, Celtics, and Warriors, who often focused on rebuilding through the draft, the Knicks were known for trying to quickly improve through trades. Unfortunately, this strategy often backfired, as many players who came to New York were more interested in the city's spotlight and lucrative contracts than in building a winning team.
These players typically lacked a strong sense of belonging or pride in the team, which is one of the reasons the Knicks struggled to rebuild successfully in the past.
However, the situation this season was different. The Knicks had started the season on fire, winning 12 of their first 13 games. With such a strong start, the value of their 2010 draft pick wasn't particularly high. Meanwhile, the Jazz had recently undergone an ownership change following the passing of longtime owner Larry Miller. His son, who had taken over, was still getting a handle on team management. Seeing that most of the Jazz's management supported the trade, he approved it, leading to the deal's finalization.
From the Knicks' perspective, the trade was a clear win. Historically, Al Harrington did not re-sign with the Knicks after the 2009-2010 season, instead joining the Denver Nuggets on a five-year, $33.44 million contract. So, the Knicks were able to use Harrington's final season to secure two first-round picks, a move that could pay dividends in their long-term rebuilding efforts.\
Originally, Lian Dao thought that trading Al Harrington for one first-round pick would be a good deal, but he was shocked when the Knicks managed to get two first-round picks—especially since one of them was the Knicks' own 2010 first-round pick, which they had previously traded away.
Since the Knicks' unexpected victory over the championship-favorite Boston Celtics, the media has been more cautious in underestimating them. The Knicks had been consistently proving doubters wrong, starting with their impressive start to the season. After a loss to the Jazz, many speculated that Lian Dao had hit the "rookie wall," predicting a losing streak for the Knicks. Instead, the team responded with a four-game winning streak, with Lian Dao averaging over 30 points per game during that stretch.
When the Knicks were set to face the Celtics again, the media once more predicted a defeat. However, the Knicks took the game to overtime and secured another victory. With their next matchup against the Los Angeles Lakers, the media found themselves in a tough spot. Their previous predictions had backfired, leading to criticism from fans who questioned their professionalism. This left the media hesitant to make any more bold predictions about the Knicks, opting instead to simply report on the Knicks' recent success.
The upcoming game against the Lakers was highly anticipated. The league clearly held the Knicks in high regard, scheduling them to face the Celtics and Lakers—two of the strongest teams over the past few years—in back-to-back matchups. The Lakers, who had been dominant, were considered a stronger team than the Celtics at this point. After losing Trevor Ariza in the offseason, the Lakers signed Ron Artest, signaling their determination to win another championship.
As for Lian Dao, he had been a standout player in the NCAA while playing in Los Angeles. The Lakers, however, had no interest in developing rookies at the time; they needed immediate contributors. Even the rookies they drafted were traded to the Knicks. No one anticipated that Lian Dao would have such a dominant start to his rookie season, showing an unstoppable drive from the very beginning.
Lakers General Manager Mitch Kupchak admitted in an interview that he had no regrets about passing on Lian Dao. The Lakers were focused on the present, and the pressure to win another championship was immense. If they had gambled on Lian Dao and it didn't work out, it could have jeopardized their title hopes and Mitch's job.
The Lakers were on a four-game winning streak and were in excellent form, having consistently beaten the Knicks in their recent meetings. The Knicks vs. Lakers game was a marquee matchup, not necessarily because of the competitive balance between the teams, but due to the fact that both were from major markets with huge fanbases. This game was set to be nationally televised, drawing attention from across the country.
Before the highly anticipated game against the Lakers, Lian Dao had a couple of days free, during which he accepted an interview with the New York Times. Given the paper's generally positive coverage of him since he joined the Knicks, Lian Dao saw no reason to decline the interview.
Even after the Knicks' loss to the Jazz, the New York Times had been one of the few media outlets to provide a thoughtful analysis of Lian Dao's performance, rather than simply criticizing the team.
During the interview, the reporter asked, "How did you manage to lead the Knicks to two consecutive victories right at the start of your NBA career?"
Lian Dao responded modestly, "It's all about the unity and cooperation among teammates. We trust each other on the court. Without their help, winning wouldn't be possible. And of course, Coach D'Antoni's tactical arrangements have been spot on, allowing us to maximize our strengths. Most importantly, the support from the fans has been incredible, pushing us to chase victory!"
His answer, while official and courteous, was sincere in crediting his success to his teammates, coaches, and the Knicks' fans.
The reporter, sensing that Lian Dao was giving polished responses, pressed further. "What's your secret to making such rapid progress?"
This question echoed the curiosity of many, as Lian Dao's rise in the NBA had been meteoric. If the progress of top NBA talents was like driving a sports car, Lian Dao's was akin to riding a rocket.
Lian Dao replied thoughtfully, "It's all about training—treating it like a passion. In ancient China, a thinker named Han Yu said, 'Professionalism is based on diligence, waste is not in play; action is accomplished in thinking, and ruined in casualness.' This means that mastery comes through hard work, while laziness leads to waste. Success comes from deliberate effort, while carelessness brings failure. Only through rigorous training can you truly realize your potential. Otherwise, talent will always remain just that—potential, not actual strength."
The reporter, impressed by his philosophical outlook, couldn't help but applaud. Although she didn't fully understand the Chinese proverb Lian Dao quoted, his explanation made it clear that it was profound. His final statement especially resonated with her—talent without hard work remains just talent, never becoming true strength.
Having interviewed many NBA stars, the reporter had seen her share of talented players who squandered their potential through carelessness and indulgence. Lian Dao's words struck a chord with her, reaffirming the importance of hard work in turning potential into actual success.
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