Chương 130: Displaying Training Results
Lian Dao paused to watch J.J. Hickson struggle to get up after his shot, the look on his face was one of sheer determination.
Hickson, still sitting on the floor, glanced at Lian Dao with a mix of embarrassment and frustration.
"This guy definitely did that on purpose," Hickson thought to himself. "He just wanted to make me look foolish. Why else would he stop and stare at me?"
There were only 12 seconds left in the first quarter.
The Cavaliers attempted a rushed shot, but it missed.
The Knicks ended the first quarter with a solid eight-point lead, 30-22.
Meanwhile, in Miami, Dwyane Wade was watching the live broadcast of the Knicks and Cavaliers game on TV.
As the first quarter concluded, the highlights of Lian Dao's performance flashed on the screen.
A steal from LeBron James, followed by an incredible dunk.
A towering volleyball block on James' shot.
Grabbing J.J. Hickson's shot out of midair.
Taking off from the free-throw line for a show-stopping dunk.
Shaking Hickson to the floor and casually draining a three-pointer.
"Where did this guy come from? How is he this good?" Wade muttered to himself.
"I warned LeBron to be careful with this guy, but it seems he didn't take it seriously. If LeBron slips up again..."
The thought sent a shiver down Wade's spine.
If LeBron faltered, the only top contender left would be Carmelo Anthony.
But what if Carmelo Anthony struggled too?
Wade quickly shook his head. "No way," he thought. He knew all too well the offensive prowess of Carmelo Anthony—a true offensive juggernaut.
Plus, the Nuggets had a strong lineup this year. They shouldn't have any trouble against the Knicks.
But then, Wade realized something unsettling—since when did he start hoping for others to take care of his competition? Was he actually intimidated by this rookie?
Wade found himself lost in thought.
He laughed it off. "No matter how good he is, he's still a rookie. He needs time to develop. The Knicks' No. 1 isn't likely to be my biggest obstacle on the road to the championship."
Back at Madison Square Garden, the second quarter was underway, and both teams had brought in their rotation players.
Lian Dao was on the bench, taking a well-deserved rest.
LeBron James was also sitting out.
Though James was known as a physical powerhouse, the first quarter had taken its toll.
Both Lian Dao and James had expended a tremendous amount of energy.
On both ends of the court, they were engaged in a fierce battle—James, in particular, had to carry the Cavaliers' offense almost single-handedly, which drained him even more.
Even a physical specimen like James needed to recharge, especially with the second half looming, where the game would be decided.
As for the Knicks' bench, their best defender was the 31-year-old Larry Hughes, but he was well past his prime. His speed had diminished, and his footwork had slowed, leaving his defensive abilities a shadow of what they once were.
Nate Robinson, Larry Hughes, Danilo Gallinari, Al Harrington, and Darko Milicic took the floor for the Knicks as their bench lineup entered the game.
The Cavaliers responded with their own bench squad: Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Jamario Moon, J.J. Hickson, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas, known as "Big Z."
The Cavaliers' lineup had a clear defensive edge, with a solid combination of size and agility. On the other hand, the Knicks' advantage was on offense, particularly with Al Harrington providing firepower off the bench.
In the second quarter, the two teams exchanged baskets, neither able to pull away. The Cavaliers, typically reliant on their bench to maintain any lead built by the starters, found themselves struggling to close the gap due to a lack of offensive firepower.
Five minutes into the second quarter, Cavaliers coach Mike Brown decided to bring LeBron James back into the game. The Knicks countered by substituting Lian Dao back in as well.
Darko Milicic was taken out, moving Al Harrington to center and shifting Danilo Gallinari to power forward.
On Lian Dao's first possession, he called for a pick-and-roll, driving hard to the basket before suddenly stopping and pulling up for a shot.
Big Z immediately jumped, anticipating a layup and eager to swat it away. However, just as he left his feet, he realized he'd been baited—Lian Dao hadn't actually taken off.
The shot attempt was a fake.
Despite his age, Big Z's instincts kicked in. He landed quickly and prepared to jump again, determined to block Lian Dao's next move.
But Lian Dao, displaying remarkable composure, faked another layup, causing Big Z to lose his defensive position entirely. With a smooth, fluid motion, Lian Dao then rose off both feet and slammed the ball through the hoop.
"Oh, look at those dream-like footwork!" exclaimed Charles Barkley, stunned by what he had just witnessed. "This kid knows Olajuwon's moves. They may not be perfect yet, but his fakes are definitely reminiscent of the Dream."
"He still has so much more to show," Barkley continued. "To be honest, this kid has surprised me over and over in this game."
As someone who played alongside Hakeem Olajuwon late in his career, Barkley was well-acquainted with the legendary footwork. He knew how deadly those moves could be, and while many players in the league had tried to mimic Olajuwon, very few had even come close to mastering them.
Even Yao Ming hadn't reached Olajuwon's level.
Of course, Lian Dao wasn't on Olajuwon's level either—not yet. But he had grasped a glimpse of the essence of those moves.
Lian Dao's ability to execute such a move didn't mean he was already an elite inside player, but it was clear that he had been working on his inside game. Though still rough around the edges, his inside offensive skills were beginning to take shape.
This was the result of Lian Dao's hard work over the summer. It was the first time he had used the move in an NBA game, and the results were promising. At the very least, he had fooled Big Z.
Big Z, hands on his hips, looked at the rookie in disbelief. He hadn't expected to be outplayed like this by a newcomer.
In Big Z's mind, LeBron James was almost the definition of an all-around player. But here was someone who seemed even more versatile.
For the Cavaliers, the chemistry between Big Z and James was impeccable. Big Z's mid-range shooting opened up the floor for James, allowing the Cavaliers' offense to flow smoothly.
During the minutes that both Lian Dao and James were on the court, James led a steady comeback, chipping away at the Knicks' lead.
Most notably, the Knicks' interior defense was getting dismantled by the 34-year-old veteran, Big Z. Lian Dao hadn't expected the aging center to still be so formidable inside.
Moreover, the chemistry between LeBron and Big Z was flawless, something that wasn't always present when O'Neal was on the floor.
By the end of the first half, neither team had managed to pull ahead. The score was tied at 56:56.
In the first half, Lian Dao focused more on defense and playmaking, attempting 13 shots, of which he made 9, including 3 of 4 from beyond the arc. He also hit 3 of 5 free throws, finishing the half with an impressive stat line: 21 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds.
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