Chương 136: Team Atmostphere
After defeating the Bucks, Lian Dao delivered an impressive performance, scoring 54 points, dishing out 12 assists, grabbing 11 rebounds, blocking 4 shots, and making 3 steals—all in just three quarters. This marked another incredible triple-double for him.
Lian Dao's recent form has been remarkable, as he surpassed 40 points in three consecutive games, including one game where he scored over 60 points and another where he scored over 50. His astounding performance has made him the hottest player in the league, despite having played only seven games.
The media couldn't get enough of him, even jokingly referring to the Knicks as a "wolf" team. However, his reputation took a hit after he injured two players in just seven games, which garnered significant media attention. During the post-game press conference, he was asked about his behavior in the previous game.
Responding to the most frequently asked question about whether his actions were intentional, Lian Dao insisted, "I had absolutely no deliberate intention. I understand that injuries are the biggest enemy for players, so I never use small moves in defense. The injuries to O'Neal and Bogut were purely accidental; they were just guilty of malicious fouls that led to their own injuries."
"Honestly, I never intended to harm anyone; I was merely defending myself! If someone tries to take me down, I can't just sit back and let it happen. My creed is: blood for blood, tooth for tooth," he declared confidently.
The reporters were left speechless, unable to find any evidence of malicious intent in the game footage. Meanwhile, many media outlets had no way to refute his statements.
Back in the locker room after the press conference, Lian Dao's teammates could hardly contain their amusement.
"Sickle, did you really cause Bogut to break three ribs? He's out for most of the season because of you!" Millsap whispered, approaching Lian Dao.
Despite his low tone, the confined space of the locker room meant that everyone could hear, straining to catch Lian Dao's response.
Lian Dao shook his head vigorously, saying, "Paul, you can eat whatever you want, but be careful with your words—I might sue you for slander!"
"I didn't do anything! I just dunked, and he fouled me maliciously. You saw it too—he hurt himself when he committed that foul!" Wilson Chandler chimed in, trying to clarify the situation.
It was true: Bogut had initiated the foul, and Lian Dao simply added power to his dunk. Was it really a foul if the dunk was too strong? It seemed unjustifiable for Bogut to be hurt during his own malicious foul.
"Well, he got what he deserved. That guy is truly infuriating. Sickle showed restraint and didn't throw a punch after landing! Still, that kind of personality might lead to trouble; I'll step in if needed next time!" Chandler added.
"Why does it seem like all the centers fall to Sickle? Is he some kind of center killer?" Chandler mused. "That can't be right—Yao is also a center, and I heard they have a good relationship."
Within moments, Chandler's imagination had run wild.
"David, do you think Sickle has some strange obsession with skulls and ribs?" Wilson whispered to David Lee.
David looked puzzled at first but quickly realized the implication. It seemed that since Lian Dao joined the league, many players who faced him had ended up with concussions or rib injuries.
"Wilson, shut your mouth, or I'll collect your teeth!" Lian Dao said, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Dude, have you really created your own fan club? And what's with this bone collector theme?" he thought to himself, exasperated.
Realizing the absurdity of the situation, Wilson immediately mimicked zipping his lips, while the rest of the players continued to pack their belongings, laughing at the antics of Lian Dao.
The next day, they flew back to New York. Lian Dao emerged from the airport in a sharp suit, drawing immediate attention from a large crowd of fans. They rushed toward him, holding signs that displayed both his English name and his Chinese name, and many were girls, some of whom were quite attractive. Most wore Knicks jerseys featuring Lian Dao's No. 1, while a few sported David Lee's No. 42.
"Sickle, please sign for me! I'm your fan!"
"Sickle, you're amazing!"
"When will your exclusive sneakers be released?"
"Sickle!"
Millsap, Wilson Chandler, David Lee, Chris Duhon, and Danilo Gallinari formed a protective barrier around Lian Dao, effectively stabilizing the crowd. Their presence was intimidating enough to restore order, allowing fans to approach him more calmly, handing over notebooks for autographs.
Fortunately, there were no incidents like Abby Hornacek's previous encounter this time. Lian Dao noted that Abby hadn't been around for a while; her social media suggested she was now interested in the captain of the school rugby team. Lian Dao, accustomed to the openness of American girls from his previous life, felt indifferent about this.
Among the fans, some girls slipped notes into their notebooks with contact information and invitations for "a wonderful night." Lian Dao, finding them attractive, chose to ignore the implications and simply signed his name in Chinese and his English abbreviation.
Lian Dao was aware of the potential pitfalls of celebrity fandom; he had seen how some celebrities had faced trouble due to overly enthusiastic fans in his previous life. He didn't want to be another cautionary tale.
After signing autographs, Lian Dao finally managed to break free from the crowd and boarded the bus with his teammates.
Millsap looked at him with envy. "Sickle, when will I have so many fans?"
After these few games, the bond between the team had deepened.
Wilson Chandler joked, "Paul, that's just not going to happen for you!"
Millsap retorted playfully, "Wilson, you're one to talk! You really think you can do any better?"
"Shit, I'm the little prince of nightclubs in New York; there are never fewer than two girls around me!"
"Veteran, keep dreaming!" Millsap shot back.
"My house is reserved!" Wilson declared arrogantly.
Lian Dao and Danilo Gallinari exchanged amused glances, enjoying the banter. Suddenly, both turned their attention to Lian Dao and Danilo, particularly focusing on the latter.
As the leader of the team, Lian Dao was too formidable to offend, but Danilo Gallinari, a rookie in his second year, was still fair game.
"Why are you laughing at us?" Wilson yelled at Danilo.
"Seriously!" Danilo said, feeling slightly hurt. "What did I even do?"
He was merely a bit handsome—maybe not as striking as Lian Dao, but still worthy of attention. Prior to Lian Dao's arrival, Danilo had also been quite popular among New York's female fans. Yet now, he was caught in the crossfire of teasing from Wilson and Millsap.
Feeling frustrated, Danilo pushed back, and soon the three were playfully wrestling.
Chris Duhon and David Lee watched the antics from the sidelines, chiming in with their own commentary.
"Punch him!"
"Paul, where are you aiming? Be careful not to break little Wilson; he'll never forgive you!"
"Danilo, don't be shy! You have to admit you're a bit of a softie; hit him back!"
As the laughter continued, the atmosphere in the airport bus was filled with joy. Coach D'Antoni sat in the front row, a smile on his face as he observed. Assistant coach Woodson shared a knowing look with him.
This was the first time D'Antoni had witnessed such a strong team camaraderie since he joined the Knicks. It was clear that Lian Dao had brought something special to the team—a natural leadership that inspired his teammates. He was willing to take responsibility and lead them forward, a quality that made him truly remarkable.
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