Chương 157: 2010 All-Star Game Phase 1 Ballots Announced
Lian Dao's incredible rookie season continued to gain momentum, as seen in the results of the NBA's first stage of voting for the 2009 Dallas All-Star Game. Leading the pack with an astounding 928,908 votes, he managed to surpass established stars like Kobe Bryant, who followed with 692,518 votes. This achievement highlighted just how much Lian Dao had captured the imagination of fans worldwide, his stellar performances propelling him to the forefront of the NBA conversation.
Throughout his debut season, Lian Dao consistently delivered highlight-worthy moments. His frequent appearances in the weekly top-ten plays, combined with his role in improving the Knicks' fortunes, had solidified his reputation. The Knicks, with a record of 17 wins and 8 losses, were fifth in the Eastern Conference, a significant improvement over their previous seasons. Lian Dao's individual performances, combined with the Knicks' resurgence, gave little room for critics to argue against his All-Star candidacy.
Off the court, Lian Dao's growth continued as he allocated his remaining system points. Using 10,000 of his 12,903 points to enhance his agility, raising it from 80 to 81, he also set aside the remaining points to extend his immersive training sessions. This boost in his physical fitness to 88 ensured he wouldn't struggle with cramps during intense games. While not yet a physically dominant force, his stamina and resilience were noticeably improved.
In the broader NBA landscape, the competition for top votes was fierce. Carmelo Anthony secured the starting forward spot in the Western Conference with 588,958 votes, backed by his remarkable 29.8 points per game this season. Meanwhile, Tracy McGrady's position was one of the biggest surprises.
Despite being sidelined by injuries, McGrady received 281,545 votes, showing the lasting loyalty of his fanbase. Similar surprises came from players like Wilson Chandler, Paul Millsap, and David Lee, whose vote totals were unexpectedly high, particularly in light of strong competition from players like Kevin Garnett and Dwight Howard.
Interestingly, NBA executives had adjusted the voting process to reduce the impact of Chinese fans' votes, likely to prevent Lian Dao from completely dominating the polls. Even with these adjustments, his vote count was unrivaled, which further demonstrated his immense global popularity. Media outlets, initially caught off guard by the votes, eventually acknowledged the power of the international fan base supporting him.
Despite the initial skepticism, many of Lian Dao's fellow players expressed their support. LeBron James, when asked about Lian Dao's ranking, responded, "Whether it is strength or popularity, Sickle is worthy of this vote." Kobe Bryant, in his usual humorous style, added, "Obviously, this guy is more popular than me." With endorsements from two of the NBA's biggest stars, it became clear that Lian Dao's position at the top of the All-Star voting was no accident.
As the first round of voting concluded, the NBA released the projected starting lineups for the 2009 Dallas All-Star Game. In the Western Conference, the lineup included Kobe Bryant from the Lakers, Tracy McGrady from the Rockets, Carmelo Anthony from the Nuggets, Dirk Nowitzki from the Mavericks, and Amar'e Stoudemire from the Suns.
In the Eastern Conference, the starting five featured Dwyane Wade from the Heat, LeBron James from the Cavaliers, Lian Dao from the Knicks, Kevin Garnett from the Celtics, and Dwight Howard from the Magic.
...
In Houston, at the training rehab center, Yao Ming was deep in thought as he looked over the first-round ballots for the NBA All-Star Game. Seeing Lian Dao at the top and reading the compliments from other stars brought a sense of pride to his face.
Despite being in the middle of his own rehabilitation from injury, Yao remained connected to the league and closely followed the progress of not only his Rockets but also the careers of fellow Chinese players like Lian Dao and Yi Jianlian.
Yao Ming reflected on his own journey in the NBA. When he first entered the league, the weight he carried was immense. While many players were responsible for their families, Yao had the additional responsibility of representing his entire country. The pressure was heavy, but now, watching Lian Dao rise to stardom, Yao felt that some of that burden had been lifted. There was hope that the future of Chinese basketball was in good hands, and Lian Dao's growth inspired Yao to look forward with renewed optimism.
While focused on his recovery, Yao had recently traveled to New York's Chinatown to visit the Tianyi Hall, a traditional Chinese medicine clinic where Lian Dao's master, Guo Nianguo, worked. Unfortunately, Lian Dao was on an away game at the time, so they couldn't meet.
However, Guo Nianguo personally assessed Yao's injuries during his visit. Through traditional diagnostic methods—looking, smelling, asking, and feeling—Master Guo was able to pinpoint the cause of Yao's injury issues. Yao was stunned by how accurate the diagnosis was. According to Guo Nianguo, Yao's bones suffered from severe calcium loss, leaving them fragile and prone to fractures—information that modern medical equipment had also detected.
Impressed by Guo's ability, Yao eagerly listened as the master crafted a treatment plan for him. While his bone structure was already set and couldn't be fully healed, Guo proposed a regimen of acupuncture, medicinal baths, and supplements to strengthen his bones and prevent future injuries. He also strongly recommended that Yao lose weight. Even if his bone calcium levels improved, his current weight placed undue stress on his skeletal system, making weight loss a critical part of the treatment.
Since Yao couldn't stay in New York for an extended period, Guo Nianguo arranged for Lian Dao's senior brother, Ruan, to accompany Yao back to Houston to continue the treatments.
As Yao was engrossed in the news, Ruan entered the room, preparing the next stage of Yao's rehabilitation.
"Dayao, what are you looking at so seriously?" Ruan asked, breaking Yao's concentration.
"Brother Ruan, I'm reading the latest news about Lian Dao," Yao replied. Despite his focus on recovery, Yao kept up with Lian Dao's rise in the NBA.
Ruan, who had known Lian Dao since he was young, chuckled. "None of us would have thought that the naughty little guy would become an NBA star. Time flies, doesn't it?" There was a touch of nostalgia in his voice as he thought back to the younger days of Lian Dao.
"By the way, the medicinal bath is ready," Ruan added, remembering his original purpose for coming in.
"Ah, right. I'll go now," Yao said, standing up with a smile. Despite the challenges of his recovery, the thought of Lian Dao's success filled him with renewed determination.
...
On December 18, 2009, the New York Knicks made an announcement that they had completed a trade deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The Knicks sent Marcus Landry, Nate Robinson, and Jared Jeffries to Philadelphia, receiving Jason Kapono, Jrue Holiday, and a 2010 first-round draft pick in return.
This trade didn't generate significant buzz in the media. Nate Robinson, who had averaged 17.2 points per game in the previous season as a point guard, saw his role diminish after Lian Dao's arrival. With Lian Dao commanding much of the ball-handling duties, Nate's offensive opportunities dropped drastically. Additionally, Robinson's height made him a defensive liability on the perimeter, which became a significant issue for the Knicks.
The Knicks also had Tony Douglas available at the guard position, making it a logical move to trade Robinson while he still held trade value. Meanwhile, sending Jared Jeffries away was a priority for the Knicks. He had been a player they were looking to move, and this deal with the 76ers gave them the opportunity to offload his contract.
The players the Knicks received were interesting additions. Jason Kapono, known as a three-point specialist, had tied Craig Hodges' record in 2008 by scoring 25 points in the All-Star Three-Point Contest. Although his three-point shooting had declined in recent seasons, Kapono still held value as a shooter who could space the floor.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the trade was the acquisition of Jrue Holiday. At this stage in his career, Holiday was still developing and finding his footing in the league. However, he would go on to become one of the NBA's premier defensive guards, making the All-Defensive Team multiple times in the future. His potential on defense was already apparent, though he was still refining his game in these early years.
For the Knicks, this trade provided some key assets, particularly in Holiday, who had the potential to strengthen their perimeter defense over time, while also gaining a valuable draft pick to further build for the future.
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