章節 162: Don’t Underestimate Old Comrades
As the matter continued to unfold, Lian Dao paid little attention to it. Outside of his daily training sessions, he was wrapped up in a cozy two-person world with the little senior sister.
After Christmas came Christmas Eve, but neither Lian Dao nor the little senior sister showed much interest in the American holiday. For Lian Dao, growing up in China meant he felt no connection to this celebration in the United States. His reason for coming here was not to obtain a green card; he was focused on winning over fans with his basketball skills.
The little senior sister, influenced by her family's traditions, also didn't celebrate Christmas. Though she moved to Chinatown in New York during her childhood, her family continued to uphold the customs from their homeland, never celebrating Christmas or Christmas Eve but instead preparing for the Spring Festival with handwritten couplets in traditional Chinese characters.
The day after Christmas Eve, December 27, New York welcomed its first post-holiday opponent: the San Antonio Spurs. Since it was a home game, the players were spared the trouble of travel, ensuring that everyone was on time for training after the holiday.
With a game scheduled for the evening, the day's practice consisted of light training, avoiding any strenuous activities. Lian Dao also prepared Christmas gifts for his teammates, selecting thoughtful items tailored to their hobbies. While these gifts were modest for high-income NBA players, they made a heartfelt impression and fostered a warm team atmosphere.
The Knicks were having a strong season, and the positive vibe in the locker room was palpable. During practice, laughter and chatter filled the air, creating an atmosphere of enthusiasm. Jason Kapono and Jrue Holiday, newly acquired players, were pleasantly surprised by the Knicks' locker room. Before joining the team, they had expected chaos, having heard numerous rumors about it being a den of demons.
Instead, they found a harmonious environment led by Lian Dao. Holiday, in particular, admired Lian Dao's talent. They had faced off in the NCAA, where Holiday suffered two defeats. He had thought Lian Dao's NCAA prowess was impressive, but witnessing his transition to the NBA was a revelation. Lian Dao was like a whale entering the ocean, setting records right from the start of the season. Holiday was left in awe when he read the headlines about Lian Dao's debut, where he achieved a near quadruple-double: 41 points, 16 rebounds, 21 assists, and 7 steals against last season's scoring leader, Dwyane Wade, who was also a best defensive player.
In contrast, Holiday's own rookie experience was challenging. During the opening game for the 76ers, he didn't see much playing time, and in the following matches, he struggled to make an impact. He watched Lian Dao's performances, including an astonishing 63-point game against the Cavaliers, shattering Wilt Chamberlain's record for rookie single-game scoring. This left Holiday questioning the vast gap between their abilities. Even his teammate Iguodala, witnessing Lian Dao's extraordinary talent, couldn't help but shake his head in disbelief, calling it "abnormal."
Despite Kevin Durant's recent reliance on heavy scoring to climb the ranks, Lian Dao remained at the top of the scoring list. This reality left Jrue Holiday with no conflicts about joining the Knicks, and he felt accepted by the team leader when Lian Dao presented him with a thoughtful Christmas gift.
Lian Dao held a favorable impression of Holiday, appreciating his dedication and focused demeanor, which reminded him of Steph Curry. Holiday was known for making a profound choice during his contract year with the Pelicans in the 2016-2017 season. He had been striving to secure a lucrative contract when the devastating news broke that his wife, Lauren, had a benign tumor on the right side of her brain. Unwilling to let the situation distract him, Holiday immediately informed his team of his decision to take an indefinite leave to support his wife through her surgery and recovery.
During his absence, Holiday kept up with his training, working with an assistant coach while Lauren rested. This commitment illustrated his character—a responsible and devoted individual in an NBA landscape often filled with more self-centered players. Unfortunately, the location of the tumor near the optic nerve led to complications post-surgery, affecting Lauren's eyesight and eyelids.
Lian Dao recognized that Holiday was a perfect match for the team. His willingness to engage in the "dirty work" on the court was evidenced by his four selections to the NBA All-Defensive Team and his receipt of the "NBA Teammate of the Year Award." This award honors players who exemplify selflessness, dedication, and a collaborative spirit. In the 2019-2020 season, Holiday became the eighth recipient of this award, joining the ranks of esteemed players like Chauncey Billups, Shane Battier, and Dirk Nowitzki, highlighting his reputation as an ideal teammate on and off the court.
So far, the Knicks had started to build a strong perimeter defense, featuring players like Chris Duhon, Douglas, Holiday, Wilson Chandler, Larry Hughes, and Lian Dao. Their defensive system was beginning to take shape, and they simply needed time to develop chemistry and coordination. Once they hit their stride, the Knicks' defense would likely catch the entire league off guard.
Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs faced challenges of their own. The aging core of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginóbili, and Tony Parker had contributed to lackluster playoff performances in recent years. The retirement of pivotal players like Robert Horry and Bruce Bowen left Coach Gregg Popovich scrambling for suitable replacements.
Historically, the Spurs were swept out of the playoffs by the Suns 4-0, marking the first time that Stephen Nash did not have to contend with Bowen's relentless defense. While Parker was still in his prime at 27, Duncan and Ginóbili were aging at 33 and 32, respectively. Yet, no team dared underestimate the Spurs; many teams had learned that lesson the hard way.
Some players, like Ginóbili and Duncan, seemed to defy age, growing more cunning with experience. Ginóbili averaged 16.5 points, 4.9 assists, and 3.8 rebounds per game that season, while Duncan led the team with an impressive 17.9 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 3.2 assists—still achieving a double-double at age 33.
Though the Spurs' core was aging, their experience remained invaluable. Every shot they took was a testament to years of accumulated wisdom, a quality that young teams often lacked. This gap in experience was precisely why many youthful squads thrived in the regular season but faltered in the playoffs when the pressure intensified.
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