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If there had been a punching bag in his office, David Stern might've turned into a heavyweight boxer right then and there. Anything to let out his frustration.
The league's crown jewel, they'd been building up for years, just left Cleveland for Miami. And not just with Wade… but Bosh, too. On top of that, all three of them took pay cuts, meaning they not only played by the rules, they even left cap space for reinforcements.
Stern rubbed his temple, his broad forehead already aching.
Cleveland fans were reportedly burning James jerseys en masse. Pundits and former players lined up to blast LeBron's decision. In just a few hours, the King's carefully crafted image had taken a beating.
Just as Stern was about to call it a day and sulk, a headline on his screen caught his eye. Even amid the frenzy over Miami's new Big Three, another story was going viral — Lin Yi's China tour and his signature shoes were blowing up.
Suddenly, Stern's eyes lit up. Maybe there was a way forward after all.
He immediately called an emergency league meeting.
In what would later be called a pivotal moment in NBA history, Stern laid out his vision for the league's next chapter: build a new star, and build him fast.
"First," Stern said firmly, dismissing every objection in the room, "we're backing Lin Yi — all the way. From what I see in the numbers, he's the closest player to MVP level since the '03 class. We push him hard, and next year, we set him up to win MVP. That'll energize New York, unlock the Chinese market, and give us a hell of a narrative — one man against Miami's Big Three."
New York was already electric with Lin's emergence. The Knicks' improbable playoff run as a one-man show had rekindled the city's love for basketball. Stern knew this was no time to hesitate.
"Second," he continued, "we need to freshen up the All-Star Game. The young guys — Durant, Rose, those who represented Team USA this summer — deserve to be front and center. They're our next wave if things go south."
"And finally," Stern added, with a hard glare around the table, "make sure the refs know: Miami doesn't get any special whistles next season. None."
The message was clear. The league was moving forward.
...
In China, Lin was oblivious to the league's plans.
His phone rang. It was Curry.
"Lin! Did you hear? LeBron's going to Miami!" Curry's voice was practically buzzing.
"I heard," Lin replied casually. "What, Steph? You want to join them?"
Curry chuckled. "Nah. Not my style. Anyway, I just got to Vegas. Later tonight, I'm heading to the casino with Kevin and Russ. Should be fun."
Lin raised an eyebrow but didn't press. He trusted Curry enough to know he wouldn't do anything reckless. "Alright, have fun then."
After hanging up, Lin's agent, Zhong Muchen, was staring at him like he'd lost his mind.
"You're not worried?" Zhong finally asked.
"Worried about what?" Lin said, looking genuinely confused.
Zhong threw up his hands. "The Heat just built a Big Three! And you're in the East! The East!"
Lin smirked. "And if I panic, you think they'll break up the Big Three out of pity?"
Zhong groaned. "That's not the point. You've got leverage in New York now. Use it to get some help!"
Lin nodded slowly and teased. "I would have done that anyway. You are going to grow gray hair if you worry about everything."
Muchen shrugged and mouthed: That is my job.
He grabbed his phone, dialed, and spoke calmly when Javier Stanford picked up. "Javier, listen. Tell Donnie Walsh to keep an eye on the free agents still out there. If anyone on my list shows interest, you call me. Immediately."
"No problem"
"Thank you"
Click
Lin Yi knew the Knicks' situation this year was nothing like what he remembered. This time, the Knicks were a legitimate playoff team. If Donnie Walsh panicked after seeing how strong Miami looked and rushed into bad moves, it would only hurt them.
Zhong just stood there for a moment, speechless. "…Seriously?"
"Lin… you're telling the GM not to make moves immediately?" Zhong finally said.
"Of course," Lin Yi replied calmly. "The most important thing right now is to stay patient. There's no real big fish left in free agency, and making blind moves just wastes cap space."
After all, hadn't they already traded for Tyson Chandler to match up with Miami's Big Three?
Lin Yi knew exactly how much sway he carried. He and Dolan had developed an unspoken understanding — Dolan trusted his vision enough to let the front office listen to him and Javier. The Knicks didn't need to chase names for the sake of headlines. As long as management stuck to the plan, Lin was confident they'd get there.
Even his relationship with D'Antoni was rock-solid. They'd been in constant contact all summer. They were on the same page.
Lin wanted a dynasty — and he knew how to build it. Let the Big Three in Miami make all the noise for now. He'd stay patient, keep improving, and win MVP next season while steadily making the Knicks better.
His mind drifted back to China, remembering the mountain of gifts from fans on his tour that he had to open. He frowned to himself while muttering. "This feels like a job."
...
"Still no offers?"
"Nothing solid," Montgomery admitted, looking at his client with a mix of sympathy and frustration. "It's not that I haven't tried. People just don't believe you can make it as a guard."
Even though his client had finished second only to John Wall in physical testing, scouts still doubted whether an Asian player could succeed at the guard position.
One scout had even laughed, saying, "Unless he's as tall as Lin — oh wait, you are Lin? Hah!"
Montgomery sighed, then said, "Well… I did hear the Knicks still have an open spot for a guard in the Summer League. Could be worth a shot."
"New York…"
Jeremy Lin stood there, thinking for a long moment before clenching his fists. "Alright. Let's go to New York."
As Lin Yi wrapped up his final event in China, Knicks GM Donnie Walsh was already deep in tense negotiations back in New York.
...
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