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...
The reason Lin Yi has begun adjusting his playing style lately comes down to two main things.
First, the Anti-Lin basketball has been going absolutely wild—throwing everything they have at him like it's a coordinated campaign. The constant double-teams, targeted defenses, and endless chatter have made it clear: he's become the league's newest defensive obsession. Being the heart and soul of the Knicks, Lin Yi had to adapt—not just for survival, but to keep leading his squad.
Second, and more strategically, this shift in style is helping Lin level up one of his deadliest tools: Limitless Range. He's not just playing to win games—he's also playing the long game, refining his skills for a deeper playoff push.
Realistically, Lin knows he'll likely max out his base attributes before the All-Star break. But if the Knicks are serious about making a run at the title, it's not just about personal upgrades. The entire team needs to evolve—and fast.
Even with the media hype, Lin Yi stays grounded. He's always had a clear view of himself. Fame doesn't inflate him, nor do the headlines dictate his progress.
Still, there's no shortcut to refining core abilities. They require game reps—consistent, gritty, grind-it-out minutes. But when it comes to upgrading his badge skills, Lin knows there's a window of opportunity.
"Two more rebounds and I unlock Gold Rebounding Maniac... and for Limitless Range, I just need to take shots from beyond the 0.5-meter mark outside the arc," Lin muttered to himself, breaking down the numbers in his head.
Of course, it's not like every three-pointer will be a limitless-range attempt. He's not going to start chucking wild shots unless he's feeling particularly hot. Still, in iso situations, if the rhythm is there, he's ready to let it fly.
The Knicks' defense has been the biggest X-factor in their current run, but Lin Yi's versatility gives them extra weapons. And now, with his reputation established, he's ready to evolve again—less iso, more movement, more off-ball threat.
Time to swap the Pass badge with Off-Ball Maestro and get to work.
...
November 26th – On the road to Atlanta
The Knicks were flying to Atlanta for a showdown with the Hawks, but more importantly, it was almost Lin Yi's birthday. The team decided to celebrate early—because, well, why not have some fun on the road?
O'Neal, being the undisputed team jokester, decided to take things up a notch. Without warning, he smashed a birthday cake directly into Lin Yi's face.
Lin wiped frosting from his eyebrows, cracked a smile, and walked over to Shaq, patting the big man's shoulder, whispering into his ear.
Shaq froze for a second, eyebrows raised, before putting on a frown.
Before he could lash out, Lin bolted—laughing as he disappeared down the hallway.
"Stephenson, Gallo, get him!" O'Neal barked, grinning. "He's not escaping that easily."
The three of them eventually cornered Lin in the practice facility.
"I wanted to go easy on you, kiddo, but you are asking for it," Shaq said, flashing an angry face.
"Uh... does sorry help?" Lin asked, already half-regretting opening his mouth earlier.
"Nope. Time for the Shaq Splash Slam!"
BOOM.
The entire training gym echoed with the impact as O'Neal mock-wrestled Lin Yi to the floor. A 300-pound Shaq landing on your back is a humbling experience—even for a 7' phenom.
"Someone check if the cemeteries in New York are full," Gallinari joked.
"Or just scatter his ashes over the Hudson River," Stephenson added with a laugh.
Lin lay there, catching his breath. "Remind me... whose birthday was it again?"
...
October 27th – Knicks vs Hawks
On game day, Lin Yi's birthday, the Knicks squared off against a strong Hawks team that had been a steady playoff presence in the East. Though they'd eventually fall into a rebuild after LeBron's Cavs dismantled them in back-to-back years, this version of Atlanta was no joke.
Joe Johnson and Josh Smith were in their primes, and Horford was considered one of the best low-post defenders in the league—particularly good at slowing down players like Lin Yi.
Head coach Larry Drew made it clear from the opening tip: Lin wasn't going to have a birthday blowout on his watch. He deployed a hybrid man-zone defense, rotating Josh Smith and Horford on Lin in waves. The plan was simple—wear him down.
Barkley even joked before the game: "If Lin wants to enjoy his birthday, he better do it after the game."
But what Larry Drew didn't anticipate?
Lin Yi had changed the playbook.
When Livingston was on the floor, Lin shifted to more of an off-ball role, navigating off-horn sets and elevator screens like a 7-foot Klay Thompson. He was in constant motion, punishing every defensive lapse with mid-range jumpers and catch-and-shoot threes.
When Livingston subbed out, Lin took over as the high-post facilitator, threading passes, calling cuts, and running the offense like a point forward.
This wasn't the Lin who dropped 50 on iso-heavy plays.
This was something new.
Horford tried to keep up early but found himself getting burned—step late, hand too slow, and watching that high-arching jumper splash down again and again.
"I mean, what even is this guy?" Horford muttered to Josh Smith after another Lin three.
Josh Smith gave it his best shot, tracking Lin through screens, staying attached—but he couldn't stop Lin's vision from finding open teammates.
On the sideline, D'Antoni was in his element. The Knicks' defense had carried them early in the season, but now they were rediscovering their offensive flow.
"If we're gonna go far," D'Antoni told Kenny Atkinson during a timeout, "this is the version of Lin we need—a weapon with or without the ball."
The Knicks' offense opened up like never before. Ball movement, off-ball screens, transition threes—it was beautiful basketball.
Lin Yi knew this evolution was necessary. His MVP case was strong, but if he wanted to beat out the likes of LeBron and Derrick Rose for unanimous votes, this season had to be flawless. The Knicks couldn't afford to lose ground in the standings—not with the Bulls on pace for 60-plus wins.
And then...
SWISH.
As the first-quarter buzzer sounded, Lin pulled up from well beyond the arc and drained a rainbow three that barely touched the net.
Larry Drew could only shake his head. This wasn't the birthday surprise he'd hoped for Lin.
...
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