11: Preseason debut, a superstar's provocation

A few days later, the day of the Los Angeles Lakers' preseason debut arrived.

The opponent was the Golden State Warriors from Oakland.

Sports media across North America turned their lenses toward the Staples Center.

This preseason game, which should have been ordinary, garnered attention comparable to the NBA Finals because of one person's presence.

Lin Feng.

The whole world wanted to know if that eastern kid, who had performed miracles in the practice game, was just a flash-in-the-pan meteor or a rising star.

In the locker room before the game, the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

D'Antoni held the tactical board and announced tonight's starting lineup.

“Point guard, Steve Nash.”

“Shooting guard, Lin Feng.”

“Small forward, Nick Young.”

“Power forward, Pau Gasol.”

“Center, Chris Kaman.”

When D'Antoni called out Lin Feng's name, most of the players in the locker room cast complicated looks his way.

Envy, jealousy, and a hint of defiance.

A rookie who had only proven himself in a practice game jumping straight into the starting lineup was an extremely rare occurrence in the strictly hierarchical NBA.

Lin Feng sat in front of his locker, calmly tying his shoelaces, completely indifferent to the gazes around him.

Kobe, due to his Achilles injury, sat on a nearby sofa in a suit; he didn't participate in tactical discussions, merely observing his territory like a silent black panther.

The TV on the locker room wall was playing ESPN's pre-game analysis.

The screen cut to an interview from the Golden State Warriors's side.

A baby-faced player who still looked a bit youthful appeared on screen; he was the Golden State Warriors's rising star, Stephen Curry.

The reporter handed over the microphone.

“Stephen, what do you think of tonight's opponent, the Lakers' much-anticipated rookie Lin Feng? Many people are saying he'll be the next great shooter.”

Curry gave his signature smile to the camera, carrying a hint of youthful spirit.

“I've heard of that kid and seen his videos; that shot was indeed crazy.”

“I'm looking forward to a three-point contest with him. I hope he can bring me some surprises tonight.”

His words sounded polite, but anyone could hear the confidence and sense of challenge behind them.

In the locker room, Nick Young let out a sneer.

“Kid, did you hear that? He's calling you out by name.”

Lin Feng just looked up at the TV screen and said nothing.

D'Antoni clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention.

“Alright, guys, let's head out for warm-ups!”

The lights of the Staples Center brightened as the players ran onto the court from the tunnel.

When the arena DJ shouted “From China——Lin Feng！” in an exaggerated tone, the entire arena erupted in massive cheers and screams.

Lin Feng felt the waves of sound crashing over him, but his heart remained unmoved.

He knew that as enthusiastic as these cheers were, the boos that would follow if he performed poorly would be just as piercing.

The game officially began.

The Lakers won the tip-off, and Nash slowly advanced with the ball.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Feng.

As soon as he crossed half-court, the Golden State Warriors's defensive stalwart Klay Thompson stuck to him like glue, never leaving his side.

Lin Feng tried to move and find an opening.

But wherever he ran, Thompson followed.

Even when he made a fake off-ball screen, another wing player from the Golden State Warriors would immediately come to help, forming a brief double-team.

The Golden State Warriors' defensive strategy was simple and blunt to the extreme.

Lock down Lin Feng!

Give him no space to catch the ball or take a shot!

Nash saw this; the passing master didn't force the ball to Lin Feng.

He directed Lin Feng, telling him to use his gravity to weave back and forth outside the three-point line.

Sure enough, Lin Feng's movement completely drew the defensive attention of the Golden State Warriors's wings.

Nash delivered a subtle bounce pass through the defensive gap to Gasol near the free-throw line.

Gasol caught the ball with an open path ahead.

He easily hit a mid-range jumper.

2:0.

“Beautiful team play!”

“We can see that the Golden State Warriors's defensive intensity on Lin Feng is very high, which instead gives opportunities to other Los Angeles Lakers players,” the commentator analyzed.

In the following possessions, the script on the court remained exactly the same.

Lin Feng was like a top-tier decoy, leading the Golden State Warriors's defenders on a wild chase outside the three-point line.

He couldn't even touch the ball.

But every time he moved, he could tear through the Golden State Warriors's defense, creating open looks for his teammates.

Nash's passing, Gasol's shooting, and Kaman's interior scoring.

The Lakers' offense flowed smoothly.

At the end of the first quarter, the score was 28-20, with the Lakers leading by 8 points.

And on Lin Feng's stat sheet, everything except for his 12 minutes of playing time was zero.

Zero points, zero rebounds, zero assists, zero shot attempts.

During halftime, the sentiment online began to shift quietly.

“This is it? The champion of running laps all game?”

“LMAO, he can't even touch the ball. This is the eastern magician you all were hyping up?”

“Locked down, completely locked down! A flash in the pan, just as expected!”

“I told you that video from the other day was fake. How could a Summer League scrub suddenly become a god?”

Voices of doubt and ridicule began to spread across major basketball forums and social media.

The second half began.

D'Antoni didn't change the lineup; Lin Feng remained on the court.

The Golden State Warriors's defensive strategy hadn't changed, still tightly clinging to him.

The score climbed back and forth, with the Lakers maintaining a slim lead.

Halfway through the third quarter.

During a Lakers possession, Nash was organizing the play while dribbling.

Through a back-cut, Lin Feng finally received a pass from Nash two steps beyond the three-point line at the top of the key.

This was the first time all game he had received the ball in such an open position.

Thompson, who was defending him, was slightly delayed by a screen and was frantically rushing over.

Meanwhile, Curry, who had been roaming nearby, immediately switched and squared up against Lin Feng.

The eyes of the entire arena converged at this moment.

“Here it comes! Is Lin Feng finally going to shoot?” The commentator's voice was filled with excitement.

Curry spread his arms, blocking Lin Feng's path with that nonchalant smile on his face.

He defended while using trash talk to distract him.

“Kid, has your magic disappeared?”

“Aren't you tired after running for half the game?”

“This isn't the practice gym; nobody's going to let you shoot.”

Lin Feng looked at Curry in front of him and ignored his words.

He just gave a small smile.

That smile left Curry a bit stunned.

In that split second while Curry was dazed.

Lin Feng moved.

No jab steps, no extra fakes.

From over two meters behind the three-point line, under Curry's incredulous gaze, he jumped straight up.

His body extended, and his wrist flicked.

The basketball, with a perfect rotation, flew from his fingertips.

It traced an arc that made the entire Staples Center hold its breath.