52: Popovich's "Circus Theory"

Popovich glanced at the reporter and, in his signature tone—flat to the point of being cold—spoke indifferently.

"I prefer five-man team basketball, not a circus."

Within half an hour, these words spread throughout the North American sports world via the digital recorders and cameras of the reporters on the scene.

It was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pan of boiling oil.

The entire media landscape erupted.

ESPN's flagship show, 'Pardon The Interruption,' followed up immediately.

"Tony, what do you think of Popovich's 'Circus Theory'?"

"Michael, it's obvious. Gregg Popovich never criticizes players by name, but every word of that sentence points directly at that high-flying kid in Los Angeles."

"He believes Lin Feng's style of play destroys the team."

"Yes, he's defined Lin's flashy basketball as a grandstanding circus performance."

TNT's 'Inside the NBA' crew even interrupted their planned segment for this.

Charles Barkley's loud voice echoed through the studio.

"Circus? I love the circus!"

"People pay money to see the circus! Don't they?"

"This kid is making the game fun in his own way! What's wrong with that?"

"When a player can throw the ball in while facing away from the basket, I don't care if he's playing team basketball, I just want to see it again!"

Kenny Smith wagged his finger in rebuttal.

"Charles, you're missing the point."

"Popovich is talking about the philosophy of winning."

"What is the Spurs' success built on? Discipline, passing, and finding the best shot opportunity."

"Whereas Lin Feng's style in the last game was built on finding the most unbelievable shot opportunity."

"These two philosophies are naturally opposed."

Shaquille ONeal laughed from the side.

"All I know is, if that kid tried those tricks in front of me, he'd get a taste of my backside."

"But seriously, I really want to see what happens when the circus meets the army."

The debate spread from the professional basketball commentary circles to every fan's social media home page.

Supporters believed Lin Feng was the embodiment of art, the direction of basketball's evolution.

Opponents firmly believed he was just a media-hyped traffic star whose playstyle was selfish and inefficient—a cancer to the team.

Lin Feng's name was pushed to the forefront like never before.

Amidst this overwhelming wave of public opinion, the NBA officially released a new announcement.

Fan voting for the 2013-2014 NBA All-Star Game had officially opened.

Thanks to the momentum from the official 'God-making' campaign and the massive controversy brought by the 'Circus Theory'...

Lin Feng's voting page received a flood of clicks within the first hour of opening.

One week later.

The NBA officially announced the results of the first round of All-Star voting.

When that list appeared before the eyes of fans worldwide, everyone was stunned.

Western Conference.

The top three frontcourt players were Kevin Durant, Dwight Howard, and Blake Griffin.

This was within everyone's expectations.

But when eyes moved to the backcourt list, the entire basketball world felt a sense of shock.

First place: Kobe Bryant, 501,210 votes.

This result was a foregone conclusion; even though Kobe had not yet returned from injury, he possessed unparalleled popularity globally.

Second place: Lin Feng, 485,336 votes.

This name was like a heavy bomb, detonating all forums and communities.

His vote count surpassed the third-placed Clippers' core, Chris Paul (398,561 votes).

It also exceeded the fourth-placed Golden State Warriors' rising star, Stephen Curry (320,114 votes).

An undrafted rookie who had played fewer than ten official games had parachuted directly into the second spot for the Western Conference backcourt in the first round of All-Star voting.

This result left countless experts and media personalities wide-eyed with disbelief.

"Crazy! The fans have all gone crazy!"

"On what grounds? Just because of those few circus-like baskets?"

"This is an insult to truly elite guards like Chris Paul and Stephen Curry!"

"He doesn't deserve the position! If he actually makes the All-Star starting lineup, it will be the biggest joke in NBA history!"

The controversy surrounding Lin Feng became even more intense because of this list.

At the center of the storm, the Los Angeles Lakers had already boarded a private plane to San Antonio.

In the team's tactical meeting room, the atmosphere was heavy.

head coach D'Antoni stood before the tactical board, his expression the most serious it had been since he began coaching the Lakers.

"Guys, I know it's very noisy outside right now."

"Forget everything said in the media, forget that damn All-Star voting."

"Right now, we are focused on only one thing: our next opponent."

He used a marker to heavily circle the San Antonio Spurs' logo on the tactical board.

"San Antonio is the most tactically disciplined team in the league, bar none."

"They don't make mistakes; they operate like a precision machine."

"Any careless turnover we make will be seized by them, and we will pay the price."

"This is going to be a tough battle."

D'Antoni's gaze finally landed on Lin Feng, but he said nothing more.

After the meeting ended, the players dispersed.

Lin Feng was about to go rest when Kobe called out to him.

"Lin, come here for a second."

The two walked to a quiet corner in the back of the cabin.

"You saw what Popovich said?" Kobe asked.

"I saw it," Lin Feng nodded.

"He wasn't talking to the media."

Kobe leaned against the window, watching the clouds streak past outside.

"He was talking to you, and he was talking to the referees."

"He's setting a psychological expectation for everyone: this kid from China plays irrationally, recklessly, even dangerously."

"Once he successfully implants that impression, any controversial move you make on the court will be met with harsher whistles."

Lin Feng listened quietly.

Kobe turned his head to look at him.

"Popovich is the craftiest old fox in the league."

"Since he said those things before the game, it means he definitely has a special 'surprise' prepared for you on the court."

"Be careful. Don't fall into his trap."

Lin Feng felt the solemnity in Kobe's words.

He knew Kobe was using his own experience to warn him.

Popovich's contempt was like a thorn pricked into his heart.

He wanted to respond to that 'circus' label with a resounding victory.

But he also remembered Kobe's previous teachings.

Winning was the only objective.

He clenched his fist, his knuckles making a slight cracking sound.

"I understand, Kobe."

...The night of the game, San Antonio, AT&T Center.

The atmosphere in this arena was completely different from the Staples Center in Los Angeles.

There weren't as many Hollywood stars, nor as many flashbulbs.

The spectators wore uniform silver and black T-shirts, sitting quietly in their seats with serious expressions, as if waiting for a solemn ceremony.

When the PA announcer introduced the Lakers players, Lin Feng was greeted by a stadium full of boos.

Lin Feng stepped onto the court and began his shooting warm-up.

He could feel the gazes from the Spurs players opposite him, filled with scrutiny and disapproval.

The whistle blew to start the game.

The Lakers won the tip-off.

Nash brought the ball across half-court and, according to the tactical plan, immediately handed the ball to Lin Feng.

The moment Lin Feng caught the ball, the boos throughout the arena reached a crescendo.

The one responsible for defending him was the Spurs' newly minted All-Defensive Team member, Kawhi Leonard.

A young man known for his 'Claw' and cold-blooded defense.

However, a strange scene occurred.

Leonard merely spread his arms and stood symbolically in front of Lin Feng, maintaining a distance of one step.

He didn't press up; he didn't initiate contact.

Lin Feng was a bit surprised but immediately adjusted, preparing to use the space for a direct pull-up jumper.

But just as he brought the ball up, he caught an unusual sight out of the corner of his eye.

Danny Green, who was originally defending Nick Young on the other side, had silently shifted a step toward him.

Tim Duncan, guarding the interior, also moved a step up from under the basket toward the free-throw line.

Point guard Tony Parker even left Nash open, his center of gravity shifting toward Lin's side.

The other four Spurs players were like four invisible tentacles, forming a faint encirclement.

Lin Feng had never seen this defensive formation in any game footage.

It wasn't a zone, nor was it a press.

It was like a malicious net cast specifically for him.