Chapter 67

In an NBA game, when a player is intentionally and maliciously fouled, it can evoke a lot of emotions, such as fear, terror, and weakness. Players who are not strong enough or teams that are not tough enough often fail to perform at their best under such malicious fouls or intentional aggression.

On the NBA stage, what ultimately decides everything is still the players' skills. Malicious fouls cannot bring victory, and intimidation on the court cannot enhance one's abilities. As one of the two major gangs in the NBA, the New York gang is fully aware of this. They have never believed that playing such games on the court could make them stronger.

Perhaps they once had such thoughts, but after being eliminated by Jordan and the Bulls in the playoffs year after year, they realized that their so-called "toughness" could only scare cowards. If the opponent is strong enough, like Jordan or the Bulls, they will still be the same. Even if they deliberately pulled Jordan's arm to make him lose balance and fall hard during a jump shot, Jordan would still take the shot the next time, without fear. Even if they tried to trip Jordan with a dirty move during a drive, Jordan would still drive, without fear. And when they deliberately elbowed Jordan during a dunk, Jordan would still dunk, without backing down.

If they wanted to fight on the court? Buddy, would Jordan, who had almost been ganged up on by the Pistons' "Bad Boys" in the past, be afraid of the New York gang? Although the New York gang has gained a reputation in recent years, if you talk about which team is the dirtiest on the court, who can compare to the Pistons of the past?

Of course, the New York Knicks' players are no longer thinking about intimidating Jordan. However, Lin Han is not Jordan. He is a completely new rookie. In Starks' mind, this is a perfect target for intimidation. In fact, Starks believes that if he intimidates Lin Han at the start, this kid will probably never dare to shoot in front of him again. Most of the rookies he has faced in the past have been like this.

But is Lin Han really the same as those rookies who have been intimidated by the New York gang? Of course not. Lin Han is selfish, greedy, and cold-hearted. Although he can be timid at times, such as in the Chicago talent training camp, where he was disliked by his teammate Hardaway for not daring to chase an out-of-bounds ball for fear of getting hurt, now that he is in the NBA, he no longer believes that retreating will benefit him. To gain the most in this game or in the NBA, he must be strong and face his opponents.

Lin Han has many flaws in his character, but his pursuit of profit and willingness to sacrifice even himself for it is his only strength. Apart from his family, he can be ruthless to others and to himself.

So, after being intimidated by Starks at the start, what surprised Starks and the other New York Knicks players was that this Jazz rookie remained so brave, attacking Starks every time. This shocked even Starks, who had once faced Jordan head-on.

"John, it looks like you've really met your match. You're even using the arm-grabbing move now, hahaha."

Watching Lin Han complete another spin move and fadeaway jump shot in front of Starks and then walk away, Starks was extremely shocked. Although he had failed to intimidate others before, this was the first time he had seen someone deliberately come at him. Is this kid really so fearless?

Of course, Starks was really frustrated at this point. Being ignored by a rookie was a disgrace. Although Lin Han's shooting percentage was affected by Starks' harassment and constant dirty moves, such as kneeing him when he received the ball, pulling him down when he jumped, or intentionally colliding with him when they jumped together, and even using the arm-grabbing move, which is a basic action in the NBA, it usually means the defender is out of options. Although many players use this move, most of them despise it, considering it a "girly" move and generally avoid using it.

So, when Starks used the arm-grabbing move on Lin Han, the other New York Knicks players, like Anthony Mason, looked at him with ridicule. Starks couldn't argue back, but he was really unlucky to face such a stubborn opponent. Look at the Jazz's starting center, Spinks, who became timid after being intimidated by Ewing at the start.

"I really want to play some dirty moves against him, but it seems we are likely to win this game under normal circumstances, right?"

At this point, Starks was really angered by Lin Han's disregard. He really wanted to use a leg sweep or a chest kick, but he knew that if he used such moves again, he would not only get a foul but also trigger a brawl between the New York Knicks and the Jazz.

Starks and the New York Knicks players are not afraid of fighting, and they even enjoy it on the court. However, they are not mindless brutes. They are smart.

At the start of the game, the New York Knicks took the lead. Although they lost the previous game to the Spurs, who outsmarted them with David Robinson's slippery play, the 7-1 Knicks are a strong contender for the regular-season championship. Their leader, Patrick Ewing, is a strong candidate for the regular-season MVP. Although Ewing's competitors, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley, are powerful, they have significant flaws. Barkley has already won once and is unlikely to repeat unless he performs exceptionally. As for Olajuwon, can Houston compete with New York? If Ewing and Olajuwon perform similarly, Ewing is almost certain to win.

In this context, this game against the Jazz is a crucial match for Ewing's MVP campaign. They need to win and win convincingly. If Starks really provoked a brawl, he would face backlash from his teammates after the game.

So, from the start, even the best judo, wrestling, and kickboxing player on the Knicks, Charles Oakley, did not engage in wrestling with Malone. He only used his strong cologne and sweat to overwhelm Malone, and at most, some acceptable grappling and wrestling moves, which were not overly aggressive.

"Lin, you really surprise me. You are the bravest rookie I've ever seen."

"John, I think Lin is not just the bravest rookie, but one of the bravest in the NBA."

Although Lin Han's shooting was very poor at the start of the game, this was not just because his current luck value was only 1%. Lin Han knew that even with a luck value of 1%, his theoretical shooting percentage for the Level 2 Kobe-style spin move and fadeaway jump shot was 30%-35%. However, his shooting percentage in this game was even worse. Of course, the game was not over, and it was unclear how the rest would go.

Even so, after the first quarter, Lin Han's 25% shooting percentage (2 out of 8) was quite poor. He only scored 6 points in the first quarter, but when the Jazz starters came off the court, neither Stockton nor Malone showed any dissatisfaction, only disbelief and admiration.

They really didn't expect Lin Han to be so fearless. After being provoked by Starks, he not only didn't back down but actively confronted him. This was incredible. Look at Spinks, a young player who became timid after Ewing intimidated him.

In the current NBA, filled with brutes, Malone and Stockton are also considered representatives of the brutes, but they still admire true "warriors."

"Karl, NBA warriors don't usually have good endings. Are you cursing me?"

Lin Han gave Malone a look of exasperation, and Malone chuckled awkwardly.

In the NBA, being a warrior often doesn't end well. For example, the Pistons' "Bad Boys" or Bill Laimbeer, who has "handled" dozens of warriors, most of whom were "converted" into brutes and scoundrels, like the Suns' Charles Barkley.

If you want to be a warrior in the NBA, you must be prepared for broken bones. If Jordan's physical condition wasn't so incredibly strong, he would have been crippled many times. To succeed in the NBA like Jordan, becoming the enemy of all teams, you need exceptional mental toughness and the ability to withstand physical punishment.

Lin Han has the fearless spirit of Jordan, but his physical condition can't withstand too many rough plays.

Right now, as Lin Han came off the court, his joints ached all over. Starks is a master of dirty plays, targeting Lin Han's sensitive joint areas, and Lin Han felt his waist was probably bruised.

"If I face such opponents in every game, I'll be out of commission in no time."

Although Lin Han was not mentally afraid of Starks, his body couldn't handle it. As Alice put it, he was "mentally willing but physically honest," or "verbally reluctant but physically honest."

"Lin, it looks like we're in real trouble. We might lose this game."

After Lin Han came off the court and sat down, the team's backup point guard, Brian Russell, who had been substituted earlier, said worriedly. Lin Han just sighed.

The Knicks' defense is so aggressive that few teams can score many points against it. Lin Han only scored 6 points on 25% shooting in the first quarter, and Malone was even worse. After Spinks was substituted, Malone had to wrestle with Oakley on offense and face Ewing on defense, resulting in only 1 out of 4 shooting and 4 points in the first quarter. The Jazz scored a total of 16 points in the first quarter, with Lin Han's 6 points being the highest.

Of course, the Jazz's offense wasn't great, but neither was the Knicks'. This team has three main plays.

The first is Ewing in the post, with all other players spread out, and Ewing going one-on-one.

The second is Ewing drawing a double team, passing to the perimeter, where the Knicks have many three-point shooters, like Starks.

The third is when the first two don't work, the Knicks become a pack of wolves. Ewing continues to post up, and if he misses, all Knicks players rush like hungry wolves for the second chance.

This is the Knicks' offense, and this is why New York fans, media, and owners still hate Pat Riley despite his success. What kind of basketball did you play in L.A.? Now, in New York, with the highest coaching salary in the league, you bring us this? Pat Riley's tenure with the Knicks is hard to forgive.

But this simple and brutal style is what truly challenges the Jazz. Against other teams, Ewing might not have such an advantage, as the NBA is not short of strong centers, except for the Jazz.

Fortunately, the Jazz's defense is also aggressive, especially Karl Malone. Despite being shorter than Ewing, Malone forces Ewing to take mid-range jump shots, which, although a strength of Ewing's, are not as effective as dunks. Malone was "posterized" for most of the first quarter.

Malone's efforts paid off a bit, and the Jazz only trailed 16-20 at the end of the first quarter. This was a true defensive battle, but the Knicks controlled the pace.

When Lin Han and the Jazz starters returned to the court, they looked at the substitutes and their faces were not good. It was clear to everyone that the Jazz's chances of winning were slim.

"Coward, don't be so discouraged. Just wait a few years until the three dominant centers are past their prime, and it will be your Jazz's time to shine. Honestly, the three dominant centers in the NBA are incredibly strong. In the legendary system, they are all top-10 centers in NBA history, like Ewing, who is ranked sixth."

Although Alice seemed to be comforting him, Lin Han felt uncomfortable. What does it mean to wait a few years until the enemies are past their prime? Malone and Stockton are not much younger than the three dominant centers.

"Ha, don't worry. After Malone and Stockton are bullied by the three dominant centers, they will soon be able to bully the fourth dominant center. This is karma. Just accumulate good karma for now."

What does it mean to bully others after being bullied? And who is the fourth dominant center in the NBA? Is it the big guy from the Magic? Can Malone and Stockton really bully him? Lin Han is skeptical.

Ignoring Alice, Lin Han looked back at the court and saw that the Jazz's highly anticipated bench players were not faring well. The Knicks' defense and offense were strong, even with the bench. Pat Riley is indeed one of the best coaches, and his teams are tough to play against.

"Is this game really hopeless?"

Watching the substitutes with little hope of catching up, Lin Han sighed. But after a moment, a glimmer of hope appeared in his mind, and his mood shifted from despair to excitement.

Is there a chance to use the "T-Mac moment" in this game?

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