On the 19th, the Knicks faced the Clippers at the Staples Center.
The city of Los Angeles welcomed all. The weather was nice, the city was famous, and it had a world-famous arena.
The problem was that this time, the visitor was Lin Yi.
And when Lin Yi stepped onto the court, he was not there to admire the view. He was there to win, and if Blake Griffin wanted to stop him, that was easier said than done.
Blake Griffin had become a much more complete player since entering the league. His strength, conditioning, and footwork had all improved, and his athleticism remained among the best in basketball.
But stopping Lin Yi was a different challenge entirely.
The Clippers had become one of the NBA's most exciting teams in recent years. As the Lakers entered a decline following the end of their championship era, many Los Angeles fans began shifting their attention elsewhere.
The Clippers were finally becoming relevant.
And this season, they were giving fans plenty of reasons to watch.
After acquiring pieces from the Mavericks, Los Angeles had fully embraced a fast-paced offensive style. Doc Rivers, once known for his defensive philosophy, had adapted to the reality of his roster.
The Clippers were not built to suffocate opponents.
They were built to overwhelm them.
With Blake Griffin and Amar'e Stoudemire leading the frontcourt, the Clippers had two elite offensive weapons who could punish teams inside and from mid-range.
Their solution was simple.
If they could not stop teams consistently, they would score more points than them.
The strategy worked.
The result was obvious.
The Clippers averaged 111.1 points per game that season, making them one of only five teams in the NBA averaging over 110 points.
The other four?
The others were the Knicks, who played at a pace that often turned games into track meets.
The Warriors, who created chaos but somehow controlled every second of it.
The Thunder, where everyone knew something was wrong if Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant combined for fewer than 50 shots.
And the Dallas Mavericks, the only team among them that looked somewhat normal.
Speaking of Los Angeles, there was another interesting event happening before Christmas.
Los Angeles was already buzzing before Christmas.
The Clippers had become the city's hottest basketball story, but the NBA's drama never stayed on the court.
The Lakers were scheduled to host the Rockets on Christmas Day, and many Lakers fans had already turned the game into a personal statement against Dwight Howard.
It was a chance to express their feelings toward Dwight Howard.
Many joked online that Howard needed a samurai sword so he could perform "seppuku" after returning to Los Angeles.
The jokes became so widespread that Howard even received a new nickname from Lakers fans:
"King Kong Barbie."
A combination of his Superman image and the belief that he had failed to live up to expectations.
Howard's response was surprisingly creative.
He posted pictures of two golden retrievers and named them Jim and Kobe.
A quiet but very obvious response.
Back to the game.
The Clippers were not going to back down against the Knicks.
Their starting guard, Eric Bledsoe, was having an outstanding season.
20.1 points.
5.4 rebounds.
5.3 assists.
His athletic ability was among the best among NBA guards.
Explosive speed.
Powerful drives.
Relentless attacks.
Some compared his physical tools to a smaller version of LeBron James.
Lin Yi actually enjoyed facing players like Bledsoe.
Not because they were easy opponents.
Because they attacked without fear.
Players who challenged him at the rim gave him opportunities to show exactly what kind of defender he was.
However, Bledsoe's aggressive style also carried risks.
Players who depended heavily on explosiveness often faced problems as their bodies accumulated injuries and fatigue.
Even Derrick Rose, once considered the fastest guard in basketball, had been forced to adjust his game after injuries.
Speed could win battles.
It could not defeat time.
The same applied to the Clippers' frontcourt.
Griffin and Stoudemire were viewed as a powerful combination, but both players were far more dangerous offensively than defensively.
In this timeline, Griffin had developed a reliable three-point shot earlier than expected after training with the 2009 Draft Class.
Stoudemire, meanwhile, had transformed his mid-range game into one of his biggest weapons after injuries reduced his explosiveness.
The reality was simple.
Fans often remembered the highlights.
They remembered Griffin's dunks.
They remembered Stoudemire's powerful finishes.
But great players were constantly evolving.
From the opening minutes, both teams played exactly the type of game fans expected.
Fast pace.
Aggressive offense.
Constant scoring.
The game was entertaining from the first possession.
But entertainment was not enough.
The Knicks controlled the game.
No matter how many runs the Clippers attempted, New York always had an answer.
During the break between the first and second quarters, Doc Rivers delivered one of his trademark motivational speeches.
The energy was impressive.
The message was inspiring.
But Lin Yi knew something.
Motivation could inspire a team.
It could not replace talent.
Against the Knicks, confidence alone was not enough.
By the final buzzer, New York had secured another road victory.
Lin Yi had no reason to relax.
The Knicks were surrounded by serious contenders.
The Pacers and Heat were waiting in the East.
The Warriors, Thunder, and Mavericks were dangerous threats in the West.
Every game mattered, and every mistake could cost them later.
The championship race was a marathon, and only the teams that stayed sharp would survive.
Despite the loss, Griffin remained confident.
He had continued improving and earned another selection as a Western Conference All-Star starter.
In terms of popularity in Los Angeles, only an aging Kobe Bryant remained ahead of him.
After the game, Griffin approached Lin Yi with excitement.
"By the way, I got invited to appear on Comedy Central's Roast Battle."
Lin Yi acted surprised.
"You're going to roast someone?"
Griffin smiled.
"Drop acting surprised. You know it's you."
Lin Yi laughed.
. . .
On December 20th, the Knicks continued their Western Conference road trip.
Before the game, one of the biggest stories around the league was happening away from the court.
Trade rumors between the Kings and Heat had once again become a hot topic.
According to reports, Miami had shown a strong interest in Hassan Whiteside, the talented big man Sacramento had taken away from New York a few years earlier.
But the Kings were not going to give him away cheaply.
George Karl made his position clear.
"If Miami wants Whiteside, then they better be prepared to give us something valuable."
And in Sacramento's eyes, that meant Chris Bosh.
Naturally, the deal went nowhere.
However, the two teams soon found themselves talking again.
This time, Miami changed its target.
If Whiteside was unavailable, how about Tristan Thompson?
The Heat were desperate.
Pat Riley had built a reputation for always being prepared, but even the legendary executive could feel the pressure this season.
The championship window was closing.
Missing another opportunity was something Miami simply could not afford.
The Kings, meanwhile, were more than happy to take advantage of the situation.
They understood exactly what Miami's desperation meant.
More leverage.
More bargaining power.
Lin Yi had no idea where this trade drama would eventually end, but he had to admit one thing.
The Kings were having a surprisingly respectable season.
At least they no longer had to worry about competing with the Timberwolves for the worst record in the Western Conference.
Their roster was far from perfect.
Tyreke Evans, acquired from Minnesota, had struggled with injuries and inconsistency throughout the season.
And while Whiteside and Tristan Thompson could dominate the paint, Sacramento could not expect to win every night simply by feeding their big men easy baskets.
So even if George Karl wanted to summon every ounce of energy and "erase" Lin Yi from the basketball world, his players were not suddenly going to transform into superheroes.
Unfortunately for Sacramento...
The Knicks had their own superhero.
And tonight, Klay Thompson arrived.
Basketball was strange sometimes.
The matchups that looked ordinary on paper could produce unforgettable performances.
Just like Stephen Curry always seemed to find another level against New Orleans, Klay had a special relationship with Sacramento.
Whenever the Kings saw him standing on the opposite side of the court, it felt like the universe had arranged the meeting itself.
When Klay caught fire, even the strongest defenders could only watch.
And tonight, the Kings could only hope the storm passed quickly.
. . .
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