NBA: Journey To Become Unplayable.

As the NBA season awards were announced, some were all smiles while others could only sigh.

And just as Lin Yi continued making headlines and getting under a lot of people's skin, the first round of the 2009–10 NBA playoffs wrapped up.

Next stop: the Conference Semifinals.

The Knicks will kick off their Eastern Conference semifinals against the Celtics on May 1st, while the Cavaliers and Magic square off on May 3rd. Cleveland, of course, will be looking for revenge after last year's Eastern Conference Finals loss to Orlando — plenty of storylines in that one, and plenty of eyes watching.

Over in the West, every first-round series went six games, with each winner taking it 4–2.

First through? No surprise — the top-seeded Lakers. Kobe reminded everyone why he's Kobe, shooting around 42% in the series, and benefited from the presence of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum. Basketball became easier when you have good teammates. The Thunder just didn't have the size to match up inside and bowed out.

Elsewhere, just like in Lin Yi's memory, the Nuggets fell to the Jazz without George Karl on the sidelines. Carmelo did his part — averaging over 30 a night — but Utah's depth carried them through in six.

Phoenix handled Portland 4–2, though Roy's heroics couldn't save the Blazers. Worryingly for Portland, Roy re-injured himself yet again.

And then there was the Spurs–Mavs series — and yes, Mavs fans were sick to their stomachs again. The Spurs dispatched Dallas 4–2 and set up yet another showdown with the Suns in the next round.

Lin Yi, for his part, was quietly amused — he remembered the Suns sweeping the Spurs in the upcoming series. Finally, something for Suns fans to cheer about.

...

On ESPN's Celtics–Knicks preview poll, the media consensus was brutally clear. Of the 100 journalists and analysts surveyed, 79 picked Boston to advance. Nineteen even predicted a Celtics sweep, while 31 had them winning 4–1, and another 17 went with 4–2. Just 12 thought it would go the full seven.

As for the Knicks? Only 21 dared pick them, and of those, just one believed they'd win 4–1. The other 20 thought it would have to come down to a Game 7.

The message was obvious: while Lin Yi and the Knicks had earned respect, most still saw Boston as simply stronger.

Lin Yi didn't disagree, at least not completely.

Boston was built to shut down a team like New York. Rondo, Tony Allen, Perkins, KG, Pierce, Ray Allen… "How did this Celtics team even lose to the Lakers in the Finals?" Lin muttered to himself. "Honestly… they'd have been better off with Shaq's grandma instead of Doc Rivers running the show."

Still, no matter how good Boston was, Lin Yi wasn't going to back down.

Step one was keeping the right mindset.

For the Knicks, there was nothing to lose. And that — that was their greatest advantage.

The Celtics, on the other hand? They couldn't afford to lose.

...

Before practice, D'Antoni pulled Lin aside. The two talked through the upcoming series.

"If we want a shot," Lin said his thoughts, "we've got to push the pace and make it as physical as we can. Our biggest edge is youth, Coach. We have to lean on that."

Then, with a little grin, he added, "We've got to use the bench more. If we don't run the Celtics into the ground, we'll just run ourselves ragged."

D'Antoni chuckled, "What? You think I'm scared to play the bench? C'mon… I give guys chances all the time!"

Lin just smiled knowingly. Sure, D'Antoni liked giving role players chances — but only when the Knicks were comfortably ahead. In tight spots, like that Game 4 against Miami, the old man would ride the starters into the ground every time.

In Lin's mind, Steve Kerr was one of the people who would later show everyone how to handle a playoff rotation properly. Keep guys fresh, even if it means dropping a game or two early, and you're better off later in the series. The playoffs are a war of attrition.

The Knicks' depth wasn't anywhere near Boston's. If D'Antoni overplayed the starters, they'd burn out — and probably get swept.

But Lin wasn't worried. He could tell D'Antoni was open to trying things. After all, even the coach knew getting to Round 2 was already a win. So why not roll the dice?

...

On April 30, the Knicks touched down in Boston a day early.

No home-court advantage this round. And they all knew the stat — the team with home-court wins about 83% of these series. Daunting, to say the least.

...

May 1st,2010.

TD Garden.

Game 1. Knicks vs. Celtics.

For most of the Knicks, this was uncharted territory. Playoff basketball hits different. Al Harrington, though, had been here before — he'd been part of that famous Warriors "We Believe" team that knocked off Dallas as an 8-seed. Tonight, he was walking up and down the locker room, trying to calm the younger guys down.

"Listen," Harrington said, clapping his hands together, "I know it's loud out there, I know it feels like the world's watching — 'cause it is — but don't let it rattle you. Just play. Block it out. We belong here."

On the other side of the room, Knicks third assistant coach Dan couldn't stop smiling as he leaned toward D'Antoni.

"Mike," Dan said, shaking his head in disbelief, "who'd have thought we'd be standing here right now?"

D'Antoni grinned but kept his voice even. "Yeah. Crazy how far we've come in a year, huh?"

Last season, they were a punchline. Tonight, they were on the big stage, playing against the East's best.

...

When the Knicks finally stepped out onto the TD Garden floor, the moment hit them all at once.

Seventeen championship banners hung over the court, impossible to miss.

If there were true giants in NBA history, it was the Celtics and the Lakers.

Even New England Patriots legend Tom Brady was courtside tonight, decked out in green and white. Celtics fan through and through.

Lin Yi stopped at the sidelines, took a deep breath.

He was human — of course, he was nervous.

But under that? Excitement.

Look at that — Paul Pierce, already getting loose at the other end.

Look at that — Kevin Garnett, barking orders even in warmups.

And there — Ray Allen, smooth as ever with his pregame shots.

The certified Big Three, plus Rondo running the show and Perkins holding down the paint. This was Boston's best.

Lin bounced the ball, adjusted his arm sleeves, and glanced at the scoreboard.

Steal one here tonight and flip the pressure back on them, he thought. That's how you start an upset.

...

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