NBA: The Dynasty Crusher (Basketball)

After defeating the Jazz, the Knicks continued their road trip, flying overnight to Boston.

But things didn't go as planned.

Against the Celtics, the Knicks' perimeter offense collapsed. Their three-guard rotation combined for a miserable 14-of-44 from the field, committing 13 turnovers. Rookie Manu Ginobili looked noticeably out of rhythm—exposing the learning curve of transitioning into the NBA.

The result? The Knicks suffered their second loss of the season.

In the postgame presser, Coach Don Nelson pointed to fatigue.

"Back-to-backs kill shooters," he said bluntly. "Especially young ones."

---

October 19 – New York City

Returning home, the Knicks prepared for their next challenge: the Dallas Mavericks.

The following day, at noon, Zhao Dong met up with Dazhi for lunch. Jordan, now part of the Mavericks' front office, was also in town and joined them.

Dazhi wasn't posting Yao Ming-level numbers, but he was holding his own. In ten games, he was averaging 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds, and 2.8 assists in 33 minutes—a solid contribution for the Mavs' frontcourt.

October 22 – Madison Square Garden

The Knicks hosted the Clippers in their 13th regular season game. After a clean victory, the Knicks improved to 11–2, tying the 76ers for the top spot in the East.

Out West, both the Lakers and Spurs were rolling with matching 12–1 records. The media had dubbed the Knicks, Sixers, Lakers, and Spurs as the "Top Four" of the season.

But none of these teams had yet gone head-to-head.

That would change on the evening of the 23rd, when the Knicks were set to face the 76ers in Philly—and the Lakers were hosting the Spurs at Staples.

After dispatching the Clippers, the Knicks flew overnight to Philadelphia.

And the real gauntlet was just beginning.

Following Philly, the Knicks would head west for a brutal three-game stretch: Spurs, Mavericks, and Lakers.

October 23 – Philadelphia, 8:00 PM

As the starting lineups were being announced, Zhao Dong's phone rang in the locker room.

He checked the screen. Home.

He answered.

"Husband…"

Lindsay's soft voice floated through the line.

Zhao smiled. "Eve? It's only six in the morning in Beijing. Why are you up so early?"

"Hehe… it's snowing! Heavy snow! I woke up and looked out the window… it's beautiful," she said with a giggle. "When will you come home? Let's build a snowman together!"

He could hear the warmth and longing in her voice. His chest tightened with emotion.

Then he heard another voice—his mother, Li Meizhu, calling out cheerfully.

"Dongdong! Weiwei's probably pregnant, hahaha!"

Zhao froze. "Really?"

He was mentally prepared, but hearing it still left him stunned.

"My dear son, you're going to be a father soon!" his mom laughed.

"Mom—don't get ahead of yourself," Zhao said helplessly. "It's not confirmed yet."

"Okay, okay. Weiwei, hang up and go rest—it's still early." his mother urged from the background.

"Goodbye, husband."

"Goodbye, wife."

Zhao ended the call with a wide smile on his face.

Back in the locker room, the rest of the team noticed.

"Boss, what's with the grin?" someone asked.

"Haha… I'm leveling up," Zhao laughed.

"Leveling up?"

"I'm gonna be a dad."

The locker room erupted.

"Yo, congrats, Zhao! That's huge!" Barkley shouted.

"You better treat us all!" someone else yelled.

"Zhao, congrats!"

Even Coach Nelson, Ernie, and the front office joined in to offer congratulations.

Zhao raised a fist. "Let's celebrate by burying Philly tonight."

---

Starting Lineups

New York Knicks

Zhao Dong – Fortson – Sprewell – Stackhouse – Ginobili

Philadelphia 76ers

Theo Ratliff – Karl Malone – George Lynch – Allen Iverson – Eric Snow

---

NBC National Broadcast – Tip-off Coverage

"Welcome back, NBA fans," Hubie Brown said from the booth. "Philadelphia's starting five is the same as last season, but their bench depth has improved significantly."

Cook added, "Right, they brought in Toni Kukoc to add scoring off the bench. And they signed Tyrone Hill to shore up the rebounding unit. Young Larry Hughes has also been contributing—about ten points per game."

"The Sixers' second unit is deeper than New York's right now," Hubie said.

"And keeping the Mailman, Karl Malone, with a big contract," Cook added, "ensures Philly stays in the championship conversation."

Hubie nodded. "Especially at this point in the season—when New York seems more vulnerable."

"You really think the Knicks are that much weaker than last year?" Cook teased. "They're still tied for first in the East."

"Tied—with Philly," Hubie emphasized. "And if you look at who they've played so far… no one elite. The real tests are just beginning."

He continued, "The Knicks' lineup leans heavily on the perimeter. They're pushing the tempo, playing smaller lineups. But that's not how they won their last two championships."

Cook agreed. "Their rebounding, their half-court execution, their defensive identity—those have all dipped. Turnovers are up, especially from the guards."

Hubie added, "And let's be honest—this roster went through a major shakeup. You clear out vets looking for big contracts, you pay the price. But it's part of the process."

Cook smiled. "What's surprising, though, is how motivated the new group is. No post-dynasty laziness. They're still chasing that banner."

"Even Barkley—you can say what you want, but when he gets minutes, he plays with full intensity," Hubie said.

What Hubie didn't know: Barkley wasn't playing hard just for pride.

He'd once been chewed out by Zhao Dong so fiercely that even his ego couldn't recover. One slip, and the Knicks could cut him without hesitation—an unthinkable embarrassment for a future Hall of Famer.

And besides... Barkley was angling to join Zhao Dong's investment circle.

Giving up wasn't an option.

Even if it meant crashing to the floor for loose balls.

Back in the broadcast booth, Cook chuckled.

"No matter how hard Barkley tries, haven't you noticed? He's put on weight. His condition's clearly slipped from last season—slower first step, weaker lift, less impact on both ends of the floor."

He paused, then added, "Kevin Willis is the same. Their decline is obvious. Right now, the Knicks are being held up by their starters. Once the rotation tightens, that record's going to dip. Might even collapse if they're not careful."

---

Player Tunnel – Wells Fargo Center, Philadelphia

The Knicks and 76ers stood in two lines, waiting to be introduced.

Zhao Dong glanced casually across the tunnel. He locked eyes with Karl Malone and Allen Iverson for half a second—two men he'd been battling for years. But to him, they were no longer threats. No fire. No pressure. Just familiar faces.

He looked away.

Iverson noticed.

The high chin remained—his swagger intact. But inside, something twisted. That casual dismissal? That look-away?

It stung.

He clenched his fists tightly. He remembered the first time he faced Zhao Dong—back then, he got respect. Now? Nothing.

Was he looking down on me?

Across from him, The Mailman cracked his knuckles. His face was stone. The confidence in Philly's revamped lineup had rekindled something in him. His body was older, yes—but not broken. Not yet.

If I don't go all out this year… I may never get another shot.

He didn't need a speech. He needed a war.

A few steps down the tunnel, Jerry Stackhouse stared daggers at Iverson. Chin high. Eyes locked.

Iverson didn't flinch. Didn't look. Didn't need to.

"Tch." Stackhouse snorted and turned his head away.

---

Tip-Off – NBC National Broadcast

"Ratliff and Fortson jump… ball goes to the Knicks!" called Zhang Heli on the CCTV live broadcast.

"Zhao Dong heads straight to the low post," he continued.

Opposite him was Karl Malone—lean, powerful, and still one of the strongest bodies in the league.

Zhao powered forward first, trying to get deeper positioning. Malone braced and met him with his chest, absorbing the contact and locking down with his upper body strength.

Zhao suddenly pulled away, shifting toward the wing. Malone, staying tight, subtly clamped Zhao's arm to disrupt his movement.

As Zhao made it to the left block, Ginobili fed him the ball.

But Malone shadowed the pass, and Ratliff rotated quickly from the weak side.

Zhao didn't wait.

Turn. Elevate. Fade.

Malone jumped to contest, but he was never known for his rim protection—0.8 blocks per game wasn't going to cut it.

The ball glided just over his fingertips and sank through the net with a soft splash.

"I can't feel your defense!" Zhao barked as he jogged back.

Malone's jaw tightened. He bit down hard and sprinted the other way.

---

Sixers' Possession

Iverson took the inbound, darted past the first defender, then pulled up at the elbow.

Swish.

"Beautiful pull-up from Iverson!" Hubie Brown called on NBC.

Cook added, "That hesitation-cross before the jump shot? Signature stuff. He slows the drive just enough to control the rhythm—it's surgical."

"It's got a little Zhao Dong flavor to it," Hubie laughed.

"Hey, who hasn't tried to copy the Tyrant's jumper at this point?" Cook replied.

---

Knicks' Possession

Zhao tried to pull Malone away from the paint, but the veteran played him tight. Physical. Disruptive.

This time, Sprewell fired a pass toward Zhao, but Malone's bump threw off the timing. The ball slipped through Zhao's fingers and into the hands of George Lynch.

No whistle.

Philly was off.

Iverson caught the outlet, burned down the floor, and laid it in.

"Malone didn't overplay it—just nudged Zhao off his center of gravity, and the refs let it go. Veteran savvy." Hubie noted.

Cook grinned. "Let's see how the Tyrant responds."

Knicks Ball – Again

Zhao posted, but Malone walled him up.

So he retreated—further this time, two or three meters outside the paint. He extended his left arm to seal Malone, then signaled to Stackhouse for the ball.

No contact now. Clean entry pass.

Zhao faced up, hit a quick jab step—Malone bit—and Zhao blew by him.

He entered the lane, Ratliff slid over to contest, but also had to watch Fortson underneath. He couldn't fully commit.

Zhao stopped mid-drive, rose, and launched a soft floater.

Swish.

"That's the move!" Zhang Heli yelled.

"The further he starts from the basket, the more explosive he becomes. Once he breaks Malone's position, there's no recovery," Su Qun chimed in.

"Two-on-one or even two-on-two—it's still advantage Knicks when Zhao's in the lane," Su Qun added.

Back on NBC, Hubie Brown was glowing.

"That pull-up jumper from Zhao Dong is league-unique. His separation, his elevation, and his touch—it's elite. You can't teach that rhythm under pressure."

Cook smiled. "You see it every night—players all around the league are imitating his footwork, his mid-post timing… Zhao has redefined the art of the pull-up."

Philadelphia possession.

The Sixers ran a familiar set—the Mailman took position just inside the right wing three-point line. The Email combo initiated the action. Iverson and Malone ran a pick-and-roll.

But Zhao Dong didn't switch. He stayed locked on Malone, determined not to give him any post mismatch.

Iverson darted into the lane. Ginobili trailed closely behind, while the Knicks' help defense collapsed inside.

Fordson rotated under the basket, boxing out and double-teaming. Iverson was walled off.

Then it happened—lightning.

The floor became Iverson's personal sketchpad. One blur of a crossover erased Fordson. A second switch of direction burned Sprewell. Suddenly, Iverson was free.

Quick stop. Jump shot. Splash.

"Yeah!" Philadelphia's crowd roared to life.

"Beautiful!" Zhang Heli cried on CCTV. "That separation off the bounce—almost like Zhao Dong himself!"

Su Qun nodded. "Iverson's explosiveness is peaking. This is his year."

Iverson jogged back, chin high, eyes locked on Zhao Dong with pride.

But Zhao wasn't looking. He had already sprinted downcourt.

---

At halfcourt, Zhao trailed two steps behind Malone, completely wide open.

Fordson grabbed the rebound, backed up to the baseline, and launched a full-court pass.

Zhao caught it, crossed over mid-stride, and flew past the left elbow.

The next second, every fan in Wells Fargo Center held their breath.

"BOOM!"

A one-armed tomahawk dunk detonated at the rim. The glass shook. The crowd—just moments ago cheering—fell completely silent.

"6–6!" Hubie Brown called out on NBC. "Both teams perfect so far—Zhao and Iverson are three for three."

Zhao dropped from the rim, eyes scanning the court. Malone came charging over.

Zhao smirked.

"Mailman, you're too slow. How do you plan on keeping up with me?"

Malone clenched his teeth and said nothing. No comeback. Trash talk didn't work against this man. Silence was all he had.

Larry Brown shouted from the sideline, "Karl! He's the key. Stay on him!"

Malone nodded. Entangle Zhao Dong—that was the mission.

---

Philadelphia ball.

Malone floated out to the left wing, pulling Zhao out of the paint. On the right, Iverson isolated.

Ginobili was the victim this time.

Iverson didn't need a crossover—he just beat the rookie with pure speed. Ginobili reached, missed.

Then came the second line: Sprewell.

Iverson juked again—gone.

Now inside the paint, Zhao Dong stepped up.

Fordson shadowed to help.

Iverson, seeing the wall close in, zipped a pass to Malone on the left wing.

Stackhouse scrambled to close out.

Malone caught the ball, rose for a jumper—and as he extended, his elbow caught Stackhouse's chin.

The ref puffed his cheeks, hesitated… and let play continue.

Stackhouse stumbled back.

Malone released.

But Zhao had rotated.

He elevated. SNATCH. Blocked the jumper mid-air.

"Massive block!" Su Qun screamed. "Zhao Dong just erased Malone!"

The crowd gasped.

Malone tried to recover, chasing the rebound.

Zhao caught it cleanly. Then—

BANG!

Zhao's elbows swung through.

One cracked into Malone's forehead. The veteran dropped back, grabbing his face.

The ref flinched again—but still no whistle.

He hadn't called the elbow from Malone earlier. Blowing it now would cause chaos.

Play on.

---

Fast break.

Zhao stormed upcourt. George Lynch stepped in to stop him.

Big mistake.

Zhao's 115 kilograms hit like a truck. Lynch stumbled back, completely off balance, and fell headfirst to the hardwood.

Zhao didn't stop.

"BOOM!"

Another slam. Iverson rushed in, but veered off toward the baseline—no chance he'd challenge that.

Wells Fargo Center fell dead silent again.

Larry Brown erupted.

He pointed to Malone, whose eyebrow was split open, blood running down his face.

"Look at him! He's bleeding! That's not a foul?"

The ref blew the whistle—not for a foul, but to get Malone off the court for treatment.

---

NBC Broadcast

Hubie Brown chuckled. "Coach Brown's fired up, but let's be honest—Malone elbowed Stackhouse just seconds ago. This was tit for tat."

Cook added, "If the Mailman doesn't want to bleed, maybe don't get into it with the world heavyweight boxing champ."

"Zhao Dong won't use dirty plays," Hubie said. "He's aggressive, but smart. That was just clean, tough basketball."

Cook laughed. "Welcome to the New York Gentlemen's Team. Elbows included."

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