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Chapter 215: Nuggets vs Knicks
🕑 Added 2025-07-05 15:59:35 +0000 UTCMadison Square Garden, New York.
The Garden was packed to the rafters again.
Tonight wasn’t just another Knicks game—it was a shot at history. Fans were buzzing, hoping to see Lin Yi match Michael Jordan’s iconic record of seven consecutive triple-doubles.
Anything involving Jordan brought with it a flood of nostalgia and reverence. For Knicks fans, who’ve endured years of disappointment, this wasn’t just about stats. It was hope.
Even team owner James Dolan made an appearance courtside—a rare sight. He wanted to witness the moment for himself. He couldn’t even remember the last time he was this excited for a regular-season game. Five years ago? Ten?
Spike Lee, the ever-present superfan, was animated as always. Except now his exaggerated dance moves weren’t trying to lift the crowd—they were celebrating real momentum.
New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning was there, too. During warmups, he walked over and hugged Lin Yi.
“Lin,” Eli grinned, “I came just to watch you make history tonight.”
Lin raised an eyebrow, grinning back. “A bit awkward if I don’t, huh?”
Eli chuckled. “If you don’t? This whole city might explode.”
He gestured to the crowd. “These people were lining up hours before the doors opened. They didn’t come for popcorn.”
The anticipation was real. Knicks fans had waited a long time to feel like this again.
...
Tonight’s visitors: the Denver Nuggets, fifth in the Western Conference and one of the few real challenges left on New York’s schedule.
The last time these two teams met, the Knicks had squeaked out a win thanks to a clutch three-pointer off the bench.
But Denver wasn’t looking to be anyone’s stepping stone tonight.
As the lineups flashed on the big screen:
Knicks:
Lin Yi
David Lee
Belinelli
Chandler
Pat Ewing Jr
Nuggets:
Kenyon Martin
Nenê
Carmelo Anthony
Arron Afflalo
Chauncey Billups
With the starters set, the energy in the Garden was electric.
At center court, Lin Yi stepped in for the opening tip against Martin. No contest—Lin soared, tipping it back cleanly to start the game.
First possession: Knicks ball.
As Pat brought the ball past half-court and dished it off to Lin Yi, the crowd erupted.
“MVP—! MVP—! MVP—!”
The chant wasn’t polite. It was deafening. Unanimous. Thunderous.
Just as Eli had said, everyone in that arena wanted to witness something historic.
If Lin fell short, would they be disappointed?
Of course.
But Lin had no plans on letting that happen.
First touch. First attack. Lin drove hard at Nenê, who couldn’t keep up. A sharp Euro step—then up off the glass.
0-2, Knicks.
“Lin Yi is wasting no time tonight,” said Barkley. “He’s dialed in.”
Kenny Smith leaned into the mic. “Charles, what do you think the fans are gonna do if he doesn’t get the triple-double tonight?”
Barkley turned to him with mock seriousness. “Kenny… how about we make a little wager? I say he gets it.”
Kenny replied with faux regret. “Let me guess, dinner on me?”
Barkley grinned. “You’re finally learning.”
...
“George Karl’s absence has really thrown the Nuggets off balance,” said Kenny, as the Nuggets called a timeout with eight minutes to go in the first quarter.
Denver was off to a sluggish start, trailing the Knicks 4-11.
From the bench, Lin Yi was already piecing things together. Something was off about the Nuggets on both ends.
Without Karl at the helm, Anthony had started freelancing far more. Lin knew exactly what that meant.
The 2003 draft class was competitive—LeBron and Wade already had scoring titles under their belts. Anthony, averaging close to 29 a game this season, was chasing that title too. And it was starting to show.
He was forcing isolation plays, disrupting the team’s rhythm. It might only be three or four extra shots per game, but the change in tempo was obvious.
Under Karl, Denver’s offense was led by Billups—calm, deliberate, surgical. He made sure Melo got his shots in ideal situations.
Now, with Anthony calling his number early and often, the offense felt... disconnected.
Lin had seen it before. Anthony wasn’t just taking more shots—he was holding the ball longer, ignoring off-ball movement, freezing teammates out. He was trying to win the scoring title, even if it meant slowing the whole team down.
Defensively? That was another story.
Anthony was clearly saving energy for the other end. Without someone like Dahntay Jones covering for him, Denver’s perimeter defense had dropped a level. Nenê was never a real rim protector, and Afflalo—though tough—wasn’t the kind of defender who could anchor a team.
Watching from the sidelines, Lin Yi felt like the basketball gods were giving him a gift.
He turned to Belinelli and leaned in. “Marco, start running off screens. I’ll find you. Just keep moving.”
Belinelli blinked, pointing to himself. “Me?”
Lin grinned and clapped him on the back. “Yeah. You’re the guy tonight.”
After all, assists were the first step to a triple-double, and Marco’s jumper was looking reliable.
Rebounds would come, especially with the Nuggets playing this loose. But the assists needed to pile up early so Lin could get into rhythm.
...
Out of the timeout, Billups knocked down a three to cut the lead to 7-11.
Lin nodded to himself. The Knicks were going to need a seasoned floor general like Billups down the line—someone with playoff composure.
He liked to act like he had it all figured out, but deep down, he was still a rookie. Come playoff time, having a veteran voice would matter.
Harrington had already hinted he wouldn’t be sticking around. He was planning to chase a final contract somewhere and wind down his career. The man had already had his moments—including a legendary first-round upset—and didn’t feel the need to chase a ring anymore.
And not every vet was ring-obsessed. Some just wanted a steady path into retirement.
Back on the floor, the Knicks reset on offense.
Belinelli came off a screen and shook free. Anthony was slow to react—again.
Lin, already anticipating the cut, fired the pass right into his shooting pocket.
Catch. Rise. Splash.
Belinelli buried the three.
"That's a beautiful read by Lin Yi—and Belinelli's in rhythm early," said coach Dan from the Knicks bench, clapping along with the coaching staff.
Lin’s lips curled into a grin.
This was shaping up nicely. The assists were coming.
Now it was just a matter of time.
