On December 25th, Christmas Day, the NBA's 2011–12 regular season officially tipped off.
The defending champions, the New York Knicks, hosted the Boston Celtics at Madison Square Garden—a fitting stage for the start of a new campaign. Before the game, the players received their 2010–11 championship rings, a gleaming reminder of how far they'd come.
(Image)
Shaquille O'Neal, now part of TNT's broadcast crew, strutted back to the commentary desk, flashing his fifth ring like a kid showing off a new toy.
"Charles, take a good look," Shaq said, holding his hand out dramatically. "That's number five, baby!"
Barkley leaned back in his chair, unimpressed. "Shaq, the only ring I want to see you wear next is in a boxing match—with me."
Shaq laughed. "Boxing? Man, I never watched a full Tyson fight in my life. Too short. I need entertainment, not a knockout in thirty seconds."
Kenny Smith burst out laughing.
"And this is why TNT never gets boring," he said as the two bickered.
Meanwhile, down on the court, Lin Yi stood quietly with his championship ring glinting under the arena lights. It was his first—something small in size, but with the weight of every dream, every sacrifice, and every sleepless night behind it. He turned it over in his hand, smiling faintly.
If one feels this good, he thought, I wouldn't mind collecting a few more.
Players who'd left the team would get their rings when they returned to MSG later in the season. As for Stephon Marbury and Patrick Ewing Jr., who were now in the CBA, friends would pick theirs up on their behalf.
When the opening lineups were announced, the crowd erupted in cheers.
The Knicks started Chris Paul, Danny Green, Lin Yi, Markieff Morris, and Tyson Chandler.
The Celtics countered with Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Brandon Bass, and Kevin Garnett.
Lin Yi couldn't help but chuckle every time he saw Bass. The guy looked so much like Draymond Green that Lin half-expected him to start yelling,
"This is my house!" after every rebound.
Looking at the Celtics' lineup, Lin noticed something else—this wasn't the same lean, fiery Boston team from years past. Pierce had filled out to a solid 115 kilos, and Garnett, fresh off a summer of lawsuits and negotiations, looked closer to 120. Lin smirked.
If Pat Riley were coaching this team, half of them would've been fined just for showing up overweight.
Over in his office, David Stern sat watching the broadcast with a satisfied grin. Many had predicted the lockout would hurt the NBA's popularity, but with Madison Square Garden packed to the rafters and roaring for its champions, he hoped the league was as strong as ever.
New York was electric that night. The crowd buzzed like a live wire, every cheer shaking the rafters. It was basketball's cathedral on its holiest day.
…
As the referee tossed the ball into the air, the new season began.
Lin Yi, now starting at small forward, easily out-jumped Garnett for the tip. The ball barely touched KG's fingers before Lin had it, gliding downcourt.
Garnett tried to summon the fire of old, but his legs weren't listening. Lin Yi took a dribble, stepped back—a move he'd perfected over the summer—and sent Garnett stumbling backward.
Swish.
3–0.
MSG erupted into chants of MVP! MVP!
"Wait, was that not a travel?" Kenny Smith asked, eyebrows raised.
Barkley leaned forward, replaying the move in slow motion. "Hmm… by today's rules, it's clean."
Shaq, watching Garnett's fall on the replay, laughed until he almost spilled his coffee. "KG, my man! Just retire already and join us on TNT! We'll even save you a seat next to Chuck!"
The Celtics were already struggling. Pierce tried to guard Lin, but his slower footwork made it a mismatch nightmare. By the time the shot clock was winding down, Rondo had no choice but to hoist a desperate jumper over Paul.
Lin didn't even wait for it to rim out—he'd already broken toward the basket. Markieff Morris and Tyson Chandler boxed out perfectly, clearing the lane. Lin grabbed the rebound, fired it ahead to Paul, and the Knicks were off.
Paul pushed the tempo, drew two defenders, and kicked it to Lin on the wing. Garnett shuffled toward him again, but Lin didn't even glance at the rim—he lobbed the ball over KG's head to Morris, who slammed it in for his first career basket.
5–0. Knicks.
Paul jogged back on defense, shaking his head. "You could've taken that shot yourself."
Lin grinned and patted his shoulder. "Chris, my friend, we play team basketball."
Paul muttered under his breath. "Team basketball, my ass. You're just farming assists now."
Kenny Smith pointed out what everyone could see. "Since Lin's moved to small forward, the Celtics look completely lost defensively."
Barkley nodded eagerly. "That's the key. Lin doesn't just score mismatches—he creates them. He's making life easier for everyone else on the floor."
Shaq rolled his eyes. "Please. Lin's just setting up stat-padding central. Don't let him fool you."
Barkley turned to him, grinning. "You're just jealous he's faster than you ever were."
Shaq leaned closer. "Keep talking, Chuck. I don't see you from all the ice on my finger reflecting the light."
The TNT studio burst into laughter while Barkley sat with his mouth agape as the cameras cut back to MSG.
On the court, Lin Yi smiled faintly as he adjusted his wristband. He'd eased up on the isolation plays for a reason. He wasn't just after points tonight—he was testing something new, a system that would stretch defenses beyond their limit.
...
After the Knicks opened the game with a blistering 4–13 run, Celtics head coach Doc Rivers had seen enough — he called a timeout, sharp and decisive.
On the bench, Rivers leaned in toward Paul Pierce, voice low but firm.
"You're our Truth. You know what to do."
Pierce glanced up at the rafters of Madison Square Garden, where the Knicks' newest championship banner gleamed under the lights. He didn't need Rivers to say it — he knew he'd be guarding Lin Yi next.
But to be fair, after the timeout, Pierce tried, but it just wasn't enough..
Lin Yi wasn't chasing points early on; he was orchestrating. When the lob inside wasn't there, he'd flip the script — setting screens for Chris Paul, then slipping perfectly into space. Paul's pick-and-roll reads were masterful, carving passing angles that looked almost too easy.
One sequence stood out — Lin Yi snatched the ball one-handed, turned his head, and caught Tyson Chandler's eye. The next second, Chandler thundered home the slam.
The Garden exploded.
New York's big men were owning the air tonight — Lin Yi and Chandler were running the floor like co-pilots of chaos.
Plays like this usually belonged in All-Star Games, yet here they were, torching Boston in the season opener.
"Lin Yi really does make everyone around him better," Kenny Smith said on commentary. "He's setting the tone out there."
Chris Paul just exhaled quietly on the bench.
At least Lin Yi only played eight minutes in the first quarter — the plan was to stagger their minutes.
With 2:31 left in the first, Paul finally registered his first assist of the night.
"Wait, that's Chris's first assist?" Kenny blinked at the stat sheet.
Barkley chuckled. "Man, Lin's stealing all his shine tonight!"
From the bench, Lin Yi ruffled Klay Thompson's hair. "Klay, when you get in for the second quarter, don't hesitate. Shoot. I'll clean up the boards."
The rookie, still nervous about his debut, nodded earnestly. Suddenly, Lin Yi's lectures about studying game film didn't seem so bad — not when the guy literally promised to back you up.
The second quarter began with Lin Yi, Whiteside, Motiejūnas, Klay, and Billups on the floor.
Boston's second unit? They didn't stand a chance.
Lin Yi turned into a workhorse — setting screens, rebounding like a man possessed, and feeding shooters. On one possession, Klay fired three straight threes. Lin Yi crashed the glass each time, bullying the Celtics' interior until Klay finally drained one.
But Lin wasn't done. He was loving the grind.
"Keep shooting, Klay — I've got you!" Lin shouted as they jogged back on defense.
Klay grinned. With the insurance of the MVP like that, how could he not believe he could outshoot anyone — even Stephen Curry?
Swish.
Swish.
Swish.
Swish.
"This kid, Klay, is unbelievable!" Kenny said. "Twelve straight points! The Knicks are fearless, giving him this green light!"
Barkley laughed. "Lin told us they call themselves the Splash Brothers. Well, Madison Square Garden's getting wet tonight!"
O'Neal and Kenny looked at Barkley at the same time with the same thought.
You say what my brother?
...
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