At Madison Square Garden, the ref blew the whistle—offensive foul on Zhao Dong.
The game continued, but Karl Malone had to head to the locker room for treatment, leaving the Jazz without their enforcer.
With Malone out, Zhao Dong was fully unleashed on both ends of the floor.
On offense, his efficient low-post scoring forced Utah into desperate fouls, sending him to the free-throw line repeatedly.
On defense, he dominated the paint, using his speed and mobility to cover nearly the entire half-court, completely disrupting the Jazz's offense.
By the end of the third quarter, the Knicks led 80-60. The Jazz had only managed 15 points in the quarter, while New York dropped 30 on them, blowing the game wide open. Even when Malone returned in the fourth, it was already garbage time.
Final score: Knicks 97, Jazz 85. New York takes Game 2.
Zhao Dong played 42 minutes, shooting 14-of-21 from the field, 3-of-6 from deep, and 10-of-12 from the line. He finished with 41 points, 13 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, 6 blocks, 2 turnovers, and 3 fouls—just one steal shy of a 5x5 game.
---
Postgame Reactions:
Marv Albert summed it up: "Nearly 70% shooting—Zhao Dong is dominating inside. His efficiency down low is miles ahead of his perimeter game. He's improved by at least 15 percentage points. Of course, his assists took a slight dip since he's focusing more on scoring than facilitating."
Matt Goukas added: "Karl Malone finally ran into someone who ain't scared of his elbows. His injury took the suspense out of this game, but I gotta wonder—will he try to throw another cheap shot at Zhao in Game 3? You know how Malone operates."
---
Chinese Broadcast Analysis:
"Zhao Dong is showing ridiculous scoring ability in the Finals," the Chinese commentators analyzed. "He's facing double-teams, triple-teams—even extreme defensive pressure—and still putting up insane efficiency."
"Two key reasons," they continued. "First, his ability to shake defenders and create space for himself. Second, his offensive rebounding, which is straight-up lethal."
Another analyst chimed in, "The Knicks are relying too much on Zhao Dong. If he has an off night, things could get ugly."
"What can they do?" the first analyst shrugged. "When you've got someone this efficient, you gotta let him cook."
---
Locker Room Interview:
Reporters swarmed Zhao Dong postgame.
"Zhao, you're averaging 43.5 points in these Finals, and your rebounding attack is killing the Jazz. How did you elevate your scoring like this?"
Zhao smirked. "Move fast, shake the defender, get the ball, shake the double-team, score on the board. That's it."
The room burst into laughter.
"How many games do you think this series will go?" another reporter asked.
"We're aiming for the sweep. And we got the ability to do it."
Gasps filled the press room.
The reporters were stunned. Zhao Dong was calling a sweep—in the Finals. And the next two games were on the road. That was bold. Maybe even reckless.
Before they could press him further, Zhao wrapped up the interview and left.
Outside, he found his friend waiting.
"Your jaw okay? Teeth still in place? Next time, wear a mouthguard," she said, checking his chin.
Zhao grinned. "I'm good. Malone's got some balls trying to fight me. Gotta respect his courage—but I'll turn him into a punching bag if he keeps it up."
She giggled.
At the Jazz press conference, things were heated.
With Malone at the hospital, the media focused on head coach Jerry Sloan and John Stockton.
"Coach Sloan, your team is down 0-2, and Zhao Dong just called for a sweep. How do you plan to respond?"
Sloan, visibly frustrated, snapped, "The Knicks played dirty! Zhao injured Karl—it's unfair! We're appealing to the league. He should've been ejected and suspended, but he got off with just a foul…"
The reporters weren't buying it. Everyone knew that if there was a king of dirty plays, it was Malone himself.
"So, how will you counter the Knicks?"
Sloan dodged the question. "We're gonna win the next two at home. They won't get away with this."
The press wasn't impressed.
Back in the Knicks' press room, Zhao Dong faced another wave of questions.
"Zhao, when you said you wanted a sweep, was that just for morale, or do you seriously think you'll end this in four?"
He grinned. "Ain't nothing better than sweeping for a ring."
"Aren't you worried about waking up the Jazz?"
"They can wake up all they want—we ain't changing. We'll crush them no matter what."
"Where do you think Utah is weak?"
Zhao smirked. "They ain't got a true scorer. They don't have anyone who can create their own shot."
The reporters exchanged glances. He wasn't wrong.
Zhao kept going. "Karl Malone? Man, he's not even a real scorer. He can't create his own shot. His low-post game is weak, and his mid-range isn't dangerous at all. He only scores off wide-open looks from pick-and-rolls. You ever see anyone double-team Malone? Hell no. He ain't worth it."
The press room erupted.
"Malone's a role player, man. A glorified catch-and-shoot guy. Without those big-ass elbows, he'd just be another dude taking easy shots. He's a cake-eater—that's all he does."
The reporters were loving it. Zhao Dong had just given Malone a new nickname—Cake Eater.
"That's why the Jazz never won a title," Zhao continued. "Their so-called superstar folds when it matters. If they keep running this same duo, they ain't ever touching a championship. Simple as that."
The room buzzed with excitement. He was right—every time the stakes got high, Malone collapsed just like Patrick Ewing.
Zhao Dong had just taken a sledgehammer to Karl Malone's legacy—and he didn't give a damn.
Zhao Dong didn't even bother finishing his thought before continuing:
"The Bulls and the Jazz both have duos, but the Bulls got Jordan. He's a different breed. He's got an offensive skill set that Karl Malone doesn't have. He can put the ball on the floor, create his own shot, attract double-teams, and open up looks for his teammates.
But Malone? Man, just watch the Jazz's offense this game. His teammates are out there setting screens left and right for him like he's some kind of charity case. He's out there begging for open looks. Hell, my 80-year-old grandma could drop 30 if she had that many open shots.
Honestly, I think Kevin Garnett over in Minnesota is already better than him. At least KG got some ball-handling skills in the post."
"Pffft!"
Reporters cracked up when they heard Zhao Dong compare Karl Malone to a beggar—and worse, his own grandma.
The next day, Zhao Dong's comments were all over the front pages of major sports media. The whole world now knew the name Cake-Eater.
"This bastard really thinks I'm just some role player, some bum, some cake-eating beggar who's worse than his damn grandma?! I swear to God, I'm gonna break him in the ring!"
Malone, his lip still swollen, ripped the newspaper in his hands to shreds.
"He wants to destroy me? Nah, I'm gonna destroy him first! I'll never let this slide. NEVER!"
He was still missing two big front teeth from their last game, and with the inflammation not fully gone, his lisp made his threats sound a little less intimidating.
But Zhao Dong wasn't alone in his take—plenty of people in the league agreed. The media went around getting reactions from players, coaches, and analysts.
Charles Barkley? He took the opportunity to take a jab at Malone.
"Ain't nothing wrong with what Zhao Dong said. Cake-man —nah, my bad, I meant Karl Malone—he's strong, no doubt. But he ain't got Zhao Dong's skillset.
The Jazz offense relies way too much on pick-and-rolls. That's their bread and butter. They run it so much because Malone ain't got a bag. He can't create his own shot, he doesn't draw double-teams, so they gotta set him up."
Barkley smirked, clearly enjoying himself.
Then a reporter asked, "Do you think the Knicks can sweep the Jazz?"
"Hell no!" Barkley shouted. "Man, Zhao Dong always talking about sweeping this team, sweeping that team. But just wait till he steps into Utah. That's real hell. If he makes it outta there alive, I'll be impressed."
Barkley might hate Karl Malone, but he hated Zhao Dong even more. After all, Zhao had embarrassed him on the court multiple times.
Meanwhile, Kevin Garnett wasn't about to waste this golden opportunity to build his name. He went straight to the media himself.
"Man, Zhao Dong was spitting facts," KG said. "I got a better face-up game than Karl. I can dribble, I can post up, and I can attract double-teams. That's the difference between me and him."
Even Don Nelson, the former Knicks coach who got fired, chimed in. Right now, he was unemployed, but he already had his next move planned.
Popovich had offered him a head coaching job in San Antonio, but he turned it down. Instead, he was about to take over as the Bulls' general manager once the season ended.
"I think Zhao Dong made some solid points," Nelson said in an interview. "Karl Malone's game has flaws, and the Jazz's roster doesn't have another offensive star who can create shots. So they have no choice but to spam pick-and-rolls to get good looks.
Pick-and-rolls are a great offensive weapon, but when you rely on them too much, the weaknesses start showing.
Look at how the Knicks defend it. When Malone runs a pick-and-roll, Zhao Dong is fighting through the screen, delaying the action, but not switching or trapping.
This works because Zhao Dong is strong and fast enough to recover. The Knicks also have great help defense, so Malone isn't getting mismatches or open looks like he's used to.
That's why the Jazz are down 2-0, and that's why Malone has only averaged 15 points over the two games."
A lot of coaches and analysts agreed with Nelson's breakdown.
Then, Phil Jackson arrived in New York. His relationship with Bulls GM Jerry Krause had completely fallen apart. Krause wanted him to step down, but Phil refused.
Michael Jordan wanted Phil to stay, and Phil himself needed to keep his contract for stability. But at this point, his pride was wounded. He wanted more power in the organization, but Krause wasn't giving it to him.
So, in typical Phil Jackson fashion, he made sure to get some media attention.
In an interview, he said:
"The Knicks are up 2-0 mainly because of Zhao Dong's dominance, and partly because of Malone's limitations.
We saw it in Chicago too. Whenever we played the Jazz, we dared Malone to shoot. His elbows made it hard to contest him properly, but we knew he wasn't gonna create offense by himself.
Now, Zhao Dong has neutralized his elbow tricks. Without that dirty edge, Malone is just a role player. He's struggling to score, and the Jazz offense is falling apart."
When a dynasty coach like Phil Jackson speaks, the media listens. His words were plastered all over the sports world.
"When Karl Malone's elbows stop working, he goes from a superstar to a role player. Should the Jazz really be building around a guy like that?" — The New York Times.
"Karl Malone = Dunk Merchant = FAKE SUPERSTAR!" — New York Sports Daily.
The New York media went in on Malone. They started questioning if he was even worthy of being the Jazz's franchise player.
The negativity spread to Utah. Some Jazz fans started doubting their own team. Was Malone really the guy to lead them to a title?
Zhao Dong, meanwhile, was loving it.
After landing in Salt Lake City, he flipped through the newspapers and smirked.
"For once, the New York media actually did something good," he said.
His roommate, Charles Oakley, glanced over.
"You didn't bring Lindsay?" Oakley asked.
"Nah," Zhao Dong said, pointing out the window. "Fans here are crazy."
Oakley peeked outside and saw a mob of Jazz fans surrounding the hotel. Even with the windows closed, the noise was deafening.
"Damn," Oakley muttered. "Ain't no way I'm getting good sleep tonight."
"The team got us earplugs. Just let 'em yell," Zhao Dong laughed.
Then Oakley leaned in.
"Zhao, be real. You really tryna sweep the Jazz?"
"Why not?" Zhao Dong grinned.
"You straight-up destroyed Malone, man. The media is roasting him like he's some scrub."
"I never said he was trash," Zhao Dong said, smirking. "But take away those elbows? He's just another role player living off pick-and-rolls and open jumpers."
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?
Visit this link:
Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03
Change (å) to (a)