The final score was 109-86, with the Knicks dominating the Nets. This marked their third victory over the Nets this season, completing a season sweep.
Yi Jianlian posted a double-double with 34 points and 10 rebounds, but his expression betrayed little joy. Lian Dao understood why. The Nets' loss extended their skid to 11 games, second only to their 18-game losing streak to open the season.
After the game, Lian Dao approached Yi Jianlian, patted his shoulder, and pulled him into a hug. Words didn't come easily. "Don't dwell on the loss, it's not on you. You gave everything," Lian Dao said, his tone earnest.
Yi Jianlian nodded, silent but appreciative.
For the Knicks, the game was near perfection. But for Chinese fans, it fell short of expectations. They'd hoped for a fierce duel, with Lian Dao and Yi Jianlian trading blows, the score seesawing until a dramatic, last-second shot, perhaps a game-winner from one of them, sealed the outcome. Instead, the head-to-head matchup lasted barely a quarter. The Knicks built a commanding lead in the first half, and Lian Dao sat out the second, rendering the game a blowout.
Still, the limited matchup was electric. Lian Dao's dominance was no surprise, and Yi Jianlian, despite the Nets' collapse, held his own. The Nets lost, but Yi Jianlian didn't.
During the post-game handshake, the two embraced again. "Dinner later?" Yi Jianlian asked.
Their previous Nets-Knicks clash was a back-to-back, leaving no time for a meal. This time, with no games tomorrow and the Knicks flying out in the morning, they had a window.
They found a Chinese restaurant in New Jersey. It wasn't authentic, as New Jersey's small Chinese population meant few quality options, but it sufficed. Over dinner, they talked freely. As teammates in the Asian Championships and fellow Chinese players, there was no awkwardness. Yi Jianlian's personality had evolved since his early NBA days, evident in his on-court communication, calling pick-and-rolls and coordinating screens. He was more vocal, more engaged.
Yi Jianlian admired Lian Dao's ease with teammates, his ability to joke and connect with anyone. He envied the trust Lian Dao commanded from the Knicks, a camaraderie he'd only felt with the Chinese national team, never with the Bucks or Nets. He also marveled at Lian Dao's instant impact, a rookie rewriting records, earning sighs from retired superstars who called him one-of-a-kind.
As they parted, Lian Dao hesitated, then offered advice. "Work on your three-point shot," he said, keeping it light. He didn't push, as everyone carves their own path, but he knew Yi Jianlian's injury history and the NBA's physical demands. The yellow race often lacked raw athleticism, but their shooting touch was a strength. A reliable three-pointer could extend Yi Jianlian's career, especially as the league trended toward perimeter play. Centers would soon need outside shooting to avoid blue-collar roles.
Yi Jianlian nodded, acknowledging the suggestion but not fully committing. It was 2009, after all. The three-point revolution hadn't gripped the league. Despite Lian Dao's three-point barrage and record-breaking feats, many, including coaches, saw the three as a risky, situational weapon, not a cornerstone. Playoff intensity, they argued, favored inside scoring for stability. No one yet imagined a baby-faced Warriors rookie would redefine the game, using threes to lead his team to four titles in eight years, proving one person could transform a franchise, and that perseverance could reach the top.
After the Nets rout, the Knicks closed December with a 12-3 record, exceeding management's expectations. Yet, in the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers outshone them with a 14-3 mark. In 17 games, LeBron James led his retooled squad to 14 wins, a terrifying force.
James edged out Lian Dao by one vote for December's Eastern Conference Player of the Month, averaging 28.6 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 7.6 assists. Lian Dao's 27.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 11.2 assists were more well-rounded, but Cleveland's two extra wins tipped the scales.
In the West, Kobe Bryant claimed Player of the Month with 31.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 5.0 assists. The Lakers matched the Knicks' 12-3 record in 15 games, though Kobe's 35-plus-point outbursts in their final five games yielded only three wins. Losses came against James' Cavaliers on Christmas and Nash's Phoenix Suns, a team that thrived on slow, veteran-led play, frustrating younger, run-and-gun opponents.
Lian Dao secured December's Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, a near-certainty. Had the Knicks matched Cleveland's wins, he might've become the first rookie to win Player of the Month twice in his debut season. In the West, Tyreke Evans took Rookie honors with 22.1 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 5.1 assists, a steady complement to Lian Dao's dominance.
Evans was a standout, his 6'6" frame and 6'11" wingspan pairing with elite athleticism and basketball IQ. He thrived at point guard or shooting guard, reading the game with precision. But the Kings' mismanagement, playing him out of position alongside Kevin Martin, and Evans' own limitations dimmed his star after a brilliant rookie year. His body wasn't built for small forward, and Sacramento fumbled his development, losing the blueprint for his potential.