The Kings traded Kevin Martin and acquired future point guard Marcus Thornton, forcing Tyreke Evans out of his starting point guard role. The team labeled him a small forward, a decision that became a turning point in his career.
Evans, at 6'6" with a 6'11" wingspan, was ill-suited for the frontcourt. His height and weight couldn't withstand the position's physicality, and his inconsistent shooting struggled against tough matchups. In his second season, his field goal percentage dropped by 5% to 40%, a sharp decline from his rookie brilliance. Each season brought further regression, setting him on a path to obscurity.
The Kings' mismanagement exacerbated the issue. Prolonged battles at small forward wore down Evans' knees, and injuries sapped the speed that fueled his drives. Off the court, his later descent into nightlife, frequenting entertainment venues and indulging in drinking, eroded his discipline. The combination left him a shadow of his rookie self, fading from the league.
Mike D'Antoni missed December's Coach of the Month award, despite the Knicks' 12-3 record. With 15 games, including grueling back-to-backs, the Knicks faced a lighter schedule, avoiding many elite teams. However, the Cleveland Cavaliers' 14-3 mark, driven by LeBron James, stole the spotlight. Cavaliers coach Mike Brown claimed the Eastern Conference honor.
In the West, Grizzlies coach Lionel Hollins earned the award, guiding Memphis to a 9-4 record in 13 games. The Grizzlies, alongside the Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder, emerged as the season's dark horses. Last season's afterthoughts, these teams, dubbed the Young Guards League by the NBA, boasted starting lineups averaging around 25 years old. Their youthful energy tormented veteran squads like the Spurs, Celtics, and Suns.
On December 31, 2009, Lian Dao received a surprise: Anta delivered his first signature sneaker sample. Throughout the design process, Anta consulted Lian Dao, incorporating his input. The shoe blended traditional Chinese elements, such as thunder and cloud patterns around the sole, with modern flair, aligning perfectly with Lian Dao's aesthetic.
Thrilled, Lian Dao approved the sample as his debut signature sneaker, named the LD-1, with "LD" drawn from his Chinese pinyin surname. Simple yet striking, the name was designed to stick. Anta, buoyed by Lian Dao's enthusiasm and his soaring popularity, planned a global press conference for January 10, 2010. Initially set for January 11 to echo Lian Dao's jersey number, the date shifted due to a Knicks game. Lian Dao didn't mind, as January 10 was fine, and perfection wasn't worth chasing.
The LD-1's design and technology impressed Lian Dao. From material selection to prototyping, Anta's meticulous process, despite risks of costly missteps, paid off. With media buzz and newspaper headlines building momentum, Lian Dao believed the LD-1 would be a game-changer upon release.
Beyond the sneaker launch, Lian Dao focused on the Knicks' January schedule. With 15 games but only two back-to-backs, the team welcomed the lighter travel load after December's grind. Yet January started poorly. In their opener, the Knicks fell to the Atlanta Hawks on the road, unable to shake off the rust from two easy away wins. The Hawks controlled the game from tip-off.
Lian Dao, heavily targeted by Atlanta's defense, was double-teamed by Marvin Williams and Joe Johnson. His three-point shot, a cornerstone of his game, deserted him, as he went 1-for-6 from deep, leading to a season-low 13 points, though he added 11 assists and 6 rebounds. The Hawks, familiar with Lian Dao's style after losing to the Knicks twice earlier, exploited his off-night with precision.
The loss ended the Knicks' road trip, and they returned to New York. As media speculated that Lian Dao had hit the rookie wall, he silenced doubters against the Indiana Pacers at home, erupting for 43 points, 8 assists, and 8 rebounds against All-Star Danny Granger and Brandon Rush. Yet, despite his near-triple-double, the Knicks fell 110-108. Lian Dao's low shooting efficiency exposed a glaring issue: the Knicks lacked a reliable second scoring option.
While the media dissected Lian Dao's 40-plus-point outburst and the loss, the Knicks faced the Charlotte Bobcats. Lian Dao delivered again with 46 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds, but Jrue Holiday stole the show. The rookie point guard notched 10 points, 21 assists, and 3 steals, becoming the second 2009 draftee, after Lian Dao, to record 20 assists in a game. Their combined brilliance secured a three-point win, snapping the Knicks' two-game skid.
Word spread that 76ers GM Eddie Jordan, watching Holiday's performance, regretted trading him. Holiday's blend of offensive orchestration and defensive tenacity marked him as a future star. Philadelphia's team-building woes persisted, as post-Iverson, they'd pinned hopes on Andre Iguodala as a leader, but his defensive prowess and low offensive drive didn't fit the role. A system player, not a cornerstone, Iguodala highlighted the 76ers' flawed vision He didn't fit the mold of a franchise leader, underscoring the 76ers' ongoing struggle to rebuild effectively.