There was complete silence inside the Albuquerque Thunderbirds' huddle.
At that moment, no one on their team questioned the short Chinese player anymore.
Head coach Daryl Morey furiously yelled from the sidelines, "Idiots! I warned you a long time ago to pay attention to the player named Lin! Why didn't any of you listen?"
The players exchanged uneasy glances, especially the power forward who had been so emphatically dunked on by Lin Feng, who was now utterly deflated.
Before the game, Morey had specifically instructed them to focus on guarding Lin Feng, but the most arrogant among them was their power forward.
He had boastfully proclaimed that aside from Yao Ming, all other Chinese players were losers.
He even went as far as to say that Yao Ming's No. 1 draft pick status was solely due to the influence of Commissioner David Stern and the allure of the massive Chinese market, insinuating that Yao Ming's individual talent alone wouldn't have warranted such a high selection.
Essentially, he believed Yao Ming's success was artificial and had never taken any Chinese basketball player seriously.
As a direct consequence of his arrogance, he had been spectacularly humiliated on national television.
Under the stunned gaze of thousands of fans, a seemingly undersized Chinese player, standing at just 189cm, had executed a breathtaking "death dunk" over him!
He was so mortified that he wished the gym floor would open up and swallow him whole.
"Idiot! Allen, you are the dumbest idiot on this team! How could I possibly have a player as brainless as you?" Morey roared at Allen, the power forward who had become Lin Feng's highlight reel victim.
"Hahaha, so cool! Allen is usually so arrogant. I've always disliked him."
"Lin! Thank you so much! You avenged our entire team!"
Harris and his teammates repeatedly praised Lin Feng.
Allen was indeed known for his arrogance. He had briefly played in the NBA but was relegated to the Development League due to inconsistent and subpar performance.
However, Allen remained oblivious to his shortcomings and still carried himself like an NBA star, often earning disdainful looks from his own teammates.
Tonight, Lin Feng not only blocked his shot but then soared over him for a thunderous dunk, providing a deeply satisfying spectacle for everyone watching.
Faced with the torrent of compliments from his teammates, Lin Feng remained characteristically reserved. He wasn't one for excessive chatter.
Ever since he began embodying the aloof persona of Sakuragi Hanamichi, he had become even more averse to boasting.
He would let his extraordinary skills speak for themselves, delivering breathtaking performances that would make the world take notice of the talent of Chinese basketball players.
"Double-team him! Mark that Chinese guy named Lin with all your strength! Don't let him penetrate so easily again! Stay glued to him!" Morey frantically instructed from the sideline.
Lin Feng absorbed these instructions with a calm demeanor. Being double-teamed was a clear sign of respect, and it would create opportunities for his teammates to score.
Harris approached Lin Feng and whispered, "Lin! You're practically a superstar now! That old man Morey is going to have the whole team guarding you. When they double-team you, don't forget to pass me the ball. I've been diligently practicing that damn shooting you advised me on these past few days."
Lin Feng turned to him, his expression steady. "Harris, are you certain you can consistently make the open shot?"
"Lin! You have to trust your teammates! I won't let you down tonight."
"Okay." Lin Feng nodded slightly. "Just be ready for the pass. Once they double-team me, I'll find a way to get it to you."
"OK!" Harris replied, a grin spreading across his face.
...
The game resumed. After the inbound pass, point guard Croft no longer dared to showboat in front of Lin Feng. The entire Albuquerque Thunderbirds team now understood that Lin Feng was not a player to be trifled with.
Croft cautiously dribbled the ball to the frontcourt and passed it to their small forward.
Their small forward possessed better all-around skills than Harris, had a reliable mid-range jumper, and could also post up smaller defenders.
The small forward used a screen from Allen to get to the outside of the three-second zone and made a layup, narrowing the score to 4-5.
Both teams were executing well. As soon as Lin Feng received the ball this time, he was immediately double-teamed.
On the basketball court, only true superstars warrant the attention of a double-team.
For example, in the current NBA, Kobe Bryant was frequently double-teamed.
Following him were players like McGrady, Carter, and Iverson, as well as the young LeBron James.
However, James was less frequently double-teamed due to his exceptional passing ability and court vision.
After being double-teamed, Lin Feng dribbled the ball a few times, surveying the court until he spotted Harris in an open position on the wing.
With a nonchalant no-look pass, the basketball landed perfectly in Harris's hands.
"Lin Feng drove into the paint but didn't have a clear shot. He spotted Harris wide open on the wing and delivered a pinpoint pass!"
"OMG! Raymond Lam has some serious flair! That was a spectacular behind-the-back pass, right on the money!"
"Harris has the ball, and he's lining up a three-pointer from the wing!"
"Let's see if this shot falls..."
"BANG!"
"Another three-pointer for the Los Angeles D-Fenders! Lin Feng with a beautiful assist! Harris was clutch, burying that three!"
"For now, the Los Angeles D-Fenders continue to extend their lead!"
The two American commentators at the broadcast desk were still brimming with enthusiasm.
Harris, after sinking the wing three-pointer, raised his hand and gave Lin Feng a nod of appreciation, a silent acknowledgment of the excellent pass.
The fans erupted in cheers. Lin Feng wasn't just a dominant scorer; his passing was equally impressive.
That no-look behind-the-back pass was undeniably cool.
"Lin! Come on!"
"Lin, after this season, I think you're ready for the NBA! See you at Staples Center!"
Some fans in the audience enthusiastically shouted, "Goodbye, Lin Feng, at Staples!"
Fueled by the roaring crowd, the Los Angeles D-Fenders played with increasing confidence. By the end of the first quarter, they had established a firm 10-point lead over the Albuquerque Thunderbirds.
A 10-point lead after just the first quarter was far beyond the media's initial predictions.
Initially, no one had been optimistic about the Los Angeles D-Fenders, as the Albuquerque Thunderbirds were known for their formidable defense.
Yet, under the Thunderbirds' vaunted defensive pressure, Lin Feng had effectively orchestrated the entire team's offense, leading them to a commanding lead.
Morey's brow furrowed deeply. He had a growing sense of unease, a premonition that if the game continued on this trajectory, they might very well lose the first game.
In stark contrast to Morey's worried expression, Coach Ryan looked relaxed and confident.
Just as he had boasted to the media a few days prior, as long as Raymond Lam was on the team, they were capable of overcoming any obstacle.
"Lin Feng, well done! Just keep playing at this pace. If you maintain this until the third quarter, they'll crumble!" Coach Ryan encouraged Lin Feng.
Lin Feng nodded slightly. "Coach Ryan, don't worry. The championship belongs to us, and no one can take it away."
"Good boy, that's the spirit! I believe in your ability," Ryan said, a fatherly smile gracing his lips. He felt a complex mix of pride and anticipation towards Lin Feng.
"After this season, I will personally recommend you to the Los Angeles Lakers, your parent team," Ryan whispered to Lin Feng as the second quarter was about to begin.
Lin Feng was momentarily stunned by the unexpected news, then nodded his head emphatically. He had persevered in the Los Angeles D-Fenders for two long seasons, patiently waiting for this very opportunity.
His dream was finally within reach. This season's NBDL championship had to be theirs!