Chapter Forty-One: Fame on the Rise

Lin Fei did it—he tried to become the fastest player on the basketball court, and also the most accurate shooter out there.

The Spurs, after all, were still the Spurs. Since matching the Warriors in sheer energy was a losing battle, they decided to change tactics: slow the game down, force the Warriors to play at their own pace. Every Spurs possession was patient; even when Parker went up against Lin Fei, he played with deliberate calm. Lin Fei, for his part, had a good read on Parker: defend against his drives, but not his jumpers, since Lin Fei knew shooting was not Parker’s strong suit. Duncan became the offensive hub, dominating the low post when attacking and orchestrating from the high post when needed, creating space inside so his teammates could penetrate and score.

When Lin Fei was on the floor for the Warriors, scoring seemed effortless—jump shots, drives and dishes, you name it. He would get his shot off before any Spurs defender could recover, scoring with ease. When distributing, he could run a half-circle in the Spurs’ half-court, waiting for his teammates to get open before delivering a perfect pass. That’s the mark of a true master.

By the end of the second quarter, with Lin Fei leading the charge, the Warriors were a whirlwind of energy, putting up 38 points in the period. By halftime, they had accumulated an astonishing 81 points, evoking memories of the Phoenix Suns’ legendary 107-point half against the Denver Nuggets over two decades ago. Lin Fei alone had dropped 28 points in the half—a truly shocking performance. The Spurs had 68, which was already a high score for a regular game, let alone for a defensive-minded team like the Spurs. The game wasn’t even over, yet all the experts had their eyes on the Warriors—their offensive firepower was dazzling. News that the Warriors had put up 81 in a half against the Spurs was spreading as one of those once-in-a-lifetime spectacles. Some marveled at the Warriors’ fresh new look, some praised the genius of Lin Fei, while others simply lamented that the old guard—the Spurs—were finally being overtaken by the new.

The second half began with the Spurs making timely substitutions, bringing on younger, more energetic players. They were trading experience for vitality, knowing they had to match the Warriors’ energy head-on. The move paid off. The young Spurs, seasoned under Popovich’s tutelage, brought defensive grit. The Warriors suddenly found themselves out of rhythm; George Hill’s help defense on Lin Fei was especially effective. Lin Fei seemed like a different player—three straight missed shots to start the half. Meanwhile, the Spurs’ offense caught fire, especially Parker, Ginobili, and Hill, who took turns scoring. The Warriors’ defense suddenly looked ornamental, particularly as the Spurs kept scoring even with Duncan still on the bench.

By the end of the third quarter, Lin Fei had gone 0-for-6 from the field, contributing only three assists. Many started questioning his rookie consistency—how could someone drop 28 in the first half and then go scoreless on six attempts in the third quarter?

The commentator remarked, “It seems age and experience still have their edge. The Spurs know how to adjust.” But another commentator disagreed: “This isn’t about Spurs defense—Lin Fei is just out of rhythm this quarter. He’s missing the same shots he made in the first half, even two open looks. Is Lin Fei’s shooting always this streaky?”

The Warriors “only” managed 30 points in the third, while the Spurs exploded for 34. Both teams were going wild—by the end of three quarters, both had already cracked a hundred, with the Warriors leading 111 to 102.

Sweat streamed down Lin Fei’s face like running water. Nelson said to him, “Go on. I believe your next shot will go in. That’s how superstars are—even if you miss ninety-nine shots, you believe you’ll make the hundredth.”

In the fourth quarter, neither team put their full starting lineup back on the floor; Lin Fei and George Hill remained on their respective benches, saving themselves for the final act. But compared to the starters, the Warriors’ bench was clearly weaker. Early in the fourth, the Spurs controlled the tempo, playing steady, high-percentage basketball, while the Warriors’ offense sputtered—they looked like a car without an engine. The Spurs’ bench steadily closed the gap: in four minutes, they went on a 19-8 run to take a two-point lead. Nelson couldn’t sit still any longer and brought back his main lineup—but “main lineup” didn’t include Lin Fei! Lin Fei could only watch, helpless. The Spurs brought Duncan back, and his presence alone shifted the atmosphere; even in the twilight of his career, he carried a Hall of Fame aura.

Duncan came in and immediately hit his signature move—a spinning bank shot from forty-five degrees. Even in the Warriors’ home arena, the crowd applauded him out of respect; Lin Fei couldn’t help but smile. “When will I get that kind of treatment?” he wondered.

The Warriors’ pace picked up; Curry orchestrated the offense and traded assists with Parker, but neither side could pull away. Every possession was a tug-of-war—the tension on the court had reached a fever pitch.

After a Spurs basket, the Warriors still trailed by three with three minutes left. Nelson and Lin Fei stood on the sidelines, anticipating what would unfold. Popovich, for once, remained calm, clearly trusting his players.

Nelson was the first to act, calling a timeout. He knew if things continued this way—trading baskets—they would lose. The old adage that defense wins games was being put to the test, and now Nelson was ready to challenge that wisdom.

He substituted Lin Fei for Cairns, opting for a dual-point guard lineup—a clear signal he was sacrificing defense for offense.

Lin Fei checked in, but Curry still brought up the ball. The Spurs were already set in their half-court defense. In the absence of any set plays, only one man on the Warriors could create his own shot—Lin Fei. Curry handed him the ball.

The commentator noted, “Lin Fei is one of the rare players who doesn’t need a screen or a teammate’s help; his speed alone creates enough separation for a shot. In that way, he’s similar to Magic’s Jameer Nelson, but at the moment, Lin Fei is even more lethal, especially since the Warriors lack a dominant inside presence like Dwight Howard and must rely on perimeter talent.”

Lin Fei crossed over twice. After being shaken earlier, Parker was hyper-focused, staring intently at Lin Fei’s eyes for any clue—most players telegraph their intentions there. Lin Fei, however, almost closed his eyes, as if deliberately taunting Parker. But those who knew Lin Fei understood—he was simply searching for his rhythm. With two quick feints, he drove left and rose for a jumper. Parker was barely taller, and his leaping ability was a shade weaker, so Lin Fei’s shot was unchallenged. The ball kissed the rim and dropped—nothing but net. The crowd erupted; this was Lin Fei’s trademark move, almost the new symbol of the Warriors, for no one else in the league could execute it so efficiently.

The score was tied, and the tension was palpable. The stakes were high: the storied franchise against the league’s most exciting newcomers—who would seize the moment?

The Spurs went to Duncan, who tried the same spinning bank shot, but missed—though he did draw a foul on Clauderson.

Duncan made one of two free throws. The Spurs had a one-point lead—a psychological edge, at least.

The Warriors inbounded, with two minutes left. Nelson didn’t call a timeout, surprising everyone. Lin Fei brought the ball up, Curry sprinting alongside him, while Aikes and Jobs lagged slightly behind. Lin Fei passed to Curry, who drove a few steps before returning it to Lin Fei on the move. Lin Fei stopped on a dime and nailed the jumper. The Warriors were up by two.

In crunch time, the Warriors hit two straight three-pointers, regaining their composure and shaking off the third quarter’s cold spell.

It wasn’t over. After the Spurs answered with a steady two, Lin Fei, with ninety seconds left, sprinted up the court and launched a deep three from half-court—nothing but net, stunning the entire arena. For him, it was as if there was no playbook, just pure instinct.

Nine unanswered points—Lin Fei was the undisputed clutch performer.

A three-point game, but the Spurs were rattled. After missing another shot, they were forced to intentionally foul the Warriors. Lin Fei calmly sank both free throws, sealing the victory.

Lin Fei had truly made his mark—scoring 39 points, including 11 straight in the closing moments, going 3-for-3 from deep and 2-for-2 from the line. He single-handedly rescued the Warriors, who finished with a staggering 140 points against the Spurs. Nelson was beside himself with excitement; his coaching philosophy had been spectacularly vindicated.

Two straight wins, and Lin Fei, after just two games, was leading the league in scoring. The rewards from these two games were immense, but in the NBA, nothing is certain. What comes next, no one can predict.