Chapter Fifty-Four: NBA, Where Legends Converge

The Warriors' rise is indeed formidable, yet one must consider the broader landscape of the league. Speaking of the current NBA situation, the question of the power balance between East and West inevitably arises once more. Many would argue that ever since Anthony, Stoudemire, Deron Williams, and a host of other star players joined the East, the trend has shifted toward the East being stronger. However, the West has proven through victories that it will not easily concede. Though the East now boasts a four-way rivalry among the Bulls, Celtics, Heat, and Magic, any of them could emerge as the conference champion. The Hawks also possess a luxurious lineup, capable of dethroning even the top contenders if they're not careful. Since acquiring Anthony and Stoudemire, the Knicks have been brimming with energy, fully capable of becoming the East's biggest disruptor, and the Pacers, Bobcats, and Nets are all on the rise.

Yet, surveying the West, the picture seems even more daunting. The Rockets have twice achieved a winning record without making the playoffs, especially in the perilous Southwest Division, where the Spurs, Lakers, and Mavericks all vie for supremacy. New forces like the Thunder and Grizzlies are surging ahead, and the Warriors inspire excitement as well. The Nuggets, though lacking a superstar, remain robust and balanced in their fighting spirit, while the Hornets, Rockets, Suns, and Jazz refuse to accept decline. In terms of overall competitiveness, the West appears fiercer than the East.

Consider the Warriors: to stand out in the West and secure fourth place is truly remarkable! The Spurs, with a record of 25 wins and 3 losses and their trio of stars, are poised to dominate if injuries do not interfere. The Lakers, packed with talent from top to bottom, have no excuse for anything less than excellence, boasting a 23-6 record and, by some measures, five stars. The Mavericks, at 22-6, benefit from an owner obsessed with the championship. The Warriors themselves, propelled by new tactics and a passionate roster, have stormed to a 20-8 record. Fifth are the Thunder, whose twin stars shine as representatives of the league’s new generation. Sixth are the Hornets at 17-10, anchored by King Bee Paul, whom no one dares underestimate. The Grizzlies, eighth in the West at 17-11, are a rising force, with young talents like Gay, Marc Gasol, and Randolph, possibly emerging as a dark horse. The Trail Blazers, also at 17-11 and ninth in the West, were once a fresh-faced squad but have faded somewhat due to injuries to players like Brandon Roy and Oden. The Rockets, with Yao Ming back and their fighting power upgraded, stand at 16-11, and have no reason to be excluded from the playoff picture. The Nuggets, though lacking a central figure, are balanced and spirited, also boasting a 16-12 record. The current landscape is chaotic indeed! Even the bottom teams have a chance at resurgence—the Clippers are building a playoff roster around Griffin, the Kings have Evans at the helm with boundless potential, and the Timberwolves have Love, the Wolf King; no one can predict when such teams might explode, just as last season’s fringe Warriors now sit fourth in the West.

Thus, despite the Warriors' strong performance, their position is far from secure; even the twelfth-ranked Nuggets trail by only four wins, and the gap between any team and the leading Spurs is so slender that vigilance is paramount. Recall the 2010–2011 season, when both the Spurs and Lakers endured five-game losing streaks—the margin was so slim, who would dare be complacent? For the Warriors, every game must be fought with full effort.

Next, the Warriors face the Houston Rockets, who now trail by three and a half games. If either team wishes to make the playoffs, a fierce battle is inevitable. With Yao Ming’s return, the Rockets’ fighting power has soared; their resilience and team play are exemplary, and their offensive prowess ranks among the league’s top five. Yet, like the Warriors, their defense is among the league’s bottom five. They are striving for balance, and with Yao’s return slowing the pace, controlling the rhythm is crucial. The Warriors, regardless of opponent or style, always attack with speed. Against the Rockets, a shootout is certain.

Comparing lineups, the Rockets’ point guard is the “Little Tank” Lowry. Though only 6'0", he is sturdy and plays with toughness and intensity. The Warriors are likely to start Curry, and while Lowry may be a bit more rugged, the advantage is slight. At shooting guard, the Rockets have Kevin Martin, whose athleticism is average but scoring ability is exceptional, especially his knack for drawing fouls—a true league standout. He has a significant advantage over Kaines. Starting at small forward, the Rockets have Budinger, whose physical and technical abilities are average, and he is somewhat outmatched by the Warriors’ X. At power forward, Scola is a technical player with agile footwork but less resistance, while Jobs is a powerhouse—each has their strengths. At center, with Yao Ming back after two seasons of injuries, it is a king’s return; his dominance remains unmatched, and no one in the league can truly contain him. Clawdersen, the Warriors’ center, is at a disadvantage. The bench is also competitive: the Rockets’ backup point guard Dragic is dubbed “Little Nash,” their sixth man Lee is reliable, and Hayes and Patterson are solid reserves. The Warriors’ main substitute is Lin Fei, and Nelson is working to develop several backups: guard Smith, Asilao, forwards Wright, Udoh, Williams, Thornton, Amundson—many forwards who can also cover center, all brimming with energy.

Before the game, Nelson declared, “Oh! My dear children, today I’m going to try a ‘super rotation lineup.’ Understand? Each of you will have a chance, but remember, when you’re on the court, you must keep running, keep moving, do you know? No one should stand still. If you do, we’ll be passive. Go for it! Children, I believe in you all.”

“Is this really not a joke?” The Warriors’ bench players could hardly believe their ears.

“Oh! Absolutely! Trust me!” Nelson laughed heartily, and the players knew he meant it.

“Now we have a full twelve-man squad, playing against their seven or eight. We will win, no matter who the opponent is! As the ancient Chinese proverb says, two hands are no match for four legs, and I believe in this.” Nelson was overflowing with confidence. Lin Fei couldn’t help but smile.