Chapter Sixty-Seven: The 257th Three-Pointer

For this match, Nelson deliberately arranged for Lin Fei to start, pairing him with Curry as dual point guards, for in thrilling moments, the sooner they come, the better.

Lin Fei was matched directly against Ray Allen, and the crowd erupted in astonishment—was this for real? The league’s best three-point shooter today against the greatest in history. Ray Allen, at the opening, even took the initiative to hug Lin Fei; perhaps he knew that this young man matched with him might surpass his own record tonight.

Everyone understood, given the Celtics' style, they would never allow Lin Fei to make that historic three-pointer easily.

The game began: Curry brought up the ball, defended by Rondo; Lin Fei sprinted ahead, Ray Allen in close pursuit. Curry passed to Aix, who pushed forward quickly. Lin Fei was already a step outside the three-point line. Aix signaled for Lin Fei to pull outside, and Lin Fei, understanding perfectly, stepped out to receive the ball. The entire Warriors team held their breath, eager to see how Lin Fei would make this shot to tie history.

Ray Allen stood before Lin Fei with utmost seriousness. Lin Fei smiled, calmly dribbling. Accelerating to the left, two quick steps, Ray Allen followed directly. Lin Fei suddenly stopped, switched the ball between his legs to his left hand—just like that, Ray Allen was left two meters behind. The move evoked memories of Jordan's game-winning shot in the sixth game of the Finals. Perhaps Lin Fei had practiced this move for ages. He didn’t have Jordan’s extraordinary physical prowess, but his speed compensated for the lack.

Some may have been disappointed, not expecting Lin Fei to go for a two-pointer instead of a three. It seemed the young man’s mind was truly steady.

After the basket, Lin Fei smiled serenely, and Ray Allen glanced over, smiling faintly as well. There seemed to be a tacit understanding between the two.

The Celtics launched their attack; Rondo controlled the ball. The Warriors’ defense was almost comical: when Rondo held the ball, the other four players converged on the four Celtics besides Rondo, leaving him a step open. The scene drew quiet laughter—it was clear they were exploiting Rondo’s weak shooting.

Rondo’s immense wingspan not only enhanced his defense, but was also his greatest asset for passing and rebounding. Faced with Curry’s defense, Rondo broke through, forcing everyone to collapse and compress their defensive coverage. This allowed the Celtics’ perimeter to spread out. Ray Allen slipped to the baseline, Rondo delivered the pass. Facing Lin Fei, who was nearly a head shorter, Ray Allen took the shot. The arc was high, the curve graceful, and the ball swished cleanly through the net. Many loved watching Ray Allen shoot; his form belonged in a textbook, exuding the gentlemanly elegance that matched his persona.

Ray Allen glanced at Lin Fei and smiled, the meaning unclear; Lin Fei felt a touch embarrassed.

The second possession saw Lin Fei holding the ball. He passed immediately to Curry, Curry returned it, and just like that, the ball was back in play. The Warriors fans in the arena began chanting in unison, “Three! Three!” Evidently, Lin Fei had loyal supporters cheering him on, all hoping he would break Ray Allen’s single-season three-point record tonight. Amid the fervent cries for threes, Lin Fei felt a subtle pressure.

His opponent was Ray Allen. In his early days, Lin Fei had dreamed of a game where he could go head-to-head with Ray Allen from beyond the arc. In the previous game against the Celtics, he hadn’t seen Allen at his best; tonight, perhaps, his wish would be fulfilled.

Lin Fei took the ball, and with the crowd’s chants ringing out, he accelerated past Ray Allen. Suddenly, Garnett stood before him—the legendary power forward, acclaimed as the best ball-handler at his position, able to defend all five spots. Lin Fei, perhaps too eager to make that record-breaking three, believed that with nearly two steps between himself and Garnett, plus his lightning-fast release, he’d be fine. He forced the three-pointer, aiming to tie the record. He jumped, his hand trembled slightly, the ball flew—it happened in the blink of an eye. Garnett, still two steps away, reached out with an incredible leap, snatching the ball from mid-air. It was a block worthy of the night’s top five plays; Lin Fei had been emphatically stuffed. What could have been a spectacular three instead became a highlight block for the other team. Lin Fei was genuinely impressed—he hadn’t expected Garnett, an interior player, to reach that high, and, even in his veteran years, to still possess such unbelievable vertical.

The fans who had cheered so fiercely were disappointed.

Once again, Rondo orchestrated from the high post, similar to before, but Ray Allen’s movement this time was different; he was at the top of the arc. Rondo delivered a behind-the-back pass, sharp as a guided missile, right into Ray Allen’s hands. From that spot, Allen could shoot instantly—and he did. The shot was flawless. Lin Fei’s fans were disheartened; they had hoped Lin Fei would break Ray Allen’s record, but Allen had already made two threes, while Lin Fei had yet to get started.

Now Lin Fei held the ball in the backcourt—perhaps not part of Coach Nelson’s plan, but Lin Fei wasn’t concerned. As the old saying goes, once on the battlefield, the general’s orders are his own; now a player on the court, the coach’s instructions might be ignored.

Lin Fei steadied the tempo, then accelerated his dribble. This time, he faced Rondo, who specialized in guarding ball-handlers. Rondo was fully focused, knowing he faced a player capable of breaking his ankles. His wingspan provided a superb direct challenge, making it no easy task for Lin Fei to break through.

Lin Fei lowered his body, dribbled with a sway, changed direction—Rondo had seen this move countless times and would not be fooled. Lin Fei accelerated diagonally to the left; Rondo had been burned by this before, but now he was prepared. Lin Fei retreated, glanced at Jobs, Curry stepped up for the screen, Lin Fei used it to break past Rondo. Now Allen and Rondo were mismatched, Allen guarding Lin Fei. Allen hadn’t yet closed in, and Lin Fei instantly sensed the opportunity. He jumped, released the shot—three points, and it went in.

The crowd erupted: Lin Fei had finally made the basket that tied the record.

In the next possession, Lin Fei drained a super-long three. On the arena’s big screen, the three-point record, set by Ray Allen, appeared, showing Allen in his youth and the number 256.

Lin Fei felt especially light-hearted. Ray Allen came over and hugged him, congratulating the young man.

“Well done!” Ray Allen’s gentlemanly embrace celebrated Lin Fei, who, in his second season in the league, had accomplished such a feat and miracle.

Perhaps it was fate’s favor; Lin Fei broke the record before the All-Star game, not wasting Nelson’s careful strategy of starting him.

In the end, the Warriors swept the Celtics, defeating this famously tenacious team outright!

Lin Fei once again created a miracle. The Warriors created another miracle! Next, they all enjoyed a pleasant break—the All-Star weekend.