Chapter Seventy-Three: The Stubborn Nelson

The roster Nelson crafted with his own hands now enjoys boundless glory, but beneath the brilliance, faint cracks within the Warriors can still be discerned.

“I will never give up any player I love, but I still prefer to win in my own way!” Nelson reiterated his stance time and again.

“We need a championship team. We must bring a trophy to Golden State—that’s everyone’s hope. We must build a more practical lineup,” someone from management said.

“All these players were discovered by me. They are now my best lineup. No matter who you trade for, I won’t use them. I trust the team I have now,” Nelson insisted stubbornly. His uncompromising attitude left no room for dialogue.

“Just look at the numbers. Bringing in some top stars might really help us win the championship. They could create new chemistry! Besides, we must focus more on the future!” Others tried to persuade Nelson.

“If you insist on making trades, trade me first,” Nelson replied, resolute.

Management was helpless. This white-haired old man who had coached the Warriors for so many years had become a symbol for the team; few dared challenge him.

Even now, Nelson was pondering how to use Lin Fei. In their next game, the Warriors would face the Memphis Grizzlies, the team that had knocked the Spurs out of the playoffs. The Grizzlies’ young core was astonishingly powerful, with fierce fighting spirit. The Western Conference remained intensely competitive; though the Warriors were still fourth, their position was far from secure. Even the tenth-placed Hornets trailed by only five wins, with over twenty games left—any team could drop out of the playoff race. Recall the 2010–2011 season: the late-season losing streaks of the Spurs and Lakers. The Spurs, who set a historic pace early on, lost five straight at the end, and the defending champion Lakers fell into a six-game skid. Now, even the first-place Spurs could tumble to the playoff fringe with five or six losses, and more than twenty games remain. So for a direct playoff rival like the Grizzlies, the Warriors absolutely had to fight for victory.

Nelson’s resolute attitude gave every player peace of mind. Now, all that remained was unity—winning every game fiercely.

Incidentally, according to a certain magazine, among the league’s most underrated teams, the Warriors, Grizzlies, Rockets, and 76ers ranked in the top four.

Consider the assessment of the Warriors: look at their roster, their tactics. At their best, only one phrase suffices—they sweep all before them. No one can stop them; they slay gods and Buddhas alike. But their greatest flaw is lack of stability, likely owing to their style—they rely heavily on offense and jump shots, which become their Achilles’ heel in the playoffs. Yet there is reason to believe they are the West’s greatest disruptor, fully capable of challenging for the conference title.

The Grizzlies’ strength lies in their youth: Gay, Randolph, Gasol, Mayo, Conley—a luxurious lineup. In the playoffs, they upset the Spurs as the eighth seed and battled the Thunder’s twin stars for seven games, proof of their fighting power. Their current Western ranking doesn’t reflect their ability; they could erupt in the playoffs at any moment, and once they do, few teams could halt their progress.

The Rockets! On paper, their potential seems limited. Since the MM duo parted ways, few believed they could go far in the West, yet they have always been renowned for their resilience. Now, with Yao Ming’s return, the Rockets possess formidable interior offense and defense. Martin’s scoring from the perimeter is impressive, and Lowry’s maturity gives the Rockets confidence to challenge Western heavyweights. Scola, though showing signs of age, still has the technical edge to contend among Western power forwards.

The 76ers! They possess abundant talented players but haven’t achieved ideal results. With enough time together, their energy could astonish, but in the fiercely competitive Eastern Conference, they still have a long road ahead.

Many are eager to see which of these two most underrated teams proves more formidable.

Lin Fei, still basking in All-Star prestige, was started by Nelson with enthusiasm, while Keynes played off the bench in a dual point guard lineup. This meant Lin Fei would likely match up against Gay on offense and Conley on defense—a true challenge.

At tip-off, the Warriors gained possession. The ball went straight to Curry, who pushed fast; all the players rushed forward like a flock of chicks, and the Grizzlies lost track of their defensive assignments. Curry passed across to Lin Fei, who, full of All-Star MVP confidence, caught the ball and shot immediately. In his judgment, Gay, defending him, was still running and had no chance to contest the shot. Yet, even almost a meter away, Gay jumped and his fingertips brushed the ball ever so slightly. It was a subtle touch—other teams might not notice, but Lin Fei saw it clearly. He felt a twinge of regret; he had been too careless, taking such a casual shot and squandering a perfect opportunity. The ball still hit the rim, and to the onlookers, it merely seemed Lin Fei’s shot was wildly off target.

The rebound was taken by Randolph (the big bear), who passed it to Gay, already poised for offense. Gay received the ball and charged forward; Lin Fei’s attempt to block was easily evaded with a behind-the-back dribble. Gay pressed ahead on the fast break; Conley followed, and Gay, under the basket, passed behind his back to Conley, who finished the layup.

“Try passing! Try passing!” Nelson shouted from the sideline—a rare occurrence, signaling his concern about Lin Fei’s integration on the court.

“I can pass, too!” Lin Fei told himself silently.

Curry dribbled again; it seemed Lin Fei truly was the Warriors’ current scoring option.

Curry spoke with Lin Fei in the backcourt, though it was unclear what was said. From time to time, Curry gestured with one hand. Lin Fei nodded like a child.

This time, Curry accelerated from midcourt, and Lin Fei ran an S-shaped route. Even Gay, sticking close, struggled to keep up.

By the three-point line, Curry had built up speed, shook off Conley, and drove to the basket. Lin Fei also cut into the paint, with Gay in pursuit. The Grizzlies’ interior was in chaos as Jobs and Lin Fei both cut back to the high post, throwing the formation into disarray. Curry passed to Lin Fei, who had his back to the basket. He spun, aiming to shoot; Gay pressed in, seeking the block. Lin Fei, now wiser, twisted in midair and handed the ball to Jobs, who cut back along Curry’s previous path and scored the layup.

Another assist! Lin Fei grinned with delight.