I fell in love with Toutiao and became the GOAT.

After losing to the Nets, Mark Jackson once again erupted.

The anger didn't reach Lin Bei—even though he couldn't contain Brook Lopez, he was just a rookie, a rookie picked up by the Warriors, and shouldn't be criticized.

What truly enraged Mark Jackson was Monta Ellis.

This key player for the Warriors only delivered a respectable performance in the game they won in the first three games of the new season; his performance in the other games was dismal.

While Monta's poor performance was tolerable, it was Monta's disregard for defense that truly enraged Mark Jackson, who championed defense above all else.

In the locker room, Mark Jackson glared angrily at Monta, who remained indifferent, completely ignoring Jackson's fury.

Lin Bei, watching from the sidelines, frowned deeply: after only three games, the conflict between the coach and players had already reached a boiling point.

Monta Ellis's situation is closely related to Lin Bei's.

He clearly remembered that in his previous life, the Warriors traded Monta for Andrew Bodog in this very season.

"If this trend continues, a trade is probably not far off, and I'm afraid I won't be able to keep my starting position."

Despite his worries, Lin Bei could only train harder and became increasingly eager to make a big splash.

On the last day of 2011, the Warriors hosted the Philadelphia 76ers at home.

At this time, the 76ers had not yet entered the tanking era led by Sam Hinkie. With a group of talented players such as Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams, and Jrue Holiday, they still maintained considerable competitiveness.

Lin Bei's opponent in this match is Spencer Hawes.

In terms of playing style, this guy is like a physically weaker, technically enhanced version of himself: he also has a three-point shooting range, but with the added ability to facilitate and organize the offense.

He has extremely poor physical strength, and some ESPN experts have even stated that he "hates physical contact."

With both sides having their strengths and weaknesses, Lin Bei quickly proved with his performance that basketball is ultimately a physical sport.

Facing an opponent he could easily crush, Lin Bei unleashed his rampage in the penalty area.

Shortly after the start of the game, he scored a putback dunk under the basket;

He then received a pass from Curry and easily completed a powerful dunk under the basket;

He hit another three-pointer late in the first quarter, racking up 7 points and 5 rebounds in the quarter, showing his hot streak.

Mark Jackson's rotation rhythm remained unchanged. Lin Bei was substituted after the first quarter and replaced by Ekpe Udoh, who did not return to the court until the third quarter.

Just two minutes after returning, Lin Bei used Curry's fake screen at the top of the arc to deceive the defense, received the ball, and launched a three-pointer that swished through the net...

The score has now reached double digits!

Two minutes later, Monta's mid-range shot missed, and Lin Bei rushed in to grab the offensive rebound and slammed the ball into the basket!

"Bang—!"

Oracle Arena erupted in thunderous cheers! Offensive rebound +1, points +2!

"Best Lin grabs his 10th rebound! 12 points and 10 rebounds, another double-double!"

Warriors home commentator Bob Fitzgerald passionately shouted, "He's been with the Warriors since 1997 and can be considered a veteran commentator for the team!"

This long excerpt is Bob Fitzgerald's first lengthy evaluation of Lin Bei:

"As a rookie signed by the Warriors on a minimum contract before the season, Best Lin has recorded three double-doubles in four games this season. His skills may still have some flaws, but considering the cost to the team, his performance has already been more than worthwhile!"

As the commentator said, such a performance of four triple-doubles is worth at least a lottery pick if it were exchanged for a draft pick.

Ultimately, in this game against the 76ers, Monta Ellis regained his form, and Curry continued his consistent output, leading the Warriors to a comfortable victory at home.

Lin Bei delivered an impressive performance with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 1 assist, setting a new career high in scoring.

After the match, he met with CCTV reporter Zhang again.

Today's match was not broadcast on CCTV, so reporter Zhang came here specifically to work overtime.

She still wore her hair in a neat high ponytail, and beneath her smooth forehead, her eyes were clear as a spring, her gaze always steadily fixed on Lin Bei.

Without the focus of CCTV cameras, Lin Bei spoke more relaxed and talked about his most genuine feelings:

"To be honest, being able to play at center is the key to my consistent playing time."

There are very few truly top-tier centers left in this league.

Like in today's game, Hawes was simply too weak in terms of physical strength. Ten or twenty years ago, it would be hard to say whether he could have established himself in the NBA.

So, the large part of the reason I was able to score 15 points today was because I took advantage of my opponent's weakness.

Reporter Zhang listened intently, then, recalling the preparations he had done before the competition, asked softly:

"I looked at the schedule, and you're playing the Magic next game. I heard their center is incredibly strong?"

Lin Bei was slightly taken aback—he hadn't paid any attention to the upcoming schedule.

Reminded by reporter Zhang, the good mood from winning the game vanished instantly.

"That's Dwight Howard! Even if he's injured, he's still a monster."

Even a starved camel is bigger than a horse, let alone a starved magical beast...

Lin Bei looked up at her.

She had an oval face, fair and radiant, and a delicate nose; she was indeed an extremely beautiful girl, but unfortunately, she was "married into her own backyard."

But seeing the other person's serious expression, he couldn't help but want to tease this seemingly adorable but somewhat clueless beauty.

"You really shouldn't have reminded me, Xiao Zhang."

"Huh? What's wrong?"

"That's Dwight Howard! My good mood is completely ruined. Now all I can think about is the game in two days. I'm so worried."

Reporter Zhang was momentarily speechless, then hesitated and apologized softly, "Then... I'm sorry?"

Lin Bei smiled and shook his head: "If apologies were enough, what would we need the police for? How about this, you treat me to a late-night snack, and we'll call it even."

Reporter Zhang immediately nodded in agreement, then asked, somewhat bewildered, "Where shall we eat?"

Lin Bei paused deliberately, then asked in a serious tone, "How about we go to your place?"

"ah!?"

Reporter Zhang was stunned for a moment, her cheeks flushing slightly.

Lin Bei laughed heartily, then turned and left.

They ended up having a late-night snack anyway. The two of them went to Chinatown in Auckland, found a fried food stall, and tasted a familiar flavor from home after a long time.

But that's all. Lin Bei said he wouldn't eat the grass near his own nest, and it really was just a casual meal between friends.

In his heart, however, was indeed weighed heavily on the game against the Magic two days later.

Brook Lopez alone had already left him sweating profusely.

Now, facing Howard head-on, the pressure is almost suffocating him.

But he absolutely couldn't show any weakness. Lin Bei thought to himself: There's always a way out.

In the last game against the Nets, he was targeted by Brook Lopez on the defensive end, but he still completely dominated the rebounding.

To be shameless, the two could barely be considered to have insulted each other.

Facing Howard, there might still be a chance.

Firstly, his physical condition was already quite good, and Howard was injured, so the physical gap between the two would be further narrowed;

Secondly, Howard's low-post skills are actually not as good as Brook Lopez's.

Brook Lopez can dominate him in the low post, but Howard might not be able to do the same.

Over the next two days of training, Lin Bei trained exceptionally hard.

He actively worked on developing his high-position support skills, but unfortunately, he couldn't deliver the kind of passes that could directly tear apart the defense; most of his passes were safe, solid balls.

"I still lack talent..."

In addition, he took the initiative to approach David Lee and boldly proposed a one-on-one duel.

His defensive foundation isn't bad; what he lacks is practical experience.

Matching up against a center of David Lee's caliber is the fastest way to gain defensive experience.

Lin Bei had made many preparations for Howard's sake, and was just waiting for the fierce battle to come.