I fell in love with Toutiao and became the GOAT.

Lin Bei's original plan was to stall with Howard and Redick for a while.

In this way, he might be able to get a couple more headlines.

But David Stern's phone call completely ruined his plans.

After the call connected and they exchanged greetings, David Stern's first words ended all controversy:

"I have a complete understanding of the whole thing. Although you used the same inappropriate language in your rebuttal, the league has determined that the responsibility for the whole incident lies entirely with JJ Redick."

Following that, David Stern proposed the league's solution.

"The league will fine JJ Redick $50,000, suspend him for three games, and require him to apologize to you at a public press conference."

As for you, Lin, what you need to do is, at a similarly public press conference, clarify that your counterattack is only directed at JJ Redick.

Anyone with eyes to see can see that this solution is just a muddling through.

Americans claim to have zero tolerance for racial discrimination, but this action shows absolutely no sign of such a "zero tolerance" attitude.

Ultimately, this is a classic example of American double standards.

Lin Bei knew perfectly well that in his previous life, Reddick used "Chink" to insult Chinese people in a New Year's greeting video, and in the end, he only gave a perfunctory apology.

He recalled that Jeremy Lin had taken the initiative to mediate, saying that he believed Reddick was not a racist, and after a few high-sounding words, the matter was over.

It can only be said that some people are discriminated against because they bring it upon themselves.

Lin Bei is different; he doesn't accept compromises.

Even though he wasn't entirely "clean" of the situation, he still directly rejected Stern's proposal:

"Mr. Stern, America claims to have zero tolerance for racial discrimination, but I don't feel any of that 'zero tolerance' in the solution you've proposed."

Stern fell silent for a moment on the other end of the phone, but Lin Bei didn't stop, asking an even sharper question:

"Or are you saying that in America, only discrimination by white people against black people counts as discrimination, and that we Asians don't deserve protection?"

This statement left David Stern completely speechless.

The NBA's double standards have always been blatant—take racial discrimination for example.

Former Clippers owner Donald Sterling was banned for life for racism, while former Suns owner Robert Sarver was only banned for one year.

Meyers Leonard was fined $5 and suspended for a week for using anti-Semitic language;

In his previous life, Reddick used the word "Chink" to insult Chinese people, yet he received no punishment whatsoever.

All Lin Bei sought at this moment was fairness and justice.

A long silence fell on the other end of the phone. Lin Bei remained calm and waited patiently for Stern's response.

After a moment, Stern relented and proposed a new plan: "A $10 fine and a 10-game suspension, how about that?"

Lin Bei remained unyielding, speaking with the firmness of a middle-aged woman haggling at a market: "I hope it's at least a season-long suspension, and that he receives anti-racism education during the suspension period."

Stern couldn't hold back any longer. He raised his voice and reminded her, "Lin, don't forget, you also used inappropriate vocabulary."

Lin Bei spoke frankly, his attitude unyielding in the slightest:

"First of all, I'm only referring to JJ Redick personally;"

Secondly, Mr. Stern, if you insist on insisting that I also engage in racial discrimination, then I am willing to accept any punishment from the league.

His stance was clear: the league must severely punish Redick.

Therefore, he would rather be held accountable himself.

Stern fell silent again, and after a long while, he finally uttered a sentence:

"The alliance will hold an emergency meeting to discuss this, and we will give you an answer first thing tomorrow morning."

After saying that, he hurriedly hung up the phone.

……

After hanging up Stern's call, Lin Bei turned around and went back to the locker room, which was already full of teammates and coaches.

Curry, Spud, and David Lee all gathered around, their voices full of concern, asking about the progress of the incident one after another—all genuinely concerned.

Head coach Mark Jackson was the last to approach Lin Bei, pulling him aside to a corner of the locker room and asking in a low voice, "I heard Mr. David Stern called you personally?"

Lin Bei nodded slightly, his tone frank: "The talks have temporarily broken down."

Mark Jackson's eyes widened instantly, and Lin Bei quickly waved his hand: "But it's not a big problem, the final result will definitely be as I wish."

At this moment, Lin Bei's greatest asset is his Chinese identity.

If this racial discrimination incident were to escalate to an extreme, it could easily rise to the diplomatic level.

Furthermore, given David Stern's extreme emphasis on the market across the ocean, Lin Bei was well aware that the final outcome of this matter would certainly not disappoint him.

Upon hearing this, Mark Jackson visibly relaxed: "That's good."

He gave Lin Bei a couple more instructions, then turned to leave.

Lin Bei quickly stopped him: "Boss, are you going to the post-match press conference?"

Mark Jackson stopped in his tracks: "That's right."

"Can you take me with you?" Lin Bei asked.

Mark Jackson frowned, a hint of understanding in his voice: "You want to say something at this press conference?"

Lin Bei nodded: "I need to clarify a few things."

Mark Jackson hesitated for a moment, then agreed: "Okay, come with me."

At the post-match press conference, Lin Bei followed Mark Jackson into the venue.

The moment he appeared, the twenty or thirty reporters present erupted in a frenzy, the chaotic noise exploding out of nowhere.

Countless hands were raised high, all eager to ask Lin Bei a question as soon as possible.

Lin Bei didn't name any of the reporters. He took the microphone directly from the staff and began to speak on his own: "I'm just using this press conference to clarify one thing—the 'white trash' I mentioned is just a counterattack, and it's only directed at JJ Redick."

I have never been a racist, and that is a fundamental difference between me and JJ Redick.

He paused, then added, "I hope that those white guys who are offended by the term 'white trash' don't take it personally."

After saying those two sentences, Lin Bei put down the microphone, got up and left, decisively and without any hesitation, leaving behind only a crowd of bewildered reporters and a smiling Mark Jackson.

……

The next morning, the first thing Lin Bei did upon waking up was to open Twitter, and sure enough, he saw various voices from different factions within the alliance regarding the matter.

Top star players like Kobe Bryant and LeBron James, as well as white stars like Kevin Love and Dirk Nowitzki, have all posted messages expressing their opinions.

They firmly declared zero tolerance for "racial discrimination" and condemned discriminatory behavior on the field.

Lin Bei glanced around and immediately understood. These star players were all playing their cards right, cleverly avoiding the key point—not one of them explicitly expressed their support for him.

After all, Lin Bei, who retorted by calling others "white trash," has crossed the line of racial discrimination. He is not entirely innocent and is therefore a potential target of their attacks.

However, Jeremy Lin, who was waived by the Warriors before the season and recently signed with the Knicks, posted a short but powerful message on Twitter: "Asians also need respect!"

He is one of the few NBA players who have explicitly stood up to support Lin Bei.

Public opinion didn't favor Lin Bei, but Lin Bei didn't care at all. He only cared about two things—

Firstly, a system notification sounded early in the morning: [Valid headline +1]

It would be strange if such a high-profile incident involving racial discrimination didn't make the headlines.

This morning, Lin Bei unsurprisingly dominated the front pages of almost all authoritative North American media outlets.

Even major political newspapers like USA Today placed Lin Bei on their front page.

Secondly, the cell phone rang right on time; it was David Stern calling.

"The league has ultimately decided, as you wished, to impose a $10 fine, a season suspension, and mandatory anti-racism training on JJ Redick;

However, you will also be fined $5 and suspended for three games.

Without the slightest hesitation, Lin Bei readily agreed: "I accept!"