I fell in love with Toutiao and became the GOAT.

On the very night Lin Bei questioned "Linsanity," ESPN featured a front-page headline: "Best Lin exposes the true nature of Linsanity: A fabricated myth!"

BR went even further, asking: "Infighting among Asians? Best Lin, an All-Star, is a blue-collar worker? Linsanity is a complete joke?"

Yahoo Sports also featured this story prominently.

In the hotel, Lin Bei had just finished browsing ESPN, BR, and Yahoo Sports.

"We already have three headlines; just two more are needed to make a valid headline..."

He immediately turned on the TV, and CBS Sports only briefly mentioned the public opinion conflict between Lin Bei and Jeremy Lin in their news program.

That's right, CBS Sports believes this is just a media clash.

Jeremy Lin stepped on Lin Bei's foot first, and then Lin Bei retaliated; that was all.

Immediately, Lin Bei switched to Fox Sports, where he discovered that Fox Sports not only reported on the matter during prime time but also brought in two experts to discuss it for a while.

"Add one to the headlines."

I've got four headlines already; I just need one more valid headline to get it.

Lin Bei immediately thought of TNT television station in the television media sector.

As the official broadcaster of the NBA, TNT has a partnership with ESPN.

TNT has a debate show called Roundtable, which invites many ESPN experts to participate in debates every day and is extremely popular.

The main topic of this program each day is considered to be the headline of TNT television that day.

Therefore, Lin Bei would never have considered making headlines on TNT Sports before, because it would be too difficult to become the main topic of this roundtable discussion.

Only exceptionally trending news stories have a chance.

However, for particularly explosive hot news, Linbei usually doesn't need TNT to step in; he can easily gather five headlines to form a valid headline.

Today is different. Today, Lin Bei is a little anxious. He doesn't want to wait for tomorrow's print media headline; he wants to get this effective headline immediately.

He switched to TNT and waited for half an hour before the roundtable discussion officially started.

Stephen A. Smith and Skip Bayless moderated the roundtable discussion, giving an opening speech before getting straight to the point.

"Did anyone notice Best Lin's tweets this afternoon? He actually questioned 'Linsanity,' saying it's a complete joke..."

Strangely enough, in these kinds of debate shows, the two hosts usually hold opposing opinions.

But both A. Smith and Skip are experts on crime.

Actually, regarding these two's LeBron haters, Lin Bei has always felt that it's not that these two like to criticize LeBron, but rather that they like to speak the truth.

However, on today's topic, the two hold opposing views.

A. Smith, a lifelong Knicks fan, immediately stated, "Let me state my opinion first: I think 'Linsanity' is still very valuable because Jeremy Lin not only had outstanding individual statistics, but he also led the Knicks to a four-game winning streak..."

Skip Bayless didn't have a clear bias, but for the sake of the show, he stood on the opposite side of A. Smith.

"Well, I'm different. Like Best Lin, I think 'Linsanity' is utterly worthless..."

In addition to the two hosts, there were also some ESPN experts and TNT commentators present.

Commentators Mav Albert, draft expert David Thorpe, and renowned LeBron James reporter Brian Windhorst chose to side with A. Smith;

Data expert Zach Lowe, commentator Chris Sheridan, and well-known writer Marc Stein chose to side with Skip Bayless.

Lin Bei didn't listen carefully to the experts' debate, because in the end, all the disputes would need to be resolved through a head-to-head confrontation between Lin Bei and Jeremy Lin.

At this moment, Lin Bei successfully obtained his fifth headline, fulfilling the system's requirement of a "valid headline," and he had already secured a chance to win a prize.

"call……"

After taking a deep breath, he entered the system space and, without further ado, started drawing.

Press the lottery button, the system space vibrates, and finally three familiar options pop up.

Option 1: Andrei Kirilenko's block.

Option Two, Talent: Innate Fitness Superior Body.

Option 3: The host grows 3 centimeters taller in six months.

"Huh, they changed their blocker?"

Lin Bei remembered that the last ability option the system gave him was Wade's shot-blocking ability.

This time, the system indicated that Kirilenko had blocked the shot.

The difference between the two in terms of shot blocking is that Wade relies purely on awareness, while Kirilenko is different. Although he also relies mainly on awareness, his shot blocking still has some unique techniques.

For example, Kirilenko clearly understood where to apply force to different balls.

Option one was pending, so he looked at option two: [Talent: Innate Fitness Saint Body]

The gist of it is that the system will help Lin Bei hang the meat.

Choosing option two essentially grants him the increased meat-gathering speed after using the medicine.

Lin Bei shook his head, even though gaining weight was a plan he was currently implementing.

On the one hand, he is already quite strong in combat thanks to his [Talent: Wall], and the reason he adds tankiness is simply to further raise his potential.

On the other hand, he is currently not using medication to treat the flesh, and although the process is slow, there is still some progress.

In addition, he doesn't plan to gain excessive weight, only a small amount, and he can take it slowly.

This kind of improvement can be achieved without any system cheats, so there's really no need to waste a chance to win a prize.

Therefore, Lin Bei immediately ruled out option two.

Finally, there is option three.

"Growing 3 centimeters taller in six months?"

Lin Bei frowned.

Just two days ago, he said that if he could grow another 3 centimeters taller and improve his strength and physical strength, he would be a technically enhanced version of Dwight Howard.

So now, the option of growing 3 centimeters taller is in front of him, the only problem is that it will take half a year to achieve.

Lin Bei's first reaction was, "Is it unreasonable that he can still grow taller at 19? Will this make him a target for Foberle?"

He immediately thought of one person—Paul George.

Rumor has it that Paul George was 2.01 meters tall when he entered the draft.

随后，当时已经21岁的保罗·乔治，在他的NBA菜鸟赛季中长高了5厘米，直接从2米01长到了2米06。

He, who was originally of average talent, suddenly became incredibly talented.

If 21-year-old Paul George can grow taller, it's not a problem for 19-year-old Lin Bei to grow taller as well.

But Lin Bei was still hesitant, and he pondered for a while.

If he grows 3 centimeters taller, his height with shoes on will be around 2.08 meters.

At this height, it will be more difficult for him to play on the perimeter in the future.

There are big small forwards, Kevin Durant is actually 2.11 meters tall with shoes on, but he plays small forward.

But Durant himself is a very unique example. Even if Lin Bei had the skill, it's hard to say that he could definitely play small forward like Durant, despite being so big.

The reason is that big men have many disadvantages when playing on the perimeter.

First, his footwork is slow and his lateral movement is poor. But we have to praise Durant, who has the fastest first step in history, which makes up for this weakness.

But it wasn't completely covered up. In his previous life, Lin Bei had read an analysis that said why Durant had achieved nothing without the Warriors.

The reason is that he can't provide the defensive help coverage that a small forward with perfect height like James can, and he's also easily targeted by fast opponents in matchup defense.

Another example is Giannis Antetokounmpo, who is also a big forward, but he struggled to achieve success when he played small forward for the Bucks.

He switched to the power forward position and immediately led the team to victory.

Lin Bei's current dilemma is that these 3 centimeters of height increase are a significant improvement for him at present.

After all, he is currently a center.

But in the future, his position will be like Giannis Antetokounmpo's, completely locked in the paint, with no way out.

Such a choice, which concerns the future, naturally requires much hesitation.

Currently, there are three options. Option two is eliminated first, leaving two options. Lin Bei hesitated for a while.

He quickly made a decision.

"Let's stick with option one..."

He ultimately gave up on growing 3 centimeters taller for three reasons.

First, he grew 3 centimeters in six months. By the time he has fully grown those 3 centimeters, the current season will be over, and next season he can gradually move from the center position to the three or four positions.

His current need for those 3 centimeters isn't that great.

Secondly, he really doesn't want to limit his position to the inside; he still hopes that his position can gradually move outwards.

Lin Bei felt that his current height of 2.05 meters with shoes on was just right.

Playing center, in this era where centers are weak, is barely enough.

Playing power forward is even easier for him.

Playing small forward, he's like Paul George—his disadvantages aren't significant, but his advantages are even greater.

Finally, he did a search and realized that he seemed to have underestimated Andrei Kirilenko's shot-blocking ability.

"The only non-center to lead the NBA in blocks...wow, that's pretty impressive!?"

He immediately realized that he could use this block in tomorrow night's crucial game against the Knicks and Linsanity!

"Then it's option one: Andrei Kirilenko's block!"

……

The next day, in the afternoon, the Warriors arrived at Madison Square Garden ahead of schedule and entered the visiting team's locker room.

Inside the locker room, while the players were changing their gear, Mark Jackson decided to make some pre-game arrangements.

As a rookie head coach, Mark Jackson is very skilled at coaching defense and integrating the team.

However, he lacks in some details.

In each game, the Warriors rarely have any specific, targeted strategies.

For this game against the Knicks, he first announced the starting lineup—

Curry, Klay Thompson, Dorell Wright, David Lee, and Lin Bei.

He then emphasized two recurring issues within the Warriors: "Play good defense, capitalize on every offensive and defensive transition..."

Finally, surprisingly, he specifically called out Lin Bei's name: "Best, I noticed the public opinion last night. You said you had a way to stop 'Lin Madness'? Come on, tell me your plan?"

But Mark Jackson's gaze and smile as he looked at Lin Bei carried a hint of mockery.

Old Deng clearly didn't think highly of Lin Bei, believing that Lin Bei had only acted rashly in anger when he retaliated against Jeremy Lin.

Unexpectedly, Lin Bei had already planned to offer advice before the match.

Now, Mark Jackson asked, and he followed up by saying, "First of all, Stephen couldn't stop Jeremy Lin..."

Curry frowned, about to retort immediately.

Lin Bei waved his hand to interrupt: "Don't rush to refute Stephen. What I want to say is that although I don't like Jeremy Lin, I have to admit that he has a certain level of skill. Your defense is really not good enough..."

He glanced at Klay Thompson, then turned to Mark Jackson: "For this game, we'll match up Klay against Jeremy Lin, what do you think, boss?"

Mark Jackson shrugged nonchalantly: "Klay guarding Jeremy Lin? No problem."

This Knicks team has been plagued by injuries, and Carmelo Anthony was still out for this game. The Knicks didn't have any strong scoring options on the wings, so it was perfectly reasonable for Klay Thompson to guard Jeremy Lin.

"Well then, Klay, it's very simple for you to do. Watch out for Jeremy Lin's drives to the right. I've done a rough count, and in the first four games, Jeremy Lin's pull-up jumpers on the right accounted for about 70% of his total points."

Mark Jackson raised his eyelids slightly; Lin Bei's words had truly astonished him.

He hadn't expected that this kid had actually come prepared.

Klay immediately understood: "So, all I need to do is force him to break through on the left wing?"

Lin Bei nodded again, then added sinisterly, "That's right, force him to the left, defend his mid-to-high post jump shot, and if possible, force him to the basket, then I'll take care of him."

Mark Jackson knew that Lin Bei was very good at protecting the rim, so he did not question the sentence Lin Bei added later, nor did he realize the hidden meaning behind it.

He saw Lin Bei nod to him, indicating that the pre-match planning was over, so he clapped his hands: "Let's do it according to Best's plan, and try to completely silence 'Lin Madness'."

Lin Bei: "It's not just about trying, it's about definitely doing it!"

He was very confident, but on the other hand, Curry was indeed not satisfied. He was still struggling with the decision: "I don't think I can't guard Jeremy Lin. That kid wasn't even fit to shine my shoes when he was with the Warriors last year..."

Lin Bei patted him on the shoulder: "That was last year's Jeremy Lin, this year's is a bit different, Stephen, don't worry about it."

Curry has never been the kind of player who excels on both offense and defense, but it seems that Curry hasn't realized this yet.

……

On the other side, in the home team's locker room at Madison Square Garden.

Before the game, Mike D'Antoni suggested that Jeremy Lin move his locker to the middle of the locker room.

"Anyway, there are still empty seats in the middle..."

Jeremy Lin declined, laughing, "The corner spot is great, quiet, perfect for my pre-match preparation."

In reality, he simply felt that the corner position was one of his labels, and he couldn't let go of this label that made him an inspirational role model.

Seeing that Jeremy Lin refused, D'Antoni did not press the matter further.

He then began making pre-match arrangements for the game, announcing the starting lineup: Jeremy Lin, Henry Walker, Landry Fields, Jared Jeffries, and Tyson Chandler.

In the corner, Jeremy Lin was whispering in the ear to Landry Fields, his best friend on the Knicks.

"Jeremy, are you sure it's okay for that Warriors kid to provoke us?"

"What problem could there be? I'm in top form right now, and nobody can stop me."

Jeremy Lin can feel his own hot streak, which is why he's been so confident in the last four or five games.

He had been eagerly awaiting this game against his former team, the Warriors.