NBA: Northeast China's spectacular dunks sweep the entire league.

On the third day after Don Nelson took office, a trade came.

This is not a rumor, not gossip, it's a real deal—a transaction.

That morning, as soon as Lin Hao arrived at the training hall, he saw several unfamiliar black SUVs parked at the entrance, all with Dallas license plates. His heart skipped a beat; this didn't seem like a typical visit.

The atmosphere in the locker room was off.

Jamison's cabinet was empty.

It's not the kind of emptiness where "the person hasn't arrived yet," it's the kind of emptiness where "the person has already left"—the shoes are gone, the protective gear is gone, even the family photo that was pasted in the closet is gone.

"What's going on?" Lin Hao asked Payton.

Payton, toothpick dangling from his mouth, his expression complex, pointed to the television on the wall. ESPN was playing a Breaking News segment on a loop:

"The Warriors and Mavericks have completed a blockbuster trade: Jamison, Fordson, Mills, and Welsh were sent to Dallas in exchange for five players including Nick Van Exel and Avery Jensen."

Lin Hao stared at the screen, stunned for three seconds.

Jamison, is he gone?

The team's leading scorer last season, who averaged 22.2 points and 7 rebounds per game, the older brother who carried the team forward with him, is gone just like that?

"Damn it," Lin Hao cursed, slamming the towel onto the chair.

The locker room erupted in chaos.

"Jamisen has been traded? Then who is safe?" Foyer's face turned pale.

"What is old Nelson up to? Is he trying to destroy the house?" Richardson frowned.

"Didn't you guys get it?" Payton took the toothpick out of his mouth and tapped it on the table. "This old man isn't demolishing the house, he's rebuilding it. He's going to get rid of everyone who's not suited for a run-and-gun offense, leaving no one behind."

Lin Hao didn't speak. His mind was racing.

Jamison is a standard power forward, with solid low-post skills and a consistent mid-range shot, but he's slow and his three-point shooting is mediocre, making him a poor fit for Don Nelson's seven-second offense. Van Exel, on the other hand? That guy's a madman, his three-point release is incredibly quick and unpredictable, his passing vision is superb, and his defense is basically based on his eyes—isn't that exactly the kind of player Don Nelson wants?

A crazy guard who can run, shoot, and pass, paired with Lin Hao and Richardson, the backcourt trio is unstoppable in the entire league.

"Lin, are you alright?" Peyton asked, noticing his pale face.

Lin Hao looked up and smiled.

That smile sent a chill down Peyton's spine—it wasn't a bitter smile, nor a forced one, but the excitement of a hunter seeing his prey.

"Old Pei," Lin Hao stood up and stretched his neck, "I was sad when Jamison left. But I'm happy that Van Exel is here."

Why?

"Because that guy is just as crazy as I am."

---

When training began, Nelson stood in the center of the court, holding a cup of coffee, his expression calm as if nothing had happened.

"I know you've all seen the news," he said. "Jamison is gone, Van Exel is here. And there are others, coming and going, I won't go into detail."

He took a sip of coffee and glanced at everyone.

"Anyone have a problem with this? Speak up now."

No one spoke.

"Alright, then I'll take that as your agreement." Old Nelson put his coffee cup on the ground. "From today onwards, our backcourt will be the fastest in the entire league. Lin, Jason, Nick—the three of you, I'm going to make every opponent's legs go weak at the sight of you."

He walked to the tactics board and drew a few circles.

"Initiate the offense, Lin, you handle the ball. After crossing half-court, Jason cuts in from the wing, and Nick is roaming around the three-point line. Whichever of you three has an opportunity, shoot. Don't hesitate, don't pass to the inside—unless the inside is completely open."

Foyer's face turned green.

"Coach, what should I do?" he asked cautiously.

"You?" Old Nelson glanced at him. "You're in charge of rebounding and then passing to Lin. That's all you do. If you don't do it right, you're on the bench."

Foyer opened his mouth as if to say something, but ultimately kept it closed.

Lin Hao knew in his heart that the old man wasn't joking. He was serious, ruthlessly serious. If Jamison could be traded, what was a backup center?

---

As training ended, Lin Hao's phone vibrated. It was a text message from Zhao Dabao:

"Haozi, you know about Fan Fengzi's situation, right? Let me tell you, that kid was always causing trouble in Dallas, and he had a falling out with Old Nelson. Now that the mentor and apprentice have reunited, be careful not to get dragged into it."

After reading it, Lin Hao replied: "Da Bao, don't worry. He's crazy, and so am I. Crazy people fighting each other will either end up fighting or drinking. There's no third possibility."

After sending the message, he put his phone in his pocket and walked out of the training hall.

At the entrance, a black guy wearing a floral shirt and a thick gold chain was leaning against the car smoking. He was tall and thin, with tattoos all over his arms, and his eyes had a kind of "I don't care about anyone" swagger.

Nick van Exel.

He saw Lin Hao come out, sized him up, and exhaled a smoke ring: "You're that 'Northeast Sniper'?"

Lin Hao stopped and looked at him: "You're that 'Crazy Fan'?"

Van Exel grinned, revealing a set of white teeth: "I heard you're pretty good at shooting?"

"I heard you're pretty good at passing around the word?"

The two looked at each other for three seconds and then smiled at the same time.

"Let's go eat." Van Exel flicked his cigarette butt. "It's on me. Let's talk about how to beat those softies in the league to tears."

Lin Hao didn't hesitate and opened the car door to get in.

The car started and roared out of the parking lot.

Lin Hao leaned back in his seat, watching the street scene rushing past the window, when a system notification suddenly popped up in his mind:

[New teammate detected: Nick Van Exel. Ability rating: Three-point shooting S-, Passing A+, Defense C, Mental attributes S (madman level).]

The team's chemistry is currently being rebuilt. The offensive efficiency of the backcourt trio (Lin Hao + Richardson + Van Exel) is expected to improve by 35% in the new season.

[Tip: Establishing a good personal relationship with Van Exel can trigger the combo skill: [Double Madness Resonance] - When both are on the court at the same time, three-point shooting percentage +8%, opponent's defensive judgment delay +15%.]

Lin Hao smiled.

Combo skills? This system is getting more and more sophisticated.

"What are you laughing at?" Van Exel asked as he drove.

"Nothing much," Lin Hao said, "I'm just thinking the new season will be interesting."

"That's certainly interesting." Van Exel floored the accelerator, and the car roared onto the highway. "That old madman Don Nelson, plus the two of us madmen, plus that dunk champion—I'm telling you, next season, every guard in the league will have nightmares."

Lin Hao didn't respond, but he knew in his heart that Van Exel was right.

This Warriors team is turning from a docile sheep into a mad dog.

A rabid dog bites.

---

That evening, Lin Hao returned to his apartment, turned on his computer, and saw a news article:

"Don Nelson: Trading Jamison was the toughest decision I've ever made, but it had to be done for the future of the team."

The comments section exploded:

"Old Nelson has gone mad! Jamison is the team's core player!"

"Van Exel? That cancer? The Warriors are finished."

"Waiting for the Warriors to finish last in the new season."

Lin Hao read through the list one by one, his face expressionless.

He turned off his computer, went out onto the balcony, and lit a cigarette.

The night breeze from Auckland carries the salty scent of the sea.

He remembered Jamison's last training session before he left, when the guy patted him on the shoulder and said, "Lin, you're a tough guy. Do a good job, don't embarrass us."

"Jamieson," Lin Hao whispered to the night sky, "Don't worry. Next season, I'll make up for it for you."

He stubbed out his cigarette and turned to go back inside.

My phone vibrated again; it was a text message from Zhao Dabao:

"Haozi, has Fan Fengzi arrived? Did he give you any trouble?"

Lin Hao replied: "No. He treated me to a meal, and we had a good chat."

"That's good. By the way, I heard that Don Nelson is planning an even bigger trade, targeting the center position. Be careful not to get involved."