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

The night after the game against the Clippers, Lin Hao received a text message. The number was unfamiliar, and the message contained only one sentence: "Your 'Northeast sniping' is pretty accurate. See you the day after tomorrow."

Lin Hao stared at the text message for three seconds, then replied with a single word: "Who?"

The reply came instantly: "Greg."

Lin Hao was stunned. Gregg? Popovich? How did this old man get his number? He tossed the phone to Zhao Dabao: "You gave my number to Popovich?"

Zhao Dabao was eating his boxed lunch when he nearly choked: "What? I didn't! Am I crazy to give your number to the opposing coach?"

"How did he get my number?"

Zhao Dabao thought for a moment: "Maybe it was given by Yao Ming? That old man has a good relationship with Yao Ming."

Lin Hao didn't ask any more questions. He took his phone back and typed a few words: "Coach Zhuge Weiqi, are your GDP players going to play in the game the day after tomorrow?"

Half a minute later, the reply came: "Guess."

Lin Hao laughed. This old man is quite interesting.

---

Two days later, in San Antonio.

The Spurs' preseason home game was at the AT&T Center. Attendance was low, around 60%. Spurs fans were quite rational; a preseason game wasn't worth taking time off work to watch. But today there were some unfamiliar faces—fans wearing Warriors #1 jerseys were scattered throughout the stands. Some were holding up signs for canned peaches, while others were filming Lin Hao warming up with their phones.

Lin Hao stood outside the three-point line, received the ball, and shot. "Swish." "Swish." "Swish." Seven shots in a row. A Spurs fan on the sidelines shouted, "This is a preseason game! Not your training facility!" Lin Hao ignored him and continued shooting.

Popovich stood in the Spurs' half of the court, arms crossed, expressionless. Beside him stood the "Big Three"—Duncan, Parker, and Ginobili. All three were in their practice uniforms, looking ready to take the court.

Lin Hao glanced at them and his heart sank. Wasn't it supposed to be a rotation system for GDP members? These three are all wearing training uniforms, what kind of rotation system is that?

Old Nelson, a cigar dangling from his lips, walked over, following Lin Hao's gaze, and scoffed, "Don't be afraid. What can they do even if they attack?"

Lin Hao threw the last ball: "Coach, I'm not scared. I'm just curious if Popovich came specifically to see me."

Old Nelson glanced at him: "What do you think?"

The referee blew the whistle, and both teams' starting lineups took to the field.

Spurs starting lineup – Parker 1, Ginobili 2, Bowen 3, Duncan 4, Nesterovic 5.

GDP growth has been maximized across the board, with no one taking a break.

Warriors starting lineup: Lin Hao at point guard, Richardson at shooting guard, Van Exel at small forward, Murphy at power forward, and Dampier at center.

Lin Hao walked to the center circle, where Duncan stood expressionless on the opposite side. Parker dribbled the ball beside him, while Ginobili stretched.

Bowen walked over and stood next to Lin Hao. He didn't say anything, just stood there. Lin Hao glanced at him and noticed that Bowen was staring at his hands—not at the player, but at the hands. Lin Hao knew Bowen's defensive habits: he focused on attacking the ball handler's hands, with impeccable timing for steals. He flexed his wrists and tucked his jersey into his waistband.

Jump ball. Duncan wins easily and passes the ball to Parker. Parker dribbles across half-court, unhurried. The Spurs' offense is never rushed. Parker calls a screen, Nesterovic moves up. Dampier switches defense, Parker blows past him in one step, and drives to the free-throw line. Lin Hao comes over from the weak side to help, Parker doesn't force a shot, but passes the ball to Bowen in the corner.

Bowen receives the ball, and Lin Hao lunges at him. Bowen doesn't shoot, but passes it to Duncan at the top of the key. Duncan receives the ball, and Murphy defends him. Duncan dribbles once, turns, and banks the ball. "Swish." 2-0.

The Spurs' offense is simple and unpretentious, yet every move is textbook perfect. That's the Spurs—they don't pursue speed or spectacle, they only pursue efficiency.

Warriors on offense. Lin Hao receives the ball, Parker closes on. Parker's defense isn't as aggressive as Payton's, but he's fast—fast footwork and fast hands. Lin Hao takes a step, Parker keeps up. Lin Hao takes another step, Parker is still in front of him.

"The ball waits for no one."

Lin Hao passed the ball to Richardson, who received it and was closely guarded by Bowen. With no space, Richardson passed it back to Lin Hao. Lin Hao received the ball, and Parker closed in again.

Seven seconds are almost up.

Lin Hao glanced at the timer—five seconds. There was no time to regroup. He took a step, then pulled up for a jump shot. Parker lunged at him, his hand covering his face.

"Whoosh."

3-2. Lin Hao landed and retreated on defense. Parker dribbled over, glanced at Lin Hao, and said nothing.

Popovich yelled from the sidelines, "Close him! Don't give him any space!"

Parker nodded.

In the next possession, Parker guarded him even tighter. Lin Hao received the ball, Parker's hand on his waist and his knee against his leg. Lin Hao dribbled twice, found no space to shoot, and passed the ball to Van Exel. Van Exel received the ball, and Ginobili was guarding him closely. Van Exel changed direction to get past Ginobili and drove to the paint, where Duncan helped defend. Van Exel didn't force a shot, but passed the ball to Richardson in the corner. Richardson received the ball, and Bowen rushed over. Richardson didn't shoot, but passed it back to Lin Hao at the top of the key.

The ball spun four times, and seven seconds were up.

When Lin Hao received the ball, there was one second left on the shot clock. He caught the ball and shot, but Parker rushed over.

"Bang!"

Missed shot. Duncan grabbed the rebound.

Thibodeau shouted from the sidelines, "Back on defense! Back on defense!"