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

The day after the game against the Lakers, Don Nelson announced some news.

"The final preseason game is an open practice session. Tickets are not sold to the public; admission is free for fans. Oracle Arena, as many as you can come."

A moment of silence fell over the locker room. An open practice session? The preseason finale was cancelled and turned into an exhibition game?

Payton took the toothpick out of his mouth: "Coach, what are you doing?"

"Let the fans see that we're different this season," said Don Nelson, cigar in hand. "Last year we lost twenty-five games at home. This year, we can't afford to lose a single one."

He glanced at everyone: "Tomorrow, everyone will be on the court. Everyone will be dunking."

Richardson raised his hand: "Coach, I can't dunk."

Old Nelson glanced at him: "You, the dunk champion, are telling me you can't dunk?"

The locker room erupted in laughter.

Oracle Arena. The preseason finale was turned into an open practice. Of the 19,000 seats, 15,000 were occupied. Not full, but more than double the capacity of last year's preseason game.

Fans held up signs that read "Lin Hao MVP", "Northeast sniper is all you need", and "Canned peaches win buff".

Some people were wearing Warriors #7 jerseys, some were holding basketballs and waiting for autographs, and some even had a "7" sticker on their face.

Zhao Dabao somehow got hold of a small cart and set up a stall on the sidelines. A box of canned yellow peaches, the lid unscrewed, filled the room with the aroma of syrup. He yelled at the top of his lungs, "A miracle drug from Northeast China! It'll help you dunk! Free! One can per person!"

The fans swarmed around, jostling and pushing. Zhao Dabao, handing out the containers, shouted, "Don't grab! Don't throw the cans! Lin Hao wants to recycle them!"

When Lin Hao walked out of the player tunnel, the entire stadium cheered. It wasn't the frenzy after a game-winning shot, but a warm feeling of "you're finally back." He walked to the center of the court and waved to everyone around him.

Don Nelson walked to center circle with the microphone: "No game today. Today I'm going to show you what we've practiced this season."

He paused for a moment: "The first item—dunking."

Richardson was the first to enter the game. He started from the baseline, tossed the ball towards the backboard, jumped, caught it, and executed a windmill dunk.

"Clang!"

The crowd erupted in cheers. The Slam Dunk King truly lived up to his name.

Van Exel was second. He dribbled to the three-point line, tossed the ball into the air, jumped, caught it with both hands, and slammed it back with a dunk.

"Clang!"

Payton shook his head from the side: "This back is nowhere near as good as it was when I was young."

Arenas went third. He dribbled to the free-throw line, jumped, and slammed it in with one hand. The ball went in, and he hung on the rim for a couple of seconds.

The entire audience applauded. Lin Hao was the last one.

He stood at midcourt, dribbled twice, and accelerated. He rushed to the free-throw line and jumped. His body stretched out in the air, he caught the ball with his right hand, switched it from between his legs to his left, and dunked with his left hand.

"Clang!"

The stadium erupted. Fifteen thousand people stood up, chanting "MVP!" Lin Hao landed, clapped his hands, and walked back to the bench. Zhao Dabao, standing on the sidelines, held up a can of yellow peaches and shouted to the fans, "See that! That's the effect of eating canned yellow peaches!"

Payton added from the side, "He hasn't eaten yet."

Zhao Dabao was stunned for a moment: "That further proves that my canned food is useful! You can even get it without eating it!"

The second event – ​​the three-point contest.

Five spots, five shots per spot. Arenas took the first shot and made 18. Van Exel took the second and made 19. Richardson took the third and made 15. Payton took the fourth and made 12. After he finished shooting, he spread his hands towards the fans: "I was on defense."

Lin Hao was the last one. He stood in the right corner. First spot, five out of five. Second spot, five out of five. Third spot, five out of five. Fourth spot, five out of five. Fifth spot, all four previous shots were in. On the last ball, he caught it, his knee bent, his wrist snapped, and he jumped.

"Whoosh."

Twenty-five shots, twenty-five made. The entire stadium fell silent for a moment, then erupted in deafening cheers. Fifteen thousand people chanted "Lin Hao! Lin Hao! Lin Hao!"

Zhao Dabao rushed to the sidelines, holding a can of food: "This isn't about the can! This is pure skill!"

Payton glanced at him: "Didn't you just say that eating this would make you able to dunk?"

Zhao Dabao: "He can dunk and shoot, he's versatile."

The third item – live-fire combat.

The starters played as substitutes, and the team won by scoring 20 points first at halftime. Lin Hao led the starters, while Payton led the substitutes.

The whistle blows, and Lin Hao receives the ball. Payton closes on defense, but Lin Hao accelerates, and Payton can't catch up. He drives to the basket, the backup center helps defend, and Lin Hao passes the ball to Dampier, who is following up. Dampier dunks.

2-0. In the next possession, Payton dribbled over and called for a screen. Lin Hao and Dampier switched defenses, and Payton, facing Dampier, accelerated, stopped abruptly, and hit a mid-range jumper.

"Whoosh."

2-2. As Payton retreated on defense, he passed by Lin Hao and said, "Kid, don't leave me alone. My mid-range shot is accurate."

Lin Hao didn't speak, receiving the ball at the baseline. This time he didn't accelerate, dribbling to the three-point line before pulling up for a jump shot. Payton rushed over, but the ball was already out.

"Whoosh."

5 to 2. Payton looked at the basket, took the toothpick out of his mouth, and broke it in two.

The scrimmage lasted eight minutes, with the starting team winning 21-12. Lin Hao scored 9 points, and Payton scored 6. The fans were thrilled, cheering until their voices were hoarse.

Old Nelson picked up the microphone: "Today's open training session is now over."

He paused, glanced at Lin Hao, and said, "Our goal for the new season is only one—the championship."

The crowd erupted. Fifteen thousand people chanted "Warriors! Warriors! Warriors!" Zhao Dabao, holding a can of food, joined in the chant. Payton put the toothpick back in his mouth. Richardson put his arm around Arenas' shoulder. Van Exel tossed the large gold chain behind his back.

Lin Hao stood in the center of the arena, looking around. Suddenly, he saw her.

Zhang Qingying sat in the first row, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses perched on her nose. She was dressed in a white T-shirt and jeans, holding neither a camera nor a recorder. She just sat there quietly.

Lin Hao glanced at her. She didn't move.

Lin Hao withdrew his gaze and headed towards the players' tunnel. Zhao Dabao caught up with him: "Haozi, what were you looking at just now?"

"I didn't see anything."

"Who are you kidding? I saw Zhang Qingying."

Lin Hao didn't say anything.