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

"Gary," Lin Hao said, draping a towel around his neck as he walked up to Payton, his tone as calm as if he were discussing the weather, "You lost the one-on-one. Now, let's try five against five. You lead the main team, and I'll lead the reserves. Let's see if your old guys' experience is more powerful, or our 'Northeast Sniper' formation is more effective."

Payton jerked his head up, his eyes blazing: "Five against five? Kid, don't get cocky! Winning a one-on-one game is fine, but five against five is a team sport! When I was playing basketball, you were still wearing diapers!"

"Whether you're arrogant or not, we'll see on the court." Lin Hao grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, his straightforward Northeastern personality kicking in. "If you're scared, it's not too late to sign a contract now. I'll arrange a defensive mentor for you, so you won't have to play as a substitute."

"Fear? That word doesn't exist in my dictionary!" Payton was provoked so much that he jumped up, threw the towel on the ground, and shouted, "Fine, let's fight! Who's afraid of who! I'll show you what NBA-level team basketball is all about!"

The players watching from the sidelines instantly became excited.

Richardson, Arenas, Murphy, and Grant, who had just recovered from injury, all gathered around.

"Haozi, count me in!" Richardson was the first to raise his hand. "I've had my eye on this old guy for a long time. He can't defend against him one-on-one, and he might not be able to handle it even in a five-on-five!"

"Me too!" Arenas shouted, "Lin, I'll be your substitute!"

Payton sneered, pointing at Richardson: "Kid, I'll beat you until you're crying for your parents!"

Mullin sat on the sidelines, holding his tactical board, his heart pounding with anxiety. He hoped Payton would come, but he didn't want things to get too tense within the team.

"The rules are simple," Lin Hao walked to the center circle and pointed to the scoreboard, "Play four quarters, each lasting 10 minutes. Whoever reaches 100 points first wins. The loser treats the whole team to stew tonight."

"Fine!" Payton readily agreed. "If I lose, it's my treat! If I win, you're fired!"

Game start.

Payton lived up to his reputation. The moment he stepped onto the court, he immediately demonstrated the playmaking ability of a top-tier point guard.

He dribbled the ball forward calmly and steadily, his eyes scanning the entire court like a radar. In the first half of the first quarter, he delivered four consecutive assists, helping the starting team go on a 12-5 run.

"See that? This is organization!" Payton trash-talked Lin Hao after an assist, "Your 'Northeast Sniper' technique is all show and no substance, it can't stop my passes at all!"

Lin Hao didn't say anything, he just dribbled the basketball in the backcourt.

He realized that Payton was deliberately controlling the pace, slowing down the game, and preventing him from running. This was the wisdom of a veteran, using experience to wear down the younger player's stamina.

"Fine, you want to wear down the enemy's position," Lin Hao's eyes turned cold, "Then I'll show you what modern positional warfare is all about."

At the start of the second quarter, Lin Hao adjusted his strategy.

He no longer blindly pushes fast breaks, but steadily advances the ball to the frontcourt and then signals to his teammates to create space.

Payton thought he was going to go one-on-one, so he immediately closed in on him.

But Lin Hao didn't attack; instead, he passed the ball to Arenas in the bottom corner.

Payton instinctively stepped in to cover Arenas.

In that instant, Lin Hao had already cut to the basket from the other side, and Arenas' ball, as if it had eyes, was accurately passed to him.

"Bang!"

Lin Hao slams a one-handed dunk!

15-12.

"Beautiful!" Dell Curry yelled from the sidelines, "That's the play! Lin Hao's reading ability is amazing!"

Payton paused for a moment, then roared, "Keep an eye on your men! Don't let anyone slip through!"

But it was too late.

Lin Hao is like a slippery eel, weaving in and out of the main team's defense. He doesn't hold onto the ball; it never stays in his hands for more than two seconds.

Breakthrough and pass, breakthrough and pass, breakthrough and pass again.

The basketball circulated rapidly among the Warriors players, with each move accompanied by a high-quality screen.

Payton's defensive system was completely torn apart.

He defended Lin Hao's drive, and Lin Hao passed to the open Richardson; he helped defend Richardson, and Lin Hao passed to Arenas who was cutting to the basket; he collapsed the paint, and Lin Hao raised his hand to shoot from beyond the three-point line.

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

"Whoosh!"

Three consecutive three-pointers, all swishing through the net.

28-18.

The main team was called up.

Payton was panting heavily, his hands on his knees, sweat dripping down his chin. He looked at Lin Hao, a look of bewilderment appearing in his eyes for the first time.

How come this kid can do everything?

He can drive, shoot, pass, and defend.

Is this even human?

After the timeout, Payton panicked.

He stopped orchestrating the offense and instead took matters into his own hands, playing one-on-one. He wanted to salvage his reputation by scoring.

But Lin Hao was like a stubborn plaster, clinging to him relentlessly.

Payton tried to dodge left and right, but couldn't shake off Lin Hao no matter what he did.

"Snapped!"

Lin Hao suddenly made a move and precisely sliced ​​the basketball out of Payton's hands!

The entire audience gasped in surprise!

Lin Hao picked up the ball, drove straight in, and delivered another powerful dunk!

30-18.

"Gary," Lin Hao said coldly to Payton after landing, "you're getting old. You can't keep up with me anymore. In the Warriors, defense isn't something you can handle alone."

Payton gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot. He was indignant, but he had to admit that Lin Hao was telling the truth.

In the second half, the main team completely collapsed.

Lin Hao activated his "God's-eye view".

He directed the movement throughout the game, passing the ball to whichever teammate had an open space.

His assists are no longer simple passes, but guided missiles with anticipation.

With five minutes remaining in the third quarter, Lin Hao delivered his 12th assist, helping Arenas hit a long-range three-pointer.

75-55.

The point difference has reached 20 points.

The fourth quarter completely became garbage time.

Lin Hao sat on the sidelines, resting, watching the substitutes continue to dominate the main team.

Payton was substituted off the field and sat on the bench, staring blankly at the pitch.

He lost.

They lost everything, not even their underwear.

They lost the one-on-one match and the team match as well.

His prized defense and playmaking proved as fragile as paper against Lin Hao's unpredictable run-and-gun system.

The final whistle blew.

The score remained 120-100.

The reserve team defeated the starters by 20 points.

Lin Hao only scored 28 points, but he delivered an astonishing 15 assists and 5 steals. His shooting percentage was frighteningly high.

He almost single-handedly revitalized the entire team.

Payton sat in the locker room, head down, clutching his number 20 jersey tightly in his hand.

Lin Hao walked in, but didn't laugh at him. He simply placed a bottle of water in front of him.

"Gary," Lin Hao's voice was calm, "now you see. With the Warriors, we don't need you to carry the team alone. We need you to teach those young guys how to defend, how to steal the ball, and how to win with experience. Leave the offense to me."

Payton looked up, his eyes a little red.

He stared at Lin Hao for a full half minute.

Then, he reached out and firmly grasped Lin Hao's hand.

"Kid," Payton's voice was hoarse, "I give up. I really give up."

He stood up and yelled at the entire team, "Listen up, you fucking idiots! From today onwards, I'm the Warriors' defensive mentor! Anyone who dares not practice defense properly, I'll cripple them! Also, Lin Hao is my boss! Anyone who dares to question him, you'll have to get past me first!"

The crowd cheered!

Richardson and Arenas rushed up and surrounded Payton and Lin Hao.

"Great! Glove Guy is finally here!"

"We can win the championship next season!"

Lin Hao looked at the system panel, which was flashing with golden light.

[Ding! A resounding victory in the team's scrimmage! Successfully defeated [Glove] Gary Payton! Temporary buff unlocked: [Defensive Deterrence] Upgraded Version, reducing the opponent's field goal percentage by 8% when facing perimeter defenders (lasts 24 hours).]

Lin Hao's lips curled into a cold smile.

With Payton as a key player, plus Dale Curry's sniper rifle, and the rapid advance of the run-and-gun tactic, the team was ready for a decisive victory.

Who can stop the Golden State Warriors this season?

He turned to Payton and extended his hand: "Welcome, Gary."

Payton squeezed his hand and grinned. "Thanks, boss. You're buying that stewed goose in an iron pot tonight."

"Sure! Plenty!"

Laughter erupted again in the training hall.

Under the Auckland night sky, the puzzle of the Warriors' dynasty is finally complete.