NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

"Ernie, if this team falls apart, you gonna trade Zhao Dong?" Van Gundy asked quietly, away from the others.

Grunfeld fell into deep thought.

He didn't even realize he was shaking his head.

Meanwhile, Oakley was still fired up. He turned back and yelled at Ewing, "Patrick, man, you let me down. You're the leader of this team. We got Zhao Dong to help you out as you got older, and you should be grateful for that. But what did you do? You tried to hold him back."

"Facts," Zhao Dong said, pissed. "I thought you were supposed to be a stand-up guy, but Pippen dunked on you, stepped right over your head, and you didn't do shit. Jordan bullied you your whole career, and you still wanna be friends with him. But when it comes to me, your own teammate, you tryna keep me down? That's weak, Pat. You really disappoint me."

(TL: Just like Sarutobi Hiruzen (Third Hokage) when he sacrificed his own people to avoid war. He handed over the leader of the Hyuga Branch family to the enemy just to keep the peace—like he was scared of real conflict. Then there's the Uchiha Clan Massacre, where Itachi was used as a tool to wipe out his own family. Sure, there's no direct proof Hiruzen ordered it, but come on—ANBU answers to the Hokage, and Itachi didn't make that decision alone.

And now, look at Patrick Ewing. The so-called leader of the Knicks, letting Pippen dunk on him and walk over his head without doing shit. Letting Jordan bully him for years and still wanting to be his friend. But when it comes to his own teammate—Zhao Dong—he's suddenly trying to hold him back? That's not leadership. That's just weak. Both Hiruzen and Ewing played it safe when they should've stood up for their own people.)

"Zhao Dong, damn it, can you let me finish?" Oakley shoved his face up close to him.

"Aight, go ahead," Zhao Dong said, stepping back.

Oakley turned back to Ewing, his voice cutting deep. "Patrick, you really think you got a shot at a ring without Zhao Dong? It's been over a decade, and what have you done? Can you win a chip by yourself?

"The fans have been waiting for you to bring them a championship for more than ten seasons. But what have you given 'em? Nothing. They've been disappointed every damn year."

Ewing's anger dimmed. Oakley's words stripped him bare, like his pride was being ripped off in front of everyone.

Zhao Dong doubled down. "Aight, we put everything out in the open today. Either I step up, or you step down. We both gotta make a choice."

He turned to Oakley with an apologetic look. "Sorry, Charles. My choice? I can't follow Ewing's lead anymore. I don't recognize him as the guy for this team. Either the team trades me, or I take over and lead this squad as the top dog."

Oakley felt drained. Looking at Zhao Dong's determined face, he realized there was no backing down from this.

Ewing leaned against his locker, exhausted. Truth be told, he never intended to freeze Zhao Dong out permanently. He just wanted to slow him down, take back control, then ease the ball back to him. At his age, he couldn't keep up with 20-plus shots a game anymore.

But he underestimated Zhao Dong's response. The situation spiraled out of his control, and now, here they were.

Twelve seasons with the Knicks, and now, when the team finally had hope, he was the reason it was falling apart. That wasn't what he wanted.

More than anything, he wanted that championship. Nothing mattered more.

"Patrick, say something," Oakley demanded coldly.

Ewing opened his mouth, but nothing came out.

"You just gonna let the team collapse? You started this mess, so don't stay silent now. For once in your career, don't bottle it up—say what you really want. Are you forcing the team to trade Zhao Dong? Or are you ready to hand over the reins?"

Ewing looked trapped, like a man cornered with no way out.

The locker room fell dead silent.

Minutes passed. Then finally, Ewing spoke. "If he wants to play the three… let him."

Oakley and Zhao Dong froze.

"You sure?" Oakley pressed. "You heard what Zhao Dong said."

"I… I'm sure," Ewing sighed, looking defeated.

Oakley grinned. "Aight, I'm callin' 'em in."

He opened the door and waved in Ernie Grunfeld, Van Gundy, and the coaching staff, keeping the other players out for now.

"How'd it go?" Grunfeld asked, looking tense.

Oakley smirked. "Patrick agreed—Zhao Dong's movin' to small forward and leading the team."

Grunfeld's eyes widened before a relieved smile crossed his face. "That's big."

Van Gundy and Thibodeau exchanged glances, nodding.

This meant the Knicks were shifting from a one-man show to a two-star system. But with Ewing aging, it was clear Zhao Dong would be the new alpha.

Just like the Bulls had Jordan leading with Pippen behind him, the Knicks were now Zhao Dong's squad, with Ewing as support.

"Zhao Dong, you on board with this?" Grunfeld asked.

Zhao Dong nodded. "Yeah, I'm in."

"Good," Grunfeld said, satisfied. "Jeff, it's your show now."

Van Gundy exhaled. This changed everything. The offense had to be rebuilt around Zhao Dong, and he had to prove he could run it.

"First issue—what about Alan Houston?" Van Gundy asked.

"Keep him in the lineup for now, trade him in the offseason," Grunfeld said bluntly.

Van Gundy nodded, then opened the door to bring in the rest of the team.

The players shuffled in, nervous. They glanced at Ewing, then Zhao Dong, bracing for what was coming.

Van Gundy didn't waste time. "The issue's settled. Patrick's agreed—Zhao Dong's moving to the three and running the offense."

Shock rippled through the room.

"Ewing really gave in?" Some players murmured.

Alan Houston's face dropped.

Van Gundy continued, "From now on, Zhao Dong will be our primary ball-handler and leader."

This time, the room went dead silent.

"Dual-core? Damn, Ewing really stepped back?" Someone muttered.

Alan Houston clenched his jaw. This wasn't what he wanted.

---

Game Night—Starting Lineups Announced

Knicks:

C – Ewing

PF – Oakley

SF – Zhao Dong

SG – John Starks

PG – Chris Childs

Jazz:

C – Greg Ostertag

PF – Karl Malone

SF – Bryon Russell

SG – Jeff Hornacek

PG – John Stockton

Van Gundy benched Alan Houston to keep things from boiling over mid-game.

NBC's live broadcast crew, Marv Albert and Doug Collins, analyzed the situation.

"Marv, the New York media's been saying the Knicks are falling apart," Collins said. "You think there's truth to that?"

Marv chuckled. "Oh, absolutely."

"Why's that?" Collins pressed.

Marv smirked. "Alan Houston just got benched. That tells you everything you need to know. He was part of the power struggle between Ewing and Zhao Dong.

"But here's the thing—Knicks management already decided Zhao Dong is the future. Houston made a huge mistake getting involved. Unless the Knicks trade Zhao Dong, Houston has no shot at being 'the guy.' And that ain't happening."

Collins laughed. "Funny, didn't you say before that Zhao Dong had no potential?"

Marv shook his head, grinning. "Hey, even I get it wrong sometimes. His performance against the Bulls? Straight-up dominant. The kid proved himself."

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