NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

In Chicago, Jordan dropped 30 in three quarters and went over 40 tonight. Now, he was chilling on the bench.

"Michael, that dude from the Knicks is about to get a 5x5, just needs one more block," said Randy Brown, sliding over.

"What?" Jordan snapped, looking over.

"He's playing the three, killing 'em with his drives. The Jazz can't stop him. And on D? He's straight-up locking Karl Malone down. Dude's on a different level tonight," Randy said.

"He and Ewing ain't clashing?" Jordan asked, surprised.

"Looks fine for now. But Allan Houston? Man barely got minutes. Looks like both sides are icing him out," Randy replied.

Jordan nodded, still confused. He thought the Knicks would implode, which would've been hilarious. But this? He didn't see it coming.

A rookie putting up a 5x5? Even he never pulled that off.

Fourth Quarter – Knicks' Possession

Zhao Dong pulled up for a three. Clank. Miss. Jazz ball.

That was his fifth attempt—2-for-5 so far. 40% ain't bad, but he needed five makes for the team challenge. That meant he had to keep gunning.

Three minutes in, the Jazz were on offense. Zhao Dong baited Karl Malone into a bad catch, kept him from getting a clean look, then timed his jump perfectly—SWAT! Another block.

"YEAH!!" The Knicks' bench exploded.

BOOM—20,000 Jazz fans groaned in unison.

"I hate to say it, but history was just made in the Delta Center," the commentator grumbled. "A damn Knick just dropped a 5x5 on us."

On NBC, Marv Albert was hyped. "Zhao Dong, welcome to history! The first rookie to ever post a 5x5. Unreal!"

Doug Collins added, "And if he's officially listed as a small forward tonight? Then he's also the first perimeter player ever to do it. That's legendary."

But Zhao Dong wasn't caught up in the hype. He had bigger things to handle.

Karl Malone? Neutralized. Now, it was time to finish off the Jazz.

He eased up on Malone a bit, shifting some focus to Stockton.

Jazz Possession – Classic Pick-and-Roll

The Jazz ran their bread-and-butter. This time, they worked it into a clean three for Jeff Hornacek. Splash.

Back down the court—Knicks ball.

Zhao Dong caught it at the left-wing three-point line.

He had racked up three dimes in the third, so the Jazz weren't eager to double him. Bryon Russell was stuck on an island.

Russell sagged off, wary of the drive.

Zhao Dong smirked. "You ready? 'Cause I'm letting this one fly."

Russell clenched his jaw.

Pull-up. Money.

The Knicks' sniper mission was almost complete, and Zhao Dong was feeling it. He turned to Russell, grinning.

"A shot with no defense? Meaningless. Gotta make it tougher, man."

Russell's face turned red. He wanted to swing.

"Zhao Dong is now 3-for-6 from deep, showing off that outside touch," Doug Collins noted.

Two minutes later, Zhao Dong had the ball in the same spot.

"Yo, don't trip. I'm shooting another one right here. Step up, man. Give me a challenge."

Russell took the bait, closing in fast.

Too fast.

Zhao Dong took a hard jab step forward—Russell panicked, hit the brakes, and damn near burned rubber.

Then Zhao Dong snatched his foot back and pulled up.

"SPLASH!"

That made it 4-for-7 from three. He turned back to Russell. "Told you. All threes tonight. Remember that next time."

Russell looked like he was about to explode.

He missed his next attempt, making him 4-for-8. Still solid efficiency.

With two minutes left, the Knicks were up 100-91. Not quite a blowout, but a comfortable lead.

Van Gundy called time.

"Zhao Dong, why so many threes tonight?"

Zhao Dong wiped his face with his jersey. "Coach, I need to build my outside threat. If they start doubling me out there, it'll open up everything else."

Van Gundy thought it over. "Alright, makes sense."

Minute 11. Knicks ball.

This time, the Jazz doubled him, with Jeff Hornacek coming to help.

Zhao Dong didn't care. He went straight up.

Four hands were in his face—Russell's fingertips almost poked his damn eye out. But the shot was already in the air.

Turn-around. OK gesture. Celebration before it even landed.

SWISH.

The Knicks bench erupted. The Delta Center went dead silent.

Zhao Dong smirked at his defenders. "See? The tougher the contest, the sweeter the shot."

Russell and Hornacek looked like they wanted to fight.

And just like that—mission accomplished.

5 threes? Check.

Over 40 points? Check.

Shutting down Karl Malone? Done.

Stockton? Teased, but not destroyed. That was just a bonus.

Final Score: Knicks 107, Jazz 99

The Knicks improved to 44-12, still sitting second in the East.

Zhao Dong's stat line?

41 points (14-22 FG, 5-9 3PT, 8-10 FT)

10 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, 5 blocks

2 turnovers, 4 fouls

Two out of three team goals hit. That meant a reward and a talent upgrade.

Postgame Interview

As the Player of the Game, Zhao Dong got swarmed by reporters.

"Zhao Dong, how's it feel to put up only the tenth 5x5 in NBA history?"

He grinned. "Feels solid."

"How'd you do it?"

"Locked up Karl Malone. Wrecked their pick-and-roll. Put in work."

"Karl Malone finished with just 13 points. Thoughts?"

"That's his level."

The New York reporters busted out laughing.

The Utah guys? Not amused.

"Any truth to the Knicks' locker room beef?" another reporter asked.

"Not at all," Zhao Dong said smoothly. "We talk things out. Locker room's solid."

"Allan Houston only played 11 minutes. Is he getting benched?"

Zhao Dong shrugged. "That's up to the coaching staff. Lineups are about who's playing best."

And with that, he wrapped up the interview and walked out a winner.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>

Do you want to read Advanced Chapters?

Visit this link:

Påtreon.com/Fanficlord03

Change (å) to (a)