Attack on Durant

In a post-game interview following the controversial Knicks vs. Spurs matchup, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich stood firm on his claim that Lian Dao's block was potentially an intentional move aimed at causing injury. When pressed about Richard Jefferson's earlier foul on Chris Duhon, Popovich countered with a defense, asserting that Jefferson's actions were not deliberate but purely accidental. Popovich's confident yet contradictory stance left the room in stunned silence.

During the Knicks' post-game interview, reporters relayed Popovich's comments to Lian Dao and sought his response. Lian Dao unequivocally denied any intent to injure, clarifying that his sole focus was on blocking the shot and that he hadn't seen Jefferson during the play. He pointed out that replays would corroborate his statement, showing that Jefferson's injury was an unfortunate coincidence. Lian Dao expressed sympathy, noting it was a matter of bad luck that Jefferson's positioning coincided with the ball's path.

Head coach Mike D'Antoni also weighed in, sharply criticizing Jefferson's aggressive foul on Duhon, labeling it as a true instance of unsportsmanlike conduct that deserved scrutiny. D'Antoni called on the league to address and penalize such behavior to maintain the integrity of the game.

NBA Commissioner David Stern was informed about the incident by his assistant. After reviewing the footage, Stern noted that while Lian Dao's play appeared clean, Jefferson's foul on Duhon did cross a line. Although Stern was accustomed to controversies involving the Spurs—known for inciting conflicts with players like Vince Carter, Steve Nash, Jerry Stackhouse, and LeBron James—he still had to address the current situation.

Ultimately, the league opted for a moderate response: a verbal warning to Jefferson, a one-game suspension, and a $10,000 fine. This decision was influenced by the likelihood that Jefferson's injury would already keep him out of the next game, rendering the suspension a symbolic gesture.

Just days later, on December 27, the NBA released the second round of results for the 2010 All-Star voting. New York Knicks small forward Lian Dao led the pack with 1,946,520 votes, outpacing second-place Kobe Bryant by over 560,000 votes. Bryant, the Los Angeles Lakers' star guard, had 1,380,383 votes, while LeBron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers was third with 1,251,292 votes.

Although Tracy McGrady's initial surge in votes was noteworthy, his momentum waned, allowing Steve Nash, who was enjoying a strong season, to surpass him. Meanwhile, Allen Iverson, who had made a homecoming to the Philadelphia 76ers, experienced a dramatic rise in voting numbers. Despite being past his prime, Iverson's popularity endured, and he held the third spot among Eastern Conference guards. His legacy as an icon for many fans ensured their loyalty, even during a less stellar season.

The 2010 NBA All-Star Game, scheduled for February 14 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, promised to be a landmark event. With the state-of-the-art "Jerry's World" as the venue, constructed for $1.2 billion and accommodating up to 100,000 fans, it set a new standard for the scale of the event. The starting lineups, as indicated by the second-round voting results, featured a star-studded cast:

**Eastern Conference**: Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, Lian Dao, Kevin Garnett, and Dwight Howard. 

**Western Conference**: Steve Nash, Kobe Bryant, Carmelo Anthony, Dirk Nowitzki, and Amare Stoudemire.

Following their victory over the Spurs, the Knicks embarked on a three-game stretch, including a back-to-back. In a standout performance against the Detroit Pistons, Jason Kapono shone with six three-pointers, propelling the Knicks to victory and recording a double-double of 21 points and 20 assists. The Pistons, who began rebuilding after a 4-0 sweep by the Cavaliers in the previous season's playoffs, had welcomed back Ben Wallace, a crucial piece of their championship roster. This game was relatively easy for the Knicks, with Lian Dao clocking out by the third quarter after racking up 20 assists, thanks to his teammates' hot shooting.

Next up was the back-to-back game against the New Jersey Nets on December 30, marking their final matchup of 2009. The Knicks had won the previous two games, sweeping the season series. However, with Yi Jianlian missing those matchups due to injury, this game attracted significant attention from fans, especially in China. The anticipation mirrored the excitement of the historic Yao Ming vs. Yi Jianlian clash between the Rockets and Bucks that drew 200 million viewers.

Yi Jianlian had recently returned to action, making an impactful comeback. He notched 22 points and 9 rebounds against the Timberwolves on December 23, followed by 17 points and 6 rebounds against the Rockets, and an impressive 29 points and 7 rebounds against the Thunder. Averaging 22.7 points and 7.3 rebounds over three games, Yi was in exceptional form, even though the Nets couldn't secure a win against the Thunder, who were led by a dominant Kevin Durant with 40 points. Russell Westbrook contributed a double-double, while James Harden had a quieter game with 3 points and 6 rebounds.

Durant's recent performances showcased his ambition to claim the scoring title. Despite averaging 28.2 points per game, he trailed Lian Dao's league-leading 33.5 points per game by 5.3 points—a gap that fueled his frustration. Harden, aware of Durant's growing intensity, witnessed his teammate's late-night training sessions spurred by fierce determination and relentless texting exchanges.

Harden, slightly amused and apprehensive, couldn't help but think about the shockwaves Lian Dao had sent through the league. Reflecting on his own 9.8 points per game, Harden mused that skipping the draft to avoid competition with Lian Dao was, perhaps, wise. Yet he knew that he wasn't alone in regretting not being part of that draft class; Lian Dao's dominance had many rookies reconsidering their career paths and ambitions.