Milicic

After a brief break, the second quarter began.

Both teams switched to their rotation lineups at the start of the second quarter. For the Knicks, Lian Dao remained on the court. They were trailing by 6 points at the end of the first quarter, and substituting all their starters could lead to a disastrous second quarter.

With Al Harrington traded to the Jazz, the Knicks' bench strength had taken a hit. On the other hand, the Lakers' rotation, bolstered by Lamar Odom as the sixth man, could rival the starting lineup of many top teams.

D'Antoni initially hesitated to let Lian Dao continue into the second quarter, knowing that Lian Dao's stamina was not yet at its peak. However, after Lian Dao's persistent requests and recognizing the lack of other options on the bench capable of withstanding the Lakers' pressure, D'Antoni reluctantly agreed.

As Lian Dao removed his warm-up jacket, preparing to re-enter the game, Kobe Bryant also got ready to check in. However, the Zen Master stopped him, shaking his head. Kobe hesitated but ultimately sat back down, understanding the message. The Zen Master wanted Kobe to trust his teammates and the importance of a balanced rotation to secure the win.

Since Pau Gasol joined the Lakers and they won the championship last season, Kobe's once-stubborn insistence on taking over games had diminished. The overall strength of the Lakers had improved, and Kobe no longer felt the need to carry the load through isolation plays.

The Lakers' rotation included Jordan Farmar, Shannon Brown, Luke Walton, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum. Lamar Odom, standing over 2 meters tall, was versatile enough to play all five positions on the court. Nicknamed the "left-handed magician" when he first entered the NBA, Odom had the ability to handle the ball, score both inside and outside, but lacked the aggressive scoring mentality to be the team's primary leader. Nevertheless, his talent was undeniable.

Odom was also recently married to Khloé Kardashian, the third sister from the NBA's most infamous family. Judging by his dark circles, it seemed his married life was quite lively.

Luke Walton had been a starter for the Lakers in the first half of last season, but Trevor Ariza's standout performance in the second half solidified Ariza's spot in the starting lineup.

The Knicks' rotation consisted of Tony Douglas, Larry Hughes, Lian Dao, Danilo Gallinari, and Darko Miličić. D'Antoni chose to play Tony Douglas, hoping to showcase his skills as a potential trade asset for the Knicks.

Darko Miličić, recently reactivated by D'Antoni, had top-tier physical fitness but had missed out on critical development during his early years in the league. Jazz scout Dar Xin once claimed that, given the first overall pick, he would have chosen Miličić over LeBron James. While the truth of this statement is questionable, it reflects the high expectations once placed on Miličić.

However, under Larry Brown in Detroit, Miličić spent three frustrating seasons, earning him the label of a "bust" by many. Despite this, Miličić had impressive physical attributes, with the size and strength of a center, coupled with the speed and agility of a power forward. He was ideally suited for fast breaks and was an excellent finisher around the rim.

Knicks' Possession:

Lian Dao handled the ball just outside the three-point line, his eyes scanning the court, tracking his teammates' movements. Suddenly, he pulled up for what seemed like a three-point attempt. Luke Walton rushed to contest, but as he leaped, he realized too late that Lian Dao wasn't shooting—he was passing.

The ball sailed perfectly to the right side of the basket, where Milicic leaped to catch it in mid-air and forcefully dunked over Bynum, sending the crowd into a frenzy. As he landed, Milicic swung his arms in excitement, narrowly missing Bynum's head with his elbow. Bynum, angered, stepped forward, ready to retaliate, but Milicic immediately squared up, his fists clenched and eyes locked onto Bynum. Growing up in the war-torn regions of Serbia, Milicic wasn't one to back down.

Seeing the fire in Milicic's eyes, Bynum hesitated. He wanted to keep his pride intact, but engaging Milicic in a brawl didn't seem wise. The tension was thick, but the referees quickly stepped in, separating the two. Both players were assessed a foul, diffusing the situation.

On the Knicks' bench, D'Antoni could only shake his head. Milicic was a double-edged sword—a physical specimen perfect for the fast-paced game but prone to emotional outbursts. Despite the concern, Lian Dao recognized something deeper in Milicic: a need for validation.

As they jogged back on defense, Lian Dao patted Milicic on the shoulder. "Great job, Daco. That's how you do it." His words were filled with encouragement, and in his eyes, Milicic saw belief—a rarity in his career. The Serbian big man nodded, hiding the swell of emotion that Lian Dao's words stirred in him.

The Lakers' next possession saw Lamar Odom drive past Gallinari, but Milicic was there, swatting the shot away with authority. Lian Dao quickly snatched up the loose ball, igniting a fast break. With a burst of speed, he reached the basket, faked a layup, and watched as Shannon Brown soared to block—only for Lian Dao to pivot and finish with ease.

Score: 33-35.

On the way back, Lian Dao pointed at Milicic, acknowledging his defensive prowess. The cameras caught a rare, shy smile from Milicic—a moment of pride he hadn't felt in years.

The Knicks, now within striking distance, had the momentum. Tony Douglas, seizing an opportunity, picked Jordan Farmar's pocket and sent the ball to Lian Dao. Without hesitation, Lian Dao launched a three-pointer.

Score: 36-35. Knicks lead.

Despite the shift, Phil Jackson, the Lakers' Zen Master, remained stoic, showing no signs of concern. But as the Lakers missed another shot, Milicic secured the rebound, elbowing Bynum aside with a fierceness that made Bynum think twice about retaliating.

Lian Dao pushed the pace again, firing a pinpoint pass to Tony Douglas, who finished with an uncontested layup.

Score: 38-35.

Finally, Jackson signaled for Kobe to re-enter the game, replacing Walton. The crowd buzzed in anticipation as Kobe locked eyes with Lian Dao, each recognizing the competitive fire in the other.

Kobe went to work in the low post, backing Lian Dao down. With a series of shoulder fakes and a quick turn, Kobe elevated for a fadeaway jumper. Lian Dao was right there, his hand outstretched to contest, but Kobe's shot had just enough arc to sail over his fingertips. The ball swished through the net, barely brushing the rim.

Lian Dao felt the breeze of the ball's passage as it flew by, a reminder of just how close he was—yet just how far. The battle between the two was only beginning.