Surprise Collision

Lian Dao slumped onto the bench, panting heavily as the muscle therapist worked diligently to relieve the tension in his fatigued muscles.

This is exhausting, he thought, reflecting on the relentless pace of the first half. He had played every minute, pouring every ounce of energy into each offensive and defensive exchange. Facing off against two of the league's best defenders—Kobe and Artest—meant he had to give 100% effort on every play.

As the first half concluded, Lian Dao's stats were impressive: 28 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals. He had outscored Kobe, who had tallied 25 points along with 5 rebounds and 6 assists. For the first time, Lian Dao had eclipsed Kobe's score without a moment of rest, but this achievement felt bittersweet.

The fact that the Knicks were only clinging to a narrow lead left him feeling uneasy. The second half was bound to be even tougher. During the halftime break, D'Antoni had considered suggesting Lian Dao take a breather, but as Lian Dao closed his eyes to conserve energy, D'Antoni decided against it. Sometimes, you just can't persuade a player to rest when the game is on the line.

As the intermission came to a close, both teams took to the court. The Lakers had possession, and the Knicks maintained their strategy of double-teaming Kobe. They were determined to prevent any open looks, especially with Artest still finding his rhythm.

Kobe quickly passed the ball to Artest. In the past couple of seasons, Kobe had improved his playmaking, focusing on getting his teammates involved. Artest caught the ball, took a moment to gather himself, and launched a three-pointer.

*Swish!*

The crisp sound of the net snapping confirmed that Artest's confidence had returned, much to Lian Dao's dismay. After struggling in the first half, it was a harsh reminder that the game was far from over.

Lian Dao shook off the disappointment and focused on the next possession. When he received the ball outside, he noticed the Lakers' defense was still adjusting. Seizing the opportunity, he burst past Artest toward the basket.

As Bynum stepped up to defend, Lian Dao quickly pivoted and passed the ball to Milicic, who was waiting under the rim.

Milicic took the pass and went up strong, finishing with a powerful dunk.

It was clear that Milicic had come to play tonight. His intensity and focus were palpable, and Lian Dao appreciated having him as a reliable option. When Milicic played with purpose, it provided Lian Dao with the support he needed on both ends of the floor.

The game continued to ebb and flow, but Lian Dao felt a surge of confidence with Milicic's contribution. With both teams on edge, every possession would be critical, and Lian Dao knew they had to keep pushing if they wanted to maintain their lead.

Kobe continued to dominate the ball, playing isolation as he looked to take control of the game. After the Knicks had narrowly avoided disaster with Artest's last three-pointer, they quickly resumed their double-teaming strategy.

Kobe scanned the court before passing to Artest, who had just received the ball and immediately shot it.

*Splash!*

The ball swished through the net, and the score shifted to 57:59. D'Antoni's expression darkened as he cursed under his breath, frustration boiling over. Artest's second three-pointer was executed with newfound confidence, a stark contrast to his earlier hesitation. It was evident that he had shaken off whatever was ailing him in the first half.

Realizing they needed a change, D'Antoni gestured to Lian Dao to switch defensive tactics, signaling a retreat from the double-team. Lian Dao adjusted, taking on the responsibility of guarding Kobe one-on-one, while Wilson Chandler slid into the three-spot to handle Artest.

The Lakers, still keen on applying pressure, attempted to double-team Lian Dao. However, the Knicks had decided to accelerate their fast break.

Lian Dao seized the opportunity, pushing the pace as he drove hard to the basket, drawing the defense in. With a quick glance, he spotted Chandler cutting toward the rim and delivered a precise pass. Chandler finished with a layup, tying the game at 59:59.

Back to his new assignment, Lian Dao prepared for Kobe's next attack. Kobe, ever relentless, drove toward the basket, leaping for a dunk. Anticipating his move, Lian Dao leaped high to contest the shot.

Kobe feinted left, using his finesse to evade Lian Dao's left hand, but Lian Dao was prepared. With a quick adjustment, he extended his right hand, trying to block the shot again.

Kobe, however, wasn't done yet. He pulled the ball back mid-air, expertly shifting his body as he maneuvered around Lian Dao. With a powerful core and impressive body control, he twisted in the air, moving from the right side of the basket to the left, preparing to throw up a shot.

*Snapped!*

The sound echoed through the arena as Lian Dao managed to swat the shot away. The crowd erupted, and Kobe's expression shifted from confidence to surprise. He hadn't expected Lian Dao to recover so quickly after his fakes.

Kobe's expression shifted to one of disbelief. After executing two deft fakes, he hadn't anticipated that Lian Dao would still be able to contest his shot. It was clear that Lian Dao's impressive athleticism—his ability to stay airborne and his unique physical attributes—were giving him an edge even against one of the greatest scorers in the game.

As the blocked shot ricocheted off the floor and headed toward the sidelines, it looked like the Lakers were poised to regain possession. But Lian Dao had other plans. Reacting quickly, he leaped toward the sideline, determined to corral the ball and ignite a counterattack.

If he could capitalize on the Lakers' mistake, the Knicks could potentially reclaim the lead, which would provide a significant psychological boost.

Lian Dao knew his block had generated a lot of momentum, causing the ball to bounce far off the court. With no time to waste, he stepped inside the boundary line and launched himself into the air, snagging the basketball just before it hit the ground. He quickly scanned the court for his teammates, then released the ball just as he soared beyond the sideline.

In that instant, he realized he was headed toward the front row of the audience. The next thing he knew, he was barreling towards a row of chairs, executing a desperate attempt to land safely.

Among the crowd was none other than Taylor Swift, who had come to watch the game. Lian Dao noticed her startled expression as he flew past. In a split-second decision, he turned his body to avoid colliding with her head, knowing how serious such an impact could be.

The last thing he wanted was to injure her—her face was her livelihood, especially as a high-profile artist.

In a surprising twist, he landed directly in her arms. For a moment, Lian Dao was taken aback—not just by the softness of the embrace but also by the faint scent of her perfume, a pleasant hint of frankincense that lingered in the air. He felt a brief moment of disorientation as he found himself enveloped in the unexpected warmth.

Taylor, a renowned singer, actress, and music producer, had a significant following in China, where her fans affectionately referred to her as "Taylor." Her appeal was not only due to her musical talent but also her aesthetic beauty, which resonated with many, especially those who admired her from afar.

Rumors about her legendary romantic history often overshadowed her accomplishments, leading to jokes about how her number of ex-boyfriends seemed to match the number of songs she produced.

But in this fleeting moment, all that noise faded away. Lian Dao was reminded that Taylor was not just a star but a person with a striking presence, far exceeding the superficial images shared on social media.

However, the encounter was cut short as Lian Dao's momentum had sent both him and Taylor tumbling to the ground, chairs scattering around them.

Chaos erupted along the sidelines, reminiscent of past games where players like Shaquille O'Neal barreled into the audience, leaving chaos in their wake. Few dared to face the sheer force of a player like Shaq without risking serious injury.

You might wonder why the NBA doesn't eliminate courtside seats. The truth is, these seats are highly coveted VIP spots that not only generate significant revenue but also enhance the league's influence. Those seated in these prime spots are often wealthy individuals or influential celebrities like Taylor Swift and David Beckham.

By filling these VIP sections, the NBA gains free advertisement, boosting its popularity. Plus, many stars relish the chance to sit close to the action, enjoying the thrill of watching their favorite players while having the occasional interaction during breaks.

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Hey guys. I am sorry about the lack of updates but I am finally done with my pending school work, so the updates should resume. The frequency hasn't been decided on yet as I just resumed but I won't leave the book for a while as I did before.