Chapter 34: The Rookies' Debut (Part II)

On the evening of the 25th, the Knicks concluded their final preseason game with a resounding 110-90 victory over the Nets.

The atmosphere at Madison Square Garden remained electric long after the final buzzer. Many Chinese fans had gathered, all waiting for Li You to finish his post-game interviews.

Jeff Van Gundy seemed to have had a change of heart, as he finally stopped chopping up Li You’s playing time into tiny fragments, allowing him to play two nine-minute stretches. In his 18 minutes on the court, Li You recorded 15 points, 2 rebounds, 10 assists, and 1 steal, shooting 5-of-10 from the field, including 2-of-5 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 3-of-3 from the free-throw line. He finished with a double-double and zero turnovers.

It was clear that when given enough time against weaker opponents, Li You could effortlessly orchestrate the team's offense. Rookie John Wallace was the primary beneficiary, going 6-for-6 from the floor and scoring 12 points off fast breaks and cuts.

Marv Albert and John Kenneth Andaris didn't dwell too much on the numbers; in the few preseason games played so far, this performance had already become the new normal.

"Li, the fans are very curious—why did you choose to wear this long compression sleeve?" Marv Albert asked with a smile, while John Andaris chimed in cheerfully, "The long sleeve does look great; it really fits your style. Word is that on the street courts of New York, many people have already started adopting this look."

Li You lifted his right arm to show the camera, then quipped, "I chose the long compression sleeve for health reasons, of course. I’m sure everyone else has the same reason!" He struck another pose for the cameras, deliberately highlighting the white sleeve, which drew chuckles from the staff.

Young people love to show off. Thanks to his highlight-reel plays, Li You had become a television staple. Within less than a month, his signature look—a short elbow sleeve on the left arm and a long compression sleeve on the right—had taken New York’s street courts by storm. Whether or not they could actually play, everyone wanted the gear. What started as medical equipment had transformed into a fashion accessory, and sports manufacturers were seizing the opportunity to make a quick buck; just add a logo, and it becomes an "exclusive" product.

Watching Li You pose, Marv Albert asked with a chuckle, "Li, with the regular season about to tip off, you’ll be heading to Toronto for your first road game against the Raptors. What are your expectations for your debut?"

"This is my first time going to Toronto. The stats aren't important; I just hope to help the team win." Li You didn't set himself up for a fall, mostly because he wasn't sure how much playing time Jeff Van Gundy would actually give him.

Throughout the interview, no one gave Li You a hard time; the affection New York fans held for him was palpable. Whether they were there for the spectacle or just to experience something new, the fact remained that many were buying tickets specifically to watch Li You play. It wasn't uncommon for rookies to become the face of a franchise; currently, Allen Iverson in Philadelphia was proving to be just as much of a ticket-selling powerhouse.

***

Once Li You finished his interview, fans holding signs in the stands began shouting, "Lee, over here! We’re from New Jersey!" Even though many were ABCs (American-Born Chinese), Li You was friendly, signing autographs and taking photos.

Interestingly, while Chinese fans loved Li You, the Chinese media had never reached out to him. After spending so much time in New York, Li You hadn't seen a single Chinese reporter. Clearly, the higher-ups had already dug into how his unlucky father had obtained his green card in the first place. With his background seen as "unorthodox," they naturally wanted to distance themselves from his influence.

Suddenly, a note was pressed into his hand. Li You looked up to see a plump Black woman winking at him. He could only force a polite smile and think to himself, "I really can't handle a tank like that!"

***

On the afternoon of the 31st, Jeff Van Gundy and his coaching staff announced the 12-man active roster for the first game. As expected, Li You was included.

Rookie Walter McCarty, however, didn't receive any specific instructions from the coaches, immediately realizing that even though he had made the roster, he wouldn't see any playing time in the opening game. Charles Oakley turned and flashed a grin at the rookie. The veteran had been observing him for over a month and had essentially decided that McCarty wasn't going to amount to much, frequently making life difficult for him.

Everyone understood that the future belonged to the young, and nobody wanted to pick a fight with a player with a bright future. As for the bottom-tier players who would likely fade out of the league in a few years, they naturally became targets for hazing.

Jeff Van Gundy, dressed in his training gear, ignored the team’s dynamics and continued loudly, "It’s our first road game of the season. Don't eat anything reckless, communicate with the staff if you have issues, and remember—we are family! Look out for each other!"

Li You watched the rambling Van Gundy with a sense of helplessness. The coaching staff hadn't mentioned changing the offensive strategy or the pace of play at all. After a 7-1 preseason, the Knicks were still running their same old "butt-out" offense.

The team staff began reminding everyone to pack their luggage. It was only 550 kilometers from New York to Toronto—a ninety-minute flight. Most of the players didn't pack much, usually just a single crossbody bag.

As a rookie, Li You was responsible for carrying Starks’ bag. Starks had brought a small bag, containing only a change of shirts and two magazines. John Wallace was in charge of Patrick Ewing’s bag; thanks to his strong preseason performance, he had secured his spot on the team, and Ewing, not wanting to make things hard for the rookie, only had a slightly larger bag. Charles Oakley, however, was full of malice. Convinced that Walter McCarty had no future, he had brought a massive suitcase with broken wheels.

McCarty could only grimace as he hauled the heavy luggage the entire way; the veteran had packed it full of extra weight.

Once on the plane, with limited entertainment, the team resorted to playing cards, reading magazines, gossiping, and talking politics.

"Mariah Carey definitely got slept with by that old Italian guy! She should be with a Black man!"

"There are new faces among the models in New York; we should find a way to meet these new white girls!"

"The White House should be run by a Black man; we have to raise our status..."

Amidst the chatter, Li You won nearly $500. Charles Oakley, the biggest loser, immediately complained loudly, "Damn this Texas Hold'em! We’re changing games next time!"

Larry Johnson, seeing the veteran losing, was in a great mood. "God always favors the hard-working young, Li. You’ll definitely put up some good numbers in tomorrow night's game!"

Li You understood the hint; "Grandmama" was telling him to pass the ball more, likely planning to feast on the court while everyone else was distracted.

The long-suffering McCarty could only watch from the sidelines; Charles Oakley wouldn't even let him join the card game.

After arriving in Toronto, the team checked into the hotel partnered with the NBA. The next morning, the unlucky McCarty was tasked with waking everyone up. After rising at 6:45 AM and grabbing breakfast, Li You and John Wallace had to help equipment manager Mike Saunders prepare the jerseys.

Old Mike had been with the Knicks since 1978 and was well-liked by everyone. "Li, you don't need to help me with this. You're a big star now! The New York fans love you!"

Li You didn't mind the work. He stood up and patted Mike on the shoulder. "This is what a rookie is supposed to do. Pat is the real star here!"

While he said these humble words, Li You secretly made a resolution: "Sooner or later, I'm going to ship all these dead-weight veterans out."