At Madison Square Garden, Ewing got the ball in the low post on the left wing, with Raptors power forward Popeye Jones bodying him up from behind. When it comes to low-post defense, you got three main styles: top defense, side defense, and trying to rip that ball with a steal. Jones went for top defense, using all 113 kilos of his frame—dude was actually heavier than Ewing by a few kilos. His strength was right there with Pat's, and at 203 cm tall, his lower center of gravity gave him a little edge in that matchup.
Now, let's keep it real—Ewing wasn't exactly a bully in the paint. Dude lived off his jumper. Only about 20% of his offense came at the rim, while 80% was from mid-range. Ever since his knees and ankles started giving him trouble, he barely attacked the basket anymore. This possession? No different.
Raptors came down the other end, but Jones bricked a three. Zhao Dong had already sealed Camby off on the outside, grabbed the board, and turned straight into attack mode. He backed Camby down like he was moving furniture, pushing him deep into the paint—just two meters from the hoop. Charlie Ward saw the mismatch and fed him the ball.
Boom! Zhao Dong went to work. A strong dribble, arched his back, and bang—straight through Camby for the bucket.
"That's just ridiculous," Marv Albert said on the NBC broadcast. "Camby's got nothing for Zhao Dong. He needs to bulk up or just stop trying to guard him."
"Simple but effective," Doug Collins added. "Now the Raptors gotta make a decision—do they double Zhao Dong or let Popeye Jones handle him? But if they do that, Jones won't be able to keep Ewing in check, and Camby sure as hell can't stop Zhao Dong."
Swish! Raptors swingman Walter Williams drained a three over Oakley's outstretched hand, cutting the Knicks' lead to 6-3.
On the next play, Alan Houston got the ball on the left-wing three-point line, but Zhao Dong was already calling for it inside. Houston ignored him and launched a three.
"Ball hog," Zhao Dong muttered, already moving for position. He used his strength to shove Camby aside like a rag doll, taking the prime rebounding spot right in front of the basket.
"Damn it!" Camby grunted, frustrated.
The shot clanked off the rim, and Zhao Dong snatched the board with one hand, securing it with his right and setting up for a putback.
Smack! Camby slapped his wrist, trying to disrupt the play.
Boom! But Zhao Dong wasn't having it. He powered through, slamming it home with authority, shaking the damn rim.
Beep! The ref blew the whistle—foul on Camby. And-one.
"That was a brutal dunk!" Collins shouted. "Zhao Dong's athleticism is just next level. He jumps higher, faster, and with way more power than Camby."
"He's got the tools," Marv Albert nodded. "For a guy his size, his movement in the paint is elite. He's got both static and dynamic ability. If he keeps improving, man, the league is in trouble."
Zhao Dong cashed in the free throw, and the Raptors came back down. Popeye Jones tried another three—brick. Lucky for Camby, the ball bounced straight into his hands. He went up for a little hook shot, but as soon as he jumped, Zhao Dong squeezed him, throwing off his balance. The ball barely left Camby's hand before Zhao Dong snatched it mid-air.
"Oh wow! Another insane block!" Marv Albert shouted as the crowd went crazy.
By the ninth minute, both teams subbed out some of their starters. Zhao Dong and Camby hit the bench at the same time—coaches clearly wanted to evaluate their rookies.
Zhao Dong had been a problem—6-for-6 from the field, all inside the paint, with two putbacks. Efficiency off the charts. He also hit 1-of-2 free throws, racking up 13 points, 5 boards, and 2 blocks.
Camby? Dude was rattled after getting blocked twice. His offensive confidence vanished. He started focusing only on defense, but even that had flaws—he couldn't guard outside the paint, making him a defensive liability. Zhao Dong, on the other hand, could stretch the floor, hit threes, mid-range jumpers, and still dominate inside. Camby? 0 points, 1 rebound. The Knicks were looking real good tonight.
Back on the bench, Zhao Dong sat next to Larry Johnson.
"Yo, Larry, how's the back?" Zhao Dong asked casually.
"Soon," LJ answered, barely looking up.
Zhao Dong leaned back. "So… when we're full strength, who's starting at the four?"
Larry Johnson frowned. "You trying to start some shit, rookie?"
"Nah, just wondering," Zhao Dong grinned. "Look, in the post, I'm taller, got a longer wingspan, I match your speed, and I'm way more efficient. I can shoot from deep, mid-range, attack facing up, back-to-the-basket, off the ball, with the ball—however I want. That's just facts. You agree?"
LJ's face twitched. Damn rookie really had the nerve.
Van Gundy, standing nearby, caught the convo. He didn't say anything, but he definitely heard.
Seeing Johnson's annoyed expression, Zhao Dong chuckled. "I know you box. I like to throw hands too. We should team up. Matter of fact, when we picking an opponent? How about Utah? The 'Four Trouble-Makers' ain't even four anymore—Oak's the only one left standing. With Laimbeer retired, we gotta step up."
LJ just stared at him. This dude was wild. He couldn't help but think—if Zhao Dong keeps this up, would he even challenge Ewing for dominance in the Knicks?
"Shut up, Zhao Dong," Van Gundy finally turned and barked.
Zhao Dong just smirked.
By the end of the first quarter, the Knicks had stretched the lead to 28-18.
Midway through the second, Zhao Dong checked back in just as Camby took a seat. Coaches still running that silent rookie battle.
"Yeah!" The Garden crowd roared.
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