"Let's catch up again, Lin! How about it? You like my report?" Javier Stanford grinned as he shook Lin Yi's hand.
The Stanford players were already heading off the court after the game. They'd just been absolutely crushed by the Wildcats, losing 96–45, a brutal 51-point margin. Not exactly the best way to finish.
Stephen Curry dropped 27 points and dished out 14 assists, continuing his impressive season.
Lin Yi, meanwhile, put up 30 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals. Pretty solid stats all around.
"Man, you gotta go for it. It doesn't matter whether is a weak or strong team right?" Lin Yi said, smiling.
Can't wait to rack up more stats, huh? Javier thought
Lin Yi and Stephen were joking about how to make the most of every game and* brush up on their stats efficiently.*
"I saw you use Dream Shake at least four times today. Been practicing that move?" Javier asked, genuinely interested. "I think you could develop your post-game a bit more. The outside shot isn't always reliable. The basket is where it's at."
Lin Yi nodded, appreciating the feedback. Lately, he had been focusing more on his post moves—not because of what Javier said, but because he knew he needed to develop his center skills.
To be honest, Lin Yi could get by in the NCAA with his unmatched speed for a guy his height, his coordination, and his ability to shoot threes and dribble. But when he made it to the NBA? That would get tougher.
In the NBA, it wasn't just about being fast or athletic—it was about who had the most weapons in their arsenal.
Lin Yi wasn't the only one who thought that. Even someone like Russell Westbrook, who had his strengths, was missing scoring options. Sure, he could drive hard and attack the basket, but his shooting wasn't exactly reliable. That's why his playoff performances often fell short.
On the other hand, LeBron James was a different beast. Towards the end of his career, LeBron had the complete package. He could dominate in the post, hit threes, and had unmatched versatility.
Lin Yi needed to develop a similar variety in his game. That's why he was practicing more inside moves. It wasn't just about getting numbers; it was about being ready for the next level.
"You know," Lin Yi chuckled and dropped another Kobe quote, "Kobe Bryant always said, you should always be adding new ways to score. That's what I'm trying to do."
After chatting with Javier for a bit, Lin Yi asked him for his number. Javier had helped him plenty, so it made sense to keep that connection strong.
"By the way, Lin, any chance you have time for a quick interview after the game?" Wu Xiaolei stepped in. She wasn't about to let this chance slip by. The interview before the game was good, but now she needed something juicier.
"Of course," Lin Yi said. Building his reputation back home was important. Plus, the more media attention he got, the better. The whole "from China" thing was a big deal, and the attention his game was getting could be just as valuable as any scouting report.
"Your height shot up by 36 cm recently, right? How'd you adapt to that?" Wu Xiaolei asked, clearly curious.
"Well," he began, "I've always been pretty coordinated. Yoga helps a lot with that. Yeah, the height thing was a bit of a challenge at first, but my teammates, especially Stephen, have helped me adjust. He's always there for one-on-one drills. That's actually why my dribbling's better than most big guys. And honestly? I'm faster now than I was before, even with the extra height."
Wu Xiaolei was jotting down notes, clearly interested.
"We saw you use the Dream Shake in the game today, plus hit a couple of threes. You spent a lot of time outside the paint—more like a small forward than a center. Is that the Kevin Durant influence?" she asked, a bit cheekily.
Lin Yi smiled at the comparison. "I've been studying Kobe Bryant. I didn't grow up watching Jordan live, but Kobe's moves—those are what I try to emulate. The Dream Shake? That's more to show scouts I can do more than just shoot from outside. I've got plenty of ways to score if I need them."
Wu Xiaolei chuckled. "Not your typical big guy, huh?"
Lin Yi shrugged. "Guess not. I'm just trying to be versatile. In the end, if I can score from anywhere, that's what matters."
As the interviews wrapped up, Curry and Lin Yi stood side by side, chatting like old friends.
"Hey, listen, Lin," Curry said with a grin. "I just heard from the Knicks' scouts—they told me if I enter the draft next year, they'll invite me to try out first!"
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow. "Really? I remember the Warriors scouts were also interested in you."
Curry's face turned serious for a second before he shot back, "Nah, nah! No way I'm going to Golden State. It's New York or bust! I'm talking Manhattan and big money!"
Lin Yi couldn't help but laugh. The NBA draft next year was looking interesting. If history played out the way he remembered, he wondered what Stephen Curry would look like then.