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Chapter 249: Shaq Bait In New York
🕑 Added 2025-07-21 15:21:37 +0000 UTCAfter two days helping out with the Chinese team training, Lin Yi brought Yi Jianlian back to Los Angeles to continue the summer training. The Basketball Association officials finally understood why Yao had warned them not to bother Lin unnecessarily — the NBA level of one-on-one defense wasn’t just hype.
When Lin scrimmaged three-on-three and five-on-five with the national team’s starters, he was unstoppable. The Chinese big men had never seen anything like him, and the guards were left shaking their heads. A center who could dribble better than most guards? Seeing it live was a whole different experience from watching it on TV.
Yi Jianlian, training alongside Lin, also had a moment of clarity — staying in the NBA mattered more than anything. That summer, he made the tough choice to skip the World Championships to focus fully on training, knowing you can’t have it all.
..
Meanwhile, back in New York, the Knicks had a problem.
“So you’re saying our payroll still hasn’t hit the minimum?” Lin found the situation a bit amusing. He was also partly to blame for this.
Donnie Walsh looked like he hadn’t slept in days. “Yeah, that’s where we’re at. Javier and I have been going over options… we’re thinking of signing a veteran big on a one-year deal at a slightly inflated rate just to get us over the line.”
Dolan had gone bipolar. One moment, shouting at Walsh all summer, telling him not to worry about money. “I’m not broke, spend what you need!” he’d insisted. Another moment, heeding Lin's warning, “Don’t throw away cap space. Don’t overpay.”
Walsh was stuck in the middle, practically tearing his hair out. “You two should just negotiate directly and leave me out of it,” he grumbled under his breath.
Outside the organization, the Knicks were becoming a punchline. ESPN analysts scoffed at the team’s low payroll and questioned Dolan’s financial health. Kenny Smith on TNT slammed the front office for failing Lin. Even Charles Barkley, Lin’s most vocal supporter, admitted: “Looks like Lin’s going to have to carry this team solo.”
New York fans weren’t having it. “We’re the Knicks! We’re not broke! Get Lin some help!” one fan shouted. Another held a sign at the Garden: “Even Jordan needed Pippen. Don’t let Lin fight alone!”
Watching the news, you’d think the front office was dealing Lin a bad hand, but the reality? Walsh was just following Lin’s blueprint. The Knicks’ roster was built exactly how Lin wanted it, and he knew it was already strong.
What no one realized yet was that the Knicks were quietly loaded with defensive talent. Multiple players were future All-Defensive Team candidates. The bench had shooters and hustle guys who didn’t need the ball to contribute. Unlike the Sixers’ one-star-carry-all model, Lin’s Knicks were built for balance and grit — one leader, four who could lock you down.
Lin believed if he just stayed the course, the MVP was his to lose.
And sure, 3-and-D guys were undervalued right now, but Lin didn’t care. This team would suffocate opponents, frustrate stars, and make them sigh against New York’s wall of defense.
Back at his meeting with Walsh, Lin smiled and said, “Donnie, don’t sweat it. I saw the list. Honestly, the best fit right now? Shaq. Bring him in for a year.”
Walsh sighed in relief. Lin understood how tough his job was. For now, Lin was content — the Knicks were right where he wanted them to be.
In the upcoming season, Shane Battier was set to see more minutes for the Knicks. The league had few dominant post players left, and Lin Yi’s play last year had already helped accelerate the small-ball trend.
But now? The Knicks needed someone inside. Even if it meant letting Big Diesel hang onto his coattails.
Shaq liked Lin Yi. If Lin remembered correctly, Shaq had signed with the Celtics in the 2010–11 season and played decently in limited minutes. Sure, he was old now, but even last postseason, Dwight Howard had struggled to dominate him. After all, the Magic had knocked out Cleveland largely thanks to their perimeter shooting, not because of what Dwight did inside.
At this point, it wasn’t even a matter of whether the Knicks wanted another big man — they needed one. Their payroll was so low it risked falling below the league minimum.
Dolan, meanwhile, was losing his mind. Headlines questioning his finances were everywhere. Lin felt it was about time Dolan spent some money. The roster at the 1, 2, and 3 spots was already deep enough to run rotations without losing defensive bite, but they needed a veteran presence in the paint.
So after talking it over, Lin and Donnie Walsh agreed to reach out to Shaq. Walsh made him a decent offer. But Shaq turned them down. He didn’t think the Knicks had a real shot at a championship and wanted to join a contender one last time before retiring.
Lin found out and called Shaq directly.
“Shaq,” Lin said, “what’s this I hear? You don’t believe in the Knicks?”
Shaq didn’t expect Lin to call him himself. The truth was, Shaq liked Lin. He respected how Lin carried himself — smart, honest, and with a sharp tongue when he needed it. Late in his career, Shaq had mellowed. He was happy to praise Yao publicly and even signed a big endorsement deal with Li Ning despite his declining game.
Lin knew exactly how to play him. If even Shaq — who was looking for a team to latch onto — didn’t think the Knicks were worth it, that was even better. Then, when the Knicks proved themselves, the whole league would eat its words.
“Lin,” Shaq laughed on the phone, “don’t tell me you believe the Knicks could win even if my grandma was coaching.”
Lin chuckled. “No, no, no. What I’m saying, big fella, is this — you might miss your last chance to grab a ring and shut everyone up.”
He broke it down for Shaq, one piece at a time:
“Have you seen Tyson Chandler? Quick feet, huge defensive range.
You know Tony Allen’s defense? And Shane Battier? Sure, we let David Lee go, but the whole roster’s more balanced now.
You say you understand basketball, Shaq? Then you should understand why we stacked the roster with so many versatile forwards.”
Lin kept going. “Don’t even bring up the Heat to me. I hope we see them in the first round — let them find out the hard way how good this Knicks team is. As for the Celtics? Shaq, think about it. How much do you and Garnett move the needle over there? Did you forget how your buddy from the Lakers knocked them out and has five rings now?”
“I can’t guarantee a championship, Shaq. But I can promise you — the Knicks have a better shot at the Finals than Boston.”
Lin wasn’t just talking out of nowhere. He knew what he was saying. There wasn’t a better free-agent big man left. And Shaq wouldn’t have to carry the load — they had enough bodies around him. He’d just have to play smart, do his job, and bring his championship experience to the locker room.
Plus, Shaq was a great personality to have around. Lin didn’t need another workaholic. He needed someone who could lighten the mood and keep the young guys loose.
The Knicks were underrated, and every single one of them was hungry to prove themselves. Lin thought about Danny Green — the kid had sent him a video recently, looking slimmer, sharper, with a much cleaner three-point stroke than he showed his rookie season.
This team didn’t need Lin to tell them to work hard. They were already going all-in.
Shaq paused on the other end, then chuckled. “Alright,” he said finally. “After careful consideration, Big Diesel has decided to lead the Knicks to the promised land.”
“Welcome to the Knicks, Shaq,” Lin laughed.
And just like that, the Knicks roster was set.
According to the plan, Earl Barron would be waived. Lin planned to tell his friend to head to the CBA — with his size, athleticism, and shooting, he’d dominate over there.
