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Chapter 11: First game End
🕑 Added 2025-04-20 11:12:02 +0000 UTCPeople often assume that big men can't dribble.
But in the NBA—the highest level of basketball—plenty of big men can handle the ball.
Even top amateur dribblers might struggle to match the in-game dribbling ability of an NBA big man fresh out of the league.
Take Yao Ming, for example. He once completed a full-court fast break off the dribble. Dribbling is a fundamental skill, after all.
Still, in an NBA packed with "superhumans," most big men don't dribble like guards. Their high center of gravity makes them easier targets for steals. That's why players like Michael Jordan, Allen Iverson, and Kobe Bryant are so electrifying to watch—who doesn't love a slick crossover, a devastating hesitation move, and an elegant finish at the rim?
I can picture NBA scouts raising their eyebrows right now. Lin Yi's handles aren't just good for a big man—they're on par with if not slightly better than some small forwards in the league.
So why does Lin Yi pull off moves that seem so bold?
Simple. He spent half a year going one-on-one with Stephen Curry. Back when he was still "small," he earned himself an unofficial badge—"Bronze Ankle Breaker(pertains to his ball handling)."
[NB: That is one of his talents provided by his system. Everything concerning the system shall be explained soon]
His dribbling didn't fade with his growth spurt. Sure, he can't pull off every guard move, but in the NCAA, his ball-handling as a big man is nearly unfair.
..........
The Sooners were completely thrown off in the second half. Their entire defensive strategy against Stephen Curry had to be scrapped.
With Curry playing off the ball, Lin Yi had become the true point guard of the Wildcats. Within five minutes, he'd already racked up four assists.
The Sooners' defensive game plan was backfiring. Instead of taking advantage of their depth, they were getting burned by the Wildcats' unexpected offensive versatility. And relying on Griffin for constant fast breaks was draining his energy. Coach Jeff Kapoor had no choice but to call a timeout.
"Nice work." McKillop clapped Lin Yi on the back. He couldn't help but think about the results of Lin Yi's bone age test—projected to grow to 216cm (7'). The old-school coaches would be rolling in their graves, furious at the thought of a guy this tall not packing on weight and dominating the post.
Traditionally, if you're over 215 cm, you bulk up and stick to the paint. But modern basketball is changing. More and more big were playing like wings.
Coming out of the timeout, the Sooners pressed full court. Lin Yi motioned for Curry to take the ball up—sure, he could break the press himself, but why waste unnecessary energy?
The Wildcats' first offensive possession after the timeout wasn't smooth. The opponents forced them into one-on-one situations, breaking up their usual passing and cutting rhythm. Lin Yi and Curry's pick-and-roll didn't work out either. Luckily, with the NCAA's 30-second shot clock, they still had time. Lin Yi posted up, and Curry quickly fed him the ball.
Back down?
For the crowd, this was a rare sight. A seven-foot Chinese center posting up was unexpected—he'd been playing like a guard all game.
Capdeville, guarding Lin Yi, crouched low, staying disciplined. He had the strength and weight advantage. With four seconds left on the shot clock, Capdeville anticipated a turnaround jumper and stepped up to contest it.
But Lin Yi had other plans.
In one swift motion, he spun past Capdeville. His footwork was so crisp, his ball control so seamless, that Capdeville couldn't react in time. Lin Yi blew past him along the baseline!
But waiting in the paint was none other than the projected No. 1 pick—Blake Griffin.
Lin Yi leaped for a dunk, but Griffin exploded off the floor to meet him. Despite Lin Yi's wingspan, Griffin had cut off every path to the rim.
Alright, time for payback, Griffin thought. He was ready to erase Lin Yi's shot after getting burned earlier.
The arena held its breath.
Then came the collective gasp.
Lin Yi wasn't blocked.
Not because he jumped higher—
But because he adjusted mid-air, gliding past Griffin and finishing with a smooth reverse layup.
Bucket.
Reggie Miller chuckled, shaking his head. "We thought this kid was going to show us classic big-man post moves like Yao. And sure, he did at first. But now he's finishing like a guard. Who saw that coming?"
The scouts scribbled notes furiously.
This kind of coordination and agility at Lin Yi's size? That's rare. And in the NBA—where everyone is a freak athlete—standing out sometimes comes down to having that one, undeniable, game-changing skill.
Lin Yi, the Chinese big man who seemingly came out of nowhere, had officially grabbed their attention.
Sure, everyone came to scout Griffin and Curry. But Lin Yi? He felt like a gift that had dropped right into their laps.
Curry jogged over, grinning. "Damn, man. That was insane. I swear, that's the smoothest, most elegant layup I've ever seen from a seven-footer. You looked real nice out there."
Lin Yi smiled while dapping Steph up. "And you, my friend, might have a future in commentary after you retire. You're a natural."
The game went on, but the Sooners, completely unprepared for Lin Yi's unique style, had no answer for him.
If social media were as big as the future as it is now, Blake Griffin might've become part of "Victims of Lin Yi's Debut Highlight Reel".
Griffin still dominated, dropping 35 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. An absurd number for a double-double.
But the Oklahoma Sooners still lost.
90-86.
Wildcats by four.
It wasn't because Griffin didn't do enough.
It wasn't because their team was weak.
It was because Stephen Curry dropped 45 points in a March Madness masterclass. And also because of Lin Yi.
Lin Yi was the X-factor.
As Reggie Miller summed it up post-game: "Curry was phenomenal, but without Lin Yi, even if Curry had scored 50, the Wildcats wouldn't have won."
Lin Yi's NCAA debut stat line.
21 points on 9-of-13 shooting, 3 of 5 from 3-pointers, 6 of 8 from 2-pointers; 7 rebounds, 7 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.
And with that performance, one thing became clear—Lin Yi wasn't just another big man.
He was something different.
And the scouts took notice.
