Chapter 32: The First Release! (Please Add It to Your Favorites and Vote Monthly)

David Lee: A second-year power forward averaging 10.7 points and 10.4 rebounds. He is the team’s interior pillar, and his hustle and efficiency on second-chance points inject vitality into the Knicks.

Nate Robinson: Averaging 10.1 points per game, his penetration and three-point shooting (39%) provide critical firepower off the bench, though he is frequently targeted on defense due to his height disadvantage.

Overall, while the Knicks’ players possess decent individual scoring ability, they lack quality defenders. Their average of 100.3 points allowed per game ranks fourth-worst in the league. The interior defense relies solely on Eddy Curry and Channing Frye, while perimeter defense is handled by Stephon Marbury and Quentin Richardson, with poor results.

In truth, considering the players' abilities, Li Rui feels the Knicks shouldn't have such a poor record. Although they lack superstars, every player has solid skills and could essentially serve as a rotation player on any other team. However, the reasons for a team’s poor record are complex, and the Knicks’ issues are simply too numerous.

With a total payroll reaching $110 million, the Knicks have signed multiple high-salary, low-impact players, leaving them with absolutely no operational flexibility. This Knicks team is one of the few opponents the Lakers have encountered recently that is actually worse than themselves. The only reason the Knicks remain in the spotlight is their location in New York; there is no other reason.

Despite their struggles, the Knicks players refuse to admit it. In a pre-game interview, Stephon Marbury, who is matched up against Li Rui, boasted: "I’m going to crush that Chinese rookie and tear off this 'Linsanity' mask you all are hyping up."

Marbury has never been a soft touch. Since his days with the Timberwolves, he earned the nickname "Starbury" (the Lone Wolf), and after arriving in New York, he has been nothing but trouble. The recent hype from the media and fans regarding Li Rui has clearly irritated Marbury. In his view, Li Rui is merely a shooter who cannot handle the ball; with a little physical defense, he would have no chance and wouldn't even be able to dribble.

Looking for drama, a reporter asked Marbury: "Stephan, how many points will you hold him to tonight?"

Marbury glanced at the reporter with disdain and replied: "Zero."

Marbury doesn't have Li Rui in his sights; he is focused on Kobe. Compared to Li Rui, defeating Kobe would give him more of a sense of accomplishment. He looks down on Li Rui entirely. Marbury’s arrogance left the reporters thrilled.

When the reporters relayed these comments to Li Rui, he responded with a flat expression: "Oh."

The reporter persisted: "Li, don't you care what Stephon said?"

Li Rui countered: "Who is he? I don't know the guy. I don't have to respond every time someone barks—that would be exhausting. If you want a response from me, then I'll say this: The CBA would be very happy to have him."

"Hahaha!!"

"Hahaha!!"

The reporters burst into laughter. Li Rui used his opponent's past rhetoric against them to humiliate them. Others thought Li Rui was joking, but only Li Rui knew that the guy would only look like a real professional player if he went to the CBA.

Back in the locker room.

Li Rui’s locker is in a corner next to Andrew Bynum. As a rookie, his locker location isn't ideal. The two chatted while putting on their gear. Bynum kept predicting the starting lineup for the night, insisting that Li Rui would have a chance to start because his performance has been much better than Smush Parker's.

Of course, Li Rui didn't take Bynum’s prediction to heart—he just listened. Whether he starts or not depends on Phil Jackson’s decision. Even if he doesn't start, his minutes as a substitute wouldn't be significantly fewer; starting is often just a title. It is widely known that the "Zen Master" has never liked using rookies.

However, when the Zen Master announced the starting lineup in the locker room, he gave Li Rui a deep look, which made the indifferent Li Rui feel a sudden sense of tension.

"I will now announce tonight's starting lineup."

"Center, Andrew Bynum."

"Power forward, Lamar Odom."

"Small forward, Luke Walton."

"Shooting guard, Kobe Bryant."

"Point guard... LI!"

Hearing his name, Li Rui’s tense heart suddenly calmed. He had finally earned a start in the NBA. This was something his predecessor wouldn't have dared to dream of, yet it had now become reality.

"Man, I told you! You were going to be a starter," Bynum said, laughing as he threw an arm around Li Rui’s shoulder.

"Alright, alright, you're the smart one," Li Rui whispered back.

Most Lakers players didn't feel there was any issue with Li Rui starting. The primary reason is that the Lakers' point guard position has never been a strong point, and Li Rui’s recent performances off the bench have clearly boosted the team’s backcourt firepower. Such an adjustment clearly benefits the starting lineup.

Nearby, Smush Parker’s eyes dimmed rapidly after hearing the Zen Master’s voice. He knew this day would come sooner or later, but he didn't expect it so soon. That Chinese rookie he once looked down upon had now replaced him as the Lakers' starting point guard!

"Damn it, I’m not passing him the ball next time," Smush Parker muttered. He knew his early carelessness allowed Li Rui to gain momentum. From now on, whenever he and Li Rui were on the court together, he wouldn't pass to him!

Jordan Farmar shared a similar sentiment. As a first-round pick drafted by the Lakers that year, Farmar was supposed to have a higher development status than Li Rui, but now Li Rui had surged ahead. It bothered Farmar that he couldn't complain, as Li Rui’s performance on the court was simply too consistent, accomplishing things that Farmar himself couldn't. However, as for passing the ball to him? That was out of the question.

Smush Parker and Jordan Farmar both naturally viewed Li Rui as their biggest rival. This was a pure conflict of interest.

...

The time reached 7:00 PM, and the game between the Lakers and the Knicks was about to begin. Once the Lakers' starting lineup appeared on the screen, Twitter followed suit.

"F***, a Chinese rookie starting for the Lakers? Has Phil lost his mind?"

"The person above must not watch basketball. Li is very good; he’s averaged 24 points in his last three games. He's much better than Smush."

"I really love watching Li play; his shot is both accurate and beautiful."

"Li is going to be destroyed by Stephon. Stephon’s one-on-one offensive ability is very strong."

"Go Knicks, crush the Lakers!!"

On the American internet, comments were polarized. Many fans believed it was aggressive for the Zen Master to start Li Rui, arguing that he should have kept coming off the bench while he was playing well. They felt that starting would expose him to greater defensive pressure, potentially causing his performance to drop rapidly—a deep-seated bias. Other fans supported the Zen Master’s decision, as the Lakers' point guard position had always been expendable, and now was the time to give a young rookie a chance, potentially elevating the Lakers' record.

In China, fans were universally supportive of Li Rui’s start.

Phil Jackson. No, now it’s Phil "Champion Coach" Jackson. Truly a legendary coach, the man who mentored Jordan and Kobe. He has great courage and a keen eye for talent.

Zhibo8: "Breaking news: In the game against the Knicks, Li Rui becomes the Lakers' starting point guard."

"Whoa, it's here! He finally started! It's just as I predicted."

"Li Rui’s playing style is perfect for Kobe. At 2 meters tall, he doesn't hog the ball, and he can hit open shots!"

"I thought it would take a while before he started, I didn't expect him to be valued so quickly!"

"If Li Rui can refine his ball-handling a bit more, the national team's backcourt will be set for the next 10 years."

"Exactly, the current national team guards are unwatchable. They can't even hold onto the ball during international competitions."

"It's okay, we have Li Rui now. Watching the guards shouldn't be so infuriating in the future."

...

The Lakers have always been a highly popular team in China. Li Rui’s emergence quickly helped this team surpass the Rockets in terms of discussion heat.