Chapter 145: Triumphant Return to New York

The press conference began.

The reporters directed their initial questions at the home team's coach, Brown, and Thomas.

"Coach Brown, what are your thoughts on the outcome of today's game?" a reporter asked.

"It's just one game in the series, nothing special," Brown replied expressionlessly.

"But you lost by 32 points. It's been a long time since you lost by this margin at home, hasn't it?" the reporter pressed further.

"A basketball game either ends in a loss or a win. We lost this one, and that's all there is to it." Brown was clearly dodging the reality of the team's crushing defeat and blowout loss.

"Very well." The reporter shrugged, then turned to Thomas: "Thomas, your team is now down 0:2. Where do you think the team's problems lie?"

"Our defense wasn't good enough, especially against Lin. We didn't notice his presence before the series started, which was an oversight in our preparation," Thomas said with a serious expression.

"So, can I take that to mean that you lost these past two games because of Lin Feng?" the reporter asked again.

"You could say that." Thomas nodded. "If it weren't for him, the 2:0 lead would definitely be ours. However, the team won't give up just like that; we will definitely reclaim our home-court advantage back in New York."

Thomas's response was standard and courteous, and his remarks even carried a sense of admiration for Lin Feng. Clearly, he was much more magnanimous than head coach Brown.

After interviewing the Cavaliers' coach and players, the reporters immediately shifted their focus to Lin Feng.

"Hello, Lin Feng. First of all, congratulations to your team on winning tonight's game. Also, congratulations on scoring 62 points. You were just one point shy of breaking Mike's playoff scoring record of 63, and only seven points away from Mike's regular-season scoring record. As everyone knows, you didn't play in the fourth quarter. Otherwise, perhaps you would have broken those records. Do you feel any regret about this?" a male reporter took the lead in asking.

"There's nothing to regret. The team winning is the most important thing. As for those records, if they weren't broken tonight, there will always be opportunities in the future," Lin Feng replied with a smile.

"Goodness, you seem very confident that you can break Mike's records?" The reporter was clearly setting a trap for Lin Feng.

Lin Feng could naturally hear it, but modesty was not in his nature. He spread his hands: "As long as I'm in this league, those records will be mine sooner or later."

Gasp...

As soon as Lin Feng said this, the entire audience gasped. In everyone's eyes, this yellow-skinned kid was simply too arrogant.

"There's nothing to be surprised about. Records are meant to be broken, after all." Lin Feng shrugged with an indifferent expression once again.

"All right then. I hope you break those records soon." The reporter shook his head helplessly and then asked: "So, Lin Feng, what are your thoughts on the trend of this series? Now that you have a 2:0 lead, do you think you can sustain this momentum when you return to New York?"

"Both my personal goal and the team's goal are very simple: to win. As for this series, I hope to finish it in New York," Lin Feng said.

"Finish it in New York? In other words, you believe your team will win this series 4:0?" The reporters erupted into another wave of commotion.

The New York Knicks, who had only managed to squeeze into the playoffs as the last seed, were actually planning to sweep the Eastern Conference leaders, the Cleveland Cavaliers. No matter how one heard it, it sounded like a joke.

Hearing Lin Feng's words, Cavaliers head coach Brown let out an involuntary cold snort.

"Arrogant kid, we will definitely bring this series back to Cleveland!" Brown said coldly.

"I hope you get your wish." Lin Feng shrugged indifferently.

...

The press conference concluded.

The outcome of this match and Lin Feng's remarks immediately dominated the sports sections of major media outlets.

*Incredible! The Knicks Crushed the Cavaliers by 32 Points on the Road!*
*62 Points in a Single Game! Linsanity Continues!*
*62 Points Contributed in Three Quarters, the New York Madman Sets Another Record!*
*Lin Feng Boasts of Sweeping the Eastern Conference Top Dog!*
*Records Are Meant to Be Broken — Lin Feng!*
*Lin Feng Vows to "Take Down" the Basketball God!*

A massive string of news stories concerning Lin Feng and the Knicks flooded the sports pages of every major media outlet. Overnight, Lin Feng's name became known across the entire United States.

From complete obscurity to nationwide fame in America, Lin Feng had only needed two games!

...

The next day.

The team returned to New York.

At the airport, the team received a hero's welcome. Hundreds of fans spontaneously organized to greet them, holding up various banners, the most prominent of which displayed three simple words: Linsanity!

Because of his stellar performance in the first two games, Lin Feng had now become a super hero in the hearts of New York fans.

Before the team set out, no one had imagined they would return to New York holding a massive 2:0 advantage, and the architect of it all was Lin Feng.

In the afternoon.

The team did not schedule any training sessions, opting instead to give the players a half-day off to get some proper rest.

With three days remaining until the next home game, the team had plenty of time to spare. Especially since they currently held a commanding lead in the series, their collective mindset was relatively relaxed.

Lin Feng returned to Qin Ruolin's villa, took a shower, and then enjoyed a comfortable, much-needed nap.

When Lin Feng woke up, the evening lights were already beginning to twinkle outside.

He picked up his phone from beside the pillow and checked it, giving him a bit of a shock—there were over a dozen missed calls.

Lin Feng opened the call log and saw that the person frantically calling him was Walker. Clearly, it must have been for some work-related matter.

Lin Feng dialed the number back, and the call connected almost immediately.

"Lin, where are you?" Walker's voice sounded extremely urgent over the phone.

Lin Feng frowned. Walker's tone was clearly abnormal. "I'm at home. What's wrong?"

"Of course, it's something very important," Walker said hurriedly. "Get to the Bronx Pier right now, quickly! The faster, the better!"

"Walker, what happened?" Lin Feng probed cautiously.

"Nothing, it's about your work. You'll understand once you get here. I'll text you the exact address in a moment." Without waiting for a response, Walker hung up the phone.

Shortly after, Lin Feng received the address via text message.

Bronx Pier, Montclair Building, Suite 2203.

Lin Feng checked the map; the address was not far from where he was currently staying.

Yet, his mind was filled with questions. Walker's tone and state of mind today were extremely unusual. Should he go, or should he not?