Chapter 149: On the Verge of Eruption

Over the next two days, Lin Feng was fully immersed in preparing for the battle ahead.

Though the New York Knicks enjoyed the advantage of playing on their home court for this third game, they dared not underestimate their opponent. After all, the Cavaliers now stood on the precipice of elimination. In the history of the NBA playoffs, no team had ever staged a comeback after falling behind 0-3 in a series. This game was simply too critical for the Cavaliers to lose.

The stakes attracted unprecedented attention. ESPN planned a nationwide live broadcast of the game and conducted a pre-match poll regarding the outcome of the third game.

Sixty percent of fans believed the Cavaliers would claw back a victory on the road. Clearly, the fans still held great faith in the Cavaliers, the Eastern Conference champions, bolstered by their trio of superstars.

However, forty percent sided with the Knicks, united by a single reason: “Linsanity.” They eagerly anticipated Lin Feng’s continued explosive performance in Game Three.

In recent days, the name “Linsanity” had swept across America like a thunderclap. Fans gushed over Lin Feng’s performances in the first two games, with the hottest topic being how many points he might have scored in the fourth quarter of the second game, had he taken the court then.

This conversation dominated social media trending lists for three consecutive days.

Such was Lin Feng’s meteoric rise in the United States.

Of course, where there are admirers, there are detractors. While many adored Lin Feng, there were just as many critics. The chief “Lin hater” was Coleman, who had appeared on the “Sam Talks Sports” show to predict that Lin Feng would not surpass 13 points in the second game.

Yet Lin Feng had exploded for 62 points in just three quarters, causing Coleman to storm off the live broadcast in frustration. Though the incident’s impact was limited since UNP was a regional sports channel, Coleman appeared again on “Sam Talks Sports” the very next day. He explained and apologized for his abrupt departure and, fulfilling a promise, mimicked Swift by kissing a donkey’s backside on air.

Before the third game began, in the Knicks’ locker room…

“Hey, Lin, check out this funny video,” Jones said, bringing his tablet over to Lin Feng.

It was a clip of Coleman reluctantly kissing the donkey’s rear on “Sam Talks Sports.” Coleman frowned, tightly closing his eyes as he leaned in, clearly unwilling.

After the kiss, he exhaled deeply, muttering obscenities indistinctly.

“How does it feel? Does it have a special flavor?” Sam teased, grinning broadly at Coleman.

But Coleman was in no mood to joke, scowling as he replied, “Damn it, this is awful! All because of Lin Feng!”

“Oh, still holding a grudge against Lin Feng?” Sam probed.

Coleman curled his lips in disdain. “Unquestionably, his performance last game was shocking; his shooting touch remains scorching hot. But I still don’t believe he can sustain it. Plus, the guy’s way too arrogant. You heard what he said at the postgame press conference, right? He claimed, ‘As long as I’m in this league, those records will eventually be mine.’ God, that’s the height of arrogance. Even players like Thomas, Durant, or Stephen never said anything like that! He’s only been in the league a few days and dares to speak so boldly. Hmph! If he breaks Mike’s record, I swear I will…”

Just then, the donkey he had kissed brayed loudly and deposited a few piles of droppings.

“Oh my…” Sam exclaimed, hastily signaling the staff to clean up.

Coleman, seized by sudden inspiration, slammed his fist on the table and declared, “If he breaks Mike’s record, I’ll eat this donkey dung right here!”

Even the seasoned Sam was taken aback.

“Dude, this is a nationwide live broadcast. You’re not joking, right? What if—I mean, what if Lin Feng actually breaks Mike’s record? Are you seriously going to eat that?” Sam pointed to the piles on the floor.

“I’m serious!” Coleman answered with a grave expression.

“Alright, Coleman, but I think you’re taking this joke way too far,” Sam laughed, eager to change the subject. “Now, let’s predict the outcomes of tonight’s matchups…”

“No, Sam, I’m not done,” Coleman interrupted, pressing on. “Since Lin Feng boldly claims he’ll break Mike’s record, I want to challenge him to a bet. I’ll give him three seasons. If he can’t break Mike’s record by then, he must quit the NBA and go back to China! But if he succeeds, I’ll keep my promise.”

“Coleman, I think Lin Feng’s words were probably just a joke. Young players tend to be confident—that’s not a bad thing,” Sam smiled, trying to smooth things over.

But Coleman wasn’t buying it. He scowled, “If you say something that arrogant, you have to accept people’s doubts. Anyway, I’ve said my piece. Whether he accepts the challenge is up to him. Now then, Sam, as you wish, let’s predict the round’s outcomes…”

The video ended there. Lin Feng chuckled after watching it. All he wanted was to quietly play in the NBA and win a championship, but some people just couldn’t help sticking their noses in.

Coleman was clearly still smarting from being embarrassed by Lin Feng in the last game and sought revenge in a desperate, almost reckless way by making a public spectacle during a live show.

Still, since the gauntlet had been thrown, Lin Feng’s nature meant he couldn’t refuse.

“Jones, can I borrow your Facebook to post an announcement?” Lin Feng asked, returning the tablet.

“Of course,” Jones smiled. “Looks like you’re ready to accept the challenge?”

Lin Feng nodded. “No matter how many of these guys there are, I’ll beat them all back until no one dares to speak ill of me again!”

“Alright then,” Jones laughed heartily, teasing, “Actually, I think Coleman was right about one thing—you really are an arrogant guy!”

“Ha! What do you want me to say?” Lin Feng asked.

“You could say this: ‘Dear Mr. Coleman, three seasons is too long. Let’s make it just one season!’” Jones suggested.

“What? One season?” Jones frowned. “Lin, that’s risky. The regular-season record might be possible if your shot’s on and the team plays well, but the playoffs are a whole different beast. It’ll be tough.”

“Jones, wasn’t the last game a playoff game?” Lin Feng replied with a smile.

“Alright, looks like you’re crazy on and off the court!” Jones nodded and proceeded to post Lin Feng’s retort.

As soon as the announcement went up on Jones’s Facebook, fans immediately bombarded the comments.

“Is this real?”

“Did Lin Feng really say that?”

“Oh my God, is this some kind of prank?”

The reaction was fierce but overwhelmingly skeptical, since it was posted from Jones’s account.

“Doesn’t seem to be going well,” Jones said, showing the comments to Lin Feng.

“Then let’s record a video,” Lin Feng suggested.

“Good idea!”

Jones recorded a short video on his phone of Lin Feng repeating the challenge he had just posted.

He then uploaded the video to Facebook.

The moment the video went live, Jones’s page exploded. Fans who thought the announcement was a joke were stunned, and many were shocked by Lin Feng’s confidence.

Breaking both Mike’s regular-season and playoff scoring records within a single season was almost unbelievable—those records had stood for over twenty years.

If they were easy to break, why would they have lasted so long?

Fans expressed disbelief, though some believed Lin Feng had a real chance, given how close he had come in the last game.

Coleman responded immediately on Facebook with one sentence: “Unfortunately, after one season, New York's Linsanity will disappear.”

Meanwhile, in the Cavaliers’ locker room…

“Thomas, that Chinese guard actually said he’ll break all of Mike’s scoring records in one season. That’s just too arrogant!” Devon said, tying his shoelaces as he spoke.

“I respect his talent, but his arrogance is really annoying,” Thomas replied.

“This game, let’s teach that arrogant guy a lesson!” Devon said fiercely. Having been thoroughly outplayed by Lin Feng in the last two games, he was desperate to prove himself.

“Don’t worry, Devon. I’ll guard him tightly this game. Your job is to score—constantly. You’ve got the ability,” Thomas said.

Devon nodded firmly. “This game, I’m going to kill the game using his own style!”

“Brothers, count me in too. I’m going to wreak havoc inside!” Comfort joined in, voice resolute.

“Alright, guys, it’s time to take the court…”

At that moment, Coach Brown shouted at the locker room door: The do-or-die battle to defend their Eastern Conference championship was about to ignite!