January 20, 2000, Boston.
Lin Qi sat in his office, the All-Star voting results just announced on his computer screen.
Eastern All-Stars Starting Lineups:
Vince Carter ( Raptors ) -- 1,911,973 votes
Kevin Garnett ( Celtics ) -- 1,523,109 votes
Grant Hill ( Pistons ) -- 1,428,474 votes
Allen Iverson ( Philadelphia 76ers ) -- 1,706,586 votes
Gary Payton ( Celtics ) -- 1,074,235 votes
Eastern All-Stars reserves:
Tracy McGrady ( Chicago Bulls )
Chris Paul Pierce ( Celtics )
Rasheed Wallace ( Celtics )
Alonzo Mourning ( Heat )
Jerry Stackhouse ( Pistons )
Latrell Sprewell ( Knicks )
Reggie Miller ( Pacers )
Having four Celtics players selected for the All-Star game is a remarkable achievement, enough to send fans in any city into a frenzy.
But there wasn't a trace of a smile on Lin Qi's face.
He was thinking of two names outside the list: Eddie Jones and Dikembe Mutombo.
Lin Qi moved the mouse slightly, and the screen switched to the team's internal advanced data system. This was a special version developed for him by the data company he founded, filled with numerous private annotations that were not suitable for public distribution.
[ Eddie Jones ]
Average playing time: 36.1 minutes
Basic stats per game: 10.4 points | 3.2 rebounds | 3.8 assists | 2.8 steals (leading the league in steals this season)
Historical comparison: 20.1 points | 4.8 rebounds | 4.2 assists | 2.7 steals (He should have been an All-Star and the steals leader)
When they primarily defend the opponent's star perimeter player, the opposing player's true shooting percentage drops by 8.4% overall, while their offensive turnover rate skyrockets by 22%.
[ Dikembe Mutombo ]
Average playing time: 26.4 minutes (subject to strict time limits imposed by the coaching staff)
Basic stats per game: 8.3 points | 10.2 rebounds | 2.4 blocks
Historical comparison: 11.5 points | 14.1 rebounds | 3.3 blocks (He should have been an All-Star and the rebounding champion)
When he was on the court, the opposing team's shot attempts in the paint plummeted from a league average of 35% to 20.8%.
Lin Qi stared at the numbers on the screen and lit a cigarette.
Mutombo was left out of the All-Star game because the team's strict rotation and time-limiting strategy suppressed his playing time and basic statistics.
As for Eddie Jones... as the Celtics ' own drafted and developed core wing player, his scoring average has declined year by year due to tactical adjustments. The media and fans have been mocking his 6-year, $70 million contract, which resulted in him averaging just over 10 points per game, naturally excluding him from the All-Star spotlight.
But this division of labor was agreed upon when the contract was renewed. In this team overflowing with talent, there is no shortage of scorers who can carry the offensive output. Lin Qi needs him to focus all his energy on defense and the dirty work.
Both of them missed the All-Star game because of Lin Qi's decision.
Lin Qi exhaled a puff of smoke and picked up the phone.
"Have Eddie come to my office."
Ten minutes later, Eddie Jones knocked on the door and came in.
He was wearing training clothes, his hair was still a little wet, obviously he had just come from the training hall. His expression was calm, but there was a hint of hesitation in his eyes.
"Lin, you were looking for me?"
"Sit down." Lin Qi gestured to the sofa. "The All-Star roster is out."
Eddie Jones nodded, sat down on the sofa, and placed his hands naturally on his knees.
"I saw it."
"What do you think?" Lin Qi asked.
Eddie Jones was silent for a few seconds, then looked up at Lin Qi.
"Let me clarify, I'm not complaining, Lin. I know we discussed this when I signed the contract. You gave me a 6-year, $70 million guarantee, and I promised to focus more on defense. I did."
His tone remained calm, but Lin Qi could sense the doubt in his heart.
"But I want to know," Eddie Jones continued, "What do you think of my performance? Because judging from the All-Star voting, the fans don't think so. The media doesn't think so either. People outside are laughing at me, saying I have a terrible contract."
Lin Qi extinguished his cigarette, leaned forward, and looked at Eddie Jones.
" Eddie, do you know what you've done this year? You're leading the league in steals. But that's not the most important thing."
Lin Qi paused for a moment.
"You're guarding the opponent's best scorer every night. Iverson, McGrady, Vince Carter... those stars who average 25+ points per game. Do you know how much their shooting percentage drops when you guard them? A full 8.4 percentage points. And their turnover rate? It skyrockets by 22%."
Eddie Jones looked at Lin Qi without saying a word.
"What does this mean? It means that those star scorers, once you've got their hands on them, can't play at their normal level. Their offensive efficiency drops drastically. You alone have changed the course of the game."
Lin Qi's tone became more resolute.
"The All-Star game is decided by fan votes. Fans look at points, dunks, and assists. But I look at winning. And you are one of the core reasons why we were able to win."
"I understand. You're thinking, if you keep playing like this, won't your career be underrated?" Lin Qi looked him straight in the eye. "Yes. Absolutely. You might never make the All-Star team again. You might not win any accolades. The media will continue to mock your contract."
Lin Qi's tone became even lower.
"But you know what? Ten years from now, when people look back at this Celtics team, they'll ask: 'How did that team win the championship?' Then they'll turn on the tapes and see you guarding the opponent's best player every night, see you making steals in crucial moments, see all the dirty work you did."
" Eddie, I can't give you more All-Stars. But we can win a lot of championships."
silence.
Eddie Jones looked at Lin Qi, then slowly nodded.
"I understand. Thank you, Lin."
He stood up, walked to the door, stopped, and turned back.
"By the way, what about Mutombo? He didn't make the All-Star team either. Have you spoken to him?"
"Not yet. I'm just about to go find him."
Eddie Jones nodded.
He probably needs this conversation more than I do.
In the training facility, Mutombo was practicing free throws.
He stood alone at the free-throw line, shooting again and again, sweat dripping down his face.
Lin Qi stood on the sidelines, watching the 33-year-old veteran.
Mutombo turned around, saw Lin Qi, and wiped his sweat.
"Lin, is something the matter?"
Can we talk?
"Certainly."
The two sat on a bench by the court. Mutombo picked up his water bottle, took a sip, and then leaned back in his chair.
"The All-Star roster is out," Lin Qi said.
Mutombo smiled, a smile that seemed to say, "I've seen through everything."
"I know. I didn't get in."
His tone was calm, but Lin Qi could sense a hint of disappointment... an emotion that couldn't be completely concealed.
"I'm 33 years old. I know the All-Star Game is for young people."
I want to apologize to you.
Mutombo paused for a moment, then turned to look at Lin Qi.
"Why?"
"You didn't make the All-Star team largely because of me. I gave you rest days and strictly limited your playing time, so your stats weren't impressive enough. That was my decision."
Mutombo was silent for a few seconds, then shook his head.
"Lin, you don't need to apologize."
He stood up, walked to the center of the court, turned his back to Lin Qi, and put his hands on his hips.
"I've played basketball for so many years, I know what's important. All-Star? That's just an individual honor. But a championship? That's the necessary path to becoming a legend."
He turned around, looked at Lin Qi, and there was a firm look in his eyes.
"You let me rest so I could be in better shape for the playoffs. You reduced my playing time so this team could go further. I understand."
Lin Qi stood up and walked over to him.
But you must have some ideas.
Mutombo smiled, a bittersweet smile that also conveyed a sense of relief.
"Of course. I'm a human, not a machine. When I see Kevin, Gary, Chris Paul, and Rasheed all make the All-Star team, of course I think: 'How great would it be if I could make it too?'"
He paused, looking at the ceiling.
"I played in Denver for five years, Lin. A full five years. You know what my best result there was? The Western Conference Semifinals. I won Defensive Player of the Year every year, I won the blocks title every year, but I never made it to the Western Conference Finals."
He looked at Lin Qi with a longing in his eyes.
"I'm in Boston now, and we're a championship contender. You know what that means to me? I don't need to be an All-Star. I need to be playing in June."
Lin Qi nodded.
"There are still some things I want to tell you."
Mutombo turned around and looked at Lin Qi.
Do you know whether the opponent dares to attack the basket when you're on the court?
Mutombo raised an eyebrow.
" Dikembe, when you're on the court, the opponent's shot attempts in the paint drop from the league average of 35% to 20.8%. What does that mean? It means that as long as you're under the basket, the opponent's driving lanes are completely cut off. You alone change the opponent's offensive options."
Lin Qi walked up to Mutombo.
"When you're not on the court, our defense is eighth in the league. But when you're on the court, we're number one. Dikembe, you're the defensive anchor of this team. Without you, we can't contend for the championship."
Mutombo looked at Lin Qi and nodded slowly.
"That's enough."
He patted Lin Qi on the shoulder.
"That's enough."
In the locker room after training that day.
Garnett, Gary Payton, Pierce, and Rasheed were all there, and the atmosphere was a bit awkward. Everyone knew the All-Star roster had been announced, but no one spoke first.
Rasheed sat in his seat, looking rather grim, and suddenly threw his towel on the ground.
"So the four of us made the All-Star team, while Dikembe ( Mutombo ) and Eddie ( Jones ) didn't even get a spot?" Rasheed stood up abruptly, his tone filled with undisguised frustration. "What kind of logic is this? Dikembe is the core of our defensive system, and Eddie has to guard the opponent's best guard every night. Don't they really know what made us the best team in the league? Are all those fans and voting coaches blind?"
Pierce sat in the corner, head down, tying his shoelaces, without saying a word.
Garnett looked at Mutombo, Mutombo was changing clothes and didn't even look up.
" Dikembe, what do you think?" Garnett asked.
Mutombo continued changing his clothes, his movements slow and deliberate.
"I'm thinking about the next game."
The locker room was silent for a few seconds.
Mutombo looked up at everyone, his eyes sweeping over each one.
"You four made the All-Star team? Congratulations." Mutombo straightened up and stuffed his towel into his bag. "I've been there countless times, it's nothing new for me. Now it's your turn to bask in the spotlight."
He picked up his travel bag and turned to walk towards the locker room entrance. As he approached the threshold, he stopped and glanced back at the crowd.
"But don't go too wild there. Don't forget, we still have more important things to do this year."
The door clicked shut.
Silence returned to the locker room. The group exchanged glances and shrugged helplessly.
Lin Qi stood by the office window, looking at the Boston night view outside.
The ashtray was overflowing with cigarette butts, and the room was filled with smoke.
Lin Qi turned on his computer and began writing an internal email to all members of the data analysis team.
From: Lin Qi
Recipient: All members of the data analysis team
Topic: Why We Need Better Advanced Data Metrics
The All-Star voting results were announced today.
This list tells us what standards this league uses to measure a player's value: points per game, assists, rebounds, popularity, and market influence.
But we cannot use the same standards.
Eddie Jones averaged 10.4 points per game but failed to make the All-Star team.
However, he leads the league in steals, while the players he defends see their field goal percentage drop by 8 percentage points and their turnover rate soar by 22%.
Mutombo averaged 8.3 points per game but failed to make the All-Star team.
But when he was on the court, the opponent's shot attempts in the paint dropped from 35% to 20%, and our defensive efficiency was the best in the league.
These things aren't visible in All-Star voting. The media doesn't see them. Fans don't see them either.
Therefore, we need to create new metrics to quantify these contributions that traditional data cannot measure.
Defensive pressure, sacrifice, improved team efficiency... those things that aren't on the stat sheet but truly influence the outcome of a game.
This is the significance of advanced data. It's not about following the standards of this alliance, but about finding the truths that have been overlooked.
Get to work; your work is very meaningful.
Lin Qi pressed the send button and extinguished his last cigarette.
Outside the window, the Boston night was pitch black, except for the Celtics ' training facility, which was brightly lit.
At the free-throw line, Mutombo continued to repeat the same monotonous shooting motion over and over again.
On the track, Eddie Jones was sweating profusely from a high-intensity aerobic workout.
The All-Star spotlight didn't shine on them.
But they knew better than anyone else where their destination lay.
Overall champion.