Two days before the All-Star Weekend began, the lobby of the Oakland Grand Hotel was packed with people and media from all walks of life. A senior ESPN reporter intercepted Lin Qi as he was checking in, practically shoving the microphone right up to his mouth.
"Lin, the Celtics have four players selected for the All-Star game this year, which is a huge recognition of the team's strength. But there are also many voices expressing regret for Eddie Jones and Dikembe Mutombo. What do you think?"
Lin Qi stopped and spoke calmly.
"Regret? Of course, regret. Eddie is currently leading the league in steals, and he makes the opposing team's top scorer miserable every night. When Mutombo is on the court, our defensive efficiency is consistently the best in the league. These two are as important to our system as any All-Star."
He picked up the black coffee he had just bought, took a sip, and spoke calmly.
"Coaches select reserve players, and I understand they have their own criteria... points, rebounds, assists—these are traditional and easily quantifiable statistics. But if you really understand basketball, you'll understand that defense and tactical sacrifices are equally important. Eddie and Uncle Mu not making the All-Star team only proves one thing..."
Lin Qi paused slightly.
"... Traditional evaluation criteria really need to be updated."
The reporter astutely seized on the key words and immediately followed up with, "So you think there's a problem with the coaches' voting?"
Lin Qi shrugged, his tone devoid of any provocation. "I didn't say there was a problem. I just said that if you only look at points and rebounds, you'll probably never see the whole picture of the game."
The following morning, the headlines of major sports media outlets across the United States seemed to have been preordained, instantly becoming a massive explosion.
ESPN: " Celtics President Lin Qi: Coaches Don't Understand the Value of Defense"
Sports Illustrated: " Lin Qi slams all league coaches: their selection criteria are outdated and ridiculous."
The New York Times Sports: " Boston Commissioner Publicly Questions the Ability of Coaches Across the League"
A prominent tabloid (front page headline in bold and enlarged): " Lin Qi's outrageous statement: These coaches don't understand football at all!"
Back in his hotel room, Lin Qi was sipping coffee and watching the news. ESPN was broadcasting footage of yesterday's interviews, but the host's expression was so exaggerated it looked like he was reporting on a war breaking out somewhere.
Host: " Lin Qi publicly stated that the selection of coaches 'needs an update.' Does this mean he believes that all thirty head coaches in the league are incompetent?"
"Puff..."
Lin Qi nearly spat out the mouthful of coffee he had just taken a sip all over his laptop. He grabbed a tissue to wipe his mouth, looked at his serious face on the TV screen, and couldn't help but laugh out loud, "These people's ability to take things out of context is such a waste of their talent; they're really not in Hollywood's screenwriting department."
Just then, my phone vibrated. It was an urgent text message from the public relations manager.
Ainge: "Lin, you're in the headlines. All the media outlets are saying you criticized all the coaches. Shouldn't you issue an official statement to clarify this right away?"
Lin Qi replied, "No need."
Two minutes later, the PR manager called directly, "Are you sure? There are already quite a few coaches in the league publicly criticizing you, saying you're too arrogant, and that you dare to give orders after winning a shortened season championship."
Lin Qi lit a cigarette, leaned back on the sofa, and looked out the window at the grey-blue waters of Oakland Bay.
"Let them talk. I'm stating the facts. If they feel offended, that's their problem, not mine."
All-Star practice day was a star-studded affair at Oakland Arena. However, almost all the cameras and microphones were focused on the Celtics ' four All-Star players.
Kevin Garnett had just stepped out of the locker room when he was surrounded by a swarm of reporters at the entrance.
"KG! Lin Qi said coaches don't understand basketball, what do you think about that?"
Garnett stopped in his tracks, his fierce gaze sweeping across the entire arena, his brows furrowed tightly. "When did he ever say the coach doesn't understand basketball? You media people are really good at taking things out of context, and then you come to ask me what I think?"
"But he did publicly question the All-Star selection criteria..."
Garnett interrupted him directly, " Eddie and Dikembe missing is a joke. If you watch the game properly, instead of just staring at the stats, you'll understand what Lin means."
He stared coldly at the reporter who asked the question, "But that doesn't mean the other selected players aren't worthy. Everyone is excellent. It's just that the All-Star game is never designed to celebrate defense."
With that, Garnett pushed through the crowd and strode onto the training field.
Gary Payton had a nonchalant smile on his face when he was stopped by another group of reporters.
" Gary, what Lin Qi said has caused a huge uproar outside..."
Gary Payton waved his hand, interrupting the reporter's long-winded explanation. "I know, I know. Don't you media people just love to muddy the waters?"
Do you agree with his point of view?
Gary Payton leaned against the wall, arms crossed, his tone softening. "I certainly feel bad that Eddie and Dikembe didn't make the All-Star team. They were the most professional and selfless teammates I've ever had in my career. But Lin is right... The All-Star game is about points, rebounds, and assists—those are what the fans want to see. Defense? That's the dirty work nobody wants to do, and nobody applauds you for."
He paused, a shrewd glint of a veteran in his eyes. "In Boston, All-Star appearances are just individual honors; the championship is the ultimate goal. We know exactly what we want."
"So you think there's nothing wrong with the coaches' votes?" the reporter pressed.
Gary Payton shrugged. "I didn't say that. I just said, that's reality, that's life. You either adapt to it, or you do what Lin is doing... try to change the way the entire league views basketball."
As the youngest of the four, Chris Paul Pierce appeared much more cautious in front of the camera.
" Chris Paul, Mr. Lin Qi publicly criticized defensive value. Do you think this will put pressure on the team?"
Pierce stopped his warm-up exercises and sighed helplessly, "He didn't attack anyone at all. Can you guys stop misinterpreting his meaning?"
"But he did question the coach's judging criteria..."
Pierce waved his hand. "I'm sorry Eddie and Dikembe didn't make it. They're my teammates and my role models."
He patted the basketball and continued, "But the All-Star Game is a business stage; it doesn't reward defense. Lin is right: if you only look at basic stats, you can't see the whole picture. But that doesn't mean the coach doesn't understand basketball; it just shows that there's some value that can't be reflected by All-Star votes alone."
When Rasheed Wallace, known for his fiery temper and outspokenness, walked out of the training facility, the atmosphere instantly reached its peak.
" Rasheed! Lin Qi said the coaches don't understand football at all, do you agree?"
Rasheed stopped in his tracks, looked at the dense array of cameras in front of him, and a highly sarcastic smile spread across his face.
"Huh? He's saying the coach doesn't understand football?"
The reporter immediately handed over the microphone. "Uh, what he actually said was that the selection criteria needed to be updated, but what people are saying is..."
Rasheed burst out laughing, "That's fucking right! Some coaches in this league really don't understand basketball; they're practically slackers!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the flashbulbs on the scene went off like crazy, and the sound of camera shutters clicking incessantly.
Rasheed looked around, spitting as he spoke, "Look at those teams, tanking every year, losing every year, yet the coaches still sit comfortably on the bench collecting millions in salary. What do they know about basketball? Besides standing on the sidelines in suits shouting 'Come on!' and 'Move! Move!' and giving a scripted press conference after the game, isn't that something anyone can do?"
So you completely support Lin Qi's views?
Rasheed shrugged, his face full of disdain. "It's not about who I support. Eddie leads the league with 2.8 steals per game, Dikembe makes everyone retreat in the paint, and yet they can't even get an All-Star reserve? That's a joke!"
He looked directly into the camera, his tone becoming increasingly forceful. "The All-Star game should be awarded to the best player of the season, not the star with the most impressive stats. If the coaches who voted can't even understand this, then they really should go back to a basic basketball class!"
After saying this, Rasheed turned and left, leaving the stunned reporters frantically taking notes.
Rasheed's bombshell statement caused an uproar throughout the NBA.
Major sports television stations launched special programs overnight, and fans and experts argued fiercely on social media. Many head coaches of mid-to-lower-tier teams publicly responded, with one coach, who spoke anonymously, saying sourly, " The Celtics are only winning because of the talent built up by their star players. Some people have a bunch of aces in their hands, so of course they can look down on everyone and laugh at them."
As the war of words escalated and threatened to spiral out of control, the league office finally couldn't sit still any longer.
At the official press conference during All-Star Weekend, NBA Commissioner David Stern was cornered by reporters.
"Mr. President, Celtics President Lin Qi and his players have publicly questioned the All-Star selection criteria, even claiming that the coach doesn't understand basketball. What punishment or response has the league given for this?"
Stern wore his signature, flawless smile.
"Mr. Lin Qi is a very successful club manager, and his many innovative ideas deserve the respect of the industry. Of course, the All-Star Game selection criteria have long been established by the league, coaches, and the vast majority of fans."
He paused slightly, a shrewd glint flashing in his small eyes behind his glasses.
"If anyone has better suggestions for the rules, the league welcomes constructive discussion. However, I also hope everyone remembers that All-Star Weekend is a celebration for fans worldwide, not a battlefield for mudslinging. We should refocus all our attention on the game itself on the court."
Late Night, in a suite at the Oakland Grand Hotel.
Lin Qi sat on the sofa, the television replaying Rasheed's fiery interview. The public relations manager sat opposite him, his brow furrowed, a hint of worry in his voice.
"Lin, Rasheed has really blown things up this time. Now most of the coaches in the league are uniting to boycott us, and Stern has also publicly reprimanded us."
Lin Qi stubbed out his cigarette, his expression calm. "Let them join forces."
"But making too many enemies like this is not good for our playoff push, or even for the team's long-term ecosystem..."
How did Michael Jordan build the Chicago Bulls dynasty? Did he try to please everyone? Did he make his opponents like him?
Lin Qi lit another cigarette, the flame flickering between his fingertips.
"Let them hate us. In competitive sports, arrogance, fear, and hatred are often the most honest recognitions of ability."