Chapter 182: Endorsement Income of 26 Million US Dollars in 1 Year
On January 24, the Knicks continued to sit at home, this time against the Dallas Mavericks. For some unknown reason, Jason Kidd did not come to New York with the Dallas Mavericks in this game. With the Dallas Mavericks lacking the main point guard, Lian Dao originally wanted to have a chance to win the game at home. He thought a little too much.
The Dallas Mavericks were not affected by the lack of main point guards. Nowitzki broke out in Madison Square Garden and scored 36 points and 13 rebounds. Jason Terry scored 20 points and 4 rebounds. At the end of the fourth quarter, Nowitzki showed great power, directly opened up the gap with a wave of offense, and led until the end of the game. The Mavericks won 114:101.
The Knicks exposed their main problems recently, especially against the Lakers and Mavericks. These teams had star players inside and were very strong. The Knicks' insiders were at a disadvantage in these games.
The basket was blown up by the opponent, and rebound protection was unsatisfactory. David Lee and Millsap had nothing to do with Nowitzki. Milicic delivered food in the first half, as Nowitzki made him commit 5 fouls. At the beginning of the third quarter, after being fouled by Jason Terry, Milicic's six fouls graduated. Nowitzki was too flexible, with a high golf quotient, outsmarting the stubborn Milicic.
Lian Dao scored a triple-double of 32 points, 12 assists, and 11 rebounds. The statistics were impressive, but the Knicks had low chances of winning against teams that played hard inside. Their few victories came from Lian Dao's explosive three-pointers and high outside scores. As time went on, such opportunities would decrease. Halfway through the season, teams were familiar with each other's styles, fighting with real hard power. Playoffs would differ from the regular season, with defensive intensity one level higher.
The Knicks' win against the Celtics earlier didn't mean they'd beat them in the playoffs. The Celtics put little energy into the regular season, ensuring smooth entry while saving strength for the postseason. Their first game against the Knicks caught them unfamiliar with Lian Dao's style, leading to underpreparation and loss. Playoffs, even a sweep, meant at least four games of pure strength.
On January 27, the Knicks, after two straight home losses, rebounded against the Timberwolves, winning 126:103. Kevin Love was attacked by Millsap and David Lee, while Lian Dao mercilessly targeted his good brother DeMar DeRozan. Knowing DeMar's weakness, Lian Dao went anti-punching and not defensive. DeMar hated the game, wanting to bite Lian Dao to death.
DeMar thought: Is that how you treat your best friend, your best buddy, your ex-teammate? Yi Jianlian might've said, "I'm more familiar with this than you."
Post-game, Lian Dao took DeMar to experience New York's nightclub culture, gave signed sneakers, and treated him, making DeMar linger when he left. Lian Dao saw DeMar had a good life in cold Minnesota, talking and laughing with Kevin Love. Could this guy be a husky, only thriving in the cold northern region? Lian Dao joked, but knew DeMar's later success with the Bulls showed his second spring.
Lian Dao worried his timeline changes might make DeMar unhappy in Minnesota, risking early depression. DeMar's historical depression stemmed from family—his father's severe kidney disease, his mother's lupus erythematosus, and frequent trips from Toronto to Los Angeles, 3,500 kilometers away. Minnesota to Los Angeles was 2,600 kilometers, not much closer. His wife leaving with two children and three straight playoff losses to LeBron also hurt. In this timeline, DeMar avoided LeBron's curse in the West, easing Lian Dao's guilt.
The NBA announced the 2010 All-Star bench and coaches. Stan Van Gundy coached the East, George Karl the West, based on first-half records. David Lee joined Lian Dao on the East's bench, replacing Iverson, absent due to his daughter's illness. Lian Dao was set for the All-Star Game and Rookie Challenge, but Stern hoped he'd join the dunk and three-point contests. With All-Star Weekend during Chinese New Year, Lian Dao planned to reject extra events for rest.
The system issued a task: compete in both contests, rewarding 1 bounce point and 2 three-point points for winning. With bounce at 94 and three-point stats above 90, these points were vital, especially breaking the bounce limit to 95. Lian Dao accepted, signed up, and told Stern, who smiled gratefully after hanging up.
Before the All-Star Game, Lian Dao's endorsement contracts skyrocketed. He signed three deals: China Telecom, 100 million yuan in 4 years; PICC, 80 million yuan in 4 years; Jeep, 20 million US dollars in 5 years, totaling $46 million. With Anta's $70 million 5-year sneaker deal and Gucci sunglasses, his 2010 endorsement income reached $26 million before tax. Only James and Kobe surpassed him, even Yao Ming lagged behind.