After the game, DeMar didn't find Lian Dao in the Knicks' locker room. Knicks staff had rushed Lian Dao to the hospital after the second quarter. A high fever of 40 degrees could cause serious issues without prompt treatment.
Lian Dao, hooked to an IV, drifted into sleep unknowingly. He woke at nine the next morning, his arm numb as if lifeless. Opening his eyes, he saw someone by his bed—his little senior sister, Guo Yuwei. She must have sensed something odd watching the game last night and booked the earliest flight to Minnesota.
Guo Yuwei watched every Lian Dao game. Work kept her from attending in person, but she never missed a live broadcast. When the Knicks lost, she'd blame his teammates' weakness, fiercely defending him online against "Lianhei" critics, just as she did in high school. She was his biggest fan.
Seeing Guo Yuwei asleep on his arm, Lian Dao's heart warmed, then ached. This silly girl, worried sick, had flown in and stayed up, collapsing from exhaustion. He gently tried to free his arm to cover her with a blanket, but the movement woke her.
"Um~ah, you're awake," she mumbled, eyes hazy, face marked by her clothes, looking weary. Her company's workload had left her unrested, and last night's frantic trip added to her fatigue.
"I just woke up. Come, sleep here," Lian Dao said, helping the dazed Guo Yuwei onto the bed.
"It's okay, no need…" she resisted, but seeing his serious expression, she complied, lying down. Exhausted, she fell asleep quickly.
Feeling better, Lian Dao tucked her in, sat on the sofa, and checked his phone's flood of messages. His early exit yesterday had sparked media frenzy at D'Antoni's press conference, where reporters demanded answers. News of Lian Dao "battling illness but succumbing" spread fast, a testament to media speed.
Lian Dao replied to greetings from Harden, Yao Ming, Yi Jianlian, Curry, and others. As he typed, the ward door opened. DeMar entered, holding flowers—a rare gesture for the stingy guy. Not seeing Lian Dao in the locker room, he'd gotten the hospital address from Knicks staff and visited early.
Spotting Lian Dao on the sofa and an oriental beauty in bed, DeMar froze, then grinned ambiguously, his expression saying, I get it. "Sickle's a fighter, even sick, keeping women bedbound," he teased.
Lian Dao knew DeMar misunderstood but didn't explain—clarifications often muddied things. DeMar knew Guo Yuwei as Lian Dao's manager, unaware of their deeper bond. After a brief stay, DeMar left, giving a thumbs-up. He had to fly to Los Angeles for a family matter.
Soon, a knock sounded. A Knicks staffer, who'd brought Lian Dao to the hospital, arrived to escort him to the hotel. He'd spoken with the doctor, who confirmed Lian Dao's severe cold was nearly resolved after treatment. He could leave anytime. The staffer, unfazed by Guo Yuwei in bed, had watched over Lian Dao until she arrived last night.
Guo Yuwei woke at the knock. The group returned to the hotel, packed, and flew to New York at noon. After a day's rest, Lian Dao's cold was almost gone.
In January, Lian Dao again won Eastern Conference Rookie of the Month, despite scoring only 6 points, 2 assists, and 1 rebound in one quarter against the Timberwolves due to illness. He averaged 30.4 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 9.1 assists for the month. Brandon Jennings, the next best, averaged 14.2 points, 3.3 rebounds, and 6.6 assists. In the West, Stephen Curry claimed Rookie of the Month, outshining Tyreke Evans with 19.1 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. When Monta Ellis missed three games after a Nets injury, Curry averaged 28 points, including a 32-point outburst, laughing wildly—not out of cruelty, but from suppressed frustration.
Curry's rookie environment was tough. Monta Ellis, hostile, had warned the Warriors against drafting another guard, but they ignored him. Curry faced constant challenges, with Ellis refusing to pass to him. Coach Don Nelson made Curry point guard, handling passes when Ellis demanded the ball. Curry's talent shone through, seizing Ellis' absence to score heavily and win January's Western Rookie award.
Lian Dao missed Player of the Month again. The Knicks' 8-7 January record in 15 games was solid, but the Cavaliers' 12-3 mark outpaced them. In December and January, Cleveland lost only 6 games, winning 26, driven to chase a championship. Shaquille O'Neal meshed with their lineup, and LeBron James found his rhythm. James, averaging 30.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, and 8.5 assists, earned East's Player of the Month undisputedly.
In the West, Chris Paul won Player of the Month, surprising many. The Hornets went 9-7, but the Lakers' 12-4 record was stronger. Paul averaged 20.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 11.9 assists, compared to Kobe Bryant's 23.7 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 5.2 assists. Paul's stats dazzled, but Player of the Month typically favored the best player on the top team. The Hornets didn't lead, yet Paul won. In December, when the Knicks and Cavaliers had similar records, James, with less flashy stats, took the award. Off-court factors likely influenced these outcomes, hard to ignore.
On February 3, hosting the Washington Wizards, Lian Dao was on the active roster but played sparingly. Without Arenas, the Wizards' strength plummeted, making them a top pick contender. D'Antoni used the game to test the bench, as the Knicks' reserves lagged behind Eastern playoff teams' depth. With half the season done and playoffs likely, D'Antoni aimed to forge a postseason lineup in the coming months.
The Knicks won 128:114, their second Wizards rout in four days. In 23 minutes, Lian Dao scored 16 points, 7 assists, and 4 rebounds. Millsap excelled, hitting 10 of 18 shots for 25 points and 12 rebounds. Wilson Chandler sank 6 of 9 three-pointers, posting 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Six Knicks players reached double figures, showcasing their depth.