In a high-end New York hotel, Shaquille O'Neal called up Kobe and asked if he wanted to hit the beach together. The weather was perfect, and the beaches in New York had their own charm—who knew, maybe they'd run into some pretty ladies while enjoying the sun.
Kobe was down immediately, and the two Lakers stars were just about to step out when a swarm of reporters blocked the hotel entrance, forcing them to stop for a quick interview.
A reporter stepped forward and fired off a question.
"Shaq, last night Coach Don Nelson mentioned that back in '96, he proposed a trade that would've sent you to the Knicks for Ewing. The deal didn't go through, and Nelson got fired soon after. But if that trade had happened—would you have been willing to join the Knicks?"
O'Neal's eyes widened.
"Damn, I never heard about that!" he said with a laugh. "If that trade happened, I'd be running New York right now. Zhao Dong would've been my sidekick. I would've shut Jordan down three years straight in the Eastern Conference Finals. By now, I'd be sitting on a dynasty, defending my third straight title. Hell, if I teamed up with Zhao Dong? We'd win ten championships in a row. Easy."
Kobe immediately facepalmed.
Bro… you're gonna get roasted by Lakers fans.
And Zhao Dong being Shaq's sidekick? Good luck with that ego clash…
---
Don Nelson's comments stirred up a ton of conversation across the league.
Magic Johnson was asked about it during an ESPN interview.
"If Shaq had gone to the Knicks in '96, he'd definitely have been the team's centerpiece," Magic said. "Back then, Zhao Dong was still raw, just entering the league. Shaq was already hitting his prime. So yeah, the Knicks would've built around Shaq after moving on from Ewing."
"But knowing Zhao Dong, I doubt he'd stick around in a secondary role. Maybe they win a ring together in year one, but long-term? I think Zhao bounces. And honestly, that would be the Knicks' loss—because once Zhao Dong becomes a franchise player somewhere else, he's gonna outshine Shaq. And if that happens, the Knicks better be ready to become his next mortal enemy."
---
Even MJ chimed in with his thoughts during a phone interview from his hotel room.
"If Shaq and Zhao Dong played together? Man, that's just unfair," Jordan chuckled. "One guy dominates the paint. The other's got the perimeter locked down. Nobody in the league would stand a chance. That duo? Way scarier than Shaq and Karl Malone, and that's saying something. They'd break the league's balance overnight."
"But," Jordan added, "that pairing would never last. Zhao Dong isn't built to be anyone's second option. If the Knicks didn't hand him the keys to the franchise, he'd walk. No doubt about it."
---
Zhao Dong was also contacted by a reporter from New York Sports.
"I've known about that trade scenario for a while," Zhao said calmly. "But it never got off the ground, so I didn't think much of it."
"If the trade had happened, yeah—Shaq would've been the focal point. I was playing power forward at the time, and he'd have run the post. We probably would've steamrolled the league."
"But starting in the second half of that season, I transitioned to more of a perimeter role. Started handling the ball more—kind of like what Kobe's doing now. That would've led to some issues between me and Shaq."
"When you control the ball, your instinct is to attack or create—not just dump it inside. And knowing Shaq, that wouldn't sit well. So yeah, I think me and him would've butted heads."
Zhao Dong paused, then said with a grin,
"Actually, I'd give the Lakers a heads-up right now. What happened between me and Shaq in theory? That's probably what's coming between Shaq and Kobe in real life."
---
Later that afternoon, Zhao Dong returned home, where Lindsay greeted him excitedly.
"There's a huge party tonight," she said. "Top-level financial circle. Only elite investment banks and hedge funds got invited. Storm Capital got in, so I need you to come with me."
The host of the party? George Soros.
Zhao Dong raised an eyebrow. "You think he knows we were the ones who ambushed him in Hong Kong?"
"He probably does," Lindsay replied, brushing her hair back with a smirk. "Even with Madam Dolores covering our tracks, the size of our position made us easy to spot. And since we bought into Storm at the bottom, Soros has to know we were the ones going long."
Zhao Dong nodded. "You think he's gonna strike back at Storm?"
Lindsay thought for a moment. "Based on what I've gathered, most of his capital—his own and his clients'—is tied up in stocks and futures. He doesn't have the firepower to mess with us right now."
"Don't forget who's backing him," Zhao reminded her. "Soros isn't acting alone. During the Asian Financial Crisis, he was just the knife. Wall Street held the handle."
Lindsay nodded. "True. But look at what's happened in the last two years. The U.S. stock market has quadrupled. Asset prices have gone through the roof. Even our New York Jets investment has doubled, maybe tripled."
She leaned closer. "You said it before—this is the best time to pull out. Not just for us, but for American manufacturing as a whole."
Zhao Dong smiled. "Exactly. These guys can sell their U.S. assets at peak prices, then move their operations overseas. Places like China—low asset prices, cheap labor. Way lower costs across the board."
"This bull market was just the launchpad," he continued. "Once everyone cashes out, it'll trigger the real wave: American industries moving out. And that's when the U.S. loses its manufacturing base for good."
Lindsay's eyes lit up. "Then once we exit the U.S. markets, we reinvest in local industries. The domestic financial sector isn't open to foreign capital yet. Soros won't be able to touch us there."
Zhao Dong nodded firmly. "Exactly. That's why we set up our investment bank in Hong Kong—to stay outside Wall Street's reach."
At exactly 8:00 PM, Zhao Dong arrived at the high-society gala, stepping out of a sleek black limousine with Lindsay on his arm. She wore a form-fitting dark green dress, elegant and poised. The two drew a few curious glances, but most of the attention quickly returned to the purpose of the evening—the elite gathering of the world's most powerful financial figures.
Inside the luxurious ballroom, Zhao Dong saw him—George Soros.
But Soros wasn't alone.
Dozens of Wall Street's most influential moguls were present, and even James David Wolfensohn, the president of the World Bank, was among them.
This wasn't just a party. It was a summit of shadow kings—people who could stir tsunamis across global markets with a single decision. Collectively, they could shift economies, bend policies, and rewrite the fates of nations.
Even Soros, the host of the event, was just another name in the crowd. Many of the people here were on a level above him in the financial food chain.
But Soros and his people didn't even spare Zhao Dong a second glance. In their eyes, he was just a sports celebrity—an NBA megastar, a freak athlete, nothing more.
Exactly the way he wanted it.
With his Chinese identity, staying hidden from Wall Street's radar was essential. If they discovered that he was the real mastermind behind the mysterious and aggressive Storm Fund, the consequences would be incalculable. His power had to remain invisible.
Suddenly, a familiar voice interrupted the hum of conversations.
"Mrs. Lindsay, it's an honor to see you again," Soros said as he approached, holding a glass of red wine. His eyes scanned her, a glint of mischief hidden beneath a thin veneer of politeness. "You're incredibly young—Wall Street has never seen someone like you."
"Thank you, Mr. Soros," Lindsay responded with a calm smile. "This is a wonderful party."
"This is our second meeting," Soros added, the smile fading into something colder. "Last time you cost us more than twenty billion dollars. Quite unforgettable."
Lindsay froze momentarily, then smiled again. "Just different market positions, I suppose. I'm sure we'll cross swords again."
But then Soros leaned in slightly, surprising her. "Why not cooperate instead?"
Lindsay was caught off guard, her youthful inexperience showing for just a second. She instinctively turned to Zhao Dong for help.
Zhao Dong gave her a subtle look and leaned in, speaking in Mandarin, "Eve, ask him to short the US stock market."
Lindsay's eyes lit up with understanding.
Soros noticed their exchange, but didn't understand a word.
Lindsay turned back to Soros with a calm expression. "Mr. Soros, I'm optimistic about the future of the US stock market. Why don't we collaborate…"
She paused deliberately.
Soros nodded slightly. He was extremely bullish on the market. After all, the US stock market had quadrupled in two years, and capital was pouring in from all over the world. He had most of his money locked into US equities and futures.
"…to short the US stock market," Lindsay finished.
"What?!"
Soros nearly dropped his wine glass.
His voice rose in disbelief, drawing attention from several of the nearby financial titans.
"Are you insane?!" he snapped.
Lindsay remained composed. "If we succeed, the profit potential is enormous—for both of us."
"No chance," Soros replied flatly. "Asia's economy is collapsing. Global capital is flooding into Wall Street. There is absolutely no reason to short this market. You're dreaming."
"I don't think so," Lindsay said firmly.
By now, the conversation had drawn a crowd. Curious eyes from every corner of the room watched them closely.
"Mrs. Lindsay wants to short US stocks," Soros announced to the group. "Thoughts?"
"Is she out of her mind?"
"Mrs. Lindsay, on what grounds?"
Only a few of the lesser-status players dared to speak out. Most of the others just stared, assessing.
Lindsay looked around the room. Even the World Bank president had turned his gaze her way. She glanced once more at Zhao Dong, then said clearly, "I believe that there is no such thing as a permanent rise in the market."
That drew laughter from the sidelines.
"She's too young. Probably just lucky. Storm Fund won't last."
"Storm's collapse is just a matter of time."
"I'll bet there'll be a wave of redemptions soon. She'll be forced to liquidate her holdings."
The vultures had already started circling.
They didn't dismiss her prediction entirely—they knew the market would eventually fall. But in their eyes, the timing wasn't right.
Because they were the ones who decided when the market would fall.
They were the architects of financial storms, the ones who created the rules and rewrote the game.
And Storm Fund? With its control over 1% of the US market cap, it was a fat, juicy piece of meat.
They were already thinking about how to carve it up.
---
One Hour Later
Lindsay and Zhao Dong left the party.
With the bodyguards still in the car, their conversation remained casual and vague. Only when they returned home did they finally speak freely.
"The bait's been dropped," Zhao Dong said, taking off his jacket and pouring himself a glass of water. "Let's see who bites."
"If they do, we can speed up our exit. We'll lose a lot less on the way out," Lindsay replied, kicking off her heels.
"And if they don't?" Zhao Dong smirked. "We stick to the plan. Evacuate gradually, then dissolve Storm. We'll rebrand and restart in Hong Kong. Clean slate."
June 10th — Game 2 of the Finals.
Morning – Los Angeles Lakers Headquarters
"Is this for real?"
Jerry West muttered, eyes fixed on the newspaper in his hands.
It was a New York sports daily, featuring Zhao Dong's bold comments in a post-game phone interview.
"Will Shaq and Kobe clash?" West murmured to himself, deep in thought.
He knew Kobe well—highly competitive, relentless, and obsessed with scoring. As a shooting guard, he needed the ball in his hands. And Shaquille O'Neal? A dominant big man who demanded touches in the post. What Zhao Dong predicted might not be far from the truth.
"We need a real floor general," West whispered. "A high-IQ point guard who can control the tempo and feed both of them."
He glanced toward a list of available players. "If the Bulls break up, maybe there's a shot at getting Kidd. That'd solve everything."
He paused, thinking deeper. "And what about Billups in New York? With Zhao Dong running the offense like a point forward, they barely use him. Maybe we can make a move…"
Jerry West leaned back in his chair, already working the phones in his mind.
---
Evening – Game 2 Tip-Off
In Game 2, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich made a major tactical shift.
Since Tim Duncan's rookie season, he had become the team's primary offensive weapon, averaging six more shot attempts per game than David Robinson. But tonight, Pop switched it up. Robinson was re-established as the first option, while Duncan played more of a decoy and screen-setter.
The Spurs deployed a bruising low-post twin tower offense, with Duncan drawing Zhao Dong's attention and Robinson exploiting the mismatch.
The Knicks stayed with their Game 1 starting lineup. First, Dazhi tried to hold down Robinson and got cooked. Then Fortson came in—same result. Eventually, Nelson subbed in Big Ben Wallace, but even the undersized defensive monster couldn't stop the Admiral.
Whenever Zhao Dong shifted over for weak-side help, the Spurs immediately triggered a high-efficiency two-man game—Robinson and Duncan pounding the paint in sync. Their size advantage completely overwhelmed the Knicks' frontcourt. Dazhi was on an island, and the tallest among Wallace and Fortson stood only 6'7".
Even when Nelson brought in veteran Kevin Willis, it wasn't enough. The Spurs had cracked open New York's interior defense.
Tonight, San Antonio showcased the same raw power that bullied Karl Malone and the Jazz in the Western Conference Finals.
---
Knicks Offense: Struggling to Adjust
On offense, Nelson stuck with his high-low double tower scheme, but the Spurs were ready.
They sent relentless pressure at Dazhi. Malik Rose, in particular, played him like a madman—bodying him up, shoving him out of rhythm, knocking him to the floor multiple times. Dazhi's touch faded, and once his high-post threat disappeared, the Spurs shifted focus.
They doubled Zhao Dong hard in the low post—sometimes even before he got the ball. They ran the Bulls-style trap, collapsing on him outside the paint, cutting off passing lanes, and forcing him into tough fadeaways. When Fortson or Wallace were left open, San Antonio didn't blink. They sagged off them and dared them to shoot.
Zhao Dong still powered through, scoring 44 points on 16-of-31 shooting with 12-of-14 from the line. But it wasn't enough.
The Spurs' Twin Towers combined for 63 points on 55% shooting, bludgeoning the Knicks from the inside out. San Antonio stole Game 2 in New York, 98–90.
---
June 11th – The Fallout
By morning, the headlines hit fast.
ESPN, TNT, and most national outlets clowned the Knicks for getting "bullied at home." Zhao Dong's effort got praised, but many questioned Nelson's rotations and his inability to make real-time adjustments.
New York media? They still defended the team—for now. But everyone knew: if the Knicks dropped Game 3, even the local press might turn.
At 11 a.m., the Knicks boarded their charter to San Antonio.
---
In the Sky – Knicks' Strategy Room
Inside the team jet, the vibe was heavy.
Nelson and assistant coach Fan were deep in film, eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night. They had to find answers—fast.
Zhao Dong reclined in his seat, earbuds out, deep in thought.
"They're gonna double me again tomorrow. Even if I step out, they're sending the trap."
He thought back to last night.
Duncan used his length and defensive IQ to disrupt his passing angles all night. Zhao Dong turned it over five times—four from trying to pass out of doubles. Spurs defenders rotated quickly, closing out shooters, and collapsing when needed.
Ben and Fortson? Useless on offense. Left wide open and still couldn't make San Antonio pay.
And Dazhi? He had open looks early on, but Rose's physical defense shook him. Dazhi got knocked down several times and lost his rhythm. When he faded, the whole high-low offense fell apart.
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