While the arena crew prepared for the MVP announcement, LeBron James stood off to the side, trying to stay composed.
He kept his expression steady, but there was tension in it.
He knew how this game had gone.
If not for Lin Yi's push in the fourth, the East probably doesn't come back. And if the narrative leaned that way, the vote could easily follow.
LeBron exhaled slowly.
"Let's just see how they call it," he muttered to himself.
. . .
Near the tunnel, Chris Paul caught up with Lin Yi, who looked ready to slip out before the ceremony.
Paul raised an eyebrow. "You're really leaving before they announce it?"
Lin shrugged. "Thinking about it."
Paul studied him for a second. "You're not even curious? Four straight All-Star MVPs… that's history."
Lin smiled faintly and tapped Paul on the shoulder. "Chris, relax. They're not giving it to me."
Paul blinked. "You sound very sure."
"LeBron's numbers are strong enough," Lin replied. "And the league doesn't forget who they've invested in."
He paused, then added in a quieter tone, "They don't build stars just to shift the spotlight overnight."
Paul let out a short laugh. "You always talk like you've seen this play out already."
Lin shook his head. "You've been watching too many movies."
Paul narrowed his eyes, half joking, half serious. "One day, I'm going to figure you out."
Lin just waved it off. "Good luck with that."
. . .
Moments later, the announcement came.
"Your MVP of the 2013 All-Star Game… LeBron James!"
LeBron broke into a wide smile, the tension gone instantly. He turned and pulled Dwyane Wade into a quick embrace.
"Needed that," he said under his breath.
Wade grinned. "You earned it."
For LeBron, it felt like a reset. A statement night, backed by numbers and a win.
. .
Then the announcer continued.
"And sharing this year's MVP… Kobe Bryant!"
There was a brief pause, then a louder reaction.
Kobe gave a small nod, almost like he expected it, then walked over.
LeBron looked at him, slightly surprised, then smiled. "Guess we're sharing this one."
Kobe smirked. "You good with that?"
"I'll take it," LeBron replied.
They lifted the trophy together.
For one night, 23 and 24 stood on the same side of the moment.
. .
On the TNT set, Charles Barkley leaned back, shaking his head. "I'll admit it. That's a fair call."
Kenny Smith nodded. "Balances everything out. Stats, impact, story."
Both of them turned toward Shaquille O'Neal.
Shaq just folded his arms, satisfied. "Told you. Shaq don't miss."
. .
Behind the scenes, the logic was simple.
LeBron had the numbers. That part was clear.
Kobe had the shot-making, the rhythm, the presence that kept the West alive.
And Lin Yi… his fourth-quarter impact was impossible to ignore.
Giving it to only one player would have opened up too many questions.
Splitting it between LeBron and Kobe closed that gap.
. .
Back near the tunnel, Paul glanced toward the stage, then back at Lin.
"You really called it."
Lin shrugged. "Not that hard to read."
Lin started walking.
Paul shook his head, smiling, and started to follow.
—
Out on the floor, the celebration continued.
Fans were still talking about the final shot.
"Did you see that release?"
"Paul trusted him completely."
"He barely touched the ball all night and still ended it."
The headlines were already forming, and most of them pointed in one direction.
Lin Yi didn't need the trophy.
He had the moment.
And somehow, that carried further than anything else.
. . .
All-Star Weekend wrapped up, and the guys headed back to New York.
Before leaving Houston, Stephen Curry caught Lin Yi near the team buses. It was his first All-Star appearance, and he clearly wasn't satisfied with how it went.
He pointed at Lin. "Don't lose before we come to New York. I want that streak intact."
Lin raised an eyebrow. "Why, so you can end it yourself?"
Curry nodded, serious. "Exactly. I'll take it down."
Lin laughed. "Stephen, in your own specialty, shooting, you couldn't even outdo our bench guy, Klay Thompson. And now you're talking about beating us as a team?"
Curry stepped forward and lightly kicked at him in frustration. Lin shifted aside without effort.
"Careful," Lin said, grinning. "You'll hurt yourself before you reach New York. I want no problems with Ayesha."
Curry shook his head. "You've been talking a lot lately."
"Just making sure you stay motivated," Lin replied. "You're going to need it."
As Lin walked off, he called back, "Don't forget. We'll be waiting."
Curry stood there for a second, then pulled out his phone. "Yeah… I'm muting him for a while."
. .
Not far away, James Harden was heading out, already dressed for the night.
He glanced at the two of them and shook his head. Good thing Houston and New York had already played their games.
If they were meeting again, it would mean the Finals.
He paused for a second, then shrugged to himself. "Finals can wait. Let's focus on tonight."
. . .
On the 18th and 19th, just before the trade deadline, moves started coming in.
The Indiana Pacers sent Chandler Parsons to the Houston Rockets for a future second-round pick.
Daryl Morey had been tracking Parsons for a while. He believed the fit in Houston would work.
Meanwhile, the Miami Heat added Rasheed Wallace on a minimum deal.
When Lin Yi saw the news, he shook his head. "Miami's building a retirement club at this point."
Klay, standing beside him at practice, looked confused. "Wait… aren't we doing the same thing? Yao Ming, Tracy McGrady…"
Lin reached over and tapped Klay lightly on the head. "Not the same. Yao still matters for us this season. If his body holds up, I'd like him back another year."
He paused, then grinned. "If we win with Tracy, that's just a bonus storyline."
McGrady, standing a few steps away, turned slowly. "A bonus storyline?"
Lin finally looked at him. "Come on, T-Mac, don't tell me you don't like a good narrative."
McGrady walked closer, shaking his head with a smile. "So I'm just here to add drama?"
"High-level drama," Lin corrected. "Very important role."
McGrady folded his arms. "Alright then. When I drop a big game, I expect proper credit."
Lin nodded. "Deal. We'll even let you take the last shot once."
"Once?" McGrady raised an eyebrow.
"Let's not get carried away, gramps," Lin said.
. ..
Yao Ming stepped in, smiling while bouncing a basketball. "You two done negotiating contracts?"
McGrady pointed at Lin. "He started it."
Lin shrugged after making a shot. "I'm just keeping morale high."
Yao laughed. "Keep it like this. It's better than the alternative."
McGrady nodded. "Fair enough."
He looked back at Lin. "Just remember, I'm still capable."
Lin met his gaze, relaxed. "I know. That's why I'm talking to you like this."
For a second, they held eye contact.
Then McGrady smirked. "Alright. I'll make sure you regret it."
Lin grinned. "Looking forward to it."
. .
Across the court, Chris Paul had been listening the whole time.
He shook his head. "Funny how everyone's got something to prove… except the guy who keeps talking the most."
Lin didn't even turn. "Chris, you good?"
Paul nodded. "I'm always good."
Lin nodded. "That's what I like to hear."
Paul picked up a ball, spinning it once. "Just don't forget, I can still take over if I feel like it."
Lin glanced over. "I'd pay to see that."
Paul pointed at him. "Keep joking."
Lin smiled. "Always."
. . .
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