Chapter 18: The Bulls’ Terrifying Dominance Begins to Emerge in the League!

Even though it was only the preseason, and despite Jordan, Pippen, and Rodman each averaging less than 22 minutes per game, the Bulls still went undefeated in all six preseason games!

Not only did they win every game, but in each of these six matches, the Bulls secured victories with a margin of at least 13 points! Their dominance was already on full display in the preseason!

The officially returned Jordan played with the merciless, Terminator-like command of a T-800. In just 21 minutes per game, he averaged 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, shooting an astonishing 69% from the field!

What’s even more remarkable is that last season, the league shortened the three-point line by 52 centimeters, which notably boosted many long-range shooters.

Jordan, who had never been fond of three-pointers, adapted terrifyingly well to this change. Over six preseason games, he shot an impressive 44% from beyond the arc. Aside from a brief 17-game return last season, this percentage was at least 10 points higher than any three-point shooting rate in his career!

The new season’s Jordan was destined to be even more fearsome.

A dormant beast had been awakened.

At this moment, many in the league undoubtedly wished they could sink Nick Anderson of the Magic into the Mariana Trench or launch him to Mars.

It was this fool who, in the dying moments of the first game of last season's Eastern Conference semifinals, stole the ball from Jordan, helping his team seal the win. Then, arrogantly, he declared: “Jordan is back, but the No. 45 Jordan will never fly again. He’s no longer ‘Air Jordan,’ just Jordan. The No. 23 ‘Black Jesus’ is gone forever!”

No one knew how deeply those words stung Jordan.

But Jordan trained relentlessly over the off-season, returning to the new season at full strength. Anderson would bear full responsibility for that.

Beyond Jordan’s effortless demonstration of his peak form, Lin Tian gradually claimed the role of the team’s second point guard during these six preseason games. Cole, who excelled at off-ball shooting, was pushed to shooting guard, becoming Jordan’s primary backup.

During these six games, Lin Tian averaged only 14 minutes per game but contributed 11.5 points, 3.3 assists, and 1.3 rebounds. Though the stats weren’t flashy, his timing on fast breaks and repeated smart passes had already won the hearts of all Chicago!

This young, handsome, endlessly creative talent had unquestionably become the new darling of Chicago.

However, in an era before the internet had fully matured, and with live broadcasts and TV coverage still underdeveloped, most people in the league hadn’t yet taken notice of Lin Tian, nor understood his style or position.

Most fans couldn’t even find highlights to watch; they merely glanced at the stats and figured the Bulls had a decent new rookie.

Of course, it was just the preseason. Lin Tian still needed the rigors of the regular season to truly secure his place on the team.

He hadn’t forgotten either—the system had given him a task: to play over 20 minutes in at least ten consecutive games this season.

That was his first regular-season goal.

After the preseason concluded, teams around the league took three days off, then the regular season officially began!

The Bulls’ first game was a home match against the Miami Heat.

This season, the Heat welcomed a new leader: “The Architect” Pat Riley. Under Riley’s guidance, the Heat had quickly gotten back on track.

Even before the season started, they traded for All-Star center Alonzo Mourning from the Hornets, elevating the Heat to a playoff-worthy team.

Before the opener, Bulls head coach Phil Jackson didn’t utter a word—not even a motivational speech. Instead, he gathered everyone in front of the TV and turned it on.

On the screen, the Houston Rockets—led by “The Dream” Hakeem Olajuwon and “The Glide” Clyde Drexler—were celebrating their championship ring ceremony amidst the roaring cheers of 20,000 fans at the Toyota Center.

The Rockets’ championship award ceremony.

Less than five minutes into the event, before Olajuwon even began to speak, Jordan yanked the TV plug out, shutting it off.

Without a word, this tyrant strode out of the locker room.

With fury blazing in his eyes and a raging fire burning within, Jordan’s anger was palpable. The rest of the Bulls needed no encouragement from Jackson.

Each of them carried a fierce determination inside.

This year, the championship was theirs to claim.

With this unstoppable, fearless spirit—killing gods or buddhas alike—the Bulls were destined to hand the Heat their first defeat of the new season tonight.

From the tip-off, Jordan drove straight to the paint and unleashed a thunderous dunk over the league’s block leader and Defensive Player of the Year, Mourning.

After the dunk, Jordan let out a beastly roar.

The entire United Center erupted into wild cheers and chants:

He’s back!

Our king is back!

Lin Tian, still serving his team suspension on the bench, played his role perfectly as the team’s cheerleader and water boy, waving towels and shouting excitedly, celebrating Jordan’s dunk that was sure to make the season’s top ten plays.

In the end, Riley’s Heat posed no real threat to the Bulls, losing decisively, 72 to 90, in the season opener.

Jordan exploded for 42 points, 6 rebounds, and 7 assists, leaving the Heat’s stars humbled and fleeing.

Besides Jordan, Lin Tian's bench performance was outstanding: 33 towel waves, 11 enthusiastic claps, and 12 jumps of celebration—a triple-double in spirit that led the Bulls’ bench as the top energizer.

In the next two games, the Bulls cruised to easy wins. Though Lin Tian didn’t play, his presence on the bench pleased Jackson immensely.

No coach likes a silent, idle player on the bench. Lin Tian, who could energize the entire team and ignite the bench, was invaluable—even if he were to break a leg or suffer a fracture, he could still sit on the bench and keep the vibe alive!

Who doesn’t love a great morale booster?