Champion Rules

Chapter 345, Section 341: This is the answer! He is the answer! (Seeking monthly votes!)
The Knicks swept the series 4-0 three times to reach the NBA Finals.

They have no rivals in the East.

This proved Charles Barkley's prediction at the beginning of the season: this New York Knicks team may be stronger than the 09 and 10 Knicks.

They not only set a series of records in the regular season, but also maintained a devastating offensive in the playoffs.

With the Oklahoma City Thunder upset the San Antonio Spurs, the NBA Finals matchups have been officially confirmed.

The Knicks and Thunder will face off in the NBA Finals for the second consecutive year.

At this moment, an unprecedented expectation is spreading across the globe. Fox Sports columnist Rick Butch's article perfectly captures this sentiment:

"Listen, I know this may sound a little crazy, but the New York Knicks are really getting closer and closer to an unprecedented feat—winning the championship with a perfect playoff record."

The Oklahoma City Thunder are a tough opponent; they battled the Knicks for six games last season.

They're not the kind of team that just comes to the Finals to make a brief appearance; they're here to compete for the championship.

But this (a perfect playoff record) is not entirely impossible; the New York Knicks have already created too many impossibilities this season.

Given that, why can't we expect them to create another miracle?

Considering that Lynch's opponent is LeBron James, this seems to increase the possibility a little more.

Even if you don't trust Lynch, you still have to trust LeBron, right?

This anticipation brought fans an unprecedented sense of excitement.

Everyone knows that the chance of making history is extremely slim, but this glimmer of hope is by no means an illusion.

It's like scratching a lottery ticket. Although 99.99999% of the time the outcome is disappointment, that 0.00001% spark of hope is precisely the most suffocating and fatal temptation.

Thus, a multitude of expectations converged on the eve of this grand final.

Witnessing Lynch climb to the summit that even Michael Jordan never reached, witnessing the Knicks create the miracle of the OK combination in 2001, which they were just one game away from achieving.
Under Lynch's unparalleled influence, the New York Knicks' approval ratings soared. Public opinion had already placed them in the position of rightful winners, discussing the history they might create.

The overwhelming roar and expectations solidified Kyrie Irving's belief: the championship should have been ours, as undisputed as the earth being flat.

The fans tossed and turned, unable to sleep. The ticking of time was like the approaching clatter of high heels, making them itch with anticipation.

Finally, on May 31, 2012, Game 1 of the NBA Finals began in New York.

As Stephen Curry stood at the exit of the player tunnel, looking at the opposing team on the other half who were being hailed as gods, he whistled, then turned to look at his teammates:
"Hey guys, we're about to face what might be the most unforgettable opponent of your careers. But don't have any doubts, we're here to win the championship!"
1, 2, 3!

"It's all up to me!"

Inspired by Stephen Curry, the Thunder's roar echoed through the narrow tunnel. The entire Thunder team then filed out of the player tunnel.

The Thunder's spirit has far exceeded everyone's expectations.

The pre-game media hype did not put any psychological pressure on the Thunder; on the contrary, it ignited their fighting spirit.

The moment they stepped into this basketball mecca, they felt no fear, only a surge of energy coursing through their bodies.

Who doesn't yearn for a legendary underdog story of rising from the ashes?
If we can defeat this idol that is revered all over the world, wouldn't that be the most exhilarating way to prove ourselves?
Such narratives are an enduring script in the world of competitive sports.

What's the strongest in history? What's the MOAT?

In competitive sports, victory always favors the fighter who stands the longest, not the one with the most prestigious title.

Beyond that, this game had an even greater significance for them – it concerned whether they could play together again next season.

Stephen Curry, James Harden, and LeBron James all face contract renewal issues this summer.

This problem has plagued the Thunder all season. Team owner Clayton Bennett has made it clear that of these three players, at most only two can get max contract extensions.

In other words, one person is destined to leave Oklahoma City this summer.

Because all three players are worth maximum salaries in the market, they could get better pay from any team they join. Therefore, it's impossible for them to accept a pay cut.

The Thunder's decision to dismantle themselves is as baffling as Xibei's frantic self-sabotage after the pre-prepared food controversy.

People have studied the Thirty-Six Stratagems so many times that they still don't know which tactic this is.

The Thunder are clearly very strong, so why do they have to weaken themselves? That's incredibly foolish.

In fact, Thunder owner Clayton Bennett is not stupid.

He certainly knows the importance of maintaining the current roster.

But the Oklahoma City Thunder is just a small team. Even with LBJ and the Thunder's "Big Three," the team's revenue is nowhere near that of teams like the Knicks and Lakers.

They can't afford that many top-salary contracts.

The trick he used was called—being poor.

The Thunder can't afford that much money, especially in this era of a super luxury tax.

Moreover, you can't expect everyone to be as adept at being manipulated as Dwyane Wade, nor can you expect everyone to sign a child labor contract like Scottie Pippen, a friend of capital.

Anyway, as things stand, LBJ, Harden, and Curry are not that kind of fools.

They understand their own value, and he would never choose to take a pay cut just to stay in Oklahoma City.

However, things are not entirely hopeless.

Jerry West had previously tried his best to convince Clayton Bennett that once the team won a championship and established a dynasty, all financial issues would cease to be problems, and the team would not necessarily have to break up its roster.

If the Thunder can maintain their current roster, they have a real chance to create a dynasty.

Clayton Bennett responded, "Then prove this team can win the championship, Jerry. Don't just say 'maybe.' If we actually win the championship, I'll consider spending more money. But before that, you have to show me real results."

Therefore, this is the Thunder's own "last dance".

A team that was destined to fall apart if it couldn't win the championship stood on the final stage.

You can imagine how high their morale was; the world's contempt and their determination to fight to the last man were intertwined, giving them boundless energy.

As usual, Lynch crossed half-court to greet the young Thunder players.

Their perspective is completely different from last year.

At this time last year, their eyes revealed a clear folly.

Today, their eyes have been tempered with a masculine determination.

Stephen Curry even mimicked Lynch's humiliation of LeBron James last season, making a gun gesture with his hand and aiming it at Lynch's head.

"Bang! Watch out for Lynch, the game might be decided by just one shot!"

Lin Qi smiled and shook his head, finding it hard to believe that his junior classmate, Wa, had become so tough.

Kevin Durant pulled his hood down low. This seemingly unserious, yet secretly paying for a 9-year-old girl's brain tumor surgery, beast-faced, human-spirited king deliberately kept his distance from Lynch this time, merely nodding slightly to him as a greeting.

James Harden was no longer in a drunken state. After hugging Lynch, he glanced at his childhood friend and said, "Tell Demar that he'd better not face me tonight."

As with all previous games, LeBron James did not greet Lynch.

But he looked at number 20 from afar, his fists clenched.

His career now has only one goal: to break free from that damn shadow and defeat that bastard.

These guys were eyeing Lynch's dominance covetously, but Lynch's gaze remained unwavering as he met their sharp eyes one by one.

If his previous three-peat was Lynch announcing to all active players that he was the best, then...

From this moment forward, Lin Qi is going to tell the world: I am the world, and if I don't give it to you, you can't take it even if you try.

"It's a pleasure to see you all here. I know the public opinion is against you, but don't worry." Lin Qi maintained a half-smile throughout, spreading his palm as if gently stroking an invisible scepter.

"You guys are still so young. After I retire, you'll definitely win a few championships."

Half an hour later, the first whistle of the final broke the clamor of Madison Square Garden.

The New York Knicks followed last season's strategy, removing DeAndre Jordan and moving Lynch directly to the center position to play a small lineup.

The difference is that this year, instead of Shane Battier, Chandler Parsons has taken over the power forward position.

Mike Breen was amazed by the Knicks' bold player selection: "The defending champions have two rookies in their starting lineup! My God, this is the Finals!"

It must be said that this is indeed a completely new era.

All four teams that reached the conference finals this season have dropped the center from their starting lineups.

The Knicks' first offensive possession saw the classic matchup between LeBron James and Lynch unfold as expected.

But Lynch didn't receive the ball; it remained in Kyrie Irving's hands—he chose to take on the Thunder's defensive spearhead, "Swiss Army Knife" Thabo Sefolosha one-on-one.

Irving unleashed two explosive crossovers on the spot, then pushed off the ground and sprang into the air!

His first step was quick, instantly covering half a body length of space.

But the Swiss Army knife remained by Irving's side the entire time, giving him no room to make a move.

Kyrie Irving's physical strength is also insufficient for him to hold off his opponents.

After penetrating the paint, Kyrie Irving still couldn't shake off the defense.

So he suddenly gathered the ball, twisted his body and stood up, flipping over and leaning back to face the defense.

Thabo Sefolosha leaped at the perfect moment, completely covering Irving; the defense couldn't be more perfect.

But the ball still swished through the net, and Kyrie Irving scored a very difficult one-on-one shot right at the start of the game!

The number one draft pick was very confident. He glanced smugly at his teammate Jimmy Butler on the bench, spread his hands, and said, "Finals-level defense is nothing special."

Kyrie Irving doesn't think the Finals are difficult; he thought so before the games started, and he thinks so now.

However, the iron fist of the finals soon struck this young and arrogant top draft pick.

As LeBron James dribbled the ball against Chandler Parsons, the stands at Madison Square Garden immediately erupted with the signature chant of number 23: "Fuck LeBron! Fuck LeBron! Fuck LeBron!"

New York truly lives up to its reputation as a model city for civility; it is incredibly hospitable.

Lynch, positioned inside, was already in position, his hawk-like eyes fixed on LeBron James' every move, ready to help defend at any moment.

Chandler Parsons gave LeBron James some space, showing no fear because he believed Lynch would protect him from behind.

And if LeBron James chooses to shoot, Chandler Parsons, with his size, is fully capable of interfering.

LeBron James didn't choose any of the predetermined offensive paths; he waved his hand and called for a pick and roll.

“This is suicidal,” Jeff Van Gundy said, his brow furrowed. “Lynch already shut down CP3’s pick-and-roll offense in the last round. Does the Thunder think LeBron would be even more effective in pick-and-rolls?”

However, it wasn't Serge Ibaka who stepped up to set a screen for LBJ, but rather Stephen Curry, the smallest player on the Thunder roster.

LeBron James immediately started his run, and although Stephen Curry's screen wasn't particularly thick, it still slowed down Chandler Parsons' pursuit.

That tiny gap was enough for LeBron James to drive to the basket.

Therefore, Kyrie Irving had to switch on defense. He knew that if LeBron James was allowed to sprint at full speed with ease, even Lynch would have a hard time dealing with him.

However, Kyrie Irving's switch on defense did not change the outcome. LeBron James shoved Kyrie Irving aside with his shoulder, and Kyrie felt as if he had been in a serious car accident, being instantly thrown back.

After easily pushing past Kyrie Irving who switched onto his defense, LeBron James pulled up for a mid-range jumper and the ball went in!
Kyrie Irving clutched his chest, looking utterly helpless.

But this did not affect his mood, because this misalignment could not last forever.

But the Thunder's second offensive possession resulted in another mismatch.

This time, Kevin Durant will handle the ball and run a pick-and-roll with Stephen Curry.

Wilson Chandler immediately shouted, "Don't switch! I'll go after him!"

Now a seasoned veteran, Chandler understands that the Thunder's pick-and-roll is designed to find mismatches.

If Kyrie Irving switches to guard Kevin Durant, that would play right into the Thunder's hands.

Kyrie Irving heeded his teammates' advice and did not switch on defense.

But Kevin Durant took advantage of the gap created by the pick-and-roll, pulled up for a long two-pointer.

The Oklahoma City Thunder started the season with a stunning 4-2 lead.

They are using a completely new strategy in the game, and they have brought out a completely new basketball philosophy.

Their pick-and-rolls no longer require the involvement of the interior players; instead, they directly target the weakest link in the opponent's defense!

Yes, Stephen Curry's pick-and-roll quality is definitely not as good as Serge Ibaka's.

But modern ball handlers have reached a level of firepower that allows them to hit jump shots even through the slightest gap.

The No HandCheck rule makes it easier for the ball handler to get under control after a pick-and-roll – in the 90s, defenders could get their hands on the ball the instant the pick-and-roll was set, preventing the opponent from shooting or accelerating at full speed.

The Thunder's exceptional spacing ensures that the ball handler after a pick-and-roll is no longer facing a jungle of muscles crammed near the paint.

Thus, the revolutionary "outside pick-and-roll" tactic shone brightly on the Finals stage.

In fact, the Knicks also like to use this strategy, especially when the opponent has a dominant center.

Lynch's 4-5 pick-and-roll is essentially a very modern pick-and-roll tactic that has cost countless traditional centers their jobs.

But the Thunder's pick-and-roll is even more extreme; they don't deliberately look for the center or the inside players to set screens.

With this Thunder team's spacing, speed, and ball-handling threat, they can find mismatches in any position at will.

If I want to hit you, I definitely will.

This is the ultimate form of modern basketball.

Unfortunately, Kyrie Irving was the one specifically targeted tonight.

Kyrie Irving looked helpless as he watched KD score.

He knew that all of this was directed at him, but he was powerless to stop it.

This proud and arrogant top scorer finally experienced the taste of the iron fist in the finals—cold, heavy, and unavoidable.

He finally understood that Lynch's guy wasn't exaggerating: "Kerry, nothing is taken for granted."

The Thunder will not hand over the victory easily; this is destined to be a brutal competition.

The game continued, and Lynch finally got the ball and attacked.

The Knicks coaching staff did consider letting Lynch play one-on-one indefinitely, but Lynch's offensive environment was completely different from KD and LBJ's.

In this possession, when Lynch called for a pick-and-roll with DeMar DeRozan to target Stephen Curry, the Thunder opted for a double-team.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry both rushed towards Lynch, temporarily leaving DeMar DeRozan open.

The same thing would never happen with KD and LBJ, because no one would choose to leave Stephen Curry open.

After failing to call out the ball, Lynch passed it to DeRozan, who was cutting in.

But Serge Ibaka quickly returned to the paint, and under his strong rim protection, DeRozan's layup unfortunately missed the rim.

The Thunder certainly knew that double-teaming Lynch would create opportunities for the rest of the Knicks, and DeMar DeRozan was unlikely to miss every chance.

However, they firmly believe that the Knicks' other players are not as reliable as the Thunder's point guards.

The goal of defense in basketball is never to prevent the opponent from scoring a single basket.

It's enough to make the opponent's attack efficiency lower than your own.

For the third consecutive possession, the Thunder launched a pick-and-roll strategy.

Kevin Durant waved again, calling out Kyrie Irving's name.

"Damn it!" Kyrie Irving cursed through gritted teeth. Under the spotlight of the Finals, he had become the team's weak link!

Irving immediately switched onto the defense, and in order to prevent KD from shooting, he delivered a chop shot the instant he switched onto the defense, ready to steal the ball.

But his palm slashed hard at the back of KD's hand, and the referee blew the whistle. Although KD didn't score directly, the Thunder's strategy still worked.

They don't necessarily need to score against Irving; they just need to wear him down, get him into foul trouble, and prevent him from supporting Lynch. That would be enough to achieve their goal.

After being called for a foul, Kyrie Irving exploded like a powder keg, rushing to the referee and spreading his hands: "Bullshit! That was normal physical contact!"

God knows when Kyrie Irving caught LeBron James's "shrug disease".

The referee waved him away expressionlessly: "Go back to the court, Kyrie. I don't want to give you a technical foul."

"Damn it, fuck it!" Carey Irving's chest heaved violently, the flames of resentment almost consuming his reason—

But a strong, large hand had already clamped down on his restless head.

Lynch's voice was as calm as a frozen lake: "Kerry, learn to overcome your challenges instead of venting your anger by throwing tantrums. That's immature behavior."

Irving gritted his teeth, but ultimately did not refute.

Sure enough, he listened to Lin Qi more easily than being lectured; a real match made him listen to what he had to say.

The ball was inbounded, and Stephen Curry, like a fox, shook off his defender, caught the ball, and unleashed a lightning-fast shot—

Swish!
A three-pointer swirls through the net! The Oklahoma City Thunder take a commanding 7-2 lead!

At this point, the Thunder's performance has proven themselves.

They told the world that they weren't there to be a backdrop for the Knicks.

They told the world that all the expectations for the Knicks were likely to be dashed.

Stephen Curry, as usual, pointed to the sky in celebration, then yelled at Lynch:

"We probably won't even need to wait for you to retire to win the championship!"

What a formidable group of challengers!

But Lynch did not respond. The Knicks certainly had a strategy to kill the game, but this strategy was meant to be used when Lynch was in charge of the game.

Lynch has never liked being a ball-handling playmaker, and he doesn't like having the ball in his hands for 48 minutes, as that feels too draining for his teammates.

But tonight, he had to handle the ball a lot.

The Knicks were on offense, and Lynch called for a pick-and-roll, but his "target" was quite unusual. He wanted to call out Serge Ibaka, who was known for his strong defense.

This completely defeats the purpose of the "point-out" tactic, because the point-out tactic is simply to let the star player target the opponent's weakest link, choosing the easiest person to beat.

It's like this: no one would deliberately choose an ugly music teacher for a business singing session; that would be pointless.

Nobody knew what Lynch was up to. The Thunder were just sticking to their previous defensive strategy, double-teaming whenever they saw a pick-and-roll.

Serge Ibaka and LeBron James both double-teamed Lynch, but even under the tight double-team, Lynch still managed to pass the ball to Chandler Parsons with a relaxed, or rather, casual, one-handed bounce, as if he had just tossed the ball to the ground.

Kevin Durant immediately tried to protect the rim, but Chandler Parsons made a tough shot after the challenge!

Lynch's strategy was quite clear: completely shut down the inside game.

His targeted strategy drew the two best rim protectors in the Thunder's starting lineup to his side, giving others better opportunities to cut to the basket and opening up a deadly corridor for his teammates to charge freely!

The difficulty of this style of play lies in the fact that it poses a great challenge to Lynch's passing ability - any player facing the fierce double-team of a rugged forward like Serge Ibaka and LeBron James would find it difficult to guarantee a high-quality pass.

But this was not a problem for Lynch, who came from the European system and had been an excellent passer for many years.

Just now, for example, it was just another spontaneous artistic creation.

The Knicks have closed the gap to 4-7.

In his next defensive play, Lynch did not continue to huddle behind the rim.

He lunged forward the instant Kevin Durant called out to Irving, joining forces with Irving to double-team him.

Kevin Durant immediately passed the ball to Serge Ibaka, but Chandler Parsons had already been substituted in.

Ibaka lowered his shoulder and exerted force, ruthlessly crushing past rookie Parsons, whose physical strength was not yet strong enough, and went straight into the heart of the Knicks' paint.

While Chandler Parsons couldn't stop this passionate player with his signature swing, his rotations at least slowed down his drives to the basket.

So, when Serge Ibaka leaned on Parsons and forcefully jumped to tip the ball, the New York team's master had already returned to the basket.

"boom!--"

The King of New York's massive hand, like a steel gate, slapped away Ibaka's determined attack!

"Lynch! A devastating chase-down block from a four-time DPOY!" Mike Breen's roar from the commentary booth and the frenzied cheers from Madison Square Garden exploded simultaneously. "We've seen him display terrifying defensive range more than once. All his teammates need to do is rotate into position to delay him and buy him some time, and his defense can cover the entire half of the court!"

Lynch's mobility on the defensive end made the Thunder's pick-and-roll tactics less effective.

Lin Qi, having completed his ban, did not stop. He grabbed the out-of-control basketball and dribbled it across the half-court at lightning speed.

As he walked, his eyes swept across the court like lightning, and he decisively pointed with his left hand—telling Parsons to bring Serge Ibaka over!

Who isn't a passionate person from Real Madrid, armed with a baton?

Lynch's baton even has official Victoria's Secret certification, making it even more authoritative!

I'll target your toughest guy!
Pick and roll, double team. Everything proceeded as planned.

This time, it was DeMar DeRozan who drove to the basket.

After receiving a pass from Lynch, he slammed it home with a windmill dunk, adding fuel to the fire at Madison Square Garden!

On the sidelines, Thunder head coach Scott Brooks' expression changed drastically.

If they continue playing like this, the Knicks will quickly build an advantage.

The Knicks' off-ball movement is outstanding; all the starters have excellent awareness of cutting to the basket and have great chemistry with Lynch.

Scott Brooks quickly roared from the sidelines, frantically gesturing with his hands to give the new instructions:
Switch! Switch immediately when there's a pick-and-roll! Even if it means Lynch is one-on-one against Ibaka, we need to allow LBJ to get out and protect the rim. We absolutely cannot leave our paint wide open again!

No matter how much Lynch singles out Serge Ibaka, he's only pointing at the Thunder's strongest shield.

This is completely different from KD specifically mentioning Irving.

Unfortunately, KD's attempt to target Irving this time failed, as his mid-range jump shot bounced off the rim.

It was Lynch's turn to shine again, and he pointed at Chandler Parsons once more, instructing him to "escort" Serge Ibaka forward.

Tonight, he's determined to test the toughness of the Thunder's most resilient shield!
As expected, LBJ did not double-team again, and Ibaka switched to defend Lynch directly, his long arms like a tightening net.

Lynch calmly controlled the ball, staring at his junior from Real Madrid: "Sergi, it's a pity to face you in this way."

Facing his idol, Ibaka's fighting spirit burned even brighter. He clapped his hands excitedly and shouted, "Damn Lynch! You called the wrong person!"

Lynch executed a series of rapid between-the-legs crossovers, the "thump-thump" of the ball hitting the floor perfectly matching the beat of Serge Ibaka's heartbeat.

Ibaka instinctively judged this as a breakthrough signal, his muscles tensed slightly, and he took a half-step back, poised to strike.

But Lynch is like an anti-materiel weapon equipped with an eight-times magnification scope; he can see every single flaw you make.

Just as Serge Ibaka retreated, Lynch's rapid dribbling suddenly froze, and he leaped into the air, unleashing a pull-up three-pointer that pierced the air! The basketball swished through the net, and the Knicks took the lead!

After scoring, Lynch patted Ibaka's tense shoulder lightly: "That was a perfect call-out, buddy!"

Even against the Thunder's toughest defense, Lynch still managed to be efficient in one-on-one situations!
He's not afraid to go head-to-head with the Thunder at all!

In the following rounds, both sides engaged in a brutal point-and-click exchange.

Kevin Durant repeatedly forced Irving out of the line to suffer.

Lynch repeatedly humiliated Serge Ibaka.

Furthermore, the two players have very similar playing styles.

They all seemed to be guards who were 208 cm tall.

Of course, Lynch's performance was even more exaggerated.

The defensive pressure Serge Ibaka put on Lynch is completely different from the defensive pressure Kyrie Irving put on KD.

Despite the intense pressure, Lynch maintained an offensive efficiency comparable to KD's ability to exploit weaknesses!

It seems that Lin Qi doesn't need to specifically target the weak; as long as it's a one-on-one opportunity, no matter who is in front of him, they are destined to be ruthlessly harvested!

With seven minutes left in the first quarter, Mike Breen was filled with emotion after Lynch once again defeated Serge Ibaka with a drifting shot after a breakthrough.

"Yes, many people don't like the current rules of the game, and many people are nostalgic for the brutal aesthetics of the MJ era, with its muscle collisions and fierce battles."

We also know that this style of play is a product of its time. If we go back to the HandCheck era, such crazy three-point shooting and pick-and-roll tactics would indeed be difficult to run rampant.

However, this has already happened, and whether you embrace it or resist it, the wheels of time will always move forward.

The era of brutal, bloody battles in the paint is truly over, sealed into history. The firepower woven from point guard isolation plays and outside shooting is defining a new era of glory!

But remember: rules may change, tactics may evolve, but one thing remains constant—

The brilliance of a superstar never fades!

Lynch once defeated the impenetrable defenses of the Detroit Pistons and San Antonio Spurs during the Dark Ages of defense. Now, he will solidify his position in this new era of small-ball against the Oklahoma City Thunder, whose roster and tactics are the most revolutionary!
Look at him! Look at Lynch's every step, every shot—

That's the answer! He is the answer!
In any era, under any rules, and against any opponent, he could leave the same awe-inspiring mark of dominance!

Mike Brin's commentary perfectly captures Lynch's dominance; he is a true superstar who spans two eras.

This is also where the Thunder feel most desperate at this moment.

They had maximized their advantages, but Lynch steadily kept the Knicks on the leading path.

Kevin Durant was unwilling to accept defeat; he couldn't believe that he couldn't outplay Lynch, who was facing Serge Ibaka, on offense against Kyrie Irving.

The game continued, and Kevin Durant once again called for the last vestige of glory for American centers, Stephen Curry, to set a screen for him.

Curry made a screen and immediately ran away, forcing Wilson Chandler to chase after him and prevent him from easily receiving the ball and shooting, fearing that he might leave the deadly shooter no space at all.

And so, before the Finals, the proud, arrogant, and self-important number one draft pick, Kyrie Irving, was once again chosen by construction tycoon Boss Du, much like a music teacher who had no choice in the matter.

Whether he likes it or not, he has to stay with them tonight.

"Damn it." Carey Irving gasped for breath, his chest heaving, sweat rolling down his taut jaw.

He has only scored 4 points so far tonight, and he has missed both of his three-point attempts.

The immense strain on his defense drained his offensive energy, and his limited physique prevented him from achieving an equivalent defensive effect from this drain.

Kyrie Irving was simply on both offense and defense tonight.

But has Kyrie Irving become despondent?

No.

He was the number one draft pick, and he was an indispensable cog in the grand "Manhattan Project".

Most importantly, he absolutely cannot, absolutely cannot, let that bastard Jimmy Butler laugh at him!

Humiliation and fighting spirit surged in his veins, and Kyrie Irving's defensive attitude was extremely aggressive.

He pressed himself against KD's long, stick-worm-like body, using every muscle fiber in his body to fight him to the death.

He bent his knee and thrust in, his legs tightly entwining Durant's lower body like iron chains!

Kevin Durant lowered his shoulder and used his back to forcefully create space, then adopted a textbook triple threat starting position before pulling up for a jump shot.

"Snapped--!"

KD jumped into the air, but did not make a shooting motion, because Kyrie Irving simply stole the basketball from KD's hands!
His unwavering will prevented him from giving up, and ultimately allowed him to complete a defensive play against KD!
He refused to become a damn background figure on this highly anticipated final night!
After making the steal, Kyrie Irving pumped his fist and roared, "Go drink my bathwater, you bastard!"

Beside the scorer's table, Jimmy Butler, preparing to step in for a dead ball, let out a barely audible hum. He raised his hands, the applause barely perceptible in the noisy arena, yet it represented his sincere approval.

"Well done, top student."

"Damn it!" On the court, the angry curses never disappeared, but now they moved from Kyrie Irving's lips to Kevin Durant's teeth.

His call-out went wrong again, and the Thunder were already down by 5 points.

What about Lynch? How will his singles performance be?
Kyrie Irving passed the ball to Lynch and then ran forward.

Lynch believes that Kyrie Irving has changed.

He has shown enough respect for the finals.

Lynch doesn't need to worry about him underperforming in the Finals.

Now, he is a true fighter.

At the same time, a chill that seemed to originate from the very marrow of Serge Ibaka climbed and froze along his spine.

He knew all too well that the spotlight that belonged solely to him, the "Lynch Shooting Range," would once again cruelly fall upon his head.

He plays the target on this dazzling stage.

With the target in place, Lynch, who had already scored 15 points, recalibrated his aim, raised his gun, and prepared to make a brilliant kill in full view of everyone.

Serge Ibaka has abandoned any verbal exchanges, squeezing every last bit of energy into his heavy breathing and tense muscles.

At this moment, defense is his whole world.

LeBron James couldn't stand it anymore and decided they had to double-team. Lynch's isolation plays were unstoppable; even limiting him was difficult.

We can't let him do whatever he wants anymore.

This time, Lynch didn't make any fancy moves. He started moving directly, carrying Serge Ibaka straight into the penalty area.

This time, however, LeBron James broke free from Chandler Parsons and provided timely help defense, forming an iron wall that instantly shut down all of Lynch's access to the paint!
A clear and safe passing lane suddenly opened up amidst the chaos—Chandler Parsons in the corner was bathed in the light of open space.

Lynch can pass the ball out at any time.

But Lynch didn't do that; he knew that Chandler Parsons hadn't touched a ball in a very, very long time.

He was indeed in an empty seat, but his hands were already cold.

This is why Lynch doesn't like the ball-dominant style of play. This style allows the ball-handler to have impressive stats, but it makes it difficult for the team to integrate into the game.

Passing the ball to a teammate at this point would certainly be a "reasonable" move, but Lynch knew he couldn't do that; he couldn't pass the responsibility to a teammate with a cold shooting touch.

You can't simply interpret "cowardice" as high basketball IQ.

So, faced with a double team, Lynch neither passed the ball nor forced his way through—no one in the league could prove that he could force his way through the combined block of LBJ and Serge Ibaka.

He stopped abruptly, took a step back to the free-throw line, and then leaned back!

Serge Ibaka and LeBron James reacted with lightning speed, both lunging to block. A massive hand, like a shadow, swept down with devastating force!

But Lynch's fadeaway still created space for him, and so, this beautiful step-back fadeaway jump shot went in smoothly amidst the double-team!
Lynch scored 17 points in a single quarter, giving the New York Knicks a 7-point lead, forcing the Thunder to call a timeout!
With the Thunder's unwavering determination to overthrow the old dynasty, and with young players challenging the established order with greater pride and unprecedented tactical approaches—

With his undeniably strong performance, Lynch firmly held onto the lead on Madison Square Garden, his own domain, once again proclaiming to the world that his reign was unshakeable!
As the players from both teams headed to their benches, Lynch and Stephen Curry passed each other.

At this moment, that unstoppable momentum had quietly subsided somewhat.

But Lin Qi's domineering aura did not weaken in the slightest.

Sweat soaked through his jersey, his strong shoulders rose and fell slightly with each deep breath, but his expression remained as calm and undisturbed as a rock.

“Hey, Stephen.” A deep voice sounded.
Curry stopped and turned to look at the terrifying shadow.

"I said, we'll talk about the championship after I retire."

If you really can't wait, maybe you should go and win a few dunk contest titles first?

He reiterated his statement with absolute certainty.

(One update today, because I combined two 10,000-word chapters into one.)
(End of this chapter)