Champion Rules

Chapter 352, Section 348: The Ceiling of Success (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Wei Ping Bryant stood outside John F. Kennedy International Airport, hardly able to believe what he was seeing.

The entire area surrounding the airport was swept up in an orange wave. Crowds embraced and cheered, beer cans clinked together, and arms were raised high like a forest, creating a deafening roar.

As a frontline reporter, his task today is to interview the fans who came to greet him at the airport.

He didn't need to deliberately interview anyone; every New York fan who passed by the camera stopped and enthusiastically shared their stories with the reporter from China.

"You can believe me, we've won four consecutive championships, something Michael Jordan's teams never did, something Kobe and Shaq couldn't do! We are the best team in the world, and we are the happiest fans in the world!"

"You can hardly imagine what we went through in the 90s, failure, failure, failure, endless failure. I bought Knicks season tickets every season, but I was disappointed every season."

I'm not trying to blame Patrick Ewing, but we were always stepping stones for others in the 90s.

Countless times I've asked myself, why do I insist on sticking with a team that seems to have no hope?
This skepticism ended the year after the 2004 NBA draft.

We believe in Lynch, we support Lynch.

Today, we love Lynch!

Hey LeBron! I'm your father!

"Are you a journalist from China? I speak Chinese! Lynch, new bee!"

Wei Ping Bryant also visited Los Angeles in 2008 when the Lakers won the championship, interviewing fans as a frontline reporter.

They're all from the Bryant family, so it's normal for them to go and celebrate.

At that time, the fervor of Los Angeles fans had driven Wei Ping Bryant crazy.

But at this moment, watching strangers embrace each other passionately, watching children climb telephone poles draped in Lynch jerseys, watching figures in Spider-Man costumes leap onto the roofs of police cars, watching some fiercely dedicated female fans boldly lift their shirts to display their exquisite Lynch tattoos...
Wei Ping Bryant suddenly felt that Los Angeles fans were too conservative.

People in Los Angeles might be Kobe fans.

But these New Yorkers were Lynch's followers.

The Knicks' plane arrived at the airport, and the championship team members disembarked one by one.

In the tunnel where even the US president has fallen twice, Lynch made a grand entrance as the finale, showing the media and fans his sixth championship trophy and his Finals MVP award.

He then got into the Rolls-Royce Phantom that symbolized his entry into a new phase of life. His agent, Misco Raznatovic, was already waiting for him in the car, and the driver immediately set off.

However, the attention focused on Lynch has not been diverted.

Fans chased his vehicle away from the airport, while a radio helicopter followed and filmed the scene.

All of this reminded Lynch of his first time in New York, when he hadn't yet entered the draft and wasn't necessarily a Knicks player.

However, the New York media and fans have already idolized him.

New York had high expectations for him, and at the time, Stephen A. Smith said, "I hope Lynch will eventually end his career as a New York champion."

And now, he has already won six championship trophies for this.

He remains the most watched star in all of New York.

On his way home, Lynch passed by the soon-to-be-opened Barclays Center.

Unlike the traditional Madison Square Garden, this world's first indoor stadium, which cost over $10 billion to build, has a rather futuristic appearance with reddish-brown steel exteriors and a curved roof covered in green vegetation.

It's more like an art gallery than an indoor stadium.

Lynch stared intently out the window at the arena, suddenly recalling the words of Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov:
"I'm happy to see the Knicks achieve such great success, but believe me, we will achieve the same success (win a championship) within five years. If we don't, I will never get married in my life."

Lynch knew that the Nets had a huge amount of salary cap space this summer, enough to make them very influential in the free agent market.

Russians are just as crazy about spending money as James Dolan.

This makes Lynch very curious about how he will lead the Nets to a championship within five years.

So he asked his agent, "Is there any news worth sharing about the Nets' signing plans? How do they plan to strengthen their roster this summer?"

Misco Raznatovic shrugged: "My sources say they'll re-sign Brock Lopez, who's already on the team, and are very interested in Paul Pierce from the 76ers."

"Paul Pierce? The only Paul Pierce in NBA history to be involved in on-court sexual misconduct? Seriously? He couldn't succeed with Dwyane Wade, yet the Nets believe he can succeed with Bullock Lopez?" Lynch laughed, but was also very curious. "Is the Nets' general manager still that smart guy, Billy King?"

"Yes, it's him again. What's wrong?"

“Nothing much,” Lynch said, shifting his gaze from the uniquely designed Barclays Center. “It just feels like this new local rival is a lot like an old friend of mine; they’re the toughest people around.”

During the conversation, Lynch finally returned to his undisturbed home.

The door opened, he got out of the car, and the 11-12 season officially came to an end, leaving Lynch behind.

But his career continues.

James Dolan and Sam Presti went to Lynch's house the day after winning the championship; they needed to talk to Lynch about an early contract extension.

This is a matter of life and death for the Knicks.

Lynch's current maximum contract with the Knicks took effect in 2008 and expired in 2013.

Although the probability of Lynch leaving New York is less than 1%—he's not the kind of person who likes to travel around—successful people like Lynch do like to play with different powerful figures, but he's not interested in clinging to different powerful figures.

But James Dolan still wanted their contract to be clearly written down in black and white, completely reducing the probability of him leaving to 0%.

Lynch did indeed agree to extend his contract early, but not for five years, but for one year.

“We’ll see what happens in the next two years and then make a decision. I don’t want to leave New York, but as you know, I’m already a billionaire, and I have a career that most people can only dream of. I can’t, and I don’t want to, completely tie my life to this.”

James Dolan was shocked by Lynch's remarks. Did Lynch mean he was considering retirement?

Are you kidding me?
He is only 26 years old!
Even two years later, he will only be 28 years old!
No 28-year-old superstar would choose to retire at such a prime age!
But then I thought, there has never been a 28-year-old superstar in history as successful as Lynch.

Today, he has long transcended the basketball field itself, becoming one of the most successful and commercially valuable athletes in the sports world.

His NBA contract earnings only account for a small portion of his total income—last year, Lynch earned over $100 million just from the acquisition of Beats.

He has many similar high-quality shares on hand.

This doesn't even include his countless advertising endorsements.

Like Michael Jordan, he remains one of the highest-paid athletes in the world even after leaving the court.

Most 28-year-old players don't have that kind of financial strength.

Secondly, Lynch is an extremely competitive player who loves challenges.

But he has not been defeated by any opponent for four consecutive years.

This season, they even set a record of winning the championship with a perfect record in the playoffs.

Basketball is losing its challenge for him.

He can't possibly keep playing for something like being the all-time leading scorer or for fathers and sons playing together, right?

Lynch's career doesn't need these things to gild it. Only players who don't have enough career achievements but want to be the GOAT need to use these piecemeal so-called "achievements" to make themselves look great.

The key reason why Lin Qi is still determined to play for two more years is to completely overcome that mountain and leave no room for controversy—six consecutive championships also represent two dynasties. Once achieved, there will be no room for even the slightest controversy regarding his status compared to Michael Jordan!
Of course, this is by no means easy, nor is it a certainty. Even with the current strength of the New York Knicks, Lynch's goal is not guaranteed to be achieved.

If Lynch loses halfway through, given his personality, he will definitely keep fighting until he achieves his goal.

For the Knicks, this is the best way to extend Lynch's career.

But James Dolan can't exactly pray that his team loses, can he?
Moreover, given Lynch's current status, any loss in any season would cause his reputation to plummet.

For Lynch, winning is no longer just a goal.

He has to keep winning; he has no way out, which puts immense pressure on him.

It took James Dolan very little time to understand Lynch's decision.

He nodded: "No matter how many years you sign, I will fully support you. What are your plans after two years if you achieve your goals?" Lin Qi hadn't really thought about this question carefully.

In his previous life, as a beast of burden, Lynch's dream was to achieve financial freedom as soon as possible and then go to work for his mother.

Now that he actually has such an opportunity, he is somewhat at a loss.

He thought for a moment, then shrugged: "Maybe, buy an NBA team for fun?"

Immediately afterwards, James Dolan made a surprising statement: "No need to buy it. On the day you retire, I'm willing to give you a portion of the Knicks' equity as a retirement gift."

This time, it was Lynch's turn to be shocked.

As the most profitable team in the league, the Knicks' equity is incredibly valuable; even 1% is worth a fortune.

Most NBA team owners consider equity an inviolable bottom line. Wasn't the fact that number 23 broke with the Bulls owner and was taken over by the Wizards owner for free because of this unattainable right?
That was something he had never obtained in his entire life.

In the end, he spent real money to acquire the Charlotte Bobcats, a small team.

Now, Lynch can not only acquire equity, but also equity in a team like the New York Knicks?

Why would James Dolan, a businessman, be so kind? Would he be so generous for no reason?

Yes, he's a businessman, so he certainly didn't do this out of kindness.

Lynch quickly realized that even if he retired, he would still be the Knicks' biggest asset.

As long as he remains connected to the Knicks, his brand name will continue to generate revenue for the team.

The Bulls craved the lingering glory of MJ but couldn't get it, while the Celtics needed Larry Bird's value but got nothing in return.

James Dolan will not make the same mistake, and will never repeat the same error.

As long as the Knicks continue to be associated with Lynch, his business will thrive. Who wouldn't want to do business with Lynch's owner? That's a golden brand, that's the basketball economy.

Lin Qi smiled; this was a win-win business deal.

“Thank you, James. If it’s true, I would love this gift,” Lynch said, extending his hand.

James Dolan shook hands with him tightly: "That's absolutely true. We can draft the contract in advance. I'm not a short-sighted bastard like Abby Paulin."

A day later, the Knicks officially announced that New York's spiritual icon would continue to serve the team until 2014.

The Knicks' official social media post about the contract extension featured a simple and clear slogan: "For a two-dynasty legacy."

With Lynch re-signing with the Knicks, various transfer rumors in the NBA summer quickly spread.

The Brooklyn Nets have become the biggest "interested team" this summer.

They have been linked with many star players, frequently being associated with names like Stephen Curry and James Harden.

But the first player to be reported to be in a trade deal was Dwight Howard, whose situation had been tumultuous all season.

Woj revealed: "Although the trade market has not yet opened, the Orlando Magic have reached an agreement with the Atlanta Hawks. The Hawks will send Kirk Hinrich, Marvin Williams, and three first-round draft picks from 14, 16, and 18 to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Dwight Howard."

Finally, the deal that had been dragged on for a season and was originally expected to be completed by the trade deadline last season has finally been settled.

After undergoing a major management overhaul, the Hawks have become extremely decisive in their decision-making.

Meanwhile, the Magic originally intended to fight Dwight Howard to the bitter end.

However, their crushing defeat to the Knicks in this year's playoffs led them to decide to completely rebuild, and there was no point in keeping Dwight Howard.

And so, the Hawks got the homegrown star they'd always wanted.
Dwight Howard also joined the championship-contending team he had always dreamed of.

Last season, both the Hawks and Dwight Howard believed they were just one trade away from beating Lynch.

Of course, Chris Paul thought the same way before, but after setting a playoff record of 62 points in a single game, he certainly won't have that thought anymore.

The Knicks' roster is also changing.

At the final stop of the championship parade, during a team speech in Times Square, the three legendary players officially waved goodbye to the fans.

Ray Allen, Shane Battier, and DeShawn Stevenson have all announced the end of their professional careers this summer.

Lynch had anticipated Ray Allen's retirement, and with his outstanding performance in this year's Finals helping the team win the championship, he has no regrets.

Among them, that crucial game-tying three-pointer in G2 is something he could brag about for the rest of his life.

DeShawn Stevenson's contract expires this year, and the Knicks have no plans to renew it. He knows full well that once he leaves New York, the fortress of champions, he will find it difficult to find a new contract in the free agent market, so he might as well leave with dignity as a champion.

The only surprising thing was Shane Battier's retirement.

Lynch received his call only the day before the march.

But he had good reasons:

“You know, I’m not the kind of person who argues over playing time and ends up in a bad mood. But last season, watching Chandler Parsons rise so quickly while I had to sit on the bench for long periods of time, that indescribable sense of frustration has lingered in my mind.”

This has nothing to do with team decisions, and I don't hold any grudge against Chandler. It's just that a player's sense of honor tells me that rather than wasting time on the bench, rather than getting bogged down in frustration, it's better to choose to leave.

But Lynch needs Shane Battier; he needs a locker room booster.

Ultimately, he successfully persuaded Shane Battier to join the coaching team after retiring.

At least that allows him to continue contributing while sitting on the bench.

The Knicks have had three players retire at the same time. Among them, Ray Allen's retirement has undoubtedly weakened the team's immediate competitiveness. He was one of the team's main rotation players last season.

Overall, the Knicks' roster remains solid, and it's highly unlikely that any more players will leave.

Because they no longer have any players who are too old or whose contracts have expired.

However, Wilson Chandler made a surprising statement during a radio appearance the following day:
"I am incredibly proud to have come this far with the Knicks and to have been a part of the legend alongside Lynch. This is one of the most special experiences of my life."

However, I still long for life after leaving New York.

You know, the competition for the championship year after year, the high-pressure work environment year after year, all of these make me feel exhausted.

A few days ago, when we lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy, my first reaction wasn't joy, but rather that I could finally be temporarily relieved.

But the thought that all of this will repeat itself next season fills me with despair.

I want a change of scenery. Really, I have no conflicts with anyone on this team.

I'm just... tired.

If I could, I'd want to be traded.

A championship can cover up many cracks.

The championship often brings with it a number of new problems.

These kinds of issues often go far beyond money, aging, status, or honor.

This is precisely the most difficult part of the road to consecutive championships.

When a quality starting wing who averaged 13 points per game last season announces he wants to be traded, when a guard who saved his team in the Finals announces his retirement.

People can't help but wonder if even a team as strong as the Knicks and a star like Lynch have reached their limit.

The next day, Sports Illustrated featured a cover image of Lynch with his arms outstretched, embracing six championship trophies.

Main title on the cover: "MOAT!"

There is also a subheading below:

Have we reached the ultimate ceiling for success in modern basketball?

(End of this chapter)