Champion Rules

Chapter 367 (363): This is how he repaid us (Seeking monthly votes!)

No one can predict the game six months from now.

But fans are already looking forward to a possible match six months from now.

Lynch is the most individually talented player in the world.

The Spurs: a monument to teamwork in the entire history of basketball.

If the Spurs and Knicks do meet in the Finals, it will be a clash of two extremes.

People believe this will definitely be a thrilling final.

Of course, other teams will continue to compete for a spot in the Finals.

This is the matchup that fans are most looking forward to, but it may not be the final showdown.

According to the "agreement," the right to take the crucial shot and decide who takes the crucial shot has returned to Lynch's hands.

If possible, Lynch doesn't want any game to go to a do-or-die moment.

But if such a moment truly arrives, Professor L is always prepared to provide the standard answer.

Kyrie Irving wasn't upset about having his privileges taken away; he's the kind of person who can take a gamble and accept defeat, and he'll keep his promises.

On the contrary, after this game, Kyrie Irving's desire for victory became even more intense.

The day after the game, Lynch arrived at the locker room of the Greenburg training center and saw Kyrie Irving in the locker next to him sticking something on the inside of the locker door.

Lynch peeked out and saw that it was the Spurs' official player roster, which listed the names and photos of all the Spurs players this season.

Lin Qi laughed: "I knew it, you young people all like guys who can do a windmill on the spot."

Vince Carter laughed out loud: "Zemm is the only one who feels that I am far inferior to him in terms of dunking."

But Kyrie Irving didn't laugh. He carefully pasted the Spurs' team photo, then turned and picked up a scarlet marker from next to the whiteboard.

Then, with a sharp look in his eyes and a steady hand, he drew a red X over the heads of all the Spurs players, one by one.

This is Kyrie Irving. After a high school game loss, he stopped a photographer and got a picture of the opposing team's star player, which he then pasted on his locker.

Whenever he felt weak, just looking at that photo would make him hard again.

Kevin Durant also has this habit, so his phone is full of photos of his "opponents," so he can easily pull them out and get an erection.

Kyrie Irving looked at his masterpiece and clicked the cap shut with satisfaction: "I really hope they can make it to the Finals, otherwise the next time we meet will be next season."

Lynch dropped his joking expression; he was simply amazed by the gradual changes in this guy.

When Kyrie Irving won the Western Conference title last season, he disdainfully lifted the trophy.

Because he didn't yet realize the significance of victory, his basketball career had been too smooth, and he felt that the Western Conference championship was a given, while the NBA championship was something he should strive for.

But after winning the championship, Kyrie Irving once again refused to lift the trophy.

He felt that, given his performance, he was not qualified to touch the trophy.

But if they win the championship again this season, Lynch believes it.

Kyrie Irving will truly understand the weight of that honor and why the Larry O'Brien Trophy is so dazzling.

He will surely reach out, no longer refusing, to firmly grasp that hard-won glory.

After losing to the San Antonio Spurs, the Knicks' record improved to 25 wins and 5 losses.

This record is the same as that of the relentlessly pursuing Indiana Pacers and the Knicks' next opponent, the Memphis Grizzlies.

The Memphis Grizzlies have lost to the Spurs twice in a row, which is a huge blow to Carmelo Anthony.

He originally thought that his only opponent in the West was the Thunder, who had lost LeBron James.

Who knew the Spurs would be so strong this season?

But seeing the Knicks also lose to the Spurs made Melo feel much better.

As it turns out, he wasn't the only one with a problem.

The San Antonio Spurs are a problem for the entire league.

At that moment, Cameron Anthony was driving home through the city center when he discovered that the roads were under traffic control and no vehicles were allowed to pass.

Cameron Anthony got out of his car and asked the traffic police officer on duty with a puzzled look, "Was there a shooting up ahead?"

The traffic police recognized the Memphis star player and were visibly excited, speaking with a warm yet apologetic tone: "We received information that an extremely important public figure is passing through this area. For security reasons, traffic control has been implemented along his route."

Cameron Anthony was surprised by the answer. This was Memphis, a damn poor, depressed place with nothing but a high crime rate.

The Associated Press has reported that the probability of being shot in Memphis is four times higher than in Mexico City—a city known for its peaceful atmosphere where people turn to book vendors when in trouble.

While streamers elsewhere were still playing GTA games on stream, some in Memphis were already streaming live-action versions of GTA.

So, what kind of public figures would be attracted to visit such a rotten city of sin?
The person who can pull off such a grand spectacle must be a very important public figure.

“Hey, let me through. I’m a public figure, and you all know I’m safe.” Carmelo Anthony tried to use his status to get some leeway.

But the enthusiastic traffic police officer on duty waved his hand helplessly: "I really want to help you, Melo, but I'm sorry. Our superiors said that even if the French president came, he would have to stay outside."

Carmelo Anthony laughed in exasperation: "Damn it, who the hell is this bastard who's caused such a commotion?"

"I don't know either."

Before the traffic policeman could finish speaking, one of his colleagues chimed in, "It's Lynch. He and his team arrived in Memphis this afternoon. After Lynch and his female companion were recognized while having dinner alone, the situation spiraled out of control, and the department immediately activated the highest level of security plan."

"What!?" Cameron Anthony could hardly believe his ears. "Just because of that damn Lynch, I'm stuck here?"

Carmelo Anthony's anger quickly turned into helplessness.

This is the gap between him and Lynch now.

In 2004, they were stars of the same caliber.

No, Melon's influence is even greater than Lynch's.

He set a record of winning the NCAA championship in his first year and the NBA championship in his first year, making him an undisputed idol in the United States.

Now, however, he had to stand in the cold wind on the street just to make way for Lin Qi.

Anthony returned to the car and slammed the door shut; the cramped space seemed to stifle his resentment.

He took out his phone, tapped the screen hard, and sent a text message to his old adversary with whom he had reconciled:

"Don't fucking wander around Memphis, you bastard, or you'll get yourself killed!" Immediately afterward, he made a phone call to his good buddy, Zach Randolph.

"Hey Bro, what's up?" Randolph answered the phone quickly.

"Nothing much, I just ran into something really ridiculous, guess what? Anyway, let's not talk about that. Hey Zach, tomorrow night, we have to give the New York Knicks a good beating!"

"I couldn't be happier!" Zach Randolph's voice on the other end of the phone was filled with barely suppressed excitement.

He certainly couldn't have gotten this opportunity. Last time at Madison Square Garden, his second-chance points were blocked by DeAndre Jordan in an extremely brutal manner, leading to the Grizzlies losing the game.

Even now, Big Black Bear still thinks it was a fucking foul.

From that day on, he had been waiting for the rematch with the New York Knicks.

He wants to take back the victory that rightfully belongs to Memphis!

Hearing his teammate's spirited declaration, Carmelo Anthony finally felt some relief from the lingering frustration in his heart.

Although they lost the last game, the Grizzlies have actually proven that they have the ability to compete with the Knicks.

After all, the Knicks only won by 4 points against the Grizzlies due to controversial calls.

You need to know what kind of team the New York Knicks were last season—they won six consecutive games by more than 25 points and achieved 54 double-digit victories in a single season.

Although the Knicks' roster has undergone significant changes this season compared to last season. Players such as Ray Allen and Shane Battier have retired, and key wing player Wilson Chandler has left.

But being able to fight the Knicks to the very end is still a symbol of strength.

Last time he was just a hair's breadth away, but Lady Luck won't always be on Lynch's side.

While news of Lynch's riots in Memphis was still circulating in the streets, and while Carmelo Anthony and Zach Randolph were gearing up for their revenge match the next day—

Knicks head coach Mike Malone was alone in his hotel room, watching the Memphis Grizzlies game footage over and over again in front of a screen with a flickering fluorescent light.

San Antonio has been outstanding this season, capturing the attention and expectations of all fans.

As a result, people have overlooked the fact that the Memphis Grizzlies are also a very good team and a formidable force in the West.

In most people's minds, the Grizzlies are known for their impenetrable defense.

But the reality is far more complex.

They play the slowest-paced, millstone-like, half-court basketball in the entire league, so their statistics don't look particularly impressive.

In fact, the Grizzlies' offensive efficiency is not low either.

This year's Memphis Grizzlies are absolutely a team that excels on both offense and defense.

The Black and White Bears pose a tremendous threat to the paint. In the last game, when Lynch went to defend Carmelo Anthony, the Knicks' interior defense struggled to withstand their onslaught.

When Lynch shifted his defensive focus to the paint, Carmelo Anthony completely dismantled DeRozan and Carter.

From offense, passing and ball control, defense, leadership, and many other aspects, Carmelo Anthony has made up for all the Grizzlies' shortcomings.

Before the season started, Carmelo Anthony said he would bring 60 wins to Memphis.

In retrospect, this is by no means a LeBron-style left-right brain battle.

The videotape scrolled silently across the screen. Mike Malone frowned, his fingers tapping unconsciously on the table.

At that moment, his thoughts were interrupted by the sudden ringing of the telephone.

Caller ID: Lynch (You'd better listen to him).

Mike Malone rubbed his sore eyes as he answered the phone, trying to shake off his fatigue with a joke: "Hey Lynch, I know your model girlfriend came to Memphis too. Man, I didn't mean to meddle, but take it easy tonight, maybe once or twice at most, get it?"

Lynch ignored the joke and got straight to the point: "Next game, we can give Jimmy a try starting."

Lynch had this idea ever since he received the text message from Carmelo Anthony.

In the next game, someone needs to help him contain Carmelo Anthony on the perimeter.

At the very least, we can't let him have whatever he wants.

In this way, Lynch can focus all his energy on maneuvering between the black and white bears.

"Ha, we're on the same page," Mike Malone chuckled. "Jimmy has improved a lot this season. While he's not quite as good as Wilson yet, we can trust him now. It's just that with Jimmy and DeMar on the court at the same time, our space..."

"It's okay, we'll just grind it out with the Grizzlies. When neither side has good opportunities on offense, believe me, we're better at breaking down defenses."

"Okay, will you call him or should I come?"

"Come on over, you know, I'm a bit busy right now, uh."

"I know."

After hanging up, Mike Malone first called Vince Carter, who had long since become a role player and expressed his understanding of Malone's decision to give up his starting position in the next game.

Next up is Jimmy Butler.

The phone rang for a long time before being answered, and Butler's heavy breathing came through: "Huff...huff...Coach, what's wrong?"

The breathing sounded wrong: "Jimmy, what are you doing!?"

"Me? I'm jogging."

"What a lame excuse! Can't you even come up with a proper excuse?"

"I'm really running! Do you think I'm Lynch?"

"Alright, whatever you're doing, get some rest tonight. Because tomorrow night, you're going to be an NBA starting player."

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone, then a roar that seemed to shatter the receiver came through, as if gathering strength: "Ah!? Fuck! Fuck! Hahaha, you won't regret this! Hahahaha! I told you, you fucking would need me!"

Mike Malone chuckled and shook his head, holding the receiver further away as if he could see the young man on the other end of the line jumping up and down: "Don't get too excited, you need to defend Carmelo Anthony."

"I've stopped him at the pinnacle of the game before, more than once. I'll do it again tomorrow on the court!"

After hanging up the phone, Mike Malone rubbed his temples.

He felt fortunate that it was these hungry young men who kept the team, which might have been heading towards rebuilding, maintaining its dominance.

Mike Malone recalled what Jimmy Butler's adoptive mother said in an interview with ESPN writer Chad Ford the night before the draft:
“I hoped that someone would give Jimmy a chance. Before we met him, no one was willing to give him a chance to change. I think our family did it, and look how much Jimmy has grown since then. He has made everyone proud of him.”

If an NBA team could offer him a single drop of kindness, Jimmy would repay it with an ocean; that's exactly how he repaid us.

I hope he can do it.

(End of this chapter)