Champion Rules

Chapter 381, Section 377: Whether Adam liked it or not, he had no choice but to let things develop as they were (Seeking monthly votes!)

Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals has ended, with the Brooklyn Nets failing to even reach the fourth quarter before the game was prematurely ended.

Billy King, arguably the smartest general manager in NBA history, was quite embarrassed at a press conference.

An ESPN reporter's question put him in an awkward position:

"Billy, do you think you've spent money to build the most expensive, useless warship in NBA history? It's beautiful and big. But the problem is, it can't be launched."

Discussions about this issue have been ongoing, but given that the Nets' regular season performance wasn't too bad, the discussions haven't taken off.

This is the first time a reporter has asked Billy King such a direct question since the Nets' defeat tonight.

Billy King maintained a professional fake smile on his face, but he couldn't laugh at all inside.

This game was a huge blow to the Nets, who were completely outmatched by the fully-staffed Knicks.

For a team that has already completely exhausted its future, they have no right to talk about "the future".

The inability to win immediately means they have already suffered a complete defeat.

Billy King clearly didn't want to admit defeat, so he just shrugged, his mind racing, trying to salvage the situation:

"Without a doubt, Lynch is a great player. But it's impossible for him to have such a good shooting touch every game, scoring more points in a single quarter than the entire opposing team. This illustrates just how incredible Lynch's shooting touch was tonight."

I don't deny Lynch and the Knicks, but tonight's loss certainly had an element of chance.

"So, you think the Nets still have a chance?" the reporter continued.

"Of course there's a chance. Lynch's enormous past success makes it very easy for people to overlook one fact—"

Billy King paused, trying to make his tone sound more firm and persuasive:

"As long as Lynch is in this league, he could lose. As long as I'm in this league, I could witness Lynch's defeat firsthand."

This is an eternal law of competitive sports, gentlemen: there are never any permanent winners in this league.

I have always admired Lynch, but I would never mythologize him.

We still have a chance, let's wait and see.

God knows if Billy King himself believes the nonsense he's spouting.

But these words, like an out-of-control virus, have spread to every corner of the world in an instant.

In 2012, the NBA is undoubtedly in the "Lynch Era".

Lynch's popularity is immeasurable.

If he were to say, like LeBron James in 2025, that he's going to make a "decision" live at 12 o'clock a few days from now, then...

This show is sure to captivate fans worldwide and keep the world on its toes.

Billy King mentioned Lynch in his answer, which made his response all the more noteworthy.

Bill Simmons was almost the first to stand up and refute him on social media:

"Billy, the man who helped Isaiah Thomas shed the title of 'worst general manager in history,' deserves our utmost respect. But I must cruelly tell him: you will never live to see the day Lynch fails."

Billy King, seeing Bill Simmons's mockery, was so angry he wanted to crush his phone.

Soon, a phone call came in, turning his anger into tension.

Fifteen minutes later, Billy King drove overnight to the residence of team owner Mikhail Prokhorov.

Just now, that Russian oligarch requested an immediate meeting.

Billy King had reason to be nervous; his boss calling him so late certainly wasn't to invite him to eat fresh abalone.

Considering the Nets' recent crushing defeat, Billy King had already mentally prepared for the worst.

However, when he stepped into the courtyard of Mikhail Prokhorov's luxurious villa, he realized that he had still underestimated the seriousness of the situation.

At this very moment, Mikhail Prokhorov is displaying the same expression Michael Corleone had in "The Godfather Part II" after learning that Kay Adams had aborted the child.

That's right, it's that expression that can convey chilling killing intent with just a glance.

"Billy, you're here." Mikhail Prokhorov held a baseball bat in his hand, the broken television screen silently proclaiming the bat's previous purpose.

The tall Russian man stood up from the sofa and walked toward Billy King.

With each step closer, it seemed to thin the air, making it harder for Billy King to breathe.

"Tell me, why is it that the team I invested so much money in, mortgaging my future, couldn't even put up a fight against Lynch's Knicks?!"

Mikhail Prokhorov roared, his anger seemingly igniting the entire room.

Originally, the Russians had given up hope for this season.

But in their last regular season matchup, a mere one-point difference stirred something within him once again.

He didn't go to the stadium tonight, but he still watched the game live on TV.

As a basketball enthusiast, Mikhail Prokhorov was certain of one thing after watching the game—the Nets had absolutely no chance!
He couldn't help but ask himself where the problem lay.

Is it because I haven't put in enough effort?

Of course not. There has never been a new owner in NBA history who was more willing to spend money than himself.

Did I interfere too much?
No, Mikhail Prokhorov was practically a hands-off manager. Aside from paying the money, he never interfered in team affairs.

To keep the team stable, he didn't even dare to touch the cheerleaders who were dressed like geishas!
Therefore, there is only one problem—the person in front of you.

He gave Billy King the most authority and the most money.

But the team he built could only find its presence above Dwight Howard?
Mikhail Prokhorov stared intently into Billy King's eyes, and suddenly felt incredibly foolish.

Mikhail Prokhorov should have predicted this outcome long ago, when this idiotic black man went to great lengths only to bring back LeBron James.

That's why Russians are angry.

Because of Billy King's decision, he looked like a fool, which made him very embarrassed.

Seeing the other man approaching with a baseball bat, Billy King quickly waved his hands: "Calm down, buddy, I didn't have an abortion!"

"What!?"

“Uh, I mean,” Billy King stammered.

“Billy,” Mikhail Prokhorov pressed his massive hand down on the terrified general manager, straightening his tie with his other hand, “it’s too late to explain now, buddy. If your so-called super battleship can’t win a single game in this series, you’re fired!”

Ultimately, the Russians gave him an ultimatum, saying the very thing Billy King feared most.

This smartest general manager in history has reached a crossroads in his career.
-
Billy King's words continue to have an impact.

Chinese fans felt a particular affinity for his remarks.

Previously, John F. Kennedy, one of the most imaginative presidents in the history of the United States, had said something similar: "As long as I live, the Chinese will never be able to build an atomic bomb."

His last words were to be kept.

Billy King's words are remarkably similar to those of Khan Kennedy.

The following Game 2 of the series seemed to foreshadow a similar fate for him to that imaginative president.

In the second game, Lynch's touch was indeed no longer as magical.

Yet he still racked up an all-around performance with 32 points, 12 rebounds, and 7 assists.

LeBron James continued to reduce his output and play, finishing with 25 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

The score in this game was closer than the previous one, but they still lost by 11 points.

However, Billy King seems to have grasped at a straw:

"As it turns out, I was right. It's impossible for Lynch to put on such an amazing performance every game. We were behind, but we hadn't lost yet."

Billy King was trying to exonerate himself on one hand, and on the other hand, he hoped the team wouldn't give up.

Yes, it's difficult to beat the Knicks.

But surely winning a game is achievable, right?
He can keep his job as long as this team wins just one game!

Finally, Game 3 of the series returned to the Barclays Center.

Although still in New York, and although the arena was still occupied by Knicks fans, the Nets have finally returned to their sweet home.

Tonight, LeBron James arrived at the Barclays Center three hours early to warm up.

He has to win a game; he can't let Lynch sweep him in the playoffs again.

Under Armour's patience is running out. This brand, which has been struggling to gain a foothold in the basketball market, doesn't expect LBJ's career to reach the heights of Lynch, but at least it shouldn't lose so badly.

Under Armour's top spokesperson doesn't have to be the ultimate winner, but they have to be a fighter.

If LBJ can't even win a single game, how can Under Armour portray a loser as an indomitable warrior?
LeBron James has to win at least once.

He didn't have a good solution, so he could only warm up well in advance and pray that the long warm-up would improve his feel for the ball.

Although no survey or data can prove a necessary link between warm-up time and game feel, what else can he do?

He could only pray for good luck to come his way.

LeBron James thought he was the first player to arrive today, but when he opened the locker room door, he saw Paul Pierce changing his clothes.

Furthermore, judging from the messy state of the locker room, many more people had already changed and headed to the court to warm up.

Seeing LBJ's puzzled expression, Paul Pierce, having changed his clothes, stood up and jumped around a few times:
"You're not the only one who wants to win tonight."

Mikhail Prokhorov was ashamed that he had spent a lot of money to build a team that couldn't win in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

The same applies to this group of players.

They have been the focus of attention since the team was formed, with the halo of "champion team".

Although their regular season record was not as good as expected, they were still a strong team and achieved the Nets' best record in nearly ten years.

Such a result is barely acceptable.

But now, their fig leaf is being torn away bit by bit by the Knicks.

Nobody wants to think that ten or twenty years from now, when people mention this super expensive Nets team, they will say the same thing as when they mention the Trail Blazers drafted in 1984: "They were absolutely stupid."

LeBron James walked onto the court, and sure enough, several players were already warming up.

Because the fans haven't entered the stadium yet, the lights in the stands are still off. The lights are focused only on the stadium, bathing everyone in their glow.

LeBron James watched the silhouettes moving under the beam of light and felt, for a moment, as if a holy light was illuminating them all.

Did his prayers receive a response? I hope so.

Two hours later, more and more fans poured into the stadium, and the Barclays Center was gradually filled with their noise.

Billy King was also present tonight, and he was immediately captured by reporters' cameras as soon as he sat down. His expression was as sullen as if he had just seen his wife and fitness trainer working out on their bed at home.

Billy King is very insecure; his job is not yet guaranteed for next season.

He knew that if he were fired, it wouldn't be an ordinary dismissal.

Instead, it could very well lead to him leaving the industry altogether.

No one would hire a general manager who can mess up a team even without financial pressure.

Therefore, he wants to see the Nets win more than anyone else in the arena.

Billy King saw hope as soon as the game started.

Jason Terry and Kevin Martin turned their fortunes around tonight, hitting consecutive three-pointers right from the start.

Immediately afterwards, other players followed suit with long-range shots, and the whole team's shooting touch was getting hot!
"Could this be the night the Nets break their offensive ceiling?!" Reggie Miller, as one of the best shooters in history, knows all too well how powerful a shooting team can be at breaking its ceiling.

Sometimes, a hot streak can elevate a team to heights beyond their reach, enabling them to defeat opponents they would otherwise never have faced.

Charles Barkley, however, remains pessimistic about the Nets: "Maybe the Nets will have a hot hand tonight, but how can they salvage their abysmal defense?"

The answer is, it depends on enthusiasm.

Tonight, the Nets played with maximum intensity on defense, and their defensive rotations were incredibly fast. Of course, considering the Nets players' individual defensive abilities, they can't transform into a defensive powerhouse overnight.

At least they were able to force turnovers from the Knicks today and launch fast breaks through defense.

These are all game elements that the Nets did not include in the first two games.

For a team like the Nets with such a potent offense, their defense doesn't need to be outstanding.

It's good enough for basic needs.

Every Nets player who took to the court played with great intensity. Previously, they were fighting for honor. But today, they were fighting for dignity.

This is clearly more effective in motivating players than vague and illusory honors.

At halftime, the Brooklyn Nets trailed the Knicks by only 3 points.

Yes, they still failed to take the lead.

At least, this match is still worth fighting.

As Lynch prepared to walk back to the locker room, he was stopped by sideline reporter Leslie McCaslin: "Professor, tonight the entire Nets team arrived at Barclays Center two to three hours early to warm up. Is that the key reason why they shot 43% from three-point range in the first half tonight?"

Lynch answered bluntly: "I don't know, and I don't care. We're still ahead."

Professor L was just about to leave when he heard Billy King, sitting in the front row, yelling at the Nets players as they rushed off the court:

"He'll always fail, he'll always fail! I've said it before, as long as we're in this league, I'll witness Lynch's defeat. Come on, his luck and touch have run out, let him experience defeat tonight!"

In recent days, Billy King has emphasized the clichés of "luck" and "feel" far too many times.

But the Nets are clearly the team that relies more on luck and touch.

Billy King showed absolutely no respect for the Knicks' two solid victories.

Lynch also walked toward the players' tunnel and glanced at Billy King, who was jumping around.

The latter simply met Lin Qi's gaze and didn't dare to utter another word.

But Lynch clearly didn't let him off the hook because of his cowardice; he roared at him in an almost commanding tone:

"Billy, I've had enough of your bullshit. You'd better shut up."

After that statement, people noticed that Billy King seemed to be nailed down by some kind of witchcraft.

He indeed shut up and became less active, simply sitting anxiously in his seat, waiting for the second half to begin.

He knew that he listened to Lin Qi the most.

The last thing he wanted to do was provoke number 20.

In the second half, Kyrie Irving once again took advantage of Lynch's presence to unleash a barrage of attacks.

But LeBron James' consecutive pull-up jumpers helped the team stay close in the score.

Lynch was still being double-teamed, and the Nets kept their deficit to single digits.

In the latter part of the fourth quarter, the Brooklyn Nets unleashed another wave of three-pointers.

With 1 minute and 37 seconds left in the game, Paul Pierce hit his fifth three-pointer of the night, bringing the Nets within 4 points!
Billy King nearly jumped off the stands; this was the first time he had stood up from his seat since Lynch yelled at him.

The Brooklyn Nets have never been so close to victory, and his career is incredibly close to redemption.

The Knicks called a timeout. LeBron James first high-fived Paul Pierce, who had just scored, then made the sign of the cross on his chest with one finger pointing to the sky.

He thanked God for giving him the opportunity.

He was grateful that all the omens were about to come true.

Lionel Hollins began setting up the defense, still emphasizing the need to double-team Lynch.

Controlling Lynch is key to securing victory for the team.

The Knicks were also finalizing their strategy, and in Mike Malone's voice, Lynch could hear Billy King yelling at the Nets' bench again:
"Their luck has run out, it's all gone!"

Billy King didn't want the team to fall short at the last moment; he wanted his passion to inspire the team.

Clearly, he had forgotten Professor L's orders.

In the first possession after the timeout, Lynch passed the ball to DeMar DeRozan who was cutting in from the double team.

DeRozan launched a powerful shot towards the basket, but was roughly intercepted in mid-air by Brook Lopez.

The basketball bounced off the rim; the referee did not react to Brock Lopez's interception.

Adam Silver sat in front of the television, his gaze as cold as that of a cold-blooded animal.

In Game 1 of the series, he admitted that he was intimidated by Lynch's dominance.

It seems that there will never be a result in being enemies with Lynch.

But he was still not entirely satisfied; he still wanted to test whether his plan was feasible.

If Lynch wins a game despite being at a disadvantage due to the referee's calls at a crucial moment, Adam Silver will stop all targeting him, even if he is very unhappy.

Otherwise, the alliance would be acting too deliberately.

Moreover, David Stern was right. If Lynch really is a "first-class player" that even the whistle can't target, then he'd better not force the fans out of first class.

Today, the testing opportunity has finally arrived.

The underperforming Nets finally kept the suspense alive until the very end in the third game.

LeBron James immediately took possession of the ball and launched a fast break, but the Knicks retreated quickly on defense.

After numerous attempts to pass the ball without securing an opportunity, LeBron James personally dribbled the ball and drove to the basket, challenging Lynch.

Lynch jumped and made a normal interception. There was indeed contact in the air, but given the standards tonight, this kind of play is unlikely to be called.

But the referee blew the whistle.

"Linche commits a defensive foul, LeBron is going to the free-throw line, the Nets are one step closer to victory!" Reggie Miller was excited. He wasn't a Nets supporter, but he didn't mind watching a close game.

Lynch wanted to confront today's referee, John Goble, but found that Goble was deliberately avoiding him.

Lin Qi immediately realized that nothing he said next would make a difference.

He won't waste his breath.

Standing at the free-throw line, LeBron James took a deep breath.

He knew the significance of those two free throws, and he knew how much expectation he carried.

Everyone in the locker room, from the general manager to the team leader, was hoping to win this game.

These two free throws will largely determine the outcome of the game.

Boos erupted throughout the arena, and neutral fans could hardly believe this was the Brooklyn Nets' home court.

LBJ lifted the ball and shot it under immense pressure.

"boom!"

"Shh!"

The basketball hit the front edge of the rim and then fell into the net.

"The difference is still 3 points, and the Nets have victory in their grasp!" Reggie Miller shouted.

"Bullshit, they haven't touched anything yet," Charles Barkley, a well-known Lin fanboy, retorted.

After high-fiving his teammates and stepping back onto the free-throw line, the pressure on LBJ did not lessen even after making his first free throw.

He took the basketball from the referee and slapped it twice. Then, just like before, he made the sign of the cross on his chest.

“God can’t save you,” Lynch said. “At least here, God can’t interfere in my affairs.”

"Lynch, keep quiet!" Referee John Goble reminded him.

Instead of shutting up, Lynch looked John Goblet straight in the eye: "Now you dare to talk to me? If even God can't interfere in my affairs, neither can your bald boss. I've said that countless times."

Perhaps feeling guilty, John Goble looked away and stopped arguing with Lynch.

LeBron James made the sign of the cross again, believing his prayers would be answered tonight.

On his second shot, LeBron James increased the force of his shot to prevent the ball from hitting the front of the rim.

But it seems a bit too big.

The basketball hit the rim directly and bounced away!
"No, LeBron missed his second free throw, he missed a chance to continue narrowing the gap!"

Clearly, Reggie Miller underestimated the cost of this missed penalty.

Not only did LBJ miss the opportunity to further narrow the gap, he also gave the Knicks a chance to launch a counterattack.

Lynch grabbed the rebound himself and immediately dribbled the ball up the court, giving the Nets no time to react.

He quickly crossed the halfway line, deftly passing Paul Pierce with a beautiful crossover.

Seeing Lynch drive straight into the paint, Kevin Martin, who was closest to Lynch, had no choice but to jump up and grab him, buying time for LBJ to chase and block him.

Lynch was pulled, but the referee didn't call a whistle, and LeBron James's pursuit followed immediately.

But Lynch anticipated the danger, retrieved the basketball in mid-air, dodged the wind, and threw the ball towards the backboard just as his body was about to land.

The basketball swished off the backboard and went into the net, sending the crowd into a frenzy!
"Kevin Martin couldn't stop Lynch. God, I don't know why this wasn't called a foul. But Lynch still scored, and the Knicks are up by 5 points. He capitalized on the fast break! If LeBron had made that free throw, if there hadn't been this fast break, the Nets would have missed their best chance! I told you, they wouldn't even be close to winning!"

Charles Barkley spread his arms wide, as if he were also part of the game.

Lionel Hollins smashed the tactical board and kicked a folding chair away.

This experienced coach has lost his composure.

With the whistle in favor, LBJ made one of two free throws, but Lynch calmly scored 2 points.

He knew that the so-called "controlling Lynch" was a complete false proposition!

Behind the television screen, Adam Silver was smiling.

He wasn't happy.

It's not that people actually laugh when they're speechless.

Regardless of whether he likes it or not, he must completely remove the targeting of the Knicks and pray that a team can beat Lynch in a fair environment.

Because it turns out that to make Lynch lose, you have to use more aggressive and shameless calls against him.

That level of targeting would completely distort the game and cause a significant loss of fans. Moreover, the Knicks' rebellious nature from top to bottom would allow these targeting tactics to escalate indefinitely, further eroding the league's credibility.

Adam Silver could no longer target Lynch; he had no choice but to let Lynch continue.

He shared the same feeling as Lionel Hollins: controlling Lynch was a complete false proposition.

Lynch's layup, despite the pull, shattered the Nets' burning morale, causing them to give up the fight.

Ultimately, the Knicks won the game by 9 points on the road.

The final score is 3 to 0!

When LeBron James left the court, he didn't make the sign of the cross again; he just walked away dejectedly.

Reggie Miller has lost count of how many times LeBron James has been beaten so badly by Lynch: "God is a bit cruel to LeBron; he never answers LeBron's prayers."

“No,” Flying Pig immediately retorted, “God came tonight. He answered LBJ’s prayers and gave the Nets many opportunities. But in the end, he was powerless against Lynch.”
-
I don't want to talk about that free throw, I don't want to talk about what Lynch said to me, it's all in the past, I'll never talk about it. — LeBron James on making one of his two free throws in the final moments.

I don't mind being beaten. My players come here to play for dignity and victory, and those damn referees treat it like a joke! Fuck them, you can fine them! — Mike Malone continues to escalate tonight's officiating controversy.

"We failed, damn it, we might be the worst team of the 21st century." — Jason Terry, clutching his head in anguish at a press conference.

Billy is absolutely right. As long as he's in this league, he'll likely witness my defeat. It's just a shame, though; I reckon he'll be gone soon. — Lynch jokingly remarking on the recently talkative, shrewd general manager, Billy King.

The official referee report acknowledged that John Goble made two incorrect calls at crucial moments. The league assured that they would minimize similar errors in future games. —ESPN SportsCenter

(End of this chapter)