Champion Rules

Chapter 392, 388: You're just here to serve this alliance (Seeking monthly votes!)
When the phrase "Nice try" and "Bad try" come back from the cycle of time and space and close the loop again.

The 2013 NBA Finals have thus come to an end.

Lynch completely sealed the game, and scored 60 points in his third Finals appearance, winning his fifth consecutive championship.

This is unprecedented, and it can almost be said that there will never be another like it!
The Spurs paused the game, meaning they essentially had no hope of winning.

But Gregg Popovich still called a timeout; he needed to give the players a moment to catch their breath and process this harsh reality.

Jimmy Butler, who had been running all night, collapsed onto the scorer's table the moment the whistle blew, his back heaving violently, sweat soaking the table and quickly forming a small puddle.

DeAndre Jordan pointed triumphantly to the towering dome of Madison Square Garden, reminding everyone that the banner symbolizing the Knicks' new glory would soon be hoisted there. Then, he roared at Spike Lee on the sidelines, "Like the sun always rising, never stopping!"

Spike Lee and DeAndre Jordan high-fived: "The sun will set, but we won't. We shine brighter than the sun!"

Kyrie Irving stood with his arms crossed. He only managed 11 points, 3 assists, 3 rebounds, and 2 steals tonight—mediocre stats. But he didn't think he performed poorly at all. On the contrary, he could proudly tell his father that he was an excellent professional player!

When we get back to the locker room, Kyrie Irving is going to tear the Spurs' roster down!

Those red crosses drawn on the roster, Kyrie Irving has now drawn on the faces of the Spurs players!
DeMar DeRozan remained silent as fans shouted at him from the sidelines, "You are the best and most loyal knight to the Kings." He looked in the direction of the shouts, a gentle smile playing on his lips, and simply raised his hand in acknowledgment.

This sense of belonging is the most beautiful thing in the world to him.

Sam Russell sat on the bench and clapped non-stop from the moment Lynch scored.

In 2007, after winning the last championship of his career and playing his last professional game, Sam Cassell felt that his career had reached its peak.

He also clearly realized at the time that the guy who took the King of New York scepter from Willis Reed hadn't even begun his peak yet.

Time has proven his foresight.

Lynch's back-to-back championships in 2006 and 2007 were more like a trial run.

Judging from Lynch's current achievements, two consecutive championships don't even qualify him as halfway up the mountain.

As the players from both sides gradually left the court, Lynch approached Jimmy Butler and patted his soaked back: "Are you okay?"

Jimmy Butler jerked his body up, forcing a relaxed expression: "I can fucking play another 48 minutes!"

"Heh," Kyrie Irving chuckled, "Jimmy, when did you start talking like LeBron? Why don't you say it could go on for one overtime, one double overtime, one triple overtime, but seven overtimes?"

"You talk like LeBron" is undoubtedly a more insulting piece of trash talk than "You play like LeBron".

Although LeBron's playing style is ugly, it's not actually that bad compared to most players.

LeBron James, speaking of which—especially after bringing his talents to Hennessy in The Decision 2 not long ago—is a prime example in human history of how the left and right hemispheres of the brain can clash, leading to cerebellar atrophy.

Even if it was a joke, Irving's language was far too vulgar. So Butler angrily retorted, "Shut up, Kyrie. I don't want to talk to a boy who screams in fright."

Lin Qi was completely bewildered: "Screamed in fright?"

The next second, Kyrie Irving was already laughing and had his arm around Jimmy Butler's neck, preventing him from continuing.

The two pushed and shoved each other as they joined the celebrating crowd with their teammates.

On the other side, the Spurs players were heartbroken.

Boris Diaw covered his face with a towel. This Frenchman had never considered basketball his whole life. He came from a well-off family and had no pressure to survive. He felt that life should be vibrant and diverse. But this year, the feeling of losing the game was extremely painful for him.

He wasn't disappointed about the championship, but rather saddened by the fact that these old boys had given their all for three consecutive years, only to ultimately fall short.

Tony Parker stared blankly ahead, feeling deeply guilty as the team's leading scorer and offensive leader. If he could also average 30 points per game, this beautiful fairytale for the older generation might have reached the perfect ending they longed for.

Gregg Popovich looked at his players, unsure of what to say to comfort them.

Since losing Bruce Bowen, a nuclear weapon specifically designed for ground attacks, the Spurs have struggled in the playoffs.

Even though the Spurs played the most team-oriented and efficient basketball in history, they still couldn't reach the top again.

What pained Popovich was that the Spurs players' perseverance was a heartwarming story rarely seen in the world of competitive sports.

There is never any deceit, never any power struggle, and never any locker room infighting here.

This team seems to possess a magical force field, keeping the storms of profit and money at bay.

This is the only team in the entire league that has the right to claim they are like one big family.

It was Tim Duncan who forcibly broke into his house, dragged him out, and spent a whole week eating, drinking, having fun, and singing, while also discussing relativity, which helped him regain his spirits—a story that almost only happens with the Spurs.

But this family soap opera ultimately came to such a cruel end.

The entire Spurs team was dejected until Tim Duncan clapped his hands:

"Don't be so discouraged, guys. Even though we're not champions, I've never been so proud of a team."

This has been the most satisfying season of my career, and it's been fantastic to see the grit you guys have shown. We've come back from last year's disappointment, reclaimed our roles, and are once again giving it our all for the championship. The process itself has been more meaningful than anything else.

Last season, Pete (Spurs owner) told reporters that he would not disband the roster, that they would die together.

And now, guys—"

A rare, not-so-terrifying smile appeared on Tim Duncan's poker face:

"Now, after this season, I feel that I can pass away peacefully."

The timeout ended, and Tim Duncan was the first to stand up and walk onto the court.

The final few seconds of the match were no longer in doubt, as Lynch had already sealed the victory.

In the final possession, Kyrie Irving controlled the ball, his gaze sweeping over the group of figures clad in black jerseys, his vision blurring involuntarily.

He accomplished the biggest challenge of his career, conquering the group of opponents he once looked up to.

After the game, Tim Duncan and Lynch embraced at center court.

"Two great leaders, leading two great teams, have given us an unparalleled Finals match!" Mike Breen stood up and gave a heartfelt round of applause to both sides. "Congratulations to Lynch, and my highest respect to Tsim."

Tim Duncan ruffled Lynch's hair: "Damn, why is your hair volume still exactly the same as it was in 2007?"

Lynch smiled slightly and returned the gesture with the same affection, patting Duncan on the back of the head: "This is probably the luckiest thing in my career—never having been teammates with you."

Other players from both sides were also embracing and greeting each other; there was little animosity and much respect in this series. Kyrie Irving wore his championship cap for the second time, and his feelings this time were completely different from a year ago.

A year ago, he felt only resentment and unwillingness.

He felt as if he had been dragged onto the podium.

And tonight, that profound sense of honor fills my heart so genuinely and naturally.

In 1991, Magic Johnson said he understood why Michael Jordan cried after winning the championship.

When he won his first championship with Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in his rookie season in 1980, he felt that the championship was so easy that there was nothing to shed tears for.

It wasn't until 1987 that he truly understood the significance of the championship.

Now, Kyrie Irving is experiencing all of this firsthand.

Amidst a flurry of confetti and ribbons, Jimmy Butler spread his arms wide and roared beside Kyrie Irving, "We're the champions! Baby! Yay!!!"

After yelling, Butler turned his head and looked at Irving with a mischievous smile: "Hey, Mr. Coward? Why are your eyes all red? Are you about to cry?"

Kyrie Irving blinked hard, his eyes blurry. “Get out of here, Jimmy,” he said, his voice slightly choked but firm in his denial. “I haven’t shed a single tear since my mother died.”

Not far away, Lynch took the champion's hat handed to him by a staff member, casually put it on his head, and faced Doris Burke's microphone, with deafening cheers and the still-falling golden rain in the background.

"Third career Finals 60 points! Lynch, a crazy achievement," Doris Burke's voice rose amidst the commotion. "Have you proven that your selflessness is not just a facade? Do you feel that this moment has silenced those who have been questioning you lately?"

Lynch adjusted his cap: "I don't need to explain anything, Doris. I don't need to say a word, not a single one. Questions? Let me talk about my fifth consecutive championship!"

Doris Burke asked the second question more directly:

"Averaging 43.5 points per game in the Finals puts you ahead of legends like Elgin Baylor, Jerry West, and Michael Jordan, who all scored 40 points in the Finals, creating one of the greatest Finals scoring performances in NBA history. Will this be a key factor in your journey to becoming the greatest of all time and surpassing Michael Jordan?"

"No, I don't need to surpass Michael through these minor records. It's like, nobody compares with Michael to see who has more Player of the Week and Player of the Month awards."

When I forge two unbroken dynasties, when my total number of championships surpasses his, no further proof is needed; I will naturally and undeniably stand at the top!

Lynch never shied away from his ambition to dethrone MJ. Before the playoffs, he said that what he wanted was to surpass him.

And that's exactly what he did.

As the interview concluded, a makeshift award ceremony platform was set up amidst a sea of ​​jubilation.

Adam Silver, the most out-of-place rock in this ocean of joy, once dreamed of laughing out loud when the Spurs were crowned champions.

Now, he can only stand beside Lin Qi, forcing out a fake smile that is more humble than crying.

Five consecutive championships—that's an astonishing number.

This is the most blatant declaration of war against athletic balance since the Boston Celtics dynasty of the 60s.

Adam Silver couldn't imagine what a huge blow this would be to other sports markets.

Lynch walked onto the stage, and Adam Silver forced a handshake with him.

Lynch tightened his grip on the handshake, meeting his gaze directly as he looked away: "This time it's 4-2, two more games than before. Are you satisfied with the result, Mr. President?"

Blatant sarcasm.

This is the second time Adam Silver has been humiliated by Lynch since the playoffs.

He certainly knew that Adam Silver was not satisfied with the result, but in Lynch's words, a six-game series was the greatest reward Adam Silver could receive.

After a brief speech, Adam Silver handed the championship trophy to Lynch—offering the highest honor to his most hated opponent was undoubtedly the longest and most agonizing moment for the president tonight.

Lin Qi accepted the heavy trophy with one hand, but suddenly put his other arm around Xiao Hua's shoulder, making an intimate embrace gesture.

The flashing lights were just a routine interaction between the champion and the CEO in the eyes of the world.

Only Adam Silver could hear the devil's whisper close to his ear:
"Remember your place, Adam. You're here to serve this league. We're here to rule this league. This is a veteran's first lesson in your commissioning career. Welcome to the NBA, rookie."

Before he finished speaking, Lin Qi had already released his arm, raised the trophy high, and ignored the face behind him that was completely gloomy with humiliation and resentment.

The guy who tried to drag him off the throne through off-field means is now left with only futile anger.

Under the spotlight, the golden cup in Lynch's hand reflected a dazzling light, and ribbons cascaded down like a golden waterfall, engulfing Adam Silver's gloomy face.

Bill Russell handed the Finals MVP trophy to Lynch for the fifth consecutive year, patted Lynch on the shoulder, and said, "You know, I don't agree with what the fans have been saying lately. They say you and I are alike, no, we are completely different. You are much better than me, you are unique and irreplaceable."

"Thank you for the compliment, Laso."

Lynch accepted the Finals MVP trophy and casually handed the Larry O'Brien Trophy to Kyrie Irving, who was standing next to him.

This time, he did not refuse to lift the trophy.

Irving reached out his hand shakily, and the moment the cold base touched his fingertips, the dazzling flash overwhelmed him with emotion.

He couldn't take it any longer.

Doubts, injuries, sweat, perseverance—all the weight of the past, condensed into a scalding teardrop the instant the cool metallic texture touched my fingertips. It broke free of its restraints and crashed heavily onto the gleaming surface of the golden cup.

The dazzling golden light illuminated his tear-streaked face. He abruptly turned his head to look at Jimmy Butler beside him, who was equally exhausted yet excited. His voice choked, and tears streamed down his face, no longer concealing his emotions.

"Jimmy, this damn trophy!"

Tears were still streaming down his face, but he grinned, a smile blooming through his tears:

"It's so beautiful."
-
Lynch has already surpassed MJ. I said last year that he had surpassed MHJ, and every step he takes from here on is creating even greater heights. If you still stubbornly believe that only those who have created two dynasties are qualified to say they have surpassed MJ, then I must remind you that Lynch is only one step away from that. — Charles Barkley reiterated Lynch's status as a MOAT.

The thing I think about most right now is the hope that we'll continue playing together. Sadness? What's there to be sad about? We just lost to the greatest player of all time. — Tim Duncan, reflecting on his feelings at this moment.

Kevin Durant's biggest tragedy is that he questioned Lynch's selflessness, believing it wasn't the biggest difference between them. Is he happy with the outcome now? When Lynch is just as 'selfish' as ​​him, the gap between them seems even wider. —Shaquille O'Neal's assessment of Kevin Durant.

Lynch only signed a one-year contract extension with the Knicks last summer, which expires in the summer of 2014, after the next season. Currently, neither side has negotiated a new contract. What does this mean? Hopefully, it's not what I'm thinking. — Stephen A. Smith brings a neglected topic back into the spotlight for fans.

(Thank you so much to Z-Taoist and other big shots for the donations, I'm so grateful!)

(End of this chapter)