Champion Rules

Chapter 401 (397): The Monster Raising Project (Seeking monthly votes!)
Lynch played the entire second half and won the first game of his retirement tour.

This is the most powerful response to all the noise and provocations of this summer.

At the post-match press conference, Lin Qi showed no pity whatsoever, nor any hypocritical demeanor whatsoever.

He deliberately asked the reporter:
"Hey, did anyone see me forcing Kevin Durant to play a supporting role with a whip or a red-hot branding iron?"

A burst of laughter erupted from the press section, but Lin Qi remained serious.

He continued:

"Everyone wants to be an important part of the spotlight, and everyone hates their status and treatment as a 'second-class citizen,' hating that they are just a side dish at the 'king's feast.'"

I completely understand that feeling. Just like when I first entered the league, I also hated that all the spotlights were focused on Carmelo Anthony.

But I never complained, because I knew that not being able to handle Melo was my problem, not Melo's problem.

It's the same now. If you don't want to be a supporting character in 'The Last Time', that's fine. Nobody's forcing you to play a supporting role.

But if you're not qualified to be the main character, you'd better shut up!

That's why Lynch always says that action is the most powerful response.

The response to this match was a hundred times stronger than that of the grand press conference before.

On the other hand, Kevin Durant did not attend the post-game press conference.

Steve Kerr explained, "KD has some personal matters to attend to tonight."

But this explanation is as weak and unconvincing as a porn star claiming that her profession is "human anatomy research and practice".

The whole world knows that Kevin Durant, who was completely devastated, was too frustrated to show his face.

He entered the season with unprecedented ambition, fully embracing the passing and movement system, and the team's acquisition of Andre Iguodala further boosted his confidence.

He firmly believed that he would be the one to shatter Lynch's dream of a retirement tour.

As a result, he earned Lynch the nickname "KD's strict father".

When Lynch returned from his vacation during the offseason, Bill Simmons' comment, "Your strict father is back," was already highly controversial.

At this moment, the identity of "strict father" was precisely and shamefully nailed to Kevin Durant alone.

This humiliation is no less than watching the Thunder receive their championship rings in the 2025 season opener, only to lose the game by a mere one point.

Tonight's result was a huge disappointment for KD.

Few people can stand under the spotlight unscathed after enduring such a soul-crushing ordeal, especially not the sensitive Kevin Durant.

Compared to KD, Stephen Curry faced this loss with a completely different attitude.

He faced tonight's result head-on and encouraged the whole team:
"The Knicks have lost their season opener too. I mean, there's not much correlation between the outcome of the season opener and the ultimate winner. If we want to win the championship, we have many, much tougher challenges ahead. Congratulations to the Knicks, but tonight's loss won't break us."

Thunder head coach Steve Kerr also appeared relaxed, and this was not a forced composure.

"Lynch played the entire second half, which was key to the Knicks' victory. There's no doubt that Lynch is a great player. He's not only incredibly skilled, but he also has an indomitable will."

But if the Knicks have to rely on playing Lynch the entire second half to win their first game of the new season, it actually means we're very close to victory. Our offense forces Lynch to stay on the court the whole time.

This is only the first game of the new season, and the season is still long. Lynch can't possibly burn himself out like this in every game. Even in a series, Lynch can't possibly play a full half in every game.

I think our performance tonight has reached the very edge of Lynch's dominance.

We've never been so close to the god of basketball.

Steve Kerr was actually quite satisfied with today's result, believing that the Knicks secured the victory through unconventional means.

However, this method is not sustainable.

An ESPN reporter stood up: "Are you implying that if the series goes to seven games in the playoffs, the Thunder will finish off the Knicks?"

“Yes,” Steve Cole answered firmly, “we can do better, but you can’t ask Lynch to play longer.”

After the press conference, Steve Kerr walked toward the away team's locker room.

He was still sketching out a grand blueprint for the Thunder's new season in his mind—smooth passing and cutting, devastating offense, and a victory that would eventually crush the grand tour.

Tonight's loss is just a small episode in a long season; they have never been closer to overthrowing that mountain.

Halfway there, he saw a tall, slender figure carrying a pink backpack typical of NBA rookies and a bunch of drinks, running towards the home team's locker room.

Steve Kerr knew who this guy was—the Knicks drafted this summer, a fifth overall pick whose name sounded like a random arrangement of the twenty-six letters of the alphabet.

He played for a few minutes tonight, and his performance, while not exactly mediocre, was certainly nothing to write home about.

At this moment, the rookie staggered, his face still showing confusion and a hint of resentment. Clearly, he hadn't yet recovered from his disastrous performance that evening.

They exchanged a glance, then quickly brushed past each other.

Steve Kerr remained engrossed in his wonderful anticipation of the new season, completely oblivious to the guy who had just passed him by.

The rookie named Giannis Antetokounmpo was like a speck of dust, instantly forgotten by him, disappearing into the light and shadow at the end of the tunnel—
The day after the opening game, Jimmy Butler drove to the Greenburg training center early as usual.

Because they just finished a game yesterday, the Knicks' regular practice today started in the afternoon.

But truly young and powerful Jimmy Bass are often full of raw energy from the very beginning of the day, and they often need to find something to do early in the morning to relieve this excessive energy.

So, as usual, he drove to the Greenburg training center early in the morning.

Although he officially became a starter for the team this season, he has not relaxed his training requirements.

He knew that starting meant greater responsibility.

Greater responsibility means more hard work.

A guy like him, who doesn't have much talent on paper, can't be complacent if he can make it into the starting lineup of a championship contender.

He must fight relentlessly, allowing no room for complacency.

As the familiar outline of the Greenburg training center came into view, a slender figure running in the dim morning light caught Jimmy Butler's eye.

Jimmy Butler recognized Giannis Antetokounmpo almost immediately; only he possessed such exaggerated body proportions.

He rolled down the window, slowed down, and stuck his head out to shout, "Hey rookie! Forgot to save money for your taxi again?"

Giannis Antetokounmpo had an embarrassing experience during training camp when he sent money home but forgot to set aside money for a taxi, so he had to walk to the training center.

In the end, a kind fan took him to the training facility, which prevented him from being late on the first day of training camp.

So, Jimmy Butler thought he had made the same mistake again.

The Greek Freak waved his hand, his panting particularly clear in the morning stillness: "No, Jimmy, I just...huff...want to run around. You go ahead, don't worry about me, see you later."

After saying goodbye to Jimmy Butler, Giannis Antetokounmpo continues his run.

His Knicks practice jersey was soaked with sweat, and his breathing had become quite heavy, but he didn't want to stop.

Running is his weapon against pressure.

Last night and this morning, Giannis experienced for the first time the piercing brilliance and chilling cruelty of New York, the holy temple of basketball.

In this world's most watched basketball hub, even a rookie receives an astonishing amount of attention.

It's a double-edged sword; playing in New York means it's easier to become famous. As long as you perform well, you'll shine brightly.

But being scrutinized under a microscope also means you'll face more criticism.

The Lynch-era Knicks never lacked players who left in disappointment because they couldn't handle the pressure of the city.

In New York, learning to swallow harsh criticism is a rite of passage for every player.

The Greek monster also failed to escape this test.

Despite struggling for less than five minutes on the field last night, he was met with a barrage of criticism from the media and fans.

The New York Times mercilessly labeled him "the only failed lottery pick of the Lynch era."

Stephen A. Smith roared on his primetime show: "If it weren't for God's mercy in giving us an Anthony Bennett, Giannis would be the most complete disaster among the top five picks! His performance in those few minutes was a disgrace to the basketball Mecca!"

Countless New York fans posted on social media: "Stop putting Giannis on the court!"

This is not a pleasant experience. No one sees or cares about the sweat of a summer, the torment of the Salt Lake City training camp, or the countless lonely moments of training late into the night.

People will dismiss him entirely because of just a few minutes of bad performance.

Recalling those cold words and clamorous doubts, Giannis gritted his teeth, lowered his head even further, and stomped heavily on the ground, as if trying to crush all his resentment and grievances into the dust.

In Greece, civilization, like in North America, was on the verge of extinction.

Giannis often encounters extremists who use violence against immigrants. These people attack immigrants without explanation, roughly drag them off buses and subways, and then beat them severely.

So every day on their way home from school, Giannis and his brothers walked on thin ice. To get home safely, and to cope with the pressure, Giannis turned their walk home from school into a track and field game.

He always competed with his brothers to see who could get home first. Over time, running became an instinct ingrained in his bones to fight fear and process stress.

At this moment, in this foreign land at dawn, he once again activated this ancient instinct to drown out the sharp, piercing sounds in his mind.

Another car passed by him, also slowing down and rolling down its window.

To the Greek monster's astonishment, it was Lynch who arrived this time.

It's not surprising that Jimmy Butler arrives at the training facility so early; he's a notorious gym rat. Although he's a starter for the Knicks this season, he's not a superstar, and he still needs to work as hard as possible.

But what about Lynch?

This best player in the world just won the opening game of his retirement tour last night under the spotlight, giving it his most triumphant and perfect start.

As a result, he also appeared at the training hall very early in the morning?

"Yannis," Lynch said, his car keeping a low speed alongside the running Greeks, "coming for a morning run so early?"

The Greeks did not stop their heavy steps; the long-suppressed confusion and frustration in their hearts were completely ignited at this moment by Lynch's unexpected appearance.

"Lynch, what do I have to do to become a decent NBA player? I've put in all my effort, I've trained all summer, and I was one of the hardest-working players in training camp. Can I really succeed? What else can I do?"

This was the first time the Greeks doubted themselves.

Because he had never experienced a more difficult moment than this.

Yes, he used to be a caddy at the club his brother played for. He would mop the floor and hand out towels while others practiced.

But the hardship was tinged with hope, because he quickly demonstrated a talent that surpassed most people, easily outperforming other kids, and attracting the attention of clubs across Europe in a very short time.

No matter how humble his start, Giannis knew he only needed one chance, just one chance, to change everything.

However, this rule does not apply in the NBA.

Whether it was the preseason game or last night's opening game, he seemed like a helpless child, recklessly barging into the cruel arena of adults, appearing so out of place and so powerless.

This was the first time he felt that his talent was nothing special.

Lynch knew that Giannis was under even greater pressure than in the other timeline.

In another timeline, nobody would care about a 15th overall pick playing in Milwaukee.

Even if he dribbles the ball onto the instep of his foot on the court, nobody will care.

In fact, in that timeline, Giannis truly began to gain attention when he placed his opponent's foot on the instep of his own in the 2021 Eastern Conference semifinals.

But the No. 5 pick playing in New York? That's a completely different concept; he'll face entirely different challenges.

Every expectation here carries a scorching heat, and every mistake is magnified and scrutinized.

Whether he can overcome these tempering challenges will determine whether he can transform into the Greek monster that Lynch knows.

Therefore, Lynch did not approach the Greeks with the mindset of "he will definitely succeed no matter what, so there's no need to worry about him."

He understood that even the same person, under different circumstances, would develop drastically different career trajectories. The same seed of talent, sown in different soil, would yield drastically different fruit.

He had to make sure that Giannis in this timeline was just as good as Giannis in the other timeline.

Faced with the Greeks' roar, Lynch simply grinned and said, "What you have to do is very simple. From today onwards, we've decided to make you play point guard."

The Greeks finally stopped running.

This was probably the most absurd declaration he had ever heard in his basketball career.

Giannis Antetokounmpo isn't the type to underestimate himself, but he's quite aware of how rough his basketball skills are.

He only started receiving formal basketball training a few years ago. Although he trained very hard, this is something that cannot be quickly made up for by hard work alone.

The last game proved that he can barely handle the ball in NBA-level competition. Any defender with even a little experience can steal the ball from Giannis Antetokounmpo.

So, he's going to play point guard?

This is even more absurd than making Tony Allen a shooter.

Giannis Antetokounmpo thought Lynch was making fun of him, but Lynch's expression gradually became serious: "We have hired Jason Kidd to join the coaching staff (in this timeline, Kidd did not sign with the Nets as a coach), and he will teach you how to be a good point guard."

"Lin Qi, are you guys serious?"

"Giannis, stop doubting yourself. If I told you that a boy who sells pirated CDs, sunglasses, and trinkets at a stall near the Acropolis in Athens would one day become an NBA player, would you think I was serious? But you did it."

You possess a unique talent, and our lottery draft has never gone wrong.

Trust me, we won't make any mistakes with you.

Don't complain, don't be suspicious, don't be afraid.

Taking action is always the best response.

Don't exhaust yourself with excessive running before training. See you later.

After finishing his sentence, Lynch stepped on the gas and sped away, heading towards the Greenburg training center not far away.

Giannis Antetokounmpo, hands on his knees, digested the unbelievable words he had just heard in the morning light.

I?
Point guard?

After arriving at the training center, Lynch went straight to the head coach's office.

That's why he arrived so early today.

Pushing open the office door, Jason Kidd was already sitting opposite Mike Malone.

The legendary point guard, who had battled Lynch fiercely during his time in Los Angeles, stood up and shook hands with Lynch: "It's great to join this team, Lynch."

Lynch simply smiled and nodded, because he knew Jason Kidd was lying.

The team had long considered bringing Jason Kidd into the coaching staff; everyone knew that this old guy with his incredible shooting accuracy was full of wisdom about basketball.

Jason Kidd also knew his worth, and he longed to rise to the top immediately after retirement, becoming the head coach of an NBA team.

He has a rather morbid obsession with power, and only becoming the head coach can satisfy his appetite.

However, because Billy King, the world's smartest general manager, had already lost his job in this timeline, Jason Kidd ultimately failed to achieve his goal.

He had no choice but to settle for second best and find an assistant coach position to establish himself in the coaching world.

Therefore, he was certainly not happy with the result.

But none of that mattered. Lynch knew that Jason Kidd was the catalyst that helped Giannis grow.

Jason Kidd was stunned when he learned of his main role with the Knicks.

He felt that one of them, Lynch, must have gone mad.

"You want me to coach a guy who can't even dribble properly as a point guard? Lynch, I'm glad you have so much confidence in me. But I'm a coach, not Frankenstein. I can't create a mad scientist on the basketball court!"

But Lynch disagreed, revealing his true purpose:
"You'll see his talent. Although he has the height of a center, his coordination is just as good as mine and KD's."

Most importantly, viewing the game from a point guard's perspective helps him better read the defense. This ability, in turn, allows him to make more informed decisions on the defensive end.

We may not get a point guard over 210cm tall all at once, but we will soon get a Greek monster who can fully showcase his talent on the defensive end.

This season we need his defense, which is why we need you. Think about it, Jason, in New York, in the global spotlight of "The Last Time," if you can succeed in coaching or developing players, many teams will offer you head coaching contracts. Don't miss this opportunity.

Upon hearing this, Jason Kidd opened his mouth, but quickly closed it again.

When he opened his mouth again, he no longer resisted his mission: "I will do everything in my power regarding Giannis's monster-raising plan."

At that moment, Jimmy Butler's loud shout echoed from the training field:

"Giannis, if I had your height and wingspan, I could shut down anyone in this league. The key is that you have to learn how to defend, that's very important."

Yes, Lynch thought so too.

Fortunately, he will soon learn how to defend.
-
If the Knicks can't find someone to solidify Lynch's defense during rotation time before the trade deadline, Lynch's retirement tour will likely face significant challenges. Chandler Parsons' season-ending injury has had a much greater impact than we imagined. — Shaquille O'Neal in "NBA Insider" analysis.

Steve Kerr believes the team has tested the limits of Lynch's dominance, and we don't need to be overly saddened by the opening game loss. —The Oklahoma City Journal

Jason Kidd joins the Knicks coaching staff as part of the grand narrative of his retirement tour. —The New York Times

Let's guess who will leave the league first, Giannis Antetokounmpo or Anthony Bennett. — Stephen A. Smith joked on his show.

Regarding the Brooklyn Nets' ridiculously low-priced signing of Andrei Kirilenko, the league has not yet found any irregularities in its investigation. —ESPN SportsCenter

In the narrative of this era, beating Lynch is my mission, just as Reggie Miller's mission was to dethrone MJ. In 1998, Reggie was just one game away from doing it. This year, I won't fall short in a single game. — LeBron James confidently discussed himself and Lynch after easily defeating the Spurs in their opening game with the revamped Brooklyn Nets.

(End of this chapter)