Champion Rules

Chapter 403, page 399: The Most Successful Loser in History (Seeking monthly votes!)

This was the first time LeBron James had ever seen so many people gathered outside the Barclays Center; the place had never been so bustling before.

As far as LeBron James knows, "top-of-the-line tickets" for this game have already sold for hundreds of dollars, and front-row seats were sold out before the season even started.

LeBron James should be happy that his home games have such a strong appeal.

But he couldn't smile at all at this moment, because he knew very well that the reason this game was so exciting was because of the man who was about to step into this stadium—Lin Qi!
Whenever the Nets and Knicks play a game, LeBron James, the nominal "owner," instantly loses control of his territory.

The Barclays Center will immediately become Lynch's radiant temporary home ground.

Everyone came to see Lynch. Many public figures even turned down other scheduled events just to come to the Barclays Center and see how Lynch continued to dominate his arch-rival, LeBron James.

Last night, Kings' new owner Vic Ranadivé even said in an interview that he was "jealous" of Lynch:
“My daughter Anjali has only been to one Kings game in person, but this is her third time going to New York to see Lynch play this season. Even though it requires crossing the United States, flying from the West Coast to the East Coast, she still enjoys it.”

To be honest, I'm jealous of Lynch. He always manages to attract the world's attention like a magnet. My own team, on the other hand, can't even attract my own daughter.

Milwaukee Bucks owner Wes Edens shares the same concern: "My youngest daughter is almost obsessed with Lynch. She goes to New York to watch Lynch play whenever she has time. She once asked me if I could trade Lynch to Milwaukee. I told her: Sweetheart, even if I offered the whole of Milwaukee, Lynch would never wear a Bucks jersey."

This is Lynch, the guy who turned the daughters of other team owners into runaway princesses.

Lynch's appeal is indeed unparalleled, but in fact, LBJ has somewhat underestimated his own charisma.

There's a reason why this match attracted so many viewers.

As a well-known "loser," watching Lynch continue to dominate LBJ in the final season of his career is an important part of the retirement tour narrative.

What makes LeBron James so special is that he has maintained an extremely high level of performance for many years.

Even during his time with the Thunder, when he was jokingly called Scottie Pippen, he was always a first-team All-Star and a regular All-Star starter.

This means that he has always been considered worthy of being defeated.

If Lynch continues to dominate an average All-Star, it won't be very interesting.

But Lynch consistently dominated a superstar level, which highlights his era-defining dominance.

Moreover, watching LeBron James play is a lot of fun in itself. You never know what unbelievable but impressive move he'll make the next second of the game. For example, the crab walk, the crab jump shot, the crab crown, the crab fadeaway.

So Lynch was right, LeBron James is the second lead in this grand retirement tour.

Unfortunately, he was the second protagonist that everyone hoped would lose.

The moment Lynch stepped into the Barclays Center, the entire arena seemed to be awakened by an invisible force.

Amidst the deafening roar of cheers, almost all the fans spontaneously stood up. Countless cell phone flashlights illuminated the scene, creating a vibrant, dazzling galaxy.

Lynch, sporting his signature smile, chatted with several public figures on the sidelines.

Anjali, the daughter of the Kings' owner, seemed particularly eager, or rather, her enthusiasm carried an undeniable aggressiveness. She almost threw herself into Lynch's arms: "I'm going to stay in New York for a few more days! Do you have time? I'd like to have a meal at your restaurant."

Mallory Edens, the daughter of the Bucks' owner, seemed to feel threatened and boldly took Lynch's arm, saying, "I'll be in New York for a few days too!"

This scene aroused envy and jealousy among countless men around. You can imagine how it would feel to have a younger and more beautiful Aunt Jenny being so proactive towards you.

Moreover, there were two of them.

It can only be said that Lynch's ball-handling skills have not only won over male fans, but have also gained recognition from a large number of female fans.

"Of course you're welcome." Lin Qi looked at the two young ladies and responded politely but distantly, the curve of his lips just right but lacking warmth.

After that, he shook hands and hugged everyone, smoothly performing the etiquette of a superstar's social interactions.

Dealing with these people was more like part of Lynch's job.

It wasn't until his gaze fell on LeBron James as he walked onto the court that a genuine smile finally blossomed on his face.

A person will only show this genuine smile when they see their truly beloved pet.

As LBJ watched Lynch approach step by step, he subconsciously took a deep breath.

Those who haven't personally experienced facing Lynch will never understand the suffocating feeling that follows him everywhere.

Imagine a guy whose height, wingspan, and speed are completely mismatched, waving his sky-covering arms in front of you, making it difficult for you to even see where your teammates are. Just imagining that makes you feel like the air is thinning.

The only person in NBA history more exaggerated than Lynch in terms of "complete mismatch between size and speed" is probably Victor Wenbanyama, the first high monk of Shaolin Temple.

Others, whether it's Anthony Davis, Serge Ibaka, or Kevin Durant, can only match or come close to Lynch in this respect.

So every time you see Lynch before a match, a huge sense of pressure will press down on your chest.

Just as LBJ was once again gripped by this immense pressure, a steady and powerful hand pressed down on his shoulder.

LBJ turned his head and saw Paul Millsap.

This low-key, well-rounded guy, hailed as "the Andre Iguodala of the power forward position," has proven himself to be a reliable teammate through five games.

Immediately afterwards, Kevin Love walked past him and, just as silently, patted him heavily on the shoulder.

Trevor Ariza, Shaun Livingston, and then every Nets bench player. One by one, every teammate who passed by him conveyed the same message with this simple yet powerful body language: encouragement, trust, and the determination to fight side by side.

The atmosphere on this Nets team is so pure and cohesive. Apart from LeBron James, there isn't another superstar on the team who needs to be in the spotlight. They are willing to play supporting roles, yet they are perfectly aware of their value to the team.

Each slap felt like a warm current, dispelling the chill that lingered in LBJ's heart.

LBJ straightened his back, met Lynch's smile, and strode forward without fear.

After embracing his former teammate Trevor Ariza, Lynch's gaze returned to number 23.

LeBron James glanced at his teammates, seemingly drawing immense confidence from them, and said with brimming self-assurance, "You showed absolutely no respect to David yesterday."

"So quick to stand up for your 'partner'? I disrespect him because some ungrateful bastard compared himself to Reggie Miller and threatened to kill me. LeBron, how dare you? Even in his most difficult times, Reggie Miller didn't run to New York like a frightened rabbit seeking refuge with Patrick Ewing."

LBJ's veins bulged instantly: "I didn't run away, I just ushered in an era of player empowerment. What I did was just as important as your bargaining at the labor negotiation table! If I hadn't broken new ground, this would still be a league where one team calls the shots!"

Lynch shook his head. He and Carmelo Anthony could become friends despite being rivals, and he, Flash, Kobe, and KG respected each other despite their competition. But that's why he and LeBron James could never be friends.

This guy's hypocrisy and shamelessness disgusted Lynch.

"Stop patting yourself on the back, LeBron, and stop downplaying my contributions to the labor negotiations," Lynch turned and waved casually, as if shooing away an annoying insect. "I have nothing to say to you. By the way, as a leader, you should be the one lifting the team up, not like you, taking it for granted that the team is lifting you up. Those guys who are trying to empower you have really entrusted themselves to the wrong person."

"Shut up, you bitch! You've been playing for a super team all your life, you have no idea about this kind of team cohesion!"

Lin Qi did not respond further, but simply walked to his own half of the court and silently began to warm up.

He's said enough; now it's time to let his actions speak for themselves.

The game started quickly, and DeAndre Jordan secured possession for the Knicks.

The cheers from the fans in the arena continued to grow louder, hoping that the Knicks would tear the Nets to pieces.

But the Nets demonstrated an exceptionally high level of defense in the very first possession.

Kyrie Irving saw an excellent opportunity for Jimmy Butler to drive, having just shaken off LBJ's defense using DeMar DeRozan's screen.

Kyrie Irving immediately passed the ball, but Jimmy Butler's layup attempt ultimately failed due to interference from Shaun Livingston.

Although Shaun Livingston plays point guard, his 201cm height makes him perfectly capable of switching to defend the forwards.

Just now, the moment LeBron James was left behind, Shaun Livingston immediately switched onto him without hesitation and successfully stopped Butler's attack.

This is the defensive strategy that the Nets have relied on this season. With a lot of quick switching and watertight help defense, they have built an impenetrable wall that ranks among the top five in the league.

It's even clear that this team already has the rudiments of an unlimited switching defensive system.

From starters to substitutes, every player on the team possesses height, agility, and defensive awareness.

Commentator Reggie Miller noted, "In fact, the Brooklyn Nets' roster this season is almost exactly what Pat Riley described as the future of basketball."

Five versatile forwards, agile and quick, forming an impenetrable defense.

The future is coming sooner than anyone expected.

After successfully defending that shot, LeBron James faced Jimmy Butler's defense directly.

LBJ's favorite position is still small forward, but playing power forward last season forced him to face Lynch head-on. This season, returning to small forward, he can finally avoid Lynch's relentless pressure.

Of course, theoretically speaking, the Knicks could have used Lynch to directly match up against LBJ.

In practice, however, Mike Malone would not do that.

The premise for having Lynch guard LBJ the entire game is that the offense can be handled by others, and Lynch only needs to focus on defense.

However, the Nets' outstanding defense this season is something that others may not be able to handle.

Mike Malone needs Lynch to focus more on the offensive end.

Furthermore, even if Lynch were to play against LBJ, Paul Millsap would still have the advantage against Jimmy Butler.

Therefore, the most likely outcome of having Lynch guard LBJ is that Lynch will be greatly exhausted and still not be able to defend him very effectively.

Jimmy Butler is known for his tough style, but LBJ still managed to carry him with his superhuman physique and force his way into the heart of the paint.

DeAndre Jordan returned to the basket to help defend, and LBJ almost reflexively passed the ball to Kevin Love.

Compared to Brook Lopez, Kevin Love, who originally played guard, is a purer long-range shooter.

His three-point shooting speed, volume, and consistency are all better than Brook Lopez's last season.

DeAndre Jordan made a desperate save, but Love had already released the ball.

"brush!"

The cheers at Barclays Center were fading as the score reached 3-0.

The Brooklyn Nets are no joke this year!
After completing the assist, LeBron James spread his arms wide and shook his head at Lynch: "This is us! Just because KD can't do something doesn't mean I can't!"

The game continued, and Lynch used a screen to circle out to the three-point line. Trevor Ariza immediately switched and positioned himself in front of Lynch again.

Nets head coach Lionel Hollins remained calm. Although Lynch had successfully moved the defense around using an off-ball screen, the Nets' signature switch-everything defense was rock solid and failed to create any real mismatches for the Knicks.

In modern basketball, with the development of player skills and the changes in rules, the best way to attack is to find mismatches.

Therefore, pick-and-roll began to be used extensively, and almost every team used various screens as the basis of their tactics.

The Oklahoma City Thunder's passing and cutting system, to put it simply, is a process of constantly finding mismatches.

The Nets' switch-everything defense ensured that no matter how you played, you couldn't find a mismatch.

Trevor Ariza ostensibly plays shooting guard, but when he switches onto Lynch, Lynch essentially doesn't get any mismatch opportunities.

Lin Qi remained calm, made a few triple threat moves with the ball, and then suddenly raised his center of gravity and lifted the ball high.

Trevor Ariza had to jump up to interfere; he knew Lynch was likely just faking it, but he couldn't let him get away with it.

When facing a guy who has scored 60 points in three of the most intense Finals games in his career, there can be no gamble when defending him.

If Lynch breaks through, Trevor Ariza can still rely on help defense to clean up his mess.

But if Lynch were to shoot like that directly, it would be no different from giving away points.

Sure enough, as soon as Trevor Ariza's feet left the ground, Lynch lowered his center of gravity and accelerated.

However, the Nets' help defense is quick. This season, the Nets don't have any quality rim protectors, so they can only rely on help defense to make up for their lack of rim protection.

When Lynch jumped, Paul Millsap and Kevin Love also stretched out their arms and leaped into the air.

Two long arms blocked all conventional shooting angles, but Lynch, with a beautiful reverse layup, narrowly slipped through the gap between them, gliding gracefully to the other side of the basket. A powerful back-to-the-basket dunk slammed the ball into the hoop!
The Barclays Center was finally lit up, and the Kings' owner's beloved daughter almost leaped onto the court.

This is the legendary moment that they traveled thousands of miles and paid exorbitant ticket prices to witness in person!
Lionel Hollins scoffed. The Nets had done their best defensively this possession, but Lynch...
Fortunately, LBJ immediately stabilized the situation with a goal.

In this possession, LBJ pulled up for a mid-range jumper and scored 2 points over Jimmy Butler.

With the score at 5-2, LeBron James yelled at Lynch, "It's going to be a tough game, but we're going to stay up all night!"

"LeBron, do you get oxygen deprivation if you don't talk big?" Lynch shook his head, then reached out to catch the ball again.

This time, Lynch faced Paul Millsap, the power forward Andre Iguodala, who possessed strength, agility, and seasoned defensive wisdom.

He can face Lynch directly, or switch onto other players after Lynch calls for a pick-and-roll.

But Lynch didn't call a screen. He started dribbling with his left and right hands, trying to take on Paul Millsap one-on-one!

"Bang! Bang!" After a series of changes of direction, Lin Qi made a powerful drive to the right.

Millsap reacted with lightning speed, shifting sideways to block, and the two men's muscles collided violently. Lynch, with his superior strength, managed to create a sliver of space, gaining half a body length advantage!

As Paul Millsap prepared to turn and chase, Lynch suddenly stopped, turned around, and made a fadeaway jump shot!
At 4-5, facing different defensive stalwarts from the Nets, Lynch once again coldly sent the ball into the basket!

The Nets didn't panic. On the next possession, LeBron James delivered a surgically precise pass, assisting Trevor Ariza to drive to the basket and score, bringing the score to 7-4.

The Nets started the game on offense smoothly, and they only need to maintain their defensive solidity to keep the advantage firmly in their hands.

LeBron James still doesn't believe Lynch can keep scoring like this.

As it turned out, the Knicks scored again!

This time, Lynch reversed the situation, having Kyrie Irving run a pick-and-roll with him against Shawn Livingston.

Commentator Mark Jackson remarked on the Nets' flexibility in switching on defense: "This is still not a mismatch. The pick-and-roll between Lynch and Kyrie Irving didn't work. Lynch won't be able to find a mismatch opportunity tonight."

Theoretically speaking, it's not really a mismatch for 201cm tall Shaun Livingston to defend Lynch.

But Lynch didn't seem to care whether he had a mismatch opportunity or not, and immediately launched an attack.

He dribbled between his legs repeatedly to adjust his rhythm, and at the moment Livingston's center of gravity shifted slightly—

A swift step back created space, and he fired!
At 201 cm, Shaun Livingston is indeed tall and has a long reach, but against Lynch, who stepped back to create space, he was slightly at a height disadvantage, and the interference wasn't particularly tight this time.

then--

"Whoosh!" A three-point piercing through the heart!

Mark Jackson's commentary partner, Reggie Miller, who once went up against Michael Jordan, seems to have figured out what Lynch is up to:
"Lin Qi has completely gone mad!"
Lynch wasn't looking for mismatches; he was using the Nets' proud switch-everything defensive lineup as his roster!

Paul Millsap? He hit! Shaun Livingston? He hit! Trevor Ariza? He hit at the start too!

What is he trying to do? He wants to tell the whole world—maybe your defensive switching flexibility is great, but whoever the hell switches to defend, I'll take them all!

You guys have your switch-everything defense, and I have my indiscriminate one-on-one offense!
This is what Lynch is doing right now!

As expected of the man who drove even a god to the brink in 1998, Reggie Miller's analysis is spot on; he understands the psychology of people like MJ and Lynch very well.

When Lynch calls for a screen, whether it's off-ball movement or a pick-and-roll with the ball, his purpose is never to find an easy mismatch or weakness.

His goal was clear and ruthless—to target and dismantle the Brooklyn Nets' proud "switch-everything" defense system, one by one!

He wanted to declare in the most naked way: Your proud and impregnable defenses are nothing but a facade in front of me!
Yes, but from a competitive standpoint, this is neither reasonable nor necessary.

But killers like Michael Jordan and Lynch not only win games logically, they also seize every opportunity to destroy your spirit!
7-7, the score is tied. LeBron James' Adam's apple bobbed nervously, as if he had swallowed an invisible grain of sand.

At this moment, he is at great risk of his boast being exposed.

But the basketball gods were still on his side. In this possession, Shaun Livingston, with his overwhelming height advantage at the point guard position, backed down Kyrie Irving and scored with a lucky bank shot.

9-7. So far, both sides have been incredibly efficient offensively.

LeBron James's declaration of "leading the whole game" continues, but it's like a candle flickering in the wind, barely maintaining a faint flame.

Just as Reggie Miller predicted, Lynch did not stop scoring; he switched to one-on-one attacks.

In this play, Lynch and DeAndre Jordan executed a classic 4-5 pick-and-roll against Kevin Love.

This technically gifted three-point rebounder is probably the worst one-on-one defender in the Nets' starting lineup. Despite his top-notch game reading ability and admirable defensive attitude, his mediocre athleticism greatly limits his defensive effectiveness.

Lin Qi remained calm and unhurried, as if admiring a toy about to be disassembled, ready to "play" with his opponent.

But LeBron James double-teamed him early; he couldn't just watch Lynch score anymore.

Seeing this situation, Lin Qi had no choice but to act quickly.

Well, this is a relief for Kevin Love.

Number 20 almost broke through Kevin Love in one step, gaining half a body length of space, and then immediately pulled up for a jump shot.

Throughout the entire process, Kevin Love's pace and Lynch's pace were completely out of sync.

Although Kevin Love reacted quickly, and although Lynch's attack involved almost no feints.

Love's limited mobility made it impossible for him to keep up with Lynch, and he could only watch helplessly as Lynch took off.

By the time LBJ closed in, Lynch had already released his shot, only managing to grab a handful of empty air.

"brush!"

"Another shot! Lynch is firing on all cylinders! He's taken care of Kevin, so now—" Reggie Miller paused, his voice trembling with excitement.

All the cameras on site, like sharks smelling blood, focused on number 23, Lynch's next target.

"So now, only LeBron James remains! Lynch has saved his favorite prey for last in this game of hunting!"

At 9-9, Lynch, who had scored 9 consecutive points, didn't even glance at his defeated opponent Kevin Love.

He knew perfectly well that LBJ was the second main character tonight:
"How much longer do you want your teammates to support you? Are you going to hide in a corner like a coward and watch them fall one by one?!"

They can pat you on the shoulder and give you encouragement before the game, but once you're on the field, who can you expect to shoulder all of this for you?
"You're next, LeBron. I really hope you can step up like a man and set a good example!"

LeBron James' jawline was taut, as he tried to maintain the lead through offense and keep his declaration going.

But the god of basketball won't favor a team for an entire night.

In this offensive possession, Shaun Livingston attempted to repeat his previous tactic, using his height advantage to back down Kyrie Irving.

But Kyrie Irving is no pushover either. Just as Shaun Livingston gathered the ball and prepared to turn around, Irving made a precise move, and the basketball slipped from his grasp, ending the Nets' offense.

This was the Brooklyn Nets' first offensive miss of the night.

This is also the first time tonight that the Brooklyn Nets will face being overtaken!

LeBron James continued to stay by Jimmy Butler's side, and even after Lynch had said those things, he still did not take the initiative to fight.

Lynch received the ball after crossing half-court, pointed in the direction of Jimmy Butler and LBJ, and waved the scepter of destiny like a conductor: "What? Do I have to personally 'invite' you?! Jimmy, screen!"

Jimmy Butler, like the most loyal soldier, immediately formed a solid barrier with his body.

The cheers at Barclays Center reached their peak at this moment, and all the fans in the front row stood up.

It wasn't that they couldn't see, but the enthusiastic atmosphere made it impossible for them to sit still on the bench.

LBJ had to follow Jimmy Butler to Lynch's side, and at that moment, he desperately hoped that Paul Millsap could quickly get around the screen so that he wouldn't have to switch onto Lynch.

But it's clear that Paul Millsap doesn't have that strong ability to go around screens. As a forward who primarily plays the power forward position, his size means he can't be the kind of player who excels at going around screens.

Lynch was right; at that moment, LBJ lost the support of his teammates.

There is no way to avoid it!

Under the scorching gaze of 20,000 people in the arena, LeBron James was finally forced to stand in front of Lynch!

At this moment, he is the only defender on the Brooklyn Nets roster who has not yet been personally "marked" and defeated by Lynch!
But everyone was certain that he was about to be defeated!

The Nets' strategy was to wait for Lynch to break through before providing help defense and double-teaming.

This means that when Lynch holds the ball beyond the three-point line, looking down at the basket like a king, LeBron James can only face the ultimate judgment from the King of New York alone and helpless.

Inside the VIP box, Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov's heart clenched tightly.

The despairing scene before him instantly pulled him into a time tunnel. The live television broadcast of the 1978 Converse World Basketball Invitational Tournament exploded in his mind.

Andrei Rapatov, the former Soviet defender at that time, was just like the figure wearing number 23 in front of us.

Alone, abandoned at one end of the empty stadium, they became prey to be toyed with at will by their opponents!

In the 1978 Converse World Basketball Invitational Tournament, the television station organized a group of NCAA star players to form teams and play one game each against the national teams of the former Soviet Union, Cuba, and Yugoslavia.

That was the first time 13-year-old Mikhail Prokhorov had seen American college players play on live television. The most memorable play for him was a 2-on-1 fast break by an American college All-Star team.

At that time, Andrei Rapatov, a defender for the former Soviet national team, stood alone and helpless in front of two American college players as the last line of defense.

He looked like an insignificant blade of grass in a torrent of steel, utterly powerless to stop any attack.

And indeed, the two American college stars, one black and one white, easily outmaneuvered Andrei Rapatov, who seemed rooted to the spot, with their pleasing eye-catching interactions.

The defender's frozen in place, waving his arms in vain, was a testament to a deep-seated helplessness and despair.

Later, Mikhail Prokhorov learned that the two American players who humiliated the defenders like acrobats were Larry Bird and Magic Johnson.

The current LeBron is just like Andrei Rapatov in 1978, who was helpless.

The Russian oligarch's memory was instantly pulled back to that time, even though the current round was not a fast break, and even though the current round was not 2 against 1.

But LeBron James's frozen figure, taut muscles, and the fear in his eyes that he tried to hide but couldn't shake off all exuded a sense of loneliness that was no different from that of Rapatov in 1978.

Lynch approached with the ball, and LeBron James tensed up, hesitant to reach out.

Against Lynch, any defensive weakness is fatal.

He pressed close to the ball, giving it absolutely no space to easily score or pull up for a shot.

His defensive strategy is the same as Trevor Ariza's: he'd rather let Ariza get past him than let him get an easy shot off.

After all, there's always help defense if someone gets beaten.

LBJ knew that this defensive play was a matter of pride and a declaration of his mission. Therefore, every squeeze of his muscles and every collision of his bones was filled with a desperate ferocity.

Faced with such pressure, Lynch simply backed down to protect the ball, calmly observing the Nets' defensive positioning and looking for a way to break through.

“LeBron,” Lynch began, “I agree with you, you’ve never played for a super team. Because, the most important thing in judging whether a team is a super team is the level of its core players. Sorry, LeBron, but I’m the reason the New York Knicks are a super team!”

As soon as he finished speaking, Lynch turned around to break through, but LeBron James quickly moved to the side to block him. His massive body slammed down like a gate, blocking Lynch's path.

He's a player who's been selected to the All-Defensive Team for years, so beating him won't be easy.

But Lynch didn't expect to get past LBJ with such a simple move. After being blocked while turning around, Lynch paused and then smoothly connected with a behind-the-back dribble.

This created a sliver of space for Lin Qi to attack the basket, and he immediately accelerated, launching an attack towards the paint.

LeBron James tried to steal the ball, but it was too late; he only managed to slap air.

However, the Nets' defense did not completely collapse.

Lynch got past LeBron James, the first hurdle, but what came into view was the Nets' frontcourt's already solid defensive formation.

Paul Millsap, Kevin Love, Trevor Ariza—a multitude of long arms blocked the bloody path to the basket like a jungle!
For LBJ, even if he only forced Lynch to pass the ball, his defensive play was successful.

LeBron James humbly prayed that as long as Lynch didn't score directly over him this time, even if he was forced to pass the ball or even if he assisted his teammate to score, he would consider this defensive play a lucky escape!
However, Lynch did not respond to his prayer.

Facing the Nets' frontcourt, number 20 showed no hesitation. He leaped into the air like a giant eagle swooping down on a storm, resolutely attacking the basket.

The difficulty was unimaginable; several muscular long arms instantly wove a deadly net that blotted out the sky, and the path to the basket was fraught with thorns.

Lynch zigzag through the air, narrowly avoiding Trevor Ariza's block and Paul Millsap's dive.

But after picking up the basketball again, Kevin Love jumped at just the right moment, about to make a block!
A glimmer of hope ignited in LeBron James' eyes. It seemed that Kevin Love was about to salvage LBJ's reputation and his "never fall behind" declaration.

But the aura of heroism only flashed briefly over Kevin Love's head before disappearing again.

But Lynch's monstrous core strength erupted once again. He pulled the ball back to his abdomen and used a second consecutive layup in mid-air to avoid Kevin Love's final block. Love's fingertips only had time to brush across a patch of empty air!

After performing this unbelievable move, Lin Qi's body tilted, his vision was obstructed, and he almost lost his balance.

Just as his toes were about to touch the ground, he deftly flicked the ball, and it went into the net!

Before the game, these arms were used to transfer power to LBJ.

But now, these arms can no longer help him prevent failure.

Lynch's words echoed once again: "As a leader, you should be the one lifting the team up, not the one taking it for granted that the team is lifting you up."

"boom!"

The moment the ball went in, the entire Barclays Center erupted like a volcano.

Even Reggie Miller, who is used to big events, held his head tightly with both hands behind the commentary box:

“We witnessed one of the most incredible shots of Lynch’s career! It’s fucking art that defies the laws of physics! Right now, all five of the Brooklyn Nets’ starters have been knocked down by Lynch once!”
Indiscriminate one-on-one play now completely surpasses the power of switching on any defense!

Every fan in the stadium went wild, stomping their feet and shouting. That last round was enough to make the expensive tickets worth the price.

Inside the VIP box, Mikhail Prokhorov slumped back onto the sofa, closing his eyes heavily. This was ten times more humiliating than Andrei Rapatov's defense against the Magician and Bird in 1978.

Andrei Rapatov was indeed tricked, but it was a one-on-two situation.

And Lynch? He took on five opponents single-handedly!

He knew that LBJ's fate would be no different from Andrei Rapatov's.

They are all merely insignificant footnotes destined to be forgotten in the glorious epic of the great conquerors.

Years later, few people remember who Andrei Rapatov was.

Similarly, years later, the name LeBron James will eventually be overshadowed by Lynch's brilliance, becoming a vague and forgotten 'loser' mark in the great legend.

The ball went in, Lynch landed, staggered a few steps, and then regained his balance.

Then he looked up, clenched his fist, and roared to the sky!
His eyes, burning with the flames of conquest, were wide open!
At this point, the score was 11-9, with the Knicks leading by 2 points.

LBJ's declaration that "we won't fall behind tonight" didn't even last half a quarter before it was completely discredited.

LeBron James stood frozen in place. He had just witnessed the entire process of how Lynch maneuvered through the Nets' proud iron defense. Every move was imprinted on his retina, so clear it was blinding, yet so absurd it was unbelievable!

The Brooklyn Nets' switch-everything defensive system, which Reggie Miller hailed as "the future of basketball," and its five tall, agile, and tenacious forwards, are now scattered like the ruins of a fortress swept away by a hurricane.

Lin Qi was like the Grim Reaper holding a roster, using the most cruel "roll call" method to crush them one by one!

Intentionally targeting every single player in the opponent's starting lineup is not a sound offensive strategy.

But Lynch has the right to choose the unreasonable.

The Nets called a timeout; Lionel Hollins couldn't allow the Knicks to snowball after Lynch's spectacular basket.

He had to use a timeout to get the players back on their feet—even if it was something he himself hadn't yet managed to do.

LeBron James staggered off the court, his ears ringing, as if his soul had been shattered by that goal.

The Nets' defensive system is already flawless, and LeBron James is well aware that the Nets' switch-everything defensive system will be a revolutionary achievement.

But against Lynch, this defense, which was theoretically without any weaknesses, seemed to be leaking air everywhere.

All five of them were easily executed.

Yes, Lynch can't play one-on-one like he did just now every round.

But at least Lynch proved that if he wanted to, he could use even more terrifying, indiscriminate one-on-one attacks in crucial moments to toy with the Nets' switch-everything defense.

They have absolutely no chance of winning!
LBJ looked up blankly, his gaze meeting a glaring sign waved by a fan in the stands, seemingly a final assessment of his career:
"LeBron, the most successful loser in history."

(One update today, but no reduction in output, 10,000 words combined with two other chapters)

(End of this chapter)