Champion Rules

Chapter 135, Section 131: The Reason to Become a Legend (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
We were not afraid of failure, therefore we won. — Philip Sanders on Lynch's game-winning shot.

That damn staff member should apologize to Flip Saunders! Who the hell does he think he is? Flip Saunders and his team crushed them, and he can only sit on the sidelines and cry! — Mike Malone is still angry about Flip Saunders being yelled at by a staff member.

I thought I was going to be the protagonist, but damn it, nobody can be the protagonist in front of Lynch, that's him. — Boris Diaw talking about blocking Lynch in a crucial play and then immediately getting the game-winning shot over Lynch's head.

The Knicks opted for a bold defensive strategy, and they succeeded. Tonight, only Steve Smith of the Suns scored over 20 points, and he only had 5 assists. Only three players on our team scored in double figures, which is far below our usual level. Despite the loss, Steve carried us through when our seven-second offense was neutralized, and I'm proud of him. He's one of the greatest players I've ever seen. — Mike D'Antoni on defeat.

I don't want to talk about my back. I don't want to use injuries as an excuse after a game. A loss is a loss. An injured back doesn't prevent me from shooting with my hands, or even with my head, as long as I can make the shot. — Steve Nash on his back injury.

The pressure of a game-winning shot? There's no need to emphasize that; it's just playing basketball. Homeless people experience pressure, not knowing how they'll eat their next meal. Single mothers experience pressure, worrying about their monthly rent. We, on the other hand, earn a lot of money from a single game. Don't get me wrong, there are definitely challenges, but calling them pressure is an insult to ordinary people. — Lynch on the pressure of a game-winning shot.

Only cowards refuse to take responsibility at crucial moments. Oh yes, I have a friend who is that kind of person. — Lynch's merciless mockery of his arch-enemy, whom he would never forget to mention.

Steve played brilliantly, but I never despaired. Oh, I did despair once, but that was before the match when he let me spit his saliva on my face. — Lynch's answer to the question, "Was there ever a moment when Steve made you despair?"

Sam's pre-game comments were a bit arrogant, but I allowed him to do so. After all, we are the defending champions, and I will back down on his arrogance. — Lynch jokingly refers to Sam Cassell's assessment of Nash as a "system player."

I admit I was wrong. Steve was far more than just a system player. But at least one thing I was right about: Lynch is a true MVP, and he will show everyone what an MVP should be like. — Sam Cassell recalls his remarks.
-
The Christmas Eve scoring duel between Lynch and Nash overshadowed all other games, becoming the sole focus of discussion.

This MVP battle was a clash of titans, featuring Nash's 48 points versus Lynch's 57 points, a brawl, and a buzzer-beating game-winner.
It's as exciting as movie tags like The Humiliation, Office, Secretary, Stockings, and Female Boss.

Lynch solidified his position at the top of the MVP rankings with this game, and also helped the Knicks regain the top spot in the Eastern Conference.

In previous seasons, the Knicks had been the top team in the Eastern Conference for a period of time, but they eventually fell out of contention each time.

They dropped to fourth place in the 04-05 season.

They dropped to second place last season.

This season, Lin Qi secretly set himself a small goal: to win first place in the regular season.

While regular season results don't determine the final season standings, missing out on first place is always a disappointment. Furthermore, regular season results are often a major factor in determining the MVP award.

Beating Nash isn't enough; Lynch needs to make his regular season record even more impressive.

Coincidentally, this time the system task was exactly what Lin Qi had in mind.

A long season is a test for both you and your aging team, but don't be afraid of challenges. Strive for first place; that's a crucial condition for becoming MVP.

[Goal: To achieve the second stage of the MVP journey and become the team with the best record in the Eastern Conference.]

[Reward: 100 talent points.]

To be honest, becoming number one in the East is by no means an easy path.

This season's Knicks are older, and the marks of time are becoming increasingly apparent on these veterans. As the season progresses, the team may encounter further injury problems.

Maintaining a consistent record is not so easy.

Lynch had also decided that he wouldn't trade the health of the veterans and the team's energy for an MVP vote.

Veterans should rest when injured, and Lynch wouldn't object if Philip Sanders had a rest strategy.

Lynch doesn't want these old guys to end up like Stephen Curry in 2025, getting injured at a crucial moment in the race for MJ's heir due to overwork.

As for the pressure of being named MVP, Lynch can bear that burden alone.

Ultimately, this is a personal award, and you can't expect others to sacrifice themselves for the personal awards you want.

The competition for MVP should not come at the cost of sacrificing the health of teammates, and the contest for FMVP should not be based on weakening the tactical role of teammates.

For the next 52 games, Lynch needs to maintain his winning percentage; he's constantly competing.

But Lynch was mentally prepared for this before he entered the NBA. Yao Ming had told him long ago that once the NBA season started, everything would be about competition.

The Knicks' 2006 season ended with a 2-1 record.

The Knicks, still exhausted from their Christmas Day game, lost to the Detroit Pistons in their second game, with Chauncey Billups scoring 25 points in superb form.

But the Steel Army quickly regrouped, sinking the Clippers and defeating the 76ers in succession at Staples Center and Wells Fargo Center, respectively, ending their year with two resounding victories.

After defeating the Knicks in 2006, the team's record was 26 wins and 7 losses. When they returned to the locker room after beating the 76ers, Flip Sanders had already written a sentence on the whiteboard.

"Come on, guys, this season is crucial, not just because of defending the title, but also because I desperately need the $8 bonus for making the Finals so I can renovate my pool. It's vital to me; if I can't afford to renovate the pool, my life will be in danger, I'm not kidding!"

Upon seeing this, the players burst into laughter, their tense nerves temporarily relaxed.

Stephon Marbury, wiping sweat from his tattoos with a towel, joked, "Phil, how about I lend you my championship prize money from last season? I know all too well what it's like to be nagged by your wife."

Tyson Chandler then took a picture of the whiteboard with his phone: "I'm going to sell this photo to the New York Post with the headline 'Shocking! The biggest crisis for the top coach in the East is...'"

Flip Saunders watched all this with a smile, and didn't get angry at the players' teasing.

After all the players arrived, he raised his thermos and shared the cup with the entire locker room.

"Happy New Year, guys, to the 2006 Larry O'Brien Trophy—" he deliberately dragged out the last syllable, waiting until the locker room was completely quiet before uttering the second half of the sentence, "and the champagne that will be served again in 2007."
-
The first rays of the new year's morning light shone through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the luxury villa on Long Island, outlining tender silhouettes on the disheveled silk sheets.

Alexandra Daddario's sea-blue eyes stared at the man who was about to get up, her fair arms wrapped around Lynch's arm like vines.

"No training or competition today," she said in a languid, nasal voice, her voice sweet and sticky, as she held Lynch's arm between the ball. "Can't a New York hero have a woman by his side someday?"

The Knicks didn't have a game on New Year's Day. Daddario was still lingering after a pure and energetic night, and she wished the man could spend more time with her.

Lynch chuckled as he withdrew from the gentle embrace, his muscular physique resembling a Greek sculpture in the morning light.

“Precisely because she is a hero,” he looked directly into her burning blue eyes and kissed her, “that children need to know that a true champion never betrays his promise.”

Lynch had already promised to participate in community activities with the team today. As a superstar, you always have to sacrifice a few days of your vacation to do these things.

Today, Lynch needs to go to the home of a young fan named Kevin Lucas to deliver gifts and tickets to the game.

In the car, Lynch inquired about the specifics of the children from Daria Tanaka, the Knicks' Japanese-American public relations manager.

"This tragic incident occurred six months ago. Fifteen-year-old Kevin was walking alone at night when he was suddenly attacked and robbed by a group of thugs. Kevin refused to cooperate, and a fight ensued. During the fight, one of them shot him in the neck from behind. The shooter was ultimately convicted of attempted murder, and his accomplices were also imprisoned. However..."
But this gunshot left Kevin paralyzed from the neck down, confining him to a wheelchair for the rest of his life.

"They're fucking scum," even in a beacon of freedom where such incidents are commonplace, hearing about this still disgusted Lynch. "What valuable thing did those idiots think they could steal from a child? They even went so far as to threaten to shoot, damn it."

"In fact, Kevin gave them all his money, necklaces and cell phones, but he wouldn't let go of your autographed jersey."

Lin Qi was angry and wanted to say something, but in the end he said nothing.

Faced with this damn world, even the best trash talker in the league will fall silent.

When Lynch met Kevin Lucas, he was in much better spirits than Lynch had expected. He was a white kid, cheerful, smiling, and wearing Lynch's national team jersey—which was enough to show he was a die-hard fan.

After a series of photo opportunities for reporters and team members, Kevin Jr. presented Lynch with a Knicks-themed wristband that read "Never Give Up." This heartwarming moment was captured on camera, marking the end of the event.

The various ceremonies under the flashing lights resembled a choreographed pantomime. When the staff put away the last microphone, the starlight in the boy's eyes suddenly went out.

Lynch saw all of this, so he suggested, "I'd like to walk around with Kevin alone."

Away from the camera's view, Lynch pushed Kevin Lucas around the quiet neighborhood. As they moved further from their home, the smile on the child's face gradually faded, and large tears fell onto his numb legs.

“I’m so grateful that you came to Lynch. I wish this day could last a little longer. I really don’t want it to end like this, but I know that MVP time is very valuable.”

Lynch's arrival gave the boy hope to face life positively, but this hope was so short-lived.

What he needs is a guiding light that provides him with hope over the long term, not a fleeting moment of emotion.

For a young child, accepting that he will not be able to run and jump for the rest of his life is not something that a simple show can achieve.

As the King of New York and the boy's idol, Lynch felt he should shoulder real responsibility.

Lynch patted him on the shoulder: "This day doesn't need to be long. You can come to MSG to see me anytime from now on. I'll allow you to meet me in the player tunnel after each game, and I'll give you and your family season tickets. Time? It's not a problem at all."

At this point, Lin Qi stopped and suddenly ripped off the bracelet he had just put on. The crisp sound of the silicone breaking startled the pigeons in the treetops.

“I know, all that empty talk like ‘never give up’ was pre-arranged by the staff. To hell with those damn PR scripts.” Lynch said, pulling a few more Knicks rubber wristbands from his pocket. “Here, write what you really want to write on this new wristband. Write anything, like cursing those damn bastards. I’ll wear what you write during the game, I promise.”

Lynch's rebellious act brought a smile back to the child's face. He took out a marker and rewrote a sentence on the fitness tracker.

"To do: Live life to the fullest and witness Lynch become the next Michael Jordan."

The boy handed the bracelet to Lynch: "You're really going to wear this during the game?"

"of course."

How many matches?

“Until I retire.” Lynch simply slipped the bracelet onto his left wrist; he wanted to create a lasting dream for this child.

This is a damn, realistic, cruel world. But at least on the basketball court, Lynch hopes that Kevin Lucas and countless other kids like him can temporarily immerse themselves in the beauty of a fairy tale.

"what?"

“Until I retire, Kevin. I’m not here for show. I hope I can give you real strength. Live well, just so you can see me retire, okay? Until I retire, like I said, you can come to MSG to watch games anytime, you can go into the player tunnel anytime. I’ll always be with you, always! But, I want to change what you wrote on your wristband.”

Lynch took a marker, crossed out the sentence "Witness Lynch becoming the next Michael Jordan," and rewrote it as: "Witness Lynch surpassing Michael Jordan."

Kevin Lucas smiled and bumped fists with Lynch: "Thank you."

“I’m thanking you,” Lynch said, pushing him to continue walking. “Perhaps, you are the reason why I must become a legend.”

The boy didn't notice the momentary daze his idol experienced after saying those words.

Lynch recalled years ago when he had to leave Belgrade for Madrid, and the fans who learned of his departure spontaneously gathered outside his family's small restaurant. Through the shop window, Lynch could see the fans' sincere eyes, and the little girl holding up a number 10 jersey, pressing her face against the glass and exhaling white mist.

He didn't know who they were, and he never saw them again in his life.

But this unconditional support is the most sincere emotion, something that cannot be betrayed, and something else that sustains Lynch's playing besides money and a sense of honor.

Yes, perhaps that's why I must become a legend.

Since Willis Reed, New York basketball has lacked a totem.

At first, people thought it would be Patrick Ewing, but he became the footnote to that epic player.

People later thought this person was Stephon Marbury, but his influence only extended to Coney Island and could not spread to the whole of New York.

Now, Lynch hopes to become that totem.

New champions will always emerge, new talents are never scarce, the league will always find its next darling, and people will always have new idols.

Only when a boy in a wheelchair bumps fists with number 20 in the players' tunnel, or when a girl on the other side of the Atlantic points to an old jersey and tells the story of 2003, can a legend truly take root and grow in the world.

After walking for a while, Lynch suggested, "I think you shouldn't miss our game against the Los Angeles Lakers this month. That night, I'm going to kick Kobe Bryant's ass in Staples Center as a return gift. You haven't forgotten what he did when he came to Madison Square Garden last time, have you? We have to make him pay."

Kevin Lucas shrugged: "I'd love to go, but Knicks season tickets don't go in Los Angeles, and my family can't afford the airfare, accommodation, and Lakers tickets. We've already spent a lot of money on my surgery and recovery."

"It's okay. When I signed with the Knicks, they didn't say I couldn't bring friends or family on the plane. As for the tickets, trust me, I'll call Kobe Bryant, and he'll help. He's a jerk, but not that much of a jerk."

"Wait, Lynch, you mean you want Kobe to pay for me to see you kick his ass?" Kevin Lucas's smile widened.

"Yes, that's what it means!"

They both burst into laughter, their voices quickly fading into the ever-burning neon lights of New York.

But Lynch assured him that his promise would never be broken.

The Knicks won all four games they played in the first four games of January against the Kings, Trail Blazers, SuperSonics, and Wizards.

The media reported on Lynch's triple-double, his six blocks in a single game, and the Knicks' six-game winning streak, but no one noticed the bracelet that had quietly appeared on Lynch's wrist.

Lin Qi didn't actively promote it; this kind of thing is fine as long as those who want to see it can see it.

On January 11, Lynch and the Knicks are about to take off from New York.

The Lucas family ultimately couldn't board the team plane because it was overcrowded.

But James Dolan was willing to buy them round-trip first-class tickets to Los Angeles.

As for the tickets, Kobe Bryant responded to Lynch and found several front-row seats for the Kevin family.

But despite offering his help, Kobe told Lynch over the phone, "Listen, I appreciate everything you've done for him, but I didn't agree to let you beat me. Even if you're his idol, I won't intentionally lose to you for him and your heartwarming story. You know, I never joke about winning."

“This is exactly what I want,” Lynch said, gazing at a plane cutting through the morning mist. “I don’t need your help with the victory; I can handle it myself.”

"Ha, Staples Center isn't as easy to conquer as you think. When you entered the league, the Staples Center myth had just ended, and you had no idea how terrifying it was here. Now, I can tell you with certainty that we're back."

“I’m not trying to conquer Staples,” Lynch replied. “Staples is just one stop on my journey to conquer this alliance.”

(Yesterday I dealt with a series of hospital transfers and ward changes, and I was exhausted both physically and mentally. After settling my dad in, I went to the beach overnight to relax and recharge. So my IP address has changed, please don't say I'm doing this as a side job, hahaha)
(End of this chapter)