Champion Rules

Chapter 148, Section 144: I Feel Like Superman (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Jason Kidd did not respond to Lynch.

Because he felt that any response he made in the face of Lynch's performance was like a coin falling into a deep well, with even the echo swallowed by darkness.

He had nothing more to say.

This was the first time this historic point guard had felt this way—that his passes were completely ineffective.

Every gap he discovered was quickly detected and blocked by Lin Qi.

He made many good passes, but because of Lynch, his assist count remains at 0.

Sweating profusely, he sat back on the bench, covering his sweaty head with a towel, but he couldn't hide his heavy breathing.

Beside him, the downed UFO gasped for breath. He, who averaged 28 points per game in the previous round, found it incredibly difficult to score a single point this round.

I wonder if he's thinking back to that Eastern Conference semifinals in 2001 when he was going to dominate against AI.

That carefree attitude is long gone from him.

Now, if he dares to enter the Knicks' no-fly zone, he will be shot down by powerful weapons from China.

He suddenly turned to look at Kidd, his eyes filled with complex emotions: "We can still win, right? The game has only just begun."

Jason Kidd stared at Lynch's highlight reel on the big screen, a metallic taste rising in his throat: "Maybe, Vince."

Lynch's defense in these few possessions has been devastating for the Nets, as he has shattered the foundation of the New Jersey Nets' offense.

As the core player, Jason Kidd can only help the team on the offensive end by organizing and passing; his ability to create his own offense is almost negligible.

People say AI is an inefficient scorer, and his true shooting percentage is indeed 2% lower than the league average. But what about Kidd? He's even 2% lower than Iverson.

AI can at least generate output even when it's inefficient, but Kidd is a low-output, low-efficiency scoring black hole.

When he can't contribute to the team's offense by passing, he's just a mediocre spot-up shooter. While he doesn't slow down the offense, he doesn't contribute much either. Contrary to popular belief, in terms of finishing at the rim, mid-range shots, and three-pointers, the often-criticized three-pointer is actually Kidd's most efficient scoring method, and his efficiency is at least passable.

If Kidd can't provide any help, this Nets team is a team that relies on Vince Carter's individual ability to attack.

But Carter's last All-NBA selection was in 2001. He is by no means the kind of player who can single-handedly lead his team to victory in the playoffs. He is no longer at that level and has long lost the heroic spirit of his youth.

Now, the Nets' only option is to focus on defense.

Lawrence Frank frantically pounded his clipboard: "Don't give up! The game has only just begun! Jason will get us back on track, and we'll drag them into the mire with our tight defense!"

This remark was incredibly effective, greatly gratifying Kidd's ego. His damn wife would never understand how to encourage him with phrases like "Honey, you're amazing," and would never grasp how exhilarating such soul-stirring encouragement could be.

Regrouping, Kidd wiped the sweat from his cheekbones: "Come on, guys, focus on defense! Forget offense, defense wins championships! Let's put our soul into this game!"

After the timeout, the Nets focused all their attention on the defensive end.

Mickey Moore delivered one of the most serious and frantic defensive performances of his career; in his eyes, Lynch wasn't a human being, but a walking $500 million.

His close defense, coupled with the constant help defense from the perimeter, greatly limited Lynch's offense.

Although Lynch can maintain his scoring through offensive rebounds, this is not a normal offensive ecosystem.

Of course, the Knicks' defense also made things difficult for the Nets.

DeShawn Stevenson and Trevor Ariza took turns using aggressive defense to entangle Carter, which the 30-year-old Carter found difficult to cope with.

At the end of the first quarter, Carter's layup attempt was thwarted by DeShawn Stevenson. The East's second-best shooting guard couldn't help but let out a triumphant roar; he had correctly predicted Carter's timing.

As it turns out, his value is far more than 93 when competing against normal people.

His defense doesn't look so bad when his opponents don't inexplicably take 3, 4, 5, or 6 steps.

A typical Eastern Conference semifinal was unfolding before the audience, and David Stern's temples throbbed.

When Kidd and Lynch's value can only be demonstrated through blocks and steals, and when Carter encounters double teams on his drives that resemble sacks in American football, the game's entertainment value is simply a visual disaster for most casual fans.

Such competition makes it difficult for the NBA to attract new fans.

"What a damn defensive battle!" He stared at the ridiculously low scores of both teams on the stat sheet, his knuckles unconsciously tapping the armrest of his chair.

He really hopes that the Suns or Mavericks can break through in the West.

The thought that the Spurs would emerge from the West made him feel bitter. If the San Antonio team, with their silver jerseys and tactical machines, were to make it to the Finals, the ratings would probably plummet to an ice age.

At halftime, Lynch had already racked up a terrifying 16 points, 11 rebounds, and 4 blocks, with the Knicks leading by 8 points.

The score was 47-39, and the Nets didn't even reach 40 points in the first half.

The defending champions still control the game, but Flip Saunders doesn't want the game to be so tough, and he doesn't want the team to get bogged down in defensive stalemates—this is the kind of pace the Nets prefer.

If the Knicks had been more efficient on offense, the game wouldn't have been so close.

Today, the Knicks' offensive struggles stemmed not only from Lynch's difficulty receiving the ball, but also from Marbury and Cassell's difficulty passing it out.

Jason Kidd's size makes every move on offense difficult, and he struggles to catch fleeting opportunities to feed the ball.

Flip Saunders tapped the clipboard in the locker room: "Stephen, play more off-ball in the second half, use screens to cut and move, utilize your spot-up shooting threat, and create space for Lynch."

Marbury nodded: "I'm fine with it, but who's going to organize it?"

“Grant, you’re playing point guard in the second half. You’re in charge of the offense. We can’t keep playing at the pace the Nets like. We need to find ways to develop our offense. Don’t drag the game out to the end, don’t even think about it. This series is far from over for us! Lynch, destroy them with your offense in the second half!”

The former Duke prince has once again been called upon to take on a critical role, although his position in this season's poster shoot suggests that he is no longer Lynch's right-hand man.

But Lynch never thought so.

He always felt that everyone on the team was playing a role.

Even Darius Sangela, the Lithuanian who rarely gets playing time after being traded, always makes sure that every player who comes off the field gets a glass of cold water immediately. How can that not be effective?

Lynch always felt that with these guys around, he could complete all the missions.

“Yes, I’ll handle the attack,” Lynch replied.

Grant Hill nodded calmly: "I did my best."

The second half began quickly, and Kidd continued to stick to Stephon Marbury, his white knuckles gripping the opponent's jersey tightly, trying to stifle the Knicks' offensive initiation with suffocating defense.

Kidd noticed almost immediately that the Knicks had changed their offensive strategy, with Stephon Marbury not handling the ball at all in the second half.

Grant Hill, with the ball at the top of the key under Richard Jefferson's defense, saw Lynch curl out to the right mid-range and immediately passed the ball to him.

Facing the flustered Mickey Moore, Lynch feinted, drove straight into the paint, and scored with a powerful shot.

"Push up there, don't let him pass the ball easily!" Kidd yelled at the guy who shared the Rookie of the Year award with him in '94. Richard Jefferson's pressure on Grant Hill was completely insufficient.

The Knicks started scoring again, but the Nets' offense remained sluggish.

In this possession, Carter drove to the basket and passed to Kidd, but Kidd's open three-pointer slammed into the back of the rim.

After grabbing the rebound, Lynch immediately passed the ball to Grant Hill, confirming Kidd's suspicion that Grant Hill is now the Knicks' point guard.

Hill steadily controlled the ball past half-court, and Richard Jefferson, following Kidd's advice, pressed relentlessly, giving Grant Hill no chance to pass the ball comfortably.

Hill backed down, blocking Jefferson's relentless defense with his left arm like an iron gate. After shoving Richard Jefferson aside, Hill suddenly faced the basket. Seeing Jefferson closing in again, Hill smoothly slipped past him with a change of direction.

Although Grant Hill has lost his former athleticism, his technique remains superb.

As a wing forward with historic ball control, his dribbling skills go beyond just his quick first step. He dribbles with a low center of gravity and his movements are fluid and effortless.

Jason Kidd immediately rushed to help defend, and the two Rookie of the Year from the 94 draft class staged a fateful showdown once again in an era that no longer belonged to them.

If there's anyone in the world who dares not underestimate Grant Hill, it's definitely his classmate, Kidd.

Kidd faced Grant Hill back in the NCAA and witnessed Hill's entire prime. Although they won Rookie of the Year together in 94, early in his career, Grant Hill was arguably a player on a completely different level from Kidd.

Jason Kidd dared not let his guard down, but as he approached Hill, his gaze pierced through Kidd's outstretched arms and caught sight of Marbury lurking in the corner.

The basketball was quickly passed out, and the latter hit a three-pointer, making the difference 13 points!
"Grant has once again become the deciding factor in the victory!" Mike Breen, like millions of Knicks fans, cheered for Grant Hill.

This Duke prince, who has weathered many storms, will forever hold a place in the hearts of Madison Square Garden fans.

Hill gently wiped the sweat from his brow and gave Lynch a knowing smile as they high-fived each other as Lynch ran towards him.

Before leaving New York, Michael Pietrus complained that the veterans were taking too much and doing too little. This was a harsh remark that affected the locker room atmosphere, but it was an undeniable fact.

Grant Hill knows that his current ability does not match his annual salary, and all he can do is make an impact every time he plays.

The Knicks' offense continued to score, and the emergence of Grant Hill, a tall playmaker, completely disrupted the Nets' plans.

After the Nets attacked, Richard Jefferson's mid-range shot missed again.

The Nets didn't have a reliable offensive strategy at all; they were able to stay close in the first half entirely thanks to their defense.

When their defense can't hold on, all that awaits them is collapse.

One possession later, Lynch set a screen for Grant Hill. Grant Hill used the screen to break through, and even with Mickey Moore switching on him, the 203cm tall Grant Hill could still calmly toss the ball into the air, feeding Lynch the ball as he cut to the basket.

"boom!"

"An alley-oop! The defending champions are up by 15 points! This is basketball, the New Jersey Nets' collapse came without warning! Grant Hill has only started 5 games this season, but he has proven that he is still one of Lynch's best teammates!"

Grant Hill and Kidd perfectly exemplify the principle that in basketball, length is an advantage.

Why did Kendall Jenner get fucked by Devin Booker? It's because that Suns guard's size is really hard to find.

Grant Hill may not be better than Stephon Marbury at point guard, but his larger size provides him with better passing vision and space, instantly revitalizing the Knicks' offense.

Lynch, ecstatic after completing the alley-oop dunk, shouted: "Grant, keep giving me the ball, give me the ball! I'm going to take over the game!"

With Grant Hill's passes, Lynch felt he could burn through the Nets in no time.

As I said before, the support from his teammates throughout the entire season made Lynch feel invincible.

A minimum-salary player like Mickey Moore is practically useless if Lynch can catch the ball in time.

He was able to limit Lynch in the first half because of Kidd's cooperation; Lynch was always unable to receive the ball at the best time.

Now, Mickey Moore is nothing more than a thin sheet of paper in front of Lynch.

Jason Kidd gritted his teeth: "Don't listen to his Mickey, don't let him intimidate you! He's bluffing. Taking over the game isn't something you can just talk about! Keep playing serious defense, don't let him break your spirit!"

Mickey Moore nodded vigorously: "I won't be defeated by Jason! Even if he scores 10 points in a row, I won't be defeated!"

Mickey Moore left peacefully because Lynch scored 12 consecutive points, which was beyond his mental capacity.

His gaze became vacant; he knew that the 500 million annual salary was slipping away from him.

Lynch's consecutive points shattered the Nets' hopes and completely broke Mickey Moore's spirit.

His catch-and-shoot was incredibly accurate, and his drives to the basket were unstoppable. Mickey Moore simply didn't know whether to defend his shot or his drive; his 211-centimeter frame always staggered and slid in the wrong direction.

Last season's Finals saw Michael Pietrus secure a $500 million annual contract thanks to his defense against Dirk Nowitzki, a story of inspiration for mid-level players.

But the story of Mickey Moore's matchup against Lynch is a harsh reality for mid-level players.

The scales of fate never easily favor the mediocre.

With Jason Kidd's layup bouncing off the rim in the tenth minute of the third quarter, the New Jersey Nets were one step closer to their doom.

They were already down by 17 points, and if they fell behind by 20 points before the end of the third quarter, the game would essentially be over.

As a defensive team, the New Jersey Nets have an extremely weak ability to come back from behind in games.

Grant Hill knew the New Jersey Nets' time was running out, and as he dribbled the ball, he pointed to the arena dome: "Just play it safe and finish them off!"

Lin Qi, who had already scored 12 consecutive points, was still actively seeking the ball, and his statement that he would take over the game was not just empty talk.

Jimmy Butler once said in the Western Conference semifinals 25 years ago that he could still score 40 points in a game if the team needed him, but then he scored 17 points in the do-or-die game and was eliminated.

But Lynch is not that kind of person.

He would never casually say something he couldn't do.

I will never go back on my word.

So he kept attacking and shooting, trying to break the Nets' neck!

The moment Lynch turned and leaned against Mickey Moore, Grant Hill passed the ball to him.

Kidd, wary of Stephon Marbury's long-range shots, didn't double-team him. Lynch confidently took a step back and turned to prepare for a jump shot before the double-team could close in.

Mickey Moore leaped up to block like a startled bird, but Lynch only feinted. After Mickey Moore jumped, Lynch proactively moved in for a contest. Moore's out-of-control body crashed heavily into the steel frame, and Lynch took a shot during the confrontation.

This contact distorted Lynch's shooting motion, but everyone knew that didn't matter; Lynch's goal was to draw a foul.

The referee blew the whistle, and the fans at Madison Square Garden raised their arms in celebration.

The next second, however, Lin Qi's shot, which was distorted, still went into the net!
Danny Green’s talent has begun to show in Lynch.

"2+1! Lynch is about to score 15 consecutive points and completely end this night! In the third quarter, Grant Hill and Lynch turned the Nets from the brink of defeat to the brink of elimination!" Mike Breen sat back on the bench, his boiling passion calming down.

He knew it was all over.

This game is not over.

There's no suspense in this series.

After making the free throw, the Knicks extended their lead to 20 points.

Lynch put up an incredible stat line of 36 points, 18 rebounds, and 5 blocks in three quarters.

Kidd gripped his shorts tightly, while Carter tilted his head back, swallowing hard as his Adam's apple bobbed slightly.

Kobe was cheering in front of the television.

He knew that Jason Kidd would have to come to the City of Angels for his protection.

The fourth quarter completely turned into garbage time, becoming a playground for the second-best shooting guard and the second-best power forward in the East to run rampant.

The match ended with a score of 92-71, another crushing victory for the defending champions.

Spike Lee was incredibly arrogant in front of reporters' cameras.

"I think we can start thinking about how to kick Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James' ass!"
Yes, that's how arrogant New York fans are.

But you have to learn to get used to it.

We will always be this proud!

Lin Qi's response to the reporter's camera was also very proud.

"I don't have superpowers, but my teammates make me feel like a superhero."

(Thank you so much to Siam Kanshu and other generous donors! I'm extremely grateful!)

(End of this chapter)