Champion Rules

Chapter 158 (154): The Birthplace of a Legend (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Where Legends are Born.

This is the tagline for this year's NBA Finals.

Whether it's Lynch or Duncan, they are writing completely different legends.

Tim Duncan – a silent rock on the banks of the San Antonio River, exemplifying the tenacity of a small-town team through his unwavering dedication over a decade.

While the Silver and Black Army lingered in the mire of being ranked outside the top ten on the league's salary list for years, this Wake Forest University graduate carved out two Larry O'Brien Trophys with his simple bank shot.

If they can defeat the new kings of New York, they will be declaring to the league that small-market teams can also build an enduring dynasty.

Lynch—this basketball tyrant who rose from the heart of the empire—is rewriting the history of the Big Apple with overwhelming force.

Since Willis Reed's limping triumph in 1970, this huge market has lacked true heroes. Patrick Ewing was certainly a hero, but at best a tragic one. The blue-orange storm unleashed by the Knicks' number 20 right now is a perfect example of the resonance between a superstar and a super market.

The historic and massively marketed New York team is eager for success, but its long history lacks a legendary title defense. Now, Lynch is trying to fill that void, forging a great legend under the spotlight of this huge market.

Lynch's opening dunk perfectly illustrated just how much he desires to become a legend; he can create great performances, and that drive will never stop.

Inside the VIP box, Spurs general manager RC Buford looked tense. He watched as Ben Wallace was uprooted like an oak tree toppled by a hurricane, the photographers' flashes freezing the four-time Defensive Player of the Year's humiliation into an eternal image.

Ben Wallace was the only truly significant acquisition the Spurs, a small team, had made in recent years, and it was also a very risky one.

Giving a 32-and-a-half-year-old, short center whose physical abilities are already declining a huge contract would be a dangerous thing for any team.

R.C. Buford was willing to do this dangerous thing in order to deal with Lynch.

He knew that in this era where young people have begun to take control of the discourse, you must learn to respect and value young people.

Facing a new era of basketball tyrants, he must forge the strongest shield; this is what the Spurs must do if they want to reclaim the throne.

But right at the start, the weapon he had prepared for Lynch was blasted away.

This caused a fleeting look of panic to cross RC. Buford's eyes.

Can this interior player, who inspires fear in every player in the league, withstand the attacks of the King of New York?

The game continued, and although RC Buford was nervous, the Spurs players were not affected by the powerful dunk.

After all, they are the team in the entire league most accustomed to seeing their star player get dunked on.

The Spurs' offense started to get going, and Tony Parker called on number 21 to set a screen for him.

Marbury knew what to do. He chose to go around Duncan. Countless statistics and game videos illustrate one fact: Tony Parker's shooting threat is not that great. You can give him some shooting space, but you must block his driving route.

But after Marbury bypassed Duncan's screen, the French sports car, which suddenly revved its engine, still overtook Marbury by half a body length.

He's incredibly fast; he's yet another guy who can tear down theories in a simple and brutal way.

The whole world knows that defending the Frenchman mainly involves allowing him to shoot but not drive, but Tony Parker still managed to produce an extremely abnormal amount of rim-attacking power.

He may not look as explosive as guards like Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and Dwyane Wade, but he actually takes far more shots near the basket than they do.

In fact, Parker's percentage of shots taken near the basket even surpassed that of his teammate Tim Duncan.

He can frequently create scoring opportunities under the basket because of his breakthroughs that are difficult to stop even if you leave enough space for him; any defender will appear clumsy in front of him.

Throughout NBA history, very few point guards from outside the NCAA system have made a name for themselves in the NBA. Tony Parker's ability to establish himself in the NBA and win more than one championship is not solely due to Tim Duncan.

Parker tore through the defense and launched a floater before the Knicks could close in, the ball swishing through the net.

With the score tied at 2-2, Mike Breen, a New Yorker who supports the Knicks, remarked, "If the Spurs' opponent wasn't the Knicks, I even think Tony Parker might have won the Finals MVP."

Mark Jackson, standing beside him, scoffed and wagged his index finger: "No, Mike, acknowledging Tony's excellence doesn't mean we have to elevate him to godlike status. You can say Tony's a pretty good guy, but he's far from being an Finals MVP. Who can defend him like that?"

The argument between the two commentators did not continue, as both sides soon presented more details of the match.

Lin Qi tried to create shooting space through off-ball offense, but Duncan, after losing weight, was not so easy to shake off.

Just when Lynch finally manages to shake off Duncan and is about to receive the ball and shoot, the Spurs' strong-side wing will immediately provide help defense.

Whether it's Maurice Peterson or Bruce Bowen, they will immediately come up to help defend, either cutting off passing lanes or disrupting Lynch's jump shot.

Although Lynch can still open his scoring account with his excellent touch, his output is still limited.

San Antonio's offensive engine also encountered obstacles, and Parker's magic couldn't be sustained in every possession. Lynch's help defense and Tyson Chandler's rim protection resulted in two blocks for the Frenchman.

07 Parker was indeed very strong, but as Mark Jackson said, he wasn't strong enough to be an Finals MVP.

Parker has been a very high-level player since 06, but his true peak was in the 10s. The Parker who could shoot mid-range shots with the ball was the complete version of himself.

Ten years ago, racking up points in a series of easy wins didn't represent his true skill level.

No one can win a game with a single trick. Parker's drives to the basket couldn't defeat the Knicks, and Lynch couldn't win the championship with a simple catch-and-shoot jumper.

Both sides need to compete on their overall capabilities.

Towards the end of the first quarter, the Spurs gained some advantage because they brought out Manu Ginobili during the transition period.

Sam Cassell tried to contain him, but the Argentine's repeated easy breakthroughs reminded Cassell that he was already 38 years old.

At the end of the first quarter, the Spurs led by 3 points.

In the second quarter, the Knicks changed their defensive matchups, assigning DeShawn Stevenson to guard Parker.

This worked. Although Stevenson's speed couldn't keep up completely, his excellent physicality reduced Parker's efficiency in attacking the basket and dulled his already less-than-stellar mid-range shooting touch.

However, Duncan stepped up in the second quarter. His mid-range jump shot accuracy has improved after losing weight this season, and he made several 45-degree bank shots while Lynch was helping to defend Parker, allowing the Spurs to maintain their lead.

At halftime, the score was 46-42, with the Spurs still holding the advantage.

Even Spurs fans knew that this advantage was only temporary. Neither side displayed any clear dominance in the first half.

Inside the locker room, Stephon Marbury wanted to help Lynch, who was drenched in sweat.

Since Tony Parker is not good at defense, let's make good use of that.

This isn't just Lynch's game.

In the third quarter, Marbury's offensive desire suddenly intensified, and he found his rhythm, repeatedly using Lynch's screens to pull up mid-range shots to Tony Parker's astonishment.

This wasn't part of his game; his mid-range jump shot wasn't particularly impressive. This season, with a decline in explosiveness leading to a reduction in his rim-attacking output, Marbury has actually started playing more like a shooting guard, with a higher percentage of his points coming off the ball.

But he stepped forward, which reminded Sam Cassell of that rocket team where everyone was a soldier.

Back then, that Houston Rockets team had different players stepping up in almost every game.

It's hard to explain this kind of thing; you can only say that when the belief in winning the championship becomes strong enough, certain things will happen.

When Marbury makes an impact on offense, Lynch can focus more on defense.

The French sports car's engine stalled repeatedly in front of the King of New York, and Duncan's 45-degree backboard shot was also sealed. When the historic power forward was forced to awkwardly hook his shot for the third time under pressure, Popovich covered his face with his hands.

He really found it hard to believe that someone could simultaneously contain Parker and Duncan. Could that number 20 really get back in front of TD the instant Parker passes the ball to interfere?

Because of his presence, the Spurs simply couldn't find a completely reliable offensive strategy.

Lynch's top-notch defensive performance continued, and the Knicks took a seven-point lead at one point.

However, Stephon Marbury's miraculous mid-range jumper was like a shooting star that had burned out, its brilliance completely extinguished at the end of the quarter, leaving the Knicks with only a 2-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

As the buzzer sounded after three quarters, Stephon Marbury staggered and slumped onto the bench.

He was breathing heavily, sweat dripping from his chin onto the floor.

A staff member threw him a towel, which he used to wipe his sweat, then slammed it to the floor, yelling, "Damn it! Fuck!"

A hoarse roar mixed with heavy breathing as the former All-Star guard stared at his trembling fingertips.

He couldn't believe that his influence in the game couldn't even last for a quarter.

His scoring efficiency was also low in the first two rounds, but at least he could tell himself that the people responsible for guarding him were Jason Kidd and Chauncey Billups, both of whom are the best defensive point guards of the 21st century so far.

But now, facing a player like Tony Parker who isn't known for his defense, Marbury's offensive firepower only lasted for less than a quarter, which he himself found hard to accept.

Last season, he was also able to provide offensive firepower worthy of a true championship team's second option.

But his decline this season has been painful for him.

If they had played better, with Lynch's defense, the Knicks should be leading by more right now, and the game wouldn't have been so close.

Lynch tilted his head back and gulped down half a bottle of electrolyte water, his Adam's apple bobbing violently with each swallow. He glanced sideways at the man who had gone from hostility to intimacy, and lightly kicked the man's boot: "Raise your head, Stephen, you are the pride of New York."

"Proud my ass!"

"Alright, at least you saved me a lot of energy in the third quarter. Listen, every effort we all make contributes to the victory. Against the Spurs, we can't win by one person alone, not even me. But the combined efforts of all of us will lead to victory."

This isn't just comforting words; it's the truth.

Lynch tightened the bottle cap and placed the water bottle at his feet: "Let's go and finish the game together."

Philip Sanders clapped his hands: "Lynch is right, we are all part of the victory! Grant, you take DeShawn's place at point guard in the fourth quarter. Stephen, you move to shooting guard. That old snake Bruce has to stick with Grant at the top of the key, the wing help defense will be weaker. Lynch, seize this opportunity!"

Grant Hill and Lynch exchanged a glance, then nodded simultaneously; they both understood what Philip Sanders meant.

At the start of the fourth quarter, Lynch, still full of energy, immediately took the lead on offense.

Tim Duncan wasn't as fast as he was in the first three quarters, making it easy for Lynch to shake him off with his ball movement.

This time, when Lynch received the ball on the right side of the three-point line, only Tony Parker could rotate to help defend. Because Grant Hill was controlling the ball at the top of the key, Bruce Bowen had to take the lead on defense. Essentially, he became the point guard, while Tony Parker became the wing defender.

Lynch got the basketball and, completely ignoring the Frenchman's interference, shot directly. Parker's fingertips, leaping in vain, were a full twenty centimeters from the ball, the orange-red vortex tracing a perfect parabola in the air.

If the length is insufficient, no matter how hard you try, the other party will not feel anything.

Lin Qi felt no disturbance at this moment.

"brush!"

"Three-pointer hit! Phil made a crucial substitution. Will this break down the Spurs' defense?" Mike Breen was nervous because he didn't know how Gregg Popovich would adjust next, or how long this hard-won advantage would last.

Gregg Popovich cursed under his breath on the sidelines, saying that the most annoying thing about the Knicks' lineup was that they had too many ball-handling resources.

Stephon Marbury, Eddie Jones, and Grant Hill can all initiate offense from the top of the key, giving the Knicks extremely high tactical flexibility.

Popovich is in a dilemma: if he replaces the player with a wing player of the right size, the team will be without a point guard.

For a team whose core players need to be fed the ball by their guards, it is absolutely essential to have a point guard.

Before Popovich could figure out how to respond, Tim Duncan made a bank shot over Lynch at a 45-degree angle.

This game finally started to resemble a clash of stars, but this basket, which should have ignited the bench, was like a pebble thrown into a deep pool for the Spurs. Popovich knew that such forced shots couldn't carry the team.

The faster he finds a solution, the smaller the Knicks' advantage will be.

As the head coach, he now has to race against time to solve the problem; that's the sense of urgency a head coach feels in the Finals.

The Knicks' offensive surge continued, with Grant Hill steadily controlling the ball to the top of the key to initiate a play. Lynch once again used a screen to shake off Duncan and receive a pass from Hill in the mid-range.

Duncan knew that Parker's help defense would be ineffective, so he could only rush out as quickly as possible.

Lin Qi saw Duncan shift all his weight forward, pulled the basketball back from his raised position, and dribbled past Duncan while keeping his center of gravity low.

Ben Wallace immediately rushed to the basket to help defend, and jumped at the same time as Lynch, who was on fire.

But Lynch dodged Ben Wallace's block in mid-air, flew past him, and then raised the ball again for a powerful two-handed dunk!

"The dome of Madison Square Garden is shaking!" Mike Breen and New York fans cheered for the spectacular dunk.

Lynch was virtually unstoppable under Philip Sanders' personnel strategy.

The point difference has returned to 5 points.

Gregg Popovich glanced at the number 20 hanging on the rim, and Mike Budenholzer's shout pierced the noise beside him: "No time, Greg, let's try this method first!"

"Damn it, that damn Lynch!" Popovich cursed as he stood up and gestured to the players on the court.

Tony Parker wiped the sweat from his eyes and dribbled the ball across the midfield line.

Popovich's recent adjustments were mainly focused on defense, so the Spurs haven't made any changes on the offensive end.

Parker and Duncan ran a pick-and-roll, and Lynch's quick help defense forced the Frenchman to pass the ball to Duncan as he rolled to the basket. However, the energetic Lynch quickly turned around and immediately returned to Duncan's side.

Duncan didn't hesitate and took a jump shot from his preferred 45-degree angle.

But this time, his signature bank shot didn't happen. The instant Duncan raised his elbow to lift the ball, the number 20 figure had already soared into the air with a whooshing sound.

"boom!"

The thud of the basketball hitting the floor with tremendous force seemed to strike Gregg Popovich directly in the chest. He was right; Tim Duncan couldn't carry the team with sheer force of attack.

Against that number 20, any attempt to solve the problem through brute force is unrealistic.

Lin Qi smiled at Duncan: "How was the attempt this time?"

Marbury picked up the basketball and handed it to Grant Hill, giving the Knicks a chance to extend their lead.

After Grant Hill crossed the halfway line, Tony Parker became his marker. Popovich had just adjusted his strategy by having Bruce Bowen drop back to the wing.

This will give Grant Hill a chance to play out of position, but it's the only option.

The Spurs preferred to expose the Frenchman to mismatch defense in order to shut down the Knicks' wing firepower.

As a player with high basketball IQ, Grant Hill immediately knew what to do.

If he wants to keep Bruce Bowen around, he has to prove that Tony Parker can't guard him.

Grant Hill waved his hand, signaling everyone to pull away.

He will never allow himself to become a weakness on the offensive end.

Grant Hill didn't use his speed to break through like he did in his prime. Instead, he used his left hand like a shield against Parker's shoulder blade, simply and brutally pushing against Tony Parker as he advanced.

Parker tried to force Grant Hill to the sides, but his strength was too weak to block Hill's path. At this moment, Parker was like a paper boat in a storm, utterly vulnerable.

Grant Hill leaned against Parker as he walked to the free-throw line, then turned to back the ball. Two textbook shoulder strikes sent Parker sprawling like waves crashing against a breakwater. As the defender staggered and lost his balance, the 34-year-old veteran calmly turned and jumped for a shot.

The arc of the basketball seems to have traversed more than a decade, and Grant Hill's elegant fadeaway jump shot reveals the composure of his youth. But he is no longer the prodigy he once was; he can't even secure a starting position with the Knicks.

But whether he's a prodigy or a substitute, his goal is always the same.

That is to contribute to victory.

"That hit! This is the price of Gregg Popovich's gamble! Tony Parker can't guard Grant, this mismatch defense is doomed to fail! Grant has only started 8 games for the Knicks this season, but believe me, he's still not easy to deal with! This is Mount Devil!"

Tony Parker's defensive weakness has been exploited, and Gregg Popovich sat anxiously on the sidelines, continuing to discuss countermeasures with the coaching staff.

But they have to be quick, because the Knicks are already up by 7 points.

Maurice Peterson's mid-range jumper brought the deficit back to 5 points, and the Spurs' defense returned to him. Tony Parker glanced at the bench and noticed that Popovich hadn't given any instructions. This meant he would have to continue guarding Grant Hill this possession.

Grant Hill displayed the confidence he once had as a superstar player, showing no fear of the challenge Gregg Popovich posed to him.

Devil Mountain continued to signal everyone to spread out, feigning a breakthrough to the left, but immediately veered to the right after Tony Parker threw off his center of gravity.

His top-notch ball control and rhythm allowed him to evade Parker's steal and break through at full speed.

At this moment, Duncan was pulled to the outside by Lynch, Ben Wallace was blocked by Tyson Chandler, and Bruce Bowen was too far away.

The only one who can stop Grant Hill is Maurice Peterson.

He temporarily left Eddie Jones aside, returned to the paint, and tried to draw an offensive foul on Grant Hill.

But Grant Hill, as if at his peak, suddenly jumped up, raised the ball with his left hand, and slammed it in over the defender!
“You can’t let Grant Hill get off to a complete head start so easily, his foundation is still there!” Mike Brin’s voice was still full of passion, but at this passionate moment, Mike Brin’s nose tingled with emotion.

Grant Hill hadn't done this in years, and this dunk convinced him for the first time that the Knicks would definitely win the game.

Stephon Marbury in the third quarter, and Grant Hill in the fourth quarter.

They all burned themselves out for the championship, paving the way for the legend of the King of New York.

On the bench, DeShawn Stevens and Amir Johnson waved towels wildly: "Haha! The best small forward in the East!"

Mike Malone laughed: "Shout louder! Let those Nike mouthpieces see who the real Dream Five are!"

Mike Brown, standing nearby, shook his head: "No, they're really shameless to say that Lynch is surrounded by All-Star teammates, while LeBron has nothing."

In stark contrast to the cheerful atmosphere on the Knicks' bench, Greg Popovich was furious. He'd had enough: "Damn it! That damn switch is suicidal!"

Popovich called a timeout, and Grant Hill pumped his fists in celebration amidst the cheers of the fans, letting sweat stream down his neck and onto his jersey.

Lynch knew the Knicks couldn't afford to let Bowen return to the wing. After the timeout, that mad dog would definitely have to guard Grant Hill.

This means that Lynch will once again have plenty of opportunities on the offensive end.

Lynch took a deep breath, his nostrils filled with the bloody air of Madison Square Garden.

This was an opportunity his teammates had worked tirelessly to create for him, and he had to seize it.

At this moment, Lynch was extremely confident; he felt he could finish off the Spurs in one fell swoop.

Because of the support of his teammates, he always felt like a superman.

After the timeout, Duncan scored with a hook shot against Lynch in the low post, bringing the score difference back to 5 points.

But when Grant Hill dribbled the ball across half-court again, and Bruce Bowen was back on guard, Lynch smirked.

It's time to show off your superpowers.

Grant Hill lobbed the ball to Lynch, who was backing down against Duncan. Maurice Patterson was on the weak side and couldn't possibly help defend. Parker's help defense was practically nonexistent.

Lynch immediately turned and jumped, making the shot despite interference from Duncan and Parker!

With the score difference reduced to 9 points, Gregg Popovich had no choice but to prematurely awaken the Argentine maestro.

He wanted to simply pull even Maurice Peterson and compete with the Knicks on offense.

The demonic sword is always reserved for desperate situations.

But Popovich soon realized that even the Demon Blade's brilliance tonight had been overshadowed by Lynch.

Lynch's scoring was unstoppable. His abundant energy, coupled with the Spurs' lack of wing help defense, left Tim Duncan struggling to keep up with Lynch's intense firepower.

Ben Wallace's defense under the basket was ineffective, because Lynch developed a way to shoot without even stepping into the paint.

Madison Square Garden was practically Lynch's weapons showroom, where he switched between offensive stances like an elegant fencing master.

He cut out, received the ball, and shot, making the basket.

After a pick-and-roll, he bounced out and made the shot.

Mid-range back-to-the-basket move, made.

Lynch displayed his full range of skills, and this was the first time people had ever seen Tim Duncan so outmatched in a one-on-one match.

Lynch made every shot decisively, as if he knew he was sure he would score.

The confidence his teammates have instilled in him has benefited him more than once this season.

In the seventh minute of the fourth quarter, Lynch backed down Duncan, bumped him, turned and drove to the basket, and scored a layup over Ben Wallace, extending the lead to 13 points.

Greg Popovich was furious; he glared at Bruce Bowen with bloodshot eyes.

In the past, when the series reached a point where it was difficult to contain the opposing star player, he would send in Bruce Bowen.

The best way to deal with a star player is to deal with him personally.

It's not honorable, but it's definitely the best way to solve the problem—not everyone is like Kobe Bryant, who could crush Bruce Bowen's toes and still keep his own ankle intact.

Everyone on the Spurs team avoids talking about these tactics; they won't openly support them, but they've never refused the benefits of dirty tricks.

Everyone tacitly accepted this unconventional method that brought them personal benefits.

They also knew that when the game seemed hopeless, they always had a glimmer of hope.

But tonight, that glimmer of hope was extinguished.

Gregg Popovich dared not let Bruce Bowen make any rash moves, and DeShawn Stevenson's pre-match threat now became a Damocles' sword hanging over the Holy City.

Tim Duncan is the Spurs' most important asset, bar none, and he absolutely cannot be allowed to have any accidents happen to him.

He shaped this team's culture; he is the team's spiritual pillar. If he suffers a serious injury, it won't just be this season; the Spurs' foundation and their entire future will be destroyed.

Popovich painfully realized that his meticulously constructed ironclad defense was being crushed to dust by his opponent in the most honorable way; his winning off-court tactics had now become shackles that imprisoned him.

Bruce Bowen glanced at Popovich, who was dressed in a suit on the sidelines, his sinister eyes swirling with venomous killing intent.

The shadow assassin was now like a vicious dog bound by chains, ready to plunge its sharp teeth into Lynch's ankle with just a gesture from its master.

He could guarantee Lynch would be down in three minutes; he'd done it far too many times.

But the silver-haired veteran coach gripped the tactics board so tightly that his knuckles turned white, remaining unmoved as cold sweat condensed into fine salt frost on his forehead under the spotlight.

He didn't dare to take risks.

Tim Duncan's silhouette in the paint, positioned behind him, stands as a majestic icon, a reminder of the price he paid for gambled with the team's foundation.

He could only endure Lynch's terrifying firepower and pray that Manu Ginobili could pull off a miracle.

Lynch continued to score, taking advantage of the gaps created by his teammates to unleash a barrage of attacks.

Manu Ginobili also put on an outstanding performance, keeping the score close and maintaining the difference between single and double digits.

The two teams were neck and neck until the final 1 minute and 35 seconds, with the Spurs still trailing by 7 points.

Manu Ginobili, panting heavily with his hands on his knees, felt he had given it his all, but Lynch's firepower was even more terrifying.

Lynch scored 18 points in the first three quarters, but has already scored 16 points in the fourth quarter.

Ginobili fell behind in the head-to-head battle, and the GDP trio is very likely to lose Game 1 of the Finals.

Gregg Popovich had no choice but to play his last card, bringing on Robert Horry.

After Robert Horry came on, Duncan switched to the center position.

On the 21st, he sank into the paint, wanting to take on Tyson Chandler one-on-one.

Without any hesitation, Lin Qi launched a pincer attack.

Duncan passed the ball to Horry beyond the three-point line. They had done this play countless times; he knew exactly where Robert Horry would be with his eyes closed.

Horry received the ball calmly, leaving Lynch no time to contest it, as did the surrounding players. From the Houston Rockets to the Los Angeles Lakers and then to the San Antonio Spurs, this superstar role player, who has hit countless crucial jump shots in the Finals, took the shot with composure.

结果
"boom!"

"Robert missed that wide-open shot, Lynch grabbed the rebound, the Spurs don't have much time left!" Mike Breen's blood was boiling. He knew that the Spurs had just lost their last hope of winning!
Lynch grabbed the rebound and handed over possession, yelling at Popovich on the sidelines, "I've torn your cards to shreds, Greg! I hope your disgusting, pathetic act will win you a victory."

Gregg Popovich glared menacingly at the New York number 20. No wonder his boss hated this guy. (The boss refers to Larry Brown, whom Popovich always addressed respectfully as "boss," even after Brown left the Spurs.)

The pride and arrogance of that New York madman were enough to make everyone uncomfortable.

The Knicks were on offense, and Lynch drove to the basket but was fouled by Ben Wallace, earning him two free throw opportunities.

The King of New York, playing at home, certainly wouldn't hold back. He calmly sank his first free throw. Then, he looked up at the team's dome.

The words "Birthplace of Legends" burned on the big screen. Lin Qi took a deep breath and raised his hand again.

Both free throws were made.

The Spurs are on the verge of collapse. Ginobili, Robert Horry, or Tim Duncan—whoever it is—must save the team in the next round.

In the end, none of the three of them made a move.

Lynch's tight defense made it difficult for Duncan to receive the ball, and Manu Ginobili's serpentine drive plunged into the crowd, forcing him to pass the ball out again.

Robert Horry raised the basketball, but Grant Hill took over, forcing Horry to pass the ball again.

When the basketball finally rolled into Bruce Bowen's hands, the boos from 20,000 people at Madison Square Garden nearly lifted the dome off.

The defensive specialist, known for his dirty tricks, made a hasty shot before the countdown timer went off, but DeShawn Stevenson, who replaced Eddie Jones, immediately blocked it. The Knicks executed this defensive rotation perfectly.

The basketball hit the side of the court, and Bowen's three-pointer bounced out despite his interference.

DeShawn Stevenson sneered, "You're trash who can't do anything but put your feet at other people's feet! Keep playing the victim, if that helps you score!"

Lynch and all the Knicks players vented their anger freely. That coach who liked to play the victim and this player who liked to play the victim couldn't disgust anyone tonight.

When Lynch grabbed the rebound, the San Antonio Spurs, like precise gears, blocked every passing path, suffocating the Knicks' counterattacks in their infancy—this was the case all night, the fast-break storm at Madison Square Garden was always trapped in the iron cage.

Lynch had been holding back all night. He wasn't the kind of veteran who relied on fast breaks to maintain decent stats, but no player wouldn't want to have a smooth fast break in a normal game.

Moreover, it was the moment to end the game.

He didn't want to waste any more opportunities, so Lynch bent down and slammed the ball to the ground, trying to dribble it forward himself!
Lynch's ball control isn't great, but it's not to the point that he can't even dribble the ball across half-court.

He strode through the crowd and headed towards the frontcourt. Tim Duncan was long gone, leaving only Ben Wallace, who had quickly retreated to defend, as the last obstacle between Lynch and the basket.

Ben Wallace didn't stay in the paint; he wouldn't give Lynch enough space to accelerate and then burst into action in the paint.

The four-time Defensive Player of the Year precisely positioned himself at the throat of the free-throw line, his rough hands opening like a bear trap.

He wanted to force Lynch to stop near the free-throw line.

Lynch charged straight at Ben Wallace, and just before the collision, he suddenly brought the ball together with both hands and shifted his weight to his right.

Ben immediately moved to the side to block and prepared to cut the ball.

But at the moment he finished catching the ball, Lynch smoothly stepped to the left again.

The rhythm of the Euro step was like a tango dancer crushing the dignity of the defender; Lynch brought out everything he knew in the final quarter.

"boom!"

After getting past Ben Wallace, Lynch slammed home his 20th point of the fourth quarter with a single-leg push-off.

"The fourth quarter was a complete explosion! Lynch delivered an incredible performance to end the Spurs' run! Although we all know this isn't the end, and the Finals are far from over, Lynch at least showed the world: New York has never been closer to defending their title!"

Amid Mike Brin's roar, Lynch remained silent. He pulled up his sweat-soaked jersey, wiped his face, and pointed with his other hand at the words "Birthplace of Legends" on the big screen.

The first three quarters tonight showcased the determination and will of a defending champion team.

The final quarter of tonight's game was a showcase of one person's absolute best performance.

Lynch didn't need to say anything more.

In the final seconds, the Spurs still failed to mount an effective counterattack.

They ultimately lost to the Knicks 91-99, falling behind 0-1 in the series.

Gregg Popovich walked off the court with a dark expression.

When Tim Duncan could no longer lock down his opponents one-on-one, when Bruce Bowen, the secret weapon, dared not make any more rash moves.

That mountain number 20 looked like it was insurmountable.
-
"The victory all started with Lynch, and I'm not referring to his 20 points in a single quarter. I'm referring to how, during the incredibly tough first three quarters, Lynch showed us that everyone's efforts are meaningful. That's the Lynch team—he's not the kind of leader who gets lost and confused in difficult times. The spirit he brings us is more valuable than 20 points in a single quarter." —Stephen Marbury on Lynch's performance tonight.

What? I was praising Lynch's competitive spirit, and you're warning me not to bring up LeBron James? What did I say about him? Why don't you think about why he always manages to inexplicably fit into certain situations! —Stephen Marbury responded with a bewildered look to a reporter from the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

A satisfying game, and I'm grateful to my teammates for everything they did for me, but the work isn't finished yet, so I don't want to smile. — Lynch explains why he remained so serious even after winning the game.

Oh, don't worry, I won't let Gregg Popovich win a game with dirty tricks and then have the audacity to talk about perseverance and selflessness. That's Tim Duncan's quality, but not his, and certainly not the Spurs' quality. You won't see their hypocrisy, their disgusting faces, in New York. — Lynch's comment on Popovich's speech at the Western Conference Championship trophy ceremony after the Western Conference Finals.

I have absolutely no respect for Lynch, that arrogant and conceited man. — Bruce Bowen, in an interview with USA Today.

How many MVPs does Bruce have? Why should I reply to him? The only thing that bastard is better at than me is injuring more opponents. I have more important things to do than reply to him: go home, take a shower, and go to sleep. — Lynch's response to Bruce Bowen.

That kid's pride will destroy him. He's very capable, his talent is unparalleled, he's truly amazing. But ultimately, he doesn't know how to be a great person, and that's the biggest difference between him and Tim Duncan. — Gregg Popovich's assessment of Lynch.

The biggest difference between me and Tim is that I have one less ring than him, but soon we'll be no different. Yes, it's hard for me to have no respect for Gregg, because the biggest difference between Greg Popovich and Flip Saunders is that he never won a championship fair and square. — Lynch's uncompromising response to the Spurs coach.

These words will eventually become scalding stones, burning through his throat! — The Spurs coach stormed off the court.

(Today, two things are combined: fewer regulations, but no reduction in production)

(End of this chapter)