Champion Rules

Chapter 163, Page 159: I think you're in big trouble (Seeking monthly votes!)
In July, Miami Bay was filled with a salty, humid air. The cigar smoke and the hum of the fax machine in Pat Riley's office intertwined to create a prelude to the changing times.

The Miami Heat's acquisition of Paul Pierce in a trade heralded a summer of transition.

The success of the 04 draft class has fueled the veterans' competitive spirit in every corner of the league.

The howls of wolves in Minneapolis faded, the gunshots in Seattle grew muffled, and the captains in New Jersey furled their sails. All the once illustrious names faded into mottled silhouettes before the blue-orange waves stirred up by Lynch.

They will all be looking for a way out this summer, seizing the last chance to shine, not wanting to be swallowed up by the tide of the times.

Paul Pierce was just the first.

The older generation aspires to reach the summit, while Lin Qi stands atop the peak, looking down upon the younger generation.

Now, he is about to step down from the throne and embrace his descendants.

Although the King of New York said in an interview on the night of his victory that he wanted to relax and enjoy his vacation.

But that's just wishful thinking.

In July, Reebok's training camp reopened.

Because of Lynch, Reebok has maintained close ties with many young, talented players.

That's why a sports brand needs superstars so much.

Their influence is multifaceted.

Not only can it help brands make money, but it can also attract other talented players to join their ranks.

When Lynch saw James Harden again this year, he had become much more confident.

He is now a star player at Artesia High School, having just led his team to the state championship.

Last October, James Harden was surprised when Lynch actually kept his word and sent him a Kobe Bryant autographed jersey.

The jersey also features Kobe's handwritten message: "Don't give up, LeBron."

This greatly encouraged him and made him believe that Lynch was genuinely interested in him and that his words were not just empty promises.

So this chubby boy who used to be out of breath after just a few steps began to follow Lin Qi's teachings. He started training hard and ignored the ridicule and sarcasm from the outside world.

Of course, he admits that he also fantasizes about one day spending a fortune on big butts in high-end nightclubs, which is one of his sources of motivation.

With these beliefs, he gradually became the best high school basketball player in Compton, Southern California.

Furthermore, he made a rather courageous decision.

"I don't care about prestigious basketball schools, and I don't care about what other people think. I just want to be with Coach Scott," he told Lynch about his choice of college.

This summer, many top basketball colleges extended offers to James Harden. However, because his high school coach, Scott Pera, became an assistant coach at Arizona State University, Harden decided to follow in his footsteps.

Although Arizona State University is a team that has only played in the NCAA March Madness Tournament three times in its history, and although Harden deserves a bigger stage, his stance remains unwavering.

He knew that if Coach Scott Pera hadn't brought him to the Reebok training camp last year and allowed him to talk to Lynch, he might not be where he is today.

Lynch agreed with Harden's choice: "Competitive sports aren't a fashion show. Wherever there are talented people, that's the biggest stage. The brave bring the spotlight to us, while clowns chase after the camera and strike poses. You have a lot of courage, James, which is the foundation of your success."

"That's so true! Damn, I really should let my good brother meet you too. Maybe only your words can save him from his depression."

"Your good brother? Is he in training camp too?"

"Of course, he's one of the best players in Southern California! It's just that he's encountered a lot of difficulties recently."

"What kind of difficulty is he facing? How can I help him?"

“Oh, he has encountered so many difficulties, and he doesn’t really like talking to strangers; it makes him nervous.”

"What's your brother's name?"

“Demar DeRozan, my best friend.”
-

DeMar DeRozan, the Southern California genius who always welds his hoodie hood shut, sits on the sidelines, watching his best friend James Harden.

Harden once said that Lynch actually managed to get him a Kobe Bryant autographed jersey.

DeRozan didn't believe it.

While this might be something that Lynch could easily resolve with a phone call, why would a star player care so much about an unknown high school kid?
Aren't they organizing these training camps just to fulfill the brand's targets? Who really cares about the people who attend them?

But when he saw Lynch chatting with James Harden without any airs, he realized that the New York superstar was completely different from what he had imagined.

As DeMar DeRozan pondered, the Compton teenager, who habitually huddled in the shadows, watched his friend James Harden approach with the two-time champion, his fingernails almost digging dents into the plastic bottle.

“Damn it. No, James. Don’t bring him here, damn it.” DeMar DeRozan felt nervous; he always felt uncomfortable around strangers.

Most of the time, he prefers to be alone rather than force himself to chat with strangers.

He reflexively tugged at the brim of his hood, as if the thin fabric could shield him from all unfamiliar gazes.

Soon, Lynch and Harden walked up to him, and he had to force a polite smile and shake hands with Lynch: "Lynch, congratulations on becoming the champion."

Harden patted DeRozan on the shoulder: "Relax, DeMar, Lynch said he can help you."

“I…” Demar DeRozan didn’t know how to answer; he didn’t know how Lynch could help him.

Because he was facing so many terrible things, no one could save him except God.

Lynch handed over his phone number: "Don't carry Demar alone. No matter how strong we are, we are still just ordinary people. But we must live well and keep moving forward, because there will always be someone who cares about you."

“Thank you, Lynch.” Demar DeRozan nodded.

Lynch's words couldn't solve his problem. His mother had lupus, and his father was unable to take care of even the most basic needs like eating, drinking, and using the toilet after suffering a stroke.

He once promised his beloved grandmother that one day he would compete against a superstar like AI, but his grandmother passed away before she could witness that day.

These blows came one after another, giving him almost no time to catch his breath. These burdens were enough to crush the frail spine of any seventeen-year-old boy, and could not be resolved with just a few words.

But he was still grateful to Lynch for saying these things.

For a big star to say these things to a child who has nothing to do with him is already the greatest kindness.

"Call me if you have any difficulties, and I'll temporarily help pay your parents' medical expenses. Of course, it's a loan. You can pay me back in full the day you join the league and get your first paycheck, interest-free."

DeMar DeRozan looked up abruptly, his face filled with astonishment.

"Sir, you may not know enough about American high school basketball. We cannot accept any financial incentives from the brand."

“It’s not the brand,” Lynch waved his hand to interrupt him, “It’s a personal loan I made to you in the name of a friend, and it has nothing to do with Reebok.”

DeMar DeRozan was speechless. Lynch reached out and pulled off the hood that isolated him from the world, letting the golden light from the gym's overhead lights bathe the boy's astonished face.

"Go and tell the world that even if you come from a place like Southampton, Southern California, which is considered abandoned by the world, you can succeed."

After Lynch finished speaking, he said goodbye to Harden and DeMar DeRozan.

When Sonny Vaccaro learned of this, the worldly-wise man walked into the training camp office, watching the young figures chasing basketballs on the training field, cigar smoke weaving a web of confusion between his brows.

It's understandable for a scout or agent to help a kid like this, because it's profitable for them.

But what about Lynch?

He doesn't need these children to profit for him, so what is his motive?
Sonny Vaccaro asked the question directly, and Lynch's answer was very straightforward.

“It might be related to my own experience. When I was their age, a lot of people helped me. My coaches and teammates in Europe, as well as Grant Hill and others, opened the door to professional basketball for me,” Lynch said, stroking his championship ring with his fingertips. “Now it’s my turn to open that door for others.”

“These young people came to my training camp because they trusted me. I’m not the kind of guy who just shows up at the opening ceremony of a training camp and then gets into a luxury car. I can’t let them down.”

I know I can't help everyone in the world, but at least in my training camp, I'll lend a helping hand to any child who needs it, within my ability.

Sunny Vaccaro smiled and shook his head: "Just do your best. No one in this world can play God."

“I don’t want to play God Sonny,” Lynch said, looking at the children running around on the field. “I just want to be an idol worthy of worship. A real idol shouldn’t be a silhouette on a poster, but a beacon that they can reach.”

Sonny Vaccaro has run countless training camps for Nike, Reebok, and Adidas, but in his eyes, Lynch is the only star who sees this responsibility as a mission.

He understood that Lynch wanted more than just to be a successful basketball player.

This new king of New York is not only chasing honors, but he also wants to become an eternal icon in the world of basketball, leaving an immortal mark on the long scroll of sports history.

On the training field, DeMar DeRozan frowned as he looked at Lynch's business card in his hand: "James, you didn't actually need to bring him here, I..."

“Demar, do you remember what you said about the time your mother was most disappointed in you? It was because a chubby little boy with asthma was being bullied, and his best friend did nothing because he was afraid. Ever since then, whenever someone bullies me, you stand up for me without hesitation.”

DeRozan nodded; that's how his mother had taught him since he was little. You have to stand up for your best friend.

“So, I’m going to seize this opportunity for you,” Harden continued. “I know he can definitely help you, even if it’s not in the way I imagined, but he really can, and I can’t let you miss this chance. Lynch is a good man; he’s a true icon in the basketball world. We’ll pay him back with interest later, but for now, accept this kindness.”

DeMar DeRozan nodded, then turned to ask, "In the future, would you rather be Lynch's teammate or his opponent?"

"Teammates, of course! Because New York's nightclubs are the best in the world! Cough cough, I mean, playing alongside Lynch is the best thing in the world. You know, playing alongside him, even if you don't average 10 points per game, you're guaranteed to be the second-best shooting guard in the East. So, DeMar, do you want to be his teammate or his opponent?"

"Me? I'd rather be his opponent. The best reward would be the sound of the rim cracking when I dunk on him one day. That would prove I succeeded and that his help wasn't in vain."

In his office, Lynch was arranging for people to handle Demar DeRozan's loan.

At that moment, ESPN news on the television suddenly inserted a breaking news report.

Stephen A. Smith said gravely, “Ladies and gentlemen, the league office has just officially confirmed that the Los Angeles Lakers and the Minnesota Timberwolves have reached a trade agreement.”

Lin Qi put down his phone and stared at the TV screen.

"The Los Angeles Lakers traded Andrew Bynum, Kwame Brown, Vladimir Radmanovic, and a 2012 first-round draft pick to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for Kevin Garnett. Ladies and gentlemen, the Los Angeles Lakers are back."

Stephen A. Smith felt threatened; the older generation was starting to vie for the crown on Lynch's head.

Afterwards, Stephen A. discussed some details of the transaction.

The Timberwolves originally demanded two first-round picks from the Lakers. If the Lakers only offered one first-round pick, then Lamar Odom would have to be included in the trade.

But Kevin Garnett's no-trade clause played a crucial role; he told the Timberwolves that he wouldn't go anywhere else if they didn't accept the Lakers' offer.

This is a huge gamble. If the Timberwolves cancel all the trades, KG will also lose the chance to climb out of the Minneapolis snow.

KG was hesitant at first, but then he remembered his grandmother. When he became famous in high school, countless scouts and shady basketball agents came to his house, hoping to sign him in exchange for some private benefits.

His grandmother would always tell the group of people decisively, "You have 30 seconds to take the money and get out of my house."

This decisive action ensured that KG was able to participate in the draft smoothly and was not harmed by those unscrupulous agents.

So Kevin Garnett made a decisive move this time.

He won his gamble; the Timberwolves didn't want to waste any more time. They accepted the trade, and the Wolf King climbed out of the thick snow, ready to enjoy the California sunshine.

Sonny Vaccaro paused for a few seconds, then stammered out a few words:

"Fuck, Lynch, I think you're in big trouble."
-

This wasn't an easy decision, to join another team with a superstar. But I really wanted to seize this last opportunity. I'm 31, friends, and I don't have time to waste. — Kevin Garnett on joining the Los Angeles Lakers.

Unless some 20-something superstars team up in the future, KG's age is no excuse. The Los Angeles Lakers are cheating; that's the advantage of a big market over a small market—they always have an easier time attracting superstars. —The Cleveland Plain Dealer

We can create a great story of redemption. All transformations don't happen overnight, but this trade can give the Lakers hope, rebuild their competitiveness, and even help them climb back to the top. All I can say is that I'm ready. — Phil Jackson, in an interview with the Los Angeles Times.

Listen, I know KG teaming up with Kobe is scary enough, but I have to remind you all that the Los Angeles Lakers still have a chance to get Jason Kidd. Like Lynch said, this is just the beginning. — ESPN columnist Marc Stein

(End of this chapter)