Champion Rules

Chapter 164, Page 160: The King of New York Did Not Run Away (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
July 2007, Las Vegas, USA Team training camp.

For this Americas Cup, the US team has sent their best players.

LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony were having a great time chatting at training camp; they are the only two players from the 03 draft class to be selected for the national team.

Last year at the World Championships, the US team only won a bronze medal, which earned LBJ a very unpleasant nickname.

So this year, his goal is very clear: to win his first professional title.

During the media open session, LeBron James put his arm around the shoulder of the Pistons' star player and proudly declared to the camera: "When we are back together after all this time, you will see what you want to see."

The reporter ignored his boasting and immediately posed a pointed question: "Even though Carmelo Anthony just beat you in the playoffs, it doesn't seem to have affected your relationship with Melo, does it?"

LBJ responded with a slightly embarrassed twitch of the corners of his mouth: "You know, competition is competition, and brotherhood is brotherhood. Charles Barkley wouldn't cut ties with Michael Jordan after losing to him. My friendship with Melo will never change."

What are your thoughts on the duo of stars that formed after Kevin Garnett joined the Los Angeles Lakers?

"Many people say the Lakers have two superstars, but they are actually a trio. I don't understand why Lamar Odom was excluded. That guy is a vicious dog, and his value should not be ignored."

Without a doubt, the Los Angeles Lakers, with their three superstars, were a super team, which made it easier for Kobe to win championships. "I might never have the chance to play for a super team like this in my entire career—oh no, my only chance to play for a super team is now."

The reporter looked at him with disdain. He didn't think the Cavaliers' roster was that bad, so he deliberately asked, "Since you think Lamar is also a superstar, would you be willing to trade Tayshaun for him?"

"Uh, I'm not in management. In fact, I'd rather focus on this Copa America right now."

LeBron James can clearly sense that as his influence declines, some of the media outlets that once fawned over him are turning into bloodthirsty hyenas.

They always deliberately pick fights and ask questions that embarrass them.

Ordinary questioning is actually quite normal. Just like a French man who becomes president might still get slapped by his wife, a basketball player who is very successful will still be questioned.

What LBJ found hard to accept was that more and more people began to question him. He gradually transformed from a highly revered chosen one into an "overrated" figure who faced criticism.

This cannot continue; only success can earn him back his respect.

But looking at the US team's number 10 who was being fawned over by reporters, LBJ felt that success was still a long way off.

He hadn't even overcome the formidable obstacle of Lynch when the super team of KG and Kobe set sail. To succeed in this league was an incredibly difficult task, bordering on despair.

03 The two stars gazed at Kobe at the same time, but their thoughts were completely different.

Carmelo Anthony's fighting spirit is boiling: "We've forced the old guys to band together for warmth, which is enough to prove our success, don't you think, LeBron?"

LeBron James nodded slightly, but what he was thinking was: if Kobe and KG were five years younger, the combined dominance of the Wolf King and the Black Mamba might have truly frozen the entire league.

Time cannot be turned back, and KG and Kobe will never have such an opportunity again.

But fate gave LeBron James an even more generous gift – when the summer of 2009 arrived, both he and Carmelo Anthony, who was 24 and 25, were in their prime. If that had really happened then, would he have started to dominate the league?

LeBron James glanced at Carmelo Anthony's profile; the tentative conversation between their agents about teaming up in 2009 seemed to evaporate in the desert heat of Las Vegas. Throughout training camp, Anthony had never mentioned that promise, which only intensified LBJ's doubts.

He knew what Anthony was avoiding: choosing to team up instead of conquering opponents at the prime age of 25. Would history etch them as Trail Blazers or opportunists?
James himself hadn't fully decided what decision he would make in the summer of 09. If he joined Carmelo Anthony's team, would he still be associated with "greatness"?

Will they be Superman and Batman, or Batman and Robin? What's the point of winning the championship as Robin?

Just as LBJ was wavering in his thoughts, several reporters took out their phones, glanced at them, and then held microphones and recorders to his mouth.

"LeBron, what's your opinion on the Cavaliers' trade?!"

"What deal?"

"Just now, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Jermaine O'Neal and their 2010 first-round draft pick to the Los Angeles Clippers in exchange for Elton Brand, who was in the final year of his contract and had requested a trade. LeBron, the Cavaliers now have two number one draft picks. Do you consider yourselves a 'two-superstar' team?"

LeBron James didn't say anything, but his expression conveyed his surprise.

Unlike Jermaine O'Neal, who was plagued by injuries, Elton Brand was in his prime. Especially after losing weight in the 05-06 season on the advice of Coach Mike Dunleavy, the more agile Elton Brand improved to a higher level on both offense and defense.

Of course, he also has significant weaknesses. He needs a center with sufficient size to help him protect the rim, as well as an excellent ball feeder.

The Cavaliers have Zydrunas Ilgauskas and LeBron James, making them a perfect match.

LeBron James was excited; he knew the Cavaliers were still fighting for their King.

Last season, everyone said that Jermaine O'Neal ruined the series. If he hadn't been completely outplayed by Zach Randolph, LBJ would very likely have defeated the Pistons.

So this summer, Jermaine O'Neal packed his things and left.

An excited LeBron James temporarily forgot about what happened in the summer of 2009. Two years later, the fog was blown away by the strong winds of Cleveland, and all that remained before him were the gilded steps leading to the throne.

He felt like he had stood up again.

So, in a moment of impulsiveness, LBJ told the reporter:
“I have a goal, and a very ambitious one, which is to bring an NBA championship to the Cavaliers and to the city of Cleveland. I will not stop chasing the championship until that happens, nor will I leave this team and this city, until I achieve my goal. And I firmly believe that we will achieve our goal in the near future.”
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Lynch made a phone call to Jermaine O'Neal, and you could hear the disappointment in the former Pacers star's hoarse voice.

Why did Elton Brandon choose to leave? Because he had never played a single playoff game in his career. He saw no hope of success with the Los Angeles Clippers. And of course, it was also because Clippers owner Donald Sterling was a stingy jerk.

Even though Elgin Baylor told him bluntly, "Otherwhere, you're at best a second-in-command. But in Los Angeles, you're the captain forever."

Elton Brand resolutely chose to request a trade and vowed that he would not renew his contract with the Clippers in the summer of 08 if no trade was made.

He would rather forgo the empty title of captain and leave a successful mark on the alliance.

So, from the moment Jermaine O'Neal was traded to the Clippers, he felt his career was practically over.

The Clippers accepted the trade to avoid losing Elton Brandon for nothing; they simply couldn't build a roster for Jermaine O'Neal.

Jermaine O'Neal's big contract doesn't expire until 2010, and before then, it will be difficult for him to be traded to a championship contender.

“Maybe I was wrong,” Jermaine O’Neill told Lynch on the phone. “Maybe I shouldn’t have joined the Cleveland Cavaliers.”

"If you had come to New York back then, you might have a ring by now."

"No, don't talk about the New York ring. Do you think I regret not riding your coattails? What I fucking hate is that I actually believed in that Akron prodigy. After the season, I had a meeting with him to talk about the team's future. He told me that the team would never trade me this summer. He told me that we would come back stronger."

The result is now
He could have just told me directly that the team didn't need me, that he didn't need me. I don't understand why he had to lie to me. Jermaine O'Neal was heartbroken; he knew his career was essentially over.

"I want to retire, Lynch. I want to apply to the Los Angeles Clippers for the amnesty clause."

“That’s impossible. You know what Donald Sterling is. He’d rather watch his money rot in a safe than grant a pardon. He would never pay someone who doesn’t play ball.”

And don't jump to conclusions about your career so early. Nobody knows what the future holds, so don't give up, Jermaine, that's not the you I know.

As long as you can still stand and breathe, don't fucking rush to carve your own epitaph.

Lynch didn't want to see a fighter lose his fighting spirit because of this, but he had to say that this summer was indeed crazy enough to make most people lose hope, because the gap between strong and weak teams was widening.

Unfortunately, the defending champion New York Knicks didn't have much room to maneuver in this crazy summer.

Although Eddie Jones's large contract has expired, Stephon Marbury's massive contract remains a constraint. Add to that Tyson Chandler's multi-million dollar contract, and the Knicks' salary cap space remains locked up.

General Manager Sam Presti's desk is piled high with trade proposals, but quality pieces like Trevor Ariza and Tyson Chandler are the lifeblood of maintaining roster depth. As for players who could be put on the trading block, no one seems interested.
So in all these days, besides Wilson Chandler, whom he drafted, Sam Presti only signed point guard Steve Blake using the mid-level exception, and then brought Eddie Jones back to the roster on a veteran's minimum contract.

However, these piecemeal reinforcements seem pale and powerless compared to the Lakers, Heat and Cavaliers.

The rules of the NBA make it difficult for consecutive championship teams to effectively strengthen their rosters, a cruel paradox that all consecutive championship teams are destined to face.

It is widely believed that the Knicks will not be able to make any major changes to their roster until the summer of 2009, after Stephon Marbury's big contract expires.

But Madison Square Garden did not panic, because their king chose to stand firm.

Lynch reached a contract extension agreement with the Knicks a year ahead of schedule, and James Dolan retained his New York king with a five-year maximum contract.

Lin Qi was certainly aware that he would face some difficulties, but he was unwilling to be a coward or the kind of person who would run away at the slightest difficulty.

Furthermore, he is confident that he will continue to succeed in New York.

The difficulties are only temporary; the dark clouds will eventually dissipate.

This early contract extension agreement is like a shot in the arm, allowing the Knicks' management to set their sights on a broader future.

Sam Presti is already researching top free agents he could potentially sign in the summer of 2009, with the scouting department working around the clock to evaluate potential draft targets.

They need to equip Lynch with a truly game-changing supporting cast the moment the salary cap is lifted and the Timberwolves' 09 draft pick comes into play.

To paraphrase owner James Dolan's outburst at a management meeting: "If we can't build a dynasty with the best player in the league, we should all be stuffed into the Hudson River!"

That's right, New York's plan is to help Lynch build a roster strong enough to establish a dynasty in the future.

They have such ambitions because they believe Lynch has the ability.

In fact, this is also why Lynch was willing to renew his contract with the Knicks.

As long as management continues to support his efforts to achieve greatness, he feels he has no reason to leave.

At this moment, the Knicks are like a dormant volcano, with molten lava surging beneath a calm surface.

In the days that followed, the league continued to make many big trades.

The Seattle SuperSonics successfully traded Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis in one go, creating a unique growth space for Kevin Durant.

Orlando used a second-round draft pick and a $9 million trade exception to sign and trade Rashard Lewis, signing him to a six-year, $1.18 million contract.

Then, they acquired Ray Allen through a sign-and-trade deal using 10-year and 12-year first-round draft picks, Jameer Nelson, Carlos Arroyo, and Steve Francis.

The SuperSonics got the future they wanted and freed up enough salary cap space to build the team around KD in the future.

Orlando got the present. When they acquired the Seattle backcourt duo and paired them with the emerging Dwight Howard, the team that had been unable to advance past the first round in the 21st century finally seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

At the end of July, a truly groundbreaking deal was finally finalized.

Lynch was vacationing in Hawaii at the time when he met Pat Riley, who was also in Hawaii, on a lounge chair by the hotel pool.

After exchanging greetings and chatting for a while, Riley's phone suddenly rang. He answered without saying anything, just smiling. After replying "Okay," he hung up.

Riley, holding his phone, turned to Lynch: "Have you figured out how to deal with the Lakers' Big Three next season?"

Lynch waved his hand: "Come on, Pat, Lamar is strong, but he's far from being a superstar. Please, I know LeBron likes to say stupid things, but stop imitating him and give him some respect."

“Wait, you didn’t know?” Pat Riley held up his phone. “They traded for Jason Kidd.”

Lynch took off his sunglasses, and at the same time, his phone received a text message from Sam Presti.

"The Los Angeles Lakers traded Lamar Odom, Aaron McGee, a 2010 first-round draft pick, and 2008 and 2009 second-round draft picks to the New Jersey Nets in exchange for Jason Kidd. This really happened, Lynch, and they are now a true Big Three."

After reading the text message, Lynch looked at Pat Riley with a puzzled expression: "So Pat, why are you so happy about this trade? What does it have to do with the Heat?"

Lynch had just noticed the smile on Riley's face after he answered the phone.

Pat Riley spread his hands: "I'm just happy, is that not allowed? Because next season is going to be exciting."

Lynch didn't believe a word of the fortune teller's nonsense. He could predict that the Lakers' trades would at least have helped the Miami Heat achieve some kind of goal. It seems that Paul Pierce won't be the Heat's only acquisition.

Lynch looked up at the Hawaiian sky and put his sunglasses back on.

The difficulties seem to be much greater than imagined.

But that's precisely why the championship is all the more precious.

The Kings of New York still have no regrets about renewing their contract with the team.

He will never run away, no matter how strong the opponent is.

Because a championship won through escapism is worthless.

(End of this chapter)