Champion Rules

Chapter 166, Section 162: A Change of Rule? (Seeking monthly votes!)
"I have always maintained a fair and impartial stance."

We will neither deny the efforts of any striver, nor tolerate any behavior that lacks reverence for victory.

I have indeed talked about him a lot lately, but everything I said is true.

What I stated were objective facts, not malicious slander—does honestly stating the truth equate to defamation?

You know, basketball is a team sport. Most of the time, we play according to tactics, everything is done step by step.

Role players can score points during regular time thanks to the tactical system. But basketball is dynamic, which means that our tactics sometimes cannot be fully executed.

When tactics are broken and when there's little time left on the shot clock, that's when the team's star player steps up.

They need to take over those difficult offensive possessions and use their individual abilities to help the team beyond the tactics. This is the meaning of a star player's existence and the essential difference between a superstar and a role player.

LeBron is undoubtedly a master of tactical execution, and his basketball IQ is enough to perfectly integrate into any system. But as the cornerstone of a team, when the team needs him to step up and break through difficulties, we often see him as a role player who retreats to the background in the decisive moments.

He rarely lifts the team up in crucial moments, and he habitually loses his way in important matches.

His stats always look perfect, with a very high shooting percentage in the final 24 seconds of a game. But honestly, you can't always wait until the game is already decided before you start scoring!
Look, the Cavaliers management has equipped him with All-Star teammates and a championship coach, but the team's ceiling has always been difficult to break through. Perhaps he should reflect on his leadership role.

Oh, and let me tell you two more interesting stories about LeBron.

At the start of the offseason, he had a conversation with Jermaine O'Neal. He promised O'Neal that they would work together to rebuild the Cavaliers and make a comeback. Two weeks later, however, the All-Star forward learned in the news that he had been traded to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Around this time last year, I had a frank conversation with LeBron. I told him I wanted a long-term partnership and didn't want to be fired like Mike Brown for criticizing him. He assured me that would never happen. Now, I've been fired.

I became the scapegoat, Jermaine became the scapegoat. To LeBron, we were all just tools. Of course, his supporters could argue that this was the Cavaliers' management's decision and had nothing to do with LBJ.

Throughout my coaching career, my conflicts with stars like AI, Cameron, and Reggie Jackson have always remained at the competitive level. Only LeBron James has forced me to use the character-deep criticism of 'hypocrisy'.

So, when he said some time ago that he would never leave Cleveland, Cleveland fans should be careful.

Nothing he says is credible; he is a hypocrite.

If he really doesn't want to leave, he should sign a five-year contract like Lynch.

This is by no means the rage of a loser, but rather a sober realization after witnessing too many broken promises.

—A deep interview with Larry Brown on Stephen A. Smith’s “First Take” program after he was fired by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Larry Brown's revelations after being fired by the Cavaliers became the grand finale of the crazy offseason of 2007.

The veteran coach thought he could create a new legend with the Cleveland Cavaliers, but the 1940-born coach felt like a naive child in Cleveland.

The reason he criticized LBJ was precisely because he trusted the number 23. He wanted to awaken the talent of the number 23 by pushing him, and he knew that LBJ wouldn't lose his job for something like this.

Then, he passed away peacefully.

He suddenly realized that he was still too young to trust someone so easily.

The Cavaliers' management didn't even give the championship-winning coach a dignified resignation; they simply fired him.

The Cavaliers are currently searching for a new head coach.

Larry Brown wants to see who the next unlucky one will be.

The media storm created by Larry Brown has plunged LeBron James into an image crisis. As a two-time champion coach, he still has some influence.

Rich Paul immediately launched a crisis public relations campaign, with Nike-affiliated media outlets collectively addressing the criticism as "retaliatory slander by a defeated leader."

Charles Barkley believes that the discussion about whether LeBron James is "hypocritical" is meaningless.

"When LeBron makes his decision in 2009, we will all see what kind of person he really is."

The summer of 2009 was filled with anticipation because of LeBron James, and whether he could keep his promise to stay in Cleveland became a huge suspense.

But the person at the center of the storm seemed unusually confident, knowing he would definitely stay with the team in 2009.

At that time, all the accusations against him will vanish.

LBJ's confidence stems from the team's roster. The arrival of Elton Brand gives Cleveland the strength to compete with the Knicks and Pistons' formidable frontcourt, and the dawn of breaking through the Eastern Conference has never been clearer.

He has also seen everything the team has been doing for LBJ.

Since the Cavaliers forced Larry Brown, the two-time champion coach, to resign under pressure, LeBron James and Cavaliers owner Daniel Gilbert have gradually developed a tacit understanding that goes beyond an employer-employee relationship.

They could speak their minds and recruit players together—after Larry Brown left, Tayshaun Prince was furious and demanded a trade. It was Daniel Gilbert and LeBron James who visited him at their Cleveland suburbs villa, where, with the evening breeze, three bottles of rare red wine and a night of heartfelt conversation, calmed the defensive stalwart's anger.

LeBron James admitted that he had considered leaving the game some time ago.

But now, the team's strong support makes him believe that he can succeed without leaving.

Today, Daniel Gilbert invited LeBron James and his family to his home for afternoon tea, as today is the day the league announces the new season schedule.

They were all eager to know who the Cavaliers' opponent would be in their opening game.

But the final result was beyond everyone's expectations.

“No, damn it, those bastards can’t do this!” Daniel Gilbert looked at the schedule his assistant sent him, furious.

After glancing at LBJ's children and his lover, the Cavaliers owner swallowed all his curses.

LeBron James was also somewhat disappointed.

David Stern scheduled three opening games for the 07-08 season.

Portland Trail Blazers vs. San Antonio Spurs: Top draft picks versus top draft picks.

Miami Heat vs. Detroit Pistons: Dwyane Wade and Paul Pierce will prove they can unleash a storm in the East.

And, most importantly, the highly anticipated epic showdown between the New York Knicks and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Cleveland Cavaliers? They don't even qualify for the opening game.

As dusk swallowed the last rays of daylight in Cleveland, LeBron James silently gazed at the horizon.

The fact that his influence was rapidly declining stung him.

After Lynch also won two championships and had a season with individual Grand Slam honors, the gap between him and Lynch and Carmelo Anthony has widened to an enormous extent.

Even the most professional media outlets have found it difficult to hype up their rivalry.

Daniel Gilbert quickly switched his expression, forcing a reassuring smile and patting James on the shoulder: "To hell with those who schedule the games. No matter what, you will always be the king here, and the glory of this city will shine because of you."

LeBron James nodded: "At least we have the opportunity to prove ourselves in the second game of the new season."

Although he missed the opening game, LBJ saw that in the second regular season game of the new season, the Cavaliers would face the New York Knicks, an aging team that was considered to have no chance of defending their title.

LBJ will start regaining his influence from here.

"I'm going to tear down the defending champion's flag!"

Two weeks later, the preseason training camp for the new season officially began.

When Lynch entered the locker room at the Greenburg training center, he found everyone staring blankly at the wall. Even DeShawn Stevenson, who was usually quick-witted and joking, was staring blankly at the wall with his arms crossed.

Lynch looked over and saw a sentence written on the wall in orange paint.

"Glory belongs to those who burn for one another."

Every letter of that sentence seemed to radiate warmth in the 8:45 a.m. sunlight.

These are the words Grant Hill said he hoped to leave in the locker room. These are his heartfelt words, the last thing he left for this team, and his last assist.

This phrase will become part of the New York Knicks' team culture, remaining permanently in the Knicks' locker room to inspire and remind all players who wear the Knicks jersey.

Lin Qi clapped his hands, drawing everyone's attention to himself.

"Let's get this burning, guys!"

This year, the Knicks' media day was as lively as ever, but the reporters' cameras were mostly focused on Lynch.

The Knicks' new faces this year are simply not enough to excite any media outlets; the debuts of Steve Blake and Wilson Chandler have hardly generated any excitement.

As a result, Lynch answered 80% of the questions from reporters at the media day press conference.

"Lin Qi, what do you think of the brief but brilliant offensive performance that Steve Nash led the Chinese team to during the Yao Ming charity game this summer?"

"That was a very interesting rule. The two teams switched players in the second half, and Steve Nash became the point guard for the Chinese team in the second half. That Chinese team was like the Phoenix Suns. You know, any team that has a player like Steve Nash can undergo a qualitative change immediately."

"How many years do you think it will take the New York Knicks to get back to their peak?"

"We are still at our peak, we will still be regulars in the regional finals and even the finals, and we are still on the highway to reaping honors."

"Regarding Stephon Marbury, do you think his large contract is hurting the team, and do you think the team should trade him?"

"Stephen shed blood for New York, and he just took what he was entitled to."

Lynch answered all kinds of questions with ease, but this year, his answers began to be questioned.

During the subsequent training camp, Marc Stein, who was responsible for covering the Knicks, did not praise any of the Knicks' role players.

Stephon Marbury, Sam Cassell, and Eddie Jones are continuing to decline; their age has sealed their fate.

Trevor Ariza's ball-handling skills are still not good enough to make him a reliable second option for Lynch. Perhaps this kid's ceiling is just this high.

Tyson Chandler still hasn't developed a good low-post offense. He remains a strong defender, but on offense, he can only rely on easy baskets.

Overall, the Knicks' young players have not shown significant improvement, while the veterans have begun to decline rapidly.

If it weren't for the fact that Mark Stein and Lynch were close friends, he might have even written an article to reveal these facts.

In the preseason, the Knicks only managed a 3-3 record.

The day before the season opener, Marc Stein asked Lynch, "To be honest, the chances of a three-peat are very slim. Tell me your honest thoughts, how many years do you think it will take for you to return to your peak?"

Lynch sighed, "I'll find a way to keep us competitive, that's all."

He wanted to take the team on his own.

But the opening game of the new season still gave the defending champions a cruel ending.

在总冠军戒指颁发之夜，纵使林奇拿下35分13个篮板11次助攻的三双数据，纽约尼克斯还是以95比101输给了拥有三巨头的洛杉矶湖人。

The Lakers' Big Three defeated the champions of the past two seasons in their first official game, which seems to herald the official start of their era of dominance in the league.

After the game, Jason Kidd, who had gotten his revenge, hugged Lynch and told him, "I'm not out yet, Lynch."

“Just a last gasp, Jason,” Lynch replied stubbornly.

The following day, the Cleveland Cavaliers defeated the Western Conference powerhouse Dallas Mavericks at home. Elton Brand scored 22 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, easily securing the victory alongside LeBron James.

LeBron James looked very happy at the press conference.

“You know, the change of dominance is always brutal. The Dallas Mavericks were very close to the championship for the past two years, but now they can only suffer defeat at Quicken Loans Arena.”

"What about the New York Knicks?"

“Oh,” LBJ, whose next opponent is the Knicks, grinned excitedly, “Madison Square Garden is going to be an even tougher game.”

(End of this chapter)