Champion Rules

Chapter 18 017: Hearing (Please read!)
Under the glaring spotlight, Darko Milicic's platinum hair was mixed with blood, and his once arrogantly raised jaw was now tilted weakly to one side.

This once-mighty genius lost his halo and became a pitiful loser in the arena.

"Oh my God!" On the sidelines, Mavericks coach Don Nelson lifted his butt off his seat for the first time.

Before, no matter how brilliantly Lynch performed, he remained calm and sat on the bench.

But Lynch's attack this time made old Nelson couldn't help but stand up and look into the court.

For a moment, old Nelson seemed to see Rudy Tomjanovich's face floating before his eyes.

Don Nelson originally thought that the worst outcome for Milicic would be the skyhook in the 83 Finals or Ewing in the 94 Finals.

But it's clearly worse.

Although 83 Skyhook and 94 Ewing were beaten by their opponents, at least they were not beaten badly.

Antonio Marcellas stared blankly at everything that happened on the court until the pen in his hand almost poked a big hole in the notebook before he finally came to his senses.

Everything that just happened made him regain the wildness of the NBA before David Stern.

He clearly remembered the look of Darko Milicic looking down on the entire stadium when he entered the field before the game started. The Serbian pride who threw the wristband to the caddy was now shattered like a velvet curtain torn apart by a wild beast.

The audience fell into an eerie silence, with only the sound of shutter clicks recording the disaster.

Not only the people at the scene, but also the fans in front of the TV opened their mouths uncontrollably.

This was a highly anticipated game broadcast live nationwide in Serbia, but Serbian fans witnessed one of the worst brawls in their country's basketball history.

The spectators on the sidelines were so terrified, not to mention the players on the field.

Nemanja Jokic looked at Milicic's bloody face, and then remembered Lynch's smile to him just now. He suddenly ran to the trash can and retched heart-wrenchingly.

The fear created by Lynch penetrates into everyone's heart.

But to be honest, Antonio Marcellas has no sympathy for Darko Milicic at all.

Although he knew it was wrong, and although he knew that as a mature man he should condemn violence.

But when he saw that bastard maliciously invading Lynch again and again, he was always expecting Lynch to fight back, and Lynch did so.

You know, sometimes someone has to stand up and do something that may not be right in theory but is pleasing to the people.

The game was interrupted, and Lynch left the court accompanied by his teammates. Teodosic kept his palm on Lynch's trembling shoulder blade, trying his best to comfort Lynch.

The game wasn't over yet, but with both teams' star players exiting the field, the outcome was clear.

Darko Milicic undoubtedly lost the match, and his position will be replaced by Lynch from now on.

After returning to the locker room, the others wanted to continue the game, but Theo did not go back. He decided to stay in the locker room with Lynch.

His fingertips gently stroked the Chinese knot on Lin Qi's sports backpack, and he remembered that when he went to Lin Qi's restaurant a few days ago, Wu Lan hummed a song while changing clothes one after another and asking everyone if they looked suitable.

The woman who always wears an apron as a cape dressed up carefully today in order not to embarrass Lynch.

So, Darko Milicic was just asking for trouble by saying that.

"You didn't do anything wrong," Theo said.

"Of course. Do you think I'm feeling guilty? I actually wanted to beat him up when he touched you, damn bastard!"

"You did well, but you might be in trouble next."

Teodosic was calm. He didn't think Lynch was wrong, but he also didn't think the Serbian Basketball Association was indifferent after the incident.

What just happened was the largest conflict in the history of Serbia, no, the entire Balkan region and even the entire European basketball history.

No one involved in the conflict can escape unscathed.

"Never mind him. We've already taken care of Luke Bogdanovic and Darko Milicic. So next, Mr. Vlad Durovic will pick us up, even if we get banned from the youth team. Whatever they do, we're going to the Adriatic League anyway."

After the game, the Vrsac team hurriedly left Zelenic Hall without showering.

They were afraid of being mobbed by angry Belgrade fans.

Boshko remained on the court and spoke to reporters: "Listen, I know what happened today was a little unreasonable. But ladies and gentlemen, what's wrong with a child defending his mother's dignity? Lynch won, that's it."

Boshko made his position clear, he did not think Lynch did anything wrong.

After finishing the interview with the reporters and walking into the player tunnel, Boshko was stopped by Vlad Durovic.

"What's wrong Vlad?"

“About Lynch.”

"Hey, you don't want to lecture him too? He beat up a well-known bastard, and everyone in Belgrade supports him!" Boshko made his attitude clear. He would not criticize Lynch for what happened today.

In fact, when Lynch beat up Darko Milicic, Bosko was eager to sign a 10-day short contract with the team immediately, then put on his jersey and rush up to kick that little bastard a few times.

"No, no, no, I also think Lynch is right. What I want to say is that after this game, I will transfer Lynch and Theo to the first team. I promised them before, didn't I?" At this point, Vlad Durovic's cell phone rang.

He pulled out his phone and patted Boshko on the shoulder. "Please keep this news a secret for me. I'll tell them in person after I get off the phone. Don't ruin this surprise, okay?"

"First team!? Hahahaha, don't worry, Vlad, you know me. I'm a very tight-lipped person and I definitely won't ruin this surprise!"

Thirty seconds later, Boshko practically knocked open the locker room door and cupped Lynch's cheek with his calloused hands: "Lynch, you and Theo are going to the first team!"

He was so tight-lipped that he kept the secret for 30 seconds.

Lynch almost instantly forgot about Darko Milicic and Theo's reminder that "you may be in trouble next", and was enveloped by a huge feeling of joy.

"Oh, even though I'm usually annoyed by you and want to whip you with a belt, it's a bit hard to let you go now that we're parting ways. Remember to come back often to see this old man of mine. It's a pity that I haven't punished you by making you play ball in a women's swimsuit yet."

Lynch:
You have such a weird perverted habit!

The other players were also very excited and hugged Lynch and Theo.

"Hey guys, quiet down," Boshko said, waving his arms in the middle of the locker room. "Vlad is on the phone outside the locker room. He'll come in person to inform Lynch and Theo of the news. He told me not to reveal it in advance, so as not to ruin the surprise. So, just pretend you know nothing!"

As soon as Boshko finished speaking, the door of the locker room was pushed open. The harsh friction sound of the metal door hinge made the locker room quiet in an instant, and Vlad Durovic finally appeared.

Boshkolica pulled Lynch and Theo to the middle, then signaled everyone in the locker room to be quiet.

"Vlad, do you have something to say to these two children?"

But soon, the smile on Boshko's face gradually disappeared because he saw that Vlad Durovich had a serious face and no smile at all.

Vlad Durovich was smiling most of the time, and with his thick glasses, he looked like a grumpy old man.

But when his expression becomes serious, you can immediately see the oppressive feeling he has as a former Yugoslav secret policeman.

Boshko immediately realized that the old policeman must have discovered his affairs, so he leaned over to Durovich's ear and said, "Okay, I told them in advance. I couldn't help it. But you still have to make the official announcement. Don't be angry."

Vlad Durovich did not respond. His eyes passed over Boshko and stared at Lynch.

"Just now, Mr. Dragan Kapicic, the president of the Basketball Association, called me. He told me that all players involved in the fight will be suspended from all competitions, including the youth league, adult league, and Adriatic League.

The suspensions for the others will be announced tomorrow. As for you, Lynch, the Basketball Association will hold a hearing the day after tomorrow to determine your suspension. I don't know the exact number of games I'll be suspended, but it's likely to be severe, perhaps eight months. So, you won't be able to play in any first-team games for the time being. Sorry, kid.

The tiled walls of the locker room suddenly became icy cold.

After Vlad Durovich finished speaking, he sighed softly and turned away, his knuckles turning white from his clenched fists.

He didn't want to see Lynch's disappointed look.

He knew that he had personally shattered the expectations of an outstanding young man.

He hates this feeling.

This former secret policeman, who had interrogated countless traitors during the Iron Curtain era, now looked like a clumsy father who had ruined his child's birthday present. The ceiling light in the corridor cast a heavy shadow on his hunched back.

Why are things like this?

It shouldn't be like this.

"Damn it, fuck Darko Milicic! Fuck!"

He punched the corridor wall.
-
Two days later, Wu Lan, Boshko, Durovic and Theo accompanied Lynch to the office building of the Serbian Basketball Association.

This is a square three-story bungalow, and from the outside there is no trace of any official organization.

Teo did not go in because he was not eligible to attend the hearing and could only wait outside the building.

But he still insisted on coming, whether it was good news or bad news, he wanted to know it first.

Lynch and others walked into the office building, and a secretary took them to the conference room on the third floor.

There were many framed jerseys on both sides of the stairs.

There was Peja, there was Divac, there was the great Drazen Petrovic, Dejan Bodiroga, and Aleksandar Djordjevic. (Joe was very prestigious in Europe as both a player and a coach, but he still didn't understand how to play in China.)

In addition to jerseys, there are also various trophies, championship photos, etc. The cold walls are telling this fanatical history.

It’s a pity that Lynch is not here to visit today.

Soon, Lynch and his group stopped in front of a huge dark red door.

The secretary knocked on the door. Inside, some officials of the Serbian Basketball Association, the secretary-general and the chairman of the association were waiting.

After several people took their seats, the hearing officially began.

Boshko first took the blame on himself, believing that his management negligence caused the final result.

"He's just a kid, a promising kid. We all had tempers when we were kids. What's more, it was that little bastard Dako who provoked and fouled Lynch first! Sorry, I don't want to blame others. Anyway, the responsibility is all mine. I will strengthen management in the future. I hope you don't suspend Lynch at this juncture. He can't miss the Adriatic League!

Let me be frank, it's very important for him to hit the NBA, it's related to this kid's future!"

Lynch didn't expect that this guy who was always angry with him would defend him so much.

He no longer wanted to be called the Mediterranean Commander.

Next came Vlad Durovich, who used almost the same protective rhetoric as Boshko, with a thousand words to say in one sentence: It was us who failed to manage the child well, don't blame the child.

After the two coaches finished speaking, Wu Lan raised her hand slightly.

The Basketball Association's Secretary General, Predrag Bogosarev, gently asked, "Madam, do you have anything to add?"

Wu Lan stood up and bowed politely.

"Growing up, Lynch's favorite thing was playing basketball. I'll always remember that scene—fourteen-month-old Lynch standing on tiptoe, clumsily lifting the orange ball over his head and putting it into the toy basket. At that time, he was smiling like the king of the world.

It has been almost twenty years, and this picture always appears in front of my eyes, reminding me that basketball has long been integrated into his blood and is his dream.

Now, he has a chance to become a professional player and a chance to go to the top league. You can't just take away this opportunity.

Listen, Mr. Chairman, Mr. Secretary General, regardless of the circumstances, Lynch did throw a punch and should have received some punishment. You can ask the FMP club not to exempt us from training fees. I can give up this privilege and pay the club.

I can take out a loan, I can take the fine, I can pay for that kid's medical bills, I don't know what else to do but give him a chance! I just want to make sure he has a fair chance to pursue his dreams!
When I was young and wanted to pursue my dreams and work abroad, my family did not understand and even cut off ties with me.

At that time, I told myself that if I had a child, I would definitely support him with all my strength and let him pursue what he wants to do without carrying any burden like me.

Let my child go to the end, gentlemen!"

Lynch was a little surprised. Many of these things were the first time he heard of them.

Now he finally understood why Wu Lan always supported him wholeheartedly.

She didn't want her regrets to be repeated on her children. She knew better than anyone how important family support was to children.

Basketball Association Chairman Dragan Kapicic stood up, patted Wu Lan's shoulder soothingly, handed her a handkerchief, and then returned to his seat. He took off his glasses and drummed his fingers on the table.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I know this isn't Lynch's fault alone. In fact, we also suspended Darko Milicic for eight months.

We respect Lynch's dream, and we admire Mrs. Wu's courage and strength. But there are some rules we cannot cross. This is youth basketball, the very foundation of our game. We must make sure all children know that violence on the court is a red line that cannot be crossed.

So with regard to Lynch, we maintain our previous sentence of eight months’ suspension.”

"The Adriatic League will be over in eight months! Lynch can't stop playing for eight months, otherwise the NBA will underestimate his ability, which will affect his draft pick and even change his life!" Boshko stood up rudely and confronted the chairman of the Basketball Association. He didn't know where he got the courage from.

Dragan Kapicic was not angry. He waved his hand and motioned Boshko to sit down.

"As I said, we suspended Darko Milicic for eight months, but he's pretty much unaffected because he's going to play in the NBA. Look, we can't go to the NBA and ban him.

So, what do you understand, Coach Boshko? We are not the United Nations. We cannot control Lynch playing overseas. "

After saying that, Dragan Kapicic looked at Vlad Durovic and blinked.

As the chairman of the Basketball Association, this is all he can say.

"Alright," Dragan Kapicic stood up again. "I declare this hearing closed. Have a nice day, everyone."

As he left the Basketball Association building, Vlad Durovic already had a plan. Dragan Kapicic's reminder had almost served as a clear warning.

"We will actively loan Lynch out to overseas leagues to continue playing. As long as Lynch wants to go, FMP will not stop him. I can guarantee this.

The problem now is that Lynch needs an agent to help him find a new team, a place where he can play first-team games. And if your goal is the NBA draft, you also need some promoters to help you build momentum. Do you have the right person, Lynch?

Lin Qi glanced at Wu Lan and shrugged.

There is indeed a suitable candidate.

"It seems that I can't get Mr. Misko Raznatovic for free anymore. He said he would help us. He said he could handle all the basketball-related matters in Europe, right?"
-
Darko Milicic suffered severe facial injuries, including fractures to his nose and brow. Of course, this was all his own fault. — Belgrade Politiken.

Several European teams have submitted loan requests to FMP. Serie A? La Liga? Be bold, could we see Lynch in a European league? —EuroBasketball magazine.

Forget the drama; let Darko's broken nose obscure the fact that Lynch completely destroyed him on the basketball level. Before he was destroyed by Lynch's fists, he was destroyed by Lynch's basketball. Is this guy who couldn't even dominate a Serbian youth league really worthy of a top-three pick? — Detroit Free Press

Lynch, the No. 1 pick in the 2004 NBA draft? —Sports Illustrated.

(Thanks to Boss Mei for not digging coal, Sitting alone on the beach watching the sunrise, Red Triple Horned Cat, Embracing the Water Without Waves, Please Call Me Wolf Master, Winter You Dong and other big guys for the rewards, thank you all so much!)
(End of this chapter)