Champion Rules

Chapter 188, Section 184: I'm glad you've learned to get lost (Seeking monthly votes!)
Paul Pierce is somewhat pitiful.

If LeBron James dares to openly claim that he is the best forward in the East, a deluge of ridicule will engulf him like a tidal wave.

But what about Paul Pierce? He uttered an incredibly arrogant statement, but the ripples didn't even extend beyond the boundaries of New York City.

Aside from New York fans, many people don't even know he said that.

Throughout his professional career, Paul Pierce has never been a player with a style of play that attracts a large following or has a huge impact.

He has never received much attention; his solid but unpretentious back-to-the-basket skills are like a living fossil of 20th-century basketball, and his lack of top-tier physical attributes has caused his game footage to disappear from ESPN's highlight reels.

He wasn't a high-profile player from the time he was drafted. He wasn't selected by the Celtics until the tenth pick, and that was a reluctant choice after the Celtics missed out on Dirk Nowitzki.

Therefore, most of the time, no one refutes what he said—most people have no idea what astonishing things he has said, so there is no question of refuting him.

This bizarre "immunity from public opinion" gradually led Paul Pierce into a cognitive illusion.

He assumed that silence represented acquiescence, mistaking being ignored for widespread approval.

Until the night of November 25, 2008, that bloody block shattered his arrogance like the hand of God, and the deafening boos from the entire stadium became the most piercing alarm bell of reality.

It was only at this moment that he realized that there is no true "safe zone" in professional basketball, and any arrogant words that overstep the throne will eventually be exposed in the face of higher-level talent.

Paul Pierce was just trying to show off his skills, but in front of Lynch, he ended up making a fool of himself.

Under Lynch's defense, his prized one-on-one game looked so clumsy.

Lynch's block gave Nash the opportunity to launch a fast break, and Trevor Ariza's fast break dunk made up for his earlier missed open three-pointer.

Mike Breen remarked, "Look at how Steve orchestrates the offense in an instant. If he's interested in coaching after he retires, he could definitely be a great coach."

Jeff Van Gundy agreed: "Give Steve any five guys and he can make them play a beautiful offense, unless those five guys can't even serve from the baseline."

Before the game started, Dwyane Wade walked over to Pierce. He didn't scold his good teammate, but simply told him, "Play as simply as possible against Lynch. Either shoot or pass, and don't give him a chance to entangle you."

After saying that, Wade paused and stared intently at his partner: "Don't even think about competing with him."

These are Wade's heartfelt words.

If even LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony couldn't get the better of Lynch's defense, then Paul Pierce's idea of ​​scoring over Lynch's head was wishful thinking.

Paul Pierce fell silent. Wade's words were essentially a euphemism for "This is not your battle, get out of here."

But Paul Pierce isn't the kind of person who values ​​possession of the ball more than winning.

Truth folded his arrogant wings and nodded: "I'll handle it, brother."

The match continued, and the two sides became locked in a fierce struggle.

Wade's drives to the basket are unstoppable, and he is very good at finishing in tight spaces.

Therefore, even when Nene and Tyson Chandler are both huddled in the paint, Wade can still find an angle with amazing technique.

Paul Pierce didn't continue to argue with Lynch, opting instead to listen to advice.

He completely abandoned one-on-one play; once he received the ball, he would either jump shoot or pass.

He certainly didn't play like a star player, but it worked.

Paul Pierce had a very hot shooting touch today, hitting shots repeatedly, and remains Wade's most reliable helper.

An All-Star forward, as long as he doesn't play recklessly alongside Wade, will definitely be a huge threat; it's impossible for 1+1<2 to happen.

Of course, the Heat were also helpless against the Knicks' seven-second offense.

However, the Knicks struggled during the seven-second offensive gap after Nash left the court.

Because Erik Spoelstra implemented a well-designed rotation strategy, ensuring that at least one of Wade or Pierce was always available.

This makes the Heat the team that best plays transitional phases in the entire league.

Whenever the hourglass of Steve Nash's departure begins to run out, Wade and Pierce always leave a burning spark, turning the Knicks' lead into a flickering candle in the wind.

Although Lynch broke free of the seven-second shot clock, his individual ability was enough to break through the Heat's defense.

However, against the Heat, who are known for their excellent transitional play in the league, lone-wolf scoring is far from enough to establish a decisive advantage.

Without Nash, the Knicks' offense is indeed much weaker.

Goran Dragic hasn't fully adapted to the pace of the NBA yet, and Steve Blake is a mediocre player.

When Lynch and Nash were not on the court, the offense Lynch saw included, but was not limited to, those that included, and those that included, the following.

DeShawn Stevenson opened up for a one-on-one, ready to start, mimicking Michael Jordan sticking out his tongue, then lost the ball.

DeShawn Stevenson launched a fast break, going 2-on-0. He was clearly in a dunk opportunity, but instead, he tried to throw an alley-oop to Amir Johnson. Amir Johnson stood still and watched the ball fly out of bounds. The two second-ranked players in the East executed a mind-boggling play.

DeAndre Jordan used his exceptional athleticism to grab an offensive rebound and draw a foul, then missed all three free throws.

The game was paused. In the CCTV studio, Sun Zhengping and Zhang Weiping looked at each other, speechless for a moment.

Sun Zhengping immediately broke the deadlock with his rich experience: "Coach Zhang, what's your opinion on the Knicks' performance just now?"

After thinking for a few seconds, Coach Zhang smiled and replied, "Mobile phone users nationwide can send a text message to 1066 9999 086 to select their favorite team."

Of course, the Knicks' rotation time wasn't always that bad.

But that was a microcosm of the game; against the Heat, a team that excels at utilizing rotation time, the Knicks were unable to gain a real advantage for a long time.

The scoreline, like a mast in a storm, repeatedly tossed and turned between the seven-second storm and traditional positions.

This competition, in which everyone chased and tried to stay ahead, lasted all night.

The Miami Heat have proven themselves; they may not have been champions last season, but they are certainly among the top contenders right now.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Miami Heat revealed another trump card—Erik Spoelstra began using Dwyane Wade to guard Nash.

As the team's offensive spearhead, Wade cannot shoulder too much defensive responsibility for the entire game.

But if it's only the fourth quarter, Wade is fully capable of scoring on both offense and defense.

The Knicks' offense was further limited, and the "Wind Child" struggled against Wade's defense.

Lin Qi shouldered the heavy responsibility, but the renewed double attack made his offensive more difficult.

Fortunately, Trevor Ariza seized several scoring opportunities in the fourth quarter, scoring 8 points in the quarter, which made the Heat's double-teaming pay a price, preventing Lynch from fighting alone and the Knicks from being put on the defensive.

But the Miami Heat have proven with their outstanding performance that it was no fluke that knocked the defending champion Knicks out of the playoffs last season.

When Dwyane Wade stole the ball from Nash and immediately followed up with a powerful dunk, the Miami Heat tied the game with 1 minute and 18 seconds left.

Amid the sighs of New York fans, good news is spreading back to the South Coast, and the scales of victory have tipped again.

Philip Sanders paused the game, and Sam Cassell looked nervous.

When he was a player, he was considered a player with a big heart.

He never gets nervous because of pressure; in fact, he believes that pressure is the best medicine to help him move forward.

But as a member of the coaching staff, he felt for the first time at a crucial moment that he felt like a stone was pressing on his chest.

Ultimately, it's because he's currently unable to take control of his own destiny.

Only those in positions of authority can personally control the rhythm, speed, and timing of shots.

When an athlete becomes a coach, it's like a helmsman with his hands tied, forced to watch helplessly as the waves crash against the porthole.

He certainly didn't want the Knicks' winning streak and revenge moment to be ruined, but the current situation was completely unpredictable.

Steve Nash lay on his back at the edge of the bench, his sweat-soaked jersey and violently heaving chest making New York fans uneasy.

The intense competition tonight has taken a toll on his back.

Philip Sanders was hesitant to entrust crucial shots to Nash, but Lynch was also prone to getting double-teamed.

So, his final gaze fell on Trevor Ariza: "Whatever happens, Trevor, remember, there's nothing to be nervous about."

Ariza played very well in the fourth quarter, but Flip Saunders wasn't going to give Trevor Ariza any instructions; he just felt that the young man was likely to get the ball in crucial moments.

If he does get the ball at a crucial moment, he hopes he won't ruin everything because of nervousness.

Lynch also pressed down on Ariza's shoulder: "Remember, this is not a battle you are fighting alone. We are all fighting side by side."

Trevor Ariza nodded: "I did my best."

The game continued, and Wade stepped onto the court with sharp eyes, while Lynch walked to the sideline carrying the expectations of the league record and the desire for revenge.

ESPN showed a split-screen view displaying the players' stats.

Wade has already scored 36 points, 3 rebounds, 5 assists and 1 steal tonight.

林奇35分12个篮板5次助攻2次抢断3次封盖。

This is a classic battle between superstars.

No one on the field could stop them.

In terms of individual performance, Lynch was better.

But it's meaningless to ignore the individual performances that lead to victory.

Lynch needs a win; he can't let Miami beat him anymore.

As soon as the game started, Wade relentlessly began pressuring Nash near the midfield line.

Nash lowered his center of gravity and used his superb dribbling skills to walk to the three-point line, where Lynch stepped up to set a screen.

Wade squeezed through the screen and accidentally stepped on Lynch's heel. Lynch, preparing to bounce outwards, exerted force, causing his basketball shoe to fly directly to the vicinity of the free-throw line.

When Nash passed the ball back to Lynch, he was only wearing one shoe.

Seeing this, Paul Pierce immediately rushed towards Lynch and switched defense with Gasol.

Lynch tried to gauge Pierce's intentions: was he going to block the shot or limit the drive?

No, Pierce rushed over and kicked out of bounds with a powerful shot, sending Lynch's basketball shoe that had been stepped on flying.

Lynch:
Paul Pierce said smugly, "You idiot Lynch, why don't you make me get out of here yourself! Let me see how many false myths are hidden under your empty feet!"

Paul Pierce spread his arms, ready to defend Lynch, who was only wearing one shoe.

This is Paul Pierce's chance to shine, and it's also Erik Spoelstra's defensive strategy. When Lynch has the ball beyond the three-point line, the Heat will defend him one-on-one, avoiding excessive double-teaming.

Once Lynch breaks through, Pau Gasol will immediately double-team him, while Wade will try to block the passing lane.

Paul Pierce shook his head and kept trash-talking Lynch.

"Come on, kill me with your own hands!"

"Fuck, I'm not a role player! I'm the truth!"

"Where are you looking? Trevor's breathing is trembling! What? Want to experience what it's like to be LeBron James?"

Pierce's stats tonight weren't as dazzling as Lynch's or Wade's, but he still scored 21 points.

Although his playing style was simple and he didn't play any one-on-one, he still felt that he was the key to determining the outcome.

Now, this All-Star, who has curbed his desire to play one-on-one, is about to prove it on the defensive end.

Lynch didn't pass the ball; he started dribbling, seemingly intent on one-on-one against Pierce, even while wearing only one shoe.

Pierce seized the opportunity and suddenly pounced on the ball.

Lynch's biggest weakness is ball control; he can't react quickly enough to execute a nice crossover dribble.

He could only switch to back-to-the-basket control, using his solid body to separate Paul Pierce who was rushing up.

Then, Lynch leaned on Pierce, turned around, and launched a turnaround jump shot from mid-to-long range.

The basketball first hit the side of the rim, then spun and bounced up a second time.

Chaos erupted under the basket; everyone knew what the outcome of this possession meant.

But when the basketball fell again, it landed precisely!
Mike Breen and all the New York fans in the arena sang in unison: "It's in! The king, with only half his armor, has proven his continued dominance in the East by stepping over the bones of Truth! Lynch has been proving one thing all night: Paul Pierce is far from being the best forward in the East!"

After scoring against Paul Pierce in a one-on-one situation, Lynch picked up his shoes and put them on. As he returned to defense, he glared sharply at the guy who had been shaking his head just seconds before: "What the hell are you talking about? Didn't you hear me tell you to get lost?"

Paul Pierce covered his head with his hands, Lynch's vengeful rage burning through his dignity.

The balance of power tipped slightly again, with Lynch's offensive play helping the Knicks regain the lead in the final moments.

Dwyane Wade's mid-range pull-up jumper bounced off the rim in this possession, and even though he was only guarding Nash in the fourth quarter, it still wore down his shooting touch.

Trevor Ariza secured the rebounds, and now if he can get the ball to either Nash or Lynch, both of whom have a free throw percentage of around 90%, the Knicks will have the game in their grasp.

But Paul Pierce seized the last straw; with lightning speed, he grabbed Trevor Ariza's jersey a second before he could pass the ball.

"Beep——!"

The referee's urgent whistle pierced the dome, and the timer stopped with 22.7 seconds left in the game.

Knicks fans erupted in jubilation; the Heat had only one possession left to create a miracle. If Trevor Ariza made both free throws, the game would be effectively over. Even if he only made one, the Knicks would remain undefeated.

Dwyane Wade pressed his palm heavily against Paul Pierce's tense back: "It's not over yet."

A hint of crimson flashed deep in the Flash's eyes. The current scene reminded him of Game 5 of last season's Finals, Kobe Bryant's game-winning shot in the final moments that almost caused him to smash up the locker room.

At this moment, Ariza is just like Wade was back then, undergoing the most brutal tempering in competitive sports.

He is very clear about the feeling when taking such a crucial free throw, which is completely different from playing in open play.

In open play, a shot is taken in an instant. You might not even have time to feel scared before the ball is already out of your hand as a reflex.

But what about free throws?

You have to shoot under the gaze of all your opponents, teammates, and fans. Every camera lens exposes your tension, and the isolated free-throw line becomes a heart rate monitor magnified a thousandfold.

This kind of pressure is like the final 1v1 match in CS; you need to do much more than just make the shot.

The empty free-throw circle is now a more dangerous arena than a battlefield with thousands of troops.

Trevor Ariza stared at the net ropes on the rim that seemed to be swaying slightly, and suddenly understood why veterans say, "Sometimes you can even hear your own eyelashes fluttering when you're shooting free throws."

He's not a rookie anymore; he's already spent four years in the NBA with Lynch.

But tonight's game is very special.

The pressure of a winning streak and the exhilarating revenge made the distance from the free throw line to the basket seem far.

Ariza remembered Philip Sanders' words and kept reminding himself not to be nervous, he absolutely must not be nervous.

结果
"Boom!"

“Trevor missed his first free throw. His free throw percentage this season is 71%, which has always been one of his weaknesses.” Mike Breen controlled his breathing, afraid that his panting would disturb Ariza.

"Empty your mind!" Philip Sanders' shout pierced the crowd, but it did nothing to quell Ariza's emotions.

When Trevor Ariza missed his first free throw, Dwyane Wade was already planning his next celebration; he sensed the bloodshed.

This is practically a carbon copy of Game 5 of last season's Finals, except he'll be playing Kobe Bryant!

Ariza high-fived his teammates and stepped back to the free-throw line.

Wade, who understood Ariza's feelings perfectly, yelled, "Trevor, look at the 20,000 eyes behind the basket. If you miss this free throw, you'll ruin the whole night."

Wade's hand seemed to pierce through flesh and blood, gripping Trevor Ariza's heart.

Ariza kept taking deep breaths before taking his second shot.

"Boom!"

The sound of the ball hitting the back of the rim was like the guillotine blade falling. Pau Gasol's long arms caught the priceless rebound, and he passed the ball to Wade, who was already ready to go for the kill.

The assassin, wearing the number 3 uniform, had already bent his knees and kicked off the ground. Before Trevor Ariza could even vent his emotions, he shot into the enemy's heartland like an arrow.

Erik Spoelstra didn't call a timeout, letting sweat roll down his forehead. What he wanted was to catch the Knicks off guard; a timeout would only give them time to catch their breath and prepare.

Dwyane Wade sprinted across the half-court, the screech of his shoes against the floor shattering the silence.

Raja Bell used his strong physique to apply constant pressure.

Wade wasn't in a hurry. He never panicked at crucial moments. What flickered in his eyes wasn't anxiety, but rather the excitement of a hunt.

He is confident that he will make this his great moment.

Wade glanced at the timer and pressed his hands down.

He wanted to finish this round; he wanted to kill him with one blow!
“Dwayne was still in possession of the ball, and I believe he was already planning this moment when Trevor missed his first free throw. He was eager to maintain his dominance over the Knicks, and he was eager to maintain his control of the East.”

After Mike Breen finished speaking, the timer jumped to 10.7 seconds, and Wade accelerated, transforming into a sharp blade that had been quenched and suddenly unsheathed!
He didn't call a pick-and-roll to avoid Pau Gasol bringing Lynch over.

Raja Bell kept close to Wade's pace, but was overtaken by Wade's second acceleration after a hesitant step.

Wade attempted a drifting shot from the right side of the mid-range, but by the time he released the shot, Lynch had already rotated in and teamed up with Raja Bell to encircle him.

Wade raised the arc of his shot, but the ball still grazed Lynch's fingertip!

Lynch didn't give Wade the chance to play Kobe Bryant; he was never willing to be anyone's background character.

"Linch made the block! The basketball plummeted like a helicopter with its engine shut down, but Paul Pierce caught it, and Lynch pounced on him. After blocking Dwyane, Lynch hadn't let go of the Heat's throat!"

Paul Pierce got the basketball by accident. At that moment, he had only 3.2 seconds left on the offensive countdown, the chance to kill the game or drag it into overtime, and the number 20 who had been bothering him all night.

Pierce dribbled nervously, changed direction, stopped abruptly, and pulled up for a jump shot.

The trial came sooner than expected.

The instant he jumped, before he had even fully assumed his shooting stance, Lynch's large hand fell like a hammer of judgment, precisely striking the top of the basketball and slicing it away!
Paul Pierce ultimately failed to score against Lynch.

Paul Pierce's pride was met with the hottest flames of hatred tonight.

The moment the ball fell, a buzzer sounded and the backboard glowed red.

Trevor Ariza gave the Heat a chance to kill the game, but Lynch refused to show even the slightest mercy.

The stomping and shouting of 20,000 people resounded, and the vengeful rage that this stadium had been waiting for for 188 days was finally released in its most violent form.

The joy of a 14-game winning streak at the start doubled the excitement at the scene, creating an erupting volcano.

Paul Pierce and Dwyane Wade rested their hands on their knees, facing Lynch, who was clenching his fists and roaring.

This seemed like a symbol, as if they had bowed their heads before Lynch once again.

Trevor Ariza stood on the field, his fingertips still trembling slightly, clearly shaken.

For a moment, he really felt like he was going to ruin the game.

He looked up at Lin Qi, and their eyes met. The sharpness in Lin Qi's eyes had now turned into the morning light.

With his back to the cheering crowd, number 20 winked his left eye at Ariza, beads of sweat dripping down his jawline to the ground: "There's nothing to worry about, Trevor. We're fighting side by side."

Trevor Ariza sat on the floor and let out a long sigh.

There's nothing to worry about.

Whether it's a championship or a winning streak, Lynch will always step up to cover it up.

This is how Lynch has led the team for the past four years.

Pierce and Wade were about to leave the court when Lynch blocked their way.

Lynch glanced deliberately at Paul Pierce, whose face wore the arrogance of a victor, a stark contrast to Paul Pierce's disheveled appearance.

His handshake with Wade, the moment when No. 3 and No. 20 shook hands, was both a mutual greeting of heroes appreciating each other and an eternal gaze between sworn enemies.

Paul Pierce knew this was none of his business, so he quietly left on his own.

But soon, Lynch turned around and shouted at Pierce.

"Hey Paul, I'm glad you finally realize you should get out of here. Good job, that's progress."

Wade shook his head, feeling heartbroken for his good brother.

After winning, Lynch never forgets to sweep the losers into the trash heap.

This is why he is not very popular with his opponents, but is extremely intimidating.

(End of this chapter)