Champion Rules

Chapter 216, Section 212: To hell with suits (Seeking monthly votes!)

Patrick Ewing spent a full forty minutes on his outfit.

The last time he cared so much about his personal image was during the 1985 NBA draft.

For a rookie player, the draft is often their first official opportunity to meet the world.

As long as your mother or girlfriend isn't too glamorous, you're destined to be the focus of attention.

If you're predicted to be the number one pick, or if you unexpectedly advance from the second round to the 16th pick, you'll be the center of attention.

Therefore, even Patrick Ewing had to be meticulous in such moments.

Aside from the draft, when is a player the second time they become the focus of the world's attention?

Of course, it's when we win the championship trophy.

However, regret loomed over Patrick Ewing's entire playing career, as he never managed to reach that pinnacle of glory.

In Game 7 of the 1994 NBA Finals, he came incredibly close to his dream. He gave it his all, relentlessly containing the seemingly invincible Hakeem Olajuwon, forcing him to make only 10 of 25 shots and get bogged down in foul trouble.

But fate played a cruel joke: after he finally managed to contain Hakeem Olajuwon, his most trusted offensive teammate, John Starks, completely lost his way in the crucial moment, making only 2 of 18 shots.

John Starks will probably spend the rest of his life repeatedly asking himself: What exactly happened that night?
In 1999, at the turn of the century, he got a second chance and together with the New York Knicks, he created the legendary fairy tale of the "Black Eight Miracle".

He was full of anticipation, hoping to write the final climax of his career with this miraculous journey. Unfortunately, the story collapsed at the finish line—in the finals, he could only sit dejectedly on the bench, watching helplessly as that expressionless poker face ruthlessly crushed the pages of this fairy tale, giving him his first taste of the thrill of a clean sweep.

The near miss in 1994 and the near failure in 1999—these constituted the two closest Patrick Ewing ever came to the top in his career, but each time he was left with the heartbreaking regret of falling short.

Not being able to witness the glory of being crowned is not only a gap in his career, but also a wound in his life that is difficult to heal.

Tonight, this regret will be somewhat made up for.

In 2006, when Lynch led the New York Knicks to their first championship in 33 years, Ewing returned to Madison Square Garden as a legend. However, that celebration ultimately had nothing to do with him; he was merely an observer among thousands of spectators.

But this time it was completely different.

Patrick Ewing, as a member of the Knicks' coaching staff, absolutely deserves to have his name engraved on the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Therefore, he carefully tidied his clothes and trimmed his nose hairs, determined not to let his appearance be compromised tonight.

As Patrick Ewing walked into the players' tunnel, that familiar, suffocating pressure surged forth.

Lynch and Ewing walked past each other, marveling at how well Patrick Ewing had dressed himself tonight.

He smiled and nodded: "That suit is very nice, Patrick."

Overly nervous, Ewing was still caught in the vortex of pre-game anxiety. He clenched his fist and blurted out, "I'm going to grab every rebound tonight! Damn it, the Rockets are doomed tonight!"

As soon as he said it, even he was stunned.

Lin Qi was taken aback: "Rockets? I don't mind if you go on the court and help me with rebounds, as long as the referees don't mind either."

Yu Yin suddenly regained consciousness and took a few deep breaths to calm himself down.

"Damn, I'm getting a little too nervous," he said, leaning against the cold wall and pulling out a handkerchief to wipe the fine beads of sweat from his forehead. "Where's Sam? Hasn't he arrived yet?"

Lin Qi couldn't help but chuckle: "Wait, Sam can relieve your tension? How does he help you calm down? What does he use?"

Ewing shrugged, a stiff, bitter smile tugging at the corners of his mouth: "Seeing him with his unique face always makes me temporarily forget all my troubles and focus only on the fear in front of me."

Lynch pointed to a corner deep in the passage: "I just saw him with Philip over there. You should be able to run into him if you go over there."

“Okay,” Patrick Ewing composed himself and was about to leave, but as soon as he took a step, he was pulled back as if by an invisible hook, and suddenly turned around and called out to Lynch.

"Hey! Listen!" His eyes flashed with a complex light, a mixture of anxiety and determination. "Don't give the Rockets... damn it, I mean the Los Angeles Lakers! Don't give them any chance, not a single crack! Listen, they're about to launch their craziest, most desperate comeback of the series, just like the Houston Rockets back then! Hold on no matter what! We absolutely cannot let them drag this into a Game 7!"

Remember, our names haven't been officially engraved on the championship trophy yet!

Patrick Ewing spoke with unwavering conviction, each word seemingly etched from the depths of his being.

Fifteen years ago, in Game 6 of the 1994 NBA Finals, Ewing and his Knicks also had the chance to win the championship.

When the Knicks took a 15-8 lead in the first quarter, Ewing's fingertips seemed to touch the smooth, cold metal of the championship trophy.

But he will never forget the bravery and determination the Houston Rockets showed that night.

From the moment they fell behind, that team's eyes burned with a fierce determination to go down with them. Like an unsinkable fortress at sea, they launched a furious comeback in the third quarter, at one point taking a 12-point lead over the Knicks!
Fortunately, before that disastrous 2-for-18 night, John Starks had the greatest moment of his career – 17 points in a single quarter, forcing Hakeem Olajuwon to have five fouls with six minutes left in the game.

But fate ultimately did not favor Ewing, allowing him to personally remove the thorn in his side, the Dream.

John Tucker's godlike performance still couldn't shake Hakeem Olajuwon and his Rockets' steely resolve. In the decisive moments, Olajuwon delivered a surgical steal followed by two solid free throws, allowing the Rockets to maintain a crucial two-point lead with two seconds remaining!
John Starks, with his hot hand, is the perfect candidate to take the game-winning shot. If that shot goes in, Ewing and the Knicks' fate will be rewritten!
However, at the last moment, a gigantic hand that blotted out the sky shattered all illusions—it was none other than Hakeem Olajuwon, who completed the switch at an incredible speed!
When opponents are pushed to a 2-3 deficit, their willpower and explosiveness become breathtaking. Ewing knows all too well the power born of desperation, and he absolutely does not want a similar scenario to repeat itself tonight in New York.

In response to Ewing's warning, Lynch simply patted him on the shoulder: "Don't worry about Patrick, all the nightmares will end tonight."

An hour later, Patrick Ewing spotted the Lakers players' gazes from the bench.

Their eyes are so similar to those of the Houston Rockets players 15 years ago.

Kobe Bryant was definitely not the kind of leader who would accept defeat, and his Los Angeles Lakers were by no means a team without courage.

From Kobe to Kidd to KG, every Lakers player had a solemn expression and didn't smile.

Dwyane Wade was sitting courtside, having come specifically to witness this epic showdown. Like fans around the world, he was eager to know the final outcome of this Finals series.

Just last night, Kobe called him to ask for advice on how to deal with the Knicks' double-teaming.

This flattered Dwyane Wade.

However, Wade failed to provide an answer—Lynch's defense was so perfect that he considered it impeccable.

But Kobe's burning competitiveness made Wade deeply feel that this guy would not be easily defeated.

Once the game started, the rhythm was exactly the same as the previous games in the series.

Both sides played with maximum defensive intensity, making scoring a very difficult task.

The Lakers' quick transition defense and Jason Kidd's tight marking of Nash effectively stifled the pace of the game, leaving the Knicks with few opportunities for fast breaks.

The Knicks' timely double-teams also disrupted the Lakers' triangle offense, making it difficult for them to operate smoothly.

Kobe and Lynch started another high-difficulty duel, with neither team able to completely shake off their opponent, and both gritting their teeth and unwilling to give up.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, both sides encountered physical fatigue issues.

The Los Angeles Lakers in the playoffs are a typical plantation team. To maintain their intensity for the entire 48 minutes, their starting five have played over 40 minutes in almost every game. The Finals have now reached Game 6, and the sheer amount of exertion they've endured is unimaginable.

While the Knicks had a long rotation, the concentration camp-like workload made everyone suffer.

Mike Breen predicted, "Both teams' defenses may slip to varying degrees in the fourth quarter."

However, he was wrong.

The Los Angeles Lakers displayed amazing resilience. The starters were all exhausted, and the Knicks kept speeding up their pace in an attempt to wear them down. Even veteran Jason Kidd would occasionally lean on the scorer's table to catch his breath during dead balls. But even so, the Lakers players quickly got into position on defense every time, without letting up for a single possession!
The Knicks were the same; every possession, every player, was like a precisely functioning defensive machine, faithfully executing instructions without the slightest hesitation or slacking off. Even though Steve Nash would lie on the floor whenever he had the chance to relieve his back pain, he didn't make a single mistake on the defensive end.

Neither side let their guard down, filling every round, every minute, and every second of the match with fierce fighting and a determination to fight for every inch of ground.

What you can clearly see are those figures who have always stood firm; what you can truly hear are those cries that have never stopped.

With 13 seconds left in the game, as Lynch hit a difficult fadeaway jumper over KG, the New York fans all stood up.

This shot gave the Knicks a 3-point lead, and the New Yorkers were just 13 seconds away from reclaiming their dominance in the league.

Phil Jackson decisively called a halt. 2443 miles away in Los Angeles, the night sky seemed to be stained blood red by fate. That tragic atmosphere was trying to engulf the city's faint light of hope.

All Lakers fans watching on television held their breath, their hearts pounding. The Knicks camp was equally somber.

Patrick Ewing gripped his trouser leg tightly, his knuckles turning white. He knew better than anyone that an opponent on the verge of defeat would not easily surrender.

The game resumed quickly, and the timer coldly started ticking again.

Every second that passes brings the Knicks closer to the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

With each tick of the clock forward, the Los Angeles Lakers' dynasty dream drew ever closer to its demise.

Jason Kidd dribbles the ball up the court, while Kobe weaves through the muscular jungle like a cheetah.

Kidd passed the ball to KG on the central axis—at the same instant, Kobe used a sharp cut to shake off Trevor Ariza's tight defense and landed on the right side of the three-point line!
Almost instinctively, Steve Nash used his last bit of strength to leap towards the figure wearing number 24, determined not to let his championship dream be shattered at the last moment.

The dazzling spotlights seemed to be focused entirely on Kobe, like the divine light of a savior descending upon the world.

However.
"Kobe got the chance, Kevin passed the ball... Wait! The ball wasn't passed to Kobe! It was Jason Kidd!"

Amid Mike Breen's exclamation, KG's pass found Jason Kidd, who was temporarily left open at the top of the three-point arc, and the latter took the shot immediately.

This Lakers star, both the most beloved and the most hated by Lakers fans, now holds the reins of the dynasty.

Lakers fans love his passing and defense.

But I'm quite dissatisfied with his scoring ability.

No one could have imagined that this guy, whose average points per game this season were just over double digits, would calmly sink the most crucial shot of the season at the most critical moment.

Mike Breen shouted at the top of his lungs: "It's in! Jason Kidd sank that game-tying three-pointer! The Los Angeles Lakers have escaped death! They're not out yet!"

In an instant, the once-boiling Madison Square Garden was overwhelmed with immense disappointment, and countless Knicks fans clutched their heads in despair.

Right now, they should be celebrating their victory.

On the bench, Patrick Ewing buried his face in his hands in anguish: "Fuck, fuck! I knew it wouldn't be that easy!"

Steve Nash, in a rare fit of rage, kicked the basketball away with a powerful kick.

He knew it was his mistake to leave Jason Kidd open. If he hadn't opted to rotate and guard Kobe, Kidd would have had no chance of scoring, while he himself would now be holding the championship trophy he had dreamed of throughout his career.

For the Lakers, this greatly boosted their morale.

Their near-death experience made them fearless.

For the Knicks, frustration is bound to spread.

The moment Steve Nash kicked the basketball away, the floodgates of this heavy sense of loss were completely breached.

With keen insight, veteran coach Phil Jackson knew this was the perfect opportunity to completely crush the opponent. His piercing gaze told the team, "The game is over! We're going to win tonight! All we have to do now is secure this victory!"

On the other side, Lynch also tried to salvage the team's dejected mood: "If we can't beat them in 48 minutes, then we'll beat them for a few more minutes! They're so desperate that they have to rely on Jason Kidd's three-pointers to stay alive. They're done for!"

But the results are minimal.

Sometimes, morale cannot be boosted with just a few words.

Lynch needs to think of other ways to play during the game.

In overtime, the Los Angeles Lakers indeed displayed overwhelming momentum.

Right at the start of the game, Jason Kidd assisted Kevin Garnett, who drove to the basket, for a powerful two-handed dunk.

This thunderous dunk was like a hammer blow to the Knicks players' mental defenses, and the Lakers' unwavering belief in victory seemed to declare: this is not the Knicks' night.

Patrick Ewing, sitting on the bench, knows this feeling all too well—the incredible surge of adversity that erupts when an opponent is pushed to the brink is the most difficult force in the world to resist.

What would Lynch do?
He had just tried to wake the whole team, but failed.

What will he do next? Will he plunge the team into another Game 7 nightmare?
Lynch offered a different solution.

Seeing his teammates hesitate, he decided to take on the heavy responsibility alone!
Lynch became more aggressive in demanding the ball and running on offense. Garnett was exhausted and moving heavily, while Lynch's last drop of fuel was still burning brightly!
Like a beast breaking free of its shackles, he cut out to receive the ball in two consecutive possessions, and with a swift and decisive move—beyond the three-point line, the sword flashed, and two clean swishes swished through the net!
Those two deadly long-range shots instantly reversed the tide, and the Knicks regained the lead. More importantly, those cold shots seemed to rekindle the extinguished flames in his teammates' eyes.

"Just focus on defense, leave the rest to me!" After hitting his second three-pointer, Lin Qi pumped his fist, his voice echoing throughout the arena.

The Lakers, of course, wouldn't sit idly by. Kobe's signature fadeaway jumper sank in, and Kidd's alert floater also found its mark.

But with Kevin Garnett already unsteady on his feet, Lynch was in complete control!

With his sharp drives to the basket, unpredictable jump shots, and composed post-up moves, Lynch stopped using empty slogans to inspire his teammates. Instead, he used his repeated scoring dunks to become the loudest rallying cry.

The value of a superstar cannot be measured by the championship ring on their finger, but is forged by the glorious moments when they carry the team on their shoulders and pull them out of the abyss.

With 45 seconds left in overtime, Lynch, once again.

"He faked out Kevin, faced Kendrick's timely help defense, turned and hooked the ball in! Lynch has already scored 15 points in overtime! He has accounted for all of the Knicks' points since the start of overtime!"

In the stands, countless fans held up Lynch's number 20 jersey, the reflection on their faces unreadable—was it sweat or tears?

The Knicks have taken a 5-point lead with only 30 seconds left in the game.

Lynch lightly pumped his fist and continued shouting, "Defense guys! Defense! That's all you need to do! We'll win, we'll all have a championship night!"

This steady and powerful voice, like a stabilizing force, calmed the entire Nix fleet.

This greatest leader in New York's history used his unique style to relentlessly suppress the equally indomitable Lakers.

Patrick Ewing's hands stopped trembling, and he realized his worries were somewhat unnecessary.

Because Lynch was a leader hundreds of times better than him.

In a crucial defensive possession, the Lakers' passing lanes were tightly blocked by the Knicks, making their offense difficult to execute. With only 4 seconds left on the shot clock, Garnett, in desperation, could only pass the ball to Kobe, who had barely managed to find an opening.

Kobe was prepared, but he didn't expect that the long-haired guy would choose him again.

Steve Nash knew that his 13-year expectation of winning a championship would require the courage to fulfill.

During regular time, he left Kidd open because he was rotating to help defend Kobe, which led to the game being tied by the last minute.

But at this moment, he still decided to believe in his own courage.

"KG passes to Kobe, no! Steve Nash steals the ball and passes! He still chooses Kobe, but this time he doesn't make a mistake! Steve throws the ball towards the backboard, Kobe fails to foul. Lynch follows up, leaps, catches the rebound... Bang!!! A two-handed dunk, an alley-oop off the backboard! 17 points in overtime, Lynch is the highest-scoring player in NBA overtime history!"

The ball went in, and the stadium erupted in cheers.

With only 4 seconds left in the game, the Knicks led by 7 points.

Lynch landed and almost without hesitation, rushing straight towards Steve Nash like lightning. The two embraced tightly, pouring all their joy and relief into that powerful hug.

Raja Bell let out a triumphant roar, finally shedding the heavy burden that had weighed on his professional career.

Trevor Ariza smiled with satisfaction; he had finally accompanied Lynch in completing his final mission.

Ben Gordon applauded from the bench; for him, this might be the most dream year of his career.

Beside him, Knicks center coach Patrick Ewing was trembling uncontrollably from the overwhelming emotional shock.

This time, the nightmare didn't invade Madison Square Garden again; he was really about to touch the patterns on the championship trophy!
With a pleased smile, head coach Flip Saunders gently patted Ewing's trembling shoulder and half-jokingly said, "Patrick, be careful not to wrinkle your nice suit; you still have to go up to the podium."

Decades of pent-up regret, resentment, and waiting erupted at this moment. He suddenly opened his arms and hugged Philip Sanders tightly, shouting out his long-suppressed feelings with all his might:

"To hell with suits! We are the champions!"

(End of this chapter)