Champion Rules

Chapter 219, Section 215: I'm Starting (Seeking monthly votes!)
Half an hour before the draft began.

James Harden straightened his good friend DeMar DeRozan's tie one last time, then patted him solemnly on the shoulder.

"Cheer up, after tonight, your parents will have access to the best medical resources in the country."

DeMar DeRozan, the young man with a face full of acne, smiled shyly.

At that moment, Blake Griffin, the top prospect for the number one draft pick, leaned over with his phone camera, recording the reactions of each rookie in the small green room in the final moments before the draft: "Hey Demar, how's it going?"

"Not bad." DeMar DeRozan smiled modestly at the camera.

"This is a familiar question: what's the first thing you want to do after being selected?"

“The first thing I did was hug my mother, and then,” Demar DeRozan paused, his gaze hardening, “I paid Lynch back his money.”

"Wait? You owe Lynch money?" Griffin asked in surprise.

"It's a long story, buddy, it's a long story."

Seeing that DeRozan didn't want to discuss the matter further, Griffin tactfully ended the conversation: "Anyway, good luck, bro."

After Griffin left, James Harden opened his arms and gave DeRozan a strong hug.

"Our journey begins tonight!"
-
The trade involving the Oklahoma City Thunder surprised everyone.

Even James Harden never imagined his journey would begin this way, starting with becoming teammates with Stephen Curry.

Timberwolves general manager David Kahn, who held the fifth overall pick, was also shocked.

All of this was completely unexpected.

Stephen Curry has never been in contact with the Thunder, and the team has never expressed interest in him.

Throughout the entire process, they only publicly targeted James Harden.

Even the rumors that Russell Westbrook might be traded were completely unknown to the outside world.

Jerry West's control over the news is truly astounding.

David Kahn certainly knew that Stephen Curry was the Knicks' top choice, after all, the Curry family had made it clear early on that they would only go to New York.

His original plan was to hijack Stephen Curry with the fifth pick, thereby forcing the Knicks to pay a trade price—he didn't believe Curry would really go overseas to play if he couldn't be drafted by anyone but the Knicks.

But at this moment, Jerry West's sudden intervention completely disrupted his plans.

However, David Kahn remains convinced that he holds the initiative.

Because he knew that the Knicks had another alternative target, which could also be used as an important bargaining chip to force the Knicks to sit down and negotiate.

At the same time, Kevin Durant turned off the high-definition picture of Scarlett Johansson on his phone screen with his right hand, while letting go of himself with his left.

He couldn't believe it had really happened; he couldn't believe Russell Westbrook had been traded to Sacramento.

Although management leader Jerry West had previously informed Kevin Durant of the trade developments, Durant always believed that the team would trade Westbrook for a more experienced player who could immediately improve the team's performance.

As it turned out, this was actually a "talent swap".

Kevin Durant has certainly heard of Stephen Curry. The diminutive point guard's stunning performance at this year's NCAA March Madness attracted a lot of attention, with even NBA superstars like LeBron James attending his games in person.

However, a huge question arose in the mind of the Thunder's new leader: Can this guy really be better than Russell Westbrook?
Sam Presti felt a surge of frustration; his primary target had been snatched away by his opponent, and he hadn't received a single hint of it.

The draft process waits for no one; there's no time for him to dwell on this setback.

The phone call made his already irritable mood even worse.

“Sorry, Sam,” came the Timberwolves general manager David Kahn’s voice through the receiver, his tone devoid of any sympathy, only mockery.

"Sorry you lost your first target in this year's draft, and you don't want to lose your second target either, right? Considering that you can only get your second target now, I'll lower my standards and remove Goran Dragic from the trade. You see, I'm not an unreasonable person."

David Kahn's "proactive price reduction" was nothing more than his usual tactic of first raising the price and then lowering it—he didn't want Goran Dragic in the first place, but only wanted to create the illusion of "a golden opportunity" to urge Presti to give in quickly.

Presti felt a surge of anger, but he suppressed his turbulent emotions, trying his best not to let them interfere with his judgment and thinking.

Does David Kahn even know that his current target is DeMar DeRozan?
Actually, this issue is no longer important.

From the very beginning of his draft strategy, Sam Presti set a clear bottom line: if he missed out on top potential stars like James Harden or Stephen Curry, he would go to great lengths to make a trade to acquire them.

However, if it's just that DeMar DeRozan, whose potential is somewhat mediocre, was snatched away, he can only accept reality and look for a new long-term partner for the team's core player, Lynch, in the future.

With that thought in mind, he rejected David Kahn: "I need to think about it some more, David."

“Ha,” David Kahn sneered, “Fine, but let me warn you, this is your last chance to trade two draft picks for my fifth overall pick. Once we start making our move and select that person, believe me, the price you’ll have to pay will be completely different!”

The phone was abruptly hung up, and Sam Presti felt an urge to punch David Kahn's hateful old face.

With barely a moment to catch his breath, David Stern walked onto the stage holding the Timberwolves' envelope. Sam Presti stared intently at the envelope, as if trying to burn through the paper to see the name written on it.

In another private room, David Kahn wore a smug smile.

He believes in the Knicks' judgment; the rookie they've selected must have extraordinary potential and is very likely to make a name for himself.

Either the Knicks accept the trade, or the Timberwolves develop that promising young star themselves.

Regardless, the Timberwolves are guaranteed to make a profit.

David Stern slowly opened the envelope, and Sam Presti instinctively closed his eyes and held his breath.

"The Minnesota Timberwolves selected Jonny Flynn, from Syracuse University, with the fifth overall pick in the 2009 NBA draft!"

"Fuck! Fuck!" Sam Presti cursed twice after making the declaration, and slammed his fist on the table—but the tense expression on his face suddenly relaxed, and a smile of pleasure appeared on his face.

David Kahn, that self-important idiot! He thought his intelligence was foolproof? Damn clown, screw you!

The camera panned to Jonny Flynn, the Syracuse University guard, whose face was filled with shock and disappointment. He had been hoping to join a championship powerhouse like New York, to play in a major international city.

But now he has been exiled to the freezing cold of Minneapolis.

He was indignant: How could I, a genius favored by championship teams, waste my precious youth on such a weak team?
Timberwolves assistant general manager cautiously asked David Kahn, "Should we contact the Knicks now?"

David Kahn waved his hand arrogantly, his tone dismissive: "No need. It's always commoners who pay homage to kings. When have you ever seen a king condescend to summon commoners? Just wait, they'll call me and beg me. Whatever they want next, we can have it as we please."

Then, two minutes passed, but the expected ringtone did not sound.

Instead, they received a call from Johnny Flynn's agent: "We have no intention of joining the team, and we will not be reporting to Minneapolis!"

David Kahn instantly turned his gaze to the television, where ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith was slamming his fist on the table and laughing hysterically.

“Listen, if the Timberwolves really want to draft a point guard, they might as well draft Spanish golden boy Ricky Rubio. If position isn't a factor, Tyreke Evans or DeMar DeRozan, who were skipped by the Kings, are still vacant on the draft list. But Jonny Flynn? Fifth pick? Listen, anyone who decides to draft Jonny fifth should be fired immediately and pack their bags!”

David Kahn, who had initially been confident, began to feel uneasy and began to doubt himself.

As the countdown to the Knicks' decision drew ever closer, the dead silence on the receiver amplified the self-doubt that had been building.

A sudden sense of fear, as if he had been utterly fooled, gripped him.

The general manager's assistant looked at him, his Adam's apple bobbing nervously, and his voice became even softer.

"David, have we been scammed?"

David Kahn jerked his head up, his gaze sweeping across the gleaming floor-to-ceiling windows. In the cold reflection, a red dot of light, seemingly appearing out of nowhere, was imprinted squarely on the tip of his nose in the mirror, making him look like an absurd stage clown. A surge of shame and anger at being fooled instantly rose to his head, burning his ears. He whirled around like a lion whose tail had been stepped on, roaring almost at the top of his lungs:

"Impossible! Absolutely impossible! Do you think I'm some kind of idiot who can be led by the nose?!"

"I feel like we are now."

“Bold!!!”

As the countdown relentlessly reached zero, David Stern walked steadily to the center of the stage for the sixth time, clutching the envelope bearing the prominent New York Knicks logo.

Madison Square Garden was instantly ignited by a frenzy; after all, this was the home ground of the orange and blue ocean, and the deafening cheers almost lifted the dome.

Inside the Timberwolves' box, David Kahn stood frozen before the floor-to-ceiling window, his face ashen, staring incredulously at the roaring stands below—the Knicks had made their choice without even requesting a trade? Was their target really not Johnny Flynn?!

A chill ran down his spine.

The silver-haired old man's voice rang out again from the stage: "With the sixth pick in the 2009 NBA draft, the New York Knicks selected DeMar DeRozan from the University of Southern California!"

"boom--!!!"

The New York fans erupted in ecstasy, their screams, whistles, and applause creating a surging ocean of joy.

For the Timberwolves, it was like an invisible bomb exploding in the box. David Kahn felt a sudden darkness before his eyes, his blood pressure soared, and his heart almost jumped out of his throat.

His meticulously planned trading trap and confident game have now become a cold and cruel joke!

In that suffocating moment, filled with shame and despair—ring ring ring—the landline phone on his desk suddenly rang!
The ringtone sounded incredibly jarring in the deathly silent and awkward atmosphere, yet it was like the last straw.

David Kahn's tightly furrowed brows instantly relaxed into a menacing slit, as if a drowning person had grabbed onto a piece of driftwood.

He whirled around, pointed at the incessantly ringing phone, and forced a twisted smile—a mixture of madness and a desperate attempt to save face—before roaring at his trembling assistants in the private room:
"See?! What did I tell you?! I'm the Joker?! Screw that!! The New Yorkers can't hold on! They want to make a trade! That idiot Sam Presti can't hold on anymore!!"

He practically lunged at the receiver, grabbing it and struggling to suppress the trembling in his throat. His voice carried an almost manic accusation and a feigned toughness: "Sam!? You've kept me waiting too long! Damn it, this call is way too late! Room for negotiation? It's fucking tiny now!"

David Kahn took a deep breath, attempting to pressure him with lies, "Listen! Johnny's right here beside me, and he told me himself that he's extremely excited to join the Timberwolves! He's ours! Sam, you want to salvage the situation? The initiative is in my hands now! Name your price! Show me your sincerity and let me see what New York is willing to pay to correct your stupidity!"

However, what came through the receiver was not anxious pleas or angry arguments.

It was a burst of unrestrained laughter that almost pierced one's eardrums, filled with extreme mockery and ecstasy!
The laughter echoed sharply in the private room, like countless steel needles piercing David Kahn's nerves!

Immediately following, a roar that seemed to carry the glory of New York's victory, filled with undisguised contempt, crashed down like a tidal wave: "Name your price?! Pay the price?! Ha! Ha! Ha! I'll fucking fuck you! You damn David Kahn! Did you hear me? I'll fucking fuck you!"

"Wait...what!?"

Sam Presti's voice was so loud it almost ripped the soundproofing off the roof, each word like a quenched steel whip lashing Kahn's face: "Take your precious Johnny and go back to your freezing Minneapolis! Hold onto your damn fifth overall pick genius point guard and go compete for next year's number one pick! Hahahaha!"

Laughter erupted once again, uncontrollably, filled with the ultimate pleasure of successful revenge.

"You want a single penny from me? No, you don't even have a damn second-round pick! Did you hear me?! Not a single cent! I could give it to another team and you wouldn't even get a chance!"
You self-righteous, all-knowing fool! You pretentious, self-important clown!

Do you know why you waited so long for the phone like an idiot?! Because I was just sitting here on the table, watching your ridiculous performance, laughing so hard my stomach almost cramped up!

Goodbye, David. You've successfully demonstrated your stupidity to the whole world!

The phone was slammed down, leaving only a cold, hollow busy tone in the receiver, like a funeral march for the losers.

“Beep. Beep.”

David Kahn froze on the spot as if struck by lightning, and the phone fell to the ground with a thud from his unconsciously loosened hand.

This wasn't a business call at all; it was a call specifically made to mock me!

His eyes widened, blood rushed to his head, and his face instantly turned from ashen to purplish-red, his lips trembling unconsciously.

The meticulously constructed fantasy and self-righteous castle were utterly destroyed by Sam Presti's extremely humiliating laughter and biting satire.

He is not the hunter, he is the prey.

He wasn't the one in control; he was the number one idiot who was mercilessly played in front of the entire alliance!

Sam Presti slammed down the phone, his pent-up frustration instantly vanishing, and he let out a cheerful whistle.

The whole world knows, don't fucking mess with the King of New York.

Tonight, he was convinced that he had taught the entire league another truth: don't fucking mess with the servants of the King of New York.

At this point, DeMar DeRozan was already wearing a Knicks hat.

The irony is that Curry and Harden, who were eager to follow Lynch, ended up as teammates in Oklahoma City.

DeMar DeRozan, who was eager to challenge Lynch, ended up on Lynch's side.

Fate played a humorous joke on these three rising stars from the class of 09, causing their life trajectories to suddenly intertwine and become misaligned.

After the interview, DeMar DeRozan received a call from Lynch.

"Lin, I never thought we'd become teammates."

"Congratulations, Demar! Your parents must be so proud of you, and I'm proud of you too."

When do we start training?

"It will be soon. Work hard and don't let anyone down."

"I will. By the way, it will be very, very convenient for me to pay you back in the future. Thank you for everything you've done for me. I will never forget it in my life."

"Pay back the money? That's a trivial matter. From now on, you have only one goal: the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Your journey begins tonight."

On the other end of the phone, DeRozan clenched his fists and nodded vigorously, as if Lynch were right in front of him.
"I will do everything in my power to support you, until the very end."

The echoes of the phone call had barely faded when Sam Presti's call came in almost immediately.

"I'm sorry, Lynch, but in the end, I only chose Demar."

"There's nothing to apologize for; he was one of our targets as well."

"But this child's talent is probably not as good."

"Don't say that. He has an exceptional talent. Do you know why he chose the relatively unknown University of Southern California instead of attending a top basketball school?"

"I haven't looked into the specifics."

"This is Southampton's basketball epic, a place where tragedy is ever-present and reverence stems from integrity. He wanted to make his hometown team great, not go to a place where it was easier to win. True greatness is not about lifting trophies, but about living a life of struggle as a faith, even knowing that fate is cruel."

Demar is a fighter with an unyielding spirit, Sam. I believe he will be a good helper.

Meanwhile, in Cleveland.

As Lynch recounted DeMar DeRozan's steadfast commitment, LeBron James finally made his decision.

Between the Bulls, whose "franchising was acceptable," and the Pistons, whose "franchising was utterly shameless," he has chosen his next team.

As for Cleveland?

The city that once regarded him as its savior, along with its heavy expectations, was abandoned by its king himself beneath the throne.

(End of this chapter)