Champion Rules

Chapter 226, Part 222: The Funniest Joke (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

At this moment, a strong sense of fear is eroding the hearts of every Detroit resident.

In their expectations, this battle was supposed to be a protracted and deadly struggle.

It should be a brutal, visceral fight.

It's a very difficult situation to resolve.

We must not yield an inch of land.

It was a battle that would last until the very last second.

They never expected the super Pistons to completely crush the New York Knicks, but in the end, the Detroit Pistons will push the Knicks to the brink and personally shatter the pride and hopes of the defending champions.

This night should have been the coronation ceremony for the Detroit Pistons to declare their dominance in the league.

However, just one quarter later, harsh reality shattered this beautiful fantasy completely.

The Pistons failed to demonstrate their dominance, and Lynch proved with 21 points in a single quarter why he is the best basketball player in the world.

He doesn't need to run around like a coward.

He doesn't need to chase after young superstar teammates.

He simply needs to stand here and wait for all challengers.

DeMar DeRozan was probably the only frustrated Knicks player tonight.

His performance in the first half of the game was terrible.

He couldn't contain Richard Hamilton, and both of his mid-range shots bounced off the rim.

He doesn't seem ready to step up in a match of this caliber.

This was a deep blow to him.

Throughout the summer, DeMar DeRozan immersed himself in honing his skills with sweat and toil; basketball became almost his entire life.

Even though he went from a poor boy to a millionaire in an instant, he never lost his way.

This is no easy feat. After all, James Harden, now wealthy, has spent almost the entire summer practicing his ability to withstand pressure from opponents with large hips.

At the recently concluded preseason training camp, Lynch also had a training plan specially designed for DeMar DeRozan.

But the last half of the game made all that tireless effort day and night seem so pale and powerless in an instant.

In the second quarter, the experienced Raja Bell returned to the court, replacing DeMar DeRozan, who had had little opportunity to perform in the first quarter.

The commentators mentioned DeMar DeRozan, who is, after all, a rare lottery rookie on this championship-contending team.

“It seems that Demar needs more time to adapt to the game in this league. The New Yorkers see him as Lynch’s future helper, but clearly, he can’t achieve that goal right now.”

The camera pans away from DeMar DeRozan as the second quarter begins.

The Knicks' offense was somewhat affected because Lynch was rested.

The Pistons gave Carmelo Anthony a rest, and Deron Williams took up the offensive mantle, scoring frequently with Kwame Brown using pick-and-rolls.

LeBron James also got some scoring opportunities, but he still had a tough time.

Because the Knicks are using Shane Battier as their backup power forward tonight.

His defensive philosophy is completely different from Ron Artest's raw, ruthless style.

He lacks aggression and is not that fierce.

Yet, they were as steadfast as a rock, their footwork so precise it was as if measured, always finding the most unfavorable position for the attacker.

LBJ scored some points, but his eagerness to make a contribution led to two offensive fouls, causing him to get into foul trouble too early.

Pistons fans really don't understand why anyone guarding LeBron James looks like a superstar.
Just now, Ron Artest looked like the best defensive player ever.

Now, even the mediocre Shane Battier can make LBJ suffer.

A few minutes into the second quarter, when Lynch returned, Carmelo Anthony also returned to the court.

However, LeBron James was forced to sit out for the time being due to ongoing foul trouble.

As a result, Carmelo Anthony had to play power forward, while 29-year-old veteran James Jones, on a minimum contract, played small forward.

The Pistons can only deal with Lynch with a two-star lineup now.

Due to the explosion in total salaries caused by the presence of superstars, the Pistons' management could only rely on minimum salary contracts to "scratch the lottery" and piece together a bench roster.

Most of the players they can sign are mediocre characters like James Jones, who have limited functionality and talent.

He has a decent three-point shooting percentage, but his output is too low.

He is an excellent locker room leader and glue, but this value is not immediately apparent in the transitional phases of the Pistons' offense where they desperately need firepower.

To address the weakness of mediocre bench talent, head coach Lionel Hollins' rotation philosophy is to always ensure that at least two superstars are on the court.

With the individual abilities of the two star players, even when paired with a group of mediocre players, they are more than capable of handling the rotation lineups of most teams in the league.

The winning streak in the preseason is the strongest endorsement of this strategy.

But tonight, the lineup of two superstars plus mediocre role players was completely unable to deal with Lynch.

Richard Hamilton, the master of off-the-ball movement, relentlessly tore at Raja Bell's nerves.

Carmelo Anthony, meanwhile, was drawing Lynch's attention in the midfield position.

Deron Williams, seeing Steve Nash unprotected, prepared to continue his scoring spree.

He has scored 18 points tonight, making him the highest scorer besides Lynch.

In Detroit, he gained more freedom to develop his skills.

He can change direction and dunk at will without having to worry about the roars from the coaching staff.

The situation is now clear: he has once again become the perfect opportunity to make a breakthrough.

He lowered his center of gravity, called for a screen, and stared at two-time MVP Steve Nash in front of him.

"Old man, you're probably the worst MVP I've ever seen. Back in Phoenix, if I were leading the team, I'd be wearing the ring by now."

Last season, Deron Williams paid the price for his trash talk when facing the New York Knicks.

But tonight, he didn't think Lynch could punish him.

He was completely free.

He can fight however he wants.

Say whatever you want.

With the screen in place, Deron Williams moved toward the side where Ben Wallace had set the screen.

Watching Steve Nash try his best to get around the cover, Deron Williams felt a sense of accomplishment in toying with his prey.

He suddenly changed direction without slowing down and broke through to the side without any cover, completely shaking off Nash.

Seeing the legendary point guard of yesteryear try his best to contain him, only to be completely outmaneuvered, Deron Williams felt an overwhelming sense of superiority over a superstar.

He pushed off the ground and came to a sudden stop, then calmly took off from mid-range.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this will be his 20th point of the game.

Just as he took off, his keen senses as a top point guard detected a dark shadow approaching from the flank at an incredible speed.

He reacted instantly, forcefully twisting his body in mid-air and flicking his wrist. The basketball transformed into an orange streak of light, heading straight for Carmelo Anthony, who was waiting on the wing.

Sure enough, Lynch's large hand appeared in front of Deron Williams. Luckily, the ball was passed, otherwise it would have been a bloody nosebleed.

Deron Williams landed and shook his head: "You won't catch me tonight, Lynch."

Lin Qi didn't listen to him at all and immediately lunged towards the flank.

The moment Anthony received the ball, Wilson Chandler had already come on as a substitute.

Instead of launching a strong attack, Melo quickly passed the ball to James Jones, who was completely left unmarked.

You can see Lynch turn his gun and lunge at him, but James Jones doesn't make a move.

The fundamental reason for James Jones' high shooting percentage but low volume is that he basically only shoots wide-open shots.

He won't act rashly unless he's extremely confident.

James Jones had to pass the ball back to Deron Williams, who immediately broke through again, using his strong physique to push past Nash and launch a floater from a step behind the free-throw line.

But what awaited him was not the 20th minute of the night, but a bloodshot attack from Lin Qi from the side!
"boom!"

The basketball was swatted out of bounds, and with only two Pistons superstars on the court, Lynch was finally freed from one-on-one defense!
Lynch landed and glanced at Deron Williams: "Shut your stinking mouth. Wearing a ring? Ha, a loser who can't even take shortcuts properly."

Deron Williams, who had just been so arrogant, suddenly changed his expression. After a smooth run for a quarter and a half, he was once again overshadowed by Lynch.

The oppressive feeling on the 20th will give you a sense of: I'm fucking trash.

Deron Williams' previously built confidence was instantly shattered.

Just because one superstar was missing from the court, Lynch once again transformed into an insurmountable barrier in the paint, taking control of the entire defensive end.

In the following game, Deron Williams indeed became quiet.

His scoring was no longer effortless; that ghostly figure of number 20 could find him at any moment. Every time he dribbled the ball forward, every time he attempted a breakthrough, Deron had to be wary of that phantom figure that could suddenly appear from the side.

That unrestrained offensive rhythm has disappeared.

Carmelo Anthony is also surrounded by opponents, and he could be double-teamed by Lynch at any time.

Although he could still score sporadic points by tearing apart the defense with his individual skills, the Knicks' relentless double-teams were like a resilient cocoon, completely crushing his high-volume and efficient offensive momentum.

With Lynch's help defense sweeping the defense, James Jones got many open looks.

However—once, twice, three times.
James Jones hesitated countless times at the moment of raising the basketball, ultimately choosing to forgo the shot and pass the ball back time and time again.

Throughout the second quarter, the veteran made only two tentative attempts, hitting one three-pointer.

A 50% three-point shooting percentage seems good, but given the Pistons' lack of firepower, that single shot was just a drop in the ocean.

This is the price of building a multi-star lineup: if you have multiple exceptionally talented players, you have to accept the mediocrity of the role players.

If you have superstar teammates, you can't expect role players to perform at an MVP level.

Historically, if Ray Allen hadn't joined the Heat in a retaliatory move that disrupted the status quo, the Big Three combination might have been even more unsuccessful.

But at this time, the Pistons roster didn't have someone like Ray Allen who could break the rules.

In contrast, Lynch, under Lionel Hollins's stubborn one-on-one defense, was unstoppable on offense.

When the halftime whistle blew, the statistics showed that Lynch had scored another 16 points in the second quarter, bringing his personal halftime score to a terrifying 30 points.

The Knicks went into the locker room with a huge 13-point lead.

At halftime, Lynch walked over to Carmelo Anthony and said, "Why isn't your friend Deron talking? Tell him to speak up, I don't want to move if he doesn't say anything."

After switching sides, the Pistons finally unleashed their strongest weapon, with their Big Three all taking the court.

The point difference was once fiercely narrowed to just 6 points, and the roar of the Pistons fans almost lifted the ceiling of their living room.

However, their good fortune was short-lived. When Deron Williams had to take a break due to the rotation schedule, the Pistons' fierce comeback seemed to have its engine sucked out instantly.

The harsh reality hangs like a knife over the Pistons' heads: only when all three superstars are online and firing on all cylinders can they barely contend with the defending champions for a moment.

So, just four minutes into the fourth quarter, with the decisive moment of the regular rotation still far off,...

Pistons head coach Lionel Hollins then made a desperate move – the Big Three would unite ahead of schedule!

The New York Knicks were equally determined, with their star player Lynch making a triumphant return!
The final battle has begun ahead of schedule amidst great anticipation!

At this moment, the Knicks are leading by 11 points.

This is not an insurmountable obstacle for the pistons.

If they can join forces to bring down the man who controls everything in the final battle.

The game continued, and Lynch had already scored 45 points.

His performance tonight was more dazzling than any other star player.

The Pistons were on offense, but Carmelo Anthony was still being contained because the Knicks had also brought in Ron Artest, allowing Lynch to focus all his energy on Anthony.

The scoring burden once again fell on Deron Williams' shoulders, but the Knicks opted to use Raja Bell to counter him in the decisive moments.

At this moment, the only offensive option that truly holds an absolute advantage in matchups for the Pistons is the experienced off-ball mastermind, Richard Hamilton.

However, Nash's disadvantage in defending off-ball players was not as great as his disadvantage in defending ball-handlers.

He can at least use his excellent basketball IQ to anticipate off-ball movement and accurately intercept passing lanes, thus disrupting the Masked Man's receiving opportunities and offensive rhythm to some extent.

The New York Knicks' shotguns were already loaded, their cold muzzles aimed at the Detroit Pistons' throat, waiting for the final moment to pull the trigger.

Deron Williams struggled to shake off Raja Bell and used a screen to pull up for a jump shot. But Raja Bell's defense wasn't as easy to get past as Nash's; he quickly went around the screen and disrupted the shot.

The basketball bounced cruelly on the rim several times before finally bouncing off!

The New York Knicks have deployed a defense capable of stifling super teams, and the Pistons' star-studded offense is starting to falter.

However, Lynch's "superstar fire" continues to burn, and even intensifies.

When Lynch hit another turnaround jumper over LBJ, Mike Malone on the bench couldn't believe it.

"47 points! How much does Lionel Hollins hate LeBron James? Why doesn't he double-team him? Is he trying to ruin number 6?"

Philip Sanders shrugged. "He still believes in his philosophy: the more superstars he has, the more consistent he becomes. To some extent, that logic makes sense, but the problem is," Philip Sanders paused, his gaze fixed on Lynch on the court.

"That guy is unreasonable. He went head-to-head with LBJ for the entire game, but his offensive efficiency didn't drop significantly."

Lynch scored 47 points in a single game, and LeBron James was almost suffocating.

The glaring "0 wins and 25 losses" record haunted him like a ghost, and the label of "role player" felt like a sharp knife stuck in his self-esteem.

But Lynch, precisely at his most vulnerable and fearful moment, relentlessly and cruelly poured immense pressure upon him.

"And this time, LeBron? What excuse do you have left?" Lynch mocked. "Open your eyes and look! You have three All-Stars around you, two of whom were selected to the All-NBA Team last season! Who can you blame? James Jones, who's on a minimum contract?"

LeBron James' throat tightened, and he chose to remain silent.

In the next attack, with red eyes, he rammed into Artest's chest and hastily pulled up for a mid-range jumper.

"Bang!" The shot still bounced off the rim.

"Whistle!" The sharp whistle saved the attack, as the referee could no longer tolerate the slight pull on Artest's arm.

LeBron James stepped up to the free-throw line, and he had a chance to close the gap, but ultimately he only made one of two free throws.

Yes, he can't blame anyone.

He can only blame himself for not achieving the influence of a superstar.

Tonight, his impact on the game was far less than that of Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams.

The score difference is 12 points.

Lynch made off-ball runs, and Nash almost counted Lynch's steps as he passed the ball, which Lynch caught and shot perfectly.

The basketball bounced off the rim; LBJ managed to stop Lynch on one of the few occasions tonight.

But Tyson Chandler grabbed the offensive rebound over Ben Wallace's head.

To reiterate, if you have multiple superstar teammates, don't expect role players to deliver MVP-caliber performances.

Tyson Chandler passed the ball back to Nash, who immediately passed it to Lynch, who had already cut inside.

Lynch jumped with all his might and folded back dunk.

The score difference is 14 points.

49th point for me!
“LeBron, even if you choose the most cowardly path, you can't beat me. Because you are the root of all failure. Believe me, if you were in Daniel Granger's position, I would be in much more trouble right now.”

The series of blows finally pierced through LeBron James' last armor.

His eyes were bloodshot, his chest heaved violently, and the suppressed humiliation and unvented anger exploded instantly:

"Run away? What the hell gives you the right to judge me?! If I had a roster as good as yours, I wouldn't have left Cleveland, and I would have succeeded! Look at your team, apart from the mistake of drafting DeMar DeRozan, isn't your team strong? Does it have any weaknesses?"

He was panting heavily, and as if grasping at a straw, he made his accusations urgently:
"If you guys were even luckier and drafted Stephen Curry or James Harden, what difference would there be between you and a super team?! You'd only be one rookie away from being a super team! What gives you the right to look down on me like that?!"

This is the funniest joke Lynch has ever heard.

So much so that he couldn't be bothered to respond.

The response was the most ferocious action on the battlefield.

After blocking Carmelo Anthony's step-back jumper, Lynch rushed up the court and backed LeBron James hard.

He swayed his shoulder to the left, causing LBJ to lose his balance, while Lynch skillfully turned his back to the right.

Ben Wallace was right under the basket. He had a fierce battle with Lynch and was one of the few players in the league who could truly limit Lynch's ability to attack the rim.

But now, his era has long since ended.

As for Lynch, he is still at the top.

Lynch, who soared into the sky, collided violently in mid-air with veteran Wallace, who was also leaping up and trying his best to block him.

"boom--!!!"

A cold, cruel, and decisive dunk over an opponent took place at Madison Square Garden.

Ben Wallace was like a city gate struck head-on by a battering ram; with irresistible force, his massive body was violently thrown off balance in mid-air and crashed backward uncontrollably.

The New York Knicks lead by 16 points.

Lynch scores his 51st point!
Ben Wallace lay sprawled on the cold floor, panting heavily, his eyes filled with the bewilderment and helplessness of a hero past his prime.

Lin Qi stood proudly at the peak like a king, landing steadily without even glancing down at his fallen opponent.

He simply turned to LeBron James, who stood to the side, his face ashen and his eyes vacant.

"You see, this is the difference between you and me."

In your opinion, strong teammates are the foundation of a super team.

but me
Wherever I am, that's where the super team is!
The place where I stand is the very heart of a super team!

(End of this chapter)