Champion Rules

Chapter 227, Part 223: Losing both the game and face (Seeking monthly votes!)
For LeBron James, tonight is destined to be another huge embarrassing moment in his career.

This awkward feeling is similar to the offseason in 2025 in the original history, when he instructed his team to release the news in a high-profile manner that "multiple strong teams are vying for LBJ".

Despite the reporters' best efforts to uncover the truth, they couldn't find out which mysterious team had shown genuine interest in LBJ.

Ironically, the only confirmed "interest" was that the Cleveland Cavaliers had absolutely no interest in him.

This self-contradiction, which intertwines grand pronouncements with real-world difficulties, has become the most striking mark of LeBron James' career.

Even at 40, his desire to "eat and vomit" in front of the camera and on social media far exceeded the physical desires of a 17-year-old.

He is probably the only truly talented person in the world who is truly qualified to win the Mao Dun Literature Prize.

Tonight, he once again vividly etched this contradictory essence of "words exceeding actions" onto the floor of Madison Square Garden.

All the boasts before the game and the strategic planning during the offseason seem pale, powerless, and even absurd in comparison to the cold numbers on the scoreboard and Lynch's glaring 51 points.
As LeBron James looked at the widening gap in points and Lynch, who had already scored 51 points, the overwhelming sense of shame was so intense that he didn't even dare to look up at the cameras capturing every inch of his disheveled state.

Before this, he had longed to end that humiliating 0-24 curse against Lynch and tear off that heavy historical label.

But now, the sword of Damocles, known as "0 wins and 25 losses," is hurtling down on his head with an even sharper whistle.

Yes, LeBron James has tasted the bitterness of losing to Lynch 24 times.

Even a naive young girl, after experiencing 24 passionate nights, might no longer feel ashamed of such things.

But for LeBron James, this 25th defeat has instead transformed into a deep-seated, unprecedented sense of shame.

Because tonight, he has lost all excuses!
You can't blame James Jones, who only takes a minimum salary, for the mistake Lynch made.
Despite joining a "super battleship" and having countless fans, he was still helpless and ended up in a sorry state in the face of Lynch's suffocating dominance.
This is arguably the most glaring and shameful chapter in LeBron James' long "Lynch losing history".

Lynch's trash talk has completely destroyed LeBron James's already not-so-resolute heart.

The 16-point chasm was like an icy tide, extinguishing the last remaining spark of hope for victory in the hearts of the entire Pistons team.

In the remainder of the game, the Pistons' will to fight melted away like thin ice under the scorching sun.

With only 33 seconds left in the game and the Pistons still trailing by 11 points.

Carmelo Anthony lowered his head, hands on his hips, letting the weight of defeat press down on his spine like lead.

This defeat was also a huge blow to him.

At that moment, a tall shadow appeared on the floor and slowly engulfed him.

Anthony looked up abruptly.

The one casting the shadow was number 20, who haunted him like a ghost throughout his entire career.

The predicament of his career was now vividly displayed before everyone.

It was because of Lynch that his originally brilliant career has turned into what it is today.

At this moment, Anthony felt that Lynch's shadow was no longer just a dark cloud blocking out the sun.

Rather, it was an iron cage from which he could not escape even after spending his entire golden years.

Lynch didn't say anything to Anthony, but this shadow caused his mental defenses to collapse completely, just like James's.

Ultimately, the Knicks, playing at home and under the global spotlight, defeated the Detroit Pistons by 13 points, securing a victory in their season opener.

林奇全场57分14个篮板6次助攻2次抢断4次封盖。

Another astonishing statistic, yet one that fans have become accustomed to.

Deron Williams was the Pistons' best player tonight, scoring 37 points, dishing out 8 assists, and making 3 steals.

Carmelo Anthony played to his expected standard, scoring 25 points, grabbing 5 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.

Richard Hamilton scored 16 points.

LeBron James had 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 assists, with a field goal percentage of less than 40%.

For the Pistons' giants, this was a complete and utter defeat.

Of course, with LBJ's massive PR and comedy team officially "relocated" to Detroit, the Detroit media might report on this game like this:
"LeBron nearly had a triple-double in his debut! The Big Three combined for 73 points, outscoring Lynch. The Pistons lost, but the Big Three didn't!"

After the game, apart from Richard Hamilton, the other three Pistons stars did not linger for a moment and did not shake hands or hug the Knicks players.

They all chose to leave in a very uncouth manner.

This arrogant and unsportsmanlike behavior was momentarily bewildering.

It felt like stepping back into the 1991 Eastern Conference Finals, to that infamous "Bad Boys" team's gray moment of refusing to shake hands with their opponents after losing to the Chicago Bulls.

History seems to come full circle.

Back then, that figure wearing number 23 stepped from the ruins of the Pistons to the altar.

Now, another young man has emerged in the league who is very close to number 23.

After all the twists and turns, the Detroit Pistons remain a stepping stone on his path to godhood.

At this moment, renowned TNT sideline reporter Craig Sager walked up to Lynch.

He wore an orange suit tonight, a color that has always been his trademark.

But another feature on his face was gone—his warm, spring-like smile.

Craig Sager looked solemn, his eyes filled with deep disappointment.

He believes that the Big Three's refusal to shake hands is an unpleasant, even infuriating, thing.

As one of the most watched teams on the planet, and as one of the most watched stars on the planet.

Their arrogance and loss of composure are not just about losing the game, but about tarnishing the dignity of the sport.

It damages the reputation of the entire league and the dignity of sportsmanship.

Therefore, Sager's voice was unusually stern as he asked Lynch, "What do you think of the behavior of those three people?"

Sager did not refer to them as the "Big Three" or by their names, but simply as the "three people."

But Lin Qi wasn't particularly angry.

He smiled and shrugged easily.

"To be honest, this is normal and not surprising."

Some may remember that in 2005, after I lost to the Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference Finals, I still hugged Carmelo Anthony.

But just a year later, when I personally eliminated them, the same Melo refused to acknowledge me after the match. Our relationship completely turned to ashes from that moment on.

See? This team, or rather their 'core DNA,' has always been like this.

So I'm not surprised at all by what happened tonight.

However, you know, the Detroit Pistons really got a beating tonight, and they probably just want to get back to heal their wounds as soon as possible.

Furthermore, how can you expect people who have lost even the most basic courage and pure competitive spirit in the world of sports to understand the weight of the word 'respect'?
If they truly had any respect for the sport or for the competition itself, they wouldn't have chosen such an 'easy' path, using the guise of 'banding together' to avoid real challenges!

Lin Qi had a smile on his face, but his answers were absolutely scathing.

After finishing his remarks, the King of New York nodded politely, signaling the end of the interview.

"Now, I'm sorry, Sager, my interview ends here."

I should go hug those Pistons players who truly deserve respect and sportsmanship, like James Jones and Richard Hamilton.

Lynch's words were like stripping the Detroit Pistons of their last fig leaf in public, leaving them utterly humiliated.

That night, they suffered a complete defeat not only on the scoreboard.

In terms of personal charisma, he was completely shattered by Lynch.

With everything settled, the scene shifts back to TNT's bright studio.

Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, two seasoned commentators who have seen it all and even dared to play a kissing game on a nationally televised program, were now unusually speechless and bewildered.

They looked at each other, both seeing disbelief and shock in each other's eyes.

Because they had never seen such a crushing defeat.

Such a complete and utter defeat, so overwhelming, so pervasive on and off the court, from cold statistics to post-game demeanor—a total and utter crushing defeat. Logically, the Pistons' Big Three should now be Lynch's number one challenger.

However, tonight, the chasm between the number one challenger and the one on the throne is as deep as an abyss.

They expected the Pistons to lose, but they didn't expect them to lose by double digits.

They expected the Pistons to lose the game, but they didn't expect them to lose their players as well.

It's like, many people thought the Bucks would trade Damian Lillard, but no one expected that Damian Lillard would actually be bought out in the end.

Charles Barkley broke the silence by speaking first.

"Listen, when I stood there (challenging MJ), the gap between me and the Air Jordan was nowhere near as terrifying as it seems tonight."

I am, after all, an MVP-level fighter, and I have millions of fans supporting me behind me. We are fighting a real war!
Furthermore, I have never refused to acknowledge MJ's greatness like a sore loser!
I'm a loser, but at least I can say I'm a man.

I really don't know how to evaluate those gentlemen in Detroit.

How many people mocked Reebok's contract this summer?
They thought giving Lynch a 7% cut of sales was insane, and everyone said it was a deal destined to lose money.

But after tonight, all I can say is...

Reebok's signing is such a fucking steal!
Because they signed a superstar who, in terms of both skill and personal charisma, completely overwhelms everyone else and stands in his own class!

Charles Barkley's summary basically expressed the sentiments of fans around the world tonight.

After this match, Lynch's already soaring personal reputation skyrocketed to a whole new level.

Overnight, social media became a scene of utter chaos.

#Shame on the Big Three, #Detroit Circus, #Big Three's Crushing Defeat, #Nothing Big Happened
Posts mocking the Pistons with biting satire flooded the internet like a tsunami.

As for the domestic scene, although only one game has been played in the new season, fans are already chanting the five words left behind by Lu Xun:
"Xinxiang Champions!!!"

The following afternoon, at the New York Knicks' Greenburg training center.

The sun was shining brightly, and the air was filled with a relaxed and contented atmosphere.

The lingering warmth of victory left everyone with smiles on their faces.

Ron Artest was so amused that he pulled Amir Johnson aside in a corner of the training gym for a boxing match.

The resounding "thump-thump" of each punch felt more like a celebratory drumbeat than a training exercise.

The thought of having another troublesome person on his side in the event of a future conflict made Lin Qi feel excited—no, nervous.

However, amidst the laughter and joy, one figure stood out as out of place.

DeMar DeRozan looked gloomy, scoring only 4 points on 2-of-6 shooting in his debut, a performance far from his expectations.

What's even more alarming is the contrast: his two other friends both performed admirably in their debuts.

Stephen Curry started in his debut game and lived up to expectations with a double-double of 25 points and 11 assists.

James Harden, coming off the bench, also contributed 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals in 20 minutes of playing time.

Although Harden's stats were somewhat mediocre, his impact on the game was at least positive.

DeMar DeRozan is the only exception; both his basic and advanced stats are abysmal.

He was almost the only rookie in the "Reebok Future Hopes Trio" who was completely overwhelmed by the intensity of the NBA.

While his teammates joked and celebrated their victory, Demar Demar gritted his teeth and continued to perform the same monotonous mid-range jump shot.

Before anyone knew it, teaching assistant Mike Malone had quietly come to Lynch's side, his gaze also fixed on that lonely figure in the distance.

“I think we need to adjust our strategy for using him. Phil wants him to be a sixth man like Ben Gordon, someone who can initiate the offense directly with the ball. But right now, that seems unrealistic.”

His mid-range shooting skills are masterful in the NCAA, but compared to the intensity and size of the NBA court, they are far from being a reliable offensive weapon; the gap is too obvious.

Right now, we should prioritize maximizing his strengths and minimizing his weaknesses, making the most of his top-tier athletic talent.

First, let him run a lot, participate in off-ball shooting and cuts, and use his energy to attack the basket or create space. This will help him find his footing more quickly.

Lynch nodded: "Yes, we shouldn't rush into this."

“I’ll discuss this with Phil, but that kid,” Mike Malone pointed to the lone figure, “he might need you.”

After the conversation ended, Lynch walked over to DeMar DeRozan.

The sensitive young man keenly sensed Lin Qi's approach and immediately looked away in a panic, unwilling to meet his gaze.

For him, the deepest fear was disappointment.

He was afraid of casting a shadow over the eager eyes of his parents far away, and even more afraid of letting down the man in front of him who had given him the opportunity to change his destiny.

Deep in his heart, a strong thought always lingered: the bond between him and Lynch was far more unique and profound than that between Stephen Curry or James Harden.

Lynch offered Stephen Curry and James Harden more of a moral and spiritual encouragement and guidance.

Even though his friend James Harden also came from a poor family, all Lynch could offer him was encouragement.

But for him, Lynch offered a helping hand in his most difficult time, a helping hand that was like sending charcoal in snowy weather. It was not a light encouragement, but a heavy, real support that changed his life.

Therefore, Lin Qi is the person he can least let down.

Disappointing Lynch was also his greatest fear.

Unfortunately, the New York Knicks' next opponent is the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This young team has been the focus of attention this season, having thrashed the Chicago Bulls, a strong Eastern Conference team that made the playoffs last season, by 11 points in their opening game.

This head-to-head competition is destined to be a brutal comparison, and the gap between him and the two outstanding peers will be magnified infinitely under the spotlight.

Seeing that DeMar DeRozan was avoiding his gaze, Lynch blocked the shot the instant DeRozan made his move, forcing him to face him directly.

This is not just a cover-up, but an unavoidable awakening.

The physical and psychological impact forced DeMar DeRozan to confront the leader before him.

"Demar, did you call Stephen and James last night?"

DeRozan managed to squeeze out a barely audible voice: "Mmm."

“They are really great, and I am proud of them.”

These words were like an invisible knife, precisely piercing DeRozan's most sensitive pride and competitive spirit.

Pride? They certainly deserve that pride.

And what about yourself?

Overwhelmed by intense shame, DeRozan's head drooped violently; he wished he could immediately merge into the floor beneath his feet and escape this utterly humiliating situation.

After Lin Qi finished speaking, he flicked his wrist and smoothly sent the basketball he had just confiscated into the basket. His movements were fluid and effortless, as if the brief conversation and intense confrontation had never happened.

Then, his words rang out again, reversing the suffocating sense of comparison and shame:
"But listen to Demar. No one steps onto this pitch to please anyone, or to live in anyone's shadow or opinion."

Just like I don't play basketball so that Michael Jordan can say, "That kid is fucking like me."

You play ball to surpass your present self and your past self. It's to face challenges head-on, overcome difficulties, and strive for that ultimate goal—victory!
Don't worry, the coaching staff has already begun to adjust their strategy for using you.

Forget all unpleasantness and don't put pressure on yourself. Keep striving and, most importantly, remain patient.

We chose you because we trust you.

Lynch patted DeMar DeRozan on the head and then left him alone.

In a locker room interview after practice that day, when asked, "What do you think of Kevin Durant's young Thunder team? Will they become a threat? What would you like to say to them?"

Lynch echoed this sentiment, saying, "I hope they remain patient."

"What do you mean?"

"It means that for a long time, they couldn't beat me."

(Thanks to readers like 20250628132924269 for their generous donations.)

(End of this chapter)