Champion Rules

Chapter 237, Part 233: I haven't proven myself for two days (Seeking monthly votes!)
Lynch ran into Derek Fisher and Billy Hunter again in the players' tunnel.

Derek Fisher didn't want to get straight to the point with Lynch about labor negotiations.

He felt that such a purpose was too blatant and seemed very impolite.

Even a scumbag like him knows that if he wants to get close to his teammate's wife, he first has to become sworn brothers with that teammate.

You can't just start by saying "I love my sister-in-law," can you?

Once you become friends with the other person, you'll have a lot more room to maneuver in any situation.

Just like yesterday, when a reporter pressed LeBron James directly, asking him whether joining the Pistons was a cowardly act of forming a super team.

LBJ can confidently tell everyone: "Super teams? No, man, this is brotherhood basketball. You know, Melo and I have always been brothers."

This is why making friends is so important.

But Billy Hunter didn't want to wait any longer; he insisted on inviting Lynch to join him that night.

reason?

Come here.

Billy Hunter recounted in detail the difficulties they encountered during negotiations last night in the players' tunnel.

Lynch laughed when he heard that LeBron James was the catalyst for everything.

"Why don't you go directly to LeBron? I'm not an obstacle to these negotiations."

“Of course we will look for him,” Billy Hunter replied, “but we also need the most influential player in the world.”

Billy Hunter's eyes gleamed with admiration as he said this.

The last time he admired a player so much was during the Jordan era.

Lin Qi waved his hand lightly, cutting off this torrent of worship:
"Go find LeBron first and see what he thinks. And before getting involved in this, I also want to talk to James Dolan to find out his position. As for other things, we'll keep in touch. Now, I have to go celebrate the victory. Should I have someone take you back to the hotel, gentlemen?"

Lynch didn't agree immediately, but James Dolan was just a smokescreen.

Lynch knew James Dolan's stance; he had never been the type of boss to demand cost-cutting measures.

If he could, he would even prefer to abolish the salary cap and then flood the entire team, from starters to benchwarmers, with a gold rush.

He can disregard the cost, because, to put it in Patrick Ewing's style:
“I spend a lot but I also earn a lot, in fact, the more I spend, the more I earn.”

In New York, a goldmine, if you can assemble an all-star lineup, you can guarantee sold-out games even if ticket prices increase tenfold. Since Lynch joined the Knicks in 2004, the average ticket price has increased fivefold, but it hasn't affected attendance.

At that time, the players' salaries will be fully refunded, and James Dolan and the players will earn the money from the fans and TV stations.

Historically, during the 2011 labor negotiations, team owners were not actually a united front.

James Dolan is not a hardliner.

He ultimately chose to stand with the other bosses simply because he didn't want things to get too tense with them.

Therefore, even if Lynch joins the negotiations as a player representative, it will not affect his relationship with James Dolan.

He simply disdained being a foolish peacemaker and eagerly went to clean up LBJ's rusty anus.

The severity of the "Decision" incident is the original sin that small team owners are so determined to deny.

Even if he wants to help, LeBron James himself should at least show some willingness to do so.

You can't expect to reap all the benefits of teamwork while expecting others to run around and foot the bill for you.

In short, there's no rush.

After all, the current labor agreement is still a full 540 days and nights away from turning to ashes.

Billy Hunter immediately understood what Lynch meant.

"Understood, we'll come knocking on your door, practically begging LeBron. No need for a chauffeur, we can get back ourselves. Thank you, Lynch, goodnight."

On the way back to the hotel, Derek Fisher was a little confused: "What exactly does Lynch mean? What does 'LeBron's attitude' mean? Why is he so concerned about LeBron's attitude?"

“He wants LeBron to step up, and, if he can,” Billy Hunter said, adjusting his glasses with his fingertips, “he wants LeBron to beg him.”

"What!?"

"That's it. Either LeBron humbly invites Lynch to intervene and offers a humble petition, or LeBron irresponsibly remains silent and completely uninvolved, standing against all the players and becoming the next Smiling Assassin."

Regardless, LeBron has to make a choice.

"A choice? This isn't a choice at all. No matter what LeBron chooses, it's a complete loss of face. Damn it, I thought their conflict was limited to the basketball court!"

Billy Hunter sneered:

"Listen, if someone mocks you before you even enter the league as a short-sighted and spineless money-grubber, if someone teams up with other players to freeze you out in the All-Star Game, if someone uses their media influence day and night to smear you."

Tell me, do you still think this is a conflict that only exists on the basketball court?
As LeBron himself said, they are irreconcilable enemies.

Michael Jordan never gave the Smiling Assassin a chance to rise again.

Lynch certainly wouldn't give LBJ that kind of opportunity.
-
As the final buzzer sounded, Kobe Bryant gave Kevin Garnett a helpless shrug.

The stands of the Rose Garden transformed into a dark red, boiling sea of ​​blood, and countless roars converged into a soul-devouring victory cry.

Since the fall of 2008, this site has been the eternal graveyard of the Lakers.

Even the Lakers' Big Three, who are renowned throughout the league, struggled to secure even a single victory here.

The Lakers haven't won at the Rose Garden in a year.

Kobe Bryant scored 32 points tonight, a truly outstanding performance.

Well, his 37.8% shooting percentage slightly affected the quality of his score.

But this is not the key reason why the Lakers suffered another defeat at the Rose Garden.

At that moment, the shadowy figure wearing a white jersey, number 7, slowly walked through the noise and extended his arm to Kobe.

The guy who scored 32 points with an astonishing 81% shooting percentage was the reason for the Lakers' defeat tonight.

Kobe Bryant had a love-hate relationship with this guy.

He enjoys challenges and respects strong people, but he is also tired of failure.

Now, there is only one thing that can relieve his feelings.

Kobe patted the Portland superstar on the back: "Brandon, promise me, don't let the New York Knicks leave with a victory the night after tomorrow."

What bad intentions could Kobe have? He just didn't want his good friend Lynch to bear the heavy pressure of a winning streak any longer.

Most people only care whether Lynch can win, but Kobe cares whether Lynch is tired.

What's the point of a winning streak? It just adds to my good brother's burden!

Kobe was willing to shoulder such a burden with his own two shoulders!
Let my brother catch his breath!

Brandon Roy wasn't particularly excited after defeating the Lakers' Big Three. He calmly nodded and said in a steady voice, "Beat Lynch? That's definitely my goal."

Most of the time, you can spot a team leader in a crowd at a glance.

Okay, except for the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry don't look like leaders; they're more like class monitors in kindergarten leading everyone in singing and playing games.

Brandon Roy is the kind of person who exudes leadership qualities in every gesture. He is mature and shrewd, decisive as a blade drawn from its sheath, and possesses a ruthless determination to burn his bridges.

Time seemed to pass by him faster than by everyone else.

Although he has only been in the league for four years, his playing style and mentality are as calm as if he has been fighting on the battlefield for ten years.

The young pioneers are like a blazing flame, full of surging passion and drive.

However, when faced with those ultimate, formidable enemies, and driven to the brink of collapse, Brandon Roy would stand firm like a rock, whispering to the team, "Leave it to me."

Then he will really take care of all the problems.

He was almost unafraid of any powerful enemy or difficulty; after all, what could be more difficult than those countless days of carrying heavy cargo on the cold docks?

Kobe Bryant was almost certain that Lynch would have a “pleasant” night the day after tomorrow.

This Trail Blazers team is strong because they have a rare full roster.

Brandon Roy, Andre Miller, Nicolas Batum, LaMarcus Aldridge, Greg Oden.

Trail Blazers fans all know what a rare and precious gift it is for these five players to be able to come together and play together.

At least at the start of the season, this healthy Portland Trail Blazers team was a benchmark for a strong team.

Their defense is tenacious, they can field seven to eight equally matched rotation players, they have no obvious weaknesses, they are well-organized, and they value teamwork.

Winning at the Rose Garden is no easy feat for any team.

Lynch's loss here certainly couldn't satisfy Kobe's morbid competitiveness.

But at least it can serve as a temporary placebo, slightly calming that burning desire to win.

After speaking with Brandon Roy, Kobe walked into the player tunnel.

He couldn't wait to hug his children, who were participating in his away game for the first time, which temporarily made him forget the pain of defeat.

However, the moment he stepped into the depths of the tunnel, the towel Kobe was using to wipe his sweat silently slipped to the ground, and the sight before him made him freeze instantly.

His house was robbed!
The two little princesses he cherished were now radiant with smiles, surrounding Lin Qi like a Christmas tree.

They carefully held the beautifully wrapped gifts, their undisguised joy and dependence blossoming for Lin Qi.

The overwhelming atmosphere of happiness made Kobe feel a surge of suffocating excitement in his chest.

How could they show such expressions to other men?!

What is that bastard Lynch doing here?!
Lynch noticed Kobe's piercing gaze, smiled, and waved.

"Hey, that's great. I must say, you and Jason made an indelible and outstanding contribution to the quality inspection of basketball hoops across the league tonight with your actions."

The two of you missed a combined 29 shots tonight.

Fuck, are you serious?

Kobe's voice seemed to be squeezed out through clenched teeth, completely ignoring Lynch's teasing: "Why are you here?"

"My team and I arrived this afternoon, so we came to watch the game and also took the opportunity to give the two lovely ladies their Christmas gifts in advance. You know, it's not really appropriate to give gifts when we meet at Christmas."

"Stop gloating. You might not be leaving here laughing the night after tomorrow either. That guy has improved again. 365 days a year, 7 days a week, Brandon Roy seems to have no weaknesses whatsoever."

Lynch shrugged nonchalantly: "It happens often. Most of my opponents have made similar comments about me after the game."

Kobe laughed angrily: "I've had enough of this. Drop that damn arrogance. You'll always lose, Lynch, right here in Portland. I'm telling you this, you can put it in the paper or post it online. I think you're going to lose in Portland."

"Thanks for your blessing, buddy."

After saying that, Kobe picked up his daughters and prepared to go to the press conference.

The reporters naturally captured the scene of him talking with Lynch in the players' tunnel.

Therefore, this became a hot topic at the press conference.

Did you and Lynch have an argument?

"Argument? No, not really. I'm just saying he's going to lose in Portland. You know, the team that dominates the Rose Garden is very special."

"Do you dislike Lynch? Does seeing him lose make you happy?"

"Seeing him lose does give me pleasure, but hate? No, I don't think I hate that bastard. I just want to see him lose, that's all."

The following afternoon, after the Knicks' practice, reporters asked Lynch about Kobe.

Lynch responded with a smile: "I'm not angry at all. It's a hobby between Kobe and me. We both love watching each other lose. It has nothing to do with personal grudges."

A New York Times reporter deliberately asked, "So I guess you're not going to let Kobe Bryant have his way, are you?"

"Yes, not letting each other have our way is one of our shared interests. To be honest, I don't know why Kobe thought I would lose in Portland. I think our dominance this season is enough to show how high our winning percentage is here."

He's so certain I'll lose, probably because...
I haven't proven myself for two whole days now.

The reporters burst into laughter, and the Knicks' locker room interview was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

On the other hand, Brandon Roy appeared indifferent and without a trace of a smile during his interview.

This leader, who is extremely eager to lead the Trail Blazers to a breakthrough, dislikes joking before games this year.

This desire even broke his usual humility and low profile.

"Kobe and Lynch, their relationship is very interesting. I believe they actually considered each other friends."

But Lynch and I are not friends.

The thorns of the rose garden will relentlessly entangle his team.

Reporters have noticed that Brandon Roy is slightly different this season compared to before.

He became more aggressive, both in attitude and on the field.

He scored 42 points, grabbed 6 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists in the opening game, defeating the Magic.

Yesterday, they defeated Kobe again with terrifying efficiency.

The stronger the opponent, the stronger he becomes.

He has become a real killer.

After the interview, Brandon Roy went into the treatment room for a massage.

He lay in bed and glanced at his battered knees.

He had a persistent problem with the cartilage in his left knee, which caused him great pain and discomfort during exercise.

Although he has been relatively healthy for the past two seasons, he knows that his knee is a ticking time bomb.

There's no way of knowing when it might suddenly explode.

All he could do was hurry.

Hurry up and leave something behind for Portland.

cost?

He doesn't care at all.

(End of this chapter)