Champion Rules

Chapter 238, Section 234: The Resilient Rose Blooms (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
For Brandon Roy, the past three years of his career have been nothing short of a dream.

In his first year in the league, he led the infamous Portland Jailers out of the mire.

Although he failed to lead the team to the playoffs, he redefined the team's rotten locker room culture and injected a winning mentality back into the team.

Over the next two seasons, the Trail Blazers steadily improved under his leadership.

Finally, last season, he led the team back to the playoffs after a six-year absence.

For Brandon Roy, the most precious thing is that he has always been the undisputed soul of this team.

Portland fans adore him, much like Chicagoans revere Michael Jordan.

He is from Seattle, but he has developed a very deep bond with the city.

The fans' love and support instilled in him a sense of responsibility.

Therefore, he is eager to lead the team to success as a leader, no matter how much effort or cost is involved.

Therefore, he is willing to give everything for this team and the city.

In a context where LeBron James would rather betray his hometown than be a coward, Brandon Roy's commitment to Portland is particularly moving—no matter how the media glorifies LBJ's actions as the beginning of an "era of player empowerment," it is essentially an escape.

Brandon Roy did not view the championship as an unattainable dream.

Although the last time this seemingly cursed city embraced the O'Brien Trophy was back in the distant, long-forgotten era of Bill Walton.

But in his eyes, this young Trail Blazers team has quietly laid a solid foundation for winning the championship.

He believes he has a group of strong enough teammates, and he likes each and every one of them very much.

If this team still cannot break through its limitations and reach the highest glory, then the only answer is:

His own hard-earned sharpness was not enough to cut through the thorny path to victory.

Therefore, he is trying to become stronger this season.

It's not just about becoming stronger technically; the crucible of mentality also needs to be filled with molten iron that never cools down.

He wanted to be an ultimate killer like Kobe Bryant or Lynch, controlling life-or-death moments.

They certainly wouldn't joke around with their opponents before the match.

Brandon Roy politely shook hands with Lynch before the match began, but remained serious and unsmiling.

His entire face was like a cold layer of rock, silently announcing the approaching storm.

After the handshake, the match is about to begin.

Lynch glanced at the Trail Blazers' starting five; when all five were healthy, they were indeed a formidable team.

As the referee blew his whistle, the Rose Garden, known as a "hell of the strong," instantly awoke, with waves of sound rising and converging.

The experienced Andre Miller controlled the ball past half-court, but quickly passed it to Brandon Roy.

Based on various advanced statistics and across all dimensions, Brandon Roy is the second-best shooting guard in the entire league, only behind Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade.

But in reality, he is not a traditional shooting guard.

His style is characterized by holding onto the ball for a long time, with very little time spent off the ball.

Even when he occasionally plays off the ball, he mostly just smokes in the bottom corner and rarely seeks opportunities through extensive off-the-ball movement.

Furthermore, the Trail Blazers under Nate McMillan are one of the slowest-paced teams in the entire league, and they love to grind out half-court sets.

Therefore, Brandon Roy also didn't have the kind of off-ball opportunities to rush across half-court and launch fast breaks early on.

Overall, he is a player who needs to have the ball in his hands completely to be effective.

This style is quite different from that of a true traditional shooting guard.

Style doesn't matter; the best style is the one that rings the victory bell.

Brandon Roy controlled the ball with ease against Raja Bell.

After a tentative change in pace, he suddenly accelerated and cut into the penalty area.

The speed wasn't lightning fast, but he precisely halted near the free-throw line. The dust kicked up by the sudden stop instantly tore a hair-thin space through the defense.

This master of using rhythm changes to create space made it difficult for defensive stalwarts like Raja Bell to keep up with his footwork.

Raja Bell reacted swiftly, his long arms like whips as he desperately tried to block the interference.

But Portland's jump shot, launched under pressure, still swished through the net with ease.

For a fleeting moment, Raja Bell even had the illusion that he had returned to countless nights when he battled Kobe Bryant to the point of exhaustion.

That number 7 really looks too much like number 24.

The rhythmic way it penetrates defenses, the cold determination to strike steadily under pressure—these are all the same.

This probably silently explains why Kobe Bryant admired Brandon Roy so much.

Because he's too much like Kobe.

Every fighter who leaves their mark on the basketball court will inevitably look with admiration at those who walk the same path in basketball.

2-0, Brandon Roy demonstrated his strong attacking ability right from the start.

Based on basic statistics, Brandon Roy's scoring is unremarkable, barely averaging over 20 points per game.

But that's because the Trail Blazers' pace was too slow, and the low number of possessions greatly limited the expansion of scoring data.

If he didn't have a strong ability to break through enemy lines, Nate McMillan would never have been so enamored with positional warfare.

His strategy was to drag both sides into positional warfare and then see who could make a more reliable high-difficulty attacking play.

The Trail Blazers retreated quickly on defense, giving the Knicks no chance to attack in seven seconds.

Lynch had the ball in his back to the basket in the mid-range, but Frenchman Nicolas Batum double-teamed him almost instantly with incredible speed.

Nicolas Batum is an underrated player. He was only drafted 25th not because he was not good enough, but because he has a heart condition.

Countless players in NBA history have died suddenly from heart attacks, and many teams are unwilling to take such a risk, thus giving up on this French forward.

Even in his second year, he has already demonstrated his all-around skills.

He can shoot open three-pointers, has some ball-handling skills, and is good at ball handling and help defense.

He's basically a weaker version of Scottie Pippen.

Lynch had to pass the ball to Wilson Chandler, who was left wide open. Nicolas Batum immediately rotated back in, and his 216-centimeter wingspan allowed him to interfere with the opponent's shot.

Wilson Chandler, who was covered up, was not very confident, so he changed his pass in mid-air and passed it to Raja Bell.

That was a foolish pass, almost a gift to the opponent's mistake.

Lady Luck smiled on New York as Raja Bell narrowly controlled the ball, cut along the baseline into the paint, and raised his hand for a layup.

But just as the basketball flew from his fingertips, the light in that small area was suddenly blocked!
A guy who looked like a 50-year-old man grunted and appeared just in time to swat the ball away!
Greg Oden, a man whom future fans jokingly call "the one you'd still pick a million times."

This is an exaggerated statement, but it's not without merit.

Strictly speaking, the Portland Trail Blazers made the right choice.

Kevin Durant once commented on him: "To be a bust, you first have to show your level on the court, and he has never had that opportunity enough."

Standing at 213 cm tall with a 224 cm wingspan, he possessed top-tier athleticism for his size and exceptional dominance during his college years.

All of these factors laid the foundation for his becoming the top scorer.

Although he has almost no independent offensive ability since entering the NBA, he has demonstrated top-level defensive impact this season.

Compared to last season, he has done better in terms of positioning, judgment, and foul control.

Furthermore, unlike the Lakers' toughest center who even squats to urinate, Greg Oden is not afraid of physical contact.

Raja Bell delivered the first block for the young 50-year-old Oden, and the Portland Trail Blazers built a formidable defensive network in the Rose Garden with their rock-solid team discipline and individual talent.

The Trail Blazers attacked again, with LaMarcus Aldridge effectively containing Lynch, leaving Brandon Roy with ample offensive space.

He broke into the penalty area, and facing Tyson Chandler's block, he hit the ball to Greg Oden through a narrow gap.

Brandon Roy isn't a point guard, but he has an exceptional ability to control turnovers and can accurately find teammates even when passing through gaps in the defense.

This is probably why Kobe said that Brandon Roy seemed to have absolutely no weaknesses every single day.

The latter burst up under the basket and slammed the ball down with both hands.

4:0.

The powerful cemetery began to reveal its horror.

Kobe Bryant smiled happily in front of the television.

You guys don't really think I couldn't win at the Rose Garden for a whole year because I'm bad, do you?
The Knicks' comeback was ignited by the "1-4 pick-and-roll" between Lynch and Nash.

Andre Miller was experienced, but too slow to get around the cover immediately.

LaMarcus Aldridge had to switch on defense to cover for Andre Miller.

Without hesitation, Nash passed the ball between LaMarcus Aldridge's legs to Lynch, who was cutting down the court.

Greg Oden once again raised his arms to guard the basket.

Ignoring the distance, Lin Qi leaped into the air from a position where most people could only throw or jump. His long arms stretched to their limit, and the basketball was flicked from his fingertips, grazing the backboard and going through the net with a low arc—the whole process looked like Giannis Antetokounmpo playing on a shooting machine.

With two points in hand, the Kings of New York finally delivered their first powerful response to this spirited young team!

The second response came even faster.

After another 1-4 pick-and-roll, Lynch didn't cut inside, but instead bounced out to the three-point line.

LaMarcus Aldridge was therefore unable to immediately return to the starting lineup, and Frenchman Nicolas Batum quickly filled in.

Seeing Lynch raise the basketball, Nicolas Batum immediately lifted both feet off the ground, his long arms thrusting like spears into the shooting space.

But Lin Qi passed the ball as his opponent took off, stepped back diagonally to create space, and then shot a jump shot.

"Swish!" At 5-4, Lynch responded with two decisive shots, cutting off the thorny vines that the Rose Garden was trying to entangle him!
In the following rounds, both sides became locked in a fierce positional battle.

The Trail Blazers put the defending champions in a tough fight thanks to Brandon Roy's efficient mid-range isolation plays and the team's defense.

The Knicks also relied on their excellent defense and the strong ability of their star player to break through defenses to compete with them.

In fact, Lynch was more efficient than Brandon Roy.

But tonight, Andre Miller unexpectedly had a breakout night, outscoring Steve Nash in individual scoring.

His playing style is a perfect counter to Nash.

Andre Miller, an unconventional point guard, liked to use his big butt to push his opponents aside for back-to-the-basket moves, and finish with hook shots and turnaround jumpers from various angles near the paint.

He wasn't a scorer, but he once scored 52 points against a certain defensive point guard in the league who didn't even have the name Kidd.

When facing opponents he could control, Andre Miller showed no mercy.

Although the score was very close and it was difficult to say which side had a clear advantage.

But the roar from the Rose Garden Arena rose higher and higher like the tide.

Because this team has become one of the few teams this season that can go toe-to-toe with the red-hot New York Knicks!

As the game enters the rotation period, the Trail Blazers' bench players will continue to play steadily and cautiously.

Martel Webster, Rudy Fernandez, Jerry Bayless, and Marcus Camby all played to their expected standard.

This team has been branded with a tough spirit by Brandon Roy: the stronger the opponent, the more it can inspire its indomitable fighting spirit and resilience.

It is this unique spirit that has enabled the Trail Blazers, who were short of players, to achieve an impressive record of 50 wins in a timeline filled with injuries and misfortune.

At halftime, the New York Knicks led by only 5 points.

Therefore, compared to the previous game against the Hawks where they led by 20 points in the first quarter, this matchup was a tough battle.

Trail Blazers' star Brandon Roy scored 17 points in the first half, while veteran point guard Andre Miller contributed 16 points.

For the Knicks, star player Lynch was on fire, scoring 22 points efficiently in the first half, while team playmaker Steve Nash added 13 points.

During halftime, commentator Marvin Albert quipped, "Look at the Rose Garden, their fans are clearly very satisfied with the team's performance. But right now, Kobe Bryant is probably the happiest guy."

This is certainly something to be happy about; at least for now, Cleveland fans will envy Portland fans.

I admire the courage and resilience their leader showed when facing Lynch.

But in the Trail Blazers' locker room, head coach Nate McMillan, the tenacious lion, was giving his players a stern warning.

"Don't get too excited, we're still behind! And no one can claim to have beaten Lynch until the game time is completely up!"

Nate McMillan doesn't want his players to become too arrogant.

But in reality, he also believed that the Trail Blazers could only break Lynch's undefeated streak this season tonight.

This deep-seated premonition stemmed from a long-forgotten memory of war.

Nate McMillan experienced the entire Michael Jordan era, playing in the NBA Finals alongside Michael Jordan as a member of the Seattle SuperSonics, and personally participating in that era of battling against the gods and living on the edge.

That earth-shattering Game 6 match saw the supersonic, iron-blooded net trap the basketball god in the darkest maze of his entire career.

They forced Michael Jordan to deliver the worst Finals performance of his career.

MJ was almost completely lost throughout the game, making no significant contributions on either offense or defense.

The all-powerful MJ is about to be defeated.

But Dennis Rodman stepped up.

He took over the game on both offense and defense, leading the team on a 16-4 offensive run.

Yes, Dennis Rodman took over the game.

His defense suffocated the SuperSonics, his offensive rebounds gave the Bulls plenty of offensive opportunities, and his second-chance points allowed the score to widen continuously.

He was repeatedly elbowed, choked, and kicked, and overturned, but each vicious attack seemed to make his smile even more eerie and radiant.

He dominated the game with a smile, making it the most glorious night of Dennis Rodman's career.

That night, you could understand why so many female celebrities were so obsessed with Dennis Rodman.

Because no matter what he goes through, he remains firm and resilient.

It's no exaggeration to say that this saved Michael Jordan.

Although the Bulls ultimately won the championship, Nate McMillan believed they lost to Dennis Rodman, not MJ.

MJ has been definitively defeated!
From then on, he firmly believed that even the most dazzling superstars, like gods, have their own vulnerabilities and are ultimately subject to being brought down.

This belief, like a cold steel nail, has not been bleached by ten years.

But tonight, Dennis Rodman wasn't with Lynch.

No one can save him!

As long as the players don't get arrogant, they can leave a bloody hole in the head of the King of New York!

At the start of the second half, in order to limit Brandon Roy's performance, the Knicks used their old tactic, with Lynch playing the small forward position.

This will make it easier for Lynch to help defend against the Yellow Mamba.

But whether it was Ron Artest, Shane Battier, or Amir Johnson, they all became cannon fodder tonight against the red-hot LaMarcus Aldridge.

Brandon Roy was indeed contained, but he always managed to get the ball to Nicolas Batum in double teams, and the latter continued to score.

The Trail Blazers were on fire tonight, even more so than in any of their games against the Lakers' Big Three.

In the fourth quarter, Philip Sanders had to bring Lynch back to the power forward position.

At the very least, don't let Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge both be playing offensive roles at the same time.

In the ninth minute of the fourth quarter, DeMar DeRozan cut in and received the ball, heading towards the basket.

He had just gotten the basketball and was about to jump to challenge Greg Oden when Brandon Roy quickly snatched the ball from his hand.

"Damn it!" DeMar DeRozan immediately caught up with Brandon Roy, whose unremarkable speed made it impossible for him to launch a fast break.

But Brandon Roy wasn't frustrated by missing a fast break opportunity. He slowed down and raised his hand to direct his teammates' positioning.

DeMar DeRozan remained calm, knowing he was guarding an All-NBA-caliber shooting guard, and that Lynch was too far away to help him clean up the mess tonight.

He can only rely on himself.

But he still managed to suppress his nervousness and concentrate fully.

Brandon Roy, expressionless, slowly approached with the ball, his eyes scanning his teammates' runs and DeMar DeRozan's defensive footwork like a hawk.

Suddenly, the owner of the rose garden lowered his center of gravity.

DeMar DeRozan misinterpreted it as a prelude to a breakthrough and instinctively took a step back.

But the next second, Brandon Roy raised his center of gravity and pulled up for a three-pointer!
As a player whose explosiveness isn't top-tier, Brandon Roy is able to create so much space for himself because his rhythm and center of gravity control are top-notch.

He can shift his center of gravity in an instant, confusing the opponent's defense.

DeMar DeRozan knew that number 7 had found an opening, so he immediately jumped forward.

But Brandon Roy had already calmly released his shot in mid-air; his jump shot looked decisive and powerful.

Lynch pushed LaMarcus Aldridge aside, and Tyson Chandler had already blocked Greg Oden.

If they miss, the Knicks will secure the rebound.

But
"brush!"

The rose garden is in full bloom.

"Goal! Brandon Roy gives the Trail Blazers a 5-point lead with two and a half minutes left! Is the New York Knicks also destined to fall victim to the curse of the powerhouse graveyard?!"

The tension that he had previously forced himself to suppress now seeped into DeMar DeRozan's limbs like ice water.

You can imagine how this first-year defender feels right now.

Since he entered the league, since he became a professional player, the New York Knicks have been winning, winning, and winning again.

Moreover, they were all overwhelming victories.

Tonight was the first time he had witnessed this invincible army and that almost invincible man being forced to the edge of a cliff, facing the possibility of defeat.

And he had just allowed the opponent to easily sink that potentially fatal three-pointer.

He could be the culprit behind the Knicks' perfect record.

Frustration and fear gripped him.

The game was paused, and Kobe Bryant whistled in front of the television.

Well, to be honest, seeing that Lynch might fail in the Rose Garden, the imagined thrill of revenge didn't materialize.

This was not a victory for him after all.

If possible, he still hopes to take revenge himself on Christmas Day.

But this at least calmed his restless heart.

On the sidelines, Trail Blazers head coach Nate McMillan jumped up excitedly.

He gave each player leaving the field a high-five, muttering, "We're going to kill them, damn it! We're going to kill them!"

He knew the Knicks were starting to panic, and he knew his team was brimming with confidence.

He knew they were incredibly close to victory!

What kind of bullshit god is this?
What ruler?
We're determined to bring you down!
At this point, even he himself may have forgotten what he said during halftime.

"No one can claim to have defeated Lynch until the game time is completely over."

(End of this chapter)