Champion Rules

Chapter 241, Section 237: A Victory That Makes You Kneel (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
LeBron James, deep down, certainly longs to wear that invisible crown of "player leader".

As a high-quality star who has had no scandals, cheating, or gynecological problems since entering the industry.

LBJ will seize every opportunity to improve his image.

Billy Hunter doesn't want him to be a player leader.

He simply wanted to be a sinner who could atone for his sins.

This is something LeBron James absolutely cannot accept.

He doesn't think he did anything wrong, so why should he atone for his sins?
From the very first second he stepped onto the playing field, every step he took and every move he made was like a meticulous strategic deduction, revolving around two ultimate coordinates destined to be etched on the monument of his professional career:

First, surpass MJ.

Second, firmly grasp the initiative in choosing your own career path.

In order to achieve the first point, he chose brotherhood basketball to avoid the hellish difficulty of challenging the throne alone.

To achieve the second point, he pioneered the 1+1 signing method. This means that any team with LBJ has a sword hanging over their head called "LeBron's Will".

Once he senses a slight change in wind direction or a crack in the foundation, he can immediately sever all ties and move with maximum efficiency to find the next fertile ground for his brotherhood, a place where he can reap glory and ambition.

Everything he did was within the bounds of the rules in his pursuit of his goals.

All he did was to pave the most efficient, controllable, and perfect path for climbing Mount Everest, which is called "GOAT".

Therefore, he had no idea what he had done wrong.

The media called him cowardly and said he undermined sportsmanship and the feelings of fans.

But he didn't care about any of that.

All he knew was that the ring could bring him everything; it was the most important thing.

That was the only token leading to the Temple of Immortality.

When does a championship ring not matter? It only becomes unimportant when he is destined never to surpass Michael Jordan; that will be his last excuse.

But at least for now, for the still-young LeBron James, a championship ring means everything.

For it, no matter how many bones and accusations lie along the way, every step taken is not a wrong turn.

Moreover, it was Lynch who asked him to take a stance on the players' union issue, so it's even less likely that he would agree!

Because this would be tantamount to making him bow down to his mortal enemy!

In NBA history, there have indeed been some bitter rivals who have never spoken to each other.

Isaiah Thomas claimed that he and MJ would never speak to each other again for the rest of their lives unless Michael Jordan apologized to him on a nationally televised program.

Apart from that, Magic Johnson and the Smiling Assassin have had no contact to this day and still hate each other.

The seeds of their blood feuds were buried deep in the ashes of the 90s.

Now that the dust has settled and the legend has taken its final bow, the player tunnel is long empty.

Even so, their relationship did not improve in the slightest.

And this is the end of LeBron James's relationship with Lynch!
They were destined to be two stars hanging under the same sky, but never to meet!

Meanwhile, Lynch had also received a call from Billy Hunter.

Billy Hunter told Lynch bluntly, "LeBron has chosen to walk away completely; he refuses to take responsibility or speak out about this."

Lin Qi's fingers remained motionless as he held the phone, and a soft "hmm" escaped his throat, as calm as a frozen lake.

Expected.

This is really not surprising. If judged purely by the standards of a "basketball player," LeBron James has rarely taken responsibility for anything in his life.

His actions and choices will undoubtedly put him at odds with all the players, creating an increasingly deep and irreconcilable chasm between him and the player community.

But that's not something Lin Qi needs to worry about.

Currently, there is still plenty of time to maneuver in the labor-management negotiations, which is not Lynch's most critical objective at the moment.

His biggest goal right now is to try to turn the media's expectations into reality.

In just over half a month since the start of the season, the media has already had high expectations for this Knicks team.

John Hollinger believed that the Knicks would establish a dynasty.

Stephen A. Smith believes the Knicks will become the first team in NBA history to achieve 70 wins in two consecutive seasons.

These expectations are essentially an acknowledgment of the Knicks' strength this season.

After all, no one would naively assume that the Charlotte Bobcats could get 70 wins.

Lynch isn't the kind of guy who likes to disappoint those who believe in him.

As the regular season continued, the Knicks' steel wheels crushed all interceptors and routed all opponents in November.

They have won 17 games in a row since the start of the season.

But in December, the Knicks suffered three defeats.

Furthermore, Lin Qi didn't particularly like these three opponents.

December 1, Orlando.

The Magic were the first to break the New York Knicks' undefeated streak this season.

This was a long and bloody battle, and the outcome was only decided in the final, hellish moment when the timer reached zero.

The Magic's victory came from three crucial three-pointers each made by Hedo Turkoglu, Rashard Lewis, and Ray Allen in the final moments.

Dwight Howard went berserk after the game, pounding his chest and roaring at the camera:

"In the past, I lost confidence in the championship. I didn't know what the point of everything I did was just to lose to Lynch in the playoffs?"
But tonight, this hard-won victory tells me that we still have the ability to fight!

The Knicks did not succumb to this setback and quickly went on a five-game winning streak.

But after a five-game winning streak, the Knicks had a game that LBJ fans called a "redemption win".

The Pistons successfully avenged their loss amidst the roar of the Auburn Hills Palace, defeating the New York Knicks, whose shooting touch seemed frozen by the cold industrial frost of Detroit all night.

Carmelo Anthony scored 27 points, while Deron Williams continued his dominance at the point guard position, finishing with 33 points.

LeBron James, who plays power forward this season, continued to be tormented by Lynch, scoring only 14 points in the entire game.

Even if Richard Hamilton is considered, LeBron James is the dimmest star in the Palace of Auburn Hills tonight.

However, when the final buzzer of the game pierced the noise, people were astonished to see LeBron James, who had been thoroughly defeated all night, suddenly kneel down on the floor of the Palace of Auburn Hills as if bathed in holy light.

He covered his face with his hands, his shoulders trembling violently, and tears streaming down his taut knuckles.

Because on that very night, he finally tore that shameful plaque to shreds with his own hands!
The epic personal battle against Lynch will be rewritten from the depths of a 25-game losing streak to a magnificent 1 win and 25 losses!
It's important to understand that the fact that "LBJ has never beaten Lynch" has long transcended on-court rivalry and has even become part of popular culture.

Whether in American TV series, movies, or even some art films, characters often use this as a reference to design their lines.

"You can't beat me, just like LeBron can never beat Lynch."

"The gap between you and me is bigger than the gap between LeBron and Lynch."

"Keep going, kid. Think about how LeBron has persisted even after not beating Lynch for so many years. You have no reason to give up."

"Oh fuck, carry baby, fuck mi, fuck mapusi, fuck LeBron like Lynch fucks him! Oh yeah! That's it!"

More than just a joke among sports media and fans
The shameful thing about this incident is that it went viral.

Even people who don't watch basketball much know that there's a guy named LeBron James who gets beaten up every time he meets Lynch.

All of this was burning LBJ's nerves.

Tonight, he finally, finally broke free of the curse!

Ironically, Lynch, as the loser, walked past LBJ with his head held high.

This made some Detroit fans feel somewhat embarrassed.

This team has finally proven that they can compete with the New York Knicks.

However, LeBron James's behavior at the end of the game, as one of the core players, inadvertently diminished the pure joy of victory.

Detroit fans, known for their toughness and iron will, couldn't understand it. Countless eyes were fixed on the figure kneeling on the floor in the center of the court.

Why did LBJ kneel on the floor and cry like a woman?

Victory celebrations can take countless thunderous forms.

You can yell at Lynch.

You can pound your chest on the field.

You can be like Kevin Garnett when he won the championship in 08, shedding tears but letting out that ultimate howl that mixes bloodlust and ecstasy.

But LBJ chose to kneel on the ground and cry.

He even knelt down at Lin Qi's feet, kneeling before his mortal enemy.

This goes beyond the comprehension of the Detroit steel spirit.

Moreover, frankly, is a mere one win something to be proud of, standing on the cold stone tablet of a 25-game losing streak?
LeBron James was still very emotional after the game.

Under the spotlight of the reporters on the sidelines, his barely suppressed tears, like swirling lava, surged against the dam of his eyes, his voice hoarse and trembling with extreme emotion:
"For the past five years, this cursed record has been like a shackle from hell, nailing me to the rack of despair and repeatedly searing me!"

No one can understand how many long, sleepless nights I've endured, consumed by shame!
Fortunately, I never gave up, and my heart never yielded even a fraction to that purgatory called 'competition'!

it's all over!
I am so proud of this moment!

After saying the last sentence, tears finally broke free and rolled down her cheeks.

Detroit fans:
The cheers at the scene were not enthusiastic, and there were only a few scattered polite applause.

Everyone knew that if this redemption had taken place in Cleveland, the land that nurtured him, the king would have been the recipient of a massive and overwhelming adoration.

But this is the Auburn Palace.

For Detroit Iron Army fans who take pride in their hard work and regard victory as their daily sustenance, defeating Lynch once in the regular season is merely a decent stepping stone on a long journey, far from a monumental achievement worthy of shedding tears.

and
The resounding declaration, "Never give up, never fear competition," was shouted from the mouth of a player who had chosen the "brotherhood shortcut."

That heroic spirit has inevitably been eroded by reality, leaving behind a lingering sense of awkwardness.

On the other hand, although Lynch lost the game, he still faced a huge number of reporters.

In response to various claims about "LBJ breaking the curse," Lynch simply replied:

"No, it's not over yet."

The epic celebration that LeBron James had envisioned did not materialize the following day.

On the contrary, many media outlets mocked his overreaction.

The most iconic hammer came from Sir Charles Barkley, a perennial "polite gentleman" in the TNT studio.

When he witnessed the replay of LeBron kneeling with his face covered, giving an interview with red eyes and a trembling voice, a "tragic confession," he was deeply moved.

This outspoken legend could no longer hold back and burst into deafening laughter in front of the live broadcast camera like a lit powder keg, so exaggerated that he almost rolled off his chair.

"Guys, I don't mean to be rude, but...fuck, this is too abstract! Okay, put your hand on my heart and say that last night's victory was truly a genuine and substantial 'breakthrough' for LeBron."

This is something we must honor him for.

But you weren't even one of the top three players in this victory!
Rather than saying you finally defeated Lynch.

To put it bluntly, you've finally found a teammate who can beat Lynch even when you're not performing well.

In this situation, it's not that Lynch can't win, it's just that it's LeBron's turn!
Moreover, this precisely demonstrates Lynch's greatness.

Look at this, a superstar who made the All-NBA First Team and was at his peak, got so excited after just one win against Lynch that he almost soaked the floor of the Palace of Auburn Hills.

In the 90s, no one would have reacted this way if they had defeated MJ.

No one in the entire history of the NBA has ever been as despair-inducing as Lynch.

LeBron James finally lifted the boulder that had been weighing on his chest, but this "redemption" did not generate the tsunami-like response he had anticipated in the league.

Lynch felt no solace whatsoever from LBJ's fate.

For him, a loss is a loss.

Losing is always the thing he hates most.

To make matters worse, the Knicks lost to the Lakers in the Christmas Day game at Staples Center.

Kevin Garnett was on fire tonight, keeping Lynch firmly by his side.

Kobe Bryant scored 47 points, leading his team to a crucial victory.

Compared to LeBron James' controversial tearful outburst, Kobe Bryant's post-game reaction was textbook-perfect in its clarity and composure:

"Yes, it was a beautiful win. But you know, the work isn't over yet. Our goal has never been to beat the Knicks once in the regular season. We're not begging for wins, we're going to beat them outright."

Thus, the Knicks were etched with three bloody scars of defeat in the cold of December.

Their 29-3 record still shone like a diamond, but with 2010 approaching and four months left in the regular season, the season was about to begin.

Unless the Knicks play as dominantly every month as they did in November, they are destined to struggle to reach 70 wins.

Lynch doesn't want the Knicks to lose three games every month—although that would be pretty good, Lynch still wants to improve the team's consistency.

Philip Sanders and his two Mikes also reviewed the three losses in an internal coaching meeting.

They all have one thing in common—their opponents have an explosive outside shooting performance.

But this outbreak cannot be explained simply by "they just happened to be on a winning streak".

Ultimately, the real problem behind the Knicks' defeat remains the same old issue that has plagued them for a long time: when Lynch is contained by the opposing power forward, his defensive range shrinks, and his threat to the mid-range drops sharply.

Against the Magic, Rashard Lewis's hot hand drew Lynch in like a magnet, leaving Lynch no time to pay attention to the Turkish Scimitar and the Gentleman Ray.

Even in a slump, LBJ acted as bait, drawing in Lynch, allowing Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams to dominate.

Kevin Garnett's performance against the Lakers ensured that Lynch was far from Kobe.

Having Lynch play the small forward position is the best option to contain the opponent's outside shooting.

What should we do about the opponent's power forward?

Amir Johnson can start at power forward in some games.

However, if the opponent is KG, LBJ, or other star power forwards, Amir Johnson's defense becomes inadequate.

Moreover, Amir Johnson is simply too much of a drag on the offense and is not suitable to be a starter for an extended period.

The Knicks need a player who can defend most players at the power forward position and isn't too offensively slow, so that Lynch can play on the perimeter with peace of mind.

And so, a name appeared in Philip Sanders' mind almost instantly.

“We could try starting Ron Artest at power forward. Or, depending on the opponent, we could have him and Lynch switch between the three and four positions,” Flip Saunders suggested.

Mike Malone immediately pointed out the drawbacks of this proposal:

"His offensive consistency is a problem, which is why we've been starting Wilson for the past two months."

Wilson is more effective at responding to open looks and is more aggressive on cuts. Starting Ron will subject Lynch to more double teams.

After all, you never know whether Ron's next dribble will hit his foot or his knee.

Mike Brown joked, "It could also be in the opponent's ribs or temple."

Everyone laughed. Philip Sanders pressed his hands down and made his decision: "Then we'll probably have to endure Lynch's attacks from both sides for a while longer."

He approved the experiment with a new starting lineup in January.

If the defensive value of this starting lineup is sufficient to offset the sluggishness in the attack, then the new formation will prove effective.

Conversely, the blade needs to be reforged.

As the meeting ended, Mike Malone, holding a mug, strolled with Philip Sanders to the lounge area to make coffee.

Amidst the rising steam, Mike Malone couldn't help but sigh, his tone tinged with disbelief and self-mockery:

"My God, looking around, we're probably the only team in the entire league that, after a 29-3 record in the first two months of the season, is still trying to make adjustments."

Philip Sanders sipped his scalding coffee, his shoulders shruging indifferently.
"Who told us we have the best players?"
His gaze pierced through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the lounge, as if landing on that never-satisfied figure on the court, his voice deep and resolute.

"When we are chosen by such an existence, all those mediocre options of 'just getting by' disappear from our lives."

Mike, listen. If our team cannot tear open the scroll of history for that light and ignite his eternal legend with our own hands...

That would be an unforgivable act of blasphemy against the great gift bestowed upon us by the god of basketball.

We cannot accept mediocrity; we must strive for excellence.

Mike Malone smiled:
"LBJ sees this much more clearly."

People should know how to be content.

LeBron would be incredibly satisfied with just one win. Good heavens, he practically declared himself the GOAT because he beat Lynch once.

After training today, Lin Qi was interviewed by reporters in the locker room.

As soon as Lynch sat down, the conversation inevitably turned to the aftermath of LeBron James' "redemption game".

When Lynch spotted David McMenamin, now a renowned ESPN reporter, in the crowd, he knew this interview was going to be interesting.

Sure enough, he was the first to stand up and ask a question:

"Lynch, what's your take on LeBron's current success?"

Lynch stared blankly at this mouthpiece of LeBron James.

"success?"

"After breaking the 'can't beat you' curse, his career has clearly reached a new level. And you, on the other hand, experienced some less-than-pleasant losses this month, proving that your dominance wasn't secure. As LeBron's most important rival in his career, do you feel a little envious of his current success?"

"Wait, LeBron? Success? Can you tell me where his success lies?"

David McMenamin did not back down; he slightly raised his chin, his voice remaining as steady as a broadcaster's:
"For me, LBJ's greatest success is his ability to put his ideas into practice."

In 2003, when LeBron was 18, he refused Reebok's offer to sign a check on the spot and chose a Nike contract that seemed to be worth less, which showed his business acumen beyond his age.

He realized that the real value lay not in the immediate numbers, but in gaining the rights to co-create with the brand. His contract with Nike included unprecedented athlete rights such as a share of signature shoe sales and autonomy over image rights.

This decision was made after his mother had been poor her whole life due to the Land Rover incident, maturing debts, and other issues.

This story became widely known because it was virtually unprecedented. A Black athlete born in the slums was presented with the highest-ever rookie endorsement deal, and only LeBron James had the courage to refuse it.

This composure and business acumen are not accidental.

He always knows what he wants and is able to take corresponding actions.

The same applies to last season's 'Decision' incident. Although LeBron was highly controversial, he knew what he wanted, and he demonstrated exceptional execution skills.

David McMenamin was still talking when Lynch interrupted him directly: "Stop, stop your nonsense, I'm asking you, where does LeBron's success lie?"

"Am I not saying that?"

"What bullshit are you talking about? I'm asking you, as a basketball player, where is LeBron's success? Or to put it more bluntly, how many MVPs, how many Defensive Player of the Year awards, how many championships does he have?"

David McMenamin was momentarily speechless, his cheek muscles twitching slightly. After struggling for several seconds, he managed to squeeze out a defense that sounded even drier than a 50-year-old woman's:
"He will have these things in the future."

Lynch clapped his hands happily: "Ha! Screw the loan champion, you mean he doesn't have any honors yet? So, where does his success lie?"

"His success has already set sail, it began the moment he broke your rule. You can no longer stop him from succeeding, Lynch."

The smile on Lynch's face vanished instantly, and he stared at LBJ's mouthpiece with eyes like a lion ready to devour its prey.

"listen."

Lin Qi stood up, draped his coat over his shoulders, and spoke slowly and deliberately.

"I've said this before, but since you're here acting as my spokesperson, I think it's necessary for me to say it again in your ears:"
My reign over him is not over yet.

You can go around publicizing and praising his pitiful one victory, it doesn't matter.

In short, my rule over him is not over yet.

On the contrary, it might become even more brutal.

After saying that, Lin Qi walked out of the locker room, ending the interview.

David McMenamin clenched his fists. He had intended to embarrass Lynch by taking advantage of the Knicks' three losses in December, but instead, he and LBJ ended up being the ones embarrassed.

But it doesn't matter, the results to come will show that Lynch's dominance is crumbling.

Furthermore, the Knicks and Pistons will meet again in January.

When the Pistons crush the Knicks for the second time, Lynch will have nothing to say.

Lin Qi walked into the parking lot, somewhat angry.

He can't wait to go on a killing spree in January.

Just as he was about to get into the car, Ron Artest appeared and called out to Lynch.

"Hey guy!"

"Ron, is something the matter?"

"Philip just told me that I'll be starting in January."

"Really? Congratulations, keep up the good work."

"No, I just wanted to tell you that I'll do my best to help you. I can relieve a lot of pressure on you when it comes to scoring! You know, my scoring ability is greatly underestimated!"

"Pfft!" Lin Qi almost couldn't hold it in.

But he still tried hard not to laugh.

"Thank you, Ron. I think so too."

Your offense is at least on par with LeBron's.

(Thanks so much to the generous donors like Yizhuanshudu, I'm extremely grateful!)
(End of this chapter)