Champion Rules

Chapter 243, Page 239: No Longer Cowardly (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

The Miami Heat left peacefully.

At the end of the game, Paul Pierce looked at his stats, put his hands on his hips, and shook his head.

I wish I hadn't gone to the bathroom before the game started.

That way, at least you'll have an excuse to ask your wheelchair to leave midway through the match!

That's awful!

Paul Pierce shot 4-for-17 throughout the game.

Before the game, the confident and arrogant Paul Pierce said on a podcast that he should be the best pure scorer in NBA history.

He even gave a few examples himself.

When comparing himself to Michael Jordan, he believes his offensive arsenal is more diverse than MJ's.

When comparing himself to AI, he analyzed the situation and concluded that he was more comprehensive.

When asked to compare himself to Lynch, he believes his ball-handling offense is stronger.

When asked about comparisons with Kobe Bryant, he said the comparisons were very close, but he was better at drawing fouls, so he was stronger in terms of scoring.

In the previous comparisons, although Paul Pierce was arrogant, he at least pretended to offer some nonsensical analysis to cover up his insecurity.

But when the last set of comparisons appeared, the style suddenly changed.

"Paul, so how do you think you compare to LeBron?"

Paul Pierce answered without hesitation, "There's nothing to discuss."

The fans of the previous few star players were still angry that their idols had been targeted by a staged accident.

But everyone laughed when they heard the last answer.

Paul Pierce's disdain for LeBron James was practically ingrained in his bones.

In his eyes, an abstract artist who had been repeatedly humiliated by Lynch in direct confrontations for many years, and who finally won once only to kneel and weep in front of his arch-rival, was really nothing to write home about.

But tonight, Paul Pierce's emotional journey has undergone a dramatic change.

He questioned James, understood James, and ultimately became James!

Throughout the game, he had no room to perform under Lynch's defense.

His mental breakdown even caused him to miss a good fast break layup opportunity in the third quarter.

At that moment, Paul Pierce was dribbling down the court, but Lynch was hot on his heels.

In terms of speed, Paul Pierce has no advantage over Lynch whatsoever.

As the terrifying shadow drew ever closer, Paul Pierce, who had been completely shut down throughout the game, felt a surge of panic.

He was terrified of becoming just another background character in Lynch's block highlights.

This nervousness caused Paul Pierce to lose control of his movements when attempting a layup, ultimately resulting in a missed shot.

At that moment, he surpassed James!

This scene was practically a microcosm of the game. When Lynch switched to the small forward position, Paul Pierce, the offensive kaleidoscope, seemed to have completely forgotten how to play.

Despite having numerous opportunities to exploit mismatches, Pau Gasol ultimately managed only 16 points with a 43% field goal percentage against Ron Artest.

Such efficiency and output are clearly insufficient to provide Dwyane Wade with enough firepower support.

Paul Pierce walked dejectedly into the players' tunnel. On either side of the stands, many angry Miami fans shouted their frustration at him.

Paul Pierce understands the fans' disappointment after the loss and knows he played poorly today, so he has nothing to say.

But one of his insults still managed to break Paul Pierce's nerves.

"If my grandma were two meters tall, she could make that layup!"

Paul Pierce stopped and started yelling at the fans.

He felt that his gender had been greatly insulted!

You should at least use your grandfather as an example!
Dwyane Wade sighed as he watched the chaos created by security personnel, players, and fans.

When Lin Qi came up to greet him, Wade made a joke.

“That’s not fair, Lynch,” Dwyane Wade said half-jokingly, his tone tinged with bitterness. “You gave Dwight a chance, you even gave LeBron a chance, but you’re being so cruel to me.”

Lin Qi rubbed Number 3's head: "Don't misunderstand, they never had a chance, only occasional lucky breaks."

"LeBron doesn't think so. They firmly believe that after the victory in December, they can continue to beat you in January."

"Oh, then they're going to be very disappointed."

Lynch's resolute tone piqued Wade's interest: "You'll use this starting lineup against the Pistons too? Using Ron to deal with LeBron?"

Lynch nodded, there was no way to avoid it: "Of course."

Dwyane Wade has begun to sympathize with the two guys from his draft class: "I don't know if that's Melo's nightmare or LeBron's nightmare."

“It’s their shared nightmare,” Lynch replied eagerly. “It will end all their illusions about breaking my rule.”

While Lynch was chatting with Dwyane Wade, he noticed Ron Artest staring blankly at Jermaine O'Neal's back.

Ron Artest left the stadium only after the latter disappeared deep into the players' tunnel.

He looked like he was struggling.

I wanted to say hello, but my feet seemed rooted to the spot, and I couldn't take the first step.

Sometimes it's hard to imagine that a manic, violent guy who smashes cameras, breaks ribs, and ruptures a girl's anus would be too embarrassed to greet his old teammates.

Back in the locker room, Lynch joked with him, "Does Jermaine look a lot like your first love, Ron?"

Artest, who was drinking water, spat it all out: "What!?"

"Otherwise, I really can't explain why, when you're facing him, I seem to see the innocent, naivety of a 15-year-old in you."

DeShawn Stevenson responded with a laugh: "I have to remind you, Lynch, that you've made a very basic mistake. For most of us Black kids from the neighborhood, by age 15 we've already been through countless 'teacher' sessions and are veterans of competitive sports; there's no naivety to speak of."

The locker room erupted in laughter, but Ron Artest didn't laugh.

He's maintained this serious demeanor all night, ever since he saw Jermaine O'Neal.

He didn't really want to talk about this topic and didn't respond.

But in the ensuing locker room interview, Ron Artest could no longer remain silent.

He was asked many questions about the Detroit Pistons.

This game between the Knicks and the Pistons was already the most anticipated rivalry of January.

Since David McMenamin and Lynch clashed in an interview, the hype surrounding this match has remained high.

LBJ is eager to declare that he has completely broken Lynch's reign with a series of victories.

Lynch's supporters desperately need a victory to shut up LBJ and his mouthpiece.

The discussion surrounding this game is overwhelming; almost every day, every Knicks player interviewed is asked about the Pistons. But for Ron Artest, the question he was asked tonight was the most pointed.

Based on the current starting lineup of the New York Knicks, Ron Artest will at least be matched up against either Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James.

This put him at the center of a media storm.

"Ron, do you think you'll be used as a weak point by Melo or LeBron?"

“Unless they carry me down, I will not become anyone’s weak point.”

"If the New York Knicks lose to the Pistons for the second consecutive time, will you lose your starting position?"

"We are discussing something that could never happen."

"Would you rather face off against LeBron or Melo?"

"I follow the team's instructions, but listen, I'm fed up with that bastard who just won one game and then sent his mouthpiece to our locker room to swagger around and talk about his success!"
We will win back soon, and to achieve this goal—”

Ron Artest paused slightly, his eyes blazing, and he was breathing heavily.

Then, a sentence that surprised everyone came out of his mouth:

"To achieve this goal, to make those fucking bastards lose, I'm willing to die!"

Ron Artest's voice gradually grew louder as he became emotional.

That last sentence was like a bomb exploding in the locker room.

No one expected that Ron Artest's determination to take down the Pistons would be so intense.

After the interview, the entire Knicks team boarded the team bus.

At the back of the carriage, Ron Artest was imprisoned alone inside a huge Beats headset, his forehead pressed against the cold train window, his unfocused gaze piercing through the night.

Lin Qi silently walked over and sat down beside him, his fingers lightly tapping the earphones on his head that seemed to isolate him from the world.

The beast removed his headphones, his face no longer displaying its usual nonchalance, but rather a rare, weary wariness.
Was I fined?

He was aware that his words during the interview had been somewhat harsh.

"No, I just wanted to ask you what happened? I like you the way you are right now, but what exactly is the driving force behind it?"

Atai's lips curled into an almost self-deprecating smile as he turned his gaze back to the flowing darkness outside the window.

"Ha, there's no reason why. You know, before you entered the league, in the summer of 2004, we had a chance to beat the Detroit Pistons. We even had a chance to compete for the championship."

I wouldn't say the Lakers' "F4" was easy to resolve, but at the time, their internal situation was chaotic.

So that was probably the closest the Indiana Pacers ever came to a championship.

It's so close, I could practically see the 'Champion' lettering on it!

But because of my relationship with Jermaine.
The whole world knows that we are two gears forcibly welded together.

During the game, I wasn't just comparing myself to the Pistons; I was also keeping a close eye on Jermaine's every breath.

He made 18 shots? I'll have to blast him 20 times!
He scored 20 points? I'd be a disgrace if I didn't get 30!

We got caught up in internal strife and paid the price for our youth.

Ron Artest stared out the window, as if those bygone days were flashing before his eyes.

"Because of these pointless internal conflicts, we failed to get past the Pistons, and we were even unable to recover because of it."

Reggie Fils-Aimé retired, with regrets.

The Indiana Pacers crumbled, burdened by an inescapable championship curse.

And all of this is because of the pointless infighting between me and Jermaine.

So when I see Jermaine's face again today...

Artest took a deep breath, a heavy breath that seemed to inhale the regret of the entire state of Indiana.

Lynch waited, waiting for that expected, pent-up hatred, declaration on the court: "Damn Jermaine, I'll show you who the real winner is."

Ron Artest, however, said:

"When I saw Jermaine's face again today, and saw his current disheveled state, the first thought that came to my throat was that I felt..."
I've let down that former team; I'm a coward who deserves to be crucified!

“Our entire team knew that the flames that burned that season were never meant to illuminate the name of Ron Artest.”

It should warm the hearts of the entire team, the Indiana City fans who have waited eagerly for generations, and old Reggie who shed his last drop of blood for this stadium!
We should have achieved our goal the right way and won the championship.

But because of my naivety, my arrogance, my selfishness, and my cowardice, the entire locker room fell apart, ending in a complete mess.

I've never had the chance to apologize to my Pacers teammates for my behavior, and tonight I had another opportunity, but I didn't have the courage to face Jermaine.

What truly killed me was a moment when I calmed down and suddenly remembered fragmented memories related to them, but it was too late to undo the damage.

That's slow slicing.

He looked out the window, closed his eyes tightly, and then opened them again.

"Therefore, I don't want to leave behind similar regrets again."

At least now, I have the opportunity to stop letting a team that has a chance to win the championship down.

If I lose another championship, I cannot forgive myself.

Lynch, whether it's those scumbags from Detroit or some devil crawled out of hell.

Anything that dares to get in your way, I'll make them pay!

After Ron Artest finished speaking, he took a deep breath and put the headphones he had taken off for a moment back into his ears, shutting out the entire world.

This season is not only about honor for him, but also about redemption for his career.

Lin Qi patted his thigh, got up and left, not wanting to bother him any further.

Sitting back down next to Steve Nash, the Canadian glanced back at the beast who was still listening to music and made a joke:

"My God, Ron is practically the most polite player in NBA history, because it's like he has to insult the opposing team's mother before every game. Did you find out why he's so angry?"

"Nothing much, all I know is that he's in incredibly good form right now." Lynch rubbed his hands together, eager to face the Pistons with Ron Artest in this form.

Nash nodded: "Then you'd better pray that he has a better touch against Detroit. The Detroit team will definitely double-team you hard. If LeBron wins again, God, Michael Jordan's status as the greatest of all time might be in jeopardy."

"Damn it, Steve, when did you become a LeBron hater? What are you being sarcastic about?"

The Wind Child innocently spread his hands: "If beating you once is considered a success, then beating you twice, surpassing Michael, is also normal."

Lin Qi rubbed his forehead: "My God, is there not a single good person on this damn bus besides me?"
-
If I could, I'd love to grab the remote and skip the Knicks' next few games, jumping straight to the night against the Pistons. — Charles Barkley on his thoughts on the Knicks vs. Pistons third game.

The New York Knicks are undefeated at home this season, and LeBron James is undoubtedly the player with the best chance of breaking that record in January. If one person has to conquer Madison Square Garden, one person has to step up and do it. And that person can only be the King. —ESPN David McMenamin column.

Of course we'll win. We didn't beat them by luck last time. So, this is a replicable victory. It can happen in Detroit, and of course, it can happen in New York, at Madison Square Garden. —LeBron James on the next game against the Knicks.

Yes, his last win against Lynch wasn't luck; it was his teammates. When will he be able to win on his own? Hopefully, this time, when Melo is trapped in the cage Lynch has built, he can step up. Seriously, I really hope LeBron can step up just once. —Stephen A. Smith responding to LBJ.

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