Champion Rules

Chapter 246, Section 242: You Shouldn't Have Refused

Chapter 246, Section 242: You Shouldn't Have Refused (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
The New York Knicks defeated the Detroit Pistons again.

This was an exciting game for New York fans.

Because they no longer have to listen to LBJ and his mouthpiece, taking advantage of their victory over Lynch to frantically spread Mahayana winning strategies.

Although LeBron James was the Pistons' leading scorer tonight, he only scored 2 points in the final seven minutes. Therefore, he couldn't really boast about his individual performance.

In the past, LBJ's toughest moments were during press conferences.

After losing a game, teammates are either seen as lazy fish, cowardly turtles, timid chickens, or black sheep.

But after joining this star-studded Pistons team, the luxurious roster left him with no room to criticize his teammates.

So this time, he didn't stand up for himself at the press conference either.

After this game, people had big doubts about whether the Pistons could defeat the Knicks in the playoffs.

This lineup, which subverts the entire league's perception and wears courage and shortcuts on its sleeve, was created from the very beginning to defeat the New York Knicks—how can daring to take shortcuts during one's prime not be a kind of courage?

However, it seems that this shortcut is not feasible at present.

If LBJ still can't beat Lynch even after abandoning Cleveland and taking shortcuts, it will undoubtedly become a huge stain on his career that is hard to wash away.

ESPN writer John Hollinger astutely pointed out:
“LBJ and his team believed that leaving Cleveland would take him away from failure. But now, a much heavier shadow of failure is looming over them.”

The next day, on the plane back to Detroit, LeBron James struggled greatly.

For the first time, he began to doubt his momentous decision to join the Pistons.

In the past, no matter how many failures he made in Cleveland, he was at least a city hero.

Furthermore, he always allows for failure.

Failure can have different degrees of severity.

People won't criticize AI for being swept by the Lakers in the 2001 NBA Finals.

They also wouldn't laugh at the New York Knicks' upset victory in 1999, which saw them storm into the Finals only to be easily defeated by the Spurs.

But in Detroit, if he fails, it will be the most undeniable defeat in NBA history—at least the Lakers' F4 had the excuse that "Payton and Malone are too old."

He chose this shortcut.

But at the same time, they chose the most difficult path.

He didn't know if his decision was right or wrong.

How could I have made that decision last summer?
This is a typical "deleting is like a Buddha, searching is like a demon" mentality.

Having obtained it, he began to doubt himself.

When he can't get it, he'd love to join an All-Star team.

What torments LBJ even more is that he has yet to be able to shake up the Detroit Pistons' dominant position.

Carmelo Anthony is clearly still the player with the most say on this team.

In the public's mind, Carmelo Anthony is still the star player of this team.

The taunts from New York fans last night—"You're not even as good as Scott"—still lingered in his ears.

That was a nightmare even worse than losing the game.

If you win the championship but aren't the Finals MVP, can it still be considered a complete championship?
Look at Scottie Pippen, even with six championship rings, who would even consider him a top-ten player of all time?

Last night, LBJ tried his best to lead the team to victory. But clearly, this approach won't make him a true leader for the Detroit Pistons.

He was thinking, perhaps
Should we try some other methods?
On the other end of the cabin, Carmelo Anthony was furious about his performance the previous night.

He and his coaching staff are reviewing game footage repeatedly, hoping to find the flaws behind the New York Knicks' perfect record.

Deron Williams was resting with his eyes closed. He knew from the first day he arrived in Detroit that he wouldn't be the number one player on this super team.

But he'd rather be the second or third number one player here than some damn star player in Salt Lake City, which is worthless to him.

All he cares about is being able to play the game in a way that's comfortable and enjoyable for him, and ultimately win.

On this flight to Detroit, only LeBron James was thinking about something more complicated.

He never thinks about winning or losing.

This is precisely what sets him apart from other superstars.
-
Lynch was in a good mood after defeating the Detroit Pistons.

However, he declined a match invitation from Hollywood star Megan Fox after the game last night.

Lin Qi had previously had several petite girlfriends.

Therefore, he really didn't want the other person to experience torture beyond their tolerance, as that wouldn't bring him any pleasure.

He prefers battles that are evenly matched and enjoyable for both sides.

Moreover, there was another appointment at the Greenburg training center the following morning: Lynch had to accompany DeMar DeRozan for extra practice.

He certainly didn't want to attend the event with dark circles under his eyes.

When Lynch arrived at the Greenburg training center early in the morning, DeMar DeRozan had already started practicing, just as expected.

After half a season of dedicated training, DeMar DeRozan's three-point shooting has, to say the least, remained completely unchanged.

He simply doesn't have the talent for long-range shooting; God just doesn't give him that ability.

This is something even Lynch cannot change; it cannot be forced.

Players like Vince Carter, Jason Richardson, Zach LaVine, and Stephen Curry, who excel at both three-pointers and dunks, are a minority.

Fortunately, DeMar DeRozan has the potential to become an off-ball scorer.

Looking back at his original trajectory, DeMar DeRozan's lack of long-range shooting ability and off-ball offense is the root cause of his inability to rely solely on difficult mid-range shots and fulfill the role of a reliable second option.

As the second option, his mid-range ball-handling and hard-hitting style of play is not suitable for any superstar.

As the head of the family, his potential is not high enough.

This resulted in him being stuck in a rut throughout his career, neither achieving great success nor finding a low-level position.

But now, thanks to his early development of off-the-ball offense, DeMar DeRozan is undergoing a transformation.

His timing for cuts to the basket has become increasingly precise, and his catch-and-shoot consistency has improved day by day.

He may still not be able to become a true superstar.

But he is absolutely capable of being a much better second-in-command.

Upon seeing Lynch's arrival, DeMar DeRozan's enthusiasm for the repetitive and monotonous daily training was rekindled.

If a superstar is willing to train with you every day, what reason does he have to slack off?

Mike Malone, who always arrived early and watched Lynch and DeRozan train together every day, also felt that the King of New York led the team in a very special way.

He was so selfless.

He could easily have spent the morning basking in the company of a popular actress.

But he chose to improve together with his teammates.

If Lynch knew what Mike Malone was thinking, he would probably blush.

because
One of the reasons he can persist like this is that Lynch will receive a reward if DeMar DeRozan is selected to the All-Rookie First Team.

By personally participating in DeMar DeRozan's development, Lynch can gain a reliable teammate and enhance his own abilities, which is far more attractive than the bed of a popular actress.

After the extra practice session, DeMar DeRozan and Lynch went back to the locker room to rest.

At this point, there was still some time before the others arrived at the training center.

During this break, the two lay on the beds in the physiotherapy room and received massages to relax their muscles.

Lin Qi casually asked him how things had been lately: "Has everything been going well?"

"It's not bad. My father's mindset isn't as negative anymore, and my mother's condition is relatively stable. Coach Philip is also very kind to me, often talking to me and asking about my family."

Lying on the massage bed, Lin Qi turned his head and stared at the young but mature boy who always put his family first: "I'm asking you personally, is everything going well?"

“Of course, we’re winning almost every night; nothing could be smoother.”

Lynch felt that DeMar DeRozan wasn't telling the truth; as a young lottery pick, he must have been craving more playing time.

Especially for people like him who put in extra effort.

Nobody wants to train hard every day but not have the opportunity to showcase their abilities.

Nobody wants to be the one who trains the longest but plays the shortest amount of time.

You can hardly expect someone like Demar DeRozan, who's a quiet type, to confide his troubles to you.

So Lynch comforted him, saying, "Regarding your playing time, you're still a rookie, and we're a championship contender, so it's normal for you to start from the bench. We all recognize your ability; you just have to wait a little longer."

“I know, I’m not complaining,” he answered decisively. “Really? That’s good.”

Hearing a hint of doubt in Lynch's tone, Demar DeRozan turned his head and met Lynch's gaze with his naturally melancholic eyes.

“Listen, Lynch, I’m not a greedy person. My parents taught me from a young age to remember those who have helped us.”

So, I work so hard not because I crave playing time or any tactical role.

I'm not saying I don't want those things at all, but those aren't the main reasons I'm willing to work hard for them.

My only thought
It means it can provide positive assistance on your path to success.

My biggest dream right now is to become your most trusted helper.

You are the King of New York, and I want to be the King of New York's most loyal knight.

After saying that, he buried his head back into the massage bed.

Lin Qi chuckled but didn't respond further.

DeMar DeRozan's intentions carry the purity and sincerity unique to rookies.

Lynch knew that if this kid's talent blossomed in New York, other teams would inevitably extend offers and offer him a core position—just like Trevor Ariza did last summer.

Few people can resist such temptation.

DeMar DeRozan's idea of becoming the "most loyal knight" is too naive.

But Lynch is definitely enjoying the current atmosphere of this team.

He glanced at the eye-catching slogan on the locker room wall and closed his eyes contentedly.

At least for now, this New York Knicks team doesn't need to worry about anything other than racking up wins.

Soon, the locker room became lively, with various sounds mingling together.

Patrick Ewing complained, "Wait, DeAndre! I'm almost 50 years old, not your inflatable doll. Can't I rest for a bit before we start training?"

Steve Nash gently greeted Goran Dragic: "Goran, let's go analyze last night's game footage now, focusing on how those three mistakes of yours happened."

Ron Artest got excited again: "Hey, who wants to fight me one-on-one today? I mean boxing!"

These sounds made Lynch's blood boil.

He couldn't wait to win the next victory with this group.

In January, the New York Knicks replicated their November success, achieving their second undefeated month of the season.

With this, the New York Knicks' record reached a terrifying 44 wins and 3 losses.

More and more people believe that Lynch will lead the team to a second consecutive 70-win season.

In February, DeMar DeRozan lost to Nate Robinson at All-Star Weekend, missing out on the Slam Dunk Contest title.

But he delivered his best performance of the season so far.

He averaged 12.7 points per game this month, and his chemistry with Goran Dragic during his bench time has become a major weapon in the Knicks' rotation.

The Knicks lost two games in February, to the Spurs and the Mavericks.

But the hope of 70 wins remains.

The unbeaten home record continues.

The only team that managed to steal some attention from the New York Knicks in February was the Los Angeles Lakers.

They made a mid-season trade that could potentially change the team's fate—sending Luke Walton's expiring contract, Sasha Vujacic, and a 2014 first-round draft pick to the rebuilding Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Tayshaun Prince.

Negotiations for this deal have been protracted, starting last summer.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, aiming for a rebuild, have been hoping to acquire more first-round draft picks to form the foundation of their rebuild, but Tayshaun Prince's value is clearly far below their expectations.

The asking price for the two first-round draft picks scared away many potential buyers.

The asking price of two first-round rounds plus one second-round round is also considered an exorbitant demand.

As the season progresses, most teams are unwilling to even make a first-round pick.

Tayshaun Prince is certainly a good player, but not the kind of player most teams would be willing to give up on for the future.

But seeing the New York Knicks become increasingly unstoppable in February, Mitch Kupchak decided to go all in.

He knew that as Goran Dragic, DeMar DeRozan, and DeAndre Jordan continued to improve throughout the season, the New York Knicks would perform better and better in their rotation time.

If the Lakers don't improve their rotation depth, it's virtually impossible for them to challenge the Knicks' throne in the playoffs—Mitch Kupchak can't possibly whip Kobe, Kidd, and KG into playing 48 minutes every night, can he?
That would trigger a second Civil War!
And so, the transaction took place.

This trade finally made up for the Lakers' disappointment at failing to acquire Ron Artest last summer.

The addition of the young prince not only makes the Lakers' starting lineup look better on paper, but also makes the Lakers' rotation deeper.

Matt Barnes, the original starting small forward, may not have been an outstanding championship-caliber starter, but he was certainly an excellent championship-caliber rotation player.

When Lynch and Ron Artest formed the most terrifying defensive frontcourt in the East.

The Western Conference defensive frontline, comprised of KG and Little Prince, is also ready to torment their opponents.

In early March, the New York Knicks perpetrated a bloody tragedy in Minneapolis.

They crushed the Timberwolves 122-63, tying the second-largest margin of victory in NBA history.

This game made Sam Presti very happy, even though he was at home in New York.

Because in the live broadcast, he saw Timberwolves general manager David Kahn's expression was twisted and uncomfortable, as if he had swallowed a whole fly.

This guy, who once tried to blackmail Sam Presti during the draft, watched as his pick, Jonny Flynn, went 3-for-10 and DeMar DeRozan scored 15 points. He was practically itching to shove Jonny Flynn's head into the slackline floor!

By selecting a worse player with a higher draft pick, David Kahn's first draft as an NBA team general manager practically exposed his lack of intelligence.

He intended to trick his opponent, but ended up falling into the trap himself.

Minneapolis fans couldn't help but joke, "If David Kahn calls you for a trade, it means your time to shine has come."

The jokes weren't meant to make people laugh, but Kahn was hilarious.

But what angered him most was not Johnny Flynn's terrible performance.

It was a sentence he blurted out at a press conference.

"To be honest, the moment the New York Knicks stepped onto the court, I felt like we were doomed tonight. The pressure was unbearable, you wouldn't understand."

What did Johnny Flynn do wrong?
He was just telling the truth.

When you face a team that has lost five games this season and is undefeated at home.

When you're facing a team whose starting lineup includes a brutal superstar, a guy who elbows more than he scores, and a freak who's always licking his hands.

It's hard not to feel fear.

After defeating the Timberwolves, the New York Knicks returned to New York from the snow-covered streets of Minneapolis, ready to face another tough battle to defend their undefeated home record.

This time, they are visiting the Los Angeles Lakers, who have won eight straight games since the trade and even defeated the Knicks once in the Christmas Day game.

When Kobe Bryant got off the plane, he was already surrounded by New York reporters at the airport.

Inevitably, the reporters' questions involved TyShon Prince and Ron Artest.

"Kobe, who do you think will be a greater help to the Los Angeles Lakers, Ron or Tayshaun? Can Tayshaun's addition make up for the impact of Ron's initial rejection?"

Kobe took off his sunglasses because he wanted Ron Artest to see his displeased, icy gaze.

“Taishan is great, this question is very, very disrespectful to him.”

All I can say is that joining the New York Knicks was the worst decision Ron Artest ever made.

Kobe held a grudge about it.

Because Ron Artest was one of the few players Kobe personally called to recruit, he directly rejected him.

He would never forget what Ron Artest said when he rejected him.

"I respect you, Kobe, but to be honest, I can't refuse Lynch's call."

That made the proud Kobe Bryant feel utterly humiliated.

Ron Artest's words imply that he believes Lynch is a better player and leader.

He has already beaten the Knicks once in the Christmas Day game.

Next, Kobe will lead this stronger Lakers team to show Ron Artest what's what.

Whose call should he refuse?