Champion Rules

Chapter 252, Section 248: You Can Become the First Dream Team Player Preparing for the 2010 World Championships (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Ray Allen lay alone on the floor, and not a single Magic player stopped to help him up.

Everyone rushed forward like arrows released from a bow, preparing for the next wave of attack.

Only Rashad Lewis, quick-thinking and abruptly stopping, turned back and bent down to pull his old teammate up.

Although Rashard Lewis also came from humble beginnings, he was one of the few players in the league who got along well with Ray Allen.

In Ray Allen's words, "Rashad is the smartest teammate I've ever had. He thinks for himself and improves on his own. He's quiet and a bit introverted, but he'll never abandon you."

Ray Allen took Rashad Lewis's hand, stood up, and didn't complain.

He knew that one victory could solve all the problems.

A victory at Madison Square Garden, in particular, was enough to transform the entire team, and I believe they can truly challenge the New York Knicks' throne.

At that time, all conflicts and disagreements will be a thing of the past.

So he gritted his teeth and once again transformed into a tireless, ballless ghost, continuously creating interference and temptations on Lynch's defensive radar.

Hedo Turkoglu once again fed the ball to Dwight Howard, who had a one-on-one opportunity. Howard's movements abandoned all the fancy moves and became more brutal and simple.

A fierce back slam opened up space, and then he was lifted up on the spot, the zombie's little hook hand falling into the net.

The Knicks' strategy was to gamble that Howard's offense wouldn't kill the game, but tonight, with Tyson Chandler in foul trouble, Dwight Howard's firepower proved difficult to contain.

DeAndre Jordan was disappointed; in his second season as a professional, he had already witnessed several nights where Tyson Chandler was in foul trouble.

But whenever the team truly needs him to step up and fill the void, his performance always falls short of expectations, leaving everyone disappointed.

He dreamed of becoming an NBA starter one day, but now that dream seemed far away, leaving only his heavy breathing and helplessness under the basket.

The Magic regained a two-point lead, and Lynch was double-teamed again on the next possession.

Despite the double blockade, Lin Qi still managed to pull up and, above the fingertips of the two men who were struggling to raise their hands, delivered a signature elegant fadeaway jump shot that went in smoothly.

Don't ask why Lynch didn't pass the ball; the answer is that he, like LeBron James, trusts every one of his teammates, including the second-best shooting guard in the East.

Believing he won't make the shot, how is that not a form of trust?
The Knicks tied the score again, and Lynch's performance was unparalleled.

But Philip Sanders still frowned.

Currently, DeShawn Stevenson is completely unable to solve the offensive problems at the shooting guard position, causing Lynch to frequently find himself double-teamed.

Although Lynch can still score, his scoring bursts will be greatly limited under these circumstances.

This makes it difficult for the team to widen the score gap and accumulate a decisive lead.

Flip Saunders' gaze involuntarily fell on DeMar DeRozan again. In the first half, he had occasional flashes of brilliance on the offensive end, but several slips and misjudgments on the defensive end were heavy questions in the coach's mind at this moment.

Can this young, sharp blade truly unleash its potential in the playoffs and live up to expectations?

Just as Philip Sanders was pondering this, a thunderous roar erupted over the stadium.

Dwight Howard, like a raging beast, once again forcefully pushed aside DeAndre Jordan, rising from the ground to deliver a powerful one-handed dunk!

After scoring, Dwight Howard pounded his chest and roared, while DeAndre Jordan simply picked up the ball silently. His fighting spirit and momentum seemed to have been almost completely crushed by the successive heavy blows.

In the ensuing fierce battle, Lynch continued to display his offensive prowess, complemented by Steve Nash's agile playmaking and some sporadic attacks. The Knicks, like clinging to a piece of driftwood in a raging torrent, were never dragged into the abyss of defeat by the Magic.

But the Orlando players also showed steely resilience, with Dwight Howard playing with ease on offense. The score remained close, and although the Magic trailed for a long time, they never teetered on the brink of collapse.

Now, there are only two ways to change the situation.

First, reduce Dwight Howard's scoring efficiency.

Secondly, improve Lynch's already impressive scoring efficiency.

If you were to compare Dwight Howard and Lynch's scoring explosiveness in one-on-one situations, Lynch would definitely be the winner.

These two sentences may seem like nonsense, but putting them into practice is extremely difficult.

A conflict broke out on the court halfway through the third quarter.

Steve Nash was dribbling on the wing when DeShawn Stevenson rushed over to set a screen, knocking Michael Pietrus over and attempting to dribble him directly!

Just in the previous round, when Michael Pietrus was driving past Nash, his elbow intentionally or unintentionally rose and hit Nash in the face.

Seeing that the referee remained unmoved, DeShawn Stevenson decided to seek justice for Nash in his own way.

As one of the top players in the league in off-ball offense, DeShawn Stevenson taught Michael Pietrus a lesson with a textbook example of off-ball play.

Although he went 1-for-4 tonight, DeShawn Stevenson's off-ball offensive talent and skill are beyond question, whether it's his unpredictable off-ball movement, his timing, or his decisiveness in creating scoring opportunities.
The tension on the field flared instantly, with players from both sides surging towards the center of the conflict like a tidal wave, colliding violently, and shouting and shoving filling the air.

Only one person remained unaffected—DeAndre Jordan, who was thoroughly outmaneuvered by Dwight Howard.

He simply stared blankly at the boiling vortex from afar, his feet seemingly nailed to the ground, without the slightest thought of participating.

It wasn't until the referees painstakingly formed a human wall to separate the angry sides that Magic head coach Stan Van Gundy decisively called a timeout, pouring some calm water on the overheated players.

However, the Magic were under heavy pressure from the Knicks throughout the second half, but the spark of their chance to turn the tide had not yet been extinguished.

How could Stan Van Gundy tolerate his players squandering this hard-won chance to win due to a moment of impulsiveness?
DeAndre Jordan dragged his heavy steps toward the bench, and just as he was about to sit down and catch his breath, a roar exploded in his ears like thunder.

"Get out of here! You have no right to sit here!"
The team's legendary center coach, Patrick Ewing, dressed in a suit, suddenly stretched out his iron arms, which had torn apart countless rims, and shoved DeAndre Jordan away.

The gorilla's sudden outburst startled everyone. Although he was known for his fierce and explosive personality during his playing days, he has always presented a gentle and patient image since becoming an assistant coach.

Even when DeAndre Jordan performed poorly in training, the gorilla had never roared with such a ferocious expression.

DeAndre Jordan stood frozen in place, like a wild beast struck dumb, his hands outstretched in bewilderment.

He had no idea what happened.

Patrick Ewing remained agitated and continued to try to pounce on DeAndre Jordan. Knicks players had to restrain him, drawing him back into the conflict.

In the commentary booth, Mike Brin was momentarily speechless.

The first half has just been played, and now there's a timeout. Is there a second half?
At that moment, what chilled DeAndre Jordan even more was that another voice, as cold and angry as if cast in steel, suddenly exploded beside him.

Charles Oakley, arguably the most mild-mannered player in New York Knicks history and a close friend of Ewing, had somehow materialized and stood like a towering figure in the front row of the stands, a long-absent fierce glint in his eyes.
"Patrick, what happened? Do you need help?!"

The spirit of the New York mob is fully embodied at this moment.

If there is a stand, I will return when summoned.

But they will return even if not summoned!
The cameras on site greedily captured this once-in-a-century spectacle.

Players fighting each other? Fans have seen it all before.

Coaches reprimanding players? That's commonplace.

But a three-way battle involving players, coaching staff, and team legends—this is a scene no one has ever seen before!
Ron Artest laughed as he tried to break up the fight.

He has said more than once that in his hometown of New York, he is considered a very normal person.

The conflict eventually subsided, with DeAndre Jordan being pulled to the bench by Lynch. Ron Artest and Amir Johnson were responsible for holding the gorilla down, and the stadium security personnel also escorted the kind-faced Charles Oakley back to his seat.

Philip Sanders was getting angry: "Patrick, can you tell me what you're doing?!"

Lynch's control over the team's locker room has always been impeccable. Whether it was Ben Gordon, Raja Bell, or Ron Artest, none of these troublemakers ever caused any problems in the locker room led by Lynch.

Therefore, Flip Saunders never had to worry about locker room issues.

But he never expected that a rebellious old boy would suddenly appear in the coaching staff.

Patrick Ewing didn't respond to the coach's question at all. His eyes, burning with anger, were fixed on the dejected DeAndre Jordan, and his voice was still high with rage: "You coward! You're just wasting my time!"

"No! This is not only a waste of my time, but also a waste of your own hard work!"
What are you working so hard for every day? Is it to be dejected after conceding a goal? Is it to stand idly by while others bully your teammates?

Yes, he scored. He's fucking Dwight Howard, of course he can score!

Regardless of whether the opponent scores or not, we must maintain our toughness!

I've always been watching you, Deandre, through every training session and every match.

I have poured all my experience and expectations into you. I look forward to seeing you stand up against a formidable foe and respond like a warrior.

But where are you?
This is not just De'Andrei's weakness, this is betrayal!
You betrayed the sweat you shed, you betrayed the body you toiled day and night, and you betrayed me and your teammates!
You still want to establish yourself here? Keep dreaming about starting!
"Serves you right for falling out of the lottery, you idiot!"

Patrick Ewing's outburst was obvious; he was extremely disappointed with DeAndre Jordan's performance.

As a player who was mentored by John Thompson in college and then met Pat Riley in the NBA, Patrick Ewing believed in toughness and grit throughout his basketball career.

This basketball creed is deeply ingrained in his bones.

For him, success or failure was secondary; cowardice was intolerable.

Since joining the Knicks coaching staff, he has worked closely with DeAndre Jordan, and is eager to mold Jordan into a tough guy who protects the New York paint.

This is not only about duty, but also reflects his personal regret of never winning a championship.

He has never won a championship throughout his entire career, and even now, this remains the biggest regret of his life.

Even now, he still longs to use his wisdom and influence to personally lift a championship trophy.

The Knicks won the championship last season, but he felt he hadn't done enough.

Tyson Chandler is mature enough that he would be excellent even without his coaching.

All he could do was help DeAndre Jordan grow from a boy into a man.

DeAndre Jordan became his spiritual embodiment, playing an important role in his championship journey.

However, at this moment, this avatar collapsed with a crash.

Patrick Ewing's efforts have failed once again.

He seems destined to never win a championship.

The early morning light and the lights that kept people practicing until late at night now seemed to have turned into sharp mockery.

They mocked his incompetence.

After venting his frustrations with a loud roar, Patrick Ewing took a deep breath, calmed down slightly, and leaned back weakly in his chair.

His weary gaze swept across the bustling stadium and landed on the champion banners fluttering atop the Madison Square Garden dome.

Since Lynch arrived, there have been quite a few champion banners on the dome of Madison Square Garden.

However, none of those glorious lights belonged to Patrick Ewing.

Philip Sanders patted Ewing on the shoulder to comfort him, then made the decision to reinstate Tyson Chandler, who had four fouls.

The game is still going on, and he doesn't have time to comfort everyone right now.

At the same time, he also brought in DeMar DeRozan.

“Demar, if they double-team Lynch, punish them with your offense and break their double-team! Don’t rush or get nervous when defending Ray Allen. Be patient. He’s just a 35-year-old guy who’s nearing the end of his career, understand?!”

DeMar DeRozan stood up and took off his training clothes.

Lynch glanced up at the young figure and completely understood Patrick Ewing's bitterness and disappointment.

Because at this moment, he also carries the expectations for DeMar DeRozan.

Last season, Lynch also devoted himself to supporting DeMar DeRozan and helping him grow.

If he acts cowardly, Lynch will be greatly disappointed.

Fortunately, this usually quiet young man did not back down at the crucial moment; his response to the coach was unwavering:

"I did my best, Coach!"

DeShawn Stevenson clapped his hands: "You're definitely not as good as me, kid, but I am a star player after all. Don't put so much pressure on yourself."

Demar de Rozan smiled.

Many people misunderstand Stevenson and think he is a complete idiot.

No, he's definitely a good teammate.

When DeMar DeRozan saw someone like Stevenson shamelessly boasting, he immediately felt no pressure at all.

The game restarted, and Dwight Howard laughed gleefully: "That was quite a show, Lynch."

Lin Qi scoffed: "Believe me, the real show is just beginning."

Ray Allen quickly glanced at the Knicks' lineup on the court—as expected, the opponent had adjusted their shooting guard position again.

DeShawn Stevenson's lackluster offense frequently put Lynch in double teams, so the Knicks will definitely have to make more substitutions.

DeMar DeRozan's mid-range shooting is indeed more reliable, which could theoretically relieve Lynch's offensive pressure.

But the brief matchup in the first half convinced Ray Allen that he could easily score against this young man with little defensive experience.

The Magic are on offense, and Ray Allen is making a quick run.

DeMar DeRozan focused intently on following behind him, bypassing Dwight Howard's off-ball screen.

Just as Ray Allen braked and slowed down to receive the ball, he suddenly made a reverse run, accelerating past DeMar DeRozan.

DeMar DeRozan's defensive awareness isn't particularly good, and although the Knicks have been working on improving that aspect of his game, it's not something that can be done overnight.

Facing a cunning off-the-ball master like Ray Allen, he would inevitably be left behind.

Seeing the opportunity, Ray Allen calmly received the ball in an open position, pulled up and shot!

However, DeRozan, who did not give up after being shaken off, suddenly unleashed an amazing leaping ability, jumping so high that his fingertips almost blocked Ray Allen's view of the shot.

The biggest difference between defense and offense is that a tenacious fighting spirit can bridge some of the talent gap.

"Boom!"

With a crisp clang, Ray Allen's open three-point jump shot bounced off the front of the rim despite DeMar DeRozan's relentless interference.

The Magic missed a golden opportunity to take the lead.

Steve Nash controlled the ball halfway and quickly passed it to Lynch, who was backing down and leaning against Rashard Lewis in the mid-range.

Ray Allen hesitated for a moment, but still chose to double-team.

Lynch passed the ball as expected, and Gentleman Ray quickly covered the gap.

DeRozan raised the basketball, and Ray Allen jumped up to contest it.

DeRozan, however, retrieved the ball, dribbled past his opponent, and attacked the basket!

Dwight Howard was already getting excited; a single shot would definitely shatter the rookie's confidence.

DeRozan took off with great effort; his jumping ability and speed are excellent, but Dwight Howard is truly exceptional in this regard!
Although he was a center, he leaped into the air faster than DeRozan, his thick arms firmly covering the rim.

At the same time, Rashard Lewis also came to help defend under the basket, raising his arms and jumping up.

He couldn't block DeRozan, but he blocked DeRozan's space to change from a high-flying position to a pass in mid-air.

DeRozan was completely locked in mid-air, like a bird in a cage.

But he turned in mid-air towards the baseline, slipped under Dwight Howard's arm, slid to the other side of the basket, and scored with a layup off the backboard!

The New York Knicks regained a 3-point lead, and the cheers at Madison Square Garden had no chance to stop.

DeRozan didn't do any celebration; he simply retreated quickly on defense.

However, on the sidelines, Philip Sanders could not contain his excitement—DeRozan, though not yet Lynch's top helper, was already showing great potential.

The Magic launched a counterattack, with Dwight Howard attempting to continue his strong drives to the basket, but Tyson Chandler's defense was more solid than DeAndre Jordan's.

He withstood Dwight Howard's charge and, just as the opponent was about to combine for a shot, stole the ball, temporarily halting the Magic's offensive momentum.

At this moment, Ray Allen was struggling internally.

He didn't know whether he should let go of that rookie from the Knicks.

Compared to when he first entered the league, DeRozan's off-ball offense has matured considerably.

They were able to respond more calmly to the opponent's counterattack.

DeMar DeRozan's improvement is remarkable, rising from less than 7 points per game at the beginning of the season to 11.2 points per game by the end of the season.

In his highest-scoring game, DeMar DeRozan scored 25 points.

Therefore, recklessly letting go of his funds is not a wise choice.

Time is passing, and the opportunity cannot be missed.

Ray Allen ultimately made a conservative but reluctant decision—to keep a close watch on DeMar DeRozan.

Philip Sanders clenched his fist instantly, his knuckles turning white.

The opportunity is coming!

After a long and arduous battle, the defensive shackles were finally broken, and Lynch—the greatest basketball player on the planet—gained the much-anticipated one-on-one stage!

Go, Lynch! Tear their lines apart!

Let the people of Orlando taste the true, overwhelming fury of the league's number one player!

Now, let them see what unstoppable dominance really means!
Destroy them!!!

Lynch got the ball, and annoying Ray Allen didn't come any closer.

The only obstacle standing between him and the basket was the tall, thin, and wiry Rashard Lewis. Lynch smiled, lowered his center of gravity, and drove straight to the basket.

Rashard Lewis's one-on-one defense posed no threat to Lynch; he even dared to dribble in front of him.

Before entering Dwight Howard's help defense range, Lynch stopped abruptly, his assistant shoved Lewis, and then took a step back.

After this sequence, Lynch had gained enough space to shoot.

The Turkish player, Hidal Tkoglü, came up to cover, but it was too late.

If we say that in previous games, Lynch could only suppress the Magic,

From this moment on, Lin Qi will shove their heads into the ground!
"Shh!"

The crowd cheered, and on the sidelines, Spike Lee and Ray Allen unleashed a torrent of trash talk: "I made you the protagonist in 'He Got Game,' but at Madison Square Garden, the protagonist can only be Lynch!"

Ray Allen, usually known for his composure, was practically grinding his teeth to powder. His old friend Spike Lee's mockery felt like a poisonous thorn piercing his extremely sensitive nerves!

An impatient Dwight Howard, holding his breath, continued to raise his arms high and roar for the ball deep in the low post.

He wouldn't mind going toe-to-toe with Lynch for an entire game.

But he was clearly overthinking it.

In terms of defensive impact, peak Dwight Howard could indeed rival Lynch.

Offensively, however, the distance between him and Lynch is comparable to the distance between LeBron James and Travel—no matter how they move, it's an unreachable goal for them.

Howard tried to use his speed to break through Chandler in this one-on-one fight, but failed and could only resort to a zombie hook.

The basketball slammed against the hard, cold front edge of the rim. Howard's hook shot was somewhat threatening, but it wasn't very consistent.

"Damn it! You bastard!" Dwight Howard cursed in frustration as he stared at the basketball bouncing off the rim, his anger surging within him.

Lynch wouldn't let this opportunity to add fuel to the fire pass by.

"Don't be so angry, Dwight. Look on the bright side. The starting lineup for the World Championships is first come, first served. Trust me, you'll definitely be in Las Vegas before Tyson. Even if you take a hard seat to get there, the starting lineup is still yours."

"Nonsense! Of course I'm a starter!" Howard roared furiously like a beast whose tail had been stepped on. "Just wait! I'll not only beat you in the NBA, but I'll also crush you again at the World Championships!"

"Sorry, Dwight, I don't have such lofty ambitions. I'm already quite content with dominating a regional league like the NBA. As for major events like the World Championship, I'll leave them to guys like you who have never won a gold medal in a major international competition."

Dwight Howard was furious, and Lynch took advantage of that anger, deliberately driving straight to the basket on his next offensive play, drawing a foul from Howard.

Rashad Lewis covered his head with his hands; he was completely powerless to stop Lynch's breakthrough, and despair and shame gnawed at him simultaneously.

He has never been a striker known for his defense.

This regular season, Kevin Garnett's two highest-scoring games were both over Rashard Lewis.

Kevin Garnett is considered one of the superstars with relatively poor ability to overcome physical defenses.

Rashad Lewis couldn't even handle KG, let alone Lynch.

Lynch stepped to the free-throw line, and the MVP chants violently assaulted the eardrums and nerves of every Magic player.

After making both free throws, the Knicks had a 7-point lead.

That double-digit point difference, symbolizing the psychological barrier, is now within reach!

DeMar DeRozan had barely created a little space for Lynch when the oppressive aura emanating from Lynch spread throughout the arena.

Ray Allen's next mid-range jumper helped the Magic pull back two points, but DeMar DeRozan immediately responded with a mid-range answer from almost the same spot, punishing Ray Allen's decision to double-team Lynch again.

DeAndre Jordan looked at DeMar DeRozan, who was completely trusted on the court, and then buried his head in shame.

Tonight, he and DeRozan seemed like mirror images standing on opposite ends of the scales of fate.

One seized the opportunity and shone brightly.

One seized the opportunity and pulled it all over the ground.

Ray Allen wanted to continue attacking DeRozan, but Dwight Howard was clearly impatient.

He was eager to regain his lost face; Tyson Chandler, that good-for-nothing, should be taking a hard-seat train to Las Vegas!

After receiving the ball, he forcefully lowered his shoulder and headbutted Tyson Chandler. For Chandler, backing down was no different than a simple back-to-the-basket move. Being either fast or powerful is more effective than any skill.

Howard had just started to exert himself when the whistle blew sharply.

Although the free-throw line is his eternal nightmare, getting free throw opportunities is also key to keeping the score close.

He excitedly pounded his chest, venting his frustration.

As Howard was hammering away, he heard the referee yell at the scorer's table: "Magic's number 12 has committed an offensive foul!"

Howard:? ? ?

Next, Tyson Chandler pounded his chest and roared in anger.

Since he entered the game, Dwight Howard's offensive efficiency has plummeted.

If Dwight Howard has a reliable defender to contain him, his offensive efficiency will never be comparable to that of the dominant Lynch.

Possession changed, and the Knicks attacked again. Lynch used a brilliant off-ball screen to shake off Rashard Lewis and calmly took a three-pointer.

Lynch gave the Magic no chance to breathe; he was determined to extend the lead to double digits!

"Shh!"

Mike Breen, who had already raised his arms early, roared, "Lynch, your 31st point! Can the Orlando Magic cut the deficit to single digits before the start of the fourth quarter?!"

Ray Allen glanced at the scoreboard, then looked at Dwight Howard, who had just committed a foolish foul.

He really wanted to go up to it and calm the giant beast down so it could focus on the game.

But he ultimately did not move.

He chose to remain silent.

Because the communication channels between him and Dwight Howard had long been blocked by both parties.

He knew that a powerful and vigorous monster at its peak wouldn't listen to him.

Ray Allen glanced at Lynch, who was high-fiving his teammates, and let out a barely perceptible sigh.

Good players are not uncommon in this world and in this league.

But good leaders are few and far between.

Throughout his career, Ray Allen considers himself a good player for a long time.

But he never had a single day where he could be a good leader.

Ray Allen felt somewhat tired and frustrated.

The Magic's roster on paper is indeed strong, and Dwight Howard is exceptionally talented.

But without a leader to guide this team, can they beat the New York Knicks?

Stan Van Gundy did not pause the game because he had not yet come up with a solution.

The Magic had no choice but to grit their teeth and continue their attack.

The referee blew his whistle again, and this time the one who committed the foul was Tyson Chandler.

When Dwight Howard cut inside and received the ball, he burst forward, forcing him to jump and block.

In order to prevent Dwight Howard from scoring a 2+1, his fouls must be aggressive enough to ensure that the opponent cannot score in a physical confrontation.

Before the fourth quarter even began, Tyson Chandler had already committed his fifth foul of the night.

Howard stepped up to the free-throw line, swearing: "Get off the court, you bastard! Your game is over! Hey, why don't you just go to Las Vegas right now?!"

Tyson Chandler, panting heavily, said to Lynch with a helpless expression, "You know, I had no choice just now."

Lynch nodded: "Nobody's blaming you, buddy."

Coach Flip Saunders frowned; Tyson Chandler was his key piece in containing Dwight Howard.

But now he has five fouls, and the game is not even in the fourth quarter yet, so he has to substitute Chandler.

He turned to look at DeAndre Jordan, who had just been reprimanded by Patrick Ewing, only to find that the guy was also staring at him with burning eyes, waiting for a summons.

Philip Sanders waved his hand: "DeAndre, replace Tyson."

DeAndre Jordan immediately stood up and walked towards the scorer's table.

As he passed Ewing, who was standing on the sidelines with a livid face and was clearly utterly disappointed in him, he paused slightly.

"Our names will be written on the championship banner, I promise."

On the court, Dwight Howard's first free throw hit the front edge of the rim.

Ray Allen felt nauseous. How could anyone in this world do something as simple as shooting so badly?
Tyson Chandler left the court, and DeAndre Jordan stepped back onto the wooden floor of Madison Square Garden.

On the Magic's bench, Stan Van Gundy breathed a sigh of relief.

That newbie has absolutely no chance of stopping Warcraft.

In this way, the game will fall into a situation where neither side can defend against the other.

At least, the point difference won't widen any further.

On his second free throw, Howard maintained his touch, but the ball missed again.

DeAndre Jordan immediately positioned himself and secured the rebound.

In the next possession, Lynch's mid-range turnaround jumper missed, giving the Magic their best chance to close the gap to single digits.

The Magic immediately launched a counterattack, with Hedo Turkoglu dribbling the ball at high speed, trying to find an opportunity to quickly narrow the gap.

But the Knicks' defensive discipline was extremely strong; everyone quickly got into position without any hesitation.

The Magic were forced into positional warfare.

Ultimately, the ball reached the basket and was passed to Dwight Howard, who was deep in the paint.

He received the ball with his back to the goal, full of confidence.

That second-year rookie was practically his toy. And that Jordan from Chicago? What Jordan are you talking about?
"boom!"

Dwight Howard unleashed a powerful attack, but the expected easy victory did not materialize.

After being knocked back a small step, DeAndre Jordan immediately gritted his teeth and pressed on, his legs like steel nails driven into the floor, refusing to give an inch.

Ewing's roar, his own vows, and the humiliation of being looked down upon all transformed into surging energy, continuously flowing into his body.

"Bang!" Howard exerted his strength a second time, but DeAndre Jordan still used his chest to defend himself, raising his arms high to block the air and not giving him any angle to shoot.

"Oh shit!!!"

The already impatient Dwight Howard couldn't believe he couldn't shake off this damn rookie. He forced a back turn, elbowed DeAndre Jordan in the stomach, and attacked the basket without shaking off his opponent at all.

But the arm that covered the sky swung precisely, and with a "smack," a clean and crisp block slammed Dwight Howard's layup directly onto the backboard!

"Roar—!" Patrick Ewing roared from the sidelines, pumping his fist in frustration, his ferocious face contorted with excited approval. "Well done, DeAndre! Damn, well done!"

After making the block, DeAndre Jordan held onto the ball steadily during the contest.

This strong defensive rebound and block not only ruined the Magic's chance to catch up, but also acted like a shot in the arm for the Knicks' team.

The entire Knicks team knew perfectly well that as long as they extinguished Dwight Howard's last spark of brilliance, and as long as DeAndre Jordan could shoulder the heavy defensive burden—

The Magic's death knell will sound right now!
Now is the time for Lynch to respond to this trust and take up the banner of leadership.

DeMar DeRozan has carved a bloody path for him, tearing apart the defense.

DeAndre Jordan also became a rock in the paint, pinning the rampaging monster to the cage.

And he needs to send the Orlando Magic to hell for his teammates!

Lynch didn't hold back on the next attack. He cut along the baseline, received a bounce pass from Nash, and then, facing Dwight Howard, paddled the ball up with a layup.

When the score difference reached 12 points, Stan Van Gundy finally called a timeout, but it was too late.

The New York Knicks have completely taken off.

In basketball, momentum doesn't come overnight.

It comes from DeMar DeRozan's response to Ray Allen.

A block by DeAndre Jordan on Dwight Howard.

The super lever from Lynch lives up to expectations.

A team has many opportunities to break the opponent's momentum.

But when those chances of survival are missed one by one, one must bear the consequences.

What you will face is this raging tide and judgment that will burn everything.

This is not something that can be solved by simply pausing.

After the match, both sides switched to transitional lineups.

For the Knicks, Steve Nash and Tyson Chandler were both substituted out.

On the Magic's side, Rashard Lewis and Michael Pietrus also left the court one after the other.

Despite the changing roster, the Knicks' boiling blood and roaring will have never cooled down.

When Dwight Howard charged into the mud again with the ball, he found that DeAndre Jordan was a completely different player!

Those usual shoulder strikes, savage charges, and bluffing roars could not stir a ripple in the young man's heart at this moment, nor could they shake the iron-blooded bulwark he had built.

Completely disoriented and mentally unstable, Howard couldn't even shake off DeAndre Jordan's entanglement. In despair, he forced himself to rise and attempted to dunk over the newly formed iron gate.

As expected, Dwight Howard was met with an even more ferocious and brutal second ban from DeAndre Jordan!

Beneath the basket, the giant shadow crashed to the ground!
If Ray Allen had previously only been disappointed with Warcraft...

At that moment, he completely gave up on Dwight Howard.

He knew that defeating the New York Knicks was just wishful thinking.

He will absolutely not be in the Orlando Magic's locker room next season.

Lynch ended the third quarter with a buzzer-beating mid-range jumper, giving the Knicks a 15-point lead heading into the fourth quarter.

In the final quarter, Dwight Howard's mental block grew like weeds. Instead of punishing the transformed DeAndre Jordan with brute force, he lost his composure on the defensive end, committing a series of foolish fouls.

Lynch, who got the chance to play one-on-one, consistently delivered a strong performance, making all the team's efforts worthwhile. He transformed the sweat, roars, and blood of every teammate into the strongest notes of this resounding victory.

The gap widened relentlessly in despair.

Ray Allen made three three-pointers in a single quarter, but those three-pointers were like shooting stars—bright enough, but unable to illuminate the entire night sky.

As the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the game, Lynch scored 46 points, and the New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Orlando Magic 112-97.

Dwight Howard had 32 points and 16 rebounds, but only scored 4 points in the crucial fourth quarter.

Ray Allen scored 28 points, but he is no longer the gentlemanly swordsman who could single-handedly change the course of a game.

After this game, the Orlando Magic's fate was predictable.

Because this New York Knicks team is in such excellent form.

It's not just Lynch, the pillar of heaven, nor just Nash, the serpent of life.

Instead, rookies like DeAndre Jordan and DeMar DeRozan are also ready to take the field and fight in the playoffs.

When this 74-win team plays like this, they can conquer everything.

After the game ended, Ray Allen left the court immediately, while Dwight Howard's anger subsided like the tide, and he even put on his signature carefree smile again, taking the initiative to hug Lynch.

Lin Qi had never seen such a rapid change in expression.

This scene made an absurd question cross Lynch's mind—who was happier, the Happy Beast during this period or the Happy King during his Lakers era?

“Fuck, Fuck Lynch, conquering this place is no easy feat. Tonight has truly broken my heart.” Howard approached him.

One shouldn't hit a smiling face, so Lin Qi had no choice but to politely return the hug.

"Don't be so sad, Dwight, at least..."
You could be the first Dream Team player preparing for the 2010 World Championships.

Dwight Howard smiled even more broadly.

His loud laughter reached Ray Allen's ears, who was still not far away, and violently stirred up his proud nerves.

He vowed that he would never want to associate with such a shameless, immature, and childish man-child again.

His next destination must be a team with a truly mature leader.

For example, San Antonio, for example, Miami, for example
Ray Allen shook his head vigorously, as if trying to shake off the distracting thoughts along with the blue of the magic.

(It's late, but it's here. It's late because there's only one two-in-one today, so I'm just offering a 10,000-word summary.)

(End of this chapter)