Champion Rules

Chapter 255, Section 251: Not four games, not three games, not two games. (Seeking monthly votes!)
LeBron James hasn't been this confident at Madison Square Garden in a long time.

Having the ball in his hands is his favorite way to play. Although his first pass was intercepted, it didn't matter.

That's only a quarter of the average turnovers per game!
Carmelo Anthony seemed completely unfazed by his recent mistake.

He only saw LeBron James' renewed enthusiasm on the defensive end.

In the adult world, everything has a price.

To find good players, you have to be willing to spend money; to get good defense, you have to be willing to give up possession of the ball.

As long as LeBron James can play good defense, occasional mistakes are acceptable.

Looking at LeBron, James arrogantly held up four fingers, and Lynch was very curious about where he got the confidence to talk to him like that.

Looking back at their 28 matchups over the past six seasons, LeBron couldn't even put on a truly "good game" against Lynch—a loss certainly doesn't count as a good game, no matter how impressive his individual stats were. Because in basketball, there's never a situation where one team loses while the other doesn't.

In the only game where LBJ won against Lynch, he didn't play well individually.

After six years of struggling to put together a single decent match, they now dare to boast that they will put on four "good shows" in the series?
LeBron's confidence is simply baffling.

When Lynch saw LBJ once again take on the role of point guard and cross half-court, he understood why LBJ was so confident.

For some reason, the Detroit Pistons suddenly started letting LeBron James control the ball.

This is precisely the style of play he is most familiar with and most comfortable with.

Several very sudden and unexpected things have happened in NBA history.

In 2025, Damian Lillard returned to the Portland Trail Blazers, becoming teammates with Young Hansen. Suddenly, Damian Lillard's status as one of the top 75 players among Chinese fans was legitimized.

In 2025, without any trade rumors, the Lakers suddenly traded Anthony Davis for Luka Doncic, a top-ten player in the league.

Another example is in 2011, after LeBron James's 8-point performance in that Finals game, he suddenly became the Heat's absolute core player.

Regarding the incident in 2011, everyone knows that it was due to Dwyane Wade's self-sacrifice and a bit of foolishness.

Otherwise, it's hard to explain why someone can dominate a team with just 8 points in a single game, or why he became a "living father" with his grandson's performance. Many people say that LBJ never dominated any superstar throughout his career, which is obviously a blatant attempt to criticize him. LBJ at least dominated Dwyane Wade in his era.

Therefore, Lynch didn't understand why the Detroit Pistons would also let LeBron James be the ball-handling core.

In this timeline, Carmelo Anthony certainly has a strong team spirit, but with two championship rings already in hand, he couldn't possibly be more foolish than The Flash, could he?
LBJ can't possibly run into idiots every time, can he?

Lynch didn't dwell on it, and LeBron James continued his performance.

After calling for Ben Wallace to set a screen, LBJ didn't gamble on his shooting touch like he does in the regular season. Instead, he bounced the ball to the rolling Ben Wallace the moment an opening appeared.

Tyson Chandler turned around immediately, but it was too late.

Ben Wallace's two-handed dunk seemed to transport the fans at Madison Square Garden back four or five years to the peak of the Pistons' "Big Five" era.

Carmelo Anthony pumped his fist: "Well done, LeBron!"

After receiving praise from his teammates, LeBron James was like a bull on steroids.

The moment Lynch received the ball, number 6 quickly double-teamed Carmelo Anthony.

Allowing Ron Artest to shoot threes has proven effective in the regular season.

The main reason they still lost was that the Knicks' defense was stronger, and some of Lynch's tough plays were just too incredible.

But Lynch can't always pull off incredible plays, while LBJ, who was given performance-enhancing drugs by Carmelo Anthony, can retaliate wildly in every round.

Despite being double-teamed, Lynch remained calm and passed the ball to Ron Artest from the high post.

Based on the accuracy he showed during warm-up, whether he's a basketball player or a troublemaker, Lin Qi is willing to give him another try.

Ron Artest received the ball steadily and bravely shot against LeBron James's fast, almost face-to-face defense.

The Nets surged as Ron Artest sank a three-pointer!

But the Pistons didn't care, with Lionel Hollins insisting that the core logic of the team's defensive strategy was correct.

As long as you can force Lynch to pass the ball, your defense is successful.

With Deron Williams able to limit Steve Nash, Lynch's output is restricted, leaving others with no choice but to shoot haphazardly.

So he clapped his hands and gave a thumbs up: "Well done, LeBron, keep up the defense."

LeBron James now feels that he is only one championship away from being as good as Michael Jordan.

Regardless of why 1 > 6, LeBron simply feels that he is just as important to the Detroit Pistons as MJ was to the Bulls back in the day.

On both offense and defense, he controlled the overall situation with absolute dominance.

He was utterly captivated by this feeling of being all-encompassing and in control.

One possession later, LeBron James continued to drive to the basket using pick-and-rolls.

Tyson Chandler immediately spread out, giving Deron Williams the opportunity to cut in and attack the basket.

With a flick of his wrist, he delivered another beautiful bounce pass to Deron Williams, who shrugged off Raja Bell and scored a layup.

Before Deron Williams could even celebrate, he saw LeBron James screaming and clutching his groin, leaping back to his own half of the court like a primal ape.

On the Knicks' bench, Sam Cassell, a member of the coaching staff wearing glasses, finally realized how terrifying his celebration back then had been.

No wonder so many New York fans wanted to pay someone to fix them back then.

In the following rounds, LeBron James performed exceptionally well.

However, the Pistons failed to gain any real advantage.

Because the Knicks' shooting accuracy was also punishing their double-team defense against Lynch.

Raja Bell also hit a three-pointer after Ron Artest. The veteran 3D shooter didn't even need to test his touch; he made the shot on his first attempt.

One possession later, Lynch passed the ball to Ron Artest again. But this time, instead of letting him shoot a three-pointer, he led him on a cut to the basket.

Seeing his old nemesis charging menacingly toward him, Ben Wallace prepared to protect the rim.

In his memory, Ron Artest was not a very well-coordinated player; his finishing touches were rather stiff, and he couldn't make the kind of smooth movements that DeMar DeRozan could.

Ultimately, he has never been known for his delicate techniques. As long as you defend him head-on, everything will be fine.

Ron Artest charged straight at Ben Wallace, but at the moment of contact, the mild-mannered New York native braced himself with his elbow.

"boom!"

With a muffled thud, Ben Wallace, past his prime, could barely catch his breath, let alone jump up.

Ron Artest really doesn't have any soft techniques; he's all about hard work!
But then again, why isn't hard work considered a skill?

With this technical score, Ron Artest helped the Knicks regain the lead.

The game remained close for a few more minutes before the lineups transitioned into a transitional phase.

LeBron James continues to create opportunities for his teammates with his excellent ability to disrupt the formation and his passing and ball-handling skills.

Lynch then showcased his ability as a playmaker from the high post, first assisting Goran Dragic to hit a three-pointer, and then delivering a brilliant bounce pass to set up DeMar DeRozan for a layup.

The Pistons didn't falter after bringing LeBron James back to his ball-dominant style of play, and the Knicks didn't completely shut down even when Lynch was double-teamed.

Both sides played a high-level, aesthetically pleasing game, with their two key players showcasing their ability to control the game.
At the end of the first quarter, the New York Knicks held a slim 2-point lead.

LBJ had 4 points, 2 rebounds, and 5 assists.

Lynch had 4 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Neither player had many scoring opportunities in the first quarter, but both were instrumental in energizing the entire team.

In the second quarter, the Pistons continued to gamble on the Knicks' role players' ability to capitalize on opportunities.

They relentlessly double-teamed Lynch, completely eliminating any open looks or even one-on-one opportunities.

But the Knicks' role players performed admirably.

Lynch was not greedy for credit at all, and his mentality was not affected even when his personal scoring was limited for a long time.

This game is enough to explain why the New York Knicks have been able to achieve 70 wins for two consecutive seasons.

A superstar can perhaps carry a team to 50 wins.

A superstar plus some excellent role players can elevate the record to an even more impressive 60 wins.

But 70 wins?
This team needs more than just ability; it needs absolute trust among teammates and a core leader who truly plays for victory and isn't obsessed with statistics.

To achieve this even once is remarkable for such a core player and team.

The New York Knicks actually made this a reality for two consecutive years.

Tonight, they will reveal the "secret" in its entirety.

Lynch was solely focused on winning; scoring points was merely a means to victory, not the goal itself.

The locker room culture he created ensured that role players never failed to live up to expectations. Even if some role players were not initially strong enough to match championship standards, they would eventually meet the team's intensity requirements through relentless effort, just like DeMar DeRozan and DeAndre Jordan.

LeBron James's playing style is highly similar to Lynch's: low shot attempts, strong playmaking, and focused defense.

But their mindsets are somewhat different.

LeBron James is desperate to score.

Sometimes, he even considered not returning to defense at all, waiting for the next easy fast break opportunity.

He likes to be the one cutting the cake because it's the easiest way to get the biggest piece for himself.

But tonight he only helped his teammates distribute the food, and he didn't get a single bite for himself!

Scoring one point at a time in basketball is easy, but scoring even one point today is really difficult.

The Knicks gave LBJ plenty of respect, always double-teaming or over-helping, never giving him a chance to score directly.

LeBron James has certainly tried to find a way to break the deadlock. He has tried flopping backwards, flopping forwards, and flopping without any physical object.

But tonight's referee was like a bumpkin who couldn't understand art, completely ignoring LBJ's artistic moves.

Of course, LeBron James didn't suddenly start shooting recklessly like a fool.

However, his mindset is being subtly influenced without him even realizing it.

The predictable matchup reached the end of the third quarter.

At this point, Lynch had 11 points, 13 rebounds, and 10 assists, achieving a triple-double.

LeBron James had 10 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.

The score is now tied.

LeBron James walked off the court, panting. As someone who always says "I only play the right games," he seemed somewhat worried at this moment.

For three whole quarters, he was implementing what he called "correct".

However, he did not truly enjoy it.

Deron Williams has 25 points and Carmelo Anthony has 20 points.

Thanks to LeBron James's defensive presence and passing, they actually had an easier time playing tonight.

This made LeBron James feel like he was a Detroit Pistons version of Jason Kidd.

Jason Kidd was certainly a star player for the Lakers, but no one ever considered him to be the team's leader.

In LeBron James's mind, as the ball-handling playmaker, he should eat most of the cake, and everyone else should share what's left.

But tonight, Carmelo Anthony and Deron Williams were eating with gusto.

He sat back down on the bench, somewhat dejected.

Just then, head coach Lionel Hollins told him, "The Knicks might choose to guard you one-on-one in the second half, so seize the opportunity."

His speculation was not unfounded; LBJ created numerous opportunities for his teammates by disrupting the formation.

What if the Knicks maintain their formation throughout the fourth quarter, like weaving an impenetrable net, locking down all of LeBron James' passing lanes and forcing him to play one-on-one?
This is certainly a risky move that most teams wouldn't dare to attempt easily. LeBron James' jump shot might be a bit abstract, his footwork a bit too varied, his scoring methods a bit too simple and direct, and his shooting consistency a bit lacking.
But! He is indeed a player who can kill a game with his scoring!

However, considering that the Pistons' offense had been completely unleashed in the first three quarters, the Knicks might as well go all out.

A spark of excitement reignited in LeBron James' eyes.

The chance to completely dominate the game has arrived!
With the fourth quarter approaching, LeBron James, now in control of the game, continued to call for screens.

As expected, Tyson Chandler didn't spread out too far this time, instead giving LeBron James space for a mid-range pull-up jumper.

Without hesitation, he drifted through the air, his legs lifting awkwardly, and his crab-style shot went in.

LeBron James finally scored a game-winning shot, giving the Detroit Pistons the lead in the decisive moments.

This is the moment LBJ has been dreaming of dominating; after all that, he finally got his slice of the cake!

He looked up and, as he brushed past Lynch, tossed out a remark: "This is the first of four great games!"

LeBron James's gaze was intense, and he was even more aggressive on the defensive end.

Seeing how hard number 6 was working on the defensive end, Carmelo Anthony felt gratified for himself.

For years, mainstream media have always said that Lynch was a great leader.

Now, Carmelo Anthony feels he's just as good as anyone else.

He transformed Zach Randolph in Detroit, and now he's made LeBron James a formidable force on defense.

He bet that even Lynch couldn't keep LBJ focused on defense for the entire game, but he did.

However, when Ron Artest hit another three-pointer, the Pistons' lead vanished instantly.

Lionel Hollins was cursing on the sidelines. He didn't expect that the mentally ill New Yorker to be so consistent with his three-pointers tonight, already 4 out of 7!
For players like LBJ and Ron Artest, whose shooting touch is visibly lacking, they might be able to achieve a decent three-point shooting percentage, but only if their output is kept within a certain range.

Ultimately, their three-point shooting percentage is deceptive.

Once a large number of transactions are made, the inherent instability will be exposed.

Ron Artest played like a pure shooter tonight, taking decisive and swift shots with an exceptionally high accuracy.

On the sidelines, Lionel Hollins began to struggle with his thoughts, unsure whether to continue double-teaming Lynch.

As things stand, the Knicks' role players show no signs of losing their shooting touch.

Is it really safe to continue letting them shoot jumpers?
Lynch still didn't score in the fourth quarter, and ESPN also provided statistics: This is the first time in Lynch's career that he has played into the fourth quarter of the Eastern Conference Finals without scoring more than 12 points.

LBJ deliberately said sarcastically, "This time, it's my turn to say that to you. What? Is the King of New York just planning to win by relying on his teammates?"

This trash talk did zero damage to Lynch.

As a professional player from Europe, Lynch knows that team basketball and winning by relying on teammates are two completely different things.

You played terribly, made no contribution, fell over at the slightest touch on offense, and shrugged off on defense, but your teammates still managed to win the game with outstanding performances. That's what it means to win by relying on your teammates.

But Lynch's performance tonight was neither terrible nor entirely without merit.

He may not take many shots, but his rebounding, playmaking, and defense have a very positive impact on the game.

Despite scoring few points, Lin Qi felt no anxiety whatsoever, and moreover...
"LeBron, you only have one more point than me!"

In the first few minutes of the fourth quarter, LBJ scored like water.

Ron Artest and Wilson Chandler did their best, but it's not easy for players of their caliber to shut down LBJ one-on-one.

With his teammates on fire, Lynch refused to force his way through for personal points. In those few minutes, he didn't have a single shot on dribble; it was all a tactical finish.

With six minutes remaining in the game, Lionel Hollins began to feel fear when Raja Bell hit his sixth three-pointer of the night to give the Knicks a five-point lead.

With 11 points, 15 rebounds, and 15 assists, Lynch's triple-double was quite impressive.

These basic statistics alone show that the Kings of New York are dominating the game in a different way.

Lynch wasn't a triple-double machine, because Steve Nash primarily handled playmaking for the Knicks.

But tonight, when he acted as the pivot, drawing the defense and dealing the cards, he was just like Magic Johnson in his prime!
Magic Johnson's entire career lasted only four years, during which he averaged over 20 points per game in the playoffs.

However, of the 18 games in NBA Finals history with 15 or more assists in a single game, 10 were created by Magic Johnson.

He creates opportunities for his teammates by posing a huge offensive threat, and then leads the team to victory with his selfless and intelligent playing style.

Using this completely indifferent approach to scoring, he won five rings. Lynch is doing the same thing now: they aren't incapable of scoring, but they've chosen a more efficient way to win.

Magic Johnson has proven that a superstar doesn't necessarily have to score a lot of points to win a game. There are countless ways to influence a game.

Moreover, Lynch's influence on the game is a terrifying presence that even the peak Magic Johnson could not match—he possesses a defense that Magic Johnson lacks.

All of this was a stark reminder to Lionel Hollins, who felt a chill run through his limbs: if the Pistons continued to play like this, they were likely doomed!

"beep--!"

The piercing whistle finally rang out, and Lionel Hollins jumped up as if he had been electrocuted.

After leaving the computer running all night, it's time to adjust our strategy.

Lynch didn't shoot much throughout the game, so he might not be able to find his offensive rhythm immediately.

So, just like the Knicks started letting LeBron James score freely.

Lionel Hollins removed the excessive double-teaming of Lynch.

Of course, he wouldn't really let Lin Qi have a completely comfortable one-on-one game.

"Listen! Drop the frenzied attack on Lynch, and throw it away like a bag of waste paper!"

From this moment forward, only when Lynch breaks into the restricted area, only when he truly sets foot on our last forbidden ground, will you start your meat grinder.

Besides—listen carefully—don't let any New York scumbag slip by!

Lionel Hollins' bloodshot eyes swept across each player's face, spitting as he spoke.

Lionel Hollins believed that this strategy of attacking from different regions was foolproof.

Lynch couldn't easily find one-on-one opportunities, and when positioned high up the pitch, he couldn't pass the ball to open teammates. Furthermore, when Lynch penetrated the crowded paint, his passing options and vision became extremely limited.

Lynch will be limited in every aspect.

LeBron James was confident and stood up after the head coach finished speaking.

He tried to play the role of a leader.

"Listen, guys, Lynch's on his last legs. Don't let your guard down, I'll lead you to victory!"

The decisive fourth quarter began, with LeBron James missing a mid-range jumper, and the Knicks launched a counterattack.

Just like before, Lynch, who scored 11 points in the game, received the ball just past half-court.

But Lynch soon realized that he seemed to have let his guard down on the Pistons' defense.

Only Carmelo Anthony was guarding him; the others stopped double-teaming him.

Melo guarded Lynch closely, denying him space to shoot and trying to force him to drive.

Seeing that the Pistons' defensive formation had slightly tightened, Lynch immediately knew what adjustments the Pistons had made.

He calmly held the ball with his back to the basket, then yelled, "Hey LeBron, why aren't you guarding me?"

"Shut up, Lynch," Carmelo Anthony said irritably. "Am I not good enough to guard you?"

As soon as Melo finished speaking, Lynch backed him up and then smoothly flipped over for a jump shot.

Carmelo Anthony reached out to interfere, but Lynch's collision had given him ample space, and Melo's fingertips could only touch the frozen air.

The basketball hit the front edge of the rim and eventually fell into the net!
The ball went in, and Lynch's finger waved wildly: "Outside of the Pistons' defensive system, have you ever stopped me even once, Melo?"

Carmelo Anthony loathed Lynch's privilege; the gesture of wagging his finger in the face was inherently humiliating. When only he could do it in the entire league, it added an extra layer of condescending intimidation to the humiliation.

林奇的个人数据已达到13分15个篮板15次助攻，距离15+15+15仅一步之遥。

Lionel Hollins nervously rubbed his hands together. Could Lynch really kill the game without even entering the penalty area?

He only knows how to gamble.

When Lynch finally scored, Mike Breen was just as excited as the New York fans in the stadium.

"Lin Qi is here!"

This is a sentiment born from seeing hope of victory, but it also feels more like a warning to Detroit fans.

In the next possession, LeBron James drove hard to the basket, drawing a foul from Ron Artest.

Stepping to the free-throw line, LBJ made both free throws, further narrowing the gap.

LBJ's advantage is that even if he enters the paint, the Knicks won't double-team him.

Therefore, he is very confident that he will have the last laugh in the final showdown between the superstars.

LeBron glanced at Carmelo Anthony's deathly pale expression as he prepared to face Lynch, and saw a reflection of his own past in Cleveland.

But Melo, don't worry, you won't lose the championship, at most you'll lose the title of team leader!

Carmelo Anthony went into physical mode, putting immense pressure on Lynch even before he received the ball.

Carmelo Anthony has a deep-seated desire for star-studded matches.

Unlike LeBron James, who always manages to turn unexpected players into Finals MVPs, Carmelo Anthony has always preferred to directly confront the opponent's star player.

Even the Carmelo Anthony with the questionable defensive attitude in the original timeline is no exception.

In another instance, Kobe Bryant intentionally matched up against Carmelo Anthony on defense during the 2009 Western Conference Finals, hoping to suppress him.

The result was contrary to expectations—the harder Kobe tried, the more Carmelo Anthony burned!
He, in turn, actively matched up against Kobe on the defensive end, with all his bodily fluids flowing only for Kobe.

After that game, Kobe chose to avoid directly confronting Carmelo Anthony and stopped focusing on defending him.

After retiring, he explained, "Melo gets excited when he's matched up against star players, and I don't want him to get too excited, because that's not good for the game."

Therefore, Carmelo Anthony is not opposed to star matchups. On the contrary, he extremely enjoys and even craves such head-to-head competition.

At this moment, facing Lynch's ultimate challenge, Carmelo Anthony's desire to win was reignited.

He charged and circled around relentlessly, squeezing out Lynch's chances of receiving the ball.

LeBron James was almost in tears.

I've finally found my own Scottie Pippen!

Lynch also swung his elbow, almost aggressively vying for position.

Finally, they savagely carved out a gap in the jungle of muscles.

Steve Nash seized the opportunity and passed the ball to Lynch.

Lin Qi instantly twisted his body to face the basket, lowered his shoulders and elbows, and started his run with the ball.

Just as he was about to step into the paint, and the Pistons' defense was about to close in like a bear trap, he was caught in a trap.

He suddenly braked, his body pulled back as if by a spring, and he leaped into the air, leaning back to strike!
"Shh!"

The sound of a basketball piercing the net is crisp and deadly!
Mike Breen can finally announce to the world: "15 points! 15 rebounds! 15 assists! Since Jason Kidd, Lynch is only the second player in the 21st century to achieve these numbers in the playoffs!"

The point difference was coldly pinned back to 6 points. For the Pistons, although they were not further widened, the clock on the wall felt like a cold blade slicing their throats.

For them now, failing to close the gap quickly is tantamount to a slow death.

LBJ shook his head. "Useless Melo, let me lead you to victory!"
LeBron James immediately dribbled the ball across half-court, and the Pistons' offensive opportunity appeared early. Deron Williams shook off Raja Bell and cut into the paint, with a clear and wide passing lane.

But LBJ didn't pass.

He was too eager to score; he had already passed the ball around enough in the first three quarters.

Previously, due to the team's tactical needs and moral guidance, he dared not take many shots even though he really wanted to score.

But now, he can legitimately take the ball and play one-on-one.

There was absolutely no need for him to share the cake with others.

Deron Williams cursed silently, and could only drag his feet once again toward the familiar "smoking area" in the corner.

Throughout the fourth quarter, he had been shooting from the corner for a full seven minutes, almost warming up the floor in that corner.

He was very unaccustomed to not receiving the ball for a long time.

LeBron James attempted to drive past Ron Artest again, but Artest held his position this time, forcing James to the corner.

Seeing no hope of breaking through the basket, LBJ turned his back to the basket and dribbled the ball.

After leaning back a couple of times, he suddenly retreated not just one step, not two steps, not three steps. He kept pushing back from mid-range until he was outside the three-point line before jumping to shoot!
The basketball went in, but the referee blew the whistle and yelled, "LeBron, can't you have a little respect for my eyes?!"

LeBron James' ugly back-to-the-basket move ended the Pistons' offensive possession, which further displeased Deron Williams.

It doesn't matter if you don't pass the ball, as long as you can score points, everything else is negotiable.

When Deron Williams chose to join the Pistons, he knew he would have to make some sacrifices.

But in that last round, his sacrifice was meaningless!

Why did LBJ miss such a great opportunity and end up losing possession in a way that would make even amateur players blush?

Deron Williams agreed to give LeBron James control because he respected Carmelo Anthony.

But this respect does not mean that he is willing to submit to LeBron James!
If they lose tonight, he vows he will reclaim what is rightfully his.

The game continued, and in this possession, Lynch scored with a catch-and-shoot jumper after getting past the ball off the court.

In the first three quarters, Lynch also tried playing off-ball, but the moment he received the ball, a double team would follow.

Now, under the Pistons' new defensive strategy, Lynch doesn't face too much pressure after receiving the ball, and he can shoot at will.

Since the Pistons freed up Lynch outside the paint, Lynch has scored 6 consecutive points.

Lionel Hollins was particularly unsure, because Lynch seemed to be able to read the Pistons' minds.

Lynch scored all 6 points outside the paint, giving the Pistons no chance to double-team him.

LeBron James then hit a mid-range jump shot.

However, he then missed a layup attempt due to the pressure and interference.

On the other hand, Lynch maintained a 100% shooting percentage and has scored 10 points in a row!
With the Detroit Pistons trailing by double digits, Carmelo Anthony bent over, supporting himself on his knees, sweat pouring down his face.

The confidence in LeBron James' eyes also dissipated as quickly as the tide receded.

His one-on-one efficiency was indeed not low, but this efficiency seemed so pale and powerless in front of Lynch when he activated "Death Mode," as fragile as glass.

At this moment, Lin Qi, who was calmly retreating to his defenses, locked his gaze on his mortal enemy.

A single, cold, and precise statement, as sharp as a scalpel, pierced through LBJ's last psychological defenses:

"You were forced to let me play one-on-one, while we—"

Lin Qi paused, his smile like that of a villain who had successfully pulled off an evil plan, his voice carrying an all-seeing mockery:

"We deliberately let LeBron go one-on-one!"

LeBron James was struck dumb.

In the first three quarters, he and Lin Qi were like two mirrors—controlling the overall situation, directing teammates, and reflecting each other, their influence was equally matched.

This led him to mistakenly believe that he was on par with Lynch.

He always thought he was great tonight, but in the final quarter, while Lynch was great, he wasn't!
Lynch consistently assisted his teammates in the first three quarters, creating opportunities for his own scoring in the final quarter.

LeBron James was assisting his teammates throughout the first three quarters because assisting was his only option when he was double-teamed.

In the fourth quarter, after finally escaping double-teams, LBJ thought he had become the Pistons' core player, but in the end, he was the core player that led the Knicks to victory!
The Pistons called another timeout, and Lynch's scoring left Lionel Hollins in despair.

That devil—he didn't need to step into the paint zone at all!

Even across the restricted area, a place symbolizing the brutal battleground of basketball, he could still accurately throw the most lethal javelin at the heart of the Pistons!
The last glimmer of hope in Hollins' eyes was completely extinguished, and he ruthlessly tore apart the ridiculous "no double-teaming outside the restricted area" rule that he had just formulated in his mind.

"Put it back in! Pinch it back in like a mad dog!" he roared, his voice hoarse with despair.

Meanwhile, Lionel Hollins also reminded LBJ: "You can score! You have the right! But when the opportunity arises, don't fucking treat your teammates like fixed-position bronze statues in the corner!"

The game restarted, and Lynch, once again caught in a pincer movement, did not hesitate and showed no remorse for his individual heroism.

He immediately stopped his scoring momentum and shared the ball with his teammate.

Ron Artest sank his fifth three-pointer of the game, like an icicle piercing through the Pistons, a hot air balloon that was already teetering on the brink of collapse.

The New York Knicks are leading by 13 points!
LeBron James's "leadership dream" continues. He takes off with a vengeance, like a cumbersome war machine that has run out of fuel, charging into the steel jungle of the New York paint.

His declining physical strength made his steps heavy and sluggish, making it impossible for him to shake off Ron Artest's entanglement.

With no chance of attacking the basket, at the last moment, LBJ seemed to remember Lionel Hollins's piercing warning.

He hastily passed the ball out to Deron Williams, who had been sidelined for a long time.

Theoretically speaking, there is nothing wrong with LBJ's playing style.

Prioritize attacking first, treating your teammates as mere tools in the corner. Only when you have no chance do you share the spoils with your teammates.

The perfect formula for "emperor's food sharing".

But basketball is a million times more complex than cold, hard formulas.

Deron Williams, who spent almost the entire fourth quarter doing nothing but devout back-and-forth runs and watching from the corner, had knuckles that were already ice-cold; his shooting muscles were as stiff and cold as frozen ground.

As expected, his three-point attempt bounced off the rim.

The biggest difference between Lynch and LBJ in leading their teams is that Lynch knows his teammates are teammates, while LBJ only treats his teammates as tools.

Lynch grabbed the rebound, bringing his stats to an impressive 21 points, 17 rebounds, and 16 assists.

Every minute he was on the field, he was leading the team in the right way.

Next, Lynch assisted Nash on a layup, bringing his assist total to 17.

With a 15-point deficit, the Detroit Pistons' fortress of will was now groaning like rotten wood on the verge of collapse.

LBJ's next difficult low-post turnaround jumper briefly relieved the Pistons' suspense and salvaged a sliver of their pride.

But then, Lynch drove straight into the paint, drawing the defense before throwing an alley-oop to Tyson Chandler, giving the Knicks a 15-point lead again.

Lionel Hollins was completely stunned, like a statue.

Lynch can score immediately when he gets the chance.

They can also selflessly share possession of the ball when they are on a scoring run.

He is one.
Such a perfect leader!
With 33 seconds left in the game, LeBron James, dribbling to the very end, suddenly passed the ball to Carmelo Anthony, whose hands were already cold and numb from not touching a ball for a long time.

LBJ passed the ball not because Melo had a chance, but because he himself didn't.

Carmelo Anthony, who had also lost his touch, missed a three-pointer. Lynch grabbed the rebound and then made a long pass.

Ron Artest had already run past the halfway line. As he sped across the court, under the dome of Madison Square Garden, 19,000 souls ignited simultaneously, and the blood of New York fans boiled as they rose to their feet!

They weren't celebrating Ron Artest's impending dunk, but...
"Boom!"

Ron Artest used all his strength to slam the basketball into the hoop, as if beating the final battle drum for this historic night!

In the instant the rim shook violently, the dust settled on Lynch's stat sheet:
23 points, 22 rebounds, and 20 assists!
Since Wilt Chamberlain in 1968, the league's first monster to record 20+20+20 in a single game has emerged!
This also marks the first time in NBA history that someone has recorded 20+20+20 in a single playoff game!

The entire arena erupted in frenzy, and the weight of history fell heavily at this moment. The name that etched this epic moment was—Lynch!
This dunk ended the suspense of the game and also ended LeBron James's dream of becoming a leader.

Lynch mimicked LBJ's expression, curling his five fingers to make a zero.

"Like I said, just play one good game and the whole world will fall in love with you again."

It's a pity, LeBron, that you won't have four, three, or even two good games here.

Lynch deliberately mimicked LBJ's tone of "not one, not two, not three," enjoying the anger and shame on his face.

"You can't even play a good game here!"

That gesture representing "zero" became, at that moment, the most ruthless rejection of all of LeBron James's dreams.

(One update today, because I combined two chapters into one 10,000-word chapter.)
(End of this chapter)