Champion Rules

Chapter 259-255: One Person's Torture (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Its strength is undisputed.

Lynch defined himself as the unanimous MVP.

Carmelo Anthony gritted his teeth; this time, he had nothing to say.

Lynch's consecutive successful defenses made him quite embarrassed.

On the commentary desk, Reggie Miller felt that Lynch was a more "pathological" guy than MJ in terms of "the way he treats victory".

Michael Jordan would also retaliate against his opponents, perhaps by scoring points or by winning.

But Lynch was more direct.

He not only wants to win, but also to torture his opponents with the most ruthless defense, leaving them in pain and confusion throughout the game.

Year after year, he improved his personal statistics in the regular season and destroyed his opponents' statistics in the playoffs.

Kevin Durant's temper when he met Scarlett Johansson wasn't as bad as Lynch's temper now.

The game continued, but the cheers from the Detroit fans were not as loud as before.

They were all a little worried that Melo would use basketball-like playing style and wrestling moves to score goals like in soccer today!

Once Lynch focuses all his energy on defense, even Michael Jordan would have to kneel down, plead with the referee, and beg for a point.

Otherwise, you really won't get many points in a game.

Of course, Pistons fans haven't completely given up hope.

In the past, if Carmelo Anthony had been locked down like this, the Pistons could indeed have started preparing for next season.

But this year is different. Even though Carmelo Anthony is overshadowed by Lynch, the Detroit Pistons still have two All-NBA caliber players.

The game continued, and LeBron James initially wanted to take the lead in the offense.

Deron Williams, who had the opportunity after cutting in, still chose to pass the ball.

He didn't want to add fuel to the fire or cause any locker room conflicts, at least not before defeating Lynch.

Deron Williams was already unhappy with him after the last game, and LBJ didn't want to challenge him again.

LeBron James made a bounce pass to Deron Williams, who attempted to drive to the basket again, this time scoring with a difficult reverse layup.

The Detroit Pistons finally broke their scoring drought, but Carmelo Anthony didn't even get a chance to receive the ball.

In the following rounds, Deron Williams and Richard Hamilton became the main scorers.

LeBron James continues to play a supporting role, focusing on dealing cards and defense.

They each perform their duties.

But as the leader of this team, Carmelo Anthony has become almost invisible.

The lack of a key offensive weapon allowed the Detroit Pistons to be suppressed from the first quarter onwards.

For the Knicks, although Lynch also reduced his role on offense, the team's offense was still strong enough.

In the first three games, Lynch faced extreme double-teaming from the Pistons' frontcourt every game, so his efficiency was actually quite average.

Today he simply reduced his role on offense, since it's unlikely he can significantly raise the offensive ceiling anyway, while the offense led by Steve Nash can reliably maintain the floor.

In the seventh minute of the first quarter, when Steve Nash broke through a screen once again, Deron Williams, who was responsible for the chase, did not go around the screen. Instead, he suddenly jumped on Tyson Chandler, bending his body into a C-shape, as if he had been hit hard by a speeding train.

After falling, Deron Williams lay on the ground with his arms outstretched.

The referee was so embarrassed he almost tore his shoe apart!
LeBron James nonchalantly retreated from the mid-range to the three-point line.

Now, Deron Williams is challenging the referee's intelligence with his poor acting skills.

You are the Detroit Pistons, not the Detroit Abstraction!

The referee remembered that Deron Williams wasn't the type to fight for the whistle when he played in Salt Lake City.

It can only be said that LeBron James' influence on the Pistons is greater than people expected!

The referee completely ignored the blatantly faked flop, and Steve Nash calmly sank a mid-range jump shot as a result.

At this point, the Pistons were down by 7 points. Lionel Hollins called a timeout and angrily yelled at Deron Williams:
"Do you think Steve will give you the ball if you roll around on the ground?!"

Deron Williams is innocent, what can I do?
LeBron didn't take many shots today.

The melons are making a complete fool of themselves.

If I don't come up with something soon, the Pistons will be out of the game!

LeBron James sat on the bench, wiping the sweat from his brow, staring at Lionel Hollins, eager for his instructions.

He never stopped wanting to carry the team across the finish line to victory.

He hoped that Lionel Hollins would give him enough control on the night Carmelo Anthony was locked down.

But perhaps his disastrous performance in Game 1 of the series eroded Lionel Hollins' trust in him. Instead of handing him the scepter symbolizing the right to shoot, the Pistons coach poured a bucket of chilling water on his heart with a cold instruction:
“LeBron, Deron and Richard are firing their guns tonight. So, you just need to keep playing your core cog role.”

Especially on the defensive end, you must limit Lynch as much as possible, no matter the cost!

"If we play team basketball, we definitely have a chance to tie the series 2-2!"

Lionel Hollins' tone was scorching, but LeBron James merely nodded mechanically, his gaze seemingly sweeping over an invisible cliff before crashing heavily onto the cold floor beyond Lionel Hollins's sight.

They're working hard, but you're just making me push from behind!
He loathed the feeling of being treated like a high-level role player.

He took a deep breath of air filled with the smell of sweat and rubber, trying to force the nausea that was about to burst out of his throat back into the abyss.

Then, that voice echoed in my mind over and over again: "Win against Lynch first, win against Lynch first."

In the subsequent game, Richard Hamilton and Deron Williams both performed well, at one point narrowing the gap to just one point.

LeBron James' performance also surprised Flip Saunders.

He couldn't believe that number 6 had managed to control his desires in three consecutive games.

The best LBJ is one who focuses on organization and defense rather than forcing offensive moves.

Flip Saunders has never denied LBJ's ability and talent; he just hasn't found his niche.

He could be a better Scottie Pippen, a precise, powerful, and impeccable war machine that could drive the team to its peak while also providing defensive prowess.

But Nike's massive idol-making plan, along with LeBron's burning desire, together propelled him onto a Michael Jordan-esque dream pedestal that was not rightfully his.

This is the biggest reason why he was so controversial before: he was very strong, but he insisted on exaggerating himself to be even stronger.

When this genius finally stepped down from that illusory throne and returned to the role of Scottie Pippen, his role and influence on the game immediately became apparent.

On the defensive end, LBJ's tenacious defense made Lynch, who already had to conserve his offensive firepower, even more difficult and cumbersome.

On offense, his playmaking ensured that the Pistons operated smoothly and efficiently even without Carmelo Anthony.

Even if he really can't deal any cards, LBJ has a finishing ability far superior to that of an average dealer.

In the following games, the Pistons continued to keep the score close, even tying the game, and almost breaking through the barrier of the score difference several times.

But the "overtaking" is like an invisible yet towering threshold that the Pistons have been unable to truly overcome.

Lynch rarely scores, and sometimes doesn't even touch the ball on offense.

But whenever the Knicks' lead was about to run out, and whenever the opponent's boiling momentum to overtake almost engulfed the Palace of Auburn Hills, Lynch would step up to solve the problem.

In the fifth minute of the third quarter, Deron Williams received a pass from LeBron James and immediately launched a three-pointer, tying the score again.

The score has once again returned to the cruel stalemate.

Prior to this, the Knicks had gone three consecutive possessions without scoring. While Goran Dragic, coming off the bench, has shown significant improvement this season, he clearly cannot yet maintain the offensive floor like Steve Nash.

A chilling sense of crisis filled the court, and the shadow of a comeback grinned as it lunged at the Knicks' throat.

And so, Lynch reappeared.

He stepped forward to set a screen for Goran Dragic, then quickly popped his foot out.

After receiving the ball, Lynch took a step and pretended to sprint, but LeBron James' defensive instincts made him hesitate for a nanosecond.

In that brief moment of discontinuity in rhythm, Lin Qi seized the opportunity and calmly sank the three-pointer.

The Pistons were on the verge of taking the lead, but now they've fallen behind by three points again.

So far, Lin Qi has only scored 13 points.

He controlled his ammunition as strictly as the most stingy arms dealer, but every time the fuse burned to the last bit, the bullet would be fired with perfect accuracy, splattering blood on the spot!
After scoring, Lynch did not celebrate, nor did he trash talk to LBJ.

He turned around and moved even closer to Carmelo Anthony.

It seems that for him, scoring points is simply a responsibility he has to fulfill.

Destroying Melo is what he really cares about tonight.

Carmelo Anthony, who has only scored 4 points so far tonight, wanted to break the deadlock, but Lynch's entanglement prevented him from even touching the ball.

Before the jarring clang of LeBron James' mid-range shot had even faded, Lynch's laughter had already pierced Carmelo Anthony's eardrums.

"Melo, why don't you stand up? Is it because you don't want to? Or is it because you're such a coward that you simply can't do it?"

Cameron Anton clenched his fist and silently retreated to defend.

He desperately wanted to beat Lin Qi up, but he knew better than anyone that would be tantamount to letting victory slip away.

After playing for another minute, Lionel Hollins replaced Carmelo Anthony.

He was dejected, completely unlike his arrogant demeanor before the game when he criticized Lynch for being the unanimous MVP.

TNT's live cameras were focused on him, displaying his stats below.

8中2，4分4个篮板2次助攻4次失误。

Although Melo's scoring seemed difficult.

But it's actually not simple at all!
Carmelo Anthony's positioning awareness today is better than Kevin Durant's positioning awareness a few years later.

But Lynch's defense gave him absolutely no breathing room.

For a star of Carmelo Anthony's caliber, this statistic is so ugly that even his most die-hard fans can't find an excuse to defend him.

The only consolation for Pistons fans was that the Knicks did not create a massive point difference like in the first game.

In their last three matches, the two sides have actually played very closely.

Every rotation, every point difference, was nailed down to the bone in a hair's breadth.

Therefore, the Pistons still have a chance to win.

If Carmelo Anthony gets blown out by Lynch but the Pistons still win the game, Detroit fans wouldn't necessarily find it unacceptable.

Just four minutes into the fourth quarter, both teams tacitly substituted their full starting lineups.

This means the decisive moment has arrived. Steve Nash has been resting for quite some time; he was substituted out in the seventh minute of the third quarter.

Lionel Hollins's purpose in conserving Nash's energy was to ensure that the Knicks' offense wouldn't falter in crucial moments.

Steve Nash did not disappoint the team and Lynch. In his first game back, he successfully outmaneuvered the Pistons' defense.

After breaking through a screen, Steve Nash drove to the basket but didn't attack the rim directly. Instead, he dribbled the ball out of the restricted area.

But the moment the Pistons' defense relaxed its tense nerves, he suddenly turned around and drove back to the basket!
Deron Williams and Ben Wallace, who had just caught up, were still adjusting their balance in shock, with Ben even leaping high to block the layup.

But Nash had already magically twisted his body and floated out of the restricted area a second time.

Big book:.
Deron Williams immediately gave chase, but Nash had just stepped out of the penalty area with his left foot when he suddenly turned and charged back into the penalty area.

Steve Nash was simply circling around the paint, but the Pistons' defense was in complete disarray, with Ben Wallace unsure whether to jump and block Nash.

As it turns out, top-level running often only requires the simplest execution!
Taking advantage of Ben Wallace's disorientation, Wind Child scored with a layup by an ordinary player.

It was a very comical offensive play, but Steve Nash still proved that he has the ability to carry the team's offense.

He may not be able to unleash his full potential, nor can he score 40 or 50 points like Lynch to seal the game.

But at least with him around, the Knicks' offensive edifice will never crumble.

Lynch was very pleased, pleased that he had a helper like Steve Nash.

After swallowing this reassurance pill
Lynch can then focus entirely on destroying Melo on the defensive end!
The close contest continued into the fourth quarter, with the Knicks unable to shake off the Pistons completely, and the Pistons consistently failing to take the lead.

The Auburn Hills Palace, which had been buzzing with excitement before the game, was now deathly silent, almost like a vacuum; the boos had long since been silenced.

In the stands, every pair of eyes was fixed on something, too tense to utter a single boo.

Everyone knows that if the Detroit Pistons lose this game, it will be a devastating defeat for the team.

A score of 1 to 3 means the team is on the verge of elimination.

The failure of this super Pistons team will become the most glaring and ironic footnote in the annals of the league's history, and a laughing stock for the entire league.

Once upon a time, it was that blue-collar, iron-willed Pistons team that, under the spotlight of the Finals, personally dismantled the star-studded Los Angeles Lakers' F4.

Now, the even more dazzling and luxurious super pistons they built themselves are facing a similar humiliation.

Even more humiliating.

The Lakers' "Big Four" at least made it to the Finals. If the Pistons fall here, they'll become a super team that can't even reach the Finals!
This is an unacceptable ending.

Last summer, LeBron James's declaration of "not one, not two," everyone's expectations, and the astronomical salary the team paid for it had already pushed the Pistons to the precipice of "not winning the championship is a complete failure."

Nobody wants to see the Pistons plummet down a cliff, because that would be a truly horrific sight.

The Pistons players were well aware of the consequences, and every nerve ending in their bodies was burning with rage, resulting in a powerful will to survive erupting in the fourth quarter.

They didn't want to be branded as "taking shortcuts" while also being trampled underfoot by Lin Qi.

Deron's finishing moves were incredibly forceful, like a heavy hammer repeatedly striking the steel city gate.

LBJ's defensive effort was impeccable; he not only limited Lynch but also made several excellent help defenses, covering every dangerous shadow.

Richard Hamilton, who primarily plays off the ball, may have limited output, but he is as ruthless as a machine, hitting every shot with deadly precision.

With 1 minute and 06 seconds left in the game, LeBron James pulled off a zombie layup, and the Detroit Pistons finally tied the score again!
And this time, Lynch's jump shot also slammed into the back of the rim, failing to widen the score gap again in a critical moment as he had done before.

The Palace of Auburn Hills erupted like a volcano that had been suppressed for a century, and the stands trembled violently in the heat of hope.

This team, on the verge of collapse, and these fans, frozen by fear for too long, desperately need a comeback to ignite the courage to tear through despair.

The Knicks certainly knew the importance of this play, and everyone was giving 100% on the defensive end.

Deron Williams drove to the basket several times, but Raja Bell's rough pulling and fierce collisions effectively separated him from the basketball in two cold, unconnected worlds.

Richard Hamilton was practically running his legs off, but his eyes were filled with unbelievable horror. 36-year-old Steve Nash had actually managed to stick to him relentlessly in off-ball defense.

LeBron James wanted to force his way through, and in crucial moments, he should use the most reliable offensive method, so he couldn't choose to shoot at this time.

But Ron Artest and Tyson Chandler combined to defend him, leaving LBJ with no chance.

Every tick of the 24-second shot clock felt like the Pistons were taking another step closer to the edge of a cliff.

With four seconds left, LeBron James caught that fleeting glimmer of hope amidst an almost suffocating double team.

Carmelo Anthony used a tiny angle of vision from Lynch to make a ghostly cut and break free, earning a priceless opportunity to receive the ball at the three-point line.

LBJ delivered the ball smoothly, leaving Melo no room for adjustment. He tensed every muscle in his body, forcefully pulled up, and shot!

Although Lin Qi's massive, all-encompassing hand was slightly delayed, it still pounced upon Melon like a shadow, giving him little room to maneuver.

But at least Carmelo Anthony managed to get a shot off.

The hearts of all Detroit fans felt gripped by an invisible hand. The two game-changing goals that Carmelo Anthony scored over Lynch in the previous match, seemingly turning the tide of the game, flashed through everyone's minds like lightning.

Perhaps tonight, he can replicate the miracle he performed in the last match?
Shouldn't the script for a superstar be about igniting the hottest fire on the coldest night?
This small basketball expresses Carmelo Anthony's nostalgia for Detroit, his second hometown.

because
The ball was shot from the left side, but it flew to the outside of the right side of the basket!
Amidst the intense scrutiny, Carmelo Anthony's crucial shot went completely airball!

"oh--!!!"

The fervent anticipation that had reached its peak at the Palace of Auburn Hills was instantly frozen by this absurd ending, erupting into a despairing groan like a landslide.

In that instant, all the Pistons players felt as if they had been struck in the chest by an invisible giant hammer.

Seeing their team take the lead but being completely neutralized, their morale suffered a severe blow.

In the end, Lynch still didn't give Carmelo Anthony any chance for redemption!

Just now, Lin Qi's interference was already very thorough.

In addition, the entire match against Melo had already exhausted his touch.

Lynch's pre-game prediction came true; he indeed battled Carmelo Anthony with boundless energy for the entire 48 minutes of the game.

Melon, however, could not survive this long and suffocating ordeal.

Lin Qi stared at him coldly, saying nothing, and simply ran forward, preparing to attack.

It's not over yet.

The execution isn't over yet.

Carmelo Anthony missed a crucial shot just now, and Lynch won't make the same mistake again.

In this possession, Lynch called for the ball with his back to the basket and took a turnaround jump shot before Carmelo Anthony could double-team him.

LeBron James tried his best to block, but the result was the same as those countless times in the past that have been etched into the pillory of shame: the basketball fell steadily into the net.

Lynch scored his 21st point of the game. Although his scoring wasn't high, every point he scored was crucial!

With the Knicks leading by 2 points, the Pistons' dignity and hope are teetering on the brink of collapse.

Lionel Hollins stopped the game, yelling as he tried to pull the players back from the brink of collapse.

However, the effect was minimal.

You have to admit that the Pistons have the most All-NBA players in the league, but they also bear the most pressure in the league.

At this moment, the drawbacks of taking shortcuts begin to show.

Their success is taken for granted by fans.

You've taken shortcuts, so isn't success a given?

But even taking shortcuts can fail.
Carmelo Anthony, LeBron James, and Deron Williams all looked like they had lead weights hanging from their heads.

Lionel Hollins was well aware of the pressure they faced, so he unconventionally abandoned the three giants at a crucial moment and handed the heavy responsibility over to the big-hearted Richard Hamilton.

The pressure on the masked man was relatively less; he was an All-Star, but not an All-NBA player. He was also often excluded when people discussed the Pistons' superstars.

More importantly, he was not an accomplice in taking shortcuts.

Because he only renewed his contract with the Pistons last summer. He neither actively recruited Deron Williams and LeBron James, nor did he suddenly join the super Pistons.

He is the least mercenary soul of this mercenary team.

Richard Hamilton accepted the task, but things didn't go smoothly.

Steve Nash, the old guard whose back is riddled with holes but who still has to shoulder the offensive burden, and who looks like he's on his last legs, still sticks by the masked man's side!

Richard Hamilton went 3-for-3 in the fourth quarter, but the problem now is that this shooter, carrying the last hope, can't catch that damn ball at all!
Steve Nash felt like his legs were about to go numb, his lungs were about to burst, and his spine was about to collapse completely.

How long will this bloody battle continue?

According to his parents, the legendary veteran, who already has a ring and two MVP trophies, should be comfortably spending time with his three children by the warm fireplace.

That was indeed the softest longing in Nash's soul. Every time he heard the children's innocent voices on the phone, it was like a dull knife cutting into his heart, causing him unbearable pain.

But he couldn't break his promise.

Because when he joined the Knicks, he had an agreement with Lynch.

They want to create a dynasty!
This was one of the conditions the Knicks agreed to when they signed him, and arguably the most important one.

He couldn't leave Lynch behind before achieving that goal.

Lynch forged that belated ring for him, and in return, he would also help Lynch ascend the throne of the dynasty.

"Richard, still can't get the ball. LeBron is going to drive himself. He goes for a layup, but then he changes course and passes to Melo. Can Melo save Detroit again?!"

Reggie Miller's shout was swallowed up by a desperate scream a second later.

Carmelo Anthony's hasty shot, under Lynch's interference, slid directly out of bounds for the second time!
In the last game, Carmelo Anthony hit two crucial shots over Lynch, which gave him the confidence to question the unanimous MVP award—I just stepped over the mountain you all called insurmountable, so why can't I question your throne!?

But tonight, these two humiliating near misses at the edge of the abyss were like two resounding slaps, disqualifying Carmelo Anthony from questioning Lynch.

Watching the basketball fly out of bounds, watching Carmelo Anthony fall into the abyss of despair.

Lin Qi, however, made no attempt to hide it by curling the corners of his lips in front of him.

"Get lost," Lynch's voice wasn't loud, but it clearly pierced Anthony's last bastion of consciousness. "You softie, you dare to even touch the heights of 'unanimous MVP'? I've said it before, there's never been any controversy! This is a complete and utter crushing defeat!"

Carmelo Anthony's dignity, the arrogant spine that supported his domineering attitude towards the league, and his last belief in the journey to becoming a super team were ruthlessly crushed by Lynch's cold words of declaring his kingship by trampling on the head of a loser.

Lynch was targeting him.

This is a humiliating execution ground built just for him!

The dignity of the unanimous MVP must not be trampled on in any way.

LeBron James glanced at the basketball lying quietly on the baseline, utterly disappointed.

He had no idea what the hell he was sacrificing all for.

(Thank you so much to the generous donor, I am God_I am waiting for the big shot! I am so grateful!)
(End of this chapter)