Champion Rules

Chapter 275, Section 271: More Than Just a Jerk (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Ray Allen sat next to Lynch, watching him freely tease LeBron James, and then burst into laughter.

Despite becoming teammates, his opinion of Lynch remained unchanged.

He still believed that Lynch was a complete bastard—someone who took pleasure in humiliating his opponents, had no gentlemanly manners, no compassion, and was a well-known playboy.

For Ray Allen, one of the few NBA players who has known his wife for 20 years without a single scandal and who insists on taking her to the same restaurant and ordering the same dishes every year to relive their first date, Lynch's private life is simply terrible.

This man has too many flaws that Ray Allen couldn't stand, yet you have to admit, he's a winner.

Choosing to join the New York Knicks was a huge gamble for Ray Allen.

He turned down a higher annual salary and even a lucrative retirement contract offered by Portland.

He's going all in, playing basketball solely for the chance to win a championship.

This means that if he fails to win the championship in New York, he will have nothing.

This is a very dangerous choice, because the Knicks have already won two consecutive championships.

Ray Allen never won a championship, but he knew that it was easy to become complacent and lazy.

In modern basketball, only MJ's Bulls and Shaq's Lakers have achieved three consecutive championships.

Overall, a three-peat is ultimately a low-probability event.

Therefore, even though the New York Knicks have had a historic dominant performance in the past two seasons, Ray Allen's fate remains uncertain.

But as training camp began, Ray Allen quickly discovered that the biggest problem affecting the team's chances of winning the championship was not complacency.

Just like when they won the championship a few months ago, everyone on the podium shouted "Let's do it again!" with great passion. The Knicks' fighting spirit to win the championship is still burning brightly.

Even veterans like Steve Nash, Ron Artest, and Shane Battier are full of energy every day.

Ray Allen played for four different teams throughout his career, encountering all sorts of teammates.

Therefore, he is very clear about the vast difference between a player "playing for a salary" and "playing for a championship".

Players who play only for a contract may not make mistakes, but they often lack that burning passion and extreme desire to win.

The players who strive for the championship give their all even on the training field, as if they are constantly on high alert.

Fortunately, the Knicks are mostly composed of players like this.

What truly affects this team's chances of winning the championship is the inevitable aging of some key players.

Steve Nash suspended all training a week after the start of training camp due to back tension.

Just one day later, Shane Battier suffered a sprained medial collateral ligament in his left knee.

Ron Artest, who is as strong as an ox, is not injured, but the coaching staff is already discussing removing him from the starting lineup because his defensive level is far from what it was last season.

His already subpar lateral speed plummeted further, making it increasingly difficult for him to lower his center of gravity.

If his steals last season were characterized by quick reflexes and sharp eyes, then this season his steals are characterized by sheer quick reflexes – whether Artest can actually catch the ball when he tries to steal it this season is unknown, but he'll definitely slap your forearm until it's swollen.

Of course, Ron Artest hasn't been completely without improvement.

His singing skills have improved significantly.

After winning the championship this summer, Ron Artest released his debut music album, and his hit song "Champion" was even included in the NBA 2K11 game's playlist.

Even if he can't make the All-Defensive Team this year, he can probably still make the All-Rap Team.

Besides his defense, Ron Artest's offense has gone from "barely usable" last season to "completely unwatchable".

His outside shooting remains inconsistent, but that doesn't stop him from finishing at the rim in a mess.

A common sight in practice games was Lynch making every shot, while Ron Artest couldn't even make a single free throw.

Their combined shooting percentage is exactly 50%, so it's a 50/50 chance between Lynch and Artest!

Ron Artest often complains that if basketball involved three steps instead of two, his finishing ability wouldn't be so bad even at 40.

But there was nothing he could do; he could neither change the rules nor was he destined to be emperor.

Even if Ron Artest regains his competitive form after training camp, it's unlikely he'll make any significant breakthroughs.

Ray Allen himself is also getting older.

Two weeks after the training camp began, Philip Sanders called Ray Allen into his office alone.

"Lei Lei, not to disrespect you, but after careful evaluation, we hope you will be a substitute next season."

Since entering the league in 1996, Ray Allen has only made a handful of substitute appearances in his long career, totaling just two games.

Therefore, this news was nothing short of a deep scar for him, announcing that the times were abandoning him.

Once the league's best shooter, once an All-NBA guard, once a dazzling All-Star, he's now at the age where he should be sitting on the bench waving a towel.

Although Ray Allen had already built a mental barrier for this moment, the overwhelming sense of resentment and melancholy that followed the truth made his heart less calm than he had anticipated.

He looked up, his gaze lingering briefly on Philip Sanders' face as he scrutinized him: "So... the starting shooting guard position is going to be given to that young Demar?"

Philip Sanders nodded solemnly: "Yes, his progress has been remarkable, far exceeding expectations. We all believe it's time for him to take on more responsibility."

Ray Allen paused for a few seconds, then nodded: "I understand."

He has certainly seen DeMar DeRozan's progress.

In the recent training matches, that child's performance has been quite outstanding.

Aside from his poor three-point shooting, he has almost fulfilled all the requirements of a second option on offense.

He can drive to the basket and shoot mid-range shots; his positioning is very intelligent.

Most importantly, his mid-range game is very solid, and he can handle some ball possessions on his own even when he is not with Lynch and the system.

As the second-in-command, this is a very important ability.

During the draft, major media outlets compared DeMar DeRozan to Vince Carter.

But in reality, he's more like a better-athletic Paul Pierce.

Ray Allen knows that he is now just a utility shooter.

He still has oil, but he doesn't quite fit the role of the second-in-command.

He knew that Philip Sanders was simply making a reasonable arrangement, but rational understanding did not equate to emotional acceptance.

This disparity was completely shattered the next day on the training field.

A day later, in a scrimmage, DeMar DeRozan swept in like wildfire, burning Ray Allen's aging form on both offense and defense to ashes.

DeMar DeRozan scored 27 points in the entire practice game.

Ray Allen went 0-for-5 from three-point range.

He felt the child was doing it on purpose.

He felt that the young man was asserting his sovereignty.

But nobody cared about his displeasure.

It's as if he was born to be this stepping stone.

After the practice match, Lin Qi generously offered his applause:

"Demar, smile! Why aren't you smiling? If you can keep playing like this after the regular season starts, damn it! David Stern should just send the championship trophy to Madison Square Garden early! Well done, Demar! Great job!"

DeMar DeRozan simply smiled shyly, then walked straight past Ray Allen without even glancing at the veteran beside him, leaving behind only a silent back and indifference.

In fact, Ray Allen has been with the team for half a month, and he and DeMar DeRozan haven't exchanged a single word.

He sensed the young man was cold, and of course, Ray Allen remained aloof.

In this noisy locker room ecosystem, Ray Allen has always been alone.

His background, his rigid and self-disciplined style, and his unusual and unconventional interests all contributed to making him an out-of-place "oddball".

Loneliness acted like an invisible barrier, isolating him from the vibrant atmosphere of the locker room.

The boy's sharpness and silent challenge were nothing more than another surging tide on the edge of this isolated island.

Cold and heavy.

Ray Allen's form was getting worse and worse, and he still hadn't found his rhythm by the start of the first preseason game.

In the first preseason game, Ray Allen played 23 minutes, making 1 of 5 three-pointers.

On the opposing team, Gerald Henderson, the 12th overall pick in the 09 draft, scored 19 points—he averaged less than 3 points per game in his rookie season. On the sidelines, Michael Jordan raised his arms in celebration, unable to contain his smile.

Of course, this is not about the outcome of this preseason game.

He was shouting for his reputation, which was about to be vindicated:
"See? From now on, who dares to say that when I, Michael, am recruiting soldiers, all my troops are slackers?!"

As Ray Allen walked off the court, Lynch glanced at him and said, "Ray, what's going on? You didn't treat me like this last season."

Ray Allen did not answer and walked straight into the players' tunnel.

The locker room interviews after the game were very lively.

Despite it being a preseason game, and despite it being the Bobcats' home court.

Despite their inherent popularity, the New York Knicks still attracted an astonishing number of reporters into the locker room.

Ray Allen was surprised to find himself surrounded by people.

However, the reporters' questions made him very embarrassed.

"Ray, did you never expect to lose your starting position with the Knicks?"

"No, I had expectations."

"What's bothering you? You look terrible."

"Nothing is bothering me."

"How is your relationship with the Knicks players? Has it improved here compared to Orlando?"

"I don't want to talk about my relationship with my teammates."

"Why not? Or is your relationship too strained to discuss in front of the media? Why can't you fit into the locker room on any team?"

"Alright guys, I'm going to take a shower now. That concludes today's interview."

Ray Allen tried to stand up and leave, temporarily avoiding the camera.

But a harsh taunt cut off his path.

"Hey, don't be so down, Ray. Cheer up. You're with the New York Knicks. Even if you only average 3 points per game this season, you still have a chance to win a ring without lifting a finger, hahaha."

The reporters burst into laughter, and Ray Allen felt like an idiot.

He gave up a higher annual salary and a starting position.

So, you end up here being ridiculed?
Just then, someone pushed through the crowd: "What's so funny?"

It was Lynch, smiling at the reporters around him. But Ray Allen noticed that beneath Lynch's fake smile, his eyes were icy.

The reporter who had just asked the question was about to repeat what he had just said, but halfway through, Lin Qi's face suddenly darkened.

“This is fucking not funny at all,” he said, his voice rising sharply as he surveyed the room, each word making the laughter even quieter. “In my locker room, no one can insult Lei Lei like that!”

After saying that, Lin Qi rudely pointed at the reporter who had just told the "joke": "You think this is funny, huh? You should know that locker room interviews are by invitation only. If I hear you say something like that again, you and your media can forget about ever stepping into the locker room again!"

"Sorry, Lynch, I was just driving."

Lin Qi didn't give him any face at all and continued speaking on his own:
“Listen, Ray just needs time to adjust to his new role, and he works incredibly hard. He sacrifices a lot and has never complained about being a substitute.”

Everyone on this team is doing their job, and everyone is playing their part.

No one earns their ring by lying down, and no one's sweat is wasted!

Yeah, Ray played terribly tonight. Only that idiot Ron could probably compare to him in terms of who was worse.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Ron Artest roared angrily from the corner of the locker room: "Hey! I played badly? My free throw percentage was higher than Ray's three-point percentage today!"

Lin Qi completely ignored it and ended the conversation decisively:

"But whether it's Ray or Ron, they will definitely get better, I believe they can."

After Lin Qi finished speaking, some reporters spontaneously began to applaud.

Some of these comments were flattery of Lynch, while others came from the heart.

Ray Allen stood frozen in place, his gaze fixed on Lynch.

He still remembers the scene on the first day of media day, watching him make fun of LeBron James and then laugh out loud. Ray Allen told himself that Lynch was really a bastard, a mean and flamboyant bastard.

But now, the Lin Qi in front of him felt like a stranger.

Ray Allen knew that he and Lynch had no personal relationship.

They had a few conversations in the locker room, but they were few and far between, just meaningless small talk, as bland as plain water.

Ray Allen, just like in the past, doesn't feel like he's on the same page as any of his teammates in the locker room, and feels out of place there.

Therefore, Ray Allen wouldn't be surprised if Lynch stood up for DeMar DeRozan or Steve Nash.

But for my own sake?
Last season in Orlando, no one would have stood up for him.

Lynch snapped his fingers impatiently, pulling Ray Allen back from his daze:

"What are you thinking? Can't you be a little tougher? If a reporter is making you unhappy, just talk back to him. Fuck, no wonder George Carr said you're a fucking pretty but useless Barbie doll."

That mean bastard is back.

But Ray Allen didn't find this "bastard" attitude repulsive at the moment.

Because he knew that wasn't all of Lynch's life.

"Thank you."

“Listen, Lei Lei, I know you need some time, but not too long. We didn’t sign you as a mascot.”

I wasn't just saying that for show. Everyone on this team has their own responsibilities and roles, so we need you too.

After saying this, Lin Qi prepared to leave, but after taking a step, he suddenly stopped as if he remembered something.

There are some things I need to make clear.

First, I don't care if you're a social butterfly in the locker room, and you don't need to be a social star there. If you prefer quiet, that's fine, it's your right, and no one will blame you. Don't like going out with us? That's okay too. What we need are people who give it their all on the court.

Secondly, I don't know if it's true, but if it is, put away all your speculations about Demar. He's just a quiet guy, like you. His coldness towards you is definitely not malicious.

Third, and most importantly, get yourself ready, don't keep me waiting too long.

After saying that, Lynch left and walked over to Ron Artest.

"Ron, you seemed to have a lot of opinions about my conclusion just now?"

"Huh? No, it's DeShawn!"

The locker room erupted in noise again, but Ray Allen's heart, which had been in turmoil for over a month, finally calmed down.

At that moment, as Lynch's teammate, he finally saw the whole picture of this "bastard".

Yes, he's an idiot.

But he's more than just a jerk.

He takes pleasure in humiliating his opponents, but will not allow anyone to offend his teammates.

He has no gentlemanly manners, but he is always willing to stand up for his teammates.

He showed no mercy, yet always generously bestowed the highest praise upon the shining moments of each of his brothers.

He's a jerk, but when that "jerk" is standing next to you, everything is different.

Ray Allen no longer felt like an idiot.

He will succeed.

His choice was correct.
-
It wouldn't be surprising if Ray Allen fell out of the regular rotation; he's 35 years old, and he only chose New York because he had no other options. — Charles Barkley's assessment of Ray Allen's performance.

I heard Lynch is becoming the greatest player ever? Can he hold out his hand and wear championship rings on all five fingers? — Michael Jordan mocked Lynch and bragged after the game.

Michael is undoubtedly the best; he's the Charlotte Bobcats' best player right now. As for rings, I already had four before he got his first. — Lynch's response to MJ, officially giving birth to the Lynch Formula.

You know, the weakness of young players is their inconsistency. Kevin's shots were a bit rushed, Stephen's positioning needs improvement, and James isn't quite handling the ball well yet. So, we lost tonight. Me? My plus-minus is +7. — LeBron James responds to the Thunder's narrow 12-point preseason loss to the Bulls.

The San Antonio fans thought everything was in place, that the defending champions had lost their edge, and that they could win the opening game. But let me put it this way: after watching Lynch's 15 minutes tonight and seeing his improvement, I can confidently say that the opening game will be the most humiliating game of Tim Duncan's career. —Stephen A. Smith on the opening game.

(End of this chapter)