Champion Rules

Chapter 288, Section 284: Do you want to pick up the championship again? (Seeking monthly votes!)
The incompetent Derek Fisher had never experienced the satisfaction of leaving employers speechless in labor negotiations.

Those bosses who used to be so arrogant now blushed like ducks with their throats being squeezed, swallowing back their rebuttals.

This scene was so satisfying!
Sure enough, just like his experience on the court, the key to victory at the negotiating table is not how loud you can shout, but how strong your backer is!
I, Derek Fisher, am more than just good at rolling up my trouser legs; my true family skill is clinging to powerful figures!

No, how can this be called sucking up to someone's coattails?

Low emotional intelligence: The players' union president won without saying a word during labor negotiations.

High emotional intelligence: The players' union president can win in labor negotiations without saying a word!
Derek Fisher now has nothing but admiration and worship for Lynch.

If he could, he would even like to use his expertise to dedicate his life's work to this newly crowned negotiation master.

Give him a chance, and he can pack up the most beautiful married woman in the entire league and send her to Lynch's bed, using his precision and efficiency to kill the Spurs with 0.4 seconds!

Old Yu secretly adjusted his tie knot with a smug look, forcing a composed smile that said, "Everything is under control."

Although the meeting room had quieted down temporarily, the atmosphere had undoubtedly become very tense.

David Stern sensed that the tension was about to reach a breaking point and decisively stood up: "Alright, gentlemen, calm down. I'll reiterate, we're sitting at the negotiating table today seeking consensus, not in a boxing ring. Violent confrontation won't solve anything."

But soon, David Stern changed the subject:
"But Lynch, some teams rooted in small markets are indeed suffering real losses. Even if the players don't take a 10% pay cut, it's difficult to maintain the 57% figure."

I know about your tough stance, but the reality is a precipice. If neither of us is willing to back down even a small step, we will both be shattered to pieces.

Listen, a lockout next season would be a bad deal for you too.

Before Lynch could even speak, David Stern somehow touched a nerve with Dwyane Wade.

He stood up and pointed directly at the NBA commissioner: "David Stern! Who are you taking sides with?! Are you fucking threatening us?!"

The Flash, who is usually surprisingly slow to react, overreacted this time, much like Stephen Curry suddenly unleashing a windmill dunk.

Dwyane Wade felt this was a scare tactic, believing that David Stern was using the season suspension to intimidate players.

Black people will always feel stressed by intimidation from white people.

David Stern single-handedly created the league's commercial miracle, and he is highly respected by both players and owners.

So, the Flash's move completely ignited the tense atmosphere in the conference room.

The investors' representatives were outraged, and their condemnation was overwhelming.

"Rude! This is an insult to the CEO!"

"There's absolutely no way to negotiate! They have no sincerity whatsoever!"

"Dwyane Wade! Is this the quality of your labor representatives?!"

Brilliant, Lynch knew it. You can never count on these muscle-bound, simple-minded guys when it comes to this kind of thing.

But what could he do? He could only step forward and form a defensive line for his clumsy but loyal comrade.

"Watch your words! Dwyane is just pointing out a dangerous sign. We really can't wait until the season is suspended to keep arguing!"

The small conference room instantly turned into a battlefield, and the powder keg that Lynch and MJ had just lit was completely blown up by the Flash's "divine kick".

The negotiation order that David Stern had painstakingly maintained vanished in an instant.

Ultimately, the meeting was abruptly adjourned because neither side could calm down.

David Stern decided to reschedule the next round of negotiations in a few days.

Leaving the conference room and back in his Cadillac Escalade, The Flash felt incredibly guilty: "Damn, did I mess this up?"

Lynch simply shrugged lazily, his gaze sweeping across the receding NBA headquarters building outside the car window: "You reacted pretty quickly this time."

"Hey, I've always been quick on the uptake!"

"Then tell me, why did Pat Riley make you take a pay cut?"

"He said he would give me a maximum salary in the future to strengthen the team."

Lynch gently patted Dwyane Wade's knee, the force was light, but it made the latter's heart sink: "Oh, you reacted pretty quickly, trusting the investors so much."

Lynch didn't pursue the topic any further; for him, today's outcome was actually quite good.

He never expected to resolve the matter through a single negotiation.

But at least, the employers' tough stance on the "hard salary cap" and "10% pay cut" has indeed begun to soften under the combined offensive led by Lynch, and they are no longer able to effectively refute these two issues.

The pointer of victory has begun to silently slide toward the players' side.

Derek Fisher was in a good mood too: "How about it, gentlemen? We really outmaneuvered the capitalists today! Worth a drink, it's on me tonight!"

Lynch was the first to wave his hand: "I don't drink alcohol during the season, sorry."

His voice was a little hoarse, with a hint of barely perceptible fatigue; he had been plagued by too many troublesome matters lately.

Derek Fisher, clearly engrossed, blinked persistently, took a step closer, lowered his voice, and wore a knowing smile:

"You want to drink juice? I can get a few young models to drink juice with you. They're all very young, they can keep you completely safe."

“Forget it,” Lynch said, losing interest. He simply turned to stare at the Flash beside him. “Dwayne, enjoy your time as the top team in the East. Because this good time will end soon.”
-
The next day's newspapers made Michael Jordan, who was holding the Cuban model, instantly go limp.

Because all the blood in his small head went to his big head!

Lynch's media influence is indeed astonishing.

Most mainstream media outlets portrayed last night's negotiations as a victory for Lynch.

The passage vividly describes how the King of New York crushed the God of Basketball with his aura, and how he silenced the once-silent Air Jordan.

The public opinion generated by these media outlets even gave Michael Jordan himself the feeling that "my influence has been far surpassed by him."

Just last night, David Stern sent an email to all business owners, advising them not to cling to the "hard salary cap" and "47% revenue share" conditions.

reason?

"With Lynch's well-prepared intervention, these two conditions are almost impossible to achieve."

This seemingly innocuous suggestion was like a blunt knife slowly piercing MJ's pride, causing it to fester.

The newspapers were full of Lynch.

The negotiations became complicated because of Lynch.

It's as if Lynch is the master of this world, influencing every aspect of it.

In the afternoon, MJ prepared to return to North Carolina.

At the VIP entrance, reporters swarmed around like hyenas smelling blood, shoving microphones at their faces like bayonets.

"Michael, how do you view the fact that Lynch's influence has far surpassed yours?"

"Facts? I haven't seen any facts, just some lies fabricated by the media." MJ tried to maintain a smile; he had already lost his composure enough since yesterday.

"But NBA Commissioner David Stern did say in an interview that Lynch's presence enabled a breakthrough in the stalled labor negotiations that no one had been able to achieve before, including you. Isn't that proof of Lynch's influence?"

Michael Jordan's last shred of forced smile completely crumbled. His icy gaze pierced the persistent reporter:
"Influence? My influence is built on six Larry O'Brien Trophy titles—two three-peats! It's not the talk at the labor negotiation table, nor is it a bubble blown up by the media! Lynch? Ha, let him get his first three-peat before he talks about influence!"

With a thud, MJ turned and strode into the depths of the VIP passage without looking back.

His intense competitiveness almost twisted his desire to see one thing happen—Lynch would be crushed on his second attempt to win a three-peat.

As long as Lynch falls, and falls hard enough, all discussions about "surpassing MJ" will come to an abrupt end.

If Lynch had any sense of shame, he should admit that a single championship is less than two consecutive championships, while a three-peat is an unparalleled honor.

Michael Jordan believes that his expectations may not necessarily be disappointed.

Because right now, the New York Knicks are indeed facing numerous difficulties.

In his first game back with the team, Lynch led his team to victory against the Detroit Pistons.

But it was a tough game, and they only won by 5 points in the end.

If it weren't for Carmelo Anthony's classic last-second layup from a standing position, the Knicks would have been in serious trouble tonight.

Honestly, Lynch thinks Carmelo Anthony is more deserving of the GOAT award than LeBron James.

Because he changed the rule that "the closer you are to the basket, the more confident you are."

If basketball only counts as a point when a shot is taken outside the paint, then he's probably closer to becoming the all-time leading scorer.

However, after the game, Sam Presti gave Lynch some good news.

The Miami Heat have found a more suitable backup center, Darko Milicic, who once battled Lynch in Europe.

In this history, Darko Milicic, who started his professional career in Detroit, has never had an All-Star caliber performance.

But his passion for basketball and victory quickly faded, and he never became the superstar people had envisioned.

At least he is a decent rotation player.

However, due to issues with his professional attitude, no team signed him last summer.

Darko Milicic, who had been experiencing a cold spell, finally felt a sense of crisis. He started to resume training, lose weight, and had his agent promote him all over the league.

Ultimately, his performance during the tryouts impressed Pat Riley.

However, the Miami Heat's roster was already full, so they decided to cut Jermaine O'Neal.

That's Sam Presti's goal.

Lynch wasn't satisfied with this goal; if Jermaine O'Neal had performed well in Miami, he wouldn't have been cut.

Lynch has always respected Jermaine O'Neal's integrity and toughness.

Lynch had a good impression of him ever since their first playoff matchup.

But let's be clear, Jermaine O'Neal's current ability is questionable.

Sam Presti was prepared; he swiped his finger across the tablet screen, revealing a series of advanced data:
"Objectively speaking, he is indeed exhausted on the offensive end. But on the defensive end, he can still make a positive contribution."

Of course, the condition is that his playing time is limited to 18 minutes or less; otherwise, he faces a very high risk of injury.

However, this isn't a problem for us, because DeAndre can easily handle 30 minutes of playing time. In that limited time, Jermaine O'Neal will be a competent rim protector.

Lynch glanced at the data, and the numbers did indeed show that Jermaine O'Neal's defensive contributions were quite good.

For a substitute center, defense is far more important than offense.

With excellent defense, being able to hold out for ten minutes or so is more than enough.

Before he could make a decision, Sam Presti added, "The real difficulty with Jermaine is whether he can get along with Ron Artest. As far as I know, they haven't spoken a word to each other since they parted ways."

Lynch returned the tablet to Sam Presti and left.

"where are you going?"

"To the locker room."

"So, you're not satisfied with Jermaine? This is an era of center shortage, Lynch. If there were better options, I wouldn't miss them. But the whole league knows we desperately need a center, so they're all asking for exorbitant prices in trades."

“No, it’s not that I’m dissatisfied,” Lynch waved his hand. “I just want Ron to call Jermaine O’Neill.”
-
Jermaine O'Neal is in pain.

He gave his all to the Miami Heat.

He longs to follow Dwyane Wade and win a ring.

However, Pat Riley's blade was always cold and unpredictable. After trying out Darko Milicic, he barely thought about it and didn't even call himself.

A cold layoff notice severed his last hope for South Beach.

He lost his job.

At the age of 32, this is quite fatal.

ESPN is broadcasting news of his release, reviewing his short but brilliant career as if he were retiring.

Then, inevitably, that name appeared on the show—Ron Artest.

Stephen A. Smith shook his head: "We have no way of knowing whether that blood-stained past still leaves a deep-seated hatred in Jermaine's heart?"

Just then, Jermaine O'Neill's phone rang.

An unknown number without a contact name was flashing frantically on the screen, and he answered it immediately.

The next second, a cold current, mixed with ancient rage, suddenly shot through my spine!

His knuckles turned white as he gripped the phone so tightly, as if he wanted to crush the cold plastic casing!

It was him!

There wasn't a single word of greeting or even a simple hello.

Jermaine O'Neal gritted his teeth and abruptly ended the call.

His daughter was startled by her father's sudden change in expression: "Daddy, who is it?"

Jermaine O'Neal took a deep breath, trying to suppress the turmoil churning in his chest: "That bastard on TV!"

Hate? Of course I hate!
That guy's selfishness shattered the entire Indiana dream!

They shattered his closest chance to the Larry O'Brien Trophy!

"He called you? What did he say?"

Jermaine O'Neal stared at the highlights of his game against Ron Artest on TV, his clenched fist gradually loosening.

He asked me
"Would you like to join me in picking up the Larry O'Brien Trophy we lost back then?"

(End of this chapter)