Champion Rules

Chapter 292, Chapter 288: Your "day" will never become my "that day" (Seeking monthly votes!)

The bad news for Derrick Rose is that he lost to the New York Knicks once again.

The good news is that Michael Jordan single-handedly attracted the ire of all the media and fans!
After the game, the entire internet exploded with trending topics. The video of Lynch's two close-range blocks against the basketball god during the game garnered far more views, leaving Derrick Rose's highlight reels of being brutally blocked by Lynch in the dust.

That's fair. The Bulls getting beaten up is entirely the Bulls' star player's responsibility. What does it have to do with my Windy City's star player?

Of course, Michael Jordan's trip was not a complete failure.

At least he proved that he is not only the best scoring guard in history, nor just one of the best defensive guards in history.

He is still the guard with the best assists in history.

MJ could assist Lynch, allowing him to turn an ordinary regular season game into an epic performance that surpassed the GOAT.

This also allows him to assist Derrick Rose, freeing him from the burden of being a loser. Tonight, the Bulls don't need to assign blame; Jordan takes full responsibility.

He is practically the first player in NBA history to have assists on both ends of the court in a single game!
Michael Jordan's selflessness demonstrated his stature as the current GOAT.

Nike's anxieties are surfacing like an iceberg.

The future blueprint that they had bet heavily on, King James, has collapsed.

Kevin Durant is not yet capable of carrying the weight of a global sports empire, unless Nike switches to selling helmets.

Kobe Bryant's legend has not ended, but the decline of his dominance is clearly visible, and Nike can no longer rely on the lingering influence of his declining career.

Fortunately, before this, Nike had always had an unbreakable ballast stone, like an anchor chain sunk to the bottom of the sea—Michael Jordan.

This brightest star in basketball history forms Nike's unparalleled safety net. Even if it stumbles and falls on other tracks, Nike's floor remains rock solid.

Although AJ is relatively independent, the DNA of Nike will always flow deep within the sub-brand. Look at those AJ1 models that have swept the globe; the most eye-catching and dominant mark is always that swoosh.

As long as Michael Jordan remains a legend in the basketball world, the Hook legend will never end.

But now, the combined swords of Lynch and Reebok are approaching this last fortress.

Prior to this, the two sides' media had already engaged in numerous public opinion battles over this issue. It was a back-and-forth, fierce exchange.

But no amount of elaborate media accusations can compare to Lynch's dominance over MJ in labor negotiations, his close-range attack on the GOAT on the court, or his humiliating victory that forced Michael Jordan to leave the game early.

These moments, frozen in time, are far more impactful than a thousand press releases.

They are relentlessly shaking the most core and most relied-upon pillar of the Nike empire!
After Lynch returned to New York from Chicago, Sonny Vaccaro immediately called.

During the phone call, the marketing magnate who had brought Lynch and Reebok together claimed to have prepared "a surprise" and invited them to dinner.

At the dinner table, the mystery was revealed: Mandalay Films was preparing to shoot a biographical film starring Sunny Vaccaro.

Lynch skimmed through the script outline and found it to be a standard "American Dream" narrative template.

A once-glorious but nearly bankrupt sporting goods company, along with a marketing executive ousted from a super sports brand, bet everything on a controversial genius, ultimately building a business empire and causing the brand value to skyrocket.

The script was like "the untold story of a plumber and a single young woman," and Lin Qi could guess the plot even with his eyes closed.

The only pleasant surprise was that the film was originally conceived as a story about Sonny and Nike's rise to fame.

But now, they've decided to change it to the story of Sonny and Reebok's comeback.

reason?

Director Ben Affleck's explanation was so blunt it was almost acrimonious:

"In today's market, who's still interested in how Nike climbed to the top? Reebok is the sports icon that young people are now crazy about. If the story follows the trend, the box office will be guaranteed."

Seeing that the main character in the script had changed from Nike to Reebok, Lynch nodded in satisfaction.

This film is not merely an entertainment product, but a tool for subtly expanding brand influence.

For Lynch himself, every leap in Reebok's brand value will directly translate into numbers jumping in his profit-sharing account.

Therefore, he was happy about the release of the film.

One day, Reebok's influence will truly surpass Nike's.

Then Lynch could probably be like MJ, sitting at home earning more from a share of the profits than he did playing basketball.

Closing the script, Lin Qi casually asked, "Who are they planning to cast as the lead, you?"

Sonny habitually pushed up his glasses and said with a hint of humility, "With my ordinary face, what kind of handsome actors could I possibly choose? Currently, their tentative lead actor is Mark Damon."

Lynch:
Sure enough, once a person reaches the pinnacle of fame and fortune, they don't need to exert any effort themselves; the outside world will spare no effort to beautify them.

Lin Qi found it hard to believe that this seemingly cunning fat man could be associated with the ruthless and cold-blooded agent from the Bourne series.

It's as if he can hardly imagine that in 2025 there will be so many media outlets touting LBJ as the Goat.

All I can say is that the Americans' magic in turning the mundane into the extraordinary is simply breathtaking.

As Reebok's influence continues to grow, Lynch's salary as a player has become as thin as a coin.

Once upon a time, money was the original engine that drove him to fight on the court.

However, at this moment, that became the weakest and most fragile thread supporting his continued struggle.

When the journey ahead is no longer measured by money, the question inevitably arises in Lynch's mind: where exactly does the end of his career lie?
For a player who will be turning 25 in six months, this kind of thinking seems a bit premature, and even he himself cannot clearly outline the shape of the finish line.

However, one thing is certain: right now, honors are his biggest motivation for playing. They will become the most fervent fuel, supporting and driving him forward.

Thus, the answer becomes crystal clear—before he stands atop that is beyond question and beyond dispute, he will transform into the most greedy conqueror, sparing no effort to seize every laurel wreath.

As for what comes after the peak? Only those who have climbed to the top of that mountain are qualified to think about the way down.

Now, just keep going upwards, until the soil beneath your feet is stained with starlight!
After defeating the Bulls, the New York Knicks won their next four games, going on a five-game winning streak and forcefully reclaiming the Eastern Conference title.

The game against the Bulls is widely regarded as the game in which the defending champions reawakened.

Their starting point guard was injured, so they made roster adjustments and experienced some minor upheavals.

Then, under Lynch's latest locker room management strategy, they set sail again, riding the wave of that major victory against the Bulls.

Lynch miraculously reorganized the team, and the unfortunate Los Angeles Lakers ended up facing the defending champions who had regained their fighting strength.

After losing last season, many Los Angeles fans encouraged themselves: "It's okay, we can always come back next year."

However, after the start of this season, some Los Angeles fans realized that the bloody battle in June was probably the twilight of the Lakers' quest for the championship.

Kevin Garnett can no longer stay healthy; in fact, he has played fewer than 70 regular season games for the previous two seasons.

Even if KG is able to play this season, his once-proud mobility and defensive impact have shown signs of fatigue.

At 38, Jason Kidd has become a true blue-collar guard.

He has recorded similar stats like "0 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists" more than once this season.

The first guard in NBA history to be allergic to scoring!
If Jason Kidd's defense was a sure-kill, then his offense is now a guaranteed kill.

Sometimes you really can't laugh at 40-year-old LeBron James racking up points on fast breaks.

Because 40-year-old Jason Kidd can't even execute a fast break.

Kobe Bryant also failed to maintain his level, but his decline was not too significant.

However, some details in tonight's game still revealed Kobe's decline.

In the final moments of the second quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers were already down by 12 points.

Kobe wanted to take over the game and at least narrow the gap to single digits before halftime.

He used a screen to break through to mid-range and, facing Lynch's help defense, pulled up for a fadeaway jumper. In the past few seasons, the Los Angeles Lakers were able to threaten the Knicks largely because Kobe Bryant was one of the few players who could score difficult shots against Lynch.

But this time, Kobe's fadeaway jumper was blocked by Lynch.

His jump height for a pull-up jump is not as high as before, and even lower than last season.

Kobe quickly picked up the basketball that had been knocked down, and a helpless, bitter smile appeared on his usually icy, serious face: "Fuck Lynch, you've got some good luck."

Lin Qi smiled and said, "You're lucky; you even managed to pick up the ball."

After a brief exchange, the last remaining smiles on their faces instantly froze.

Kobe wasn't about to give up. He used his shoulder to create a little space, forcefully drove into the side of the paint, stopped abruptly, feinted, and prepared to unleash his signature turnaround jump shot.

Statistically, Kobe Bryant did not show any significant decline.

But for a defender of Lynch's caliber, the slight slowdown in Kobe's movements was as clear as an echo in a valley.

Before Kobe had even fully raised the basketball above his shoulder line, Lynch's fingertips had already sliced ​​down with surgical precision, destroying the ball.

Kobe's attack failed again.

In contrast, Lynch attacked with a swift and decisive crossover, instantly disrupting Kobe's slightly sluggish footwork, and then easily scored with a floater over Kendrick Perkins.

This is a stark contrast.

Just six months ago, during a do-or-die moment in the Finals, Kobe's desperate one-on-one defense was enough to leave Lynch mired in a quagmire.

This season, Lynch no longer feels any pressure facing Kobe, while Kobe seems powerless against Lynch.

Kobe's attempt to take over the game not only failed to narrow the gap to single digits, but instead allowed the gap to widen to 14 points.

Lynch pointed at Kobe and trash-talked him in a joking tone: "Old dog, it's time to face reality. Stop hoping to beat me."

Engaging in verbal sparring with Kobe Bryant, much like tormenting LeBron James, has become a habit and source of amusement for Lynch.

Surprisingly, Kobe showed no sign of anger.

He just smiled, then raised his hand and patted Lynch's butt.

No words are needed; the changing times are vividly displayed at this moment.

I wonder if Los Angeles fans are thinking of Kobe Bryant at this moment, who managed to force a shot out of a triple-team and still make it.

Lynch stared at Kobe, wondering what the guy was thinking.

In just two short exchanges, Kobe Bryant actually smiled at himself twice.

This guy is incredibly competitive and almost never relaxes during a match.

Why did his competitive spirit suddenly waver?

Soon Lin Qi realized that the smile was not genuine relaxation, but rather a kind of exhausted compromise after being powerless to resist the steel torrent.

He still charged forward, squeezing every drop of blood and sweat, but those deadly movements that were once as natural as breathing now felt as heavy as a thousand pounds.

The outcome of this game was not in doubt. The two-year-long battle between Los Angeles and New York, two super-market teams, finally came to a silent end under the watchful eye of time.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, the game entered garbage time.

Kobe walked heavily to the bench, and the team doctors quickly swarmed around him—ice packs, kinesiology tape, compression arm braces, knee braces. The layers of white restraints made him look like a rice dumpling.

At this moment, neither the bloody battle of 08 nor the dynasty he built with sharks at the beginning of the century can bring him any dignity.

Lynch stared at Kobe, while Kobe stared blankly at the Staples Center's big screen, as if it were playing the glorious moments of his career: dynasties, trophies, and the expectant and proud eyes of the fans.

But now? He doesn't even have the strength to make a comeback.

Looking at all this, Lynch had some new thoughts about the end of his career.

What matters is never just what you leave behind.

Equally important is how you leave.

Look at Jermaine O'Neal, look at Ron Artest, even look at Ray Allen.

They also have a glorious past.

However, they still showed the world their pathetic side, which greatly affected people's evaluation of them.

A true GOAT will never allow even the slightest trace of wretchedness to be mixed into its great story.

You can only win as much as possible during your peak years, and then, before the humiliation arrives, turn around and leave with the utmost composure.

Greatness lies not in length, but in depth.

Michael Jordan almost did it. If he had retired from the court completely after 1998, he would have been the one to end his great career with the greatest shot in his final game.

This will be the pinnacle of immortality.

However, his failed comeback in the 21st century, heavily marked by commercial interests, ultimately tarnished his impeccable legacy.

Of course, considering that no one in the realm of human basketball can rival his achievements, these blemishes have not shaken his GOAT throne in the slightest.

Lynch had a clear idea of ​​his finish line; he wanted to erase even the last stain.

When the game ended, Ray Allen walked onto the court and embraced Kobe Bryant with heartfelt affection.

These two former star guards from the 96 draft class, who were once openly opposed to each other, have long since let go of their animosity and are now only left with mutual understanding.

Ray Allen understood Kobe Bryant all too well. Although he never reached Kobe's heights in his career, he knew that every step down from a great height was as cold and piercing as an icicle.

Last season, he was the Orlando Magic's second-best scorer—although he was almost ostracized in the locker room, in terms of tactical role, he was undoubtedly the second-best scorer.

Now, he even has to play as a substitute for second-year player DeMar DeRozan, preparing for every precious rotation opportunity.

Lynch stood at the entrance to the player tunnel watching the two of them. When Ray Allen waved goodbye to Kobe, he looked up and met Lynch's gaze that pierced through the noise.

He stepped forward, shrugged, and said, “I know you might look down on us losers saying goodbye right now. I also know you’re incredibly strong right now. But don’t be angry about what I’m about to say. You’ll experience what we’re going through sooner or later. It has nothing to do with your courage or ability; it’s the law of nature.”

“No,” Lynch said with a smile, putting his arm around Ray Allen’s shoulder, “Your ‘day’ will never be my ‘day,’ never.”

Ray Allen shook his head. Did this kid really think time would be kind to him? Did he think he could maintain his current state when he was 34 or 35?
Clearly, he did not understand Lynch's meaning.

Because Lynch wasn't thinking about things at 34 or 35 years old at all.

After the press conference, Lynch called Sam Presti.

He wanted to watch Washington State University guard Klay Thompson play.

If he wants to reach his dream destination, the Manhattan Project must succeed.

A hint of surprise came from the other end of the phone: "You mean that guy who trips himself up with his crossover? Oh, he's really amazing, but let's keep a closer eye on Kerry."

"Cary is great, but we may not get the number one pick. We need to prepare for other possibilities."

"Oh, don't forget what I do. I can fool people and make teams that want to draft him give up." Sam Presti chuckled, quite pleased with himself as he recalled how he had fooled the Timberwolves into drafting Johnny Flynn, who is now practically unknown.

"No one in this year's draft has more talent than Kyrie. You can't always expect others to make mistakes. Professional managers won't give you the chance for a 'Minnesota surprise' every year."

Just after hanging up the phone, Lin Qi saw a breaking news report:
"Clippers guard Eric Gordon suffers a season-ending shoulder injury. Can the Los Angeles Clippers, who were on a winning streak, make a successful return to the playoffs?"

Lynch had no idea what fate held.

But is the script for the championship team holding the number one draft pick?
This should have been an impossible chance, but it seems that fate has quietly pried open a barely perceptible crack.

(End of this chapter)