Champion Rules

Chapter 304 (300 words): The Person Who Handled the MVP (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Kyrie Irving is watching the Eastern Conference Finals live with his father, Drederic Irving.

Although his fate remains uncertain, both public opinion and he himself believe that his next destination is most likely New York, where he won the first overall pick in the draft.

Sam Presti isn't the kind of guy who picks randomly. People might not know who he'll choose with the Knicks' own 30th overall pick, but it's almost certain he'll choose the first pick.

Kyrie Irving, however, is not very interested in the Knicks.

He certainly knew that the New York Knicks had a built-in fanbase and unparalleled exposure and market presence.

But he longs to go to a city of his own, to lead his own team, and to achieve success step by step.

He wanted to be a leader, a hero like Allen Iverson or Kobe Bryant.

Instead of being overshadowed by another superstar.

Looking at the TV screen, Kyrie Irving shrugged at his father: "I don't really want to play in New York."

"why?"

Kyrie Irving looked at the dominant Lynch on the TV screen and shrugged: "I respect Lynch, but to be honest, I don't want to be his sidekick. I'm not playing in the NBA to be his sidekick."

Drederic remained calm and seemed unsurprised by his son's idea.

Because his son was neither a reckless fool nor a simple-minded boy who followed the crowd.

He always had his own ideas about the world and about his own life.

Moreover, Carey is extremely competitive, just like his late mother, Elizabeth Irwin, who chose to participate in the school volleyball team's games while pregnant, simply because she wanted to win.

Other couples' Christmas activities might involve back-to-back fighting.

Their Christmas activity as a couple was to play penalty kicks in the yard.

Drederick has said more than once in the media that Carey and Elizabeth look very, very alike.

The competitive and ambitious Carey is unlikely to submit to anyone.

The father didn't answer; he just kept staring at the television screen.

Lynch was indeed too domineering.

Not to mention the other Knicks players, even Derrick Rose, the MVP of the season, was overshadowed by Lynch.

Derrick Rose failed to demonstrate MVP-caliber dominance.

Lynch, however, displayed a level of pressure that surpassed that of the best defensive player.

Chris Bosh's pass was quite exquisite, and Derrick Rose's height is something most players in the league can only dream of.

However, despite having his best chance since the start of the game, the MVP still failed to break his scoring drought.

This defensive block on the alley-oop dunk undoubtedly boosted the Knicks' morale. After Steve Nash went on the counterattack, he faced Keith Bogans, who was stronger than him, and forcefully leaned on him to jump and attack the basket.

In mid-air, 37-year-old Steve Nash, completely off-balance and with his body almost parallel to the ground, incredibly made the shot!
It's clear that not only Lynch, but the entire Knicks team was incredibly aggressive tonight.

Generally speaking, a team needs to score goals to bolster its defense.

The more smoothly they play on offense, the more aggressive they will be on defense.

But tonight, Lynch used defense to fuel the Knicks' offense.

As Lynch repeatedly shut down the season's MVP, the rest of the Knicks team became quite decisive on offense.

They are very aggressive, seizing every opportunity and taking action without fear.

A sentiment ignited by Lynch and quickly spread throughout the team was clear: they all refused to accept the notion of "era change" and vowed to prove that the era of the New York Knicks was far from over!
Just like the Chinese team that deserves everyone's respect in the 2025 Asian Cup, when every one of them dares to stand up, every one of them dares to challenge their opponents, and every one of them is full of fighting spirit, they are unstoppable.

Steve Nash has now entered this state as well.

He knew that when the team needed Lynch to give his all on defense, and when the team needed to wear down Derrick Rose, he was the team's most relied-upon scorer.

If even he can't make a decisive move, who else can this team rely on for offense?

Seeing Steve Nash score again, Tom Thibodeau had to change his defensive strategy.

Instead of using Derrick Rose to defend against the Wind Child, he threw him in front of DeMar DeRozan.

He was gambling that the quiet second-year rookie couldn't muster the courage and efficiency of a former MVP.

Not all rising stars can shoulder the offensive burden and calmly manage a large number of possessions in such a high-pressure environment.

Even after playing in the league for eight years, young LeBron James still hesitates to shoot in some games, let alone young Zz8tai.

To take on the offensive, strength is fundamental, but morale is also crucial.

When you miss several shots in a row, but the team needs you to step up and score, do you still dare to take more shots?
For example, Derek Fisher may not be particularly strong in terms of pure skill, but his strong mental fortitude and courage to steal from others are what allow him to achieve remarkable feats in crucial moments.

Now, Tom Thibodeau is going to use the Eastern Conference Finals as a crucible to test DeMar DeRozan's courage and composure.

He already knew that the guy was suffering from depression.

He knew all along that the taciturn guy wasn't a perpetually confident super genius like Kyrie Irving.

He knew all along that the young man was not strong or resilient enough.

As a "tough rancher," Tom Thibodeau showed no mercy.

He wants to shatter DeMar DeRozan's fragile heart completely!

In the first possession after the position switch, Lynch promptly passed the ball to DeMar DeRozan.

One-on-one, Eastern Conference Finals, under the spotlight, the focus of everyone's attention.

At this moment, DeMar DeRozan became the protagonist on the field, thrust into the center of the storm.

He faces immense pressure because if he can't break through Derrick Rose's defense, Lynch's efforts on the defensive end will be wasted.

More importantly, the team's victory could also become precarious.

Facing the MVP's gaze, DeMar DeRozan didn't utter a single trash word.

His gaze was fixed intently on the basketball hoop. The slight trembling of his fingertips and the thin layer of sweat on his forehead silently testified to his tension.

He admitted that he was a little nervous.

In such a situation, few newcomers would not feel nervous.

But DeMar DeRozan didn't dribble for 20 seconds before passing the ball away; he didn't back down.

Suddenly, he raised his arm and waved, calling for DeAndre Jordan to set a screen!

This was the moment for him to prove he was qualified to be Lynch's right-hand man!
This is the moment when the loyal knight proves he is worthy of being a knight!

He initially accelerated toward the side with the screen, but just as he was about to get past DeAndre Jordan, he suddenly changed direction and charged toward the unscreened side.

Derrick Rose was shaken off, but Joakim Noah, with his long hair flying, switched onto DeMar DeRozan in time, his massive figure looming over DeMar DeRozan's side and front.

DeMar DeRozan isn't a speed-type player. His lack of natural talent prevents him from easily shaking off help defenders like Derrick Rose, and also prevents him from using his tank-like physique to push past help defenders within five steps like LeBron James.

It also prevents him from scoring with a jump shot that ignores defense, like Lynch and KD, using his supermodel height.

Faced with this insurmountable wall, DeMar DeRozan neither stopped nor hastily made a move.

He leaned on Joakim Noah and drove straight into the paint, then jumped up and slammed the ball over the opposing center for a one-handed dunk!

Tom Thibodeau's eyes widened; he hadn't expected even the taciturn little fellow to be so resolute tonight.

After landing, DeMar DeRozan let out a long howl, venting his emotions.

Since entering the NBA, he has received help from many people.

Lin Qi goes without saying; he has always been a beacon, illuminating the boundless darkness.

Steve Nash is like a torch, illuminating his confidence in the smallest details.

Ray Allen is like a mirror, using the experience accumulated over the years to guide his path forward.

The team's psychological support acted like a net, catching that heart afflicted by depression.

DeMar DeRozan can feel everyone's care and expectations for him.

He is usually not very talkative and not very good at speaking.

Even if he felt grateful, he found it difficult to express it in words.

But at this moment, the stadium is his only echo!
This was quite a bold move; even Philip Sanders was amazed by his choice.

Facing Joakim Noah's defense, DeMar DeRozan was incredibly confident. The team's morale had been forged in the crucible of war, and everyone's blood was boiling with passion!

Yes, the era-defining wave unleashed by the Chicago Bulls was indeed turbulent, but at this moment, the backbone of New York is strong enough to stand proudly against the storm!

Lynch's strong dominance over the MVP is the source of the Knicks' confidence.

Meanwhile, the outstanding performances of the others on the offensive end allowed Lynch to focus on defense with peace of mind.

They have formed a perfect complement to each other.

In the following games, the New York Knicks maintained firm control of the game.

The offense was multifaceted, with everyone giving their all.

On the defensive end, Lynch held down the Bulls' sharpest horns with his bare hands.

The targeted approach in the playoffs made it difficult for Derrick Rose to advance, while Luol Deng's performance stood in stark contrast to that of the Knicks players.

Luol Deng's nerves were being eroded by a series of wide-open shots, the team falling behind, and the pressure of having his key player locked down. Hesitation spread, making him hesitant to take shots.

Lynch actually gave Luol Deng many opportunities in order to help defend Derrick Rose.

However, with this unhealthy mindset, even when he takes a shot, his accuracy is very low.

Late in the second quarter, Luol Deng, who had missed four consecutive shots, received the ball again.

He was extremely flustered when Lin Qi pounced on him like a fierce demon.

He dared not continue throwing, but his conscience told him that he must not waste this opportunity because of stage fright.

So he came up with a compromise—he raised his arms like a defeated soldier on the battlefield, threw the ball haphazardly into the air, stuck close to Lynch, and tried to draw a foul.

But the referee didn't call it, because the referee's brain wasn't filled with coal dust!
This isn't just drawing a foul, it's practically begging on the court with a broken bowl in hand!
Why don't you just kneel down and beg the whistle?

The basketball flew out of bounds, and Luol Deng cursed as he retreated on defense.

Tom Thibodeau covered his head. Luol Deng's play tonight was more of a mess than his nationality list!

In stark contrast, DeMar DeRozan, facing Derrick Rose's already aggressive defense, forcefully backed down his opponent and made a turnaround jump shot.

By halftime, DeMar DeRozan had already scored 16 points.

He passed the test and became Lynch's best helper tonight.

During halftime in the TNT studio, Kenny Smith gloated: "Charles, we all know that in terms of career height, you can't compare to MJ. But in terms of character, you're on par with MJ."

The Jazz players who underestimated DeMar DeRozan before the playoffs started deserve high praise. His greatest strength is his ability to accept defeat and not make excuses for himself.

"Listen, I admit defeat! Demar slapped my face so hard tonight it's as swollen as my ass!"

He's amazing, not in terms of technique, but in his mindset. He's fearless, and he takes responsibility. He looks like a true superstar's right-hand man!

In the players' tunnel, Lynch walked up to DeMar DeRozan and reached out to pat him on the head.

"It's great to have you here, Demar."

DeMar DeRozan smiled, a rare sight, not with elation, but with a sense of relief that he had not let the team down.

When he reached the top last year, his biggest wish was to play a more crucial role in the next championship run.

This year, he achieved this goal.

In the second half, Lynch continued to let his teammates handle the offense, only making a few sporadic attacks himself.

This scene shocked Kyrie Irving, who was watching the game at home.

How did Lynch, as a superstar, achieve all of this?

He doesn't care about his stats or his role on the offensive end.

For Kyrie Irving himself, if he is unable to handle the ball and play one-on-one for extended periods, and cannot enjoy the thrill of tearing apart defenses in isolation, frustration will inevitably erode his fighting spirit.

Lynch, however, was willing to give opportunities to others and focus solely on what he should be doing.

In the previous round, he scored over 50 points in a head-to-head match against The Flash.

In this round, however, he suddenly became a defensive sharp blade.

But it works. Look at this New York Knicks team; they're rubbing salt into the wounds of the MVP-caliber team.

Lynch doesn't care about stats, even though he's currently burdened with a task that forces him to produce stats—to be the team's highest scorer in every series.

If he completes this task, he will randomly receive a talent from Jason Terry, the superstar who surpasses LeBron James.

Even so, Lin Qi was not in a hurry.

Acquiring more and better talents is for the purpose of victory, but if one despises victory in order to acquire talents, wouldn't that be going against the natural order?

Moreover, Lynch's score wasn't particularly low.

Although he took few shots, he was highly efficient because his teammates' strong scoring had already drawn a lot of defensive attention from him.

He firmly believes that when you focus on winning, the data will come to you.

When you try to gain stats through fast breaks like buzzer-beating passes and not tracking back on defense, victory will elude you.

The game is still going on, and the point difference has gradually widened.

Luol Deng's poor performance allowed Lynch to help defend Derrick Rose more aggressively, plunging the Bulls' offense into a vicious cycle.

Their prized defense was also shattered by the Knicks players' decisive and courageous shots.

Against the Detroit Pistons, this Chicago Bulls team was incredibly ferocious.

But against the New York Knicks, the Chicago Bulls looked so weak, pitiful, and helpless.

With only one and a half minutes remaining in the game, the Chicago Bulls were already down by 16 points.

Derrick Rose scored 21 points, which at first glance seems pretty good.

But tonight the MVP only made 7 of 23 shots, with a shooting percentage of just 30%.

Despite having numerous opportunities, Luol Deng suffered a mental breakdown, shooting 5-for-15, including an unbelievable 1-for-7 from three-point range.

The misfires of these two guns have led to the Bulls' current predicament.

一个回合后，林奇带着24分15个篮板10次助攻4次封盖1次抢断的数据提前下场。

He wasn't the top scorer tonight, but no one would question his dominance.

DeMar DeRozan, who scored a career-high 31 points in the playoffs, smiled shyly as he walked off the court surrounded by his teammates.

Steve Nash stood tall and proud; tonight, his brilliance shone far brighter than the MVP award.

Kyrie Irving watched all this, his hands unconsciously clenching.

Were they really just supporting characters for Lynch?
No, they are also key figures in this team.

In order to maintain his rule, Lynch did not become a monopolistic "monopoly".

The team's cohesion, atmosphere, desire for victory, and the personal charisma of its leader all got Kyrie Irving's blood pumping.

Gazing at this amazing team, the young defender's ambitions quietly shifted.

He began to feel curious and longing for this invincible team.

"In fact, Father."
I think I still really want to be a member of the New York Knicks. I'd love to see what I can create with that number 20.

Lynch has never played a single game with Kyrie Irving, yet he has already begun to subtly influence the young man's mind.

True leadership inspires others, rather than forcing them to submit to you with a single 5-point game.

Ultimately, the New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Chicago Bulls 92-75 on the road.

The series score is 1-0.

When the game ended, Derrick Rose walked off the court with his head down, his MVP night filled with bitterness.

Mike Brin watched Derrick Rose's dejected figure and sighed.

"Lynch may not be the MVP this season, but—"

In any given season, he's the one who can win the MVP award.

(End of this chapter)