Champion Rules

Chapter 309, Part 305: Lift your head up! I told you to lift your head up! (Seeking monthly votes!)
The New York Knicks' roster changes had an immediate effect.

The camera pans to DeAndre Jordan on the bench, where he waves a towel with the same ferocity he displays on the court.

LeBron James, who was blocked and stepped over by Lynch, stood up angrily, clenched his fists, glared at Lynch, and suddenly spread his hands.

"That's a damn foul!"

It's hard, too hard.

You'll never see LeBron James back down in front of the referees; every gesture he makes exudes power and determination.

Why not just be tough on Lynch directly?
Then let me ask you, what does the referee's inaction have to do with Lin Qi?

Moreover, Ron Artest of the Knicks is a reasonable person, and LeBron James will certainly be reasonable in return.

"Go back to the game, LeBron," the referee waved his hand impatiently. "That was a clean block. If you keep yelling like that, I'm going to give you a technical foul."

LBJ: ? ? ?
Lin Qi made a clearly insulting move that crossed the line and got no consequences, but I just shrugged and you're going to give me a technical foul?
What kind of bullshit logic is this? Is this how good people should be treated?
Of course, at this moment, only LeBron James himself thinks he is a good person.

In the eyes of fans across the United States, this villain is on trial.

Those outrageous statements denying Lynch's contributions to the labor negotiations, that mockery of Ray Allen for having the flu—all of it will come back to haunt him tonight.

Fans cheered as they watched the replay on the screen of LBJ being overpowered by Lynch.

They knew this was just the beginning of the punishment.

The game continued, and the Thunder launched their attack. However, Stephen Curry's jump shot bounced off the rim, and possession returned to the Knicks.

Stephen Curry is a player of extraordinary talent. In the first three games, thanks to the defensive pressure from Kevin Durant and LBJ, he delivered an outstanding performance that exceeded everyone's expectations.

You can't say the Knicks' strategy was wrong, because the Knicks' defensive strategy prevented LBJ from scoring more than 20 points in three consecutive games, and Kevin Durant didn't score more than 25 points in any game either.

Opportunities on the basketball court are a zero-sum game. With KD and LBJ drawing a lot of defensive resources, Stephen Curry will naturally get more opportunities and score more points.

This doesn't mean Stephen Curry suddenly awakened, nor does it mean that his pure strength in his second year has surpassed that of the two kings.

This is simply an inevitable result of the trade-offs in defensive strategies.

Moreover, James Harden's continued slump seemed to have single-handedly exhausted the team's "sleepwalking quota," as if he had exhausted all the team's dreams, resulting in the other Thunder players maintaining a consistently good performance.

He single-handedly eliminated everyone's dream of swimming, leaving his teammates with no dreams to swim.

He should star in Inception 2: The Dream Within.

They may seem to be partying in nightclubs every day, but they're actually contributing to the team. Who says only those standing in the light are heroes?
Those standing in a pile of buttocks too!

But Flip Saunders still doesn't believe a second-year player can completely dominate the Finals.

As long as the defense against Stephen Curry remains tight and the pressure continues, this guy, whose main scoring method is three-point shooting, will never be able to be so amazing in every game.

Today, his touch seemed to have slipped a bit.

Lynch grabbed the rebound, and LeBron James tried to close the gap. Seeing this, Lynch gripped the basketball firmly with both hands like iron clamps, his body tensed, his elbows slashing outwards like battle axes to create space, and his waist and abdomen suddenly twisting with power.

Those elbows sliced ​​through the air like battle axes, instantly bringing LBJ to his senses and causing him to abandon his pressing.

He could feel the scorching killing intent emanating from Lin Qi, and he didn't want any direct conflict with him tonight.

The Knicks attacked again, and Steve Nash, just like before, fed the ball from beyond the three-point line to Lynch, who was posting up in the mid-range.

Lynch turned and drove to the basket, but this time, Serge Ibaka didn't hesitate and helped defend the paint.

Lynch leaped high, but instead of forcing a shot at the basket, he found Shane Battier on the right side of the three-point line.

Shane Battier hasn't had many opportunities to play on the court during his seasons with the Knicks.

He played more of a role as a locker room glue.

Similar to Udonis Haslem of the Miami Heat in the original history.

Sean Battier doesn't mind playing this kind of role, but that doesn't mean he's forgotten his most important responsibility.

As a professional player, the most important responsibility is always to perform well on the field.

He enjoyed his time with the Knicks and the feeling of contributing to the championship.

Most importantly, he enjoyed the complete trust that was placed upon him.

No one dislikes the feeling of being trusted, especially when the person who trusts them is someone who might be a contender for GOAT.

Since the start of this season, Lynch has consulted with him about anything related to the locker room.

The King of New York always believed in his judgment and decisions.

Tonight, he received even greater trust and was called upon to start at power forward in the Finals.

Therefore, he very much hopes to repay this weighty trust.

Shane Battier made his move with composure. Serge Ibaka moved very fast, but because he had retreated too deep, he still couldn't reach Shane Battier immediately.

After releasing the ball, Shane Battier bounced lightly on the floor a few times, like a spring – his signature finishing motion.

Lynch knew what this action meant; it meant that the "President" felt he had made an excellent move this time.

"Shh!"

The crisp sound of the net being swished rang out. Shane Battier didn't throw a punch or roar, nor did he howl to the sky. He simply turned around neatly and quickly went into defensive mode.

This seemingly insignificant play was actually incredibly important—it was a key signal that the Knicks' tactical shift was beginning to take effect.

Once Shane Battier can consistently contribute firepower from beyond the three-point line, Serge Ibaka will struggle immensely between protecting the rim and diving out to the perimeter, and Lynch will have an incredibly wide offensive window!
With a 5-0 lead, the New York Knicks' start tonight is completely different from their previous two games.

Stephen Curry quickly brought the ball up the court and called for KD to set a screen for him.

But Wilson Chandler quickly switched defense and put immense pressure on him, knowing that the difference between a "championship starter" and a "runner-up starter" could be tens of millions of dollars.

He absolutely cannot let that damn babyface steal his money!

In the midst of intense competition, Stephen Curry managed to create a sliver of space with a sharp crossover and pulled up for a shot without hesitation.

Stephen Curry's formidable ability to shoot three-pointers directly from the dribble is a signature weapon that distinguishes him from traditional top shooters like Ray Allen and Reggie Miller.

Moreover, he had already honed his skills to perfection during his university years.

The reason why Stephen Curry's early stats weren't explosive, both in the original and current histories, was because he had Monta Ellis and Kevin Durant playing alongside him.

But that data definitely doesn't represent his true skill level.

The basketball flew through Wilson Chandler's fingers, and Thunder fans in front of their TVs had already raised their arms.

but--

"boom!"

A piercing clang of metal striking metal extinguished the cheers in their infancy.

On the sidelines, Philip Sanders punched his fist hard: "Fuck the sophomores, fuck them!"

Three consecutive games with a large number of possessions and high-intensity physical contact have clearly affected the performance of number 30.

Ultimately, he's only a second-year player.

Of course, you could say that Lynch reached his peak in his second year, breaking the New York championship curse and winning the Finals MVP.

There is only one Lynch. Stephen Curry's talent surpasses that of 99% of players, and Lynch is that 1%.

Stephen Curry missed his first two shots, which put a lot of pressure on the Thunder.

The two kings knew that they could no longer rely on their third brother tonight; they had to stand up for themselves.

Fourth brother? Before Stephen Curry's form started to fluctuate, the fourth brother probably already broke through the pressure last night and caused his form to fluctuate!

Stephen Curry easily missed his first two shots, and he also effortlessly made three-pointers on the defensive end.

The Knicks' lineup change not only gave Lynch an opportunity, but also gave everyone better offensive space.

In this possession, Lynch moved up to set a screen for Steve Nash and then bounced out to take down LeBron James. Serge Ibaka was then pinned to the perimeter by Shane Battier.

The basket was wide open.

The New York Slam Dunk King, leaning on the Oklahoma City Slam Dunk King, drove into the paint, scoring a layup while also drawing a foul from Stephen Curry.

The short-haired Wind Child roared with wide eyes, as if he wanted to devour someone.

Serge Ibaka's exit from the paint made the Thunder's defense struggle.

When Steve Nash made the free throw, the score became 8-0, forcing Scott Brooks to call an early timeout. He knew that it was impossible to contain the Knicks with defense tonight, and the Thunder needed to be more efficient on offense.

Stephen Curry wasn't shooting well tonight, and Scott Brooks adjusted the strategy accordingly:
"LeBron, we need you to score tonight! Stephen, Kevin, keep running and tear apart the defense for LeBron! Listen, if we're leading when the buzzer sounds tonight, the championship is within our grasp!"

Scott Brooks' decision to make LBJ the primary offensive weapon was not out of favoritism.

In terms of how much he likes someone, he actually prefers KD, with whom he has worked for a longer period of time.

However, shooting touch is unpredictable, and in such crucial games, he needs a player who primarily scores by driving to the basket.

Today, Lynch played center, primarily guarding Serge Ibaka. Although the Congolese-Spanish Oklahoma City basketball player lacks long-range shooting ability, his mid-range shooting range is sufficient to create space for LeBron James.

He hopes LeBron James will step up tonight and devour Shane Battier alive.

This is the moment LeBron James has been longing for. This time, without having to relinquish control, he has gained a true core position and been pushed to the center stage, a status he has dreamed of in Detroit.

See, being a villain doesn't necessarily mean failure.

In the first possession after the game, LeBron James followed his coach's strategy and went one-on-one against Shane Battier at the top of the arc beyond the three-point line.

His weight of over 120 kilograms made it difficult for "The President" to handle, and LBJ easily drove straight to the basket.

Just as he was about to attack the basket, a taller figure loomed over the area under the basket.

He knew that Lynch had arrived.

LBJ's quick passing ability is a strength you can question in critical moments, but you can never doubt his ability to find teammates in those moments.

Serge Ibaka raises the ball and shoots.

Lynch's long arms reached Serge Ibaka's face, and although it wasn't enough to make a block, it still disrupted his rhythm.

When Serge Ibaka faces traditional big men like Yao Ming and Tim Duncan, his mid-range shot is enough to create space.

But against Lynch, whose defensive range is the widest in history, his limited space is not safe enough.

The Thunder continued their scoring drought, missing several shots!
LeBron James grabbed the offensive rebound while Lynch lunged out, and then jumped up and laid it off.

But the deafening roar, like a gun barrel exploding, made LBJ's ears ring. After disrupting Serge Ibaka's jump shot, Lynch quickly returned to the basket and blocked LBJ for the second time tonight!

The basketball bounced off the backboard and landed heavily in Steve Nash's hands.

He immediately launched a counterattack; no one on this court is better at playing small-ball than him now.

The Wind Child's gaze fell on Shane Battier, who was pulling towards the bottom corner, but he actually smashed the ball towards the middle.

The basketball bounced off the ground and landed right in Lin Qi's hands as he followed up from the middle. Lin Qi took two big steps and then jumped high into the air.

But LeBron James' height was also astonishing. He stayed close behind Lynch from the side the whole time, his huge hand raised high, preparing for a chase-down block that would go down in history!

The aerial duel between two top talents left all fans breathless and on the edge of their seats, wondering what the outcome would be.

This season, LeBron James has frequently made it into the top five plays with his spectacular chase-down blocks, and this time he seems to be making Lynch his backdrop.

Lynch lifted the basketball and glided through the air, but hesitated to shoot when faced with LBJ's massive hand looming over his face.

Only when both players' bodies began to fall, and Lin Qi gained a little space, did he throw the ball towards the backboard with one hand.

The basketball gently brushed the backboard and went into the net!

10 to 0!
The series is slipping away from the Thunder, and Ray Allen's historical standing continues to rise.

Giving him playing time leads to Knicks losses; reducing his playing time leads to Knicks wins.

Michael Jordan and Lynch only averaged 40 points per game in the Finals, while Ray Allen's scoring effect here is comparable to an average of 50 points per game!
In the following rounds, the Knicks maintained their dominance over the Thunder.

LeBron James did have a few good plays, and Shane Battier couldn't compete with him. Lynch also couldn't provide timely help defense in every possession.

Overall, however, LBJ's productivity was still limited.

In contrast, Lin Qi seemed to be in complete control tonight.

His quick back turn allows him to break through before a double team can be formed, and his excellent dribbling leaves LBJ helpless during his breakthroughs.

With Shane Battier hitting his second accurate three-pointer tonight, Serge Ibaka could only watch as Lynch repeatedly attacked the basket.

With only two minutes remaining in the first quarter, Lynch hit a turnaround jump shot from close to the basket, making the score 32-18.

Lynch has scored 14 points in the quarter, while LeBron James has 7 points.

Scott Brooks was almost suffocating; the loss in the first game tonight was even more devastating.

Although the Thunder lost Game 1 of the series, they played a close game against the Knicks throughout, and even led by double digits at one point.

But tonight, they have been suppressed from the start until now.

LBJ's drives to the basket didn't have the desired effect, while Lynch's offense was unstoppable.

He felt like he'd been pushed underwater by the Knicks, desperately hoping for a chance to break free and catch his breath.

Fortunately, the rotation time arrived, which was like throwing a lifebuoy to Scott Brooks, giving him a chance to catch his breath.

With Lynch substituted, Scott Brooks decided to have LeBron James play the entire first quarter at a different time.

"Take this opportunity to close the gap, and catch up as much as possible!"

LeBron James came on and chuckled as he faced the New York Knicks' entire bench lineup.

With DeAndre Jordan relegated to the bench, the Knicks' rotation is even tougher than LeBron James can talk.

Goran Dragic, Ray Allen, Ron Artest, Jermaine O'Neal, and DeAndre Jordan.

Get it back?
Ah.

What the hell am I supposed to use to woo him?!
Bad news: The Knicks' offense is completely constipated.

Good news: The person across the street has also caught constipation!
The next two minutes were ugly, with both sides missing shots with fancy footwork.

If a first-time NBA fan happens to catch those two minutes of the game, they'll probably think that the NBA is no different from the outdoor basketball court in their neighborhood.

Shots miss, layups shaky. Players stumble and fall, scoring no points.

DeAndre Jordan was full of energy as soon as he stepped onto the court, demonstrating his irreplaceable value on the defensive end.

Blocks, rotations, rebounds, pick-and-rolls—he's like an energetic big cat unleashing excess energy.

James Harden was equally energetic when he entered the game, and he also demonstrated his value on the defensive end by stopping LeBron James.

Since James Harden started the game with an airball, the Knicks confidently opted to collapse the entire team and contain LBJ's drives.

Spike Lee couldn't help but stand up and applaud James Harden: "Hey James, which club do you want to celebrate at tonight? I'll pay!"

James really doesn't understand why James is making things difficult for James!
James Harden and Ray Allen, this pair of brilliant duo, are practically staging a scene from "Infernal Affairs: Basketball".

They plant spies in each other, their main goal being fair competition.

Neither side scored in the final few possessions of the first quarter, and the score remained 32-18 until the buzzer sounded.

Scott Brooks covered his head in despair, his eyes peeking through his fingers, revealing utter collapse.

This is not the situation he wanted to see.

The 14-point deficit remained, but the price LeBron James paid for burning the midnight oil in the first quarter was irreversible.

As the second quarter began, LBJ was forced to sit on the bench – he needed a breather, having already played a full 12 minutes under intense defense.

But Lynch took the stage.

The New York King, who scored 14 points in a single quarter, walked briskly straight to the Thunder's bench.

"LeBron, lift your head up, I'm telling you to lift your head up!"
The punishment isn't over yet; even if you're on the sidelines, you still have to accept it!

LeBron James did not answer; under immense pressure, he started biting his fingernails.

Yes, it's not over yet.

Lynch has already scored 14 points in the quarter, and the Knicks are leading by 14 points.

But this is just the beginning.

It's as if LBJ was already tied up the moment the Knicks changed their lineup.

How Lin Qi tortures him next is entirely up to him to decide.

(Thank you so much to Lin Yu and other big shots for the generous donations! I'm extremely grateful!)
(End of this chapter)