Champion Rules

Chapter 310, Section 306: Why is he kneeling and not getting up? (Seeking monthly votes!)
For most coaches, this finals series was a revolutionary baptism of ideas.

The tactical importance of three-pointers has been pushed to the center stage like never before, becoming a core factor in determining the outcome of a game.

Prior to this, there were actually teams that had used a similar one-star-four-shooter tactic.

In the 90s, the Houston Rockets, led by Rudy Tomjanovich, had already experimented with a one-star-four-shooter strategy and achieved great success, creating one of the most romantic championships in NBA history.

However, that Houston Rockets team could not compare to this year's Knicks and Thunder in terms of either three-point production or accuracy.

The differences in game rules and pace are one of the reasons for this gap.

But the biggest reason is that the shooting ability of the players on both teams has made a qualitative leap compared to the Rockets in the 90s.

You couldn't find Kevin Durant and Stephen Curry in the 90s.

You can't find a shooter of Steve Nash's caliber.

In fact, even a defensive forward like Wilson Chandler, who averaged 5 three-point attempts per game and maintained a 35% shooting percentage, was almost nonexistent in the 90s.

Due to rule changes, modern players place greater emphasis on developing their three-point shooting ability, making it a mandatory skill.

This has gradually transformed the three-point shot from a "gambler's dice" into a genuine tactical resource.

Such a disruptive change took even Scott Brooks and Philip Sanders, the two parties involved, some time to accept.

The Thunder fielded this lineup because their mid-season trade for Kendrick Perkins failed, a desperate tactic taken out of desperation.

The Knicks fielded this lineup because they were down 1-2 and it was a do-or-die situation. Flip Saunders went through a considerable amount of mental struggle before taking DeAndre Jordan out.

They inadvertently set the wheels of history in motion, giving the world a final round unlike any before.

But one thing will never change—the Finals are a stage for star players.

When the opponent doesn't give you the opportunity to execute your tactics, when the opponent blocks your open three-pointers, when all strategies have run out of steam.

The level of a star player directly determines the level of a team.

Lynch proved that he could continue to dominate the game in this highly disruptive final round.

In fact, he had been preparing for this moment for a long time.

He has been trying to lose weight for several summers in a row.

He developed his ball-handling and shooting abilities.

These foresightful planning and preparations have already sharpened the blade for the battles of the new era.

He will not be abandoned by the times, but will be able to seamlessly integrate into the competition of the new era and continue to win.

On the court, when LeBron James saw Lynch use a guard-like crossover to get past Serge Ibaka and easily make a mid-range shot, he couldn't sit still.

"I want to play, Scott!"

Lynch has already scored 20 points in a single game, and now the second quarter is already halfway over.

While Shane Battier was still hitting threes, and Steve Nash was still able to respond.

The Oklahoma City Thunder's defense was like a woman whose legs had been spread apart, allowing Lynch to pierce her at will.

Lynch is more agile than Hakeem Olajuwon, has a wider offensive range, and is better at connecting the whole team.

He seemed to have been born for this tactic.

Scott Brooks knew that LBJ was still catching his breath.

But on the edge of the cliff, there's no other option but to gamble everything!
The game was paused, and LBJ was substituted back into the game.

He scored a three-pointer as soon as he got back.

After scoring, he glared at Lynch and said, "If you want an excuse, you'd better pretend to cough a few times and say you caught it from Lei Lei."

LBJ is still attacking Lynch. He has disrespected Lynch many times since the Finals began.

This is because he still felt he had a chance to win, and he felt he still had the confidence to challenge Lynch.

Lynch did not respond.

He now only wants to strip away all hope.

The Knicks were on offense, with LBJ guarding Lynch. His defense was very serious, reaching the level of a true All-Defensive First Team player.

This legendary rivalry between the two has entered its seventh year, and this is the closest LBJ has ever come to winning. Of course, he will not give up the opportunity easily.

Lynch's playing style remains the same as before: after receiving the ball, he quickly approaches the basket and shoots before a double team can be formed.

It's easy to imagine that dealing with LBJ in a short one-on-one situation would be no easy task.

If Lynch, after losing weight, relies solely on brute force, he will not be able to gain an advantage against LBJ, who weighs over 120 kilograms.

Therefore, his solid low footwork was a great help.

Once he gets close to the basket, Lynch will use his footwork to quickly create space for a shot.

Lynch revealed the full range of his low-position arsenal of moves. Each time he broke into the heart of the territory, his steps were unpredictable, his European step was as fast as a ghost, and his Soma step was a perfect blend of strength and softness.

Lynch's footwork skills made Stephen Curry wish he could tell Ayesha to take a class with Lynch.

Even when double-teamed, Lynch's shooting percentage when shooting close to the basket was always higher than his shooting percentage when shooting from the perimeter in the previous three games.

LeBron James tried his best, but could only watch as Lynch's scoring climbed higher and higher, like an unstoppable tide.

In the final moments of the second quarter, the Thunder had no choice but to double-team Lynch before he could receive the ball!
LeBron James backs up, Serge Ibaka fronts him.

Fortunately, Lin Qi would occasionally practice 1v2 hand-to-hand combat in private, otherwise he would probably have panicked long ago.

Steve Nash passed the ball to Shane Battier without hesitation. Serge Ibaka had just rotated over when he heard the sound of the net rolling.

Shane Battier went 4-for-5 from three-point range in the first half!

He was already a player with a very high three-point shooting percentage. Starting from the 04-05 season, his three-point shooting percentage remained above 35% every year. In several seasons, his percentage approached 40%, and in one season he even shot 42%.

Shane Battier's problem is that he is not very good at resisting interference, and he relies heavily on being completely open to achieve a high shooting percentage.

But tonight, because of Lin Qi's presence, he only got wide-open opportunities.

The Thunder were already down by 19 points. LeBron James wiped the sweat from his forehead and sprinted towards the frontcourt like a wounded beast.

We absolutely cannot let the Knicks lead by more than 20 points at halftime, and we absolutely cannot give up the match point so easily!
But in the next attack, when LeBron James once again drove hard past Lynch, he found himself being blocked.

This is the first time he has encountered this situation since gaining weight this season.

LeBron James, whose energy was overexerted tonight, has begun to weaken, and his once-proud impact is fading.

LBJ gritted his teeth, forcefully pushed past Lynch, and jumped, but his layup after the mid-air collision was completely distorted.

The basketball bounced off the rim, and LeBron James immediately jumped to fight for the rebound, but Lynch grabbed the ball first.

LBJ was defended quite badly in this round, but the bad situation was not over yet.

In contrast, Lynch skipped all the complicated footwork on the counterattack, leaning on LBJ for a layup and calmly putting the ball into the basket.

The sound of the net tumbling seemed to strike the hearts of the Thunder players.

Lynch already has 31 points in the first half!
The Oklahoma City Thunder were down by 21 points at halftime!
Spike Lee's shouts echoed throughout the arena: "LeBron, look at yourself, you're like a fucking pile of broken parts that's been smashed to pieces, you've been completely destroyed by Lynch!"

LeBron James was mercilessly dominated, with at least 25 of Lynch's 31 points in the first half coming over him.

He held onto the match point tightly with both hands, but Lin Qi was relentlessly and undeniably snatching it away from his grasp.

The buzzer sounded, a welcome respite for the exhausted Thunder players, like a breath of fresh air in a hellish furnace.

They were finally able to escape the suffocating furnace of Madison Square Garden for a short time.

All the commentators and analysts were talking about the half that had just ended, about Philip Sanders' bold tactical changes, and about Lynch's unparalleled individual offensive prowess.

Jeff Van Gundy received the highest praise.

"Listen! There's no one else on this planet who can dominate LeBron James one-on-one like this!"

The Knicks' strategy was simply to put Lynch and LeBron James one-on-one, it was that simple. But the greatest tactic in the world is to give Lynch a one-on-one opportunity.

With every offensive play, we could see a primal hunger in Lynch, as if he wanted to tear LeBron James apart and swallow him whole.

In terms of accolades, Michael Jordan may still be the best player in the world. But in terms of pure skill, I believe Lynch has surpassed MJ. LeBron will eventually pay the price for his actions, and tonight he will!

Scott Brooks turned off the TV, refusing to listen to Jeff Van Gundy's nonsense any longer.

The heavy doors to the locker room closed at that moment, shutting out all the noise from the outside world.

But all of this still couldn't stop the echoes of the nightmare.

LeBron James staggered to his locker and sat down, looking dejected.

The sense of humiliation was no longer an abstract emotion at this moment, but a concrete burn mark—like a red-hot branding iron, deeply imprinted on every inch of his skin and every pore.

What keeps replaying in my mind is Lin Qi's incredibly clear, downcast gaze, Lin Qi's sneakers that went over his head, and Lin Qi's beautiful goals time and time again.

He, LeBron James, the so-called "King," was trampled on by Lynch in public like a dying worm on the stage of the Finals!

Scott Brooks stared at LeBron James's dejected expression, and his heart sank—this man's defenses were being crushed step by step by Lynch.

The loss in Game 1 did not discourage LBJ.

But what about tonight?

He decisively ordered an adjustment, having Serge Ibaka take over the task of defending Lynch in the second half.

At the start of the third quarter, Kevin Durant's three-pointer brought the deficit back to within 20 points, but this was not enough to completely stop the bleeding.

When Lynch noticed that the Thunder had assigned Serge Ibaka to guard him one-on-one, he glanced at the dejected number 23 and gave a cold sneer that cut through the noise:
"Hey, you bastard! You've run away with your tail between your legs again, haven't you?"

LeBron James pretended not to hear and stuck close to Shane Battier.

He dared not respond, nor was he able to respond.

Lynch began his attack, but Serge Ibaka's defense was outstanding, not giving Lynch an easy chance to shoot, and tenaciously holding on until the last second when KD and Thabo Sefolosha's reinforcements were about to converge.

But at this critical moment, Lin Qi twisted his body, extended his arm, and delivered a smooth hook shot that landed perfectly.

33 points in a single game.

A profound sense of despair not only haunted LBJ, but it spread like a plague throughout every corner of the Thunder team.

Lynch spread his hands: "Serge, why don't you learn to be smarter? Why do you run away like that bastard?"

“Enough, Lynch. This isn’t an escape; it’s a tactical arrangement,” Serge Ibaka replied weakly.

“That’s absolutely right,” Lynch nodded. “The British also call the Dunkirk evacuation a tactical arrangement.”

LeBron James wanted to call for the ball again on offense, attempting to regain some control.

But Kevin Durant yelled at Stephen Curry even louder: "Give me the ball!"

Stephen Curry hesitated for a second before passing the ball to number 35.

This is another heavy blow to LeBron James's chest.

The little bit of authority he had painstakingly built up with the Thunder was rapidly crumbling.

Even worse, KD scored.

He took a long two-pointer from mid-range over Wilson Chandler, which was the least cost-effective of his shots, but the ball went in cleanly.

KD's shooting range has always been criticized. He habitually shoots long two-pointers, which is a no-go zone in modern basketball data models.

But as it turns out, basketball cannot be completely deconstructed by data.

LeBron James took the shot where the best value was, and the Thunder were completely overwhelmed.

Kevin Durant is taking shots from the least cost-effective spots, yet the Thunder are still managing to close the gap.

The Thunder scored, but that didn't stop Lynch from continuing to punish LeBron James:

"Hey, you've played for two teams since leaving Cleveland. Both teams have proven that you were the best choice for the team when you were a role player."

Stop pretending to be a core member, you piece of trash.

Even Serge Ibaka felt that Lynch's words were piercing, and what was even more piercing was that the more Lynch said these words, the louder the cheers from the audience became.

LeBron James' energy is being drained bit by bit. He still had the strength to fight back against Lynch in the first half. But now, with almost no chance of winning, LeBron James has lost the courage to fight back.

The following games were a complete visual feast for New York fans.

Lynch had more open offensive space tonight, and crucially, his shooting touch was exceptionally good.

Kevin Durant struggled to keep the score close, but the gap was slowly widening little by little.

With 17 seconds left in the third quarter, Kevin Durant hit a three-pointer, narrowing the gap to 22 points.

After scoring, he clapped his hands: "Keep it up, guys! Keep this gap going until the fourth quarter, and we still have a chance! Defend against their last attack, don't give up! For Lexi! For the new world after this game—a 3-1 paradise awaits us!"

He knew that Scott Brooks' daughter was definitely watching the game.

He could not bear to let those innocent eyes witness a beastly massacre.

We are her idols!

Lin Qi received the ball directly at the baseline and dribbled it across half-court himself.

Serge Ibaka lowered his center of gravity, opened his arms, and his Adam's apple bobbed.

With each step Lin Qi took closer, it felt as if a drumbeat was being struck in his heart.

That man has already scored 43 points tonight—in less than three quarters!

Lynch crossed half-court, and Serge Ibaka was just about to close in on him when the King of New York waved and called for a pick and roll.

Sean Battier quickly set up cover; it wasn't exactly solid, but it was enough to give Lynch a little space.

Seeing this, LBJ had no choice but to switch on defense immediately.

Mike Brin stared at the field with anticipation: "This isn't tactics, this is the hunt!"

Lynch indeed slowed down, and for the first time since the third quarter, he went one-on-one with LBJ.

He lowered his center of gravity, as if rooted to the ground, and the basketball moved slowly between his broad hands and the hard floor. Each bounce felt like a heavy hammer blow to the opponent's heartstrings.

As Lynch drew closer, LeBron James' nerves were stretched taut like a fully drawn bowstring, ready to snap.

The sound of basketball shoes rubbing against the floor filled the air as Lin Qi started moving from right to left.

Lynch dribbled the ball too high, and LeBron James seized the opportunity to strike straight at the ball!

But Lynch suddenly pulled the ball back to his right side with his right hand—Sam Gold dribbled the ball.

This move is nothing new in the NBA, but it's quite novel for a player who is 208 cm tall to use it.

LeBron James, having missed his target, instantly lost his balance and stumbled forward as if his spine had been ripped out, his knees slamming heavily onto the hardwood floor.

He was knocked down.

But that's not the most humiliating thing.

The most humiliating thing was that LeBron didn't immediately get up and chase after being faked out.

He knelt there stiffly, head bowed, frozen into the most humiliating black statue on the field.

His power was completely drained, his heart was utterly destroyed, and his will was reduced to dust under the crushing force of absolute power.

He didn't have the strength to get up.

Lynch didn't need to rush; he simply swept past the kneeling body with the composure of a king on an inspection tour, and hit a three-pointer over Serge Ibaka, who was just a little off guard!
"Lynch scores 46 points in three quarters! A new Finals record! Wait, is LeBron injured? Why hasn't he gotten up yet!?"

The ball went in. Lynch turned and walked past LBJ, who was kneeling on the ground. He raised his left hand as if holding a sharp blade, his thumb pulling the trigger in the air, his cold fingertip pointing straight at the center of LBJ's head.

"boom!"

A silent declaration is more destructive than any insult.

He executed his opponent's last shred of dignity in the most humiliating manner in Finals history.

(End of this chapter)