Champion Rules

Chapter 311, Section 307: What He Lighted Was No Longer Tobacco (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
The Oklahoma City Thunder's exit was humiliating.

The New York Knicks narrowly defeated the Thunder 123-88, tying the series 2-2.

Kevin Durant delivered a phenomenal performance with 28 points.

Stephen Curry scored 17 points in 36 minutes, shooting 100% from the field.

LeBron James scored a whopping 15 points tonight as the primary scorer.

KD initially thought James Harden was definitely a mole planted by Lynch.

But now, he feels that LeBron James and Stephen Curry also look like undercover agents!
Stephen Curry dominates in regular games, but makes a fool of himself in crucial games.

When LeBron James isn't the primary scorer, he plays steadily and reliably; when he is, his shots clang loudly.

Kevin Durant was practically ready to call the police!

Three good brothers, all three of them are undercover agents. Lin Qi's ingenious "Mission Impossible" directly broke KD's mentality.

But Kevin Durant was at a loss when he picked up his phone.

He's Chinese, so should I call 911 or 110?

Of course, LeBron James wouldn't think he was an undercover agent.

He has done his best; everyone knows who didn't.

If Stephen Curry had scored 53 points tonight, the Thunder would have had the series lead by now!

As the Oklahoma City Slam Dunk Contest champion, he didn't manage a single dunk today. Can you call that trying your best?
This night was quite brutal for the Thunder, who had imagined countless times what would happen after Game 4 before the game.

A dream match point of 3-1, the championship trophy within easy reach, and an overwhelming array of honors and the halo of victory.
These images that had repeatedly assaulted their minds now vanished like bubbles.

The bitterness of reality is like a brutal blow, mercilessly waking them from their beautiful dreams.

LeBron James walked unsteadily through the player tunnel, like a soulless zombie.

Of all the players who wore the Thunder jersey, he undoubtedly felt the heaviest sense of disappointment.

He knew all too well that what awaited him at the end of the passage was not salvation, but a tidal wave of public opinion that would completely overwhelm him.

This was not the first time he had knelt on the cold, hardwood floor.

The last time was in Detroit, in that ecstatic moment when he defeated Lynch for the first time in his career.

He was really excited at the time; he felt that the biggest shadow hanging over his career had been broken.

So, after the match, he knelt down on the ground, overjoyed and weeping, covering his head tightly with his hands.

However, even that victory-symbol kneeling could not escape the media's criticism and brought him endless controversy.

What's more, he lost the game tonight, and he knelt down and couldn't get up because he was faked out by Lynch.

He could hardly imagine how disgraceful the image of him kneeling on the ground would be dissected by the sharp blade of public opinion, and how deeply it would become a mark of shame on his career.

LeBron James deeply regrets his decision to kneel down and not get up. In fact, looking back now, he can't even fully understand what was wrong with him at the time.

Was it really just that all the strength was suddenly drained away by that cold despair?

Or is it subconsciously creating the illusion of injury, trying to cover up the riddled defense with a pitiful fig leaf?
Or perhaps, these two dark thoughts surged into his mind at the same moment, completely pinning him to the floor.

"Damn it!" LeBron James slammed his fist against the cold wall of the player tunnel. His knuckles ached, but it was nothing compared to the regret and shame he felt.

He regretted not thinking of doing what Carmelo Anthony did, like creating the famous "Melo hibernation point," by simply lying down on the ground and claiming that he had fainted on the court.

In this way, the media and fans might make fun of the "LeBron hibernation point" meme, but they would never humiliate him.

But thinking about those things is no longer important; what's done is done, and the cold reality cannot be changed.

The camera faithfully recorded every frame of the moment, which was then broadcast globally via live stream.

LeBron James walked to the door of the media room and suddenly stopped.

He didn't want to attend today's press conference, but after thinking about it carefully, he realized he couldn't escape it after all, and he had to swallow the bitter fruit he had sown.

It's better to face it sooner rather than later.

However, once he reached the door, he hesitated.

A blinding light seeped through the crack in the door, and the buzzing voices coming from behind it sounded like the snickering of countless eyes.

Once he opens that door and goes inside, it's as if he's been stripped naked by his own hands, completely exposed to shame.

It's cruel, but he has to face it all.

He realized this was punishment.

This was the punishment Lynch had tailored specifically for him.

This is Lynch's loudest and sharpest response to his arrogance, contempt for his opponents, and wild words!
LeBron James is playing the villain without restraint this season because he doesn't believe anyone can punish him or make him pay the price.

But tonight, the person who could punish him appeared.

With a swaying knee and a "gun" pointed at his head, he was killed instantly, his blood splattering everywhere.

After taking a deep breath, LeBron James opened the door to the media room.

He was immediately swallowed up by the waves of hell.

"LeBron! How did you turn a loss into such a humiliating performance?!"

"Does kneeling down before Lynch in front of the whole world mean that you have already bowed down to Lynch in the depths of your soul?"

"Your cowardly kneeling posture—have you considered what message that sends to Kevin and Stephen, who are fighting alongside you?!"

"Answer us! After betraying your hometown, have you now betrayed even the last vestige of dignity you have as a fighter?! LeBron, do you admit you're a coward?!"

LeBron James was exposed to this gallows-like spotlight, his skin peeled back by countless cameras, revealing the naked shame branded by Lynch that still burns to this day.

In the blinding flash of the light, he was completely torn apart.

at the same time--

Inside the Knicks' locker room, Lynch found himself holding a $5000 fine.

The league believes that his finger-pointing gesture, which he used to "execute" LeBron James, went too far and was inappropriate.

But the King of New York merely glanced at the ticket, not even bothering to explain the chilling, judgmental implications of that silent declaration.

For him, this was nothing more than a small, insignificant execution fee added to the "execution".

In fact, if $5000 could execute LeBron James once, Lynch would be willing to pay for a year's subscription.

Now, the series is tied 2-2, and the Knicks proved the effectiveness of their roster change with a 35-point blowout.

The Thunder's morale must have been severely damaged after LBJ's kneeling incident.

With the score tied at 2-2, the balance of power had already irrevocably tipped in favor of New York.

Lin Qi looked around the locker room, his gaze sweeping over his teammates who had stood by him throughout the fierce finals.

After tonight's resounding victory, there was no boisterous roar, no unrestrained celebration; only a storm-simmering calm permeated the entire locker room.

Everyone understood that the joy of this victory was merely the prelude to the real celebration. What awaited them next made the joy of this victory insignificant—if everything went smoothly, they would make history and establish the third three-peat dynasty in modern basketball!
That is the ultimate medal that will be remembered by history and can withstand the erosion of time!
Everyone has put in immeasurable effort and sacrifice to achieve this moment, and their goal has always been clear.

But when the silhouette of the legend finally appeared on the horizon, the whole team felt a sense of unreality and disorientation.

Lin Qi said nothing. He stood up, walked to the center of the locker room, and silently raised his arm.

Without a word, the large hands of DeAndre Jordan, the wrinkled palms of Steve Nash, the steady hands of Shane Battier, and the hard fists of Ron Artest—all these hands, stacked together in an instant, formed an iron tower symbolizing trust and will.

Spike Lee and his crew were standing at the door; he was shooting footage for Lynch's Dynasty documentary.

So he recorded this scene.

This was a moment when a dynasty completed its final forging in silence.

"Two more games, don't give them a chance, tell the whole world—"

"We've come to retrieve the crown!"
-
Kevin Durant sat on the soft bed in the hotel room, the only light source in the room coming from the television screen, where every sports channel was broadcasting LeBron James's incredible kneeling moment.

This is not just a disgrace for LBJ himself; this kneeling "black statue" has nailed the entire Oklahoma City Thunder team to the pillar of shame.

Kevin Durant is not a monster with an abnormally strong sense of self-esteem like Michael Jordan or Lynch.

But whenever he saw this scene, a burning, piercing sense of shame would pierce his nerves.

When LBJ steps onto the court in the Finals, he no longer carries the weight of personal honor or disgrace, but rather the banner of this team.

Moreover—though KD doesn't admit it—LeBron James is still the leader of this Oklahoma City Thunder team.

Frustration washed over him like a tide, and he needed to talk to someone.

So he took out his phone and sent a message in the group: "I'm disappointed in LeBron."

Of course, this group only contains Stephen Curry and James Harden.

In fact, Kevin Durant also has groups that include only Curry and James but not Harden, and groups that include both Jameses but not Curry.
When KD was in college, he learned that girls in a dorm of five would have to create eight group chats. Now that the Thunder have a dozen or so players, it's normal for them to create dozens of group chats.

Ding dong.

A sighing emoji popped up next to Stephen Curry's picture.

Almost simultaneously, James Harden sent a photo of himself watching TV in a hotel, showing LBJ kneeling down while Lynch "shot" him in the head.

KD seemed to see a glimmer of hope for victory. Thank goodness, James Harden didn't go to a nightclub tonight!

To be honest, James Harden is not entirely without a sense of honor.

After last night's crushing defeat, he really had no desire to go to a nightclub.

Soon after, James Harden sent another message: "We have to take back the match point no matter what."

Stephen Curry quickly posted a photo of himself with Lexi Brooks, the little girl raising her hand and smiling as brightly as a little sun: "Agreed, how could we let her down?"

Kevin Durant's fingertips gently traced Lexi's bright smiling face in the photo through the cold screen.

He admitted that deep down, there lived a perverted loser who, upon seeing Scarlett Johansson's high heels, would want to squat down and pretend to pick something up so he could have a top-notch, lewd, and pathetic encounter.

But at this moment, his feelings for Lexi had nothing to do with all that nonsense.

Sensitive at heart, he has always longed for recognition and admiration.

This is why, in the original historical accounts, Green's formula became the final straw that broke him.

This was the first time he had ever felt so deeply that he was being treated like a hero.

Lexi's eyes, which seemed to gaze at the stars, held the light of heroism that he had long yearned for deep within his heart.

He held his phone and made a decision—a decision he had always wanted to make but never had the courage to take the first step towards.

Ten minutes later, Coach Scott Brooks, who was watching the game replay, received a text message from Kevin Durant.

The only sentence above is unequivocal.

"Coach, I want to focus on attacking in the next game!"

He has no intention of being manipulated by others anymore.

He didn't intend to remain silent next to LBJ, acting as a puppet whose movements were tactically planned out.

He wants to take control of his own destiny and that of the Thunder!
Madison Square Garden, June 9, 2011.

Game 5 of the finals, the decisive battle.

Kevin Durant looked up and saw fans at Madison Square Garden holding up signs that read "Miracle happens here".

This season's theme slogan really fits the final "script" of this season.

Whether it was New York winning three consecutive championships or the Thunder winning the title as a young team, both can be described as "miracles happening here".

KD's already large nostrils suddenly flared as he took a deep breath.

At yesterday's tactical meeting, Coach Scott Brooks agreed to KD's proposal.

He made KD the main offensive player, and the tactical focus will shift towards him.

LeBron James did not refute this at the time; he said nothing.

But KD could see the disappointment, dissatisfaction, and longing for absolute control on number 23's face.

KD was worried that LBJ would slack off because of this, but Scott Brooks just told him: "Play well, don't worry about LeBron, he'll be a good teammate."

Scott Brooks was well aware of the weight of this decision. Considering LBJ's past history of relinquishing control of five key players, the Thunder coach specifically spoke with LBJ privately on the bus to the site today.

"LeBron, remember, I made this decision for only one purpose—to ignite the flame of victory."

We need every possible opportunity!

Number 23's deep but steady voice assured him: "I will not scorn victory."

That's the truth. The only way for LeBron James to redeem himself now is through winning.

Even temporarily playing the role of Scottie Pippen is better than repeated failures.

So after the game started today, Kevin Durant showed his amazing skills.

The Thunder's strategy remains to maximize spacing to create isolation opportunities for their stars, but tonight, KD was the primary one executing those isolation plays.

In the first four games, KD was mainly responsible for guarding Lynch, which took a lot of strain on the defensive end, so he gave more control on the offensive end.

But tonight, with LBJ and Serge Ibaka taking turns guarding Lynch, KD was freed up to unleash his full offensive firepower.

He finally broke free of the reins, and the power of the ugly Grim Reaper's single-handed strike was revealed for the first time.

Wilson Chandler hated the tall guy in front of him because he felt his contract was about to be destroyed by KD!
The contract amount seemed to evaporate rapidly with every crisp swish of KD's shot through the net!

On the offensive end, Kevin Durant even gave Knicks fans a taste of the despair they felt when facing Lynch.

The same supermodel height and wingspan, the same bizarre touch that ignores distractions, and the same techniques that completely contradict body size.

Although KD's ball-handling skills are not as good as Lynch's, they are enough to make Wilson Chandler lose face.

Stephen Curry's shooting touch returned slightly tonight. Although his firepower wasn't as explosive as in the first three games, he was still the most lethal sidekick to Curry.

What delighted the Thunder most was that James Harden wasn't drunk today!

Following G3, he once again delivered the performance he was expected to achieve.

KD, Stephen Curry, and James Harden—three youthful storms surged wildly at Madison Square Garden, creating towering waves.

But this also means that LeBron James has disappeared in a very awkward way.

He wasn't very noticeable tonight. Most of the time, he was just diligently defending, and his offense mainly relied on the occasional cut to the basket for easy baskets.

Scott Brooks was pleased with LBJ's performance, noting that number 23 was doing his best to fulfill his role without complaint.

The game was very close, and to be honest, this young team's resilience exceeded Lynch's expectations.

After the game-winning shot in Game 1 of the series, Lynch wondered if the Thunder would collapse.

As a result, they miraculously won G2 and G3 in quick succession, staging a stunning comeback.

After Game 4's 35-point collapse, Lynch was convinced they would break their backs.

As a result, they put up a stubborn resistance at the foot of Tianwang Mountain tonight.

The Oklahoma City Thunder is a diamond covered in mud, containing a dazzling light that can illuminate the future, but...
Lynch was true to his word; he would never give them another chance.

Just like the Chicago Bulls in the previous round, Lynch will use his own order to suppress their desire to break the order.

Lynch's order never appreciates the halo of challengers!

After three quarters, the Oklahoma City Thunder trailed by only 3 points.

KD scored 28 points in three quarters with an unbelievable 60% shooting percentage.

A player who loves long two-pointers has achieved finishing efficiency comparable to a top-tier center!

Scott Brooks looked at the panting young men before him and felt proud of them. They were battling the world's best players in the final moments of a pivotal game, a feat in itself.

"The last 12 minutes!" The coach slammed his fist on the tactical board, his voice booming. "All the hard work we've put in this entire season is going to be in these last 12 minutes! Believe in your teammates, believe in each other! We can do it! We are already the best group of players in the world, we can do it!"

Scott Brooks may not even realize it, but he is actually one of the reasons why this team is so resilient.

LeBron James remained silent; he was destined to play a supporting role tonight, carrying the younger players, but he desperately wanted to win.

Kevin Durant wiped the sweat from his brow. The buzzer sounded, and the number 20 on the opposite side no longer seemed invincible.

In the first half of the fourth quarter, the two sides remained neck and neck, and Ron Artest and Wilson Chandler took turns defending him but failed to contain him.

With five minutes left in the fourth quarter, Kevin Durant shook off Ron Artest and drove to the basket, yelling, "Jermaine! Close the door!"

Jermaine O'Neal quickly filled the gap, but KD used a second crossover to shake him off.

The Pacers' duo failed miserably, and the basket in front of KD was wide open.

Just as he was gathering the ball, a figure arrived and Steve Nash precisely sliced ​​it away.

"boom!"

Due to the immense inertia, Kevin Durant's raised right elbow slammed mercilessly into Steve Nash's face.

When the camera focused on Steve Nash again, warm blood gushed out like a stream from the gruesome gash on his upper lip, staining his white teeth and the floor of Madison Square Garden.

However, through the gaps in the blood flowing from that face contorted in excruciating pain, a chilling smile appeared:

"KD, you know you can't win the championship! We won't allow it, and Lynch won't allow it either!"

The New York Knicks are just as resilient.

Steve Nash was forced off the court to stop the bleeding; his upper lip was almost split in two.

The Thunder's chances also came to an abrupt end.

In the final five minutes of the game, Lynch went on a scoring spree.

He completely took over the game.

For the next three hundred seconds, Madison Square Garden transformed into Lynch's personal execution platform.

A mid-range fadeaway jumper pierces the net; a lightning-fast drive to the basket draws fouls and sends you to the free-throw line; a three-pointer from the top of the arc rains down like icy rain; a back-turn maneuver under the basket crushes like a beast cleaving a mountain.
Five minutes, 6 of 10 field goals, 4 of 4 free throws, 17 points!
The suspense was completely extinguished by those devastating five minutes, and the match ended in a cruel way.

Kevin Durant scored 36 points, maintaining a 60% field goal percentage until the end.

But Lynch scored 43 points in the game and was unstoppable in the last five minutes, rendering all resistance futile.

After the match, Mike Brin joked, "Steve should have bled earlier; that would have been a spell to awaken a sleeping dragon."

With the score at 3-2, Lynch used his purest, most savage, and most unreasonable personal dominance to forcefully suppress the Thunder's final offensive.

Young? Resilient? Never giving up despite repeated failures?

Yes, the Thunder are very tenacious, falling down time and time again only to rise again and again.

But it doesn't matter.

Get up once, and I'll beat you down again!
After the match, Lynch looked at Steve Nash, whose lip was practically ripped off, and chuckled: "Tsk, with that hairstyle and that crack, you could take Sam Cassell to make a horror movie."

Steve Nash didn't say anything, he just hugged Lynch.

Lynch could feel his arm trembling.

“Just one more game,” Steve Nash’s voice trembled. “The thing we’ve been chasing all this way is down to the last door!”

Lin Qi touched his old partner's sweaty hair. At that moment, the reporters' cameras on the sidelines captured this moment of armor removal with the precision of sharks smelling blood.

"Lynch!" The reporter's sharp voice pierced the brief moment of warmth. "You'll be back in Oklahoma City for the next game. Will you end this series, and finish off LeBron James' last struggle, at the Thunder's home arena, at Chesapeake Energy Arena?"

Lin Qi smiled, his gaze sweeping across the camera as if piercing through the screen and striking the hearts of all those who dared to question him, giving an answer that wasn't really an answer.

“I am Lynch. You know who I am, and I know who I am more clearly than ever before.”
-
The decisive Game 6 of the series will be played in Oklahoma City.

Although it was the Thunder's home court, many people associated with Lynch were sitting in the front row.

Dwyane Wade was present in person, not just to observe the ceremony, but to witness how the "victory smoke" forged in blood and iron rises into an eternal crown.

Milos Theodosic, already the King of Europe, travels halfway around the world to witness firsthand how his friend establishes a dynasty in New York.

Kevin Lucas, confined to his wheelchair, stood taller than the arena's dome. He knew what Lynch's wristband said, and he knew that the man was turning an incredible promise into reality.

James Dolan didn't hide behind the luxurious VIP box; instead, he ventured deep into the enemy ranks, taking his seat in the very center of the attack from the front row. His silhouette, etched into the eyes of Thunder fans, was a silent declaration of conquest.

Charles Oakley volunteered to sit next to James Dolan as his bodyguard.

Thunder fans disliked this, feeling it made it seem like tonight wasn't a game, but rather the Knicks' coronation.

They booed wildly, hoping the Thunder could retain their dignity and hope at home.

But they were disappointed.

The game-winning shot in Game 1 and the crushing defeat in Game 4 failed to kill the Oklahoma City Thunder, but the loss in the last game finally brought down this young Thunder team.

The Thunder started poorly tonight, with James, Durant, and Curry all missing shots in succession.

Even through the screen, you could feel the Thunder's disappointment, helplessness, and frustration.

At halftime, the Oklahoma City Thunder were down by 18 points.

Inside the locker room, LeBron James told the entire team, "I will lead you out of this, come on!"

Kevin Durant laughed. LeBron James might be able to lead the team out of trouble, but it's almost impossible for him to actually do so.

As a result, Kevin Durant burst into tears at the start of the third quarter.

LBJ is really going all out!

In less than five minutes of the third quarter, LBJ was called for traveling and dribbling four times in total!
What could LeBron have done wrong? He was just impatiently unleashing a series of powerful moves in an attempt to defy fate.

The referee was clearly blind!

The referee certainly wouldn't tolerate LBJ at this moment; he didn't want those absurd breakthroughs to tarnish this glorious night.

If LeBron James's traveling violation ignites the Oklahoma City Thunder's fighting spirit, what about the NBA's credibility?
Besides, this league is sponsored by Reebok, why would I cheat for your Under Armour star?

Even if they were to do something shameless, that would be a privilege reserved for Reebok stars.

In the original history, some of the shameless things that LBJ might have actually done were indeed committed.

But nowadays, if hard power cannot solve the problem, then the only outcome is failure.

LeBron James is indeed saving the team, but he doesn't seem to understand whether this is the NBA Finals or the Super Bowl.

But there's nothing wrong with LeBron James's playing style. People say that football and basketball are inseparable, so why are American football and the NBA separate?

After LeBron James's fierce rescue in the third quarter—

The Oklahoma City Thunder are completely finished.

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

Scott Brooks substituted all the starters, marking the complete end of the Oklahoma City Thunder's dream-and-cruel 10-11 season.

The young man's eyes gleamed with fragments of confusion and resentment under the blinding light of the scoreboard.

They fought hard and were leading 2-1 at one point.

Victory was once very close to them, within their grasp.

But now victory is far away for them, out of reach.

Silence reigned on the bench, a profound sense of defeat pressing down on the air and choking everyone.

At that moment, Scott Brooks clapped his hands loudly, shattering the lingering silence:
"It's a pity we didn't achieve our goal this year, and we still have a long way to go. But nothing can discourage you. Hold your heads high, keep working hard as always, and make yourselves stronger this summer. That's the direction we're striving for."

"We must join hands and fight for each other, and weather the storms together like family."

Finally, after the match, congratulate your opponents on your championship victory, shake hands with them, and thank each and every one of them.

Although it hurt, they won fair and square. Give them credit, then leave the field and go back to the locker room.

After saying all this, Scott Brooks let out a long sigh:

"Kids, you've done a fantastic year. You've exceeded everyone's expectations."

It's because I didn't try hard enough.

Kevin Durant looked at Scott Brooks and covered his face with a towel.

Stephen Curry looked towards the other end of the court, and the man wearing number 20 was indeed extraordinary.

For the first time, James Harden felt the bitterness of defeat. The sting of that moment could not be numbed even by a thousand nights of revelry.

What about LeBron James?

The cold had seeped into my bones; I was utterly and completely finished once again.

For these young people, there is still room for redemption.

But for him, the kneeling in G4, coupled with the final defeat, will make him the clown of gossip for the rest of the summer.

He will face alone the hellish, persistent, and extremely humiliating punishment Lynch has inflicted upon him.

Thinking about all this, LeBron James broke down emotionally. The immense pressure and the impending ordeal completely shattered his carefully constructed facade.

He abruptly turned to look at Scott Brooks, his eyes, which had once held a haughty gaze, now brimming with a drowning-like bewilderment that even a young man had never displayed. His voice, like a taut string stretched to its limit, trembled as if about to snap.

"Sir, you said..."
"Will I ever, just once, beat Lynch at the very end of this damn career?"

Five minutes later, the match was completely over.

The Oklahoma City Thunder suffered a humiliating 32-point defeat to the New York Knicks, bringing the series score to 2-4.

Golden ribbons rained down on the green floor, the deafening revelry belonged to New York, thousands of miles away, while the Thunder players could only watch their opponents be crowned in their own temple amidst the boundless clamor.

This is not the first time the New York Knicks have lifted the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Over the past five years, the glory of four gold medals has cemented their status as the absolute hegemon of 21st-century basketball.

But tonight is special.

This is not just another championship; it is the ultimate testament to an entire dynasty!

Three-peat!
The moment the buzzer sounded, Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest rushed onto the court, embracing each other.

All those years of pursuing and losing the championship dream, all those misunderstandings and barriers on and off the field, were completely melted away by the scalding tears at this moment.

They raised their hands together, hoping to catch the colorful confetti falling from the sky.

“I fucking told you, Jermaine!” Ron Artest roared, looking up at the storm of confetti raining down from the dome, his voice broken and fiery. “See that? That’s fucking beautiful! So beautiful it makes you want to cry!”

Jermaine O'Neal clenched his teeth. This man, who had always been respected by Lynch and was known throughout his life for his iron will and never bowing to fate, let tears stream down his face.

Ron Artest hugged him tighter: "I'm sorry, Jermaine. I've never had the courage to say this to your face, I've always owed you these words! I'm sorry!"

Jermaine O'Neal didn't answer, but simply tightened his arms around her, as if trying to squeeze all the regret, resentment, and gratitude into this embrace and etch it into history.

Steve Nash lay on the floor, his face covered with a towel, his convulsing body revealing the reason for his face covering.

A three-peat—an achievement he never dared to dream of before.

This stems from a promise made three years ago, when the man told him during their meeting that he didn't want a championship, but a dynasty.

So, they walked side by side, overcoming all obstacles, and arrived here.

Now, it's all over. The gunfire in the valley has ceased. He can finally lay down his armor, return home in peace, and embrace the truly warm stars—his children.

DeAndre Jordan raised his head high, firmly placing the baseball cap symbolizing the championship on his head, proudly pointing to the countless flashing cameras on the sidelines, announcing his presence to the world.

Although he was removed from the starting lineup in the Finals due to tactical needs, the sacrifice made in the tactical adjustment cannot erase the fact that he was the "starting center of the championship team"!

He achieved his dream, and before the elation of realizing it had cooled, new ambitions had already ignited in his eyes.

He hugged Patrick Ewing tightly, his voice booming passionately in the giant's ear: "Patrick! I want to be on the All-NBA team! Did you hear me?! I want to be the All-NBA center!"

DeMar DeRozan looked at his teammates around him, remaining unusually quiet without shouting or yelling. He simply squinted slightly and raised his arm to shield his eyes from the glaring light.

His life was once bleak, but now it is dazzlingly bright.

Where did that light source come from? It originated from the appearance of number 20. That day, his life changed.

He knew that he was not the protagonist in this dynasty's story.

It doesn't matter; he will continue to be that silent but loyal knight.

Ray Allen strode over, exhilarated as if he had just escaped a disaster, and vigorously ruffled DeMar DeRozan's hair with his rough hands.

Although he played unpredictably and mysteriously in this year's finals, he fulfilled his dream. Most importantly, he found a guy he gets along with very well.

"Hey! See that, newbie? We're not fucking Barbie dolls anymore! We're champions!"

Having struggled out of the abyss and finally stood at the top of the world, he was very glad that he made the right choice last summer—not to fight against the New York Knicks.

Sean Battier pumped his fists with abandon, all the pressure and doubts turning into a burst of shouts at that moment.

He perfectly reciprocated that ultimate trust from the core through his actions.

DeShawn Stevenson and Amir Johnson bumped fists, and the fighting team successfully completed another season of security work.

Mike Malone patted Philip Sanders on the shoulder: "Hey, old man! Look at us! Now, we're practically godfathers of a dynasty!"

Unlike the others, Philip Sanders didn't get emotional. He just stood quietly, gazing at the golden ocean of light in the arena, his turbid tears silently filling the furrows in his eyes.

“I have no regrets in my life, Mike. Even if God were to call me back the next moment, I would still have no regrets in my life.”

Mike Malone felt that Philip Sanders' statement was a bit harsh; he didn't say he had no regrets about his career, but rather about his life.

However, he didn't care; this was a three-peat, so it couldn't be considered an exaggeration.

Finally, the camera panned across the jubilant crowd and focused on number 20, who was destined to become a legend.

He simply sat calmly on the bench, watching everything unfold before him, letting the scraps of paper pile up on his head and shoulders.

Suddenly, he braced his elbows against his knees and buried his face deeply in his palms.

Three consecutive championships—such a journey is extraordinary.

He failed once, hitting rock bottom with Grant Hill's withdrawal and Stephon Marbury's burn.

He regrouped, despite encountering numerous difficulties along the way. Just six months prior, the team had been undergoing unavoidable roster changes, losing their original starting center.

At this moment, what lingered on his tongue was not the sweetness of victory, but the bitterness of the process.

Dwyane Wade's voice rang out behind Lynch: "Buddy, don't forget your cigars! Don't let victory wait for you!"

Lin Qi reached under the stool and pulled out the exquisite box, then opened the lid.

The cigar still lay there, the words "Remember your anger, use it to ignite the smoke of victory" long since faded, yet etched deeper into the blood than any trophy inscription.

Lynch took it out for the first time; it had finally broken free of its ornate cage and was ready to fulfill its mission.

Silver scissors sliced ​​through the eggplant wrapper, and sparks flew from their fingertips.

Lin Qi took a deep breath, the smoke rising and dissipating, carrying with it the blood and iron of his seven-year journey.

This wasn't Lynch's first time smoking a cigar, and this particular cigar wasn't ridiculously expensive.

But this taste was so unique.

At that moment, Lynch understood why this was so important to Dwyane Wade.

Because now, what he's lighting is no longer tobacco, but success.

What is being exhaled is no longer just smoke, but the smoke of conquest rising from the ashes after the mountains have been burned to ashes!

This was the most satisfying bite of his life.

(Only one chapter today, because the combined chapters are 10,000 words)
(End of this chapter)