Champion Rules

Chapter 313, page 309: Enough for me to turn the world upside down (Seeking monthly votes!)
2011 NBA Draft.

Kyrie Irving and his father, Drederic, sat nervously around the round table in the little green room.

It is widely believed that Kyrie Irving will be selected first overall by the New York Knicks.

In this weak draft class, you can hardly find another player like him who possesses both top-tier potential and top-tier immediate impact.

But he was still very nervous because, starting yesterday, his agent, Jeff Wechsler, had told him:

"We may not go to New York. As far as I know, several teams are making offers to the Knicks in hopes of getting this year's number one draft pick."

This is true; the Knicks have indeed received some offers.

Although this year's draft is generally considered a weak one, the number one pick in a weak draft is not without value and has still attracted the interest of many teams.

The Toronto Raptors are willing to trade Andrea Bargnani, the 06 number one draft pick, and third-year guard Jerry Bayless, believing that the Italian, who has reached his peak, is the player the Knicks need most.

This Italian cannon, who averaged 21 points per game last season with a 34% three-point shooting percentage, is a perfect fit for the Knicks' one-star-four-shooter strategy.

The Denver Nuggets are willing to offer experienced championship point guard Chauncey Billups and forward Danilo Gallinari as part of a package deal, both of whom are capable players who can contribute immediately.

Stephen A. Smith believes this is a trade proposal worth trying:

"Considering that our Son of the Wind is unlikely to return next season, Chauncey Billups is definitely a must-have for championship teams. Sam, feel free to spend as much as you want, or I'll give you a full refund if you're not satisfied."

The Dallas Mavericks are offering Devin Harris, Jason Terry, and Shawn Marion as their main assets in an attempt to acquire the number one draft pick.

The Los Angeles Lakers are even willing to trade everyone except Kobe Bryant.

Kyrie Irving certainly knew that the Knicks would continue to contend for the championship.

Lynch won't be content to stop after winning three consecutive championships; he's been talking about the so-called Manhattan Project for years.

Therefore, immediate impact players are very important for the Knicks.

Moreover, every single trade proposal that has been revealed so far includes at least one player with near-All-Star caliber ability.

And what about Kyrie Irving himself? He's nothing more than a lottery ticket that hasn't been scratched off yet.

He could be incredibly valuable to the Knicks, or he could be worthless.

It's like going to a bathhouse; you never know how different the masseuse you choose will be from her photos.

Given that Steve Nash may retire, the Knicks need him to demonstrate championship-caliber starting value in his rookie year, rather than giving him ample time to develop.

Put yourself in Kyrie Irving's shoes. If he were the team's general manager, he might also choose to trade for the number one draft pick to acquire players who can contribute immediately.

This is a safer option.

After all, for teams vying for the championship, there isn't much room for risk.

Drederic patted his son's head:
"Relax. Wherever we go, it's already a dream come true for us, and this in itself is a great start."

Do you remember? When you were ten, you wrote on your room wall, "I promise, I promise, I promise, I will become an NBA player," three "promises." Now, those promises are about to become a reality.

Kyrie Irving forced a smile, but quickly told his father, "But I still want to go somewhere where I can win big."

Drederic shook his head; his child was still too young.

"Have you thought about how much pressure and expectations you'll face playing in New York? You're just a rookie, but if the Knicks fail to win the championship next season, people will blame it on you."

Every mistake you make will be magnified. Think of Tyson Chandler; he achieved tremendous success in New York, but ultimately he practically fled the city.

Kyrie Irving simply shrugged indifferently: "So what? Lynch persevered; he started his career in New York with everyone's expectations on his shoulders. If he can do it, why can't I?"

Kyrie Irving's transformation from being uninterested in New York to now being eager to join the city stems entirely from this year's playoffs.

He knew Lynch was an exceptional leader, and he knew Lynch wasn't the kind of star player who would exploit his teammates.

Furthermore, his strong desire to win makes him eager to achieve significant success early in his career, even if it means bearing pressure that is difficult for ordinary rookies to handle.

Drederic looked at his son's stubborn eyes and said nothing more.

He had said long ago that this kid was extremely competitive, just like his deceased mother, who would compete with her husband in endurance even while pregnant.

At that moment, David Stern walked onto the draft stage, and the spotlight suddenly focused on him.

Kyrie Irving's heart was racing.

Meanwhile, inside the private room, Sam Presti made a final request to Lynch.

It was noisy on Lin Qi's end of the phone.

"Make that trade, Sam. What do we need so many rookies for? To open a kindergarten? Make that trade. Oh, honey, don't be so rough, oh~~~."

Sam Presti gripped his phone, a few barely noticeable dark lines appearing on his forehead:
"Lin Qi, are you sure?"

"Of course, I'm 100% sure. You go ahead and get busy, Sam, I'm pretty busy here too. Oh, I'm going to kill you today. Don't get me wrong, Sam, I'm not talking about you."

The call abruptly ended, and Sam Presti didn't even have time to put down his phone before immediately dialing several other numbers he had prepared beforehand.

If Lynch says a trade is needed, then he'll give it a try, no matter who it is.

On stage, David Stern finally announced the highly anticipated first overall pick.

The New York Knicks selected the first overall pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft.

Kyrie Irving, from Duke University!

Kyrie Irving simply smiled; the result was not unexpected for him, as he had always been confident of becoming the number one draft pick.

He hugged his father, stepmother, and agent, and exchanged greetings with Derrick Williams, who had lost out on the number one draft pick, before putting on a Knicks hat and walking onto the stage.

ESPN commentator Jeff Van Gundy voiced the question on everyone's mind at that moment:
"The New York Knicks secured the number one draft pick while achieving a three-peat with a brilliant trade and a bit of luck, and their future looks bright."

Kyrie Irving becoming the number one draft pick wasn't exactly a surprise, but now, the real suspense has begun.

Will New York really accept Kyrie? Are they really going to let a rookie join the Manhattan Project? We'll see if a trade happens.

Kyrie Irving became nervous after being selected, just as Jeff Van Gundy said, being selected is only the beginning.

Whether this hat belongs to New York remains to be seen, and a deal could happen at any time.

During the interview, Kyrie Irving appeared visibly distracted.

Those lingering fragments of memory crept back into my mind.

He recalled his overly flamboyant pride during his tryouts.

He recalled the ball that Jimmy Butler stole from him during his tryout.

He recalled Lynch's cold words, "You're not good enough."

Will these things cause New York to abandon itself?

With the second pick, the Minnesota Timberwolves selected Derrick Williams, a monster whose draft comparison was Lynch.

Even after Derrick Williams took over, the Knicks still didn't call Kyrie Irving.

As is customary, when a rookie is selected, especially the number one overall pick, the team will definitely call immediately.

But the Knicks didn't do that, which filled Kyrie Irving with suspicion.

When the third pick arrived, a transaction was announced on site.

Kyrie Irving instantly felt a chill run down his spine, and cold sweat soaked his palms.

It's finally here?!? Could it be me? Or Derek?
Where will it be traded to?!
No, in fact, the deal was quickly cancelled.

It turns out the Jazz wanted to trade their third overall pick and reach a deal with the Nets.

However, the trade was vetoed by David Stern, who argued that the Jazz had already traded their 12 first-round pick, so the 11 pick could not be traded, not even on draft night.

After the ownership of the draft picks was finally clarified, the draft restarted.

The Utah Jazz made a tough choice, selecting Enes Kanter, a European center from Türkiye with no NCAA background.

Why? He averaged 34.6 points per game in the U18 European Championship, becoming the tournament MVP. Furthermore, at the 2010 Nike Summit, he broke Dirk Nowitzki's scoring record.

Kyrie Irving's clenched fist finally loosened slightly, and the weight that had been hanging over his throat finally lifted.

It seems it was just a false alarm.

As the draft progressed and names were called out one by one, with no trades involving him yet, Kyrie Irving's tense nerves gradually relaxed.

Although the Knicks still haven't called, Irving is no longer as nervous as before.

He slowly leaned back in his chair, his fingertips tapping unconsciously on the table.

Perhaps there's a reason why they haven't called yet; maybe they've forgotten?

That's just how people are; they always love to make excuses for others.

Just then, his agent walked over and handed him a phone: "It's Sam Presti of the Knicks!"

Finally, the phone rang!
Kyrie Irving composed himself, swallowed the last bit of trepidation, and took the phone.

"Hey kid, how are you feeling? Sorry for calling so late, I was just so busy that I didn't take the phone off my ear the whole time."

"I feel great, Sam, great. Tell me, will there be any trades tonight? I've heard all those rumors, a lot of them. Just tell me, will there be any trades tonight?"

Sam Presti's low laughter rippled through the electricity: "We did weigh trade options, but Lynch told me to go for Kyrie! That rascal is different from other rookies, he's a good fit for me, and he'll definitely be able to handle the pressure in New York."

Carey Irving was somewhat flattered: "He really said that?"

"Yes, word for word. He even gave you a very distinctive nickname that will definitely resonate throughout the league."

"what is it call?"

"Goddess Ou".
-
After hanging up the phone, Sam Presti wearily rubbed his throbbing temples.

He wasn't lying; he really was very busy, dealing with transactions.

He had previously asked Lynch if he wanted to make a trade, but it certainly wasn't about Kyrie Irving.

From the very beginning, Lynch vetoed any trade involving Kyrie Irving.

He was asking whether to use the 30th overall pick in the first round and the second-round pick to pursue either Kawhi Leonard or Klay Thompson in a trade.

Lynch told him he could make the deal, but the result of the attempt was contrary to expectations.

However, one should not be too greedy.

The Knicks, who just won three consecutive championships, already have the number one draft pick. Do they really think they can snatch another lottery pick? There's no such thing as a free lunch.

Moreover, the Knicks did not come away empty-handed.

They already had backup plans.

The 30th pick in the first round, and it's the New York Knicks again.

David Stern called out a name that surprised everyone present, including Kyrie Irving.

"The New York Knicks selected Jimmy Butler, from Marquette University, with the 30th pick in the first round of the 2011 NBA draft."

Drederic glanced at Jimmy Butler's highlights on the big screen, then at his son, noticing that Kyrie Irving's fist was clenched.

"Is this the guy who intercepted the ball from you during the tryout?"

“Yes, it’s him,” Kyrie Irving’s voice was filled with undisguised hostility, “it’s this bastard who looks like Michael Jordan!”

"It seems that the steal gave him the opportunity to push this second-round prospect into the first round."

"I won't give him any more chances. Oh my god, I can't wait for preseason training camp to start." Kyrie Irving's eyes were filled with intense fighting spirit, seemingly forgetting that they were teammates now.

At this very moment, Jimmy Butler is watching the NBA draft live with his adoptive parents, the Lamberts, at their home.

There was no pomp and circumstance, no entourage, no fancy suits and ties, only his adoptive parents and seven siblings.

They shared food, supported one another, and waited for God to bestow good news.

And then, it all really happened.

Although he was only the last pick in the first round, a first-round pick is still a first-round pick, and Jimmy Butler will receive a three-year guaranteed contract.

This means that even if he leaves the NBA empty-handed, he will still receive $320 million, which is enough to change his and his family's lives.

Of course, this is not the ending Jimmy Butler wanted, nor is it the ending his family wanted.

The night before the draft, Jimmy Butler's adoptive mother struggled to hold back tears during an interview with ESPN writer Chad Ford:

“I hoped that someone would give Jimmy a chance. Before we met him, no one was willing to give him a chance to change. I think our family did it, and look how much Jimmy has grown since then. He has made everyone proud of him.”

If an NBA team could offer him a single drop of kindness, Jimmy would repay it with an ocean; that's exactly how he repaid us.

Jimmy Butler embraced his overjoyed family members tightly, his eyes fixed on the gleaming Knicks logo on the television screen.

Yes, he will do that.

He will dedicate himself to this team with all his might!
In the second round, the New York Knicks remained active, selecting the University of Florida's older rookie Chandler Parsons with the 35th overall pick.

They then immediately traded another second-round draft pick for the Kings' second-round pick next year.

Thus, the New York Knicks, who had a strong presence throughout the entire draft, finally completed their farewell performance.

Sam Presti received a call from Lynch at this moment, which surprised him.

"It's only ending now? It took so long?"

Lynch's voice sounded tired: "Just a normal performance. So, did we pick Jimmy?"

"as you wish."

"So that means we didn't get Clay and Kawhi?"

"Yes, I tried my best, but we simply don't have any assets to leverage in a trade right now. Wilson and De'Andre have extremely high trade value, but they are currently restricted free agents. After successfully re-signing them, should I restart the trade process?"

"No, if we can't acquire them with draft picks alone, then forget it. If it comes at the cost of dismantling our roster, then the trade might backfire. Forget about those trades; in fact, our roster is strong enough already."

"It's not bad, but you have to understand, our goal is not an ordinary goal."

“Hey, if we’ve already assembled a team capable of accomplishing the Manhattan Project, what do we need me for? Don’t worry about Sam, the current lineup is enough for me to turn the world upside down.”

“Yes, I know how capable you are of turning things upside down,” Sam Presti grinned, “so capable it’s practically overflowing from the phone receiver.”
-
Steve Nash announced on social media that he is officially ending his illustrious 15-year career, and will hold a press conference in three days. Can Kyrie Irving be a worthy successor? We'll have to wait and see. —ESPN News

Giving the number one draft pick to a three-time champion team is cheating. A superstar in his prime and a rookie with unlimited potential—for them, success is as easy as eating and sleeping. Lynch is simply a product of the league's excessive promotion. —ESPN reporter David McMenamin

Even with a superstar in his prime and three rookies with unlimited potential on a team, I haven't seen LeBron James achieve easy success. Shut up, David, you've thrown enough boomerangs already. — Stephen A. Smith responding to David McMenamin.

(End of this chapter)