Champion Rules

Chapter 128, Section 124: Old Bones Are Still Tough (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)
Less than a month into the new NBA season, Lynch has already put up a 5x5 stat line once and scored 60 points in a single game.

He is already one of the best individual players in the league.

But even the best player cannot win by relying on their own efforts.

On November 22, the New York Knicks lost to the Houston Rockets.

This Chinese derby was a true battle for viewership, attracting hundreds of millions of viewers as usual. The number of viewers was enough to make David Stern so happy that he would waltz at home.

When Yao Ming chatted with Lin Qi before the game, there were so many cameras around that it looked like they were filming a meeting between the leaders of the two countries.

Lin Qi and Yao Ming were saying things that most of the reporters present couldn't understand; they just assumed the two Eastern giants were exchanging polite greetings.

Only Chinese journalists knew what these two guys were plotting in Chinese.

"Lincia, you didn't participate in the World Championships this summer, and I suddenly feel that the team is really hard to manage. We're even having a hard time getting out of the group stage. Did you hear what Pau Gasol said? That kid really wants to go to the Finals with us. Let's go for it then. Surely you won't get injured in 2008, right?"

Lin Qi smiled slyly: "I definitely won't get injured in 2008, I'm controlling it with my AI."

In front of Yao Ming, Lin Qi never shied away from the fact that he did not want to play in the World Championships this summer.

Yao Ming also understands that you can't always judge others by your own standards of value.

The World Championships are not important to Lynch. Does he want to force Lynch to think that they are important?

Upon learning that Lynch would not be absent in 2008, Yao Ming immediately became excited: "If we meet Spain again in 2008, we'll give them a good beating!"

"We don't need to wait that long; this season will be enough to teach Pau Gasol a lesson." As a Chinese player and a Real Madrid player, Lynch's dual identity means he must dominate Gasol, who is also a Spanish player and a Barcelona player, this season.

Sister-in-law can't play around, but it's Lin Qi's duty. If he shirks it, he'd be doing a disservice to his position.

"Yeah, yeah, we're going to play the Grizzlies soon too. See you in Houston."

Both of them grinned mischievously and hugged each other.

If Pau Gasol could understand their conversation, he might look up at the dome of the Express Arena with tears in his eyes and shout, "How could the Chinese be so mean!"

Tyson Chandler, who didn't understand a word, chuckled to himself and shook hands with Yao Ming in a friendly manner.

Then he got completely dominated by Yao Ming.

Before the excited Yao Ming could even vent his anger on Pau Gasol, he first made Tyson Chandler feel the pressure of the Great Wall of China.

Everything that happened today reminded Tyson Chandler of his youth, of being thrashed by Yao Ming in the sunset.

Chandler defended very hard, but Yao Ming still scored at will. There was only one voice in his heart shouting: "Go and invite Emperor Lynch!"

Lynch was always willing to help Tyson Chandler double-team Yao Ming, but this greatly reduced his defensive deterrent effect.

As a result, Tracy McGrady and Shane Battier got their chances, scoring 33 and 16 points respectively.

With Yao Ming's 23 points, the Houston Rockets defeated the New York Knicks by 5 points.

He played 35 minutes tonight defending McGrady and Battier with almost no regard for his physical condition.

He did everything he said at the press conference, and his soaked jersey testified to his vow to squeeze out every last drop of sweat.

But he still needs support.

The absence of three key perimeter players due to injury has left the Knicks with a severe shortage of perimeter rotation options, and Hill's lone figure is increasingly isolated in the face of the Rockets' multi-dimensional offense.

Lynch was no exception; he scored 32 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, dished out 7 assists, and blocked 3 shots, but lacking support, he still lost the game.

Fortunately, Eddie Jones, Stephon Marbury, and Sam Cassell have all resumed training.

These veteran New York players are about to return in the battle against the Jazz.

However, Charles Barkley believed that this was an extremely poor regression point.

"I know Knicks fans are excited, but we might see a bunch of old guys lining up to get blown up by Deron Williams, that would be too cruel."

In the NBA, some things are extremely predictable.

For example, after LBJ loses a series, he will definitely be followed by statements like "I was actually injured all season" and "I am considering retirement," which are used to divert attention.

For example, strong young players often shatter the dignity of veterans.

Deron Williams could very well humiliate the three Knicks veterans.

Deron Williams, in his second year, is undoubtedly already a star player.

This kid, who averaged only 10 points per game last season and ran back to the University of Illinois to cry to his coach after being publicly criticized, has now become the Utah Jazz's key player.

He fully integrated into Jerry Sloan's pick-and-roll system, and began to showcase his talent within it.

He practically transformed into a Stockton with slightly weaker control over mistakes, but a level above his own offensive capabilities.

His pick-and-roll partnership with Carlos Boozer always reminds Salt Lake City fans of the Jazz's glorious 90s.

Over the past year, the question Jerry Sloan has been asked most often is: "Do you regret using your third overall pick to select Deron Williams instead of Chris Paul?"

Now, Jerry Sloan can finally confidently tell everyone: "No, I have no regrets at all."

Only truly top-tier defensive guards can contain Deron Williams; even Chris Paul, widely considered the most promising point guard, couldn't gain an advantage against him.

His crossovers, his mid-range jumpers, his ability to finish off Deron Williams under the basket—everything about him destined him to become one of the most terrifying point guards in the league.

The Knicks' veteran players will face a huge challenge in their first game back.

Far away in Salt Lake City, Deron Williams was also confident: "Oh, the three Knicks players who are about to return are over 100 years old combined. I respect them; they are all star players of their respective eras. But to be honest, they are going to have a tough night in Salt Lake City. And you know, I always have good luck when facing Chinese players."

Deron Williams' Jazz had already faced the Rockets twice in the regular season, and he was quite pleased with that.

His confidence was not unfounded, because Lynch had to focus all his energy on Carlos Boozer, and his help defense threat would drop sharply, just like it did against the Rockets today.

Therefore, Deron Williams only needs to exploit that aging backcourt to have a chance to lead the Jazz to victory.

This was too easy for him; his outstanding performance this season has given Deron Williams immense confidence.

Furthermore, when facing Lynch, Deron Williams is like facing Chris Paul; his desire to win and his competitive spirit will be at their peak.

Lynch is now the one sitting on the throne, which means he is also the guy that everyone in the entire league most wants to bring down.
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At the Greenburg Training Center, Stephon Marbury is practicing his jump shot.

The trajectory of the basketball mirrored the arc of his career.

This season, Stephon Marbury achieved a career-high 37% three-point shooting percentage. He is becoming more and more accustomed to playing off the ball and to spot-up three-pointers.

However, his overall shooting percentage has fallen to its lowest level since 1999.

This is mainly because his finishing ability under the basket is not as good as before.

The breakthroughs that were once as sharp as a dagger are now gradually becoming dull and rusty under the erosion of time.

Before meeting Lynch, Stephon Marbury was a penetrating guard who took most of his shots near the basket.

After meeting Lynch, he became a "Moreyball" guard, and in addition to the paint, he developed a lot of spot-up jump shots beyond the three-point line.

But no matter how he transforms his style, the area under the basket remains Stephon Marbury's core territory.

But as this season begins, his core support base is slowly crumbling.

Sometimes, even Stephon Marbury himself can't believe he's almost 30, and it feels like just yesterday he led Abraham Lincoln High School to the championship.

He felt his mindset was still young, but his declining physical abilities reminded him: "No, the prime of your athletic career is over." Stephon Marbury had no regrets; he accepted the fact that he was gradually declining.

He has become the pride of New York, breaking the 33-year NBA championship drought for his hometown team. What more could he possibly regret?

But Lynch's "I'm tired" on the night he scored 60 points made Stephon Marbury realize that his mission was not over yet.

He wanted to help Lynch defend his title; he knew his brother needed him.

Lynch helped him achieve redemption, and on the streets of Coney Island, people cannot ignore those who have helped them.

Eddie Jones fiddled with his championship ring in the car. This veteran, who has been repeatedly labeled as "replaceable," never dared to dream of reaching the pinnacle of glory in New York in the twilight of his career.

He was grateful for Lynch's tolerance. Shaquille O'Neal's unfounded accusations may have been despicable, but Lynch's tolerance was not something to be taken for granted.

Not everyone has Lynch's patience, and not everyone respects teammates who want to win as much as Lynch does.

But Eddie Jones was also a man; only women would constantly be pampered and indulged. He didn't want to always be the one being pampered; he wanted to stand up for the young leader.

Sam Cassell, as the only player on the Knicks roster with experience in defending a title, understands better than anyone the difficulty of doing so.

That Houston Rockets' title defense was nothing short of miraculous; they are the only team in NBA history to have won the championship as the sixth seed in their conference.

Sam Cassell knew that their championship win wasn't due to acquiring Clyde Drexler in a mid-season trade.

Many teams in NBA history have experienced major mid-season trades, and many fans and players will celebrate a successful mid-season trade with champagne at halftime, and even predict which of the two stars will win the Finals MVP.

However, there are very few examples of companies winning the championship in the same season through mid-season trades.

Because besides having superstar teammates, you also need to have the heart of a champion.

Sam Cassell knows that winning a championship requires the determination of every member of the team.

He cherishes the Knicks for giving him a chance at the end of his career, so he will help Lynch lead the team in the locker room and continue to strive for a second championship.

These three veterans, who are about to return, each have their own reasons and determination to keep burning bright.

They all intend to prove their determination against Deron Williams.

Because only if they can contain Deron will Lynch win more easily.

Their ultimate goal this season is to make it as easy as possible for Lynch to defend his title.

These three guys knew better than anyone that the young man known as the "point guard nightmare" was no longer the rookie who cried and complained to his college coach.

They understand better that competitive sports transcend age.

When you get completely destroyed, it's best not to say stupid things like, "I'm almost 40 years old, what more do you want from me?"

If you can't play, then retire. Nobody's forcing you to play. If you don't retire, you'll be treated the same as everyone else. It's that simple.

On the plane to Salt Lake City, Lynch noticed that something was off about the team's atmosphere.

Marbury wasn't joking.

Sam Cassel didn't study fashion.

Eddie Jones didn't carry around a huge radio to play music for everyone.

The three of them weren't this quiet even when they were wearing suits and playing away games with the team.

These veterans, who have fought in the league for more than a decade, are now as tense as rookies on their first battle.

Even if Deron Williams put immense defensive pressure on them, they shouldn't be acting like this as veterans.

After arriving in Salt Lake City and checking into their hotel, the Knicks players had to endure a boring and lonely night.

If NBA players were to vote for the "least desirable city to play for," Salt Lake City would undoubtedly be number one by a wide margin.

There's not much entertainment here, and the streets are practically deserted after 8 or 9 pm. The coaches here are incredibly stubborn; you can't have your own style when playing here, you have to be their puppet.

Over time, you'll start to feel like an assembly line worker, not an NBA star.

Lynch lay on his big bed watching TV, which was full of previews of tomorrow's games.

Although the Knicks and Jazz have no real rivalry, the game is still quite anticipated, considering that the Jazz are also a strong team in the Western Conference.

Media outlets generally believe that the Knicks are likely to win the next game, but Lynch will need to deliver a phenomenal performance.

"Because the New York Knicks can't contain Deron Williams, Lynch has to shut down Carlos Boozer while also taking down Jazz players on offense. Derrick Williams is right, he's practically the nemesis of Chinese players."

Kenny Smith's analysis was interrupted by a knock on the door. Lynch knocked on the door, and outside stood the three old guys who were about to make a comeback.

"There's nothing fun to be had in Salt Lake City." Lin Qi thought they had come to invite him to go out and have some fun.

But their answer surprised Lynch: "Forget about Deron Williams tomorrow, we'll take turns looking after him. As long as you handle Carlos, we can win easily."

Seeing Lynch standing there dumbfounded, Stephon Marbury stepped forward from the shadows, a smile on his face: "We fucking hate being called three guys who are over 100 years old combined!"

The next day, the stands at EnergySolutions Arena were already packed with enthusiastic Jazz fans.

Salt Lake City is a small market, but its fans are incredibly passionate about basketball. They won't slack off as long as the team is competitive.

This season, the Jazz have the sixth-highest attendance in the entire league.

When the Knicks players entered the court, the boos from 20,000 people seemed to weigh heavily on them.

Salt Lake City fans are incredibly passionate; it seems like this is the only place they can unleash their pent-up passion.

Besides boos, the stands were also filled with insults.

Most of it was directed at those three old guys who had just made their comeback.

"Look at this bunch of old fogies with canes! What are you doing here? Are you waiting to get knocked over?!"

"Stephen, Eddie, who's going to bend over first? Don't argue, Deron will make sure you both have a good time."

"Sam, you're even uglier than my little head! Deron will beat you to a pulp, you ugly bastard!"

"Delong will crush your old bones!"

Deron Williams and the Jazz came out to warm up, and he was jumping around like a super-extended version of Chris Paul, which excited him.

The jeers and shouts from the fans only reinforced Deron Williams' belief that this was his career night.

He will use his outstanding individual performance to defeat the defending champion and the most popular player in the world.

Those useless old bones paved the way for his success.

Before the game started, Deron Williams looked at Stephon Marbury with a pleased expression.

"Why choose to come back against someone who can beat you? Are you expecting me to go easy on you? Sorry, Stephen, I'm not a New York fan." Deron Williams decided to put some pressure on the veterans and make them break down faster.

Before Marbury could respond, Lynch interrupted, "Didn't Coach Bruce Webber (the coach at DeLong University) come to watch this game? He attended my training camp this summer, and he mentioned you a lot."

Deron thought Lynch was just making small talk with him: "Sorry Lynch, Bruce isn't here. If you want to catch up with him, call him after the game."

"Catch up?" Lin Qi laughed. "No, no, no, what I meant was that if he were here, it would be easier for you to cry to him later. Since he's not here, you'd better hold it in, rookie."

(End of this chapter)