Champion Rules

Chapter 79, Chapter 075: No Risks (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)

Gilbert Arenas lost face completely.

他最终拿到了36分6次助攻2次抢断的数据，林奇则是25分12个篮板2次封盖。

He scored a full 11 points more than Lynch, but he still lost face.

After the All-Star Game, he failed to make Lynch and Carmelo Anthony pay any price for their casual criticism of him.

He failed to land that counter-punch with full force.

At the post-match press conference, all he could do was scream hysterically.

"This is just a regular season game, let's see who wins a real ring first!"

A reporter immediately pointed out: "Cameron already has a ring."

The general slammed his fist on the table: "Don't you fucking understand what a real ring is?!"

He acted fiercely at the press conference, but no matter how angry he was, he couldn't hide the fact that he had become a stepping stone for Lynch and Anthony.

These two Eastern Conference superstars used the tragedy of the General to warn the entire league: if anyone still doesn't acknowledge our status, we'll fight!
For Arenas, the most tragic thing is not losing the game, but that he still can't get the spotlight after losing the game.

The day after the game, major sports newspapers were filled with James Dolan's words: "The next general manager must be someone who can adapt to Lynch."

People see this as a declaration, a declaration that completely overturns the traditional power structure of a team.

Before the next general manager was appointed, Dolan had already made arrangements for the division of power.

The Knicks have experienced far too many conflicts this season; the frequency of clashes between Lynch and Isaiah Thomas is higher than the frequency of clashes between middle-aged couples with disharmonious sex lives.

Middle-aged couples can resolve conflicts with erotic clothing and miracle pills, but not between men.

The only way to solve the problem is to clearly define the boundaries of rights in advance.

James Dolan didn't want to continue arguing with Lynch after the next general manager arrived.

He doesn't have a deep understanding of basketball, but he knows that a good team atmosphere is the foundation of success.

Lynch is a strong-willed person, so the best general manager can adapt to the player's strong personality.

The most crucial quality for a new general manager is not control, but the ability to create a positive and complementary relationship with key players.

Jerry Krause is a perfect example.

Yes, Michael Jordan practically considered Jerry Krause an enemy. But in reality, Jerry Krause didn't really disobey Jordan much.

They had many arguments, but they always ended with Jerry Krause backing down.

It was this art of wise compromise that allowed the Chicago Bulls to maintain a delicate balance in fierce competition, building the most brilliant dynasty in basketball history, until the emergence of the guy with four rings who surpassed this brilliant dynasty.

This is exactly the kind of guy James Dolan is looking for.

Someone who is smart enough to build a team, but who won't clash with Lynch.

If you're the kind of ambitious person like Pat Riley who wants to take control of the team, you'd better give up the idea of ​​coming to New York.

This is the message James Dolan wanted to convey.

He had trusted far too many general managers, those suit-wearing guys who had all patted their chests and promised to make the Knicks great again.

But in the end, it was only Lynch who brought signs of a Knicks resurgence.

Why believe those people who sit in air-conditioned offices watching cleaners' butts instead of those who sweat it out on the field?
The message personally conveyed by James Dolan spread rapidly through the media, and John Kudmore, the New York Knicks' head of personnel, was immediately put to work.

Many people called him, hoping to attend an interview.

To John Kudmore's surprise, the callers included big names like Doc Rivers, Phil Jackson, and Larry Brown—Larry Brown was still leading the Pistons to their second consecutive title.

This is New York after all. No matter how extraordinary or otherworldly these coaches are portrayed by the media, they are still just ordinary people.

No mortal could be uninterested in the glitz and glamour of New York and the money in James Dolan's hands.

Perhaps only Jerry West has truly transcended vulgar tastes, as he openly stated when asked by reporters, "I still prefer to stay in Memphis."

Perhaps only he was truly tired of the backstabbing and pressure of big cities.

John Kudmore, following instructions from his boss James Dolan, also gave Lynch the list of candidates.

He had assumed that Lynch, who was leading his team on a triumphant march, would be too busy to deal with personnel recruitment, but after receiving the list, Lynch replied to John Cudmore with an email almost instantly.

"First, rule out Doug Rivers."

"why?"

"Because the New York Knicks' plane is big enough for all the players to bring their families."

John Cudmore smiled after realizing what was happening.

Bad Lynch definitely needs a smart person to deal with him.
-
Basketball fans around the world are discussing who will become the next general manager of the New York Knicks. Isiah Thomas, who was just dismissed not long ago, has been almost immediately forgotten, as if he had never been there.

This is New York, or rather, this is competitive sports—only the strong endure.

People still talk about Michael Jordan, but how many people talk about Patrick Ewing and Karl Malone?

As superstars who dominated the 90s and as MJ's main rivals, they were quickly forgotten by fans simply because they didn't win in the end.

The eternal brilliance of the champion's trophy will always wash away the traces of the losers, leaving them in pieces.

You can only be considered to have existed if you are the last one standing in the competition.

Clearly, Isaiah Thomas suffered a complete defeat this time.

But this stubborn Detroit legend has not given up. He is still looking for a new job and does not want to leave the NBA stage just like that.

If possible, he would like to join an Eastern Conference team.

He wanted to stand in a position where he could directly extinguish the dazzling lights of Madison Square Garden.

Of course, no one cared about the Smiling Assassin's thoughts at this moment; New York had become the very center of the spotlight.

Although the trade deadline has passed, the Knicks still have four months before they can make roster changes.

However, the Knicks still need to find a general manager as soon as possible, because running a team is not something that can be decided on Wednesday by a phone call on Tuesday.

Negotiations often last for more than a month and also involve other teams.

If the Knicks want to make a difference this summer, they need someone to start planning the team's future now.

Rumors quickly spread that Phil Jackson and Larry Brown were applying for the Knicks' general manager position, which scared off a large number of applicants.

Most people felt that there was no chance of winning against those two.

The battle for the basketball crown in New York seems to have turned into a virtual duel between the two champions.

Sam Presti thought so too.

On the Spurs' practice court, Tim Duncan was chasing Manu Ginobili all over the court, all because the "Big Fundamental" had a sudden urge to pluck a single hair from the Argentine legend.

Gregg Popovich, known for his iron-fisted military discipline, did not stop this absurd spectacle. Instead, he crossed his arms and grinned on the sidelines.

With his ghostly footwork, Ginobili effortlessly outmaneuvered Duncan, who, despite being out of breath, maintained his signature good-natured smile.

No matter how fast you run, you'll eventually have to stop.

"I'm going to report your atrocities to the media!" Ginobili feigned anger.

“Oh, I’ll deny it, and everyone will believe me. Your receding hairline has nothing to do with me.”

The atmosphere at the Spurs' home court was very relaxed. Popovich strolled to the sidelines with a smile, only to find Sam Presti looking sullen.

This season, Sam Presti has been promoted to assistant general manager. Like most Spurs players who were not drafted high, this unsung hero of the Silver and Black Army makes people wonder, "How did he get to where he is?"

This guy didn't come from a basketball family. He could only struggle in the third-tier league during college, and after graduation, he couldn't even stay at the university to work in a basketball-related field.

But he was determined to enter the NBA and was very good at executing his plan.

During a training camp after graduation, Presti learned that Spurs general manager RC Buford would be there as a guest referee, so he went alone. Whether Buford was running on the court or sitting on the sidelines, Presti followed him around like a shadow, incessantly promoting himself.

RC. Buford was so annoyed that he only gave him an intern editor job with the Spurs.

At the time, he thought that once the internship was over, he would never see this arrogant young man again.

The hard work will surely make him give up.

Today, this former intern has become a key figure in the Spurs' management, using his unique drafting eye to inject fresh blood into the Silver and Black dynasty. In 2001, his act of breaking into R.C. Buford's house in the middle of the night, despite his sleeping child, was crucial in the Spurs' decision to draft Tony Parker.

He had formed a deep friendship with R.C. Buford and Greg Popovich, so when Popovich saw the deep worry etched on the young man's face, he patted him on the shoulder.

"how old are you?"

"Huh? 28 years old."

"Considering you often stay up late, it's normal to feel less energetic at your age. Just explain it to your wife and tell her not to worry so much. Bring a bottle of red wine home for your husband, Shannon, and say it's a health secret the old man taught you. Have a drink with him, and believe me, everything will be harmonious again."

"Come on, old man, how dare you say the phrase 'I'm powerless' in front of me?"

"So what are you worried about?"

Sam Presti avoided eye contact and shook his head. "Nothing, just too tired lately. With Greg gone, keep an eye on Manu. He might put a lizard in Tim's locker to get revenge for his lost hair. I don't want such a 'scandal' in our locker room."

Just as Presti was about to leave, Popovich held him down.

"If it's not because of that, then it must be because the job applications from New York are still sitting in the drafts folder, getting moldy?"

"Huh? This is me." Sam Presti stammered, sitting on the bench like a child caught lying, avoiding Popovich's gaze.

Have you sent out job applications?

"Not yet, I'm not planning to apply for the job."

"Because of Phil and Larry? You idiot, you should be fighting for every opportunity that's yours!"

Presti looked up, expecting Greg Popovich to be very angry.

Popovich gently patted his face: "Where did that madman who ran after RC for a full forty minutes go? Where did that young man who had a huge fight with me over Tony Parker go?"

"But."

"Go send the email, don't let me find out you're chickening out. By the way, the Spurs can turn around without anyone, and you might not even actually get the job, so don't fucking overthink it."

After saying that, Popovich turned to face the training field, clapped his hands, and said, "Alright, you idiots who were playing the hair-pulling game, save your energy, training is over for today!"

The trio of Parker, Ginobili, and Duncan stopped their playful chase and fight with a smile. Even though Parker and Ginobili had significantly more shot attempts this season, and even though Duncan's average points per game had plummeted to a career low, the chemistry between the three remained as gentle as the San Antonio River, and their relationship had not changed at all.

This harmony is built upon the Spurs' unique team culture, which emphasizes teamwork and sacrifice and rejects selfishness.

All of this was built on Tim Duncan, who set a great example. As it turns out, the Spurs' system quickly fell apart once Duncan was gone.

Only when the team leader truly accepts PUA will the underlings follow suit.

During the Duncan era, this team culture permeated every corner of the Spurs, seeping into the very marrow of the team and spreading from the locker room to the management.

You can call Gregg Popovich a ruthless bastard who will stop at nothing to win, but he has never selfishly prevented anyone from the Spurs system from pursuing greater success and contracts outside of San Antonio.

He would not stop anyone from leaving, but would also personally pack his treasured wine as a farewell gift.

Sam Presti eventually returned home with the wine Popovich had given him, and his wife raised her eyebrows in delight as she looked at the bottle.

"What day is it today? Why are we drinking?"

“A celebration.” Prestimo stroked the embossed grapevine pattern on the label. “A celebration of how some stubborn old man helped me rediscover the reckless courage I had at 22. Shannon, answer me a question.”

"I loved, and I still love."

"That's not the issue. I wanted to ask if you would mind if our family went to New York?"

"what!?"
-
In the study late at night, the notification sound of a successfully sent email arrived at the same time as the evening breeze of San Antonio.

Sam Presti leaned back in his chair, his mind racing.

If he does become the Knicks' general manager, it means he's taking on one of the most stressful jobs in the world.

San Antonio doesn't receive as much media attention, even though Duncan has turned the Spurs into a great team.

The situation in New York is completely different; every move he makes and every signing is scrutinized by the demanding media.

The spotlights in New York are like high-definition cameras in the San Fernando Valley, illuminating every pore and leaving no room for privacy.

Look at Isaiah, look at him.

He did a terrible job in Toronto, but not as many people criticized him then.

And now? He's been practically stripped naked and paraded through the streets by the New York media.

Half an hour later, his phone rang; it was Lin Qi calling.

He and Lin Qi were already quite familiar with each other, so he casually greeted him: "Hi Lin Qi, do you need any help?"

"need."

"You said."

"Just tell me, how are we going to crush the damn Detroit Pistons and win the championship!"

"us?"

“Yes, you sent me your job application email, right? I’m your interviewer, Sam. If you find this question too difficult to answer, I don’t mind asking you a different one.”

"How about a different question?" Sam Presti smiled easily, his relationship with Lynch making the conversation very relaxed.

"If we were to sign a player who requested to bring his family on the team plane when playing away games, would you agree?"

Presti laughed: "Enough, Lynch, stop humiliating Doug. He's so great. The Spurs should put up a statue of Doug. If it weren't for him, the Spurs would have collapsed."

On the other end of the phone, Lynch's laughter gradually faded, and his tone became serious: "I hope you can come, Sam. We're a perfect match."

"Looks like I'll have to work harder then. Phil and Larry are not easy to deal with."

"There's only Phil, not Larry. Larry's out."

"what why?"

"Because Stephen doesn't like him, and most importantly, because I don't like him. Yes, just because I don't like him."

Sam Presti sensed something. Yes, besides James Dolan himself, Lynch was probably the most influential person on the team.

If Lynch says he wants to be the general manager, then...
"I will be prepared, and I won't let you down. Although I'm a bit too young for a general manager position, I will do my best!"

"Youth can be an advantage, Sam. Anyway, I wish you all the best."

The next day, when James Dolan learned from John Kudmore that the two candidates who made it to the final selection were Phil Jackson and a guy who was only 28 years old, he almost immediately knew the answer.

It's just as easy to choose between "a 20-year-old's fair and tender body or a 40-year-old's wrinkled skin".

But when he learned that Lynch had strongly recommended Sam Presti, the answer became less clear.

If a 20-year-old's fair and tender body is particularly voluptuous, then everything else is a different story.

"A 28-year-old general manager. Is there any precedent in history?" James Dolan asked Kudmore.

John Kudmore shook his head: "Jerry Colangelo was the youngest general manager in North American professional sports history. He was only 29 years old when he joined the Suns in 1968, while Sam was not even 28."

"Well, it seems the answer is quite obvious. You know we can't take any risks."

“Yes,” John Cudmore nodded, “we can’t take any more risks.”

A day later, the New York Knicks officially announced that 27-and-a-half-year-old Sam Presti would succeed Isaiah Thomas as the Knicks' new general manager.

James Dolan really can't take the risk.

He couldn't risk ruining his relationship with Lynch, and the Knicks couldn't afford a second power struggle.

If these two young men can make the empire rise, what does age matter?
If they can't do that, then they have to get out.

James Dolan will never become a player's slave.

But at this moment, he is willing to give the players a little more freedom to perform.

The game has begun, the chips represent the entire city's basketball faith, and he chooses to hand the dice to the young future.
-
A youth storm sweeps through the Knicks, ushering in a new era for basketball philosophy! — Sports Illustrated

As general manager, Sam is far too young. I know he's had success in San Antonio, but to lead independently? He's still too green! — Stephen A. Smith

Oh, Sam is such a promising trader. In fact, I'm really looking forward to his future. —Stephen A. Smith immediately changed his tune after learning that Lynch had recommended Sam Presti more.

We should remember the words of Bosko Jokic, Lynch's first coach: "Youth should be proud! Go Knicks!" —The New York Times.

(End of this chapter)