Champion Rules

Chapter 92 088: So what if LeBron is at 100%? (Seeking monthly votes!)

LeBron James's mild response was labeled positively by the Cleveland media, who described him as mature, composed, and rational.

"Lynch is still a naive, mischievous kid. LeBron, on the other hand, is a mature young monarch, and a monarch won't stoop to the level of a brat," David McMenamin commented in his column.

But LBJ's aide, Maverick Carter, knew that these claims were nothing more than self-comfort for the Cleveland media.

Local fans are hoping that James will respond strongly to Lynch and that James can stand up and give Cleveland courage.

But he didn't do that.

He failed to meet the expectations of the fans.

In the wild world of competitive sports, what audiences crave to see are gladiators burning with the desire to win, not Stoic philosophers holding copies of "Meditations".

Jerry Buss once said that basketball and sex aren't that different. Sex needs screaming, and so does basketball, which is why he created Showtime, an event designed to excite everyone, and why he likes to bring all the stars who can make people scream to Los Angeles.

Similarly, sex needs passion, not just rationality like "Hey, let's have a baby tonight."

James's statement, "Life is more important than basketball," was a bit too rational, like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing the anticipation of fans.

This summer, something happened that greatly disappointed Cleveland fans – they missed out on another Ohio talent, Michael Redd.

The Cavaliers were once very close to that All-Star guard who averaged 23 points per game last season. His shooting style was a perfect match for LeBron James.

LBJ personally posted a recruitment video online, hoping that Michael Reed would join him. But in the end, Reed chose to stay in Milwaukee.

This is the most unacceptable part. If Michael Redd had played in New York, Los Angeles, or Oakland, it would have been understandable that he wouldn't have wanted to come to Cleveland.

But it's hard to understand why he would rather choose the lonely, frigid Milwaukee than join LeBron and his hometown's "chosen one" cause.

Now, it seems that the fans know the answer hidden behind this choice.

LBJ's charisma and his hunger for victory seemed to hold no appeal for Michael Reed, failing to ignite the passion within him to "risk his career to fight alongside that guy."

For this generation of old-school players who prefer to carry a city on their own rather than join other stars, for Michael Redd to give up his core position in Milwaukee to support LBJ, LBJ would at least have to act like a true king.

However, his excessive rationality made Michael Redd see no need to join the Cavaliers.

Two consecutive seasons of losses have greatly diminished people's expectations for James.

Even after LeBron James scored a whopping 52 points in Milwaukee in the previous game, Michael Redd casually told reporters afterward, "I don't regret my decision."

LBJ's attitude has disappointed once again, but the most despairing thing for Cleveland fans is that they can only hope for him.

No matter how many times that number 23 disappoints them, they can only hope for him.

At this moment, they are hoping that LeBron James will win the game.

As long as Cleveland's chosen one can burn away the doubts with the flames of victory at Quicken Loans Arena, Cleveland will continue to cheer for him.

November 13, Quicken Loans Arena.

The Cleveland Cavaliers are warming up, and their record is currently the same as the New York Knicks, 4 wins and 1 loss. But they seem to lack confidence.

Their leader didn't even respond directly to Lynch's provocations towards Cleveland, which obviously affected the team's mentality.

A deafening chorus of boos suddenly filled the arena, the shouts of "Fakling!" erupting like a volcanic eruption as Cleveland fans vented the pent-up frustrations of the entire season.

The Cavaliers players didn't even need to look to know that it was definitely Knicks number 20 who would be playing.

Listening to the shouts and curses from the crowd, Reggie Miller, who had just retired this summer and turned into a commentator, laughed and said, "Look at this 18000 people's uniform 'welcome ceremony'. In some ways, Lynch is more popular in Cleveland than LeBron. He's like a real mayor of Cleveland."

Lynch strode through the deafening boos, mimicking AI by placing his hand near his ear, continuing to provoke the fans.

Cleveland dislikes Lynch, and the seeds of hatred were sown last summer when Reebok filmed an ad in response to LeBron James's "Shut up and come at me one-on-one" message. As Lynch defeated the Cavaliers four times last season, Cleveland's hatred for Lynch deepened.

Lynch also disliked LBJ and Cleveland because the whole thing started when LBJ disparaged Reebok shoes and implied that Lynch was just a short-sighted money-grubber.

Whether it's a personal conflict or a power struggle between the capital behind them, Lynch and LeBron James are destined to be adversaries.

So Lynch didn't mind letting loose completely in Cleveland. Since you don't like me, I might as well play a villain without restraint—who doesn't have a fantasy of being a villain in their heart?
After a brief warm-up, the two sides gathered in the center circle, and the match was about to begin.

LeBron James finally spoke to Lynch: "Do you really think your clownish behavior is cool?"

"Of course not. The coolest thing is that I've never lost in Cleveland, and I won't lose today either."

"We went through so much last season, the team changed ownership, the coach changed. You were just lucky."

"Excuses, excuses, always excuses. LeBron, when will you dare to admit your failure? Last season you only needed to win one more game to make the playoffs, but you didn't. It's that simple, not as complicated as you make it out to be. The fact is, you've disappointed your hometown fans for two years in a row, letting them down."

James shut up, acting as if he wanted to focus on the game to cover up his silence.

The referee kicks off, and Zydrunas Ilgauskas gets possession of the ball for the Cavaliers.

As the ball was tipped into the home team's half, the Cavaliers' new system for this season began to take shape.

Larry Hughes controlled the ball, and James tore through the defense like a sword drawn from its sheath. In the first possession, he received the ball at a 45-degree angle, pulled up sharply, and unleashed a three-pointer that sliced ​​through the New York defense!
The biggest change for the Cavaliers this season is that James has significantly reduced his ball-handling time. He has handed over more ball control to his "Pippen" Larry Hughes and Eric Snow, while he focuses on attacking the basket.

So far this season, James has fewer assists than before, but his scoring has become increasingly explosive. His 52 points in the last game were undoubtedly the first climax brought about by this change.

Cavaliers fans cheered wildly, as LBJ's performance today seemed identical to the previous five games.

James finally regained his confidence: "Your turn, Lynch!"

Then Lynch displayed his charisma, immediately and confidently responding with a three-pointer.

It's my turn!
Lynch first pretended to call for the ball in the low post, but then suddenly cut out, received a pass from Stephon Marbury, and made the shot.

With the score tied at 3-3, both James and Lynch are eager to win tonight.

"Lynch is never afraid to respond to anyone! Even if 20,000 people in the arena were cursing his name, he wouldn't be afraid!" Reggie Miller shouted, almost a die-hard Lynch fan. "Whether in front of the media or on the basketball court, he's never afraid to respond to anyone! He always does what you expect him to do!"

Reggie Miller explained why Lynch is so popular: he always lives up to everyone's expectations.

He entered the NBA as the European Caesar, and all the fans in New York were waiting for him to save the team. He really did transform the Knicks in his first season.

During the game, when fans expect Lynch to step up, he always does.

He possesses the extraordinary quality of turning everyone's expectations into a brilliant reality.

This stands in stark contrast to LBJ's repeated failures to meet people's expectations.

Anticipation, everything is about anticipation.

Expectations are like a loan, giving you immense fame. You can leverage people's expectations of you to sign a huge contract with Nike, or use those expectations to package yourself as a superstar early on.

You can enjoy the benefits that come with expectations, but ultimately, you have to pay them back.

When expectations cannot be met, they will turn against you.

But at least tonight, LeBron James seems to have become the player fans were expecting.

One round later, James cut in, Eric Snow passed the ball to him, and the strong number 23 still managed to score after a hard collision with Kurt Thomas in the air.

He put the Cavaliers ahead again, steadily lifting the fans' expectations. The cheers at Quicken Loans Arena this season have never been so frenzied.

But soon Lynch did the same thing, cutting in to receive the ball and scoring off the backboard while battling against Zydrunas Ilgauskas's raised arm.

Lynch and James went head-to-head, and the score became very close.

James was in great form today, with excellent shooting touch and finishing ability around the basket.

In addition, Larry Hughes and Eric Snow helped relieve a lot of defensive pressure, allowing the young king to channel his abundant energy into every offensive play.

He combined jump shots and drives, scoring 11 points in the first quarter, and the Cleveland Cavaliers entered the second quarter with a 3-point lead—the Cavaliers have not fallen behind since the start of the game today.

At the start of the second quarter, Larry Hughes temporarily went to the bench for a rest, and James also took back possession of the ball. Under the spotlight, the Cavaliers' tactical gear was quietly reorganized.

When Larry Hughes is off the court, the Cavaliers will bring in newly acquired Damon Jones and Donyell Marshall.

These two players are targeted additions specifically designed for LeBron James by the Cavaliers' new general manager, Danny Ferry, and they both have one thing in common: exceptional three-point shooting accuracy.

During the transition period, the two of them, along with the Cavaliers' own Serbian wing sharpshooter Aleksandar Pavlovic, will give James even more space to drive.

While the Cavaliers' defense will suffer as a result, James' offense will become incredibly easy.

In the first possession of the second quarter, James, having regained possession, swept through Eddie Jones' defense like a Tiger tank charging at full speed. Jones tried his best, but was completely outmatched in the physical battle.

Lynch immediately collapsed to help defend, and James passed the ball to Donyell Marshall in the corner.

This stretch four, considered an anomaly at the beginning of the century, became the perfect tactical piece for the Cavaliers' transitional play.

"brush!"

As the three-pointer pierced the net, the cheers from the Quicken Loans Arena's dome continued to surge.

"Donyer also hit a three-pointer, and the Cavaliers maintained their lead. LeBron's thinking is quite clear; he knows exactly how to lead the team at each stage! For most of the first quarter, he was an off-ball scorer. Now, he's back to being that all-around point forward!" Reggie Miller admitted that this season's Cavaliers are like a truly strong team.

Because whether they are starting or transitioning between games, they have a complete system built around LBJ to support them, which is completely different from the chaos of last season.

But just like in the first quarter, the cheers from Cleveland didn't last long.

Lynch immediately met the expectations of Knicks fans and responded.

In this possession, Lynch went into the low post, and Donyell Marshall naturally couldn't compete with him. LeBron James decided to leave Ariza, who had no long-range shooting threat, to help defend.

Under double-team pressure, Lynch tossed the ball back to the perimeter with one hand. Beyond the three-point line, Ariza, while posing no shooting threat, used an off-ball screen to create space for Sam Cassell.

Because James was double-teaming Lynch, no one on the Cavaliers could immediately switch onto Cassell after he used a screen to circle out.

Lynch passed the ball to Cassell the moment he broke through the screen, and Cassell did not disappoint, sinking a three-pointer.

The sound of basketballs swishing through the net and the sighs from the Quicken Loans Arena intertwined to create a cruel symphony. Damn Lynch can always respond to the Cavaliers, always!
Cassell then performed his signature "egg-holding dance," the underworld-like appearance and celebration resonating with the unspeakable terror of the Cthulhu Mythos, leaving an unclean shadow in the minds of Cleveland fans.

But Lynch didn't find him ugly at all. For some reason, the more Lynch worked with Kassel, the more handsome he seemed.

I really don't understand why anyone would think he's ugly.

James used his tank-like penetration and pass to activate Marshall's three-point shooting, while Lynch used his low-post threat to create space for Cassell to score; the former charged around with the initial version of the "one star and four shooters" system, while the latter relied on his accurate tactical sense to counter each move.

After a scoring duel in the first quarter, the two players showcased their playmaking abilities in the second quarter.

Two groundbreaking geniuses are engaged in an ultimate battle, and so far they are evenly matched.

But fans actually believe that James can bring them victory. He's been in such great form today, and he hasn't let the Cavaliers fall behind even once.

This was practically destined to be a night for LeBron James.

One possession later, James repeated his tactic. He drove to the top of the key, using the space created by his teammates to ramp up and down the defense.

Lynch provided help defense as always; he had to because Nazr Muhammad, positioned under the basket, couldn't withstand James's attacks.

James bounced the ball to the corner again, but this time, Lynch lunged toward the corner the instant number 23 passed the ball.

Donyell Marshall wasn't intimidated and still went for the shot. But just as the basketball was about to reach its highest point, Lynch's fingertips changed its trajectory!
Never, ever underestimate Lynch's defensive coverage.

James grabbed the offensive rebound like a tiger, and then leaped up a second time, his muscular arms supporting the basketball as he aimed straight for the basket.

At the critical moment, the dark blue number 20 figure suddenly came back from outside the restricted area and delivered another earth-shattering block just as the ball was about to bounce off the backboard!

The noise from the quick loan center stopped abruptly, as if it had been choked, and the two bans were completed in the blink of an eye.

The first was a clever interception based on anticipating the passing route; the second was an incredible defensive recovery thanks to his superhuman physical abilities.

If Lynch's offense still has a lot of room for improvement, then his defense is already so strong that it's despair-inducing.

The basketball flew towards the three-point line, and both Sam Cassell and Damon Jones had a 50/50 chance of getting the ball.

But looking at Cassel's head, which was so wet it looked like a newborn alien, Damon Jones's DNA-based protective mechanism made him unconsciously slow down by two steps.

Cassell gets the basketball and immediately drives forward quickly.

James rallied, determined to win back possession with a powerful block.

But after Cassell broke into the penalty area, he passed the ball behind his back, and Lynch caught the ball with both hands and immediately shot forward!

LeBron James reacted quickly, immediately turning around and leaping high to intercept.

In their first encounter last season, James attempted a dunk over Lynch, causing both players to fall flat on their faces. However, Lynch managed to block the ball at the last moment of weightlessness, refusing to become a backdrop for the number 23 player and protecting his dignity.

James wanted to do the same. No matter what, even if he was knocked away by Lynch, he would block the ball at the last moment to prevent Lynch from humiliating him.

The world's eyes were fixed on the impending explosion. Lynch lifted the basketball with one arm in mid-air, while LBJ raised both arms and jumped vertically to protect the rim.

The moment the two collided, Lin Qi felt a sharp pain in his chest. His ribs and internal organs absorbed the enormous impact, and his forward momentum came to an abrupt halt.

James wasn't having an easy time either; his body leaned slightly backward, but he still managed to keep his body as perpendicular to the ground as possible thanks to his incredible core strength.

Lynch pulled the ball back as far as he could, dodging James's hands, his entire body contorting into an exaggerated C-shape. Seeing this, James swung his left hand, trying to reach the ball. The moment of hang time seemed to stretch infinitely, and the veins in Lynch's biceps bulged. Using his wingspan advantage, he finally avoided James's hand and slammed the ball into the basket!

"My God! He did it! Lynch dunked over LeBron! Haha! I believe this is the moment all New York fans have been waiting for! Once again, Lynch has turned expectations into reality!" Reggie Miller stood up, covered in goosebumps.

Lynch's exaggerated C-shaped stance and LBJ's interception were both executed to perfection, making this one of the best dunks of the season.

"Damn it!" James cursed after landing. Nike couldn't confiscate the recording of this nationally televised game!
The person who started this was pointing his thumb and forefinger at the Quicken Loans Center camera, the less than an inch between his fingers glaringly obvious under the spotlight: "The difference is just this little bit, LeBron, but you'll always be just this little bit short."

Lynch lost the South Korean market.

Cavaliers fans covered their heads with their hands. James had already done his best. 99% of the players in the league would have been blocked by James in that situation.

But even James' best efforts couldn't bring him a perfect ending against Lynch.

With the Knicks trailing by only one point, the Cavaliers' unbroken lead since the start of the season is as precarious as a girl's virginity at her high school graduation party.

James responded quickly, using a completely unstylish layup to help the Cavaliers regain a 3-point lead.

James was truly exciting today; he was unstoppable and lived up to his nickname "The Chosen One."

Following his 52-point performance in the previous game, he continued to efficiently meet the expectations of Cleveland fans.

Immediately afterwards, Lynch received a pass from Cassell outside the three-point line through off-ball movement and prepared to shoot.

Donyell Marshall was completely out of position, and James had to come over to help defend him.

Number 23's help defense was textbook-perfect; his towering steel frame blocked all shooting angles.

The instant Lynch made his move, James's fingertips struck Lynch's palm, and his body slammed into Lynch, disrupting his balance.

Lynch threw the ball and then fell to the ground.

But the basketball still went in, and the referee blew his whistle again.

"Four points! Even LeBron's foul couldn't stop Lynch. His accuracy from beyond the arc this season has improved by more than one level!" Reggie Miller's shout contrasted sharply with the silence at Quicken Loans Arena.

James spread his hands: "I didn't even touch him!"

Lin Qi simply brushed off non-existent dust from his shoulders, stepped to the free-throw line, and calmly made the free throw.

Finally, the New York Knicks took the lead!

The Cavaliers paused the game, and Quicken Loans Arena was eerily quiet.

The moment the whistle blew through the air, the broadcast camera captured a young fan in the front row clutching the number 23 jersey tightly.

Yes, James played exceptionally well today.

Yes, LeBron James had a consistent shooting touch today.

Yes, today LeBron James fulfilled all the expectations of Cavaliers fans.

but.
He could only maintain the Cavaliers' lead for a little over a quarter!

Is it possible that even a 100% LeBron James would still be no match for Lynch?

This idea, amidst the arrogant smile of No. 20 New York, transformed into fear, spreading throughout Cleveland.

(Thanks to the generous donations from readers such as "Walking Through the Clouds and Clouds" and "Book Friend 20241008135619500")

(End of this chapter)