Champions!
The final buzzer sounded, and for a brief mont, a strange sense of calm washed over Lin Yi. A quiet thought crossed his mind:
Finally... ring number two.
He quickly shook it off as his teammates sward him. The celebration erupted instantly.
"We are the champions!"
The Knicks players poured onto the court, hugging, jumping, and chest-bumping one another. All the long months of hard work, sacrifice, and pressure had finally paid off. Their dream was now a reality.
McGrady excitedly jumped onto Yao Ming's back, nearly knocking the big man over. Yao smiled awkwardly, his eyes glistening with emotion. Battier, Livingston, and Markieff quickly shed their suits and pulled on championship T-shirts and caps, beaming with pride.
Two championships in three years. From Dallas in 2011 to San Antonio in 2013 — the Knicks were kings once again.
Tony Allen and Wilson Chandler started a victory dance, while Klay and Paul each latched onto one of Lin Yi's waist, laughing and shouting.
Most Spurs fans quietly filed out of the AT&T Center, though a few stayed behind to watch the trophy presentation. On the Spurs bench, the players sat in heavy silence. Duncan, Ginóbili, and Parker looked exhausted and heartbroken. The weight of the mont was clear on every face.
Duncan eventually walked over and offered Lin Yi a respectful handshake and quiet congratulations. No grand words were needed. The future already belonged to Lin Yi.
. . .
On TNT, Charles Barkley led the cheers. "Let's congratulate the New York Knicks once again!"
After the initial celebration died down, the league staff set up the awards stage. Looking back on the series, Barkley called it "the greatest 4-1 in Finals history."
Ga 4 alone — with Lin Yi's record 66 points, McGrady's overti explosion, and the sheer drama — would be talked about for years.
The Knicks had shattered the Spurs' aura of inevitability. What was once a near-guaranteed championship whenever San Antonio reached the Finals was no more.
. . .
Back in New York, Madison Square Garden erupted as fans watched Lin Yi lift the Larry O'Brien Trophy on the big screens. Fireworks lit up the night sky across the city.
"MVP! MVP! MVP!"
Countless Knicks fans were already heading to the airport, preparing for a hero's welco when the team returned the next morning.
In the front office suite, Jas Dolan excitedly patted Donnie Walsh and others on the back.
"Keep every single one of our guys if you can," he said firmly. "We're building a dynasty!"
A few years ago, such words might have drawn laughter. But tonight, no one doubted him.
A New York Dynasty was no longer just a dream.
They were really witnessing the birth of sothing special.
. . .
On the court in San Antonio, the Knicks players took turns lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. When it reached Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, the two old teammates pulled each other into a tight embrace, tears flowing freely. They had waited years for this mont.
Battier walked over with a calm smile. This was his second championship, and his relaxed deanor showed it. As he liked to say, "If you didn't co to New York sooner to ride the wave, that's on you."
When Chris Paul received the trophy, his expression was more serious than most. After years of chasing the ultimate prize, he was finally a champion.
Klay Thompson, still buzzing from his record night, finally understood what his father had always told him: a championship felt completely different from anything else. Still, one ring wasn't enough for him. He wanted many more — seven, eight, however many it took — alongside Lin Yi and this group.
The younger Knicks players gathered around Lin Yi as the championship trophy made its rounds, knowing the next mont belonged to the Finals MVP presentation.
Commissioner David Stern stepped onto the stage, looking up at Lin Yi with a playful grin.
"Lin," Stern said, motioning for him to lean closer, "we decided not to give the Finals MVP to you."
Lin Yi blinked twice, genuinely stunned for the first ti all night.
Stern burst out laughing and patted him on the chest.
"Just kidding."
Lin Yi stared at the commissioner speechlessly while Stern clearly enjoyed the rare mont of getting one over on him.
The 2012-13 NBA Finals MVP was officially awarded to Lin Yi.
In the 2012-13 NBA Finals, Lin Yi averaged 42.2 points, 12.8 rebounds, 4 assists, 3 blocks, and 1 steal per ga.
He shot 58% from the field, 50% from three, and a perfect 100% from the free-throw line. His historic 66-point performance in Ga 4 had already cented his place in Finals lore.
On the CCTV broadcast, Yu Jia and Director Zhang were overjoyed. "Let's congratulate Lin Yi on winning his second Finals MVP!"
Back in China, the entire nation was celebrating. Knicks fans were in paradise. Two championships in three years, 75 wins in the regular season, and a dominant run through the playoffs. This young team had given New York real hope for a true dynasty.
But as Lin Yi stood on the podium holding the trophy, he knew the journey was far from over. Becoming the greatest player in NBA history was a long road, and greater challenges likely lay ahead.
Still, none of that mattered tonight.
The night of June 16th belonged to the Knicks. It belonged to Lin Yi. And it belonged to every fan who had supported them through the years.
. . .
The euphoria didn't end soon. Inside the Knicks locker room, the real celebration exploded.
Champagne bottles were popped open as soon as the doors closed. Tyson Chandler and Danny Green passed out Oakley ski goggles to the entire team. Within monts, nearly every player was wearing a pair, turning the room into a wild, joyful battlefield of flying foam and laughter.
Lin Yi stood at the center, holding the Larry O'Brien Trophy and his Finals MVP award high above his head, soaked in champagne, with a huge smile on his face. Chris Paul and Klay Thompson flanked him, aggressively spraying bottles in his direction. Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady shared a long, emotional embrace nearby, both with tears in their eyes.
[Image]
Draymond, Motiejunas, and Markieff joined the chaos with even more bottles. The entire locker room was a scene of pure ecstasy — wet floors, flying confetti, orange and blue strears, and nonstop shouting.
Lin Yi, now completely drenched, laughed loudly and launched a counter-spray with his own bottle.
. . .
NBA on ESPN Post-Finals Live
he broadcast returned to the studio as highlights of the Knicks' celebration played across the screen.
Sage Steele smiled toward the cara.
Sage Steele:
"Welco back, everybody. History has been made tonight in San Antonio. The New York Knicks are your 2012-2013 NBA champions, defeating the Spurs 4-1. And Lin Yi has been nad the Finals MVP after a truly historic performance."
Sage smiles warmly and turns toward the big monitor.
Sage Steele:
"Speaking of the man of the hour… let's bring him in."
The broadcast cut to a live feed from the chaotic Knicks locker room. Lin Yi was sitting still, dripping with champagne, his goggles resting on top of his championship cap while holding the Finals MVP trophy. An ESPN producer adjusted his earpiece off-cara.
Lin Yi (smiling, looking into the cara):
"Hello? Can everybody hear ?"
Sage Steele: "Yes, we can hear you loud and clear, Lin!"
Stephen A. Smith, Michael Wilbon, and Jalen Rose (in unison):
"We got you!"
Sage Steele (laughing):
"I can see you had a lot of fun in there. Look at you — absolutely soaked in champagne!"
Lin Yi (laughing, wiping his face):
"Yeah, the locker room celebration was crazy. As soon as we walked in, Tony Allen and the boys started popping champagne. It was just nonstop from there. I'm still getting sprayed even now!"
A stream of champagne suddenly splashed across his shoulder. Klay briefly appeared behind him, waved at the cara, then sprinted away laughing.
Lin Yi:
"I'm very happy right now. Happy to bring another championship to New York and to win Finals MVP. It ans a lot."
He then points directly at the cara toward Stephen A. Smith.
Lin Yi:
"I hope the Knicks fan in you is happy tonight, Stephen A."
Stephen A. Smith (grinning widely):
"Sage, can I take over for a second?"
Sage Steele:
"Go right ahead."
Stephen A. stands up, dramatically takes off his suit jacket, revealing a Knicks 2013 Championship T-shirt underneath, and puts on a matching Knicks cap. He gives a salute toward the screen.
Stephen A. Smith (emotional):
"I may sound like a broken record as I keep on saying this. Lin… on behalf of every Knicks fan watching right now — thank you. I've been watching you since your very first year, when you ca in as the Shooting Stars duo with Steph Curry. I watched you lift this franchise out of the mud. You took us to our first Finals in decades the very next year and won it.
And now, two years later, you've done it again. On behalf of the whole city of New York… we thank you, man. We thank you very much."
Lin Yi (smiling warmly):
"You're welco, Stephen A."
He then teases with a grin:
Lin Yi:
"If this is the treatnt I get from you every ti I win a trophy, then I'm just gonna have to win a few more. Keep them coming!"
The entire studio and Lin Yi burst out laughing.
Michael Wilbon:
"Lin, what you're doing is historic. The numbers you put up in these Finals… we're watching greatness."
Jalen Rose:
"You're not just the best player in the league right now — you're becoming one of the best we've ever seen. Enjoy this mont, champ. You earned it."
Sage Steele:
"Lin, before we let you go back to celebrating with your teammates — any final words?"
Lin Yi (raised the trophy slightly):
"I just want to say thank you to all the Knicks fans. This is for you guys. We'll see you soon in New York."
He smiled.
"And trust , we're going to celebrate like crazy."
Sage Steele:
"Thank you, Lin Yi. Enjoy the night, Champion!"
The broadcast shifted back to highlights of the celebration as the panel continued discussing the Knicks' historic season.
The panel continues as the feed cuts back to highlights of the celebration.
. . .
After a short stay in San Antonio, the Knicks boarded their flight back to New York, carrying the Larry O'Brien Trophy with them — ready for a hero's welco in the city that never sleeps.
. . .
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