The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 32 - 31: A Weaker Version of Michael Jordan, LeBron is like an Enhanced Scottie Pippen!

Chapter 32: Chapter 31: A Weaker Version of Michael Jordan, LeBron is like an Enhanced Scottie Pippen!

Kenny Smith looked at the stat sheet in front of him:

LeBron James made 8 of 20 shots, sank 8 of 10 free throws, totaling 24 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals, with a shooting percentage of 40%, a free throw percentage of 80%, and a three-point shot hit rate of 0 for 2. He had 5 turnovers for the entire game;

Su Wan also took 20 shots, hitting 11 of them, made 3 of 4 free throws, tallying 25 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block, with a shooting percentage of 55%, a free throw percentage of 75%, and only 2 turnovers for the entire game;

Based solely on their statistics, one could call them "the Cavaliers’ Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen"!

But answering Barkley’s question seemed a bit more difficult...

LeBron was the "Chosen One" designated by "Sports Illustrated," Cleveland considered him the "City Son," and he wore number 23; he should be the Jordan, no matter how you looked at it.

However, when the Cavaliers were at a disadvantage or in a deadlock during the game, it was Su Wan who, with his wing isolation play, helped the team break the impasse, and he also took the initiative to defend against Artest—these were all "Jordan-like actions."

On the other hand, it was after he opened up the situation that LeBron James’s breakthroughs, passing, and turnovers all seemed to have a whiff of Pippen about them.

What else could he say?

Facing Barkley’s super greasy gaze and the weird smile at the corner of his mouth, Kenny Smith said, "After watching this game, I think the uncle is like a weaker version of Michael Jordan, and LeBron is like an enhanced Scottie Pippen!"

Barkley rolled his eyes.

Your uncle spoils his dad!

Who would call their "enhanced version of Pippen" reluctant to defend against Artest?

Su Wan sat on the bench, wiping his sweat with a towel, when "Big Z" walked past him, ruffling his head with a large hand: "Congratulations, uncle, a perfect debut!"

Calderon passed him a cup of Gatorade, envy in his eyes. He too had a chance to play in the game, but only for 7 minutes and 34 seconds, and the time was split into fragments. Paul Silas put him on the floor mostly when LeBron needed a breather. So he didn’t have much of a performance to show, he hardly touched the ball at all.

Su Wan could feel his frustration, took the Gatorade, and patted his shoulder: "You’ll get your chance!"

"Rookie, class is in session. Let an old bird tell you the first thing you should do after playing a game against someone like Ron Artest," Newell said, somehow coming up with an ice pack and considerately wrapping it around Su Wan’s chest.

It was only then that Su Wan noticed that his chest was both bruised and purple, as if he’d been poisoned.

That’s what it’s like to stand up to a player like Artest.

The reporters quickly took note of this scene.

Bullying the rookie is an NBA tradition.

It was very rare to see someone like Newell treating Su Wan like royalty.

Moreover, Su Wan gave off the impression of being a very outspoken person, and it seemed unlikely that many veterans would tolerate him.

But looking at him now...

Did he seem a bit like the "team’s pet"?

Among the photographers who captured this moment were some from back home, who especially blocked Newell in the player corridor to ask him why he did this. Newell answered straightforwardly: "Honestly, I was about to collapse. Defending against Ron Artest is tough; he’s a beast. I didn’t expect the uncle to step up. I saw leader qualities in him!"

LeBron, seeing the joyous gathering around Su Wan, suddenly felt like an outsider.

He had never felt so alienated from the Cavaliers.

Like the victory over the Pacers tonight...

Overcoming last season’s regular-season leader was supposed to be thrilling.

But when the final whistle blew, he felt no excitement.

Instead, I felt...

Utterly bland!

This victory was far from what I had imagined beforehand.

In my mind, the Cavaliers would win tonight’s game thanks to my constant breakthroughs, passing, and my tireless effort to rally my teammates. It would be my decisive drive to the hoop for free throw opportunities, and then me hitting those free throws with unwavering precision, securing the victory for the team.

All the spotlights would be shining down on me!

I would use the first game of the new season to announce:

"I, have grown stronger!"

But, fantasy is plump, and reality is skeletal.

What plunged the Cavaliers into trouble were my successive passing errors, and it was Su Wan’s continuous solo drives that opened up the game during difficult moments.

He was the brightest Cavalier player tonight!

So bright that even I, the "franchise star" and homeowner of Cleveland, seemed dim by comparison.

A heart-stabbing scene followed: freёNovelFire-com

LeBron watched with wide eyes as the on-court interviewer, smiling, passed by him to approach Su Wan, and then... the fans remaining in the arena cheered unanimously for Su Wan.

In the eyes of these people, only Su Wan mattered at this moment!

"When you learn to defend without just using your eyes, I’ll come over to help!"

"First, I need to get my hands on that damn ball!"

"LeBron, it’s okay if you’re not in good form, I’ll lead us to victory!"

"LeBron, why don’t you high-five me?"

"When it’s time to catch up, pass me the ball!"

Suddenly, LeBron thought of every word Su Wan had shouted at him during the game, crystal clear. A sense of crisis instantly spread in his mind. Watching Su Wan starting the interview, LeBron had a thought that even he found somewhat absurd:

I must be wary of Su Wan; this guy might just replace me!

Walking through the player’s tunnel, a swarm of reporters surrounding him lifted LeBron’s spirits somewhat.

Just...

"LeBron, how do you evaluate Su’s debut? How does it compare to your debut last year, who do you think was more outstanding?"

"Su’s debut was very perfect. Do you think he was the most valuable player for the Cavaliers in this game?"

"It seemed like there was some tension between you guys during the game, what exactly happened?"

"At one point, Su behaved like he was the boss of the team, so LeBron, do you feel threatened?"

...

All questions were about Su Wan, and each one was so difficult to answer; LeBron’s smile froze again. After organizing his thoughts for a long time, LeBron James finally said, "As you know, Su has always been that kind of player. His performance was very good, but we are different players, and the Cavaliers are in a different situation."

"Beating the Pacers, we all did what we needed to do. If you watch the game video, you’ll see that I was organizing and passing, while Su completed the scoring. His one-on-one plays were very efficient, of course, the foundation for all this is that the rest of us drew in our defenders well. He did what he had to do, and we did the same."

"We indeed had some intense exchanges, but it’s nothing. I can see situations my teammates can’t, and Su has his own understanding. We’re still meshing, but it’s not a big problem."

"There is no competition between me and Su. My playing style is out there; I’m a selfless player, I will do everything to make the team win. This has always been my way of playing, and everyone knows this. What else is there to say? Let’s see what happens next."

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