The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 374 - 194: From now on, when the Cavaliers lose, LeBron has to take all the responsibility on himself_5

Chapter 374: Chapter 194: From now on, when the Cavaliers lose, LeBron has to take all the responsibility on himself_5

The biggest difference from the Staples Center here is:

The court overhead didn’t have as many championship banners.

LeBron hence heard a sour jest among the reporters, "There’s no performance to speak of, but off-court disputes arise every year. The Cavaliers really are down and out!"

This statement was undoubtedly a double denial of his "Chosen One" identity and of being the "City Son" of Cleveland.

He couldn’t help but want to ask, "How did I even end up in this situation?"

What distressed him even more was that tonight, Gibson, who had just regained the right to control the ball, had fully revived. Although he himself had scored only 15 points, he provided 10 assists that helped Channing Fleay and "Ah Q" score a total of seven three-point shots tonight.

This brilliant display of team coordination capability was undoubtedly a new highlight for Gibson.

After the game, Gibson high-fived with Shaquille O’Neal.

Thanks to "Brother Shark," who had been consistently reminding him since the "Christmas Battle":

"You’ve just started showing your potential. The other teams don’t know much about your play yet, so you can attack easily. But gradually, as they become familiar with your style, you’ll need to learn passing. So, you should observe Quentin and Channing’s movement more, which will also help you locate them better in the future!"

Indeed, Shaquille O’Neal’s advice had no issues at all.

In today’s game against the Bobcats, he was targeted defensively by the opposing team. He used that targeting, continuously delivered assists to his teammates, and achieved a career-high of 10 assists in a single game.

He decided from then on he would stick with "Brother Shark."

This "three consecutive championships’ MVP" didn’t get that title for nothing; he had indeed seen more than he himself had.

Just as his performance improved, LeBron’s performance worsened.

The "King’s" style of play demanded that he have the ball to attack; if he didn’t have the ball, he could only stand on the sideline. In this 40-minute game, he managed only 21 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists.

Actually, these were typical statistics for a small forward.

If not for excessive ball-handling, how could it be possible to have high scores and assists simultaneously?

This was something past small forwards couldn’t achieve, so why could LeBron?

Was his understanding of the game really the highest?

If that were true, then Westbrook should be the one with the highest basketball IQ...

Danny Ferri was also present at tonight’s game. Although the Cavaliers had won, he wasn’t pleased. Seeing LeBron standing there like an outsider, he knew the situation had become critically urgent.

The next morning, Mike Brown did as Bill Walton had suggested, summoning Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron together.

Looking at the two of them staring, Brown got straight to the point, "Shaquille, you should also know, those plays you run with Dennis can also be executed with LeBron, and in such cooperation, LeBron could actually do even more..."

Shaquille smiled, not denying what Mike Brown had said.

But he asked, "Why? Isn’t Dennis playing well now?"

He glanced at LeBron, implying, "I know someone is not very comfortable at the moment, but everything is a process of adaptation. I believe he can adapt. It’s part of growing up. If some people can learn to play off-ball, our tactics could be richer. No core small forward of any team doesn’t play off-ball. Mike, you can’t contradict that, can you?"

Mike Brown looked at LeBron; he really couldn’t contradict it.

Shaquille continued, "The game against the Pacers proved that just relying on me and LeBron can’t beat Su Wan. We need more help; now we have it, and he can perform better. Why should I stop cooperating with him?"

He suddenly turned to LeBron, "LeBron, what do you think is more important, stats or victory?"

LeBron didn’t speak.

Shaquille O’Neal scoffed disdainfully.

"The team wants you to do this, and I also want to know, Shaquille, what would it take for you to cooperate with LeBron like you do with Dennis?" Mike Brown brought the topic back to the beginning.

Shaquille O’Neal didn’t hesitate, "It’s simple, as long as LeBron is willing to do one thing, I can cooperate with him on the court!"

Not only Mike Brown was surprised, but LeBron also unexpectedly looked at Shaquille O’Neal, wanting to hear what his conditions were.

Shaquille said, "We all adapt our play to LeBron’s tactics, and his stats are always impressive. Now I’ve proven that if we adapt our play to others, his stats can still shine!"

"Since anyone’s stats can shine, why don’t we choose someone responsible?"

"Shaquille!" Mike Brown, keeping an eye on LeBron’s expressions and seeing Shaquille’s remarks becoming inappropriate, quickly shouted to stop him.

Shaquille O’Neal very graciously halted his "dangerous" speech, "My only request is, in the future if the Cavaliers lose, LeBron must take all the responsibility on his shoulders. That’s what a true leader does!"