The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 405 - 201 Shaquille’s Last Outburst

Chapter 405: Chapter 201 Shaquille’s Last Outburst

LeBron, in the post-game interview, discussed the reasons behind the game’s defeat. He shook his head and said, "My teammates lacked energy. I was always full of energy, and I tried to pass that energy on to them. But it’s a 48-minute game, the opponent played well and took the victory."

From his perspective, he was entitled to make such a remark.

After all, he scored 14 points in a single quarter.

But when Barkley saw his comments the next day, he bluntly asked, "We can all see that the team lacks energy, but what we should be trying to understand is why they lack energy. The Cavaliers in the semi-finals and the Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference Finals are completely different teams!"

Reggie Miller also said, "LeBron’s biggest problem right now is that he can’t get the Cavaliers going. When Shaquille was there, they were more like a team!"

Criticism followed, yet in the second game between the two teams, the Cavaliers still showed no change.

For Quentin Richardson and Channing Frye, they had the ability to catch the ball on the move, not just stand at strategic spots, waiting for LeBron’s pass.

Playing like this for another two years, they had no doubt that their skills would keep declining until they ended up as mere shooters, just catching and shooting at strategic points before being phased out by the league.

Yet even so, they could still find their shooting rhythm.

Gibson was in worse shape than them. Not being good at catch and shoot to begin with, he was stripped of the right to hold the ball and was forced to catch LeBron’s passes in the last 2 seconds to make a shot. And he could feel LeBron’s impatience with him. After going 2 for 6 in the first half of the game, on the way back to the locker room, he felt LeBron glance back at him fiercely.

But what could he do?

He was a player who thrived on playing disruptively with the ball, asking him to switch to just catch and shoot was really too much to ask!

In the end, it was the same as the previous game, LeBron scored 27 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists, and 5 turnovers. He was the best-performing person on the Cavaliers, while the others remained sluggish, and the Cavaliers lost by 25 points again.

After the game, LeBron gave an interview and unexpectedly said, "I think rookies in their first year should try more possibilities instead of confining themselves to their comfort zone. They should take on different roles. That’s how they make progress!"

His words confused the reporters.

For a moment, they couldn’t tell if LeBron was criticizing his teammates or regretting his own strategy of being a "ball holding big core" since his rookie season, leading to his current inability to integrate into other tactics.

After reflecting on LeBron’s past, they leaned more towards the interpretation that LeBron was criticizing his teammates. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

As for whom he was criticizing...

There was only one rookie on the team this year, and it wasn’t hard to guess.

Gibson was also asked by reporters about the reasons behind his dismal performance in two consecutive games, and he helplessly shook his head, "This is not how I play best. I’m more accustomed to making plays with the ball, everyone knows that."

If the media had asked him why he was underperforming before the "Christmas Day Game," he certainly wouldn’t have dared to say this.

But now, things were different.

From being celebrated after the "Christmas Day Game" to the present, he had been exposed to too much spotlight, and if not for his terrible stats before December, he might have contended with Brandon Roy for the "Rookie of the Year" trophy.

He had gained some interview experience and confidence on the court.

After two consecutive poor performances, he had some grievances he wanted to vent.

After hearing his answer, a reporter relayed to Gibson what LeBron had implied earlier.

Gibson didn’t say anything for a long time and eventually just helplessly shook his head.

What else could he say?

Although he had gained some confidence on the court, he was well aware that LeBron’s status with the Cavaliers was not something he could challenge.

The term "City Son" was intimidating.

Unless the Cavaliers’ big boss no longer wanted LeBron or the Cleveland fans became intolerable, Gibson wouldn’t stand a chance of shaking LeBron’s status.

And from what he knew, LeBron often engaged in community activities in Cleveland, and the bond between him and the Clevelanders was unbreakable.

He had no choice but to helplessly shake his head.

Then the reporter asked another question, "Do you miss the times when Shaquille O’Neal was around?"

Gibson pursed his lips and then showed a bitter smile.

The interview ended.

The entire Cavaliers team returned to Cleveland to prepare for the third game.

This game would become a key battle for the Cavaliers.

If they couldn’t win this game, they would have to witness Su Wan eliminating them on their home court with his smug look all over again.

That was not what they wanted to see.

Therefore...

"The team didn’t pay you 20 million dollars to sit on the bench in such an important game, Shaquille!"

"Shaquille, don’t be like a sissy hiding away because of some injuries, it’s time for you to step up!"

"Michael Jordan continued to play through food poisoning and managed to deliver a legendary performance. Shaquille, you should follow Michael’s example!"

Clevelanders began pressuring Shaquille O’Neal, trying to get him to play despite his injuries.

When Danny Ferry saw this wave of public opinion, he contacted Shaquille O’Neal right away.

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