The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 461 - 212: So What Was the Reason LeBron Became the ’Chosen One’?_2

Chapter 461: Chapter 212: So What Was the Reason LeBron Became the ’Chosen One’?_2

But who would have thought...

It was actually Vince Carter!

It’s worth mentioning that up until the start of today’s game, many Clevelanders still had no impression of Vince Carter. Some even held a negative view because of the way the Cleveland media had been hyping him up lately, effectively tagging him with a "debuff."

But unexpectedly, this very man, whom they almost booed before the match, pulled the Cavaliers out of the abyss at such a crucial moment.

Was this the former "All-Star Ticket King," the "half-man, half-god" Vince Carter who stunned the world with his "Death Dunk" at the Sydney Olympics?

His face really is...

The more you look, the more handsome he gets!

Mike Brown, too, watched Vince Carter pass by with a cocky demeanor, his face filled with surprise. He was just about to say something when Vince Carter glanced over with his slightly drooping eyes. That one look was enough to shut Mike Brown’s mouth. ƒгeewebnovёl_com

Vince Carter’s message was clear:

"Don’t mess with me!"

LeBron James watched from the side with mixed emotions.

Normally, in such "adverse winds," he’d activate his "Honorable Defeat" plan, but after being yelled at by Vince Carter, he devised a new plan. He would let Vince Carter get the ball a lot and then, once the team suffered a crushing defeat, he would have Nike’s media push the narrative that "Vince Carter getting the ball was useless." But now it seemed...

Carter getting the ball was not only useful, it was extremely effective!

Who wouldn’t be confused by this turnaround?

But now, LeBron hesitated. Should he continue to let Vince Carter have the ball?

If he let Carter win the game for them, he’d just be "winning by lying down"—his previous confidence in confronting Shaquille O’Neal had diminished during his injury when the Cavaliers managed a "4-game winning streak" without him.

Now...

He could smell that familiar scent.

But the problem was, if he seized control of the ball now, the biggest contributor to the victory would still undoubtedly be Vince Carter.

This was a real dilemma!

In the end, he decided to wait a little longer. If the Cavaliers could close the gap further, he would take back control of the ball and be the one to turn around the score.

But if the Pacers widened the 8-point gap again, he would continue to play dead and afterwards push the narrative that Vince Carter was ineffective with the ball control.

The Cavaliers’ consecutive losses started with Vince Carter hogging the ball.

That was undeniable evidence!

Regaining his composure, a smug smile flickered across LeBron James’s eyes.

However, if he had to choose, he hoped Vince Carter could narrow the lead further so that he could lead the team to overtake the score. That way... his embarrassing "0 wins and n losses" record against Su Wan would finally be broken.

Unfortunately, after adjustments, the Pacers quickly went on a 7-0 run, stretching the lead back to 15 points.

Following this offensive surge, the Pacers decisively secured their victory, ultimately defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers 121 to 98, a margin of 23 points.

Su Wan’s final stats were 38 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

On the Cavaliers’ side, Vince Carter also scored 39 points, along with 5 rebounds and 5 assists.

Their scoring battle on the wings was a treat for some of the neutral fans.

As for LeBron, who should have been Su Wan’s counterpart...

His performance tonight was just a dismal 4 out of 13 shots, with 3 of 5 free throws, totaling 11 points, 7 defensive rebounds, 7 assists, and 5 turnovers.

Forget comparing with Su Wan; he fell short even compared to Boris Dior,

Dior was blown out defensively by Vince Carter tonight but still managed 11 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds with only 3 turnovers, shooting 50% from the field and 100% from the free-throw line.

LeBron’s stats, compared to Dior’s, made him look like a "little Dior."

He was still following the path of "Magic."

After the game, Su Wan bluntly said, "The ’Chosen One’ was the biggest ’dead weight’ for the Cavaliers tonight. It was their best chance to beat the Pacers, but he dragged them down!"

Rick Carlisle said, "Clearly, the best way to defend LeBron James is to use more forwards, employ double teams, even if it means giving other Cavaliers players scoring opportunities—just don’t let him have room to perform!"

He said this during the post-game press conference, and Su Wan, sitting beside him, was taken aback by the remarks.

But...

Was it him or me who had a vendetta against LeBron? That’s just too harsh, isn’t it?

Not only had he mastered the art of defending LeBron, but he also freely shared these insights with everyone.

"Are you trying to make LeBron hit the ’rookie wall’ again, Rick?" he teased.

Rick Carlisle replied, "Some experiences are inevitable and necessary for growth."

Su Wan agreed with this sentiment.

The humiliation of being backed down by the "Puerto Rican mountain" in 2011 led to his "Crab Jump Shot" from a lower position the following year, a move LeBron would often use later in his career.

The shame of that time certainly brought him a lot of benefit later on.

And why, after only reaching the Finals once with his teammates and getting his head shaved, had he never made it through the Finals again?