The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 480 - 216: LeBron’s Most Promising Episode!

Chapter 480: Chapter 216: LeBron’s Most Promising Episode!

Before the game against the Blazers,

the Pacers had just challenged the Cavaliers away.

Even ranking sixth in the Eastern Conference,

the Pacers hammered out a victory, 109 to 100, over the Cavaliers.

For the third consecutive season, they completed a regular-season sweep of the Cavaliers.

In fact...

If it were not for the first game of the ’04 season where the Cavaliers’ opponent was the Pacers, then the Pacers would have swept the Cavaliers for four straight seasons.

The Cavaliers could win that game thanks to Su Wan!

Just as the Pacers can now maintain their dominance over the Cavaliers, it’s also thanks to Su Wan.

In the game, Su Wan exploded against Vince Carter, scoring 36 points, grabbing 7 rebounds, and dishing out 4 assists.

But that’s not what impressed Randolph the most.

What lingered more in his memory was...

the huge booing Su Wan received from Cleveland fans.

At the time, he asked, "Damn it, what did you do to this city?"

He himself felt a bit panicky,

because tonight was his first time returning to the Rose Garden after being traded.

Considering his past bad behavior in the Rose Garden, he thought he would receive boos no less furious than those Cleveland fans gave to Su Wan.

However, when Su Wan pushed him into the view of the spectators, nothing happened!

It seemed these people didn’t even realize Zach Randolph had returned.

He could hear the boos.

But that was it.

Compared to the crazy booing that Cleveland fans gave to Su Wan,

it was like heaven and earth.

Su Wan laughed.

Randolph felt embarrassed.

He knew exactly what Su Wan was laughing at—is this bit of booing something you need to brood over at the entrance to the away team’s tunnel for so long?

"Seems like you didn’t do anything impressive in this city, huh? The city has already forgotten you!" Su Wan’s words were insensitive to Randolph’s feelings, but then he added, "So Zach...let’s make them remember tonight!"

Looking at Su Wan’s gaze, Randolph would be lying if he said he didn’t feel a warm feeling inside.

But...

When the thought "Su Wan is really like a warm little sun" popped into Randolph’s head, he thought he was going crazy.

Zach, have you forgotten how this guy has been tormenting you for the past month or so?

Don’t be deceived by these little kindnesses; he’s a devil...

an angel of a devil!

Randolph was baffled again.

Because he suddenly heard Su Wan telling the other Pacers players,

"Come on, guys, it’s Zach’s first time back on his home court after being traded. Let’s give him a moment to shine..."

He really had the demeanor of a "big brother"!

In truth, even though Randolph was a few years older, based on the magnanimity Su Wan had shown, he felt that Su Wan was more than qualified to be his big brother!

What’s this "slap and then a sweet date" about!

Then he heard Su Wan say, "Tonight, the brothers are all helping you, can you promise me not to freaking take wild shots in the next game!"

Zach Randolph’s shooting percentage was not high, but this had a lot to do with his playing style.

He, just like Chris Webber in his younger days, liked to take ludicrous shots.

All kinds of illogical mid-ranges, but without the ability to back it up.

Especially this season after he went to the New York Knicks, he even developed a three-point shot.

It’s not that having this ability is bad...

But...

By comparison, Zach Randolph’s advantage was his low-post confrontation, his body "wrapped in fat," just like having practiced the "Golden Bell Shield," had especially outstanding ability in taking contact, especially quick at grabbing offensive boards, considered top-tier in the League.

Like Kevin Love, he lacked jumping ability, relying completely on his sense of the ball, continuously tipping in, and using physicality to get a better position in order to beat opponents to rebounds.

For this reason, he was more lethal with the ball in the low post.

In this regard, he was almost the opposite of young O’Neal.

So Su Wan preferred that Randolph play closer to the basket, while O’Neal would be better off shooting mid-range after setting picks, and then relying on his mobility to complete "second-chance boards."

Randolph seemed to be accustomed to "conditional trades" with Su Wan and agreed very crisply.

Then his gaze fell on Aldridge on the opposing team.

And then, no one else existed in his eyes.

It was this kid, this kid, because of this kid, Portland traded him away; tonight, he absolutely had to knock this grandkid down!

The Blazers’ team was very similar to the current Pacers, mainly relying on the performance of the two and the power forward to win games.

These two were also their biggest gains from the previous year.

As for this year’s No.1 Pick Oden...

The media said his biggest opponent was injuries, and this time, injuries had defeated him.

Greg Oden became the first rookie of the 00s to not play even a single game in his debut season due to injuries.

Hence this year’s Blazers team still revolved around the "06 Twin Stars" as the offensive initiators.

Just looking at the stats of these two this season:

Aldridge averaged 17.8 points and 7.1 rebounds; Roy averaged 19.1 points, 4.7 rebounds, 5.8 assists, and 1.1 steals.

They absolutely deserved the Blazers’ "Twin Stars" title.

This season so far, whenever the Blazers have won, it was inevitably because these two performed excellently.

For the same reason, the Blazers faced a big trouble tonight.

Su Wan easily dominated Roy.

And Aldridge was clearly uncomfortable with Randolph’s confrontation.