The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!
Chapter 681 - 256: 60 Plus... Is This Really the End of the Game for Su Wan?_2

Chapter 681: Chapter 256: 60 Plus... Is This Really the End of the Game for Su Wan?_2

Initially, only a few media outlets said as much, but within just two days, a huge uproar had formed, demanding Pat Riley come out of retirement.

Pat Riley, a shrewd man, was well aware that someone was stirring up trouble.

As for who it was...

He only needed to wait.

Indeed, that evening, Wade and LeBron knocked on his office door.

When Wade entered, he seemed timid, occasionally glancing at LeBron beside him. Looking at LeBron, who appeared calm but dared not make eye contact with Pat Riley.

From that quick assessment, Pat Riley understood:

The idea was LeBron’s, but Wade had been egged on by him, and Wade would be the one to speak next...

What a troublemaker!

Pat Riley’s eyes narrowed.

It was then that Wade spoke, "Pat, Pat Riley, why don’t you coach us? I think you’re more experienced and could definitely bring out the best in all three of us."

After he finished speaking, Pat Riley didn’t respond immediately, just continued to look at him.

Wade felt like he was back in high school, failing a test and being stared at by a teacher. He unconsciously twisted his neck and nudged LeBron with his arm, gesturing for him to continue the conversation.

But LeBron did not speak.

"Leave now, and I can pretend this never happened."

Pat Riley finally spoke. His voice was soft yet exploded like thunder in Wade’s mind. Wade walked out almost fleeing, pulling LeBron with him.

"Why didn’t you say anything just now!"

Wade looked at LeBron, his face full of reproach.

LeBron glanced at him and didn’t respond, but in his mind, he thought:

Coward!

He had never seen such a cowardly team leader.

To be scolded like this by the team’s general manager.

Really embarrassing the title of "team leader superstar."

He had heard before that Wade was afraid of Pat Riley, but he had not thought Wade would be afraid to this extent!

It seemed the real power in this team belonged only to Pat Riley.

Since that was the case, changing coaches wasn’t feasible. If he wanted to take control, he needed to find another way.

Currently, the Heat Team was facing "three consecutive losses," with the outside world largely skeptical, particularly about LeBron, with criticisms about him making up 70% of it. But Richie Paul told LeBron that this was both a crisis and an opportunity. As long as they could remove Spoelstra, no matter which coach took over, even if it were Pat Riley, the team’s tactical system wouldn’t remain the same.

Then, LeBron would have the chance to have more say.

Right now, Spoelstra was making the whole team play for him, but within limited scope, the main focus of the team was still Wade.

The ace strategy was also Wade holding the ball for a breakthrough, attacking on his own, or passing it to Chris Bosh and David Lee.

Fortunately, he had a good relationship with Wade. Wade always considered his thoughts, constantly looking for opportunities for him.

But as the losses piled up, Spoelstra became even more determined to stick to the original tactics; after "three consecutive losses," he even had a talk with Wade, though no one knew what was said, and Wade didn’t share it.

Feeling something was off, LeBron decided to take the initiative and fire Spoelstra.

Unfortunately, this was the Heat Team, not the Cavaliers.

If it were the Cavaliers, one phone call from him, and there would be a new head coach reporting the next day.

Here, he could only rely on Wade.

And it turned out Wade was a softie!

He could only continue to wait for an opportunity.

But with the current playstyle...

He was really struggling to play!

Not to mention producing dazzling stats, even maintaining "20 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists" was difficult.

As for winning games...

He couldn’t even play at a clear level, how could he think of winning!

But what LeBron hadn’t anticipated was that, after that day’s training ended, Spoelstra actually approached him for a chat, "Buddy, I hope you can put more effort into your perimeter defense. You have the talent for it, and I believe you can do well in this!"

LeBron felt like he had been struck by lightning.

To him, this was a call to transition into a "blue-collar" role!

No, that was impossible, absolutely impossible!

He responded to Spoelstra, "Buddy, I really respect you, and you’re one of the best head coaches in the League, in my heart. But what I want to say is, can we try fully revolving around me? I have the experience of leading a team to win."

After a moment of silence, Spoelstra said, "LeBron, I know you’re very capable. Let’s try to get the feel of winning back first, then talk about the rest. Trust me, I’ll find the best way to use you!"

LeBron was clearly upset, turned his head, and walked away without even a goodbye.

What he didn’t know was that Spoelstra had actually consulted Pat Riley, who had entertained the idea of centering the team around LeBron for a few games.

But Pat Riley had rejected it.

"It’s not fair to Dwayne..."

Spoelstra was stunned; he didn’t think his teacher was such an emotional person.

Then he heard Pat Riley say:

"The Cavaliers centered around LeBron for so many years, and what was the result?"

"He still ended up coming to Miami."

"And..."

"I don’t think we can treat him any better than the Cavaliers did!"

Spoelstra then understood.

Pat Riley was afraid of "all effort turning futile."

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