Free Web NovelChapter 366: Chapter 111: [Are You Worried About LeBron James]_2
Tony Battie realized the gravity of the situation. He shut his mouth, and everyone else stopped laughing.
Seeing Larry Bird’s bleak expression, Su Xi comforted him, "It’s not that big of a deal, really. They’ll all be back late in the season. This gives the guys a chance to get some proper rest and nurse their old injuries. Come playoff time, we’ll go all-in on a championship run."
"I believe that come next April, no team will want to face us."
Su Xi’s words had the intended effect. Larry Bird thought it over and realized the situation wasn’t as dire as he’d imagined. With Su Xi on the court, securing a playoff spot for the Pacers wouldn’t be a problem. ’And didn’t he want to work on his one-on-one game this season? Well, here’s his chance.’
"Jack, the time has come to prove you can lead this team by yourself." Larry Bird patted Su Xi’s shoulder. "Go get ’em!"
...
When the penalties were announced, no one was surprised. The results were within the range of what everyone had expected.
For the players involved, the penalties were extremely severe. Not only did they have to pay fines, but they would also forfeit their salaries for every game they missed during their suspension. This would undoubtedly teach them a lesson and make them understand that fighting comes with a price.
By comparison, however, the "punitive effect" on the Pistons was far more significant.
Losing Rashid Wallace, Ben Wallace, and Prince meant the Pistons’ record was destined to plummet. Even though it was only for about twenty games, the players would need time to reintegrate upon their return, which could very well cost them home-court advantage in the first round of the playoffs.
On the Pacers’ side, despite missing four key players, their core, Su Xi, was still active. Su Xi had been criticized by many who claimed his success was built upon the foundation of the Pacers’ powerful overall roster.
However, as long as he was on the court, the Pacers would have no major problem maintaining a decent win rate in the East; they wouldn’t suffer a systemic tactical collapse like the Pistons.
Most importantly, thanks to Su Xi’s influence, the Pacers players had a significant following in the Asian market, especially in Mainland China. Even though they had been involved in a fight—which was negative press—many companies still extended olive branches, inviting them for endorsement deals.
It was just like with Tony Battie, last year’s "Hu Su Bao."
Although they took a financial hit, it was nothing compared to the net loss suffered by the three Pistons.
For the Pacers, the brawl at the Auburn Hills Palace was merely a flesh wound. For the Pistons, however, it was a compound fracture.
Besides, the Pacers hadn’t planned on chasing a top record this season anyway. Su Xi now had greater freedom, allowing him to happily embrace the life of a chucker.
...
In their first game since the brawl at the Auburn Hills Palace, the Pacers’ opponents were the Minnesota Timberwolves.
The Timberwolves finished first in the Western Conference regular season last year and reached the Western Conference Finals. Their roster was largely unchanged this season, so they remained a formidable team. The occasional news about the high cost of supporting Spree Wells’s family was mostly dismissed by everyone.
In this game, Su Xi went all out on offense.
He took a total of 31 shots, a new career high. The primary defender on him, Spreeville, was somewhat caught off guard. However, the "Madman’s" defense was still solid, and he worked in perfect concert with the "Wolf King," Garnett. Together, they put immense defensive pressure on Su Xi.
Su Xi missed 17 shots while making 14, for a total of 35 points.
His efficiency wasn’t great, but it was decent enough.
Most importantly, Su Xi still managed to lead the team to victory.
This was because he stopped playing isolation ball in the latter half of the fourth quarter; he had already gained 1 point of Super Offensive Talent from playing against the Timberwolves’ powerful defensive system.
He suddenly picked up the pace, changed his style of play, and focused on passing.
Reggie Miller came up huge, hitting three consecutive three-pointers. His scorching-hot hand sealed the Timberwolves’ fate.
119-113.
In the end, the Pacers secured the hard-fought victory.
This came as a huge relief to the Indiana fans. They had originally assumed that with the team losing four of its main players, it was all over.
They never expected Su Xi to lead this depleted roster to victory against the powerful Timberwolves.
His stat line of 35 points, 8 assists, 7 rebounds, and 3 steals was at a superstar level.
This left those who claimed Su Xi was simply "standing on the shoulders of giants" utterly stunned.
After defeating the Timberwolves, the Pacers traveled to Chicago before heading to Cleveland.
In Chicago, the Pacers lost the game.
The Bulls were now the worst of the worst, a squad of nothing but young guns. Syracuse was leading a group of youngsters like Ben Gordon, Luol Deng, and Eddie Curry, and they all just played a chaotic, undisciplined game.
But the Pacers couldn’t handle it.
Because Su Xi played just as chaotically as they did. The Pacers couldn’t run any real plays at the moment; they were limited to simple cuts and passes, and the chemistry for a fast-paced offense had yet to fully develop.
The Bulls’ defense couldn’t put any real pressure on Su Xi, so he was unable to absorb the factors needed to evolve his Super Offensive Talent.
He just wasn’t that interested.
On top of that, while he had his offensive arsenal, his efficiency was merely decent.
As a result, the Bulls gained the upper hand. In the final moments, the Pacers’ stamina began to flag; the bench players who had been suddenly promoted to the starting lineup hadn’t yet adjusted their physical conditioning.
And just like that, the Bulls won the game.
Of course, nobody really cared about the outcome of this game.
People were far more interested in the next matchup.
The fated showdown between "The Chosen One," LeBron James, and Little Sheep Su Xi. This was their first matchup of the season.
Although Su Xi was far ahead of his peers, including "The Chosen One" James, in terms of major accolades, the American media still loved to compare Su Xi and James, even making the slick move of subtly elevating James above him. After all, James was one of their own, and his talent looked particularly immense. While Su Xi’s talent was now also undeniable, James had the advantage in terms of physique and sheer visual impact.
The American sports establishment just loved players like James.
Previously, they had always argued that the reason James had fewer accolades than Su Xi was because Su Xi had a better team behind him—that the Pacers’ overall strength was superior to that of the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But now, with Artest, Jackson, and Little O’Neal still serving their suspensions, the two teams’ rosters were, in theory, on equal footing.
Su Xi and James were now on the same starting line.
This made the comparison between them even more direct.
The basketball experts also believed the Cavaliers had a greater chance of winning.
James himself also felt this was a perfect opportunity to redeem his past defeats. In the immediate aftermath of the Auburn Hills Palace brawl, he had organized a team-building session with his sights set squarely on this upcoming game.
He demanded that his teammates give their all, unite behind him, and help him defeat Su Xi.
Everyone knew how obsessed James was with beating Su Xi. For the past year, James had been living completely in Su Xi’s shadow; the gloom of Su Xi had long since settled over the back of "The Chosen One."
Moreover, the current Cavaliers were completely unified. Unlike last season, which was plagued by dissent, everyone now recognized James as the team’s one and only supreme leader, and they were all tightly rallied around him.
Thus, they all responded enthusiastically, declaring their intention to follow James’s lead, set their sights on Indiana, and knock Little Sheep Su Xi and his team off their high horse!
James was very satisfied with their response. ’Now *this* is what a real team should be like.’
’A team can’t have divided loyalties.’
’There’s only one sun in the sky, after all.’
’And there’s only one Chosen One in the world—me, LeBron James.’
James was full of confidence for the upcoming game.
When Su Xi was asked this question upon returning to Cleveland, he was visibly stunned. "Have I considered the possibility of being defeated by LeBron James in this game?"
"What kind of question is that? Why would I even consider it? I’m the Finals MVP. I have an Olympic gold medal."
Su Xi blurted out the counter-questions.
At the mention of these two major accolades, the Cleveland reporter became agitated. "I think you’re only saying that because you’re afraid of LeBron! You finally don’t have that great team around you anymore, so you’re worried you’ll be exposed."
"Whatever makes you happy."
Su Xi waved his hand dismissively, ignoring the reporter’s pointless question.
