The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!-Chapter 702 - 260 Still Reflecting_3

Years of grudges found their vent in LeBron’s kneel.

And as for New York’s talent for being nauseating...

Even Pat Riley couldn’t deal with it with equanimity.

Years of reputation destroyed overnight.

If trading LeBron now could bring in any decent chips, honestly, he’d want to trade LeBron right away.

What kind of softie was this!

To kneel in Madison Square Garden!

After a few years with the Heat Team, God knows how much "soft bone" could be assimilated!

Now Pat Riley understood why the Cavaliers had never been able to win a championship.

With such a spineless character, no matter how stellar the lineup, it couldn’t exert its rightful power in his hands.

He now also realized why every year, before the new season started, the Cavaliers were ranked well in the media power rankings, but as they played, they turned into a team needing reinforcement in every area.

The "softie" temperament could assimilate teammates.

"No more bench warming, LeBron, it’s your choice!" Pat Riley didn’t waste words with LeBron and directly gave a "1 or the other."

LeBron didn’t want to accept it, "Pat, you should respect me, you can’t do this to me!"

Pat Riley had seen enough, "Respect has to be earned by action, not by words. The Heat Team hasn’t won a single game since your return, which speaks volumes."

"Then trade me!" LeBron was defiant.

He absolutely couldn’t accept being a substitute.

Not only could he not accept it, but his team wouldn’t allow him to accept it.

Little did he know, Pat Riley said, "I can trade you, but I don’t want to make a losing deal. I paid two first-round picks for you, but right now you’re not even worth one. I need you to perform well off the bench to increase your value, and then I’ll trade you!"

"Just give me the starting spot, let the team work with me, and once I put on a highlight performance, my value will naturally go up!"

Pat Riley laughed and stopped wasting words with LeBron, "If you’re not willing, then so be it. I will inform the coaching staff to put you on the inactive list!"

Pat Riley was so tough because he knew that the Heat Team didn’t need to compromise with LeBron this season—they had top-tier fighting power even without him.

On the other hand, LeBron needed to compromise if he wanted to continue playing.

And sure enough, as soon as Pat Riley said this, LeBron panicked, softened his stance, and agreed to play off the bench.

Truly a softie!

Disdain filled Pat Riley’s eyes.

Their conversation ended there.

Exiting the general manager’s office, LeBron was on the verge of tears. At that moment, he especially missed Cleveland and his days with the Cavaliers; Danny Ferry was so endearing, and the Cavaliers fans and Cleveland media were so loyal to him.

The child born in Akron wanted to return to Cleveland.

On the way home, he reflexively searched the internet for the latest Cleveland news, and...

"Good riddance to LeBron the softie, or he would’ve brought shame upon all of Cleveland!"

"Is this LeBron? Goodness, we used to regard him as the cornerstone!"

"Gilbert: We must admit once more, choosing LeBron over Su Wan was a sheer folly!"

...

Well, suddenly he missed Cleveland a bit less!

They were all "fence-sitters"!

Whether it’s Cleveland fans or Heat Team fans, there was no difference; they were all fair-weather followers, ignorant of what loyalty meant!

Good thing he had left Cleveland and would never be loyal to the Heat Team!

He swore, one day, those who mocked him would once again be out of his reach.

Just wait and see!

Pat Riley did give him some face, after all. The next morning, the Heat Team coaching staff announced, "LeBron, after losing the game against the New York Knicks, proactively sought out the coaching staff, willing to give up his starting spot."

Spoelstra faced the cameras, unblushing and unflustered, spewing nonsense: "LeBron thinks he hasn’t found his rhythm yet, and continuing to stay in the starting lineup would only affect the team’s chemistry, so after careful consideration, he has chosen to let go of his starting spot!"

What could LeBron do?

He just had to follow Spoelstra’s line, "As long as the team can win, I’m willing to do anything!"

After the news was reported by the major media, it sparked heated discussions.

Some media disclosed to Su Wan that LeBron voluntarily gave up his starting position.

Su Wan scoffed, "Don’t talk nonsense!"

If LeBron was willing to give up his starting spot on his own, would he still be LeBron?

He didn’t have such awareness.

Clearly, this was the shake-up that Erin had mentioned Pat Riley was preparing for.

Su Wan initially felt it was somewhat lackluster.

He thought Pat Riley would directly trade LeBron.

But on second thought, given LeBron’s current reputation, a direct trade really wouldn’t fetch anything of value. In line with Pat Riley’s character, he would rather wait patiently for a better opportunity to make his move.

In that case, benching LeBron was indeed the best choice.

Su Wan suddenly realized this was a clear case of "staggering peak hours."

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