Chapter 109 Coach, I Want to Play

Jack remained unconvinced, seemingly unfazed by Barkley's donkey butt incident.

He continued haughtily, "This isn't an oath, nor is it guesswork. It's based on scientific facts. If this can still win, I solemnly pledge to all viewers watching the broadcast: if the Cavaliers win this game, I will eat this table!"

As he spoke, he stood up and slapped the sturdy table in the studio.

"I mean, eat this table, unlike that hypocrite Barkley, who claimed to kiss Smith's butt but only dared to kiss a donkey's.

There was always controversy back then about whether it was Smith's butt or a donkey's.

Fans heard Barkley kissing Smith's butt, but Barkley himself insisted it was a donkey's.

Later, the TV station smoothed things over, and Barkley ended up just kissing a donkey's butt.

Jack was even bolder, directly vowing to eat the studio table.

There would be no ambiguity this time!

Returning to the court, at the Quicken Loans Arena.

Mike Brown yelled, "What's going on with you guys today? Why are you all so weak? Are your legs still numb from partying last night?"

With the score falling behind and morale low, he had to call another timeout to re-strategize.

"Coach Brown, I don't think this is a tactical issue. The perimeter is blocked, so we can only draw attention to that Kostić fellow through the inside."

Mike Brown looked at Big Z.

Frankly, Big Z had just recovered from an injury, and his body was struggling with high-intensity games.

Winning streaks were important, of course, but the players' health also needed attention, especially with the team aiming for the championship!

"LeBron and Big Z, you two will rest for the remainder of the second quarter. Bring in others."

"Coach… What are you talking about?" LeBron's eyes widened in disbelief.

What did this mean?

Were they giving up on this game?

It wasn't even halftime yet, and it was already heading into garbage time?

Mike Brown looked at LeBron's expression and had no intention of explaining. He then substituted Varejão and Damon Jones.

Seeing the Cavaliers substitute LeBron, the Nets immediately pulled out their veterans, Carter and Kidd.

"What's going on? Why did the Cavaliers take out LeBron?"

"Are the Cavaliers preparing to give up on this game?"

"Even LeBron needs time. There are only a few minutes left in the second quarter. Substituting in reserves to let LeBron rest, and then chasing the score in the third quarter, wouldn't that be better?"

"Chase what? If the Cavaliers can catch up, I'll dare to eat shit while standing on my head. I'll put it in writing!"

Cavs fans in China watched the broadcast while arguing fiercely in the comment sections and forums, with even some haters gloating.

Foreign fans were similar to domestic ones, especially those at the Quicken Loans Arena.

When Mike Brown pulled LeBron off the court in the latter half of the second quarter, many fans stood up and left early.

They weren't willing to waste time watching a game that had been given up on.

The reserves on both sides played poorly, with constant misses. A few minutes passed, and the Cavaliers trailed 27:50, still down by twenty-three points.

There was still one minute left until the end of the second quarter.

LeBron stared blankly at the court, the clang of missed shots irritating him.

For a player who craved honor, he not only wanted the championship but was also proud of leading the team to a winning streak.

But now, this streak was about to end with him, and he hadn't managed to lead the team to more wins.

The other players whispered amongst themselves, their expressions not as somber as LeBron's. Bench players had a different sense of belonging compared to the team's main stars.

"Coach Brown, let me play!!"

Tang Long couldn't sit still anymore. He walked directly to Mike Brown.

"No."

Mike Brown didn't even look up, lowering his head to write on the tactical board.

The cheers of the visiting fans began, and Brown glanced over. The Nets had just hit another three-pointer, extending the lead to twenty-six points!

"Coach Brown, the league will investigate what's right and wrong. Must we cripple ourselves and tie our hands before the investigation is complete?"

Brown put down his pen and stared intently at Tang Long.

He didn't understand the phrase "cripple ourselves," but he understood "tie our hands and feet."

What did he mean?

Tang Long's words clearly treated him like the team's boss!

"Tang, consider the consequences of your words. I am the team's coach, and you must follow my tactical arrangements. If you have an issue with me, you can report it to management."

"Brown, don't you want the team to become the most talked-about team in the league under your leadership?"

"Think about it yourself. If we win this game, it will be our seventeenth consecutive win. We'll be only five games away from the longest winning streak record. Every game we win now will garner immense attention!"

The longest winning streak in the 2007-08 season was the Rockets' 22-game streak.

But due to Tang Long's appearance, the team had defeated the Rockets, ending their streak.

Now, the team had already achieved sixteen consecutive wins. If they won against the Nets, they would tie last season's Phoenix Suns' seventeen-game winning streak record.

Every record broken would attract countless spotlights.

Every game was incredibly tough for the Cavaliers now, precisely because those teams were determined to end the Cavaliers' winning streak.

"Coach Brown, you know I respect you immensely. I just don't want us to lose like this for nothing. Let me play. If I can't change anything in this one minute, I won't complain even if you ban me afterward."

Mike Brown hesitated: "Fine, this is your strong request. After the game, management will likely send you down to the Development League. Have you thought this through?"

Tang Long nodded heavily: "I've thought it through."

"Referee, I want to make a substitution."

With 1 minute and 41 seconds left in the second quarter, Tang Long replaced Varejão, officially taking over the Cavaliers' paint.

"Kid, you actually dare to play? You're dead!"

The Nets' Billy stared fiercely at Tang Long.

If the game hadn't devolved into garbage time, he wouldn't have had the chance to play. He hadn't expected Tang Long to actually earn a chance to play, which made Billy ecstatic.

"Scared of you? Just come at me. I'm afraid you won't even be able to touch the ball!"

Tang Long retorted aggressively, unafraid.

"We'll see."

"Idiot."

Tang Long cursed and looked at his teammates, encouraging them, "Brothers, perk up. It's only the second quarter, we still have a chance."

The four Cavaliers players on the court glanced at Tang Long, dejected.

No, he had to boost their morale first.

How to boost morale?

With thunderous blocks and dunks, of course!

Those powerful, earth-shattering dunks!

"Larry Hughes, I want to go one-on-one with Swift. Just pass me the ball, trust me, brother."

Larry Hughes nodded. He had lost his fighting spirit at this point. With LeBron and Big Z off the court, he couldn't be bothered to exert himself in garbage time.

Tang Long demanded the ball for a solo play, and Larry Hughes immediately passed it to him!