Chapter 898: Chapter 285: LeBron’s Awkward Predicament
The atmosphere on-site suddenly became much livelier.
The reporter’s questioning continued: "Just pick your favorite line!"
LeBron caught the tease in his words and retorted angrily: "I mean, there are a lot... um... the movie goes on for 9 hours, what do you want me to say? Anyway... it’s a great work!"
Fortunately, the reporters had enough professionalism. Otherwise, the whole interview room would be filled with laughter.
The next question from the reporter brought the topic back to the game: "LeBron, this is your first time back at the South Coast, do you feel confident in winning this game?"
When it came to this topic, a shade of hostility flashed across LeBron’s rugged face, and he became serious: "Although I’ve left many beautiful memories here, I will leave with victory!"
The Miami media did not hold back on taunting LeBron before the game.
Because even though LeBron left, the Heat Team’s performance did not decline, which shows that LeBron is not important for the Heat Team. If other superstars had come to Miami initially, the Heat Team might have reached the finals long ago!
So...
It’s all LeBron’s fault!
That’s the whole attitude of Miami right now!
This equates to pinning all the blame for the "Three Giants" not achieving results on LeBron’s shoulders, which is naturally unacceptable for LeBron, whose entire career involves dodging blame.
This game is not just an ordinary regular match but a battle of face!
The reporter had one last question: "LeBron, what impact do you think the two years in Miami had on your career?"
LeBron said: "No impact at all!"
This was his direct response to the Miami media.
Therefore...
When he entered the arena, boos filled the American Airlines Arena, and the garbage talk from Miami People poured into his ears:
"Damn LeBron, look how well we’re doing without you!"
"You should have left earlier, wasted two years of our time!"
"LeBron, don’t you know the most classic line from the Godfather? Let me tell you, you won’t even call me Dad!"
...
Amid these mocking voices, LeBron came to the substitute bench with a grim expression, the huge boos continuing.
The Heat Team players emerged amidst massive cheers.
Wade glanced at the Forest Wolf bench.
Since he fell out with LeBron, they hadn’t contacted each other; this was their first meeting as opponents. Wade pondered whether to say hi, but if LeBron ignored him, it’d be awkward.
Ultimately hesitating, thinking of today’s newspaper, he gave up and quietly sorted his gear, ready for battle...
LeBron saw everything, the fighting spirit in his eyes intensified.
Before going on the court, he specially said to Howard and others from the Forest Wolf: "Tonight, we must win!"
Then the game officially began.
Howard and Chris Bosh tip-off.
Ball possession belonged to the Forest Wolf.
The moment LeBron got the ball, Wade moved to defend. His interference attracted all of LeBron’s attention, and as Holiday helped with defense from the side, LeBron was already surrounded.
In his anxious shouting, the ball was stolen, the Heat Team quickly counterattacked, Wade gave the ball to Holiday, and Holiday returned it, assisting Wade in scoring.
This is the "Wade-Holiday connection."
Wade didn’t know why, but watching LeBron jumping at his teammates, suddenly thought, if it was a connection with LeBron, he would probably be the one passing most of the time.
He didn’t mind this. To him, assists and finishes are both parts of team offense.
But compared to LeBron, Holiday seems to prefer being centered around him?
This play was a microcosm of the entire game.
Spoelstra, having coached LeBron for two years, knew very well what LeBron’s weaknesses were.
Compared to the New York Knicks’ Zone Defense, the Heat Team’s strategy against LeBron was a more extreme "two-man trap," as soon as LeBron approached the three-point line, trapping him immediately, not giving him any chance to command teammates’ movements, testing his ability to make timely passes.
Spoelstra knew clearly that LeBron’s average six to seven assists were mostly earned by holding the ball for a long time.
Allen Iverson had a season average of 7 assists, but no one said his organizational skills were good.
It’s all because his assists mostly came from his "breakthrough pass," not from passing the Point Guard type that relies on field view to find scoring opportunities for teammates.
LeBron is like Allen Iverson, relying on "breakthrough pass" to complete passes and assists.
When he’s not in breakthrough mode, his passes don’t timely deliver effective feedback.
Just from the first quarter, you could see LeBron James only delivered 1 assist.
Often, the ball he passed required the holder to reorganize and find shooting opportunities...
The Forest Wolf’s offense fell into stagnation.
Here, we have to mention Holiday. Bill Walton, it wasn’t his first time explaining a Heat Team match, nor his first time evaluating Holiday like this: "His defensive skills are underestimated, whether it’s matchup defense or getting past a screen in delay, his footwork is outstanding, I think he can certainly become an exceptional perimeter defender in the future!"