The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!

The League has announced that it will strengthen enforcement of the "Cylinder" rule in the new season!

The official rough definition of the "Cylinder" is:

Each player has the right to the space above and on the ground where they are standing, a principle that protects the ground position and the space above occupied by the player.

The meaning is clear:

From now on, defenders extending their foot into the opponent's cylinder will also be considered a foul.

This also increases the risk of stepping under a player.

After all, stepping under successfully before may not have been called a foul.

This is the only positive impact of this rule change.

As for the negative impacts...

Nothing more needs to be said, at this moment "Blackbeard" from Golden State widened his eyes, confidently spit out a sentence:

"Is it my time to play?"

This rule unsurprisingly sparked heated discussions externally.

Most media people think that the influence of inside players on the game will further shrink.

The reason is simple:

Previously, inside players only needed to be careful not to collide with defenders while blocking outside players. Now they also have to be cautious about invading the opponent's "Cylinder," making inside players hesitant to defend externally.

In essence, it weakens the inside players!

Similarly, the Forest Wolves' training ground also trembled because of this rule set, with Philip announcing the new season's strategy of focusing on "pick-and-roll tactics" centered around LeBron and Howard.

Upon hearing he's the core, Howard, who initially showed a cheerful expression, wasn't so cheerful anymore.

Especially when he heard the word "pick-and-roll," which made him inexplicably resist.

I was running pick-and-roll when I was with the Magic Team; now I am with the Forest Wolf, and you're still making me run pick-and-roll!

Was I traded for nothing?

Howard isn't happy.

Furthermore...

How could he be a secondary player to his "defeated opponent"?

You should all know, right?

May of 2009!

Howard never really wanted to talk about this.

But Philip wants LeBron to become the "Absolute Core" of the new season, forcing him to mention this incident.

Philip was determined.

He also believes that anyone wanting to win, at least this season, will focus on outside players!

Mainly because this era doesn't have inside players who can shoulder the title of "Absolute Core."

Including Howard...

Judging by Philip's observations these past few days, Howard does not possess the capacity to be an "Absolute Core," his offensive skills are trash!

Howard saw Philip was adamant about making him play "pick-and-roll," he couldn't really contain his anger.

LeBron, watching all along, finally found an opportunity, pulled him aside, and said: "Dwayne, trust me, we can become a duo like Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire, inseparable. You know how many points Amare averaged one season with Steve's passing, right?"

"25 points!" Howard blurted out, eyes filled with longing, "Would you really want to be my Steve Nash?"

LeBron didn't hesitate for a second: "Of course!"

Meanwhile inside his mind:

Of course not!

But if I don't say this, would you obediently play pick-and-roll?

LeBron, having figured it out, planned to coax him initially, then slowly increase his own shooting rights once Howard got used to picking-and-rolling.

By that time, the die will be cast, and even if Howard has opinions, he likely wouldn't have any recourse!

Fishing after all!

It always requires a bit of patience!

Howard didn't know what LeBron was thinking, at this moment considering LeBron his good brother: "Come, LeBron, let's celebrate properly!"

"I'm not going to the bar today!" LeBron wanted to refuse.

But saw Howard mysteriously grin: "I've recently discovered a particularly fun place; I'll take you to check it out, definitely something you haven't played before!"

"What?" LeBron's eyes carried a bit of doubt.

Howard nudged him: "Let's go, let's go. You'll know when you get there!"

gay, a gay club?

LeBron just followed Howard to the place he wanted to go.

In result, upon looking up, seeing the shop name, the outside posters, and some hints.

He froze.

Then his expression changed, with some bad memories rushing to mind.

"No, no, no, Dwight, you play by yourself, I'm really not interested in places like this!"

Howard said: "Actually, inside it's all quite normal, I think you should go in and play a bit, it's very interesting!"

"What are you talking about? I am not gay!" LeBron exploded.

His mannerism scared Howard, who quickly distanced himself from LeBron, embarrassed saying: "Actually, it's my first time too, just heard about it, but I'm a bit too scared to go in alone. LeBron, to celebrate our future cooperative pick and roll harmony, I think we should experience something different together!"

"Damn it, I'm definitely not going in, if you want to go, go by yourself!"

Having said that, LeBron stormed off.

Howard seeing such a strong reaction from him was somewhat dumbfounded.

From their first meeting until now, it's the first time LeBron threw such a fit at him.

This guy dislikes gay people this much?

Howard felt something was off, but couldn't place it.

Though his attention quickly returned to the bar.

Should he go in?

He felt a bit apprehensive...

This is his first time at a place like this, he always played at private clubs before.

But now, arriving in Minnesota, he needs to expand his network to continue entering such circles.

But what if the gay people here play differently than those in Orlando?

Nah...

He's already here, may as well go in and take a look!

Howard decided, then strided into the bar.

The next day's Forest Wolf training session.

Howard, having calmed his moods, proactively worked with coach demands, playing pick-and-roll with LeBron.

Except...

"Whoa, Dwight, what's wrong with you today? Why are you farting all the time? And they're so smelly?" Even Kevin Garnett couldn't help but complain.

Howard felt embarrassed: "Sorry, I ate some soybeans this morning, maybe had too much..."

Only LeBron instantly thought of the place Howard took him yesterday, and the side effects he knew of gay gatherings.

Could it be...

He really went in?