The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!

Kevin Garnett himself was deeply affected. Before reaching the bench, he just slumped to the ground and kept banging his head against the bench in front of him.

Erin recorded the scene.

Howard's smile also turned serious. He initially thought tonight would be his revenge battle, but... if his memory isn't failing, then this was the worst loss he's had against Su Wan.

He really didn't expect this outcome.

As for LeBron...

The reporter asked him again: "Why did you keep trying to break through against the New York Knicks' wall-like defense, instead of choosing other offensive methods?"

LeBron broke: "Come on, do the New York Knicks have a player called Wall? Why do you keep emphasizing wall, wall, what's with the wall? Did I play against him in this game?"

The reporter was dumbfounded.

No...

Do you not understand this?

But since it came to this, he didn't need to keep asking questions, because it was getting interesting enough.

But LeBron's complaints continued: "The main reason we lost tonight is because the New York Knicks were too good at seizing counterattack opportunities. They capitalized on almost every chance, and that's something we need to improve on!"

"Also, our offense was too one-dimensional. The Forest Wolf tonight could only rely on me and Dwight. None of our other players stepped up, which is another big reason we lost. So when you put it all together, that's the fundamental reason for our loss!"

"It's not that the New York Knicks played exceptionally well tonight; it's just that we didn't do the things we usually can, and that's the real reason!"

He excluded Howard and himself.

This was his summary of the past nine seasons.

Mainly...

He found Howard to be a giant baby. He has to constantly pacify him to maintain their relationship.

LeBron has never been this tired before, but there's no choice. Howard is his only hope to turn things around, and he must bind their connection.

"Tonight was so frustrating, LeBron, why don't we go relax a bit?"

LeBron returned to the locker room, Howard was waiting for him inside. When he saw him come in, he immediately came up and tried to put his arm around his shoulder, but LeBron dodged it in time.

"Go ahead by yourself, Dwight!" LeBron wasn't in the mood.

With no choice, Howard had to go alone.

Because LeBron didn't join, Howard went somewhere even more lively.

As he said, he was too tired tonight, so he went all out with his fun.

"...

Howard realized the identity of one of the people, and he was a bit surprised: "You're a Forest Wolf fan?"

The man said: "Actually, I was there at the game tonight."

"It wasn't a brilliant night..." Howard felt a bit embarrassed when he heard the man say he was at the game tonight.

So that's how it is...

"By the way, let me tell you something..." As Howard was lost in thought, the man suddenly spoke again, "LeBron might be just like us!"

Howard's eyes widened like saucers.

How could that be?

The man said: "He should know you like coming to places like this, right?"

Howard nodded.

"Then that explains it!" The man was even more certain, "Even if he's not yet, he should have experienced something similar, so he resists interacting with you so much!"

Howard was still a bit skeptical.

Isn't it normal for a straight man to be somewhat resistant when knowing his orientation?

His buddy seemed to see Howard's disbelief and didn't explain much, only saying: "I went through a similar situation at first and became what I am now, so I know very well that he is in the stage I once experienced!"

This shook Howard's resolve a bit:

Should I...

Test it out?

He vented his inner frustration through "letting off some steam" and by the time he left the nightclub, it was daylight, and reports about the game were flooding in.

First, the discussion about the league's "strongest duo" for this season disappeared.

Any journalist who watched yesterday's game knows that continuing to hype the "strongest duo" would be forcefully pairing LeBron with Su Wan.

Such things might have been done by some media four or five years ago.

But now, anyone with eyes can see that LeBron truly doesn't have the capability to cling to Su Wan.

On the contrary, after this game, LeBron faced another round of "mockery".

The league had changed the traveling rule for LeBron before last season and then clearly defined the "cylinder" concept before this season to reduce interference during his breakthroughs.

But the result...

After two waves of buffs, LeBron's performance was becoming more and more lackluster!

Besides his individual performance still lacking, in yesterday's game he had 5 fouls, nearly fouling out, with 4 fouls during his defense against Su Wan being "cylinder" fouls.

This rule specifically tailored for him became a weapon for Su Wan in this game!

Just like last season...

Su Wan used "SOMA steps" to give LeBron a hard time.

Shaquille O'Neal said: "The league needs to seriously consider what kind of rules can truly enhance LeBron James!"

Barkley retweeted his comment: "Bro, do you really think the league will keep changing rules for him?"