The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!

The one who can help him win, that's his real brother!

Leaving the locker room, on the way to the bus, LeBron sent a text to Richie, asking him to manage the media to shift the blame for being eliminated in the first round.

He was well aware that getting knocked out in the first round was not what the Forest Wolf expected.

Tomorrow, the Minnesota media would definitely hold a "meeting" to discuss the reasons for the Forest Wolf's first-round exit.

By then, there would inevitably be clueless media who would place all the blame on him...

Richie Paul quickly replied via text:

— Want to avoid Dwight?

Over the past season, LeBron was very careful about his relationship with Howard.

But this time...

As he got on the bus, Howard glanced at him, then lowered his head again.

Ha~

You're the one who asked for this!

He immediately texted Richie Paul:

— No need!

Early the next morning, as LeBron had predicted, the Minnesota media, dissatisfied with the Forest Wolf's first-round exit, began to "meet," but what LeBron didn't expect was that the Minnesota media wasn't discussing the reasons for the team's first-round elimination.

Instead, they directly analyzed whether LeBron and Howard's "core" duo could bring a bright future to Minnesota.

If not...

Then how should they be traded!

Seeing these news reports, LeBron panicked.

He had just been traded from the Heat Team to the Forest Wolf.

If he were to be traded again, that would be two teams in two years!

He was well aware:

Once his career entered this rhythm, it would mean his career had fully entered the next phase.

Most importantly...

He wasn't entirely confident he could outplay Howard and become the one to stay in Minnesota!

Rare is valuable, and compared to perimeter players, guys like Howard at the five position have become "rarities."

The Forest Wolf wouldn't let him enter the market.

If they chose Howard over him, one can only imagine how much market he'd still have left.

But...

Even if he managed to surpass Howard and the Forest Wolf decided to keep him, he wouldn't be a winner!

Who knows what kind of trade chips Howard could fetch if he were to leave!

Overall, it's just frustrating!

Even more frustrating, he heard that Howard and his agent had a special talk with the Forest Wolf management:

If I can't be the Absolute Core, then trade me away!

The Forest Wolf management is very troubled.

Initially, they were disappointed because the final results were far from their expectations. Now, the two core players are in conflict.

This...

The situation is extremely critical!

Knowing that the Forest Wolf went all out to acquire these two, it's worrisome that news of their conflict might prevent even an equivalent trade if they wanted to be traded.

That would only make things more passive over time.

The Forest Wolf management talked with LeBron, hoping he could sort things out with Howard, and at the same time, they assured him: "Buddy, we haven't lost confidence in a future with you two at the core, we'll continue to adjust the roster with you two as the core, making it even more luxurious!"

LeBron nodded slightly upon hearing the promise.

Before the Forest Wolf management approached him, he and Richie had already sorted out the current situation.

Judging by everything that happened, for LeBron, it was best to stay with the Forest Wolf; at least Howard was still by his side.

That's better than going to another rebuilding team, right?

Moreover, looking at the current League status, he indeed couldn't find a better partner than Howard...

Except for those teammates around Su Wan!

Dammit, why does he always have so many outstanding teammates!

LeBron really couldn't figure out why Su Wan was so lucky!

However, he believed the Forest Wolf management could give him a satisfactory answer this summer, by possibly trading for a "Super Star."

Before that, what he had to do was, pacify the "Magic," this "giant baby!"

Dammit, how did I end up in this situation?

LeBron picked up the phone, dialed Howard's number, yet in his heart, he couldn't help but feel saddened, as he never thought he'd have to lower himself to a teammate one day.

But just as the call connected, he seamlessly transitioned into an excited tone: "Hey, Dwight, what's up? Wanna go out and have some fun, let's unwind a bit, I think there are some misunderstandings between us that need clearing up!"

Howard's voice wasn't pleasant, he replied coldly: "LeBron, you might not know, but your actions then were really hurtful. I can't believe you'd do that, it left me without the ball for the whole second half. We have nothing to discuss, let's just leave it at that..."

"I just wanted to win, Dwight!" Hearing Howard was about to hang up, LeBron quickly interjected.

After that shout, Howard was silent for a while before speaking: "But that hurt me, LeBron!"

"That wasn't my intention!" LeBron, hearing Howard's softened tone, quickly seized the opportunity, "I believe it can all be explained, and I'm willing to explain, so let's forget about it! I'll come by and pick you up in a bit, buddy, let's go unwind together!"

"Where to?" Howard's tone began to show anticipation.

"Haven't thought about it... What do you say?" LeBron asked casually, but if he had known Howard's answer in advance, he definitely wouldn't have asked just like that.

"How about that bar we went to last time? I told you, you'd definitely love it there!"

"..." LeBron really wanted to say he wouldn't go, but he couldn't say it.

"OK, it's settled then, LeBron, come pick me up soon, I can't wait to let loose!" Howard's tone became exceptionally eager.

LeBron psyched himself up...

If he could just appease Howard, one time is one time!