Champion Creed

Everybody has set their sights on Cleveland, targeting the Nike duo.

At today's press conference, most people were praising Jordan, and Jordan was thoroughly enjoying it. He hadn't felt like a hero in years.

"Michael, what does it feel like to score 41 points at the age of 40?"

"Wonderful, absolutely wonderful. But that's not the best part; my goal is to lead the team to the playoffs, and I will definitely do it. That will be the best moment. Cleveland's dark days are over; I've always said that."

"This is undoubtedly an unprecedented record. You're still one of the best athletes in the league, aren't you?"

"No, no, no, I'm old now—otherwise, I would have gotten 51 points tonight, maybe 61."

Jordan smugly bragged, drawing laughter from the entire room.

The flattery ended, and the reporters moved on to other questions. The next question wiped the smile off Jordan's face instantly.

"What's your assessment of LeBron today?"

Jordan glanced at James, who was already hanging his head to the side.

"This kid is spoiled," as soon as Jordan spoke, the reporters knew he wasn't planning on complimenting the dazzling number 23.

"Phil Jackson said Kobe Bryant often deliberately underperformed in the first three quarters during high school and then played the hero in the fourth quarter. You see, high school games were too easy for them, making it a habit to relax and feel arrogant. But the NBA is another story. LeBron had good stats today, but his three-pointers and free throws were terrible, and he didn't give it his all.

If you're an ordinary rookie, OK, you did well tonight. But if you're the best player in this draft, you should do better."

James was embarrassed; any rookie who posted 27+7+10 stats would receive praise, but next to Michael Jordan, all he got was criticism.

Yes, Michael Jordan could tolerate mediocrity in his teammates, but not with LeBron James.

Because he had been anticipating this Akron boy for years, because he had the dual mission of reviving the Cavaliers and Nike on his shoulders.

In other words, in Jordan's mind, James's rookie season should be as excellent as his own and Roger's!

But James didn't know any of that; all he knew was the more he interacted with Michael Jordan, the more he realized how different he was now.

The Jordan of old was a big brother, but now he was harsh, severe, and aloof.

Lately, even though the team's performance was improving, James was getting more and more criticism.

James chewed his nails like a child being scolded by an adult. After a few seconds of silence, the much-anticipated number one pick finally spoke slowly: "Michael is right; I can do better."

Jordan seemed to read something from the expression of that Akron boy, so he immediately added: "Of course, overall, I am satisfied with LeBron's performance. In short, we performed well today; we were like a rising stock, steadily climbing. I will take the team into the playoffs; I will."

Michael Jordan was basking in his hero moment, enjoying the journalists' praises and admiration.

But at that moment, a bespectacled reporter stood up with a disdainful smile: "Hello Michael, I'm a reporter from Sports Illustrated. You just said you and the Cleveland Cavaliers are like rising stocks, so will Roger turn you into falling stocks in the next game?"

Michael Jordan's smile vanished instantly; it was an untimely question, like a cut short challenge when you're at your peak.

Such questions shouldn't appear on the night of his career-high 40-point game at age 40 because it ruined the whole atmosphere.

Since the beginning of this period, Jordan had been worried about one thing—he wasn't sure how Roger would handle him.

Especially after realizing the Cavaliers weren't as strong as he expected, this worry became more evident.

After all, during the offseason, he had confidently claimed he could do better with rookies than Roger could.

And Roger never tolerated such things.

You might say, Michael Jordan is one of the world's best basketball players; why couldn't he assess the real strength of the Cavaliers during the offseason?

That's perfectly normal, considering he also loudly claimed he'd lead the Wizards to the playoffs, only to finish with just 37 wins for two consecutive years; it seems understandable.

When the press conference ended, Michael Jordan nervously returned to the locker room.

This was the first time Jordan felt nervous because of an upcoming opponent.

And when Jordan got nervous, his teammates couldn't have it easy.

"LeBron!" As soon as he returned to the locker room, Jordan shouted.

"What's up?"

"Do you understand the significance of the next game for us? You better perform even better than today! No matter what, we cannot lose to the Warriors; this is the one game we cannot lose this season!"

James was under immense pressure; considering the Cavaliers' overall strength, beating the Warriors was very difficult.

So, Michael Jordan's pressure was suffocating James.

"I'll do my best, Michael."

"No, no, no, LeBron, you need to act like a man! It's not about doing your best; it's about I have to win! Why? Why do you always seem to lack killer instinct? Why do you look like you're ready to run away? You're the Chosen One, the only rookie who dared to reject Roger! Can't you act like a man!?"