NBA: Warrior godfather.

Chapter 142: Why Do I Have to Choose a Bottle of Poison?



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There's a joke that only Americans seem to understand: "Did you say you're going to Cleveland? Hahaha..." The status of this city in American comedy is equivalent to the status of a rundown small town. It's a place that has contributed countless punchlines to audiences nationwide.

Cleveland is crumbling, decaying, and depressing—a place most people prefer to ignore unless it's game day for the Cavaliers.

Having LeBron James is one of the luckiest things that's ever happened to this city.

This superstar, born in nearby Akron, puts Cleveland on the map with a positive image, at least for certain moments.

This season, that truth feels even stronger. In the last ten games, James has led the Cavaliers to an impressive 9-1 record, giving them the best start in the league. The pride of Cleveland fans is sky-high.

"Look, the Cavaliers are back at the top! This year's championship is ours!"

Wait, why am I saying "ours"?

Because Cleveland fans know how this story usually ends: the Cavaliers dominate the regular season, only to falter in the playoffs. The only suspense is how deep into the postseason the disappointment arrives.

But for fans who remember the dark days of this franchise, even playoff appearances are a dream. The Cavaliers' most enduring memory used to be Michael Jordan's iconic shot that buried them—"The Shot"—not any achievements of their own.

Now, with consistent regular-season dominance, guaranteed second-round appearances, and even one trip to the Finals, Cleveland fans feel like they've struck gold.

However, what satisfies the fans doesn't satisfy LeBron James.

The "King" has worn the title of "The Chosen One" for years, but he's still searching for results to match the hype. James is tired of mere playoff berths; he dreams of surpassing Michael Jordan.

His accolades—a single MVP and a scoring title—pale in comparison to Jordan's at a similar point in their careers.

The one thing LeBron can boast about is reaching the Finals within his first seven seasons, but even that achievement is bittersweet—he was swept by the Spurs, leaving him empty-handed.

LeBron's patience has worn thin. He's given everything to his hometown team, but he knows it's time to touch the Larry O'Brien Trophy. And if that requires making some changes, so be it.

Under pressure from James, the Cavaliers finally made a big move: they traded three years of draft picks to bring in Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson as reinforcements, launching their fiercest championship bid yet.

James was thrilled with this roster upgrade and even considered signing a contract extension early, but reason prevailed. Without a championship, he wouldn't commit to Cleveland long-term.

Still, the team's success so far is quieting his doubts. With their 9-1 start, his confidence grows stronger every day.

Unlike in past seasons, James isn't shouldering the entire burden. Monta Ellis now handles a significant share of the ball-handling duties, easing the strain on LeBron.

Ellis is averaging 22.4 points per game, making him the Cavaliers' first secondary 20-point scorer in years.

Stephen Jackson, meanwhile, has brought veteran experience and efficiency, serving as a reliable backup for LeBron and reducing his minutes from nearly 40 per game.

Mo Williams, now the team's sixth man, provides a strong scoring punch off the bench, adding depth to a team that was once shallow.

With only a lack of elite shooting as a glaring weakness, the Cavaliers appear closer to a championship than ever.

It's under these circumstances that the Warriors arrive in Cleveland to challenge the Eastern Conference powerhouse.

In the Cavaliers' training facility at the Quicken Loans Center, Monta Ellis sinks a three-pointer, flexes his wrist, and walks off the court. His shooting session is done for the day, and he's ready to rest.

Around him, the Cavaliers players wrap up their practices, chatting and laughing as they cool down. The team's harmony is palpable, a natural byproduct of winning.

With a thunderous dunk from just inside the free-throw line, LeBron James punctuates his workout, drawing cheers from the staff and players:

"Unreal! The King is unstoppable!"

LeBron lands, grinning as he celebrates with his teammates. He thrives in the spotlight, energized by the team's momentum.

Spotting Monta Ellis nearby, he walks over, gives him a hug, and says with a smile:

"Brother, tomorrow we're going to show the Warriors what they lost when they traded you!"

Ellis nods firmly.

"Thanks, LeBron."

"It's nothing. We're brothers now, and we've got your back!" LeBron says, clapping Ellis on the shoulder.

Other players gather around, chiming in:

"Yeah, how could the Warriors let someone like Monta go? Their loss is our gain!"

"Exactly! We're going to win the championship and make them regret it!"

Delonte West, with a mischievous grin, adds:

"Yeah, let's show that Colombian coach what he's missing!"

LeBron's face darkens slightly. He corrects West in a calm but firm tone:

"Delonte, don't say things like that. Show respect."

Caught off guard, West quickly apologizes:

"Sorry, LeBron. That was out of line."

LeBron nods and addresses the group:

"Remember, the Cavaliers have a huge fan base in Colombia. Coach Gonzalez is the Warriors' owner and head coach, and we need to respect him and his players. Understood?"

The players respond with solemn agreement, their earlier levity subdued.

Satisfied, LeBron breaks the tension with a smile:

"Alright, let's go home and get some rest. Tomorrow's game is a must-win!"

Meanwhile, at a nearby arena, the Warriors are wrapping up their own practice.

After back-to-back games against the Knicks and Bucks, they've had two days of rest. Arriving in Cleveland on November 15, Liam Gonzalez gave his team a light day off to recuperate and a low-intensity practice session today.

From the sideline, Liam watches his players shoot three-pointers. He frowns slightly and turns to his assistant, Ron Adams:

"Ron, I've been brainstorming how to defend against the Cavaliers these past two days, but I'm stuck. Any ideas?"

Adams thinks for a moment before replying:

"From a star-focused perspective, we have to contain James. But with Monta Ellis now handling the ball so much, he's another critical focus. Mo Williams and Stephen Jackson aren't pushovers either. Liam, we've got a tough choice to make."

Liam sighs:

"It feels like choosing between two poisons. No matter what we do, it seems like the Cavaliers dictate the terms. If we want to win, we need to do something completely unexpected."

After a long pause, Liam claps his hands decisively.

"Why play their game? Let's force them to play ours!"

The next day, during pre-game interviews, a reporter asks Monta Ellis:

"Monta, you're facing your old team tonight. Any thoughts?"

Ellis, prepared for the question, responds confidently:

"I feel great. The Cavaliers are a fantastic team, and I'm lucky to be here. Playing alongside LeBron is a dream come true. I'm grateful to the Warriors for trading me—otherwise, I'd still be stuck losing games in Oakland!"

The stage is set for an epic showdown.

End of this chapter

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