NBA: Warrior godfather.

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LeBron James hesitated before finding Mike Brown:

"Mike, let me get back in earlier. I don't want this game to drag on until the end."

Mike Brown, puzzled, replied:

"LeBron, this is just a regular-season game…"

"I have to win this game," James interrupted firmly.

Mike Brown could only nod:

"Alright, but take at least four minutes… three minutes minimum. We've got a game in Washington tomorrow. Don't burn too much energy."

Seeing James's confused expression, he explained further.

After the Cavaliers faced the Warriors, they had back-to-back games. Brown wanted to manage James's physical toll as much as possible.

James initially planned to rest just two minutes before reentering, but Mike Brown's reasoning made sense. Reluctantly, he agreed.

As the fourth quarter began, both Stephen Curry and James rested on the bench, leaving the substitutes to showcase their skills.

Azubuike, who had been sidelined for much of the third quarter, entered full of energy. Against the Cavaliers' weaker defensive lineup, he displayed a versatile scoring approach, putting up consecutive points upon stepping onto the court.

Although Monta Ellis started the game, James was in top form tonight, so he hadn't taken many shots. Mike Brown substituted Ellis midway through the third quarter, letting him and Mo Williams lead the bench unit.

Facing his former team, which had traded him away, Monta Ellis burned with a fierce desire to prove himself. He monopolized the ball, disregarding Mo Williams entirely, and indulged in one-on-one plays.

Liam Gonzalez quickly noticed Monta Ellis's wrong mindset. He decisively instructed his players to double-team Ellis, successfully disrupting two Cavaliers' possessions. The Warriors capitalized with fast-break opportunities.

By the nine-minute mark, during a dead ball, the scoreboard read 89–88, with the Warriors leading by just one point.

James approached Monta Ellis, offering words of reassurance rather than blame:

"Monta, stay calm. Our goal is to win."

"Sorry, I got carried away," Ellis admitted, reflecting on his solo-focused playstyle.

During his time with the Warriors, Ellis had the green light to shoot at will. Typically, with James on the floor, he could rein himself in. But when left alone, he reverted to his old habits.

Satisfied, James shifted gears:

"Later, keep an eye on the baseline cuts…"

While they discussed adjustments, Reggie Williams sank his second free throw, and possession returned to the Cavaliers.

James took control, easily breaking through the Warriors' perimeter defense. Drawing attention, he passed to Ellis cutting along the baseline, who finished with a clean layup.

89–90.

Watching from the sidelines, Liam shook his head. James had entered the paint far too easily. The Warriors' perimeter defense seemed as fragile as paper.

Reggie Williams, despite his solid build, lacked the defensive toughness of Butler. He couldn't match James's strength.

"Should we call a timeout and bring back the starters?" Liam wondered, weighing his options.

The league schedule was relatively fair—both the Cavaliers and the Warriors had back-to-back games. After this, the Warriors faced the Celtics' Big Three.

Exerting too much energy today would make tomorrow's game against Boston extremely difficult.

As Liam deliberated, James exploited another defensive lapse, stealing the ball from Azubuike and initiating a fast break. Despite the Warriors' quick transition defense, they couldn't stop James from driving into the paint for a layup.

89–92.

TNT commentator Reggie Miller remarked:

"This is what a superstar can do. Less than a minute back on the court, and James has already turned the game around. The Warriors' defense looks like a sieve against him."

Seeing James dominate, Liam no longer hesitated. He called a decisive timeout, brought in all his starters, and sounded the charge for a decisive battle.

Liam realized that facing two powerhouses consecutively meant prioritizing one victory.

He abandoned any pretense of competing against the Celtics tomorrow and committed fully to toppling "The King" tonight.

Even if it meant using up a precious timeout and limiting his ability to adjust later, Liam took the gamble.

After the timeout, the Warriors' starters returned to the court. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers continued with James and Monta Ellis leading the bench.

ESPN analyst Stephen A. Smith exclaimed in surprise:

"Whoa, there are still eight minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Warriors are going all in! They have the Celtics tomorrow. With this strategy, the players' legs might not hold up."

Shaquille O'Neal chimed in:

"Liam Gonzalez is throwing everything at this game. I think he's decided to sacrifice tomorrow's game for this one. It's not easy keeping pace with LeBron James and the Cavaliers this deep into the game. If I were coaching the Warriors, I'd be doing the same thing—don't let James walk away with a win. Back-to-back games are tough for everyone, but this is what it means to go all out!"

As Shaq predicted, the Warriors responded with fire. Curry drained a three-pointer as soon as he returned, his shooting touch still sizzling.

On the next Cavaliers possession, James held the ball. Butler, exhausted after guarding him all game, still stood firm, undaunted.

He recalled Liam's words during the timeout:

"I don't care if we lose to the Celtics tomorrow. We're winning this game. If we win, you get two days off. If we lose, you'll practice harder."

For Butler, it wasn't about time off or extra practice. It was about meeting his coach's expectations. If Liam wanted this win, Butler was determined to give it his all.

James lowered his shoulder and drove hard into Butler's chest, producing a loud, heavy thud.

Butler staggered but held his ground, his heart roaring with determination. He refused to give James an inch.

Surprised, James leaned in harder, switching the ball to his left hand and driving his shoulder again into Butler.

This time, Butler stumbled back slightly. James exploited the opening, powering forward. Despite Butler's relentless effort to stay close, James barreled into the paint, meeting Biedrins.

Looking for a pass, James realized Hickson wasn't in position. With no passing lane available, he slowed, trying to weave past Biedrins.

But Butler seized the moment. Diving at James's dribble, he smacked the ball loose.

The ball bounced toward the floor. James lunged for it, but Butler hurled himself onto the hardwood, snatching it with one hand.

James dove as well, grappling with Butler for possession. The two wrestled on the ground, joined quickly by Biedrins and Hickson.

The referee's whistle pierced the chaos, signaling a jump ball.

As players were separated, James and Butler exchanged cold glares, the tension thick in the air.

When the referee tossed the ball, James easily won the jump. Taking no chances, he bullied his way into the paint and finished a layup.

Jogging back on defense, James glanced at Butler with a smirk:

"Know your place, kid. Show respect to those you can't handle."

Butler clenched his fists but remained silent, jogging back to the offense. The powder keg atmosphere on the court grew heavier.

Curry overheard James's comment and couldn't resist:

"Oh, really? Then try handling me."

James raised an eyebrow, taunting:

"You challenging me, little man? This isn't a backyard game in Akron."

Curry grinned, taking the inbound pass and leading the Warriors' next attack.

End of this chapter

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