The NBA's Twilight Star System

On November 8th, the buzzer sounded, signaling the end of the game. The Cavaliers narrowly defeated the Nuggets 103–98.

For the first time since starting the grueling four-game road trip, Jay Sun truly felt the intensity of professional basketball. Although his performance wasn't bad—averaging 15.8 points with an impressive 42.5% three-point shooting—he was utterly exhausted.

The back-to-back against the Jazz was especially challenging, nearly resulting in disaster.

Thankfully, Jay stuck to his principles: stay steady for three quarters, go all out in the fourth. With three clutch three-pointers in the final period, the Cavaliers managed to scrape by with a victory.

While the altitude wasn't as much of an issue in Denver, adjusting to the thin air still took its toll.

In these conditions, LeBron's dominance shone through. Despite the high altitude, he exploded for 33 points, 11 assists, and 7 rebounds—just shy of a triple-double. Five of those assists went to Jay.

Jay and LeBron's chemistry was becoming increasingly seamless. However, his connection with Kyrie Irving was another story—minimal, at best.

It wasn't that Jay had any personal issues with Kyrie. The problem was Kyrie's playstyle; he rarely passed the ball to anyone besides LeBron or Kevin Love.

Still, the Cavaliers' raw talent carried them to a rocky but impressive 5-0 start to the season.

Jay wasn't sure how much he had contributed to the team's success, but he knew one thing for sure: his position as the starting shooting guard was within reach.

Meanwhile, another issue was surfacing within the team—Dion Waiters.

As a third-year player, Waiters was supposed to be entering his prime developmental phase. Instead of improving, his performance had regressed, with his scoring average dipping into single digits.

At this rate, even his role as the team's sixth man was in jeopardy. Jay suspected a trade involving Waiters was inevitable.

His only concern was whether J.R. Smith would be part of such a trade. If Smith arrived, would Jay's starting spot still be secure?

After the game against the Nuggets, the team returned to Cleveland in a hurry. The atmosphere in Denver was too uncomfortable, and their next matchup was yet another game against the Nuggets.

On November 11th, at Quicken Loans Arena, the Cavaliers hosted the Nuggets once more.

This game was special for Jay—it marked his first start in the NBA!

A rookie earning a starting spot in his first year was rare enough. To do it in just the sixth game? That was extraordinary.

Jay gleefully bounced onto the court, soaking in the moment of his first starting lineup introduction.

When the DJ announced, "From the University of Kentucky, the 2014 NCAA MOP, rookie guard Jay Sun!" Jay jogged onto the court, high-fiving his teammates.

LeBron, of course, was introduced last, his influence in Cleveland second to none.

The game began with the Cavaliers in possession.

Kyrie advanced the ball, executing a series of quick crossovers in front of Ty Lawson, but couldn't shake him off.

LeBron stepped up to receive the ball. He feinted a drive, then suddenly exploded past Wilson Chandler, bulldozing his way to the basket for a layup.

Watching LeBron dominate, Jay couldn't help but feel relieved that he had joined the Cavaliers. Otherwise, there was no way he'd be sniffing a championship anytime soon—well, unless he joined the Warriors.

On defense, Lawson called for a screen, switching onto Jay.

Seeing Jay's clean-cut appearance, Lawson figured him for an easy target and drove straight into him.

Whistle!

The referee called a travel on Lawson.

Lawson threw his hands up in disbelief, staring at the ref.

Jay grinned but said nothing. Think I'm easy to bully? Clearly, you've never faced the Glove before.

Over the next few possessions, Lawson avoided challenging Jay. Coach George Karl, known for his strict discipline, didn't tolerate freelancing outside the game plan.

Jay reverted to his usual strategy: playing off-ball with the starters and handling the ball more with the second unit.

When asked who he preferred playing alongside, his answer was clear: LeBron first, then Kevin Love.

Jay particularly enjoyed running pick-and-rolls with Love during his minutes with the bench unit. Love's solid screens and accurate shooting made him an ideal partner.

In the fourth quarter, Jay was still on the court. Tyronn Lue had noticed that, despite being winded at the end of the third, Jay always seemed to regain his energy when the final period rolled around.

Must be youth, Lue thought wistfully. I used to be like that, too.

The early minutes of the fourth quarter saw Jay and Love dismantle the Nuggets' defense with their pick-and-rolls.

Midway through the quarter, Kyrie and LeBron returned to the court while Love rested. Jay switched back to his off-ball role, using his sharp movements to exploit the Nuggets' defensive lapses.

Without Denver's high-altitude advantage, they were no match for Cleveland this time. The Cavaliers cruised to a 110–95 victory.

LeBron was elated—not because of his stats, which had become secondary to his championship aspirations, but because the Cavaliers had now opened the season with six straight wins.

Jay, too, was thrilled. He had just scored over 20 points for the first time in his career, finishing with 22 points, 7 assists, and 2 rebounds.

This is All-Star material, he thought smugly.

Jay was headed to the locker room when a group of reporters intercepted him.

"Jay, as a rookie posting such impressive stats, how do you feel about your performance?"

"Do you see yourself as one of the leaders of this team?"

"Isn't it true that playing alongside LeBron is the real reason for your success?"

"Would you consider yourself one of the team's core players?"

Jay hadn't expected to be interviewed so soon and was initially elated. But as the questions sank in, his mood shifted. These weren't compliments—they were traps.

"Well," Jay began carefully, "this team is full of outstanding players. I'm just a rookie trying to follow the coach's game plan. Our success is a team effort, not my individual accomplishment."

Nice try, Jay thought. I'm not falling for that.

The next morning, Jay woke up feeling refreshed. Stretching lazily, he grabbed his phone to check the news, expecting praise for his performance.

Instead, the headlines hit him like a freight train:

"Cavaliers Rookie Criticizes Coaching Decisions!"

"Jay Sun Downplays LeBron's Impact on His Success!"

"Shocking! Rookie Jay Compares Himself to the Big Three!"

Jay stared at his screen, dumbfounded.

What else can I do? he thought miserably. These reporters twist everything I say!

Jay decided he needed to seek advice on handling the media. And who better to ask than LeBron James, the king of public relations?