The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!

This was the reason he had boundless energy even after playing for 48 minutes; he never felt tired.

Engaging actively in confrontations like this was still a rare sight.

The Pacers on the other side were unapologetically confronting him.

In the midst of confrontation, LeBron's temper also started to flare. During one frontcourt rebound contest, Zach Randolph firmly blocked him from behind. LeBron couldn't secure a position and could only watch as Randolph jumped up, securing the rebound.

But as Randolph jumped, he pushed with both his hands, sending Zach Randolph flying out of bounds.

The missed ball ended up in his hands.

"Toot!"

The referee blew the whistle.

"Foul on number 6 of the Heat Team!"

He immediately smiled and spread his hands:

No way, that's a foul?

How are we supposed to play basketball then!

Zach Randolph, seeing his unabashed demeanor, clenched his teeth in anger.

LeBron, noticing this, immediately changed his target.

During the Pacers' counterattack, Little O'Neal flew past him and managed to grab the offensive rebound first and, following a secondary jump, as he was about to score, LeBron placed his hand on Little O'Neal's waist and "lightly" pushed. Little O'Neal nearly lost his balance.

Having suffered this move from LeBron years ago, Little O'Neal immediately complained to the referee.

But the referee ended up giving him a "T".

LeBron then showed a smug smile.

It was as if infuriating Little O'Neal was the right thing to do.

It appeared...

LeBron's frequently mentioned "basketball IQ" helped the Heat Team gain an offensive opportunity.

He completely missed the growing resentment of the two Pacers' big men.

In the following offensive sequence, LeBron actively set screens and rolled for Wade.

Afflalo, doggedly entangling Wade, ended up colliding directly with LeBron during a lateral move. That wasn't all; LeBron also moved his elbow up, and Afflalo's face smashed right into his "Iron Elbow," blood instantly covering Afflalo's face.

LeBron watched Afflalo fall and clutch his face in pain, a mysterious smile crossed his face.

The crowd erupted in noise.

Pacers fans, watching the replay on the big screen, began cursing loudly.

Zach Randolph and Little O'Neal, having just been tricked by LeBron, now saw LeBron lift his elbow on purpose, causing Afflalo's injury and immediately stormed over to LeBron demanding an "autograph".

LeBron defiantly responded, "Hey, this is basketball, anything can happen! I'm really sorry this happened!"

But he kept retreating, hiding behind Chris Bosh and Wade.

The menacing look of Little O'Neal and Zach Randolph indeed seemed quite frightening.

LeBron truly feared these two might lose control and charge at him.

This city has such a tradition...

At this moment, the referee gave LeBron a "Level 1 malicious foul".

Zach Randolph and Little O'Neal immediately protested.

Afflalo bled so much and got only a "Level 1 malicious foul"?

However, under Rick Carlisle's persuasion, they refrained from further confronting the referee. They knew who their real adversary was.

Seeing them calm down and not hysterical, LeBron felt some relief.

It seems that without that "Madman", this city isn't so crazy after all!

He felt reassured.

Loud booing from the fans began, first at the referee, then towards LeBron James, the yelling was tremendous:

"LeBron, who's your daddy!"

"LeBron, who's your daddy!"

"LeBron, who's your daddy!"

Normally, hearing such cheers would sour LeBron's face.

But having just disabled a key player on the Pacers, he felt secretly thrilled and did not take the booing to heart, even humming to himself.

Afflalo's condition was quite bad; not only was his eye cut open, but he also felt slight dizziness, prompting the medical staff to advise against him playing. Of course, league rules also would not allow Afflalo to continue.

With Dwyane Wade unburdened, the Heat Team immediately caused significant damage on the flanks.

Yet Rick Carlisle remained silent, just watching...

The person who replaced Afflalo was none other than Dante Jones, whose confidence Su Wan had shattered back in the day.

This year, having been ignored in the free agency, he received a minimum contract from the Pacers and hadn't had much opportunity to play. Rick Carlisle only said one thing to him:

"Dante, I want blood!"

Jones nodded. Carlisle didn't need to spell it out; he knew whose blood to draw.

And after entering the game, he kept looking for an opportunity.

Soon, he found one...

Positioning for a jump shot with no one around him, he saw LeBron charging straight at him.

Clearly not planning to leave any space, his "pump fake" made it clear to Dante Jones that he was trying to undercut him.

It's do or die...

Jones went directly into a "Golden Chicken Stance", kicking his raised foot fiercely into LeBron' groin.

LeBron clutched his crotch in agony, collapsing like a balloon deflated of air.

But Jones's performance was far from over...