LeBron James running away? He's going all in on Curry.
Chapter 11 A Bet of 1! An Undercover Agent Who Pre-selected the Championship
The 2010-2011 NBA regular season concluded in mid-April.
As predicted by the American media at the beginning of the season, the Cleveland Cavaliers, having lost LeBron James, experienced a season that can only be described as disastrous.
The roster, cobbled together from undrafted players, veterans on minimum contracts, and poison pill contracts, became a cash cow for almost every team in the league during the long 82-game regular season.
Ultimately, the Cavaliers finished with a dismal 19-63 record, securing the worst record in the entire league and starting their fishing vacation early.
But amidst this gloomy atmosphere, Cleveland did not come away empty-handed.
Stephen Curry, handpicked by Su Yang as the "cornerstone of the team" and given unlimited shooting rights, has seen a surge in statistics this season.
Not only did he successfully overcome the frequent ankle injuries, but he also made it into the Eastern Conference All-Star reserve team with impressive averages of 26.5 points and 6.2 assists per game!
That skinny guard, once shunned by the Warriors and ridiculed by the American media as "glass man," has lived up to his superstar status on this bottom-ranked team with a series of unreasonable, long-range three-pointers.
……
The Cavaliers' training facility, the owner's office.
The day after the regular season ended, Stephen Curry, dressed casually, knocked on Su Yang's door.
"Sit down, Stephen. Congratulations on averaging 26 points per game, becoming an All-Star player. You've proven your worth to the world." Su Yang stood up from behind his desk, smiling as he handed him a sports drink.
However, Curry did not show much joy on his face.
He took the drink, sat down somewhat awkwardly on the sofa, and looked deeply apologetic: "Boss... I'm so sorry."
"Sorry for what?" Su Yang raised an eyebrow.
"The team finished last in the league. You spent so much money, withstood so much public pressure to bring me here, and even assembled a medical team and a shooting coach specifically for me..."
Curry lowered his head, clutching the bottle in both hands. "Although my stats look good, I know I haven't learned how to lead this team to victory yet. I have a huge responsibility."
Looking at this young man who exuded humility and a sense of responsibility, Su Yang nodded inwardly.
That's why he chose Curry as his cornerstone.
In this materialistic business alliance filled with egoists, this pure team spirit is more precious than any talent.
"Lift your head up, Stephen."
Su Yang walked up to Curry, patted him on the shoulder, and said firmly, "This isn't your fault, and you don't need to apologize. I've said it before, this is just an inevitable period of growing pains."
"Do you remember our team's motto this year? Trust the process."
"For the past six months, you only need to figure out one thing—you can sink those damn three-pointers without hesitation in the NBA and average 26 points per game. That's enough!"
"As for winning? That's not your concern right now. Your task is to rest well, take care of your ankle, and then take a couple more steps back from your three-point range!"
Su Yang's eyes gleamed with confidence: "This is only the first year, Stephen. We've already razed the old palace. After this summer, I'll bring you back a pack of real 'beasts.' Then, we'll show the entire league what true unstoppable power is!"
Upon hearing the blueprint described by the boss, the gloom in Curry's eyes vanished, and his fighting spirit was rekindled.
"Got it, boss. I'll be spending the offseason at the gym!"
……
May arrived in the blink of an eye, and as the playoffs progressed, the entire NBA's attention was focused on the highest stage.
Miami Heat.
This formidable team, comprised of three superstars at their peak, swept through the Eastern Conference playoffs with unstoppable momentum.
Neither the Boston Celtics nor the Chicago Bulls could stop their advance.
In early June, the Heat stormed into the NBA Finals!
Their opponent in the Finals is the Dallas Mavericks, led by Dirk Nowitzki, from the Western Conference.
Compared to the star-studded and incredibly talented Heat Big Three, this Mavericks team, with its relatively older average age, was seen by the American media and betting companies as nothing more than a backdrop for the emperor's coronation.
At the press conference before Game 1 of the Finals, a triumphant LeBron James sat in front of a group of microphones, his face beaming with the arrogance of someone about to taste championship champagne.
"LeBron, the Heat have made it all the way to the Finals, and are just four wins away from the championship. At this moment, is there anything you want to say to those who once doubted you?" a Miami reporter asked obsequiously.
James's lips curled up, inevitably steering the conversation toward his former team that had humiliated him.
"Facts speak louder than words. I made the greatest decision of all, and the results have proven everything."
"Some people have made outrageous claims that I won't win a championship. But look at Cleveland now. Without me, they can't even win games and are stuck at the bottom of the league."
"This also fully proves that one of the team's new owners is a complete novice who doesn't understand basketball at all."
"In Miami, we'll not only win this year's championship, we'll win the second, the third, the fourth... and Cleveland? Let them rot in the mire!"
These words caused an uproar online.
With the Heat's impressive run into the NBA Finals, LeBron's fans were in a frenzy, tagging Su Yang and the Cavaliers' official accounts on various social media platforms.
"Speak up, you nouveau riche Chinese! What happened to your prediction?!"
"Hilarious! The owner of the team that finished last in the regular season dares to try and get involved with the Finals MVP?"
"Waiting for LeBron to lift the trophy and thoroughly humiliate Su Yang!"
……
Faced with a barrage of online ridicule, Su Yang, who had been quiet in Cleveland for almost half a year, finally made a move.
He did not give any media interviews, nor did he make any lengthy statements.
He simply logged into his long-neglected Twitter account, posted a photo, and added a short caption.
The photo shows a betting slip from a top Las Vegas betting company.
Betting item: [2010-2011 NBA Championship - Dallas Mavericks]
Bet Amount: [US$1,000,000]
[@Dallas Mavericks, get the champagne ready, and don't forget to prepare a generous gift to thank LeBron. I bet a million dollars he'll be the 'number one contributor' to your first championship in franchise history.]
The moment this tweet was posted, the entire North American sports world exploded!
A million-dollar bet on the underdog Dallas Mavericks to win the championship?!
And they even mocked LeBron as the "number one contributor" to the Mavericks' championship victory?! Does that mean LeBron will be a sabotage in the Finals?!
What kind of hellish taunt is this?!
Within just half an hour, the comment section of this tweet was completely flooded by Heat fans who rushed to the scene.
"He's gone mad! This rich kid is absolutely desperate after losing!"
"Spending a million dollars just to be stubborn? I don't understand the world of the rich!"
"So sour! So sour! I can almost smell the jealous stench emanating from Cleveland through the screen!"
"LeBron beats the Mavericks like he's beating his own son! When the Heat sweep the Mavericks 4-0, I hope you don't cry too much when that million dollars goes down the drain!"
Numerous media commentators also joined in, mocking Su Yang's stubborn gambler behavior and believing that he was trying to find a way to back down from his initial "blood-sucking" theory.
In a luxurious villa in Beverly Hills.
Dilraba carried a plate of cut fruit to Su Yang, who was leaning against the sofa. Looking at the offensive comments on his phone, she frowned with some concern.
"Boss... these people online are saying such awful things. Is that guy named James really that good? You're betting a million dollars on him losing, what if..."
"What if we lose?"
Su Yang chuckled and pinched Dilraba's fair cheek, then casually picked up a piece of apple and popped it into his mouth. "In my dictionary, there's no such thing as 'what if'."
The more Heat fans and the American media celebrate right now, the more desperate they will be during the Finals a few days later.
Because in this world, no one knows except Su Yang.
In the upcoming series, the guy who calls himself the king will, under the watchful eyes of the world, put on an unprecedented and unparalleled epic "undercover" performance against the defense of Mavericks guard JJ Barea.
8 points in a single game? Afraid to post up a 6'6" guard? Passing the ball around in crucial moments?
The term "number one contributor" is practically tailor-made for him.
"Let the champagne chill in Miami for a while."
Su Yang raised his glass and toasted James on the television screen, "Looking forward to your great performance in the Finals, my king."
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