LeBron James running away? He's going all in on Curry.

The incident at the American Airlines Arena in Miami completely ignited the entire American sports world within hours of the game ending.

However, in this country where capital controls the discourse, public opinion did not turn in favor of the victims as Su Yang had expected.

The following morning, the headlines of major sports newspapers and television programs across the United States almost unanimously focused their criticism on Su Yang and the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"A loser with absolutely no sportsmanship! Cavaliers owner wreaks havoc in press conference room, utterly lacking professionalism!"

"ESPN experts analyzed: LeBron's defensive move was a normal physical inertia, and Stephen Curry's injury was a regrettable accident."

"A nouveau riche lacking substance: Su Yang attempts to cover up the team's incompetence in crucial moments with conspiracy theories!"

With Nike's vast public relations empire and the league's covert protection, James's subtle "foot-planting" action was forcibly whitewashed by various celebrity commentators through frame-by-frame playback and angle analysis, turning it into an "accident that he couldn't stop himself."

Even though Su Yang's family possesses astonishing wealth and influence in China, his voice was easily drowned out by the deeply entrenched sports interest network in the United States.

Even on domestic social media across the ocean, public opinion is not one-sided.

A huge group of "LeBron fans" frantically controlled comments on Weibo and Tieba, accusing Su Yang of making a mountain out of a molehill.

"Who doesn't get injured playing basketball? Whose fault is it if your ankle is fragile?"

"Su Yang is just a rich kid trying to ride the wave of popularity. If you can't handle losing, don't play the NBA. Going to the press conference to curse people is a disgrace to the country!"

……

Cleveland, the Cavaliers' headquarters, the owner's office.

"Ring ring—"

The dedicated red secure phone on the desk suddenly rang.

Su Yang glanced at the caller ID, answered the phone without any surprise, and pressed the speakerphone button.

"Good morning, Mr. President. What, the league's penalty notice has been drafted so quickly?" Su Yang's voice was laced with sarcasm.

On the other end of the phone, David Stern's voice remained low: "Mr. Sue, I sincerely regret what happened to Stephen. The league has reviewed the video repeatedly; it was an unfortunate accident. But your behavior at the press conference last night has severely damaged the league's image."

"An accident? You and I both know whether it was an accident or not."

Su Yang sneered, "Mr. Stern, Cleveland's players are not lambs to the slaughter. If the league's referees can't even do the most basic fairness, I don't mind letting my players seek justice on the court in their own way."

Upon hearing this blatant threat, Stern's voice instantly rose eight octaves:

"Su Yang! I'm warning you, stop those crazy ideas immediately! No matter how angry you are in private, the Auburn Hills Palace incident must never be repeated during my term!"

"If the Cavaliers dare to engage in intentional physical retaliation in the next game against the Heat, I guarantee I will issue the harshest penalty in NBA history! I will suspend your players indefinitely and even strip your team of draft picks!"

Facing the tyrant's rage, Su Yang did not back down at all, and slammed his fist on the table:

"What about Stephen Curry?! What about the Cleveland Cavaliers?!"

Su Yang's voice echoed in the empty office, "Just to protect your so-called 'best player in the league,' for your damn ratings and broadcast contracts, you can just stand by and watch my core players get ruined? You can just use the Cavaliers as sacrifices without hesitation?!"

There was a long silence on the other end of the phone for more than ten seconds.

When Stern spoke again, his tone had reverted to that of a cold capitalist: "Sue, this is a business alliance. Everything must be for the greater good."

"You have to understand this reality—LeBron James is now worth billions of dollars in business. And you guys are far from that."

"If one day, your Cavaliers and Stephen Curry can expand the NBA's reach to the whole world like Michael Jordan and the Chicago Bulls did back then, earning immeasurable profits... then, without you saying a word, the league's calls and resources will naturally favor you."

"That's the rule."

Stern's words were undoubtedly a showdown: whoever can make money for the league will enjoy special privileges.

Su Yang took a deep breath and completely suppressed the anger in his eyes.

He knew that going head-to-head with the alliance at this stage would not do him any good.

But Su Yang would never swallow this bitter pill in silence.

"Very well, Mr. President. I understand your 'big picture' perspective. I can guarantee there will be no bloodshed, but I need compensation."

Su Yang offered his bargaining chip: "You owe Cleveland a favor. If I can acquire a lottery pick this season, I'll ask the league to make that pick a top-five pick in the draft lottery."

"Top five?" Stern hesitated for a moment on the other end of the phone. This was not difficult for him, who controlled the behind-the-scenes manipulation of the lottery. "Sure, as compensation, as long as you can get the lottery ticket, I guarantee it won't fall out of the top five."

"No, I want to be in the top three." Su Yang seemed to have thought of something and began to push his luck.

Stern frowned, seemingly weighing the pros and cons.

The top three picks are incredibly valuable, but he needs Su Yang, this troublesome boss, to behave himself and not cause any scandals that will shock the world on the eve of the finals.

"...Sold. Top three."

The former CEO eventually compromised, saying, "But I hope this is the last time I hear you talk about 'revenge'."

The phone hangs up.

Su Yang leaned back in his chair and began brainstorming.

Not allowed to retaliate openly? No problem, there are many ways to get revenge on the basketball court.

Now, he needs to immediately deliver on David Stern's promise of a "top three pick"!

"Grant!" Su Yang pressed the intercom and shouted loudly.

A few seconds later, General Manager Grant pushed open the door and entered: "Boss, you wanted to see me?"

"Contact the management of the New Orleans Hornets and Los Angeles Clippers immediately! I want to get involved in the Chris Paul trade!"

Due to the lockout during the offseason, the "Where will Chris Paul go?" trade saga, which should have been settled long ago, has been delayed until now after David Stern rudely halted the Lakers' trade for "basketball reasons." The Los Angeles Clippers are currently engaged in a final tug-of-war with the Hornets.

Su Yang was well aware that the Hornets were currently under the league's trusteeship.

In other words, the Hornets' real "owner" is actually David Stern!

"Boss, the Clippers and Hornets are close to finalizing a trade. The Clippers are prepared to send Eric Gordon, Aminu, Kaman, and an unprotected first-round pick from the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire Paul." Grant, well-versed in the intelligence of all teams, quickly reported to his superior. "What can we offer to intervene?"

"Tell them the Cavaliers are willing to join the trade as a third party!" Su Yang's tone was unequivocal.

"The Hornets are in dire need of rebuilding right now. They need not only promising young players but also veterans to stabilize the locker room. We traded away the 2012 Pacers first-round pick we got in the Jamison trade, our own first-round pick this year, plus Shane Battier!"

"Pack these assets and send them to the Hornets, so the Clippers can keep the Timberwolves' draft pick or send it somewhere else. What we want is the New Orleans Hornets' own 2012 first-round pick!"

Grant's eyes widened: "Boss! Trade Battier? He's our most important veteran defender on the perimeter! Besides, the Hornets are terrible this year; their first-round pick is likely a high lottery pick. Will Commissioner Stern, who oversees the league, agree to give us such a good pick?"

"Do as I say."

"Since he's the one who calls the shots with the Hornets, then this deal..." Su Yang pondered for a moment.

"There will absolutely be no 'basketball reasons' that will stand in the way."