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

A special investigation team dispatched by the NBA spent a full week at the Cleveland Cavaliers' headquarters.

These investigators, dressed in suits like FBI agents, not only thoroughly examined Zaza Pachulia's bank statements and communication records, but also the accounts of his distant relatives in Georgia.

Faced with hours of grueling interrogation each day, Pachulia perfectly embodied the "simplicity" and "clumsiness" of a rough Eastern European man.

He kept repeating the same few sentences: "My center of gravity was too high," "I couldn't keep up with my pace," and "I didn't do it on purpose, it was an accident."

Even as the head of the investigation team slammed his fist on the table and threatened to permanently expel him from the League, Pachulia could only manage an innocent, bitter smile on his fierce face.

The investigation team, having found nothing, withdrew from Cleveland only after LeBron James's shocking "steel ankle" had completely subsided and he announced his early return earlier than expected.

In the Cavaliers' owner's office.

Su Yang stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, watching the black SUV carrying the investigation team drive away downstairs.

He knew in his heart that this did not mean David Stern had compromised.

"Since the old fox can't find any obvious evidence, he'll definitely try to find something else to cover it up."

Su Yang returned to his desk, looked at the strategy board with an analysis of the assets for the 2012 NBA Draft, and sighed softly.

"The Hornets have an unprotected first-round pick that they're likely to get the number one pick on, and Stern will definitely keep them firmly in the 'third pick' position."

In the past, the Hornets, under the league's trusteeship, used this number one draft pick to select the future super monster in the paint—"The Brow" Anthony Davis.

Stern only agreed to a top-three finish on the phone. Given this tyrant's tendency to settle personal scores, now that Su Yang has caused such a huge mess, he would absolutely not give Cleveland a cornerstone player of Anthony Davis' caliber.

"Third in line..."

Su Yang tapped the table lightly with his fingers, his eyes flickering.

Although he missed the opportunity to draft Anthony Davis directly, he doesn't regret it.

If we don't vent this anger, the morale and fighting spirit of the Cavaliers will completely crumble!

Since we can't draft him directly, we can always come up with a new plan and trade up to get Anthony Davis during the draft!

With absolute leverage, nothing is unattainable.

"Grant!" Su Yang pressed the intercom. "Tell the coaching staff to ignore the rumors and continue to provide more tactical support for Jeremy Lin! Give him all the ball possession!"

……

As the regular season draws to a close, the Cavaliers, led by Jeremy Lin and a group of tenacious players, are stubbornly pushing forward.

At the end of April, the regular season, which had been shortened to 66 games due to labor disputes, finally came to an end.

The Cleveland Cavaliers, a team ridiculed across the United States and predicted to tank at the beginning of the season, ultimately finished third in the Eastern Conference with a record of 39 wins and 27 losses!

Su Yang's promise to make the playoffs during the opening game was subsequently fulfilled.

The regular season awards were also announced.

With an all-around stat line of 27.1 points, 7.9 rebounds and 6.2 assists per game, coupled with the Heat's second-best record in the Eastern Conference, LeBron James unsurprisingly won the regular season MVP award.

Cleveland also achieved its own glory – Jeremy Lin, who emerged as a dark horse in the second half of the season and averaged 24 points and 8 assists per game as a starter, won the "Most Improved Player" award this season with an absolute advantage over the competition!

The "Linsanity" phenomenon not only swept across the United States but also gained official recognition.

The playoffs have officially begun.

Thanks to being in the weak Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers easily won the first round 4-1.

It's a case of old enemies meeting on a narrow road; the third-ranked Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference will face the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs!

The Cavaliers' locker room on the eve of the big game.

Stephen Curry, leaning on his crutches, stubbornly pushed open the door to Su Yang's office.

"Boss, my ankle is recovering much better than expected! The team doctor said that as long as I get an injection and take painkillers, I can definitely play!"

Curry's eyes were filled with burning desire for the game. "This is a revenge match. I can't just watch my brothers fight tooth and nail on the court while I sit on the bench!"

Looking at this fiercely competitive, baby-faced assassin, Su Yang stepped forward and pressed him back onto the sofa.

Don't even think about it.

Su Yang's tone was stern, leaving no room for negotiation. "I've said it before, trust the process! Now is not the time for your comeback. Force yourself to play with injections? That's gambling with your next ten years of career and our future dynasty!"

"Even if we get swept out of this series, you have to sit on the sidelines and be a spectator!"

Curry, who was sternly stopped by his boss, helplessly covered his face and could only accept this cruel reality.

……

A few days later, the second round of the playoffs officially began.

Without the absolute core Stephen Curry, and without the tough, defensive anchor Zaza Pachulia in the paint.

The Cavaliers, with their depleted roster, ultimately revealed their significant gap in strength against the Heat's Big Three, who were determined to win the championship.

Even so, the Clevelandians still showed extreme resilience!

Jeremy Lin still shone under the high-pressure defense of the playoffs. His breakthroughs, floaters, and passes allowed Marc Gasol and Paul Millsap to score frequently in the paint.

Kawhi Leonard on the wing is like a stubborn leech; although still somewhat inexperienced, he has put immense strain on James on the defensive end.

The two sides fought a fierce six-game series in the first round! Every game was intense and exciting, with two games going down to the wire.

However, the gap in cultural heritage remains insurmountable.

In Game 6 at Quicken Loans Arena, Dwyane Wade took over the game in the final three minutes of the fourth quarter, hitting a series of difficult pull-up jumpers and layups to completely seal the victory.

4-2! The Miami Heat narrowly defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals.

……

In the post-game press conference, LeBron James, who had won the series, was beaming with pride.

Faced with a barrage of cameras and microphones, he made no attempt to hide his smugness and mockery.

"I've said it before, the regular season is just a warm-up, the playoffs are the stage for superstars."

Looking defiantly at the camera, James said, "The Cavaliers were indeed very tenacious, but that doesn't change their fate of being eliminated. Some owners who were spouting nonsense off the court should now learn to face reality. Basketball, in the end, is about skill."

These arrogant remarks were immediately exaggerated by reporters and reached Su Yang's ears at the subsequent press conference.

Faced with James's taunts, Su Yang was not angry at all; instead, he chuckled indifferently.

"Recognize reality? Of course I recognize it."

"This series made me realize that LeBron truly has great and selfless teammates. I must pay tribute to Dwyane Wade."

The reporters in the audience were completely confused. Why were they suddenly praising Wade?

"After all, only someone who truly considers this place their home would be willing to make such a huge sacrifice. We've all watched the games, and LeBron's stats in this series have been truly outstanding and very well-rounded."

"But, whenever it comes to the most crucial and suffocating moments of the fourth quarter, who is it that keeps passing the ball around and shifting blame, and who is it that, dragging their injured leg, repeatedly drives into the paint and sinks those deadly shots?"

Su Yang shrugged, his smile carrying a deeper meaning:

"The stats look good, but Dwyane Wade's clutch play was the key to the Heat winning this series. Without Wade's tough play in crucial moments, the people sitting here today would probably be Miami fans ready to go fishing."

"So, if LeBron is to attribute this victory to his 'ability'..."

"The strength he should be most grateful for is his excellent eye for finding a powerful patron."