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

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

While sports media across the United States were in a frenzy over the Los Angeles Clippers' stunning "Love for Cousins" deal, proclaiming "the NBA finale," the atmosphere in this office was as relaxed as if they were having afternoon tea.

"Boss, they've caused quite a stir in Los Angeles."

Stephen Curry, who had just finished his morning shooting practice, pushed open the door and walked in.

He plopped down on the sofa opposite Su Yang and waved his phone screen, which displayed the news that Cousins ​​had joined the Clippers.

"Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, LeBron James, and now DeMarcus Cousins, who averages 27 points and 11 rebounds per game."

Curry smiled jokingly: "The talent on paper for this roster is overflowing. Honestly, boss, don't you feel a little... nervous?"

"Panic?"

Su Yang propped his legs up on the large mahogany desk and couldn't help but chuckle: "Stephen, you've been with me for so many years, how come you're still as easily alarmed as those ignorant sports media outlets that only care about the names of star players?"

"This roster is indeed intimidating. If you replace LeBron James with our Kawhi Leonard, or Klay Thompson, or even a near All-Star caliber 3-and-D player..."

Su Yang carefully analyzed the situation: "With Irving and Durant as the main offensive force, Cousins ​​dominating the paint, and a top-tier wing player who doesn't demand the ball and can switch on defense indefinitely, this Clippers team will definitely be the biggest threat to our three-peat dynasty! If we want to beat them, we'll be lucky to escape with our lives."

Curry nodded in agreement. Irving and Durant's one-on-one offense was already unstoppable enough, but when combined with Cousins's destructive power in the paint, it was truly terrifying.

"but!"

Su Yang abruptly changed the subject, his mocking smile growing ever stronger:

"And that person just happens to be LeBron James!"

"As long as he's there, this so-called 'Big Four' lineup will absolutely never be compatible!"

"Why?" Curry leaned forward curiously.

"Because Cousins ​​and Love are different. Love can compromise and cut weight for a championship, even sitting in the corner in the cold air as a long-range shooter. But DeMarcus Cousins ​​is a purebred, heavy-duty interior beast!"

Su Yang pointed out the Clippers' fatal flaw: "Cousins ​​needs to dominate in the low post, he needs the ball, and he needs absolute spacing in the paint! And LeBron? He doesn't have a long-range shooting threat; he needs the paint completely cleared out to give him driving lanes!"

"One's trying to drill in, the other's trying to ram in. Their positions in the paint area are completely overlapping!"

Seeing Curry's thoughtful expression, Su Yang presented a classic "victim" case:

"Stephen, do you remember Shaquille O'Neal in 2009?"

Curry paused for a moment, then recalled.

"In the 2008-2009 season, O'Neal experienced the second spring of his career with the Phoenix Suns."

Su Yang recounted with great familiarity, "That season, even though Shaq was already 37 years old, he still averaged 17.8 points and 8.4 rebounds per game for the Suns, was selected as an All-Star starter, and was named to the All-NBA Third Team at the end of the season!"

"That's a solid top-three center in the league!"

"But the following summer, O'Neal was traded to our Cleveland Cavaliers to assist the so-called 'Chosen One,' LeBron James."

Su Yang sneered: "And the result? In less than six months! O'Neal's stats plummeted! His scoring average dropped to a pitiful 12 points per game! On the court, he was completely reduced to a high-level blue-collar worker running back and forth!"

"Did he suddenly age too quickly to play over one summer? No! It's because in LeBron James' all-encompassing 'one star, four shooters' system, he simply doesn't allow a behemoth in the paint to occupy his driving space!"

"If even a third-team All-NBA player like Shaq could be reduced to a role player by him, how much better can Cousins' situation be?"

Upon hearing this historical lesson, Curry suddenly realized its significance.

This is not a galactic battleship that combines internal and external capabilities at all; it's simply two ferocious beasts that need to fight for territory being forcibly locked in one cage!

"And, most importantly..."

Su Yang lowered his legs from the table, revealing a wicked, sly smile:

"DeMarcus Cousins ​​is known for his fiery temper. He's not like Bosh or Love, the kind of good-natured white guy who works hard and doesn't complain when he's yelled at."

"If in the game, LeBron still does what he always does: dribble at the top of the key for ten seconds, run out the shot clock, and then blame it on Cousins ​​being double-teamed in the paint..."

"Or they habitually leave their man open on defense, expecting Cousins ​​to clean up their mess, and then complaining about their teammates' poor defense afterwards..."

Su Yang raised an eyebrow: "Do you think, given Cousins's explosive temper, he might punch the 'King' in the face on the court?"

……

The outside world is still celebrating the Clippers' blockbuster trade.

A few days after the transaction was completed.

The Staples Center in Los Angeles finally welcomed the season debut of this "fully assembled" Galacticos!

The Clippers will host their crosstown rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers!

The disparity in strength in this "Los Angeles Derby" was outrageous.

With Kobe Bryant still in the long recovery period after his Achilles tendon rupture, the Lakers have been completely tanking this season, with their starting lineup consisting entirely of journeymen on minimum contracts and unknown rookies.

Meanwhile, the Clippers boast a stellar lineup of four stars: Irving, Durant, Cousins, and James!

From the start of the game, the Clippers displayed overwhelming talent.

Kyrie Irving's drives were like ghosts, Kevin Durant's pull-up jumpers were unstoppable, and the newly acquired DeMarcus Cousins ​​completely dismantled the Lakers' pitiful interior defense.

James, meanwhile, comfortably unleashed tomahawk dunks on fast breaks.

The Clippers led by 20 points in the first quarter.

At halftime, the point difference had widened to 35 points!

When the buzzer sounded to signal the end of the game, the scoreboard showed 138 to 95!

The Los Angeles Clippers thrashed the tanking Lakers by a whopping 43 points!

The four superstars barely broke a sweat before clocking out after three quarters, chatting and laughing on the bench.

"That's brutal! The Clippers are unstoppable!"

The Los Angeles commentators were shouting themselves hoarse in the broadcast booth: "Cousins' arrival completes the team's puzzle! They will crush all resistance in the West and head straight for Cleveland!"

however.

Behind this seemingly exhilarating and flawless victory...

Sitting on the bench, LeBron James didn't show the pure joy one would expect from winning by more than 40 points.

His gaze unconsciously swept across the stands of the Staples Center.

The atmosphere here is very subtle, even... eerie.

Although it was the Clippers' home game today, and although the Clippers put on a spectacular offensive performance, winning by more than 40 points.

However, what James saw among the 18,000 Los Angeles fans at the scene was still a vast expanse of purple and gold elements, like an ocean!

In the stands, at least half of the fans were still wearing the Los Angeles Lakers' purple and gold jersey with the number 24, which belonged to Kobe Bryant!

When the Clippers made a spectacular play, only a small group of Clippers fans cheered.

When that Lakers fringe guard whose name you can't even remember struggled to sink a three-pointer, the roar that erupted in the entire arena was even louder than when James made a fast break dunk!

Even during garbage time in the fourth quarter, the live broadcast camera only inadvertently caught a glimpse of Kobe Bryant sitting on the Lakers' bench, wearing a suit and resting.

"Kobe! Kobe! Kobe!"

The fans in the stadium spontaneously stood up and erupted in a thunderous cheer!

Even though the Lakers are the worst team in the league, and even though Kobe Bryant has been out of action for months with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

But the true owner of this city, the sole symbol of this Staples Center, still belongs to the man named Kobe Bryant!

Despite boasting four superstars and winning by more than 40 points, the Clippers were still like an unnoticed supporting actor when Kobe was on screen even for a single moment!

This stark contrast caused James, who desperately craved the spotlight, immense pain and jealousy.

"He's just a hopeless fanatic, is he really worth all this fanaticism?"

James coldly stared at the fans in the stands wearing number 24 jerseys, his hands unconsciously clenching into fists.

"Loyalty? One man, one city? Can that win you a championship?"

"Just wait. Los Angeles."

"Once I lead this team to the championship, once I crush Su Yang and Cleveland under my feet, I will establish an unprecedented dynasty."

"At the end of my career, I will have this city, the entire league, throw me a retirement tour that is ten times, a hundred times, bigger than his!"

"I, LeBron James, am destined to earn more respect than Kobe Bryant, or even Michael Jordan!"