Chapter 1074 - 344: Roger First, Michael Second, Then the Rest

Words : 915 Updated : Oct 1st, 2025

The experiences of the last two games were enough to frustrate any 19-year-old for an entire summer. Of course, typically, it’s normal for a rookie to lose to two superstars. Even if the superstar is 41, they’re not that easy to defeat. The problem lies with Nike, which has been using top-tier resources and shameless promotion to hype LeBron James, even more than Penny was back in the day. This unrelenting promotion has exorbitantly raised fans’ expectations of James, giving him far more attention than all other rookies. Accordingly, he has to bear risks that other rookies don’t have. Now, he has to face the risk of "the hype not matching the reality." "LeBron, is the Cavaliers’ playoff window still open?" The journalist finally asked this brutal question, which LeBron James must face. James didn’t want to speak too confidently, didn’t want to say he could 100% beat the Pistons. But just the other day, he had boldly announced he would surpass Michael Jordan and Roger, and now if he couldn’t even make it to the playoffs, it would make him look foolish. "Of course, it’s still open. It’s unfortunate we lost tonight’s game, but we still have a chance." James vaguely tried to brush it off. But the reporters wouldn’t let him escape. "Are you saying, you have confidence to beat the defending champion Detroit Pistons in the next game?" The journalists wouldn’t care if they were facing a 19-year-old kid; they would only throw one sharp question after another. Silence, this was the most awkward silence LeBron James had ever experienced in his life. He had no confidence to answer this question. The Pistons’ season record would no longer change regardless of the result of the last game, which was the only good news for LeBron James. But he still had no confidence. At the press conference, he bit his fingernails and stammered: "I... have confidence." This was an interview scene enough to disappoint all of Cleveland fans, whose Chosen One’s aggressiveness lasted only one game, seemingly dissipating again due to a loss. Charles Barkley, unsurprisingly, fired at James on the show: "Oh God, look at him, look at his dodgy gaze and nervous demeanor at the press conference, and compare it to Michael and Roger before, I can’t believe this is the most hyped super talent in the past few years. Admit it, LeBron has no chance of being a superstar, the Cavaliers’ season is doomed!" ESPN writer Bill Simmons even called him "the only person making both Michael and me blind at the same time." Roger, who had finished training, was also asked about it by reporters. Of course, he wouldn’t tell the reporters that yesterday he went with Garnett to a billiard club not to play billiards or hire a private trainer, but to sit in a booth watching basketball games all night. Roger only feigned surprise: "I didn’t watch last night’s game at all, I don’t know how the Cavaliers lost, I can’t imagine how they could lose to a team of old men. But this result shows that LeBron is the most incapable among all those trying to challenge me." Roger mercilessly taunted Cleveland’s number 23, which reminded James of what Jordan had once said: "He’s my curse, and yours too." The curse seems to have completely shrouded over his head. It’s not just the media’s criticism and Roger’s taunts that are troublesome, but also Ron Artest’s response. "The kid first said he was going to take down Michael, then said he was going to take down Roger. Now, he says he’s going to take down the defending champion? Does he even listen to what he’s saying? He can come and try, I’ll cure that kid’s delusions!" Roger looked at the various news in the media, truly thinking James was quite miserable. But as an Old Zhan fan, Roger absolutely supported him mentally. It’s just a small Ron Artest, it shouldn’t be too difficult for our Emperor to smash his face, right? Go for it! In reality, Nike’s marketing was successful after all. On the last day of the regular season, LeBron James became the focal point of the entire league. His attention rivaled that of a superstar, even the confirmed playoff participants Dwyane Wade and Carmelo Anthony, combined, were not as sensational as James. However, this sensationalism was a bit off course, as fans across America tuned into the Cavaliers VS Pistons game with a mindset of watching a joke. They wanted to see how Nike and James ended up stepping on their own foot. As soon as James entered the Palace of Auburn Hills arena, he was met with intense boos from Pistons fans. Although James mumbled at the press conference, he still said it, he said he could beat the Detroit Pistons. No fans of any defending champion team or their players could tolerate a rookie’s provocation, even if it was a trembling provocation. On the battlefield, whether or not you have the guts to raise your gun, as long as you’re holding a gun, the enemy will consider you a threat and shoot to kill. Once Ron Artest got on the court, he couldn’t wait to "take down" LeBron James, heading straight for the warming-up James, pressing his forehead against James’ head, and poking his chest with his finger: "Kid, I don’t like your tone when speaking to the defending champions. Hasn’t anyone taught you? You should have the basic respect for champions!"

Chapter 1074 - 344: Roger First, Michael Second, Then the Rest

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