Where the noise did not reach

Chapter 99 Disrespect for the King is a grave crime
There is no doubt that the attention this match has received has transcended the competition itself.

From a competitive standpoint, the Grizzlies currently have a record of 28 wins and 24 losses, ranking tenth in the Western Conference, while the Cavaliers have a record of 29 wins and 23 losses, ranking fourth in the Eastern Conference.

Rankings can tell you some things, but they don't tell you everything.

However, one can indeed see the gap in competitiveness between the East and West from the rankings.

In the current Western Conference, a team needs at least 33 wins to make it into the top eight.

In other words, the Grizzlies are currently five games behind the top eight in the Western Conference.

The Eastern Conference is a simpler model; if you put the Grizzlies in the East, the playoffs are not even a concern.

Inside the Quicken Loans Arena, 18,000 spectators poured in, and when the Grizzlies, who had traveled a long way, took the court, a chorus of boos erupted from all directions.

Those blue-collar workers, drinking beer and caught up in their emotions, yelled at Xu Ling.

"Go back to China, you damn idiot!"

You'll never be as good as LeBron!

"Get ready to be judged by LeBron tonight, you bastard!"

Since the start of the season, Xu Ling has received this kind of treatment many times in away games, so he has gotten used to it. He is not only unmoved, but also feels sorry for the limited vocabulary of the Americans.

It's always the same few lines, there's not enough variety.

Moreover, Xu Ling instinctively knew how to block out these sounds.

He focused on his warm-up.

In contrast, LeBron James on the other end of the court was much more relaxed and confident. He chatted and laughed with his teammates, occasionally completing an easy dunk that drew thunderous cheers from the crowd. He enjoyed everything there: the spotlight, the deafening chants of "MVP," and the hostility his opponents were enduring.

The king's gaze would occasionally sweep seemingly casually across the opposite half of the field, and deep within those eyes was a confident air of complete control.

Meanwhile, in the very center of the stadium, the live broadcast teams from various television stations were already ready.

"Welcome to ESPN's highlight NBA regular season game! I'm Mike Breen, and I'm joined by Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson!" Mike Breen's signature booming voice boomed through the microphone, trying to drown out the noise in the arena. "This is incredible! The atmosphere at Quicken Loans Arena tonight is like a Game 7 of the playoffs!"
"Crazy, absolutely crazy!" Mark Jackson exclaimed excitedly. "But I love this feeling! This is what basketball should taste like! Hatred, competition, a clash of superstars! Everyone's been waiting for this game ever since Eli's tweet!"

Jeff Van Gundy offered his usual calm analysis: "I'm more concerned with the tactical aspects. The Grizzlies' new roster is still gelling, and Kidd's performance has been amazing, but the Cleveland Cavaliers were last season's runner-up. Eli will be facing one of the league's top teams and an MVP-caliber player determined to teach him a lesson tonight."

Brin then steered the conversation towards the pre-game controversy: "Jeff, speaking of 'classes,' LeBron's comments a few days ago about 'Eli still needing to learn how to be a professional player' undoubtedly added a lot of tension to this game. Jeff, what do you think?"

Van Gundy immediately responded, "I think it was a very clever, but also very LeBron-esque, public relations maneuver. LeBron positioned himself as a senior and mentor, seemingly invincible regardless of the outcome of the game. If he won, it proved he was right, that the rookies still had a lot to learn; if he lost? It meant the young man won by sheer luck, and it still couldn't shake his narrative. But for me, there's only one classroom in the NBA, and that's this court. All opinions will ultimately be tested here."

The background and context of the match were disseminated to previously uninformed fans through the commentary teams.

Now, just as Van Gundy said, there is only one test left.

The lights on site suddenly dimmed.

The Cavaliers' home DJ then roared out the Cavaliers' starting lineup. Without a doubt, James would be the last to step onto the court. When the DJ shouted "Number 23," the fans in the arena went wild.

When the DJ announced in a drawn-out, ceremonial tone, "From St. Vincent~~~ St. Mary High School, 6-foot-8 forward LeBron James!!!", Quicken Loans Arena completely lost its composure.

James came onto the court and high-fived his teammates one by one. Then, the DJ listlessly announced the Grizzlies' starting lineup. At this point, both teams' starters were on the court.

Before the game started, James had something to do. He stood near the center circle and habitually tossed magnesium powder high into the air. The white powder fluttered under the lights, like fireworks at a coronation ceremony. The audience responded with excitement, and he felt satisfied with the glory of being crowned.

Finally, all that ridiculous pre-match ceremony is over.

James and Xu Ling brushed past each other, then James suddenly stopped and said, "Welcome to Cleveland, bro. I'm looking forward to a great game."

Xu Ling wanted to laugh. After so many things had happened, James still called him "brother." Was he serious?

However, not everyone knows how to disguise themselves from a young age like James.

Xu Ling had no intention of covering up the situation.

"Of course." Xu Ling certainly wouldn't respond with insincere words like calling him brother. "I hope what you teach me tonight will be more useful than what's being said offstage."

James' smile froze for a fraction of a second, a barely perceptible glint of coldness flashing in his eyes, but he quickly masked it with an even brighter smile: "Haha, you'll see. Good luck."

Taking advantage of his height, Zydrunas Ilgauskas won the jump ball for the Cavaliers.

LeBron James didn't immediately take over the offense, nor did he even actively ask for the ball. Cavaliers starting guard Daniel Gibson steadily dribbled up the court, while James leisurely strolled to the left corner, his posture as relaxed as that of a detached spectator.

Xu Ling was currently facing off against Larry Hughes.

The next moment, the basketball was passed to Zydrunas Ilgauskas in the right elbow area. In that instant, James suddenly started moving, like a supercar suddenly shifting into high gear, cutting along the baseline with lightning speed, instantly shaking off Josh Howard's defense.

Zydrunas Ilgauskas's bounce pass was perfectly timed. James caught the ball, and facing Milicic's help defense, he didn't even jump, simply making a light baseline reverse layup. The ball bounced off the backboard and went in.

2:0.

Even though it wasn't Xu Ling who was matched up against him, James said to Xu Ling before retreating on defense, "Keep up with me, rookie, the game is starting."

Very well, in less than half a minute of the opening, Mr. Zhan's way of addressing Mr. Xu went from "brother" to "newbie".

Given this situation, how long will it take to regress to the level of "son of the beach"?
Kidd originally wanted to organize the play, but he saw Xu Ling raise his hand to ask for the ball as soon as he crossed the halfway line. Considering the atmosphere tonight, which had been built up to this extent, would it be appropriate not to pass the ball?

Kidd understood immediately and made a crossover pass to Xu Ling on the right wing. Facing Hughes's close defense, Xu Ling quickly switched his weight between his legs twice in a row, and then pulled up for a shot without hesitation.

"Shh!"

2 is better than 2
Xu Ling did not celebrate after scoring. Instead, he met James's gaze on his way back on defense and said in a cold tone, "It's your turn to follow, 'King'."

The Cavaliers quickly inbounded the ball, and Gibson received it and advanced rapidly. James received the ball at the high post, and facing Howard's defense, he accelerated with a shoulder drop, using his powerful explosiveness to drive into the paint. After drawing Milicic's help defense, he calmly passed the ball to the open Daniel Gibson on the right side.

Gibson received the ball, got a great open shot, and jumped to shoot without hesitation.

At that moment, Xu Ling, who was preparing to block the opponent's passing route after James broke through, was the only one who could stop Gibson. He rushed towards the opponent at full speed, appearing in front of him like a phantom, as if blotting out the sun, and swatted the ball away with a powerful block!

"Fight back!"

Xu Ling roared the moment he landed, and the Grizzlies started their attack instantly.

Kidd regained possession of the ball and quickly passed it to Xu Ling, who was making a run down the court.

Xu Ling rushed to the frontcourt and scored with a dunk, scoring 4 points in a row at the start of the game.

The Cavaliers inbounded the ball and quickly advanced, with James attempting a similar move in return, but his forced drive missed the rim due to combined interference from Howard and Milicic. Kidd secured the defensive rebound, giving the Grizzlies another fast break opportunity.

This time, Josh Howard shot straight into the frontcourt like an arrow, receiving a long pass from Kidd across half-court. With only an empty basket in front of him, just as he was about to make an easy layup, a deep red figure rapidly approached from behind—LeBron James!
The moment Howard jumped, James leaped up from behind like an eagle spreading its wings, delivering a thunderous chase-down block that slammed the ball hard onto the backboard!

Without pausing after his successful block, James immediately turned and launched into the attack. After receiving the ball, he advanced like a tank, forcefully pushing past Howard's defense and driving to the basket, drawing a foul from Milicic who was trying to help defend.

James went to the free-throw line and made one of two. 3-4.

As the game transitioned from offense to defense, Kidd dribbled steadily across half-court and raised his hand to signal the deployment of tactics. However, just before the tactics were to be launched, he keenly caught Xu Ling's sudden counter-run, instantly shaking off Larry Hughes, who was closely guarding him.

Kidd's pass was almost perfectly synchronized with Xu Ling's run; the ball arrived just as Xu Ling did.

Xu Ling received the ball just inside the free-throw line, but the Cavaliers' twin towers in the paint—Ilgauskas and Gooden—had already quickly collapsed, instantly surrounding him within the restricted area, putting him in a precarious situation.

However, in the split second before the encirclement was about to close in, Xu Ling leaped up but didn't force a shot. Instead, with a flick of his wrist, he delivered a delicate lob pass over Guden's fingertips, precisely finding the unguarded Milicic. The Serbian didn't hold back, rising to deliver a powerful two-handed slam dunk!
"Eli once again outmaneuvered the Cavaliers' defense with an elegant pass!"

During the Cavaliers' offensive possession, James was clearly provoked.

This is his home turf, his kingdom, and Xu Ling actually wants to assert his power within his territory.
James received the ball in the backcourt, rejected his teammate's screen, and was immediately matched up against Xu Ling's defense.

In an instant, James lowered his center of gravity and, like a cannonball, used absolute power and speed to overpower Xu Ling and forcefully drive into the basket!
Although Xu Ling was pushed aside by the first step, his astonishing speed allowed him to close the gap again. Both players leaped simultaneously, and after a mid-air collision, James forced a layup, attempting to avoid a block. But Xu Ling's long arms had already completely covered his shooting space!
Snapped!
With a crisp sound, Xu Ling's fingertips landed firmly on the ball, completing a clean and efficient block.

"Beep!!!"

At the same time, the referee's shrill whistle blew, calling a defensive foul on Xu Ling!

This seems easy to understand.

At the Cavaliers' home court, with James's breakthrough, and Xu Ling, a person of color from across the ocean who is still a rookie, who else should we praise but you?

but
After landing, James spread his hands at Xu Ling and trash-talked him with a mocking expression: "Your defense is too green, rookie."

Xu Ling didn't look at the referee, his gaze fixed on James, ignoring the cameras focused on the two of them, and retorted without restraint: "Save it. What you should do is thank the referee and then go see which row of the stands I slapped your layup into."

"@#%@%"

Boos.

A chorus of boos filled the air.

The curses, of course, came from the entire audience.

Disrespecting the monarch is a capital offense, let alone for a foreign yellow man like you, for whom there is already a precedent.

Clevelanders loathed the Memphis Grizzlies' number 1 player, and that hatred grew stronger and stronger, until James finally lost all the friendliness he had been trying to maintain.

"That's really disappointing," LeBron James said with a sullen face. "I wanted to be friends with you, but you insisted on arguing with me!"

(End of this chapter)