Chapter 1208: Chapter 383: How Could Anyone Imitate LeBron James?
Roger and the Warriors finally reclaimed the top spot in the Western Conference after more than half a season, but all the contending teams made significant upgrades for the playoffs.
Is Roger anxious? Not at all.
He believes the Warriors’ roster is ready to defend the title and can handle any challenge.
So who is anxious then?
The Emperor isn’t anxious, but plenty of people are, like LeBron James.
The Cleveland Cavaliers were supposed to make some acquisitions before the trade deadline to strengthen their roster, but those plans fell through for various reasons.
Rich Paul’s prophecy seems to be coming true—the Cleveland Cavaliers can’t attract any star players, and the management isn’t decisive and bold in trades.
The Cavaliers’ general manager Jimmy Paxson’s indecision in several trades caused the team to miss out on strengthening opportunities.
LeBron James used his media influence to express his dissatisfaction; he didn’t even confront Jim Paxson in person because he’s a "genuinely nice guy."
Which "nice guy" would frequently argue with the management? Last season, his initiative to trade away Michael Jordan was criticized by Rich Paul. So this season, he won’t get involved directly.
So, Dave McMenamin had to step in.
"If Jim Paxson had half the courage of his brother John Paxson, the Cavaliers would have already strengthened their team. I’ve always admired John, from start to finish. Throughout his career, he was just an ordinary role player, with his highest-scoring season averaging only 11 points. But during the Bulls Dynasty’s three-year establishment, he countless times hit crucial shots in the playoffs.
In the 1991 first championship, John Paxson used consecutive shots in the last quarter of Game 5 to put an end to Magic’s legend.
In the 1993 third championship, John Paxson sank a game-winning three-pointer in Game 6 to elevate Michael Jordan to god-like status.
He wasn’t a king, yet he left his mark in history.
This is John, a man who never falters at crucial moments, embodying the full meaning of courage and responsibility.
Just like LeBron.
And Jim? He was selected to the All-Star Game twice, and in 1984 even made the Second Team. His achievements were far more dazzling than his brother John’s. At his peak, he averaged 21 points for two consecutive seasons.
But never once did he rise to the occasion in critical moments; you’d always see him passing the ball away time and time again.
This is why people’s impression of John is deeper.
Jim isn’t a natural winner; he’s always hesitant. More disastrously, this flaw still exists today.
He’s always reluctant to part with this player or that partner, and once the other side starts raising the ante, he becomes indecisive, afraid of losing out in the trade. He has no stratagem nor plan; he’s just a pushover. For heaven’s sake, you’re a professional general manager in a commercial league!
How much longer are we going to waste LeBron’s prime? How many more times do we have to endure tragedies like Carlos Boozer?
Why must the extraordinarily talented LeBron pay the price for Jim’s cowardice?
LeBron has completely been held back by him!"
Dave McMenamin vented like a frustrated housewife in his column.
In the eyes of many fans, this was media criticism of the Cavaliers’ management.
But insiders knew whose camp Dave McMenamin was in, so this was effectively James declaring war on Jim Paxson.
Jim Paxson felt extremely angry about this, but it wasn’t because James defied him.
Having been a professional player, a scout, and served as a general manager in other teams, he knows that disagreements between management and players are normal, and you can’t expect everyone to be united.
What truly infuriated Paxson was that the damn Chosen One didn’t dare to meet him in person, didn’t dare to face him like a man, but instead had someone write an article to dominate the public narrative!
What kind of sneaky cowardly method is this?
Jim Paxson angrily threw the newspaper on his desk: "Why doesn’t he tell me this in person!? Is he afraid? Or does he want to maintain his fake perfect image?"
Cavaliers head coach Paul Silas shrugged: "I guess the latter plays a bigger role. If he made a scene with the management, his perfect image would have flaws. Remember last season? The boss suddenly made us trade away Michael, yet LeBron claimed he knew nothing about it, who would believe that?"
"Shameless bastard, does he think these damn media pressures will work on me? Look at what happened in Toronto; in the end, it was Vince Carter who left!" After saying that, Paxson smashed another cup.
The Cavaliers’ general manager’s anger was justified; it’s like getting along well with your colleagues, but suddenly one day, someone’s behind-the-back gossip ruins your reputation.
And the most absurd part of LeBron James’s involvement was using Dave McMenamin’s name to publish an article, which was like telling the world: "Yes, it’s me, LeBron, talking behind your back."
Unfortunately, most Cleveland fans stood by LeBron James, believing that the Cavaliers’ management inaction was wasting the Chosen One’s talent.