Chapter 213: James' Lack of Will

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And while everyone was focused on Kobe, who had a fierce look on his face and his hands open, receiving the admiration of thousands of people under the flying ribbons and fireworks, in faraway Cleveland, James watched Kobe, who seemed to shine with an infinite light on the screen. He fell into a long silence.

His eyes were full of envy, desire, and frustration, and his fists gradually tightened. The muscles in both of his strong, thick arms stood out, and the veins bulged.

"Hey... it's good to have helpers. You can win 6 out of 24..." James sighed and slowly relaxed his body.

As many people think, James' goal is to catch up with Jordan. His eyes are firmly fixed on the position of the basketball god, and he wants to surpass him.

James is also working gradually toward this goal. After entering the league, he broke countless records before his rookie season ended and led the team to the finals. By the age of 26, he already had two MVP awards in his hands. He was already a historical superstar, and no one doubted that he would surpass a series of dazzling names like Olajuwon, O'Neal, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, etc., and it wasn't even impossible to challenge Jordan's status.

But what others don't know is that what James envies the most is not Jordan, but Kobe.

Jordan never left the Eastern Conference during his first seven seasons, but Kobe played for a rich club as soon as he entered the league, surrounded by big sharks to protect him from the wind and rain. He was an All-Star starter as a reserve, won three championships, and became the best shooting guard in the league, known as Jordan's successor.

Although he doesn't have an MVP or FMVP, no one can deny his status as a superstar. Moreover, he went on a crazy scoring spree after O'Neal left, and has countless loyal fans worldwide. Even after his depression, he came back and won MVP, FMVP, and a championship. This year's FMVP should also be his.

If this trend continues, it's very likely that the Lakers will re-establish a dynasty with three consecutive championships. Kobe could become the first three-time FMVP winner after O'Neal, and his historical status will be greatly elevated.

Of course, we can't ignore the possibility that Kobe Bryant will win the MVP again. James doesn't believe the league will give him the chance to win three consecutive MVPs. This is a treatment that even Jordan didn't receive, much less him.

James had been troubled by a question for years: he's also a high school graduate, so why does Kobe have such a brilliant career, having won so many honors, while he can only do his best to support the team? Why does he suffer repeated setbacks after every game?

Earlier, he thought he had found the answer, which was that he didn't have any helpers; after O'Neal left, didn't Kobe also experience a period of decline?

So James asked the team to find him helpers. Of course, the Cavaliers did not dare to neglect James' request. While they discovered new players through the draft, they also recruited stars like Larry Hughes, Szczerbiak, Ben Wallace, and O'Neal.

But James soon discovered that although these stars were well-known, their strength was no longer what it used to be. They earned high salaries but spent their time on the court taking care of themselves, which didn't provide him enough help.

It seemed that these helpers weren't strong enough. I need stronger helpers!

At James' request, Danny Ferry broke the bank and traded three draft picks from the Warriors to acquire Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson to help James in the championship race.

The Cavaliers quickly showed their unstoppable dominance in the regular season. Now James was finally satisfied. His envy and jealousy toward Kobe had diminished greatly. He began to look forward to facing the Lakers in the Finals. In the game, he would deliver the crown and begin the era of the "Emperor."

Duncan's words still echoed in his ears: "The future is yours..."

But the irony was that the great cause collapsed in the middle. Before the playoffs, the Cavaliers, whom everyone expected to win the championship, actually fell in the second round of the Eastern Conference, losing to those three old men!

When James lost the game to the Celtics, his mindset collapsed. He no longer communicated with his teammates in the locker room, on the court, in training, on the bus, or on the plane. He no longer treated his teammates as usual. He made suggestions about Mike Brown's tactics, even overriding Mike Brown's tactics and presenting his own ideas. The atmosphere inside the Cavaliers began to crumble.

After losing that series completely, James was furious, reluctant, and ashamed, and also fell into deep doubt: Why can't I find a helper strong enough? I don't want anything else; just give me Gasol and I can win two consecutive championships and become the number one player in the league! If I can't do it, I'll retire where I am!

But he knew it was impossible for Gasol to come to the Cavaliers. It wasn't that the Cavaliers didn't want to trade for Gasol. Rather, when any big fish appeared on the free agent market, the Cavaliers responded very positively. No superstar in their prime has ever looked at the Cavaliers, and Gasol was no exception.

Not even a few teams are willing to negotiate with the Cavaliers. When general managers from other teams approached the Cavaliers, they all seemed to look down on them and despise the farmers. The asking prices were much higher, and after the Cavaliers acquired James, the team's win-loss record had always been good, their draft picks were low, their assets were not great, and they often made lopsided trades.

When Danny Ferry traded for Monta Ellis and Stephen Jackson, the whole league was in shock.

What? Did the Cavaliers not get tricked in the trade? Did Larry Riley get his head kicked in?

What the Cavaliers can gather are all stars in their twilight years, and they have to provide premium contracts; otherwise, even these stars wouldn't be willing to come here to retire.

Under the reminder of his agent Rich Paul and the persuasion of his friends, James suddenly realized that it wasn't his problem, but the problem of the team. No one wanted to play for this team. Cleveland was a place abandoned by God! Cursed by God!

If I could be like Kobe and start my career in a big-city team, like the New York Knicks, would I feel so honored today?

Would I have strong and reliable teammates around me who could step up when I'm not playing well?

James' heart began to stir gradually, and the unwillingness in his heart grew stronger. Why did I have to work hard to support a team for seven years and get nothing in return?

The same high school graduate entered the NBA. If Kobe had started playing with the Hornets, he definitely wouldn't be as good as me. I have two MVPs, and my team leadership ability is much better than his. A fellow All-Star member as a teammate, the Lakers would even struggle to make the playoffs.

I must prove that what he can do, I can do too, or even do better than him!

Because he's just a copy of Jordan, but I'm destined to be the chosen one who can surpass Jordan!

Break!

James turned off the TV, picked up the phone, and dialed:

"Dwayne, what do you think? Let's change this league!"

…

Oakland, Oracle Center.

Tuk-tuk-tuk.

"Please, come in!"

After receiving the response, Jonathan gently opened the door to Liam's office, entered with a stack of scouting reports, and walked up to Liam's desk. Liam, wearing headphones, was staring at the computer screen.

"Boss, here's the scouting report on Klay Thompson and Draymond Green."

Liam rolled his eyes, looked at him, turned his head back, nodded, and said:

"Yes, thanks for your hard work... By the way, are they all here for the tryout today?"

Liam pressed the spacebar, and the Spanish subtitled version of "Doraemon" played on the frozen screen of the computer.

"Yes, it's nine o'clock, still an hour left," Jonathan nodded.

"Go check how the tryout site is organized, and then have someone pick them up at the airport," ordered Liam.

"The tryout site is set up. Coach Silas and Coach Adams are here. I'll send receptionists immediately."

"Great, go ahead and get to work. I'll be there in a bit," Liam nodded in satisfaction, waved Jonathan off, and continued watching the anime.

After two episodes of Nobita's misfortunes, Liam checked the time and saw that it was already 9:30. He stretched comfortably, stood up, put on a casual jacket with the Warriors logo, and left his office.

Today was June 21. Four days had passed since the finals. Liam had spent four very calm days, but now he was busy again.

…

Draymond Green and his agent walked out of the lobby, with the agent whispering in his ear:

"Draymond , even though Coach Liam has promised you, you must perform well in this tryout. I've seen too many setbacks in the draft. Not to mention, Coach Liam is still the owner of the Warriors. If he's not satisfied, no one knows if he'll change his mind, and other teams aren't very interested in you, so you must give your best!"

Green nodded solemnly:

"I understand what to do and will treat this as my one and only chance to fight!"

Green knew his agent was still trying to save face for him. What does it mean that other teams aren't interested in him? The truth is that no teams are interested in him at all, and the Warriors are his only chance.

Of course, he could also enter the draft after four years of college. At that point, his numbers would be much better, and maybe some teams would be interested in him.

But Green thought back to Christmas Eve when Coach Liam came to his house and the joy and laughter he brought that night. He felt deeply convinced by Coach Liam. No one had ever valued him that much, not even his mentor in college, Tom Zoe.

Green believes Coach Liam will not lie to him. Over the past six months, he has diligently practiced three-pointers according to Coach Liam's requirements, and he hasn't neglected his defensive training. Although he still isn't a qualified shooter, he is good at open shots from fixed spots. He also has some confidence in his three-point shooting. He believes he can meet Coach Liam's expectations and make it to the NBA!

…

"Klay, show your advantages later. The Warriors are just one of our options. Their draft picks aren't very good. Your goal is the lottery..." Mitchell Thompson quietly said.

Klay walked silently beside him, looking ahead. After waiting for Mitchell to finish speaking, he suddenly responded in a low voice:

"Oh, I know, Dad."

Mitchell Thompson sighed, rubbing his head, and said, "Klay, you're here for a tryout. You need to focus a little more. Although the Warriors' draft pick isn't ideal, they're very interested in you, and they might trade for you."

"Oh, I know, Dad, I'm very focused," Klay said seriously.

Mitchell Thompson shook his head helplessly, said nothing further, and Klay exited the airport lobby to meet the Warriors staff who had come to pick them up.

"Mr. Thompson, please wait a moment, there is another player and his agent."

A receptionist from the Warriors politely spoke to Mitchell Thompson from the front of a seven-passenger vehicle.

"Another player?" Mitchell asked in confusion.

"Yes, two players are participating in today's tryout. One of them is named... Draymond Green," the receptionist said, thinking for a moment before answering.

Mitchell Thompson nodded and didn't ask more questions. Instead, he reclined his seat and closed his eyes to rest. They had flown directly from the Chicago United Trial Center, and the Warriors were their first stop, so he was quite tired.

After Klay announced his participation in the draft, many agents had come to recommend themselves. Curry's success had made this year's shooters very popular. Although Klay wasn't as dazzling as Curry, he had better physical attributes, and his draft market was also strong, with a good chance of being selected between picks 8-16.

But Mitchell Thompson hadn't hastily chosen an agent for his son. Instead, he personally took charge of Klay's draft affairs. He was the number one pick and had been working in the league for many years. Agents mattered, and he had deep connections, which could play a significant role in Klay's draft.

He was familiar with Klay's competitors but had never heard of Draymond Green. He was definitely not a lottery pick and posed no threat to Klay. He believed Green would likely be one of the last picks in the first or second round for the Warriors. If he was a draft pick, it didn't matter to him anymore.

Five minutes later, another staff member from the Warriors led two people into the car. Mitchell Thompson opened his eyes, looked, and saw a young man of similar height to Klay, with a strong build and dark skin, entering the car. He was accompanied by a thin white man in his thirties.

This must be Draymond Green, who is just under 2 meters tall and also a swingman…

Mitchell Thompson thought to himself and smiled at Green.

Green smiled back at Mitchell Thompson and said familiarly, "Hello, Mr. Thompson, nice to meet you. My name is Draymond Green, from the University of Michigan."

He had just learned from the staff who greeted him that another rookie would be participating in the tryout today—the famous lottery pick Klay Thompson and his father, former number-one pick and Lakers star, Mitchell Thompson.

"Hello, Draymond, I'd like to ask you, are you playing the small forward position?" Mitchell Thompson asked.

Green smiled and shook his head.

"No, I'm a power forward."

End of this chapter

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