The Landlord's Daughter is as Hot as the Kardashian Sisters

After the game, Tang Long returned to his rented apartment.

Fortunately, he didn't run into the landlord's daughter tonight, or she would have pestered him again.

The next morning, Tang Long went to practice as usual.

Meanwhile, the Cavaliers were trying to get Big Z back as soon as possible.

Once Big Z recovered, either he or Tang Long would have to make a sacrifice.

Would Big Z continue to start, or would he come off the bench, backing up Tang Long, a rookie?

This was something the Cavaliers' management needed to coordinate, at least informing Big Z himself.

LeBron and Coach Mike Brown's idea was to have Big Z, upon his return, directly back up Tang Long.

It was clear to anyone with eyes that Tang Long's value and potential on both ends of the court far exceeded Big Z's.

With Tang Long on the team, the Cavaliers maintained their energy and competitiveness!

Having Tang Long back up Big Z would be a waste.

Since joining the league in 2003, LeBron had been desperate to win a championship. He was eager to bring the Cavaliers their first-ever NBA title!

So, in his eyes, having Tang Long start and Big Z come off the bench was the best arrangement.

He conveyed this to Coach Mike Brown, who obediently followed LeBron's lead.

The next step was to prepare Big Z mentally and inform the Cavaliers' management.

In the afternoon, after practice, LeBron approached Tang Long and said, "Hey, Tang... I want to ask, how long is left on your contract with the team?"

Tang Long was taken aback and asked, "LeBron, why do you ask?"

"Oh, nothing. I just think it's time for you to renew your contract. What do you think?"

LeBron, having finally found a strong teammate, didn't want Tang Long to be snatched away by another team.

If Tang Long left after his contract expired, LeBron would regret it for the rest of his life.

Tang Long thought for a moment and said, "LeBron, my contract has about half a month left."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'll help you negotiate with the management. We'll get you a good deal. How does that sound?"

Tang Long smiled and said, "LeBron, of course, that's fine. If they're not sincere, I'll just pack up and leave."

LeBron shook his head vigorously.

No way! Right now, anyone could leave the Cavaliers, but not him and Tang Long. He was counting on Tang Long to help him win a championship!

After two games of stellar performances, LeBron was genuinely impressed by Tang Long's abilities.

"Tang... don't worry. With me here, the management won't lowball you. Wait for my good news."

"By the way, I'll also introduce you to an agent. Who do you want as your agent?"

LeBron asked.

In the NBA, there were several top agents.

LeBron's agent was Rich Paul, a savvy guy who rubbed some players the wrong way.

Agents like Bill Duffy represented Yao Ming, Carmelo Anthony, and Steve Nash.

But Bill Duffy's business skills were slightly lacking compared to Rich Paul's.

"An agent? That's fine. My only requirement is to sign a big contract and make enough money to retire back home."

"Haha..." Tang Long's words made LeBron laugh. "Sure, Tang. With your current performance, making a lot of money is a piece of cake. You'll have no problem retiring comfortably."

"OK, then help me with the agent. I'm not too familiar with this."

"Sure," LeBron readily agreed.

After parting ways with LeBron, Tang Long returned to his apartment.

With only half a month left before signing a big contract, he planned to bring his parents from China to live in the U.S.

Although they weren't his real parents, since he had transmigrated into this body, he would treat them as his own.

With this in mind, Tang Long fell asleep.

The next game would be a tough one.

After checking the schedule at the practice facility, Tang Long couldn't help but frown.

Because the next game would be against the Boston Celtics, the team with the Big Three!

In 2007, the Celtics' Big Three had just formed.

That season, the Celtics, led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, defeated Kobe Bryant's Los Angeles Lakers to win the championship!

Of course, only Tang Long knew this, having transmigrated from 2022. As a die-hard NBA fan, he was well aware of the rivalry between the Lakers and Celtics.

So, facing the Celtics' Big Three was a daunting task.

They weren't pushovers like the Wizards or the Heat.

The Celtics' tough defense was considered the best in the league at the time.

"If we want to make it to the Finals, we have to get past the Celtics," Tang Long thought to himself.

He knew that teaming up with LeBron, they had to overcome the Celtics to reach the Eastern Conference Finals.

And then there were the Detroit Pistons, another strong team around 2007.

Although the Pistons didn't have any superstars, they played team basketball with solid tactics.

Their defense was just as tough as the Celtics'.

In short, if you wanted to make noise in the East around 2007, you had to beat the Celtics' Big Three and the Pistons.

As Tang Long pondered this, he fell asleep.

November 18, 2007.

On this day, the Cavaliers took the team plane to the historic city of Boston.

As soon as they landed, a light rain began to fall.

The TD Garden loomed before them.

A little old man with a cane and a big cigar in his mouth was the Celtics' mascot.

The Cavaliers and Celtics weren't exactly rivals. Over the years, the two teams hadn't had many opportunities to become true rivals.

But now, things were different. The Celtics had assembled a formidable Big Three.

And the Cavaliers had suddenly acquired Tang Long, a breakout player. The intensity of this game was bound to be off the charts!

As the Cavaliers entered the locker room, countless Celtics fans hurled insults at them.

This city, like San Antonio, wasn't very welcoming to outsiders.

Especially in the U.S., racial discrimination was rampant in Boston and San Antonio.

"Damn, they're here. That tall Asian kid, have you seen him? He's the rising China Tang!"

"Sh*t... Who cares if he's China Tang or China Dragon? Coming to Boston, he's just asking to be humiliated!"

"Watch closely. Tonight, KG and Perkins will kick that Chinese kid's ass. Let's wait and see!"

The Boston fans were furious, claiming that Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins would dominate Tang Long in the paint!