CHAPTER 1277: CHAPTER 404: BEAST AND THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

He has outstanding teammates, supportive fans, and a trustworthy coach.

LBJ replied: "I will not run away either. I know there have been many rumors lately, but I will not leave until I win a championship in Cleveland."

Heaven knows why he keeps emphasizing this matter over and over again.

Both teams’ starters are in place, and today the Warriors fielded Roger, Jason Richardson, Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson, and Marcus Camby as their starting five.

Big Z won the first possession, Cavaliers on the offense.

The Cavaliers’ offense was initially orchestrated by James and Larry Hughes in turn. In the first play of the game, James decided to delegate to Larry Hughes.

Subsequently, through quick movement and screens, he circled to the left side beyond the three-point line, received the ball, and hit a three-pointer!

to 0, the Little Emperor is trying to deliver on his promise from the first play.

This season, with Larry Hughes helping to share the organizational duties, James has reduced his ball-handling and increased catch-and-shoot three-pointers.

This year, he’s attempting one more three-pointer per game than last season, but his shooting accuracy has remained nearly unchanged.

Al Michaels acknowledged: "LeBron’s yearly progress is astonishing. Maybe he exposed all sorts of problems in the past two seasons, but now he is gradually becoming perfect and great."

After the goal, James deliberately glanced at Roger.

He already considers Roger as his own Baby-Faced Assassin, an embodiment of evil.

He decided to declare war on evil. Just like Mike Brown said, he must defeat this guy.

"Roger, you’re not the Big Bad Wolf, and we’re not the Three Little Pigs. We will resist, we will try to kill you."

Roger simply smiled: "Is the Big Bad Wolf the scariest analogy you can imagine? I’ve interacted with many high school rookies like LeBron, but you’re the most uncultured one."

The game continued, the Cavaliers’ ironclad defense stood in front of Roger.

Nowadays, there is a consensus across the league. To limit Roger requires at least two players, one to pressure and one to help defend.

Thus, the Spurs have Raja Bell + Bruce Bowen, the Lakers have Caron Butler + Shawn Marion, the Knicks have Dwyane Wade + Shawn Battier.

The Cavaliers have a similar setup; Larry Hughes will frantically pressure Roger, and AK47, the super Spiderman, is ready to strangle him at any time.

In theory, this setup is enough to make Roger fall.

A first-team guard and a second-team forward, such a lineup is as precious as a luxury item.

Besides the Spurs and Warriors themselves, no other team can offer such an exterior defense lineup.

This is also the key to Mike Brown’s confidence in winning the game; he wants to make the Warriors experience having more losses than wins.

If Roger attacks hard, he won’t gain any advantage.

Larry Hughes is an excellent "thief," you can’t carelessly use too complicated dribbling under his pressure.

And if you go for a strong drive, Andre Kirilenko’s wide defensive range will quickly lock on and take you down.

To dismantle the fortress of Cleveland, the first thing is to punch a hole in it.

Jason Richardson is the key to dismantling the fortress.

He lived up to expectations, becoming the first to say "no" to losing.

He got rid of James with active running, then received Roger’s pass and confidently hit a three-pointer.

to 3!

Jason Richardson isn’t just making a show for $100,000; with Allan Houston gone and Amar’e Stoudemire injured, Jason Richardson feels it’s his duty to take on the responsibility of being the "Divine Hand."

Since the whole world says Roger lacks a second figure beside him, fine, I’ll be that second figure!

Jason Richardson also roared at the defending James: "You’re the weakest part of the fortress."

LeBron James was furious; after just boasting tough words, he immediately let the opponent penetrate.

He decided to retaliate on the offensive end.

LBJ prepared to go on the attack with the ball, but Jason Richardson tirelessly engaged in a tussle with him, and Tayshaun Prince also brought his long arms to double-team.

James and Mike Brown were somewhat caught off guard; in the past ten games, the Warriors hadn’t employed such extreme pressure and double-teaming.

Moreover, this damn game is just regular season!

What team uses such an extreme defensive strategy in the first quarter of a regular-season game?

Under high pressure and double-teaming, James had to pass the ball; when faced with tight trapping in any situation, the best solution is to disengage and avoid crumbling early.

Attempting to respond to Richardson, LBJ passed the ball to the open AK47, who shot a three but missed.

The Warriors’ pressure defense worked. Your shooting touch might be inconsistent, but defense never betrays a team.

Spoelstra imagined that as long as this defense continued, even with a bad shooting touch, the Warriors could win the game.

Marcus Camby grabbed the rebound and passed the ball to Roger, who directly pushed for a fast break with the ball.

But under Larry Hughes’ pressure, Roger couldn’t pick up speed.

He tried to change direction to get past Hughes, but just as he got through, Andre Kirilenko was again blocking Roger’s path.

Roger carried the Russian into the paint; seeing this situation, LBJ sprinted towards the basket, intending to showcase his signature chase-down block over Roger.