The Way of Basketball: Never Talk Shit to Him!-Chapter 868 - 280: Wade and LeBron Turn Against Each Other (Part 6)

Chapter 868: Chapter 280: Wade and LeBron Turn Against Each Other (Part 6)

LeBron immediately felt a tightness in his gut. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

But Diddy really saved him this time, helped him out big time.

Emotionally and logically, he had to thank Diddy.

Plus, he really needed Diddy during this period!

The two agreed to meet in Paris.

After hanging up the phone, LeBron angrily unfollowed Wade on Twitter.

From now on, they’re no longer brothers!

Wade’s revelation was intended to ruin him, so he didn’t need such a brother anyway!

What LeBron didn’t know was that there were many people watching his every move. When they saw him unfollow Wade, it instantly sparked a lot of commentary online.

To the point where "LeBron unfollowing Wade" became a trending topic on Twitter.

Su Wan was online, enjoying the drama.

He really didn’t expect the "LeBron unfollowing Wade" saga to unfold so quickly this time.

But on second thought, the original Heat Team’s "Three Giants" collaboration was somewhat successful, winning 2 championships over 4 years and making it to the finals each time. Even if they split, there wasn’t much criticism of their reputation.

This time it’s different; after two years of cooperation, they fell in the semi-finals, not even touching the floor of the Eastern Conference Finals.

This led to doubts about their abilities.

Finally, LeBron couldn’t hold back any longer and tried to clear his name.

Seeing LeBron do this, Wade naturally had to respond!

The reason for their fallout was actually quite similar to the original one...

Originally, LeBron unfollowing Wade was also about their respective positions in team history, to put it bluntly, it was a battle of egos!

The drama here was almost over when a new "big drama" appeared in the free market...

The Thunder Team couldn’t reach an agreement with James Harden over 6 million, choosing to trade the Thunder Team.

However, this time James Harden wasn’t traded to the Rockets!

As the saying goes, the Rockets are just a mess now, and they don’t have the right assets...

James Harden was sent to the Warriors, exchanged for Monta Ellis, along with a first-round pick and two second-round picks.

This wasn’t much different from the original offer from the Rockets, which included Kevin Martin, Lamb, two first-round picks, and a second-round pick.

Mainly, James Harden is now at the "Best Sixth Man" level, and the upper limit of what he can be traded for is already set.

Su Wan saw the lineup change and found it interesting:

Stephen Curry turned into James Harden...

The other four members of the "Death Five Small" remained unchanged.

Can this lineup replicate the "Small Ball Miracle"?

Especially after the Warriors announced their next trade:

They signed Iguodala in the free market, thus assembling four of the founding members of the "Death Five Small."—Actually, all five because James Harden is a substitute for Stephen Curry.

At least judging by the Warriors’ intentions with this trade, they seem to want James Harden to become the Warriors’ "ball-holding core"!

However, others didn’t have Su Wan’s "Heavenly Eye," so they didn’t realize how critical the Warriors’ current trades were... Well, it’s very likely that even the Warriors’ management didn’t know how crucial these trades were.

Su Wan actually didn’t know either because he wasn’t sure what this lineup would look like with James Harden replacing Stephen Curry.

Otherwise, he wouldn’t be so eager to see it!

As a result, most outside focus on this trade was on the Thunder Team.

Many media outlets thought this was the tragedy of small cities!

If it were a big city, how could they give up on a core player just because of 6 million?

It’s a "Youth Army" that just made it to the finals!

But some media stated that James Harden’s departure was inevitable, and this had nothing to do with whether the Thunder Team was in Oklahoma or not. More importantly, the Thunder Team’s management felt James Harden wasn’t worth the extra 6 million.

Amidst these media voices, James Harden arrived in Southern California and watched as the plane slowly landed. He turned to Armstrong, who was traded with him, and slowly spoke: "Let’s change this city!"

These words stunned Armstrong.

He had never seen such a serious expression on James Harden’s face.

Evidently, being abandoned by the Thunder Team deeply hurt James Harden’s pride, and he was eager to prove that the Thunder Team’s management was wrong!

Meanwhile, Su Wan received a call from Vince Carter.

"I feel like I should tell you, Su Wan, I’ve thought it over. I’m not planning to renew my contract with the New York Knicks. I’m going to another team!"

Su Wan was a little surprised.

But on second thought, it’s already mid-July. If Vince Carter wanted to renew with the Knicks, he wouldn’t have stayed silent until now. Clearly, he had the idea of leaving back then and only hesitated. Now that the hesitation is over, the answer is clear.

Judging from Vince Carter’s actions, Su Wan wasn’t surprised anymore.

With Ray Allen joining last season, Vince Carter’s playing time was greatly reduced, and with Paul George’s growth, it’s predictable that Vince Carter’s playing time will shrink even further in the new season for the New York Knicks.

The older generation of superstars has their pride.

Just sitting on the bench and getting a championship ring isn’t Vince Carter’s style.

One can see this from his initial refusal of the Warriors’ olive branch.

Whether at 20, 30, or 40, Vince Carter always carries the pride of "North Carolinians."

More important than honor is his self-esteem!

Su Wan didn’t say much, he respected all his teammates’ choices, because everyone has a different path to walk, he can’t bind everyone around him: "Buddy, make the choice you think is right!"

Vince Carter: "I know, but I still want to thank you..."

He didn’t specify the thanks, but Su Wan understood what he meant.

Vince Carter wanted to thank him for the two championships they won together.

From now on, he won’t have to worry about championships, he just needs to enjoy basketball on the court until he decides he doesn’t want to play anymore...

The news that Vince Carter wouldn’t be renewing with the New York Knicks soon spread.

The New York media started getting nervous.

No...

All the other teams are strengthening, and Donnie Walsh not only isn’t strengthening but can’t even maintain the original lineup?

The Knicks just defended their title, but haven’t achieved "three consecutive championships" yet!

Old habits resurfacing, is that it?

New York has never been so close to "three consecutive championships," and if the team’s lack of action this summer leads to them not winning the championship next season, this group of New York media people swear they will launch a thorough "online storm" against Donnie Walsh!

Seeing the New York media coming at him, Donnie Walsh quickly released information saying they weren’t inactive, just searching for options.

This summer, not only is Vince Carter’s contract expiring, Artest’s previous four-year max contract is now also up.

Additionally, Gallinari’s rookie contract has ended...

With so many people having contracts expire, the Knicks’ salary space is very healthy:

Apart from Su Wan’s 19 million, other players with contracts on this team fall into two categories, one includes Ray Allen, Dior, and Chandler, with their contracts totaling about 25 million.

Another category is all rookie contracts:

This includes Curry and Little Thomas, whose contracts expire next year, and Paul George, whose contract ends in two years, and Jimmy Butler, entering his second season.

The contracts for these guys total about 10 million.

In other words, the New York Knicks’ total salary is 54 million!

With a 4 million salary space under this year’s cap of 58 million.

This means Donnie Walsh can sign a free agent using the mid-level exception...

Players at the mid-level exception are often main players of a team, and if utilized properly, the New York Knicks’ strength in the new season can definitely improve steadily.

This is also the reason Donnie Walsh hasn’t renewed Gallinari.

Teams under the salary cap need to occupy salary space to renew their rookies. Otherwise, Donnie Walsh can’t use the mid-level exception.

He explained this to Gallinari, who expressed understanding.