But it's already the last year of James' rookie contract.

There was a moment when the fans at the scene even felt they saw the future with their own eyes...

The future where only Cleveland fails, and everyone else succeeds.

Fans at Quicken Loans Arena started leaving early.

In the NBA, a single game indeed doesn't represent everything.

But the "The Dunk" that Qin Yue completed in the first half and the Chosen One who always played the backdrop in the game represented a lot.

Especially at the last moments of the third quarter.

When Qin Yue, just like the Jordan of old, took the same position and shot the familiar "The Shot" over James, even the Knight fans who chose to stay at Quicken Loans Arena couldn't help but fall into confusion.

After three quarters, 99 to 74.

Qin Yue did not play in the fourth quarter.

James led the Knights' substitutes to desperately chase points in the fourth quarter.

On the Warriors' bench in the last quarter.

Watching Qin Yue take out a crown made of olive branches from his training backpack, Kwame Brown curiously asked: "What's this?"

"It's a crown that 'Melo' and I made for LeBron this summer because according to the schedule, we're visiting Cleveland first, so 'Melo' gave it to me," Qin Yue said.

Looking at the crown, which clearly still had room for improvement craftsmanship-wise, Brown said: "But is it appropriate to give it tonight?"

Qin Yue laughed: "It's just a gift, a token of 'Melo' and my sincerity."

Hearing this, Brown said: "I fear LeBron might find it mocking."

Qin Yue shrugged: "How could he be that petty?"

Before being subbed out by Knight coach Mike Brown, James had accumulated 31 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, and 7 turnovers.

While Qin Yue, only playing the first three quarters, had 45 points, 14 rebounds, 11 assists, 3 blocks, and 2 steals.

The final score was 125 to 101.

After the match, as he shook hands with James...

Qin Yue placed the crown made of olive branches on the head of the young king with his other hand.

At that moment...

Faced with this unexpected gesture, James' expression, which was internally blaming Qin Yue, visibly improved.

"You and 'Melo' made this? To be honest, the craftsmanship is really poor, but I quite like it."

Perhaps, though Qin Yue is always aggressive on the court, at least in James' eyes, he was not at all like how O'Neal described him.

Accepting this commemorative gift, James, feeling cheerful, even complained to Qin Yue: "You can't keep dunking over me, it's too harsh."

But the happiness was short-lived...

After finishing his pleasantries with Qin Yue, upon returning to the locker room, O'Neal sharply commented on the crown Qin Yue gave James: "Is he trying to say that because he's a champion player, he can crown you?"

Upon seeing this, even though James didn't take O'Neal's words to heart, he still silently removed the crown from his head.

No one knew what James was thinking at that moment.

But during the postgame press conference, with reporters continuously bringing up Qin Yue, James' mood visibly worsened.

Especially when Ira Borko from The New York Times conveyed Qin Yue's thoughts on the second "The Dunk" to James, his face.....

Immediately became sullen.

"Messiah said it was a perfect dunk. As the one who was dunked on, what do you think?"

What else can I think?

The next second, James gritting his teeth said: "I tried defending, that's all, next question."

"LeBron, before the draft, both you and Messiah were thought to be players who could change a team's fate. But he won the championship before you; how long do you think it'll take for you to become a championship player like him?"

How would I know how long it takes?

Can't you ask the Knight management when they'll find a true All-Star to assist me?

Suppressing the surge of emotions in his chest, James said: "I'm sure I won't let Knight fans wait too long, you know, I'm improving every season."

"LeBron, speaking of your improvement, how do you view Messiah's comment that your hesitation step is all violations, without any skill?"

Click... click... click.

At this moment, James clearly felt the sound known as heartbreak.

If in this game, James hadn't boosted his score to barely "30+" during garbage time in the fourth quarter.

If during the match, his performance compared to Qin Yue wasn't so far apart.

If...

In James' eyes at this moment, the critique from Qin Yue translated by the media wasn't funny at all and...

It broke his heart.

In James' view, just like O'Neal said, his good brother didn't really want to guide him sincerely but instead sought some kind of satisfaction from this.

"Those who understand know, as long as the referees don't call it, my hesitation step is standard, it's regulated, it's within the rules."

James almost forcibly suppressed the resentment in his chest to barely answer this question.

However...

Before James could catch his breath...

The scene saw a reporter raise a new question: "LeBron, Messiah hopes you recognize your fundamental shortcomings through this game and focus your future training on honing skills rather than just hitting the gym. What are your thoughts on this?"

Again.

High and mighty.

Arrogantly.

He just wants to prove through this that only he plays basketball while I don't understand basketball, right?

At the press conference scene, James, after taking a deep breath, said: "I will seriously consider his advice, but you know, everyone has their own preferred playing style. My investment in the gym is evidence of my desire to progress."

After finishing the press conference.

He threw the crown Qin Yue and Anthony made for him into his training backpack.

This evening, was definitely the most disheartening night for James since entering the league...

And Qin Yue and the Warriors continued on to the next away game, carrying the big win in Cleveland.

"Do you think LeBron will heed your heartfelt advice?" On the plane, Brown asked Qin Yue curiously.

Hearing this, Qin Yue said: "I don't know, but I hope he understands my good intentions."

Brown sighed: "Really, it's hard for you, knowing I've never seen you demonstrate so many offensive skills in a match before. Tonight, you were almost like an encyclopedia of offense."

Qin Yue waved his hand, saying: "Stop, the offensive encyclopedia is always my good brother 'Melo'."

After pausing, Qin Yue added: "You know, I always prefer people to call me the upgraded all-around version of Michael Jordan."

Brown: "..."

...

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