Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters-Chapter 444 - 298 Until Frye Hates You

Chapter 444: Chapter 298 Until Frye Hates You

“I… I can answer some questions.”

James’s move drew sidelong glances.

Magic saw Dr. J’s figure in him, and Dr. J felt like he was looking at a younger version of himself.

West was still reflecting on Yu Fei’s words earlier; that man had easily torn apart this press conference, turning a celebration of passing the torch into a battlefield.

It was as if Frye, from the Sports Illustrated article who wanted James to “bathe in blood for the crown,” had stepped into reality.

But it wasn’t James who was bathed in blood; it was Jordan, the true owner of the crown.

After delivering a heavy blow to Jordan, Yu Fei walked away, and Jordan didn’t want to stay at the scene either. Yet James felt it was his responsibility to save the situation, just as he always presented himself, proactively speaking to the media.

Kobe, reacting a beat too slow, looked at James with a complex gaze.

As one of the three young men qualified to accept the torch, his credentials were the most substantial. If anyone should save the scene, it was him.

But he was a step too slow.

After all, he never learned how to deal with the media.

James’s words immediately provoked a reaction on site. Lynn Sweet, the journalist who had ignited a “World War,” asked, “LeBron, this is my last question for today. Professional basketball has long been criticized for its disrespect towards women’s rights. What is your take on this?”

“Uh… I am against all forms of gender discrimination,” LeBron deftly skirted around the issue. “You know, I’ve always supported women defending their fundamental rights.”

Lynn finished her questioning and turned to leave.

However, there was a large group of journalists and TV personnel on-site, angry at Lynn for provoking Jordan, leading to Yu Fei stepping in to confront her and losing control of the situation.

“Damn busybody!” one of Jordan’s media friends cursed. “Can’t Michael have his own life?”

“Exactly, her question had nothing to do with sports at all!”

The journalists’ reaction was as impactful to James as Yu Fei’s actions earlier.

They were not only not enraged by Jordan’s rude treatment of Lynn but were also angry with their colleague, who usually didn’t report on sports, for causing them to miss the chance to interview Jordan and Yu Fei.

Jordan didn’t show any respect for Lynn at all.

Yu Fei had no respect for the media, either.

Yet, instead of being angry at these two, they questioned Lynn’s intentions.

Why was it so? James was sure that if he did the same thing, his long-crafted image as Mr. Perfect would collapse.

For LeBron, there was much to ponder from today’s events.

But he still felt the need to salvage the situation.

“Do you have any more questions?” James said with a smile. “I hope you’ll ask something sports-related.”

Then, the reporters who had missed the chance to interview Jordan and Yu Fei had no choice but to ask LeBron their backup questions.

“How do you feel about MJ passing the torch to you?”

James, thinking of Yu Fei’s disdain for the torch, hesitated over the typical “I’m honored” response. After a long pause, he still answered, “It’s an honor for me. I’m from the generation that grew up watching Michael play, and there’s nothing more important to me than this!”

Then, it was Quint DiMio from “B-B-F” who was granted the opportunity to ask James a question. Standing up with dog tags around his neck, he smiled and said, “LeBron, recent talks about Frye wanting your blood to stain his crown have been a hot topic among fans. What do you think about that statement?”

B-B-F…

His excellent vision allowed James to see DiMio’s dog tag from afar; he knew this was a company under Yu Fei’s umbrella.

New n𝙤vel chapters are published on freeweɓnøvel.com.

Ever since that article appeared, LeBron had been avoiding talking about it, so as not to give it more prominence.

But now, it seemed inevitable.

What LeBron was unhappy about was why someone from Frye’s company would show up here to ask him this damned question.

“I need to know more details,” LeBron said. “I’m not clear on the context.”

DiMio replied with a smile, “The context isn’t that complicated. Gary Smith asked Frye if their relationship would be a hindrance if they met in the playoffs, and that was his answer. LeBron, what would you do in that situation?”

James answered cautiously, “Relationships off the court won’t affect our all-out efforts on the court.”

“So, what is your view on Frye’s comments about the torch?”

The comments that threw the torch in Jordan’s face?

James felt rage boiling inside; he now only wanted to throw the question right back at DiMio’s face.

Hotel

That Yu Fei and Jordan’s confrontation had erupted on-site unsurprisingly swept the headlines of sports websites.

All the sports writers at ESPN had written an article about it.

“Quint hasn’t come back yet?”

Yu Fei asked.

“Hmm, he’s still at the scene,” Lin Kaiwen said, “but the League sent word that they think it would be best for you to hold a press conference to give a short explanation.”

“Explain my ass!” Yu Fei cursed, “Since they’ve set me up with that guy, they should have expected this outcome.”

Lin Kaiwen said with a chuckle, “From a publicity standpoint, the carnival was a success.”

Half an hour later, DiMio returned.

He briefed Yu Fei succinctly about the day’s events.

Lynn Sweet was his arrangement; after all, it was the carnival’s first time being held, and the scrutiny of visiting journalists’ identities wasn’t strict.

According to a sports journalist from The Washington Post on the scene, he was also surprised by Lynn’s arrival.

Because this woman always reported on those serious social issues.

Having such a person interview a basketball star, she’d naturally cling to the scandals that sports journalists wouldn’t touch with a ten-foot pole.

“Well done,” Yu Fei praised DiMio’s work and then asked, “Did anything happen at the scene after I left?”

“MJ left too, and then I asked LeBron a few questions about the crown,” DiMio said with a smile, “He was very displeased.”

Yu Fei knew those around him never missed a chance to school LeBron whenever they could.

“Don’t give him any trouble,” Yu Fei said, “He’s got it tough too.”

LeBron indeed had it tough lately.

The Knights were doing better and with his stats at 31+8+8 on average, he joined the MVP discussion, looking like the savior of Cleveland. Then, he was catapulted to the headlines by a single comment from Yu Fei. Arriving at the All-Star Weekend fresh from taking the torch from the GOAT, that torch was snatched away by Yu Fei and thrown right back in the GOAT’s face.

Especially the second incident was collateral damage from Yu Fei’s behavior.

DiMio said laughing, “No worries, didn’t he get the torch from MJ? Isn’t that enough? Now, Nike can create a hype for LeBron without you, tying him to MJ.”

Yu Fei just grunted in response without any further comment.

For LeBron to break free and boost the hype with Jordan was an impossibility.

That’s because LeBron’s initial comparison was to Jordan. If not for Big Fei grabbing the script, LeBron would no longer be Jordan’s successor but a contender for the throne.

It was Yu Fei’s presence that had made these two incompatible forces come together.

Jordan’s camp needed LeBron to rise and take away the heat from Yu Fei, thus reducing the pressure on Jordan. And LeBron, having enjoyed the benefits of being linked to Big Fei, now needs to sever ties so the public won’t compare the two with vastly different honors. Currently, the best method is to accept the torch from Jordan and rightfully become his successor, thereby entering another race altogether.

But this was just wishful thinking on LeBron’s camp.

The publicity around the new generation’s top duo had entered deep waters; the public had gone from “Both kings? Pretending?” to “LeBron is not fit to carry Frye’s shoes”—”Which big brother lets his younger bleed for the crown? Frye is a hypocrite.”

Once the shift from skepticism to belief is complete, cutting ties will be difficult.

Sha Yi would never shake off the image of Bai Zhantang, just as Yui Hatano, no matter how much she tries to look like Yua Mikami on the cover, is still seen as the Kurosawa Chiling of the dark world.

Inertia and established perceptions are irresistible.

“The torch?” Yu Fei mockingly said, “That guy once thought Kwame would be the best player of our generation, but it didn’t take long for that expectation to be retracted.”

Having experienced that year firsthand, Lawson had a lot to say on the matter. He spoke sardonically, “What’s funny is, when Big Fei truly started to show the greatest potential among players of our generation, our GOAT traded Big Fei away because Big Fei threatened his status. So what if LeBron clings to his coattails? As soon as LeBron wants to step further, they’re bound to split eventually.”

Lin Kaiwen was worried about a collaboration between LeBron’s camp and Jordan’s camp.

“If they really team up, the energy unleashed would be unimaginable,” Lin Kaiwen said, “Michael’s influence is still strong, and LeBron is the rising star Nike is heavily betting on; he has access to all of Nike’s resources.”

Yu Fei asked, “So what?”

Lin Kaiwen glanced at DiMio, “Quint will face a lot of pressure.”

“LeBron knows my relationship with that guy; based on my understanding of him, he probably just wants to show goodwill toward the GOAT, so I think they won’t really team up.”

Yu Fei couldn’t believe LeBron would willingly become just another spokesperson for the number 23 on the basketball court to ease the pressure on himself.

From the moment he started his career, he had just one mission: to surpass number 23.

It was just that the world had become different with Yu Fei’s emergence.

“What if they do team up?” Lin Kaiwen asked, “What if he becomes Jordan’s spokesperson on the court, or even his…”

“Oh…” Yu Fei’s smile turned into a terrible one, “Then he’s no longer my little brother.”

In just an instant, Yu Fei’s closest friends realized the storm in his pupils; he seemed to have envisioned the day’s arrival.

Even though it was highly unlikely, they all looked forward to LeBron making such a choice.

LeBron, you haven’t seen the real “Frye Hell.”

Run, chase, you can’t do it without Michael. Take that brave step and get a taste of the real “Frye Hell.”

Only when Frye grows to hate you,

will hell truly emerge.

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