It seemed he had no regard for superstars or superteams.

Fox then interviewed Larry Bird, vividly relaying Su Xi’s thoughts on the Pacers.

Larry Bird flew into a rage. "This guy is actually mediocre," he said. "He’s only so effective because he stole LeBron’s play. If I were coaching the Cavaliers, would he be the one taking the final shot? The ball would definitely go to LeBron! Doesn’t LeBron have more talent than him?"

Huh?

After saying this, Bird walked away.

The comment quickly made its way to the post-game press conference, leaving Paul Silas in an awkward position. He could only stammer, "I have no comment on Larry Bird’s statement."

Still, Bird’s words caused a huge uproar.

The media was already hyping up the "internal competition" between Su Xi and James, and Larry Bird’s statement only fanned the flames.

The next day, news of Su Xi’s game-winner against the Pacers was everywhere. Su Xi once again topped the list of the previous night’s Top 5 Plays, and the photo of him arrogantly spreading his arms went viral across the media and the internet.

Larry Bird was secretly quite envious. He felt Su Xi had been born in a great era for showboating.

The North American internet had already named Su Xi’s celebration "God’s Blessing."

’If only I were twenty years younger,’ Bird thought, ’living in this age of advanced television broadcasting and the internet. How great would that be!’

Ron Artest was furious. After the game, he repeatedly insisted to reporters that he would get his revenge.

He considered the game-winning shot by Su Xi a complete humiliation, especially with the trash talk Su Xi had directed at him. It made him gnash his teeth in anger.

When he told Larry Bird what Su Xi had said, Bird replied, "Remember this feeling. In the future, you’ll grow to love him."

Huh?

Artest couldn’t understand.

...

Cavaliers General Manager Jim Paxson couldn’t understand it either. He watched the footage of Bird’s interview. Bird had publicly torn Su Xi down, and yet... he had also submitted a trade request for him.

’What the hell is he playing at?’

The next day, the basketball news was dominated by Su Xi’s game-winner.

Furthermore, the hype surrounding "Little Sheep Su Xi" and "King James" was escalating. The media was fueling the narrative, eager to see the drama of two young geniuses in conflict.

If there was no internal strife, they’d invent it. And now, the conflict between Su Xi and James over ball possession was plain for all to see.

After Su Xi’s game-winner against the Pacers, Ricky Davis continued to sound off from Boston: "I’m not surprised at all that Jack made the game-winner. What Larry Bird said is completely wrong. LeBron didn’t dare take the last shot because he knew he couldn’t score on Artest."

"LeBron is actually a cancer on the Cavaliers. He uses his ’King’ status to do whatever he wants. The truth is, the locker room would rather follow Jack’s lead, because Jack can lead the team to victory, and LeBron can’t... All he can do is show off that talent of his that looks amazing but is ultimately useless."

Davis became the foremost anti-LeBron crusader.

This was completely unexpected.

And given his status, his words always managed to stir up controversy.

Davis was reaping the benefits of the media attention; some brands were even preparing to offer him endorsement deals.

Jim Paxson hadn’t expected things to escalate this far. He was now under immense pressure.

LeBron’s agency, including his mother, were all pressuring Paxson to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.

Fans were also angrily demanding answers: Why was LeBron no longer the team’s sole leader? Why were they pushing Little Sheep Su Xi so hard?

Even Nike expressed its concern. They didn’t want two of their superstars on the same team in a lose-lose situation. If this friction continued, both of their reputations would take a hit.

So, the situation was now clear.

The Cavaliers needed to trade Little Sheep Su Xi.

But who could afford the asking price?

Among the 2003 draft class, Su Xi may not have had the best talent or the highest potential. But to date, his on-court performance was the best. He had a quadruple-double, a triple-double, two Player of the Week awards, and two Rookie of the Week awards. His accolades surpassed every other rookie in his class, including James.

However, other voices were trying to lower Su Xi’s trade value. They analyzed his technical flaws and talent deficiencies, concluding that Su Xi’s ceiling wasn’t high. They suggested he might be like "Little Flying Mouse" Stoudemire, peaking right at the start of his career and quickly hitting the rookie wall.

These arguments, combined with the pressure from all sides, made the inexperienced General Manager Jim Paxson anxious. He decided to complete the trade as soon as possible. As long as the price was right, he would pull the trigger immediately.

As for the asking price, he figured it had to be better than the assets he had received in the trade with the Knicks—and by one or two tiers, at that.

Just then, Mike O’Connor knocked on his office door and entered.

He walked in with his chin held high, the picture of arrogance, and sat down imposingly in the chair before Jim Paxson’s desk. Then, he tapped on the desk to get Paxson’s attention.

His every action was a display of arrogance and disrespect.

Jim Paxson fought to suppress his anger.

"We’ve made a decision. You’re going to trade him to the Indiana Pacers," O’Connor told Jim Paxson. "Furthermore, you need to amend my client’s contract. Change it to a second-round pick’s format. That means after his first two seasons, my client will have a player option, allowing him to become a free agent."

"Huh?" Jim Paxson’s brow furrowed, his anger flaring. He shot to his feet, slamming his hands on the desk, and roared at Mike O’Connor, "Are you ordering me around?"

O’Connor just smiled. He lit a cigarette and blew a perfect smoke ring. "I’m informing you."

"Jim, you wouldn’t want the Cavaliers fans and the team owner to find out you’re completely useless, would you?"

"My client has been holding back. He’s been treated unfairly, but he still gives his all for the team. Last night, he hit the game-winner to give the team its fourth straight win. When the team had to choose between him and LeBron, he didn’t fight his case. He didn’t divide the locker room. He chose to leave. Hasn’t my client done enough?"

"Are you going to continue bullying him so shamelessly?"

"My client has the ability to make the entire locker room play for him. That ’Chosen One’ you’ve propped up is, in reality, just a petulant child filled with jealousy, resentment, and incompetence."

"And if you don’t choose the trade partner we’ve designated, I can make the Cavaliers organization infamous very quickly. My client may be a nice guy, but I’m not."

"Listen, Jim. Right now, you’re going to draw up a new contract, and we’re going to sign it. Then, you’re going to call Larry Bird. I guarantee you’ll be able to get any assets you want besides Little O’Neal, Artest, and Reggie Miller."

"It’s just a contract amendment. You lose nothing. You’re even getting perfect advice from a brilliant mind. So wipe that look off your face. You know your own capabilities; you can’t handle this properly. Listen to me."

O’Connor leaned back slightly, sizing up Jim Paxson with an arrogant gaze.

He was treating Paxson like a helpless child.

Paxson felt humiliated. He gripped the edge of the desk tightly, almost forcing the words out through clenched teeth: "Are you telling me how to do my job?"

"Yes! That’s exactly right."

O’Connor nodded. "Alright, enough with the performance. Stop acting all tough and angry. Just get your work done. You know in your heart you’ve already agreed to my proposal."

"For the sake of your pride, I’ll come back the day after tomorrow. That way, it will seem like a well-thought-out decision, not one you were coerced into making."

O’Connor stood up and walked out of the office.

From beginning to end, he was utterly condescending.

He had a real knack for making people fly into a rage.

But Jim Paxson had no other choice, unless he was willing to trade away LeBron James and make Su Xi the face of the franchise.

...

...