The Road to Stardom: Start as a Slam Dunk Master.

Chapter 286 Knight’s Choice

Cleveland, the capital of Cuyahoga County, Ohio.

Cavaliers general manager's office...

Jim Paxson looked at a rookie report in front of him and tapped his fingers lightly on the table. This was his usual habit when thinking. Rhythmic tapping helped him clarify his thoughts.

He was waiting for someone and thinking about the next negotiation method.

As for the name on the rookie report, it suddenly turned out that as early as this time last year, it was already in the sight of all NBA teams in the United States, and it was also a sensational American basketball genius: LeBron James.

At that time, all teams were eyeing this high school talent, and Jim Paxson also went to St. Mary's High School in Akron next door many times to watch LeBron play.

This is a young man with obvious talent. Unfortunately, last year's Nike Summit and World Championships destroyed him.

I heard that he can no longer play football at St. Mary's High School, but that's not the worst thing. The real worst thing is the bad reputation this guy has now in Ohio and across the country.

'A sinister villain with no sportsmanship', 'a rotten person from the slums', and so on, have become labels that cannot be removed from his head.

Besides, he can no longer even play in the high school league. After a year of lack of competitive status, how much of his former talent and combat power can he retain now?

In this era, the NBA still pays more attention to tradition and reputation. It is not cost-effective from a business perspective to exchange for a so-called "cost-effective player" who may be ridiculed and criticized by fans across the United States.

A high-ranking pick is destined to be impossible to have a high-ranking draft pick. Frankly speaking, in terms of improving the team's strength, this is definitely a very cost-effective deal.

Another example is the Lakers, with the OK combination that is currently in full swing. Even if they sign LeBron, the fans will only say that this is the magnanimity of the team and give a bad guy a chance. Another example is the Spurs, the fans will shout crazy and look forward to the wave. An upright coach like Povich beat the shit out of LeBron.

More importantly, the team's background is different.

But what is irrefutable is that this guy's true potential is definitely qualified to be among the top five rookies this year.

Sign one of Wade or Bosh and pair it with LeBron, and that's the perfect puzzle in Paxson's mind.

But in Jim Paxson's view, this alone is not enough... Although these are definitely geniuses among geniuses, just one is not enough.

Secondly, he also chose Carmelo Anthony. That offensive kaleidoscope has already allowed all three of them to participate in trial training.

All in all, it doesn’t matter what the Cavaliers want now. If the Cavaliers sign LeBron, they will only be ridiculed by the fans, saying that a bad team has a bad person, and even labels such as lack of sportsmanship will be transferred directly from LeBron’s head to the Cavaliers’ head. , and then use a magnifying glass to criticize the Cavaliers one by one throughout the season. Regardless of whether LeBron or the team makes any small mistakes, they may become an attack point for fans across the United States...

Jim Paxson had mentioned this in the previous team's senior meeting, but it was collectively rejected by the senior management.

Therefore, the target of the top management is Dwyane Wade, the super rookie who was known as the Flash when he faced off against Lin Dong in the World Championships. The super power forward who once became the main defender of Lin Dong for the US team at the Nike Summit and World Championships, built the team around these two.

You have to take action when you see something right, it’s nothing more than spending money!

It has been seven or eight days since the league released the rookie list, but according to the information he received, no team has invited LeBron to try out.

The Cavaliers also have a low-ranking first-round pick and a high-ranking second-round pick. Of course, if they want LeBron, they can only choose between Wade and Bosh. After all, Anthony's position and LeBron overlaps.

What if we could add another LeBron? Taking advantage of the fact that no team is willing to wade into this guy's muddy waters.

In today's league, these are probably the only teams that dare to ask for LeBron.

But are they knights? What do they knights have?

Not only do they not have a coach like Popovich, but they also don’t have stars like Jordan and OK. In fact, last year’s Cavaliers gave away almost all of the team’s valuable assets in order to mess up the reorganization, and even the newly cultivated Andy Andre Miller was sent away, replaced by ten newcomers with less than four years of NBA experience, and the original head coach Lucas was even fired because the team "won two more games."

As for his reputation... Paxson has a way, and he finally convinced the management.

If the Wizards want to sign LeBron, relying on Jordan's name, the fans may not have any objections to the Wizards. They will only relish predicting whether LeBron will be criticized by Jordan as an idiot in a few days or months. , even happy to see the results.

His competitive form is only one aspect. More importantly, most of these teams don't want to offend their fans.

In the end, they still failed to win against the even more crazy Sonics and Suns. After such a mess, they only got the third overall pick...

Bang bang bang.

While I was thinking about it, there was a gentle knock on the door.

Paxson adjusted his collar: "Please come in."

A beautiful female assistant led a guy wearing a baseball cap with the brim of the hat down very low and walked in: "General manager, this is..."

"I know." Paxson stood up with a smile and walked towards LeBron, then extended his hand to him: "Nice to meet you, son of Ohio State, I have been following you for a long time."

This is undoubtedly a meeting that violates league regulations, but Paxson doesn't care... Aklan is very close to Cleveland. Through prior phone contact, LeBron was quietly picked up from Aklan in his special car. Today's LeBron No one cares about it or pays attention to it at all. This is much more hidden than him, a general manager with a sensitive identity, going to Aklan.

Son of Ohio?

This title that once represented glory did not move LeBron. He just shook hands with Paxson calmly: "Thank you for the invitation, although I did not receive a trial notice."

"There will be." Paxson said with a smile: "But before that, I have to get to know you better and negotiate some things first." The female assistant knowingly withdrew and closed the door.

"Although I haven't played a game this year, I haven't relaxed my training. If the team gives me a chance to try out, I think I will..."

"I know your potential. In fact, all teams know this. That's not the most important thing." Paxson smiled and invited LeBron to sit down on the sofa: "I want to ask you a few questions."

"Please tell me."

"First, are you afraid of Lin Dong?" Paxson stared closely into LeBron's eyes. Instead of understanding how competitive he was, Paxson felt that his mental state was more important.

If a person has developed inner demons for another opponent on the court, then this person is really useless.

Fortunately, he didn't see this in LeBron's eyes.

"Don't be afraid." LeBron said quietly. Instead of fear, what flashed in his eyes was the raging flames of war.

Paxson smiled and changed to a relatively comfortable and relaxed sitting position: "How do you feel about your unethical sports behavior at the World Championships?"

This was the second psychological test. Paxson deliberately made his tone a bit teasing and sarcastic.

Frankly speaking, no matter how LeBron answers, whether he wants revenge, wants to become more ruthless, repent or reform... the idea of ​​​​his answer is not important, Paxson doesn't care about that, what he wants to see is LeBron’s attitude and emotions.

This problem is undoubtedly a pain point for LeBron, and it is his worst experience of falling from heaven to hell. If he is not truly ready to play, then he will not be able to face this problem.

What makes Paxson very satisfied is that LeBron's performance in facing this problem is even better than he imagined.

"Everyone makes mistakes, especially for a poor kid who is suddenly hit by huge fame and fortune." LeBron said calmly: "It is an experience and lesson, and it will also be a valuable asset for me."

"What are you willing to do to make up for the mistakes you made?"

It's still a trick. If the other party says something specific about how to repent, how to ask for forgiveness, how to reform, etc., Paxson will sneer at it. That is the way of thinking of a weak person, and it is tantamount to admitting his mistake.

A truly strong person will never apologize, let alone admit his mistakes, and if he is both a strong person and a wise man, his answer will be even more interesting.

Sure enough, LeBron gave him a more interesting answer, which was very abstract: "Everything I can do."

Everything...this meaning covers a wide range of things.

Paxson laughed. He felt that the kid in front of him had more than just basketball talent.

He finally sat up straight again: "Last question, are you willing to come to the Cleveland Cavaliers? No matter how big the risk is?"

"Don't answer me in a hurry, kid." Paxson said with a smile: "I think there are still a few teams in the league that are interested in you. Maybe they will send you a trial invitation in two days. Now I just want to wait and see, and express in front of the public and fans that I don't actually desire you, but the draft picks of these teams will not be very high, and at the same time, what they are willing to do for you is also It must not be as much as I am willing to do for you.”

"For example, the Wizards, the Spurs, and the Lakers are much stronger than the Cavaliers today, and they have more attention, more fans, and a bigger market. But if you go there, you are destined to be a A handyman will not get too many resources from the team to train you, but if you come to the Cleveland Cavaliers, I can guarantee that you will be given at least the second overall pick in your training priority."

"So, think about it carefully before answering me." Paxson said: "If you are willing to come to the Cavaliers, then when these teams send you trial invitations, you don't have to refuse them directly. That is not reasonable, but I hope you will give A very poor competitive performance. I can't give you a reputation as a high pick, but I can give you a maximum rookie contract. At the same time, I will mobilize all the power of my public relations team to clear your name now. All the stains on your body! Of course, this also requires your own cooperation, and may even require you to sacrifice something..."

Not having a high pick means not being famous. Frankly speaking, after more than half a year of hard training, LeBron feels that such a choice is a bit humiliating given his current competitive level.

And this is tantamount to a gamble. If he gives up the trial or deliberately pulls his hips during the trial, then he can only rely on the Cavaliers. If the Cavaliers trick him in the end and don't sign him...

But his bad reputation is something he has to face now. Worse teams dare not sign him, and even if there are currently popular teams such as the Wizards, Lakers, and Spurs that offer him an olive branch, the situation will still be different. As Paxson said, if he is not reused and trained by the team, no one will go to great lengths to help him clear his reputation.

Then he may never have a chance to challenge Lin Dong, whether on or off the court, never!

LeBron didn't dwell on the issue for long.

It seems that I have no extra choice.

"I am willing. As long as the team is willing to train me, it can give me a chance to defeat Lin Dong." LeBron said calmly: "One day, you will be glad for your decision today. This will be the best thing you will do in your life." The most valuable transaction ever!”

Paxson was stunned for a moment, then a smile appeared on his face: "This may take time."

He likes confident guys, and even more so, crazy gamblers, because only this kind of gambler who knows he has no way out can reach his greatest potential on the court.

"I have plenty of time." LeBron said, "You shouldn't be short of it, right?"

"I will arrange a trial training for you as soon as possible, but before that, there are some performances that you need to cooperate with." Paxson laughed and stretched out his hand towards LeBron.

LeBron also extended his hand: "Happy to oblige."

The two big hands were clasped together.

"Happy cooperation!"

(End of this chapter)