Cleveland

Even if someone's shooting touch is off, as long as two players are at normal level, the Thunder can basically hold their own. Unless they're up against a tough opponent, like the Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers, Houston Rockets, or other top-tier League teams, then all three need to perform exceptionally well, and anything is possible.

However, life isn't always smooth sailing, just like no team can maintain an endless winning streak.

January 25th

The Thunder are on an away game, challenging the New Orleans Pelicans.

The 2012 top draft pick, Anthony Davis, suddenly exploded. Once known as the "Empty Stats Group Leader," AD tonight seemed possessed by Hakeem Olajuwon, making every shot. On offense, he dominated Little Sabonis and Adams, and on defense, he sent Westbrook and Chen Xi packing with a whopping 3 blocks. He scored a super luxurious stat line of 46 points, 15 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks, leading his team to victory and ending the Thunder's winning streak once again.

On November 26th, after suffering a crushing defeat, the Thunder finally ended their 6-game road trip and returned to their home court in Oklahoma.

Although they had a back-to-back against the Mavericks coming up, playing at home was obviously much more comfortable.

The Mavericks, in the midst of rebuilding, couldn't make much of a splash and were easily defeated by the Thunder. The team's highest scorer was Harrison Barnes, who was once on Presti's trade target list, with 31 points. However, the Mavericks' asking price was too high, and GM Presti ultimately gave up. They actually wanted to trade Barnes for Sabonis and Chen Xi? What a joke. If they want to rebuild like that, what am I supposed to do?

Besides Barnes, no one else on the Mavericks scored in double digits, while all five starters for the Thunder scored in double digits. It was hard to lose.

Chen Xi had 18 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. Butler had 16 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. Westbrook had 24 points, 8 rebounds, and 9 assists. Adams had 10 points and 9 rebounds. Little Sabonis had 12 points and 7 rebounds. Everyone got what they wanted, and they happily took the win.

After defeating the Mavericks, they had two more days of rest. Chen Xi took the time to adjust his state... in bed.

On January 29th, the Thunder visited Cleveland.

"Cleveland! I'm here, damn it!!!" Chen Xi was still acting crazy at the airport after getting off the plane.

"It really is, there are posters of Old Zhang everywhere."

As he walked and looked around, as a small city, the most well-known person here was That Man in Blue.

LeBron James.

Three championships, three FMVPs, 4 MVPs, 10 First Team selections, 2 Second Team selections, 5 First Team All-Defense nods, 1 Second Team All-Defense nod, 1 Scoring Champion, and 12 All-Star appearances.

Damn!!!!

And countless other statistical records.

Having just won the Cavaliers their first championship in franchise history, LeBron could already be called the undisputed number one player in the League.

In terms of honors, he could also start challenging Jordan, if he could win three more championships...

"Chris, are you LeBron's fan?"

"Of course! As everyone knows, my favorite star is... Turtle Turtle!!!!" Chen Xi's condition hadn't improved yet.

"...Seeing how excited you were, I thought you were his fan."

"No, you know I'm a sucker for good looks." Chen Xi looked at Little Sabonis with a serious face.

"...Then Russell..."

"Turtle Turtle! Domantas said you... Woo woo woo~~~~"

Little Sabonis quickly covered the scoundrel's mouth.

Can't find the book by searching the title, you can try searching the author, maybe the name has just been changed!

Chen Xi raised his hand and made a five gesture.

"Fifty bucks. One cent less and I'll report you."

"Yes, yes, yes, I got it." Little Sabonis rolled his eyes at Chen Xi, this money-grubbing guy who extorted him at every opportunity.

He was the one being stupid for provoking him.

"Getting back to the point, I wasn't entirely joking just now. I actually recognize LeBron's skill, but I don't really like him. I prefer players with more aesthetically pleasing moves."

"So you not only said he's ugly, but you also said his moves are ugly..."

"Huh? I didn't! You're talking nonsense! Don't take me out of context! If that gets out, I'm finished."

"Fifty bucks."

"...Retribution comes fast."

Laughing and joking, they got on the bus, heading for Cleveland, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.

The Cavaliers, boasting the Big Three of James, Irving, and Love, had a record of 31 wins and 14 losses so far this season. As the defending champions, they were a bit unlucky to face the Cosmic Warriors, but there was nothing they could do. Who wouldn't have space? The Cavaliers, on the other hand, were burdened by several large contracts, especially Tristan Thompson, Prince of Eight. TT, averaging 8.1 points and 9.2 rebounds this season, was earning $15 million a year with the Cavaliers, locking up the team's cap space tightly. Keep in mind that even Irving was only making $20 million this season.

The thoughts returned to the arena, the game was about to begin.

Aquaman and Prince of Eight for the tip-off.

The Cavaliers gained possession. Irving dribbled to the frontcourt, called for a screen from TT, quickly got past the defender, and faced a switch by the Thunder. He isolated Adams.

After a series of between-the-legs pull-back dribbles that shook Aquaman's balance, he made a swift breakthrough, getting past Adams. Then, facing Little Sabonis's help defense, he took three quick steps to the baseline, glided, and made a pull-up shot.

A very Irving-esque play. When the combination of ball and player reaches a certain level, moves that are extremely difficult seem to come effortlessly to him.

The Cavaliers' retreat was very fast. Westbrook, seeing no good fast-break opportunity, chose to slow down the tempo and slowly brought the ball to the frontcourt, directing the inside players' positioning.

Little Sabonis came up to set a screen. The Cavaliers didn't switch. Shump fought through the screen to chase Westbrook.

But Westbrook read the defense and immediately chose to speed up, driving straight to the Cavaliers' basket. TT didn't even have time to rotate for help defense before Westbrook was hanging on the rim.

2-2.

The first offensive possessions for both teams were completed with individual performances by their All-Star point guards.

"Today's Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse is truly a star-studded stage; you can even see a full five All-Stars on the court!" exclaimed the commentator.

"In today's League, cooperation between superstars has become increasingly frequent, bringing increasingly spectacular visual effects to people."

The Cavaliers attacked again. Irving still chose to call for a pick-and-roll, but this time Westbrook quickly squeezed through the screen. Seeing that the breakthrough space wasn't very good, Irving chose to pass the ball back to James.

After receiving the ball at the top of the arc, LeBron looked at Butler in front of him, hesitated for a moment, and chose the "Bald Lion's Cold Arrow," a pull-up three-pointer.

Bang!

The crisp sound of the iron rim signaled that Old LeBron's shooting touch for the game seemed to be not outstanding.

After Adams grabbed the rebound, he tossed it to the fast-breaking Butler. JB received the ball and quickly attacked the basket, but upon seeing James rapidly retreating on defense, he chose to slow down.