My LeBron Is the Best; the Team Lost, but My LeBron Didn't!

I'll do it myself?

Seeing that they were already down by five, LeBron James inexplicably started to feel a little timid.

He didn't want to be the one who cost them the game.

LeBron James held the ball at the top of the key and began directing traffic, sending his teammates scrambling into position.

Larry Hughes and Big Z kept moving, setting screens and running pick-and-rolls!

Su Yi alone stood in the corner, quietly watching the show. He even felt like grabbing some snacks.

"Rookie, not running? You know you can't shake me, huh! Isn't my defense great?"

With the team in such a good position, Josh Smith had scored five straight points in overtime, helping them build a five-point lead.

He was in a fantastic mood.

Josh Smith couldn't help striking up a conversation with Su Yi.

"I'm done running. Josh, your defense really is incredible. You've got a shot at DPOY!"

Su Yi praised him generously.

"Haha."

Hearing Su Yi's compliment, Josh Smith couldn't help laughing.

Though they had only faced each other in one game, Josh Smith had already acknowledged Su Yi's ability.

He had an accurate outside shot, and his off-ball movement was excellent, too. Let your guard down for a second, and he might slip away. As for his defense, it was decent—at least he could stop Joe Johnson a few times.

In Josh Smith's eyes, drafting Su Yi would have meant getting a player who could contribute right away.

Plug and play!

Josh Smith couldn't help wondering why his team's front office hadn't drafted Su Yi.

In this summer's draft, the Atlanta Hawks had picked two big men.

They had potential, sure, but still needed a long time to develop.

Whether they'd ever get there, Josh Smith had no idea!

After all, nearly 60 players entered the NBA every year. That showed just how fierce the competition was. One wrong step, and a player might not even get the chance to develop.

But Josh Smith really liked players like Su Yi, who could make an immediate impact.

It was a shame Su Yi wasn't his teammate. Josh Smith found that very disappointing.

While Su Yi and Josh Smith chatted in the corner, the Cleveland Cavaliers had already finished their possession.

LeBron James had spent over ten seconds directing traffic at the top of the key before passing to Larry Hughes, who had come out to receive the ball.

With little time left, Larry Hughes made a pump fake to create space for his shot.

He jumped, hung in the air, and let fly from three.

Clang!

The ball bounced off the rim. No good.

Zaza Pachulia secured the rebound under the basket.

He immediately passed the ball to Joe Johnson, who brought it up at an unhurried pace.

After all, they were in the lead and had no reason to rush. They used up the entire 24 seconds on the shot clock.

Clang!

Joe Johnson finally took a midrange shot with Su Yi defending him, but missed.

Under the basket, Drew Gooden leaped up, trying to grab the defensive rebound.

But in the next second, a figure dropped from above, soaring high and snatching the rebound right in front of Drew Gooden.

"Fuck, how'd he get in there?"

Drew Gooden looked closely—Josh Smith!

He couldn't help shouting at him.

Out on the perimeter, Su Yi shook his head and thought to himself, Because your GM LeBron let him in!

After grabbing the offensive rebound under the basket, Josh Smith jumped up again.

Big Z immediately dropped back into the paint, leaped, and swung his left hand hard at Josh Smith.

Smack!

He hit Josh Smith on the arm.

The foul ruined Josh Smith's shot.

Whistle!

At the same time, the referee blew the whistle and called a foul on Big Z, sending Josh Smith to the free-throw line.

Big Z walked toward the bench with a helpless look on his face.

That foul brought him to six for the game.

He had to leave.

There was 1:06 left in the game.

It was over. They'd lost!

Swish! Swish!

Josh Smith made both free throws, adding two points.

103–96.

The lead grew to seven.

Now came the part where our GM LeBron refused to give up or lose heart.

Over the next two possessions, LeBron James drove to the basket and scored four points.

His shooting suddenly jumped from 12-for-26 to 14-for-28.

His percentage soared from 46% to 50%!

His point total climbed from 30 to 34.

LeBron stans looked at the stat sheet: My LeBron put up 34 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 1 steal. As for his five turnovers, they chose not to see them.

His 50% shooting percentage was on par with that of a big man.

My LeBron is the best. The team lost, but my LeBron didn't!

Whistle!

As the final buzzer sounded, the Atlanta Hawks beat the Cleveland Cavaliers 105–100 in overtime, handing Cleveland its first loss of the season.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' record now stood at 3–1.

"Rookie, it was great meeting you. Keep it up—I believe in you!"

After the game, Josh Smith looked at Su Yi and said.

"Thanks. I hope we get another chance to face each other. I'll be even better next time."

Su Yi replied with a smile, and the two shared a friendly hug.

Su Yi then headed toward the players' tunnel, but after just a couple of steps, he was stopped by a group of reporters.

Su Yi: ??

Didn't LeBron James usually rush to do the postgame interview?

Why were they interviewing him? Me?

Su Yi couldn't make sense of it.

He looked around for LeBron James, but couldn't see him.

Su Yi guessed that the guy had headed straight for the players' tunnel as soon as the game ended, trying to give the fans the impression that he couldn't accept the loss.

As if! If it weren't for you, we wouldn't have needed overtime in the first place!

"Su, congratulations on playing more than 25 minutes. It shows your role on the team is becoming more important. What do you have to say about that?"

The blonde reporter asked the first question.

Su Yi looked past her toward the seats. He didn't dare look directly at the blonde reporter.

After all, she was wearing a low-cut dress.

At his height, looking down gave him quite a view.

But Su Yi didn't want any incriminating photos taken.

If they were somewhere else, he wouldn't have bothered pretending to be a gentleman. If it was there to see, why not look?

"I'm very grateful to Coach Brown for trusting me and giving me valuable playing time.

"As a rookie, I'm lucky to have a head coach like Coach Brown, who's willing to give young players a chance.

"I'll keep repaying Coach Brown's trust with my performance on the court."

Su Yi gave his response.

"Su, how would you evaluate your performance in this game?"

The blonde reporter continued.

"I didn't play very well. Josh shut me down."

Su Yi answered honestly. He had only put up 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 1 steal that game.

After answering a few more questions, Su Yi wrapped up the interview and headed for the players' tunnel.

On the other side of the court, Josh Smith, who had put up 29 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks that night, was being interviewed.

During the interview, he brought up Su Yi:

"That rookie Su really knows how to run. I was practically out of breath.

"Looks like I need to work on my conditioning when I get back. Otherwise, I won't be able to keep up with him next time!"

There was a hint of teasing in Josh Smith's voice.

But his comment immediately caught the attention of a lot of reporters and fans.

The first thing Su Yi did when he got back to the locker room was shower and change.

Once he was ready, he headed straight to the parking lot and boarded the team bus.

As time passed, his teammates boarded one by one.

The bus was quieter than usual.

After all, losing never felt good.

Once everyone was on board, the bus pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the hotel.