LeBron James: I want to be first!

"LeBron, was that an easy win?"

After the game, Mike Brown once again worked on LeBron James.

LeBron James couldn't help nodding. It really had been an easy win.

Maybe I really shouldn't be handling the ball. Should I play off-ball and work with the team instead?

"LeBron, one game might not be enough to put your doubts to rest. How about watching a few more?"

Mike Brown noticed LeBron James's expression shift and immediately followed up.

LeBron James nodded. He'd watch a few more games and see how things went.

The main reason LeBron James wanted to change his playing style was that both Mike Brown and general manager Chris Grant had told him there was a good chance the team would make it to the Finals this year.

The Eastern Conference was undergoing a major shift.

The established powerhouses—the Detroit Pistons, New Jersey Nets, and Indiana Pacers—had seen their chances of advancing decline as their core players aged and injuries took their toll.

Meanwhile, younger, more competitive teams had emerged, including the Washington Wizards, Chicago Bulls, and Cleveland Cavaliers.

In Mike Brown's view, of those teams, only the Cleveland Cavaliers were real contenders for the championship.

At the same time, LeBron James had represented his country in the offseason and come home with a bronze medal. It was downright embarrassing.

So LeBron James urgently needed a championship to prove himself.

His stats might take a hit, but at that moment, winning a championship mattered more to LeBron James!

Mike Brown and general manager Chris Grant relentlessly tried to persuade him. They even brought up Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain from the old days as examples.

Wilt Chamberlain had certainly put up incredible stats. People called him the stat-sheet stuffer!

But Bill Russell had won more championships and was known as the "Ring King."

Even today, when fans talked about the old days, Bill Russell was the first name that came to mind.

And Bill Russell was held in higher regard.

They also brought up plenty of superstar players who had never won a championship, like Charles Barkley and Karl Malone.

Mike Brown and general manager Chris Grant also guaranteed that LeBron James would remain the team's top dog.

With all that, how could a 21-year-old LeBron James not be tempted?

Of course, LeBron James still wanted to see results. After the first game, though, the team had won more easily than when he'd tried to do everything himself.

When Mike Brown saw LeBron James nod, a radiant smile spread across his face.

After getting LeBron James on board, Mike Brown went to talk to Su Yi. The two didn't finish their discussion until more than an hour later.

The next day, on the private plane to Indiana, Mike Brown announced that Su Yi would be promoted to the starting lineup for their next game.

Damon Jones: The sky is falling! (꒪ꇴ꒪(꒪ꇴ꒪;)

The starting lineup would now be Eric Snow, Su Yi, Larry Hughes, LeBron James, and Big Z!

This lineup had offense and defense in equal measure.

A well-rounded team!

And, more importantly, it had mobility.

On the 24th, the Cleveland Cavaliers visited the Indiana Pacers, a powerhouse in the Eastern Conference.

Before the game, everyone expected a hard-fought matchup.

But by halftime, the Cleveland Cavaliers were already up by a full 17 points.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had scored a whopping 67 points in the first half, including 26 on fast breaks!

The Indiana Pacers simply couldn't keep up with the Cavaliers' mobility.

Several times, the Pacers' twin towers hadn't even made it back on defense before the Cavaliers were already racing down the court for a fast break.

They were incredibly fast and accurate.

The Cavaliers' smooth, flowing offense was a treat for the fans in the arena and watching on TV, sending the ratings soaring.

David Stern couldn't help smiling.

The Cavaliers kept up the same pace in the second half, overwhelming the Pacers.

At the end of the third quarter,

the lead had stretched to 25 points.

The fourth quarter was garbage time.

In the end, the Cleveland Cavaliers crushed the Indiana Pacers 129–98, winning by 31 points.

Six Cavaliers players scored in double figures.

Su Yi led the way with a scorching 33 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, and 1 steal. For him, this was the most comfortable game he'd played all season.

LeBron James posted a triple-double: 17 points, 13 rebounds, 10 assists, and 2 steals.

The game only made LeBron James more convinced that Mike Brown and general manager Chris Grant had been telling him the truth.

It really was so much easier to win this way.

The Cavaliers then comfortably won all three of their remaining games in November.

On the 26th, they hosted the Philadelphia 76ers and beat them 118–99, winning by 19.

Su Yi scored another 30-plus, finishing with 31 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 steals. LeBron James had a near triple-double with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 9 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block.

On the 28th, they hosted the New York Knicks and beat them 109–95, winning by 14.

Su Yi continued to put up steady numbers, scoring 30 points, with 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1 steal. LeBron James had a near triple-double with 11 points, 14 rebounds, 8 assists, 2 steals, and 2 blocks.

On the 30th, they visited the Atlanta Hawks and beat them 106–95, winning by 11.

Su Yi scored another 30-plus. That made five straight games with at least 30 points!

With Su Yi leading the way, the Cleveland Cavaliers had won five straight. Their record now stood at 13 wins and 2 losses, putting them firmly in first place in the Eastern Conference, far ahead of the pack!

Over those five games, Su Yi had averaged 32.2 points, 5.6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 1.6 steals.

LeBron James had averaged 14.4 points, 10.8 rebounds, 8.8 assists, 2 steals, and 1 block.

A brand-new partnership had emerged for the Cleveland Cavaliers: the Su-Zhan Duo!

The media and fans had plenty to say about the new pairing:

"The Su-Zhan Duo is unstoppable!"

"Those stats after just five games? Give them a whole season to gel, and the Cavaliers will go straight to the championship!"

"LeBron's more efficient with the ball in his hands less! Su has proved he's the Cavaliers' future."

"From two straight losses to five straight wins! The Su-Zhan Duo has reignited the Cavaliers' title hopes."

"LeBron: Turns out you can win without scoring as much? Su: You should've trusted me sooner!"

"Su sets LeBron up, LeBron runs the floor—this duo was made for each other!"

"Mike Brown's brilliant adjustment! He unleashed LeBron's playmaking and put Su's scoring talent to work!"

Most of the comments praised Su Yi and LeBron James, while others applauded Mike Brown's adjustment.

But some were jokes, too.

LeBron James was scrolling through the comments at home, feeling pretty pleased—until he saw people calling Su the Cavaliers' future. He immediately soured. He was the King of the Cleveland Cavaliers!

He wasn't too happy with the name of the new partnership, either. What was this "Su-Zhan Duo" nonsense? It should be called the "Zhan-Su Duo"!

LeBron James: I want to be first!