CHAPTER 1281: CHAPTER 405: IF YOU ALL WANT TO BE MJ SO BADLY, I’LL MAKE IT HAPPEN FOR YOU

For the Warriors, who have been extremely reliant on their three-point shooting touch this season, the issue of stamina is fatal.

Spoelstra’s strategy might allow the Warriors to temporarily gain the lead, but it will never win them the game.

The Cavaliers’ players walked off the court, high-fiving each other.

Mike Brown crouched again in front of the young number 23: "How are you feeling?"

"Trailing, stalemate, overtaking... it feels like a lot has happened in just over half a quarter of play."

"That’s right, great games are inherently like this. Only by experiencing victory, failure, tension, and blood, can a warrior’s heart be forged. Go, LeBron, keep up the momentum and take them down!"

While Mike Brown was encouraging James, he was also motivating himself.

James needed to overcome Roger, and Mike Brown needed to get past Erik Spoelstra.

Tonight, nothing could stop them anymore.

The timeout ended quickly, with the Cavaliers substituting Brazilian Anderson Varejão for Big Z, and Donnel Marshall for Kurt Thomas, while the Cavaliers’ trio remained on the court, ready to take advantage of the Warriors’ fatigue.

But the Warriors’ substitutions were even more comprehensive.

The Warriors replaced three players at once, with only Roger and Stephen Jackson staying on from the starters.

Matt Barnes came in for Jason Richardson, Boris Diaw for Tayshaun Prince, and Dikembe Mutombo for Marcus Camby.

Seeing the Warriors already bringing out their rotation lineup, Mike Brown grew even more excited.

Whether the Warriors brought in substitutes early or let their starters play through exhaustion, the Cavaliers could capitalize on their momentum.

As the game resumed, Larry Hughes, who performed well in the previous catch-up phase, continued to press Roger, unable to resist saying: "This is the beginning of you becoming MJ."

Starting the season with only five wins and five losses, struggling against the young Little Emperor, all these seemed to point to one conclusion—Roger was ultimately on his way to becoming MJ, history is indeed cyclical.

The past rulers began to fall, and the one destined to dethrone them would be the next crowned king.

Roger paid no mind, only calling for Mutombo to set a pick and roll.

But this pick and roll was not effective; last season’s most effective scoring means for the Warriors in pick and rolls was near useless this season without Stoudemire.

Neither Camby nor Mount Mutombo posed much of an offensive threat after setting the pick, unable to draw defenders away for Roger.

This time was no different; after the pick and roll, Big Z immediately switched defense, while simultaneously AK47 and James double-teamed to seal Roger’s passing lane to Mutombo. Since Tayshaun Prince and Jason Richardson were subbed out, Kirilenko and James’ double teaming on Roger was more determined. After all, the three-point threats from Diaw and Barnes were far inferior to the former two.

After forming the double team, Big Z tried his best to sprint back to the rim to protect it, and Larry Hughes continued to stick close to Roger. This pick and roll was easily dismantled by the Cavaliers.

Roger quickly passed the ball to Matt Barnes outside the three-point line, a guy whose three-point shooting percentage last season was below 30%.

The latter rose for a jump shot, while Larry Hughes and LBJ both began sprinting towards the frontcourt, ready to capitalize on a fast break.

Roger watched LBJ’s figure rapidly advancing, reminiscent of how he’d envision himself at 40.

Both frontcourt players were battling under the basket, competing for rebounds.

But this three-pointer pierced the net cleanly; Matt Barnes successfully hit the three!

"This season, you can’t casually leave Matt unchecked; in the past ten games, he’s hit 36% of his threes. Whether you admit it or not, the King’s hound has gained long-distance threat. The Warriors lead by 6 points again, and the Cleveland Cavaliers’ nightmare isn’t over yet!" Al Michaels punched the air excitedly, honestly, he was looking forward to seeing the Warriors win.

After all, who doesn’t love a fairytale story?

If the Warriors managed to defend their title after losing their number two player, relying on Roger’s individual ability and the enthusiasm of others, it would be a more beautiful fairytale than number 23 defeating the Pistons.

After making the basket, Matt Barnes let out a triumphant roar to the heavens. Starting last season, Jeff Hornacek had been altering Matt Barnes’ jump shot, and he had been relentlessly practicing the monotonous drills.

And all those seeds sown with sweat were finally bearing fruit this season.

Mike Brown certainly knew how outstanding Matt Barnes’ jump shooting had been over the past ten games, but he didn’t believe Barnes could always maintain that touch.

Just like how Jason Kidd currently also has a 36% three-point shooting percentage, but still, few teams seriously guard against his threes.

Players who previously couldn’t shoot but later developed a shot are often labeled with "inconsistent shooting" and left unguarded.

Unfortunately, all of Mike Brown’s plans had fallen apart.

On the offensive end, LBJ’s nightmare reemerged.

Matt Barnes’ tenacious defense was even wilder than Jason Richardson’s, but Barnes was still no Ron Artest, a player like him could still manage to contend with James.

He nudged Barnes aside and slipped past him with an awkward spin move. In fact, the spin was a travel, but everyone on the Warriors’ bench was signaling to the referee, to no avail.

However, just after passing Barnes, Boris Diaw came over for a timely double-team, locking James outside the three-point line once again!

The Warriors’ defense didn’t weaken despite bringing in substitute players!

Matt Barnes’ level of defensive aggression exceeded the starters’, and the Frenchman’s basketball IQ in choosing the timing and positioning for double-teams was comparable to Tayshaun Prince.

This is why Erik Spoelstra dared to reduce starting players’ playtime and increase substitute minutes.

Because he believed the Warriors’ starters and rotation were very close in strength.

As long as stamina and playtime distribution were reasonable, this pressure could be sustained for 48 minutes!

James hesitated, and the ball was swiped away by Matt Barnes.

James had already committed three turnovers by the first quarter, immediately backpedaled defensively, facing the advancing Roger.

Roger ran to the three-point line but didn’t confront James head-on, opting for a trailing pull-up shot!

James jumped to contest, tripping over Roger’s leg as he landed, falling to the floor.

Roger steadied himself, maintaining his shooting posture as he watched the ball sink into the net, stretching the lead to 9 points!

After scoring, Roger lifted his leg and stepped over LBJ: "Tell your little buddy (Larry Hughes), since you all want to be MJ so much, I’ll oblige you."

At that moment, a previously composed Mike Brown stood up.

He realized he was never in control of the game.

He had always been the fool being led by the nose.