Chapter 140: It Is Decided Thus

The threat from Marrakech was growing increasingly severe.

Following May 4th, the results of the first round of basketball games were all announced.

The Oklahoma team survived a grueling six-game series against Portland. Although James failed to secure a victory, the team's scoring efforts in recent years remained among the league's finest. They refused to allow themselves to be eliminated in the opening round, so the youngsters persevered to the end with an even stronger will.

Portland also required six basketball games to rescue Cleveland from a bleeding slide. I must admit that Cleveland's overall strength in recent years had been truly lacking. Had they not encountered the Cleveland squad led by Su Feng in the basketball tournament, they might have tasted victory in the finals. This year, Cleveland crossed paths with Portland once again, only to be eliminated prematurely.

The closest matchup for Cleveland was undoubtedly the series against Houston. It was not until late last night that the two sides clinched a decisive Game 7 in brutal fashion. Neither team seemed to have an obvious advantage regarding who would advance. Both clubs fielded elite players, and the head-to-head clash between the star guards also drew immense media attention.

"It is not the enemy who is at fault," remarked Robert Henry after yesterday's match. Houston had not forgotten the humiliation of being eliminated by Cleveland two seasons prior. This year, Houston boasted a complete roster and a deeply mature club. It would not be easy for Cleveland to find a way past them.

"Cleveland has already broken their curse, but the true challenge is about to begin."

"Christopher is by no means a younger Stephen Curry, and there will be no easy, free-flowing scoring in this basketball tournament. Furthermore, the presence of the towering centers means Cleveland's interior advantage will instantly vanish. This is bound to be a fierce series; I would not be surprised if it goes the full distance to a Game 7."

The media universally predicted a tightly contested basketball series. Cleveland was undeniably formidable, but Houston was certainly no pushover.

Robert Henry's basketball performance had reached the peak of his career. In previous playoff campaigns, he averaged far fewer points, leading critics to view him as a burden to the star players. However, in this year's postseason, Henry elevated his game significantly, establishing himself as a true right-hand man to the team's leader.

Henry's newly developed mid-range shooting and playmaking abilities made him far more versatile on the court. The former champion had begun his transformation into a true superstar.

On the other side, the starting center had blossomed into one of the league's premier frontcourt forces. In earlier playoff runs, his modest shooting percentages and limited scoring output meant he was merely one of many blue-collar centers in the league.

Yet, in this year's postseason, his scoring ability around the basket had improved dramatically. In the first-round matchup, his shooting efficiency soared, and his rebounding and shot-blocking numbers proved just how impactful he had become in the paint.

As Houston's two interior pillars continued to develop, they were complemented by a wiser floor general and a strong supporting cast. Los Angeles Houston's performance in this basketball tournament was worlds apart from the past.

It was no wonder Henry had been so vocal after the series against Houston. In his view, the opposition simply could not be stopped.

Just as Cleveland was preparing at home for a strong start, an official league announcement left the center far from pleased.

On the day following the conclusion of the Houston series—and the day before Su Feng's semifinal opener—league officials announced that the veteran guard had won the Sixth Man of the Year award for the second time in his career.

His consistent regular-season production was a tremendous asset. His value could not be fully captured by statistics alone; whenever the primary scorers struggled, he could immediately step up, shoulder the responsibility, and carry the club toward victory.

This fellow certainly possessed the ability to dictate the flow of a basketball game. An award presented on the eve of the semifinals would undoubtedly provide a massive morale boost to Houston.

After reading the news, the team's concerns deepened. Tomorrow's basketball match would undoubtedly prove exceptionally difficult for Cleveland.

"It appears our opponents are fiercely determined," muttered an assistant coach while shaking his head as the news feeds were flooded with reports about Houston.

Thus far, there were no weak teams remaining in the postseason. Even though Houston had only advanced yesterday, it did not imply they were inferior by any margin.

"Didn't you hear what Henry said? They are threatening full retribution."

"If we take them lightly, they might actually pull off their revenge." With that, practice resumed, and the players returned their focus to the court. Fortunately, everyone had fought tenaciously. They were far from satisfied with merely sweeping their previous opponents; a first-round victory was not enough to satiate Cleveland's ambitions.

The team's big men were hard at work practicing their offense and defense in the paint. Their favorite activity was engaging in intense, physical battles, with the coaching staff pushing the players to display even greater aggressiveness.

During the first-round series against the Warriors' interior, the team had performed admirably without facing excessive physical resistance. However, confronting Houston and their bruising frontcourt presented an entirely different challenge.

Consequently, the coaching staff deliberately sought out fiercer confrontations during practice, encouraging a more aggressive style of play. They refused to let younger players step onto the battlefield unprepared and get torn apart by the enemy.

"Is that all you've got? You'll need to be much stronger than that!" a veteran shouted while aggressively battling in the post, using vocal jabs to provoke his teammates.

"Don't talk too much, man. I'll take care of you right here, and then move on to the next guy!" a younger teammate gritted his teeth in stubborn defiance.

In that exact moment, a forward suddenly pivoted, drove hard toward the rim, and elevated for a powerful dunk! To be fair, his offensive repertoire was not quite enough to easily score over the towering center.

Anticipating the play, the defender leaped high, met the challenge in mid-air, and with a sweep of his long arms, swatted the ball out of bounds.

Yet the collision was slightly too violent, causing the airborne player to completely lose his balance as he prepared to crash hard onto the wooden floor!

Instantly, a teammate reached out and wrapped his arms around the falling player's waist, helping the tall forward stabilize and avoid a potentially serious injury.

"You two are taking this way too far!" watching the scene unfold, the head coach broke out in a cold sweat. If a major injury had occurred right then, the consequences would have been disastrous.

"Hey, hey, it's fine, Coach. We're safe," the player replied, his fierce demeanor instantly vanishing as he flashed an easygoing smile.

Players genuinely enjoyed playing under this coaching staff because they recognized the leadership as intelligent, experienced, and deeply understanding of how to manage athletes. While it sounded simple, across the entire league, only a handful of managers truly mastered that balance.

For those who showed respect and dedication, the leadership always responded with warmth.

"Don't worry, I always look out for him," another veteran chimed in with a wave.

"Come on, kid, if I didn't have your back at all times, you might end up paying for it with an injury... Anyway, thanks for the save just now."

The coach simply shook his head, feeling powerless against the excessive enthusiasm of his two veteran centers.

"Regardless, for safety's sake, I don't want to see anyone hitting the floor like that again, understood?" the coach waved his hand and walked away.

"Man, I've got you covered next time!"

"Don't get cocky, I'll double my effort right back!"

The moment the coach turned around, the players resumed their fierce battle in the paint. The fierce competitiveness was palpable. Yet, Cleveland could never have won so many games—let alone reached this stage—without their formidable interior defense.

Hopefully, both centers would remain healthy...

Time slipped away, and on the afternoon of May 5th, Houston and the advancing Cleveland squad fired the opening shots of the semifinals.

Facing their visiting old rivals, the fans inside the arena were more energized than ever before. Wearing unified blue shirts, the Cleveland faithful created an overwhelming visual impact across the stands.

As Houston took the floor for warm-ups, the crowd unleashed a continuous barrage of boos, prompting the opposing players to consider grabbing earplugs.

Once the basketball game tipped off, the atmosphere intensified further. Every time Houston gained possession, the jeers echoed relentlessly; the moment Cleveland touched the ball, the arena erupted into deafening cheers.

"I must admit, Cleveland's fans have created a true demonic home court!" remarked the seasoned broadcaster.

On the court, the star players found themselves trapped in a web of stifling defense. Houston's scoring load fell heavily upon their primary playmaker's shoulders.

Yet on this particular day, the star guard's shooting efficiency was remarkably low. The aggressive perimeter defense made it nearly impossible for him to find any rhythm.

Conversely, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year delivered a stellar performance.

With brilliant orchestration from the floor general, Houston shot with incredible precision. When a team executed at such a high level, losing became nearly impossible.

Ultimately, the visitors held their ground and secured a hard-fought victory in a grueling battle.

Watching the conclusion of the contest, the analysts were thoroughly impressed. The star playmaker's performance had completely conquered the audience.

"A stellar scoring display, carrying the team to a crucial victory! Through sheer willpower, he completely controlled the basketball game! The opposing young duo had no choice but to accept the bitter fate of elimination!" broadcasters cheered, applauding the masterclass performance. This also meant that the league's elite floor general was about to face a direct, high-stakes collision!

After the game, the opposing star appeared exceptionally excited, having led his club with a phenomenal performance in the paint.

"Congratulations on advancing to the semifinals. Do you still have confidence in winning the next round against Cleveland?" a reporter asked. The question instantly caused the player's smile to fade.

Those past playoff matchups held bitter memories for him.

Ever since entering the league, he had repeatedly fallen short against his great rival. Just two seasons prior, his team had been swept by Cleveland in dominant fashion.

Dallas Cleveland? What a narrow path for old adversaries.

Staring seriously at the reporter, the player pointed a finger directly at the camera. Viewers watching from home felt an eerie sensation, as if the young star was speaking directly to them.

"Just wait, we will have our revenge!"

He locked eyes with the camera lens for a few intense seconds, as though piercing straight through the television screen to address the Cleveland players.

How would the upcoming series unfold? The battle promised to be equally ferocious. Both floor generals masterfully orchestrated their respective offenses. Cleveland's defense faced a supreme test because Houston featured multiple scoring threats across the floor, unlike previous opponents whose offense relied heavily on isolating specific shooters.

The intense basketball battle raged on into the final moments. A decisive drive drew a crucial foul, forcing the opponent to retreat to the bench due to accumulated personal fouls.

The substitute forward entered the game, perhaps carrying too much nervous energy, and immediately hoisted an ambitious mid-range shot upon receiving a pass.

Naturally, under tight defensive pressure, the shot missed the mark. In truth, that player's shooting was never entirely consistent, so the miss came as little surprise.

Cleveland quickly transitioned on offense, but a perimeter shot rimmed out, allowing the opponent to secure the rebound. However, a lapse in defensive positioning permitted an easy second-chance basket.

The ball was quickly returned to the primary playmaker, who swiftly redistributed it for another perimeter attempt. This time, the shot found nothing but net.

In the playoffs, if a role player commits errors across consecutive possessions, harsh criticism is inevitable. In such a high-stakes basketball war, back-to-back mistakes can easily derail the entire momentum of the game.

"If you can't defend properly, sit back down on the bench, you big fool!" Sure enough, the coach's booming voice instantly echoed across the arena, causing the player on the court to flush with embarrassment. Despite a jovial exterior, that player possessed a fierce competitive spirit forged alongside some of the league's most relentless competitors.

Moments later, the player answered the call with a clutch perimeter shot, instantly replying for his team.

Still, the defensive pressure never relented. The coaching staff understood that asking a slower defender to guard elite perimeter scorers was a massive gamble, requiring constant tactical adjustments.

The players clenched their fists, their expressions turning steely. Let's go, everyone!

Despite earning an early promotion to this round, Cleveland's training intensity had never dipped. Ever since eliminating their first-round opponents, the players closely monitored the ongoing series, studied opponent tendencies, and drilled corresponding defensive schemes on the practice floor.

Even without a formal game scheduled, nobody dared to slack off. Even those recovering from recent injuries pushed themselves to the absolute limit; within this roster, not a single person had an excuse for laziness.

Finally, on the eve of the next phase, the coaching staff opted to ease the workload, dismissing the players early in the afternoon.

The upcoming games between the remaining conference rivals marked the climax of the postseason race. The ultimate winner of that grueling war would emerge as Cleveland's next challenger! Consequently, the team viewed the scouting process with utmost gravity, sending players home early to study the broadcast.

Throughout the postseason, the opposing floor general maintained an extraordinary level of play. Although his raw scoring numbers dipped slightly compared to previous years, his playmaking numbers soared.

Undoubtedly, Houston was no longer a one-man show carried entirely by a single superstar. Their supporting cast had matured, providing potent floor spacing and scoring firepower. Not to mention the lethal scoring presence they possessed off the bench.

Even when the star guard did not need to score extensively, his passing alone could elevate the entire club to victory. That was precisely where his true dominance lay. Once he unlocked his teammates' offense, his overall impact became nearly peerless.

That series finale served as a textbook example of masterclass playmaking.

On the court, the maestro not only created his own shots but consistently handed his teammates easy scoring opportunities. Even seasoned veterans couldn't help but marvel at his court vision. He possessed a level of patience and maturity that posed a daunting challenge for any opponent.

As a pass was intercepted and a fast break ensued, the defense scrambled to recover. A contested shot ricocheted off the rim, triggering a scramble for the loose ball. A towering center fought for position, but as he elevated, a hard collision sent him crashing awkwardly to the floor.

When a giant of that stature hits the hardwood with full force, the entire arena floor trembles. The player remained motionless on the ground, clutching his knee in agonizing pain.

"Coach!" players shouted anxiously toward the sideline, though league rules restricted them from rushing onto the floor recklessly.

"Get out of here!" witnessing the scene, the star guard immediately directed his fury toward the opposing player, though cooler heads intervened just in time to hold him back. Everyone knew the history of reckless plays that could sideline a teammate for months.

In the heat of the playoffs, such dangerous contact carried severe consequences.

The offending player raised his hands in a gesture of feigned innocence, acknowledging the foul while displaying zero remorse.

No one had anticipated such a devastating accident unfolding on the court. The ensuing boos nearly drowned out the arena, but the damage was already done.

Teammates stood quietly beside the fallen veteran, hesitating to offer immediate physical assistance for fear of exacerbating a potential structural injury.

Staff members rushed onto the court to tend to the injured player, while the coaching staff worked desperately to maintain order and keep the team focused on the battle ahead.