And, after each goal, he would have a close exchange with LBJ.
Larry Hughes couldn’t understand how Roger could play and still co up with so much trash talk.
LeBron Jas was bearing the wrath of the Savior while also enduring the pressure from Cleveland.
He repeatedly emphasized that he wouldn’t lose to Roger this season.
But in the first battle of this season, he seed like a clown in the circus.
By halfti, Roger had already racked up 25 points.
Jas had 9 points and 4 turnovers at halfti, which couldn’t be called outstanding.
In the second half, the Cavaliers started double-teaming Roger again, and the Warriors’ three-point shooting cooled down, allowing the Cavaliers to claw back so points.
After the third quarter, the Cavaliers were only 8 points behind.
Jeff Hornacek muttered at the end of the third quarter: "Really unfortunate."
Spoelstra shrugged: "There’s nothing unfortunate, shooting touch cos and goes like that, every quarter, every minute has its ups and downs."
"No," the lethal 3-point shooter waved his hand, "I an, the Clevelanders are really unfortunate."
"They’re lucky, otherwise, the ga would have gone into garbage ti."
"Garbage ti would be a relief for them, now we’re only leading by 8 points, how do you think Roger will treat the Cavaliers?"
Spoelstra paused, then nodded in agreent: "You’re right, the Clevelanders are really unfortunate."
Indeed they were, as Roger went all out in the fourth quarter, and his scoring kept climbing.
In the second half of the fourth quarter, the Cavaliers could only have Jas focus on defending Roger.
Roger admitted that Jas was the player who gave him the most pressure among the three who had predominantly defended him today.
LeBron in his third year was already very mature in one-on-one defense, and thanks to his excellent physical attributes, his oppressive presence far exceeded Kirilenko and Larry Hughes.
Roger’s offensive efficiency dropped sowhat, but Jas’ offensive efficiency dropped even harder.
For several consecutive possessions, the Cavaliers successfully defended against Roger on one end, but on the counter-attack, Jas missed layups in confrontations.
The stamina consud by primarily defending against Roger severely impacted LBJ’s finishing rate.
minute and 03 seconds before the ga ended, Roger held the ball one-on-one against number 23.
Before the attack, he pointed to the stands of Quicken Loans Arena: "The fans here really love you, they’ve even left so much space for you to rest later."
Jas looked up and noticed for the first ti that many fans in Quicken Loans Arena had already left.
Because at this ti, the Cavaliers were still 11 points behind. As most people saw it, the ga was already over.
Moreover, so discordant voices had erged from the stands.
"LeBron, liar!"
"You’re so disappointing!"
"Roger scored 47 points and had 10 assists, while you only had 19 points and 6 turnovers, seriously LBJ?"
Overnight, LeBron Jas went from being the hero of Cleveland to a scorned scoundrel.
You can act cool while making promises, but any promise cos at a cost.
AK47 imdiately double-tead, not giving up on the ga, hoping for a miracle.
Roger passed the ball to Diaw who was left unguarded, Diaw didn’t shoot, but instead drove with the ball.
After drawing Kirilenko back in, Boris Diaw made a beautiful back pass to the cutting Roger.
Jas, already in a daze, failed to keep up, and Roger easily caught the ball and went for a slam.
But just as Roger was about to complete the dunk, he felt soone push his waist hard.
Roger lost his balance mid-air, and after barely completing the dunk, fell to the ground.
It was LeBron Jas, who deliberately pushed Roger in a situation where it was impossible to complete the defense, a bizarre dirty play seemingly ingrained in his DNA, running through LBJ’s entire career.
As Roger hit the ground, the referee blew the whistle, and Jas threw up his hands.
Matt Barnes sprinted to Jas, grabbing him by the throat. The intense sensation of choking flooded in instantly; Matt Barnes wasn’t bluffing, his powerful grip seed to an real harm.
Next was Stephen Jackson, whom Jas thought was there to break things up, but instead, he punched Jas in the chest — you can’t assess LBJ’s luck, starting sothing when both Stephen Jackson and Matt Barnes were present.
Finally, Cavaliers’ players arrived, and a shoving match ensued, creating utter chaos on-site.
At that mont, Roger stepped out of the crowd, walked up to number 23, said nothing, and smacked him hard across the face like a father scolding a son.
The headband on 23 was sent flying, and Roger pointed at his nose as the other "gang mbers" blocked Cavaliers’ players, preventing them from approaching.
"You’re such a disappointnt, in basketball and your dirty plays. If you want to handle it this way, you should’ve been tougher. My woman’s hugs when I go ho are much stronger than that."
Under the overwhelming presence of Roger and the gang mbers, LeBron Jas could only cover his face, bow his head, and dare not utter a word.
"This is like an adult scolding a child." Al Michaels used a pun.
The implication: LeBron Jas wasn’t even on Roger’s level as a competitor.
-----------------
Listen, I said I’d use my life to protect my family, and I wasn’t joking. If anyone dares touch Roger, I won’t let it go. I’ll fight to the death, I’ll make you suffer, I absolutely will! — Matt Barnes, suspended for 2 gas for choking an opponent, on today’s conflict.
Has LeBron’s bullshit ever been in short supply? Who would be surprised by this outco? — Stephen Jackson on Jas breaking promises once more.
Roger had 49 points and 10 assists, LeBron had 19 points and 6 turnovers, and you’re asking if the Cavaliers will be a problem this season, seriously? — Erik Spoelstra discussing the Cavaliers’ competitiveness this season.
Listen, the Cavaliers’ lineup has issues. LBJ needs space, needs shooters to open up the floor for him. Larry Hughes? His shot selection is dumber than LA’s number 15; he’s the scapegoat for the Cavaliers’ losses! The Cavaliers should trade him for a shooter, like Michael Reed. Wait, wasn’t Michael Reed called the scapegoat for the Cavaliers not making the playoffs last season? God, why are all LeBron’s teammates scapegoats? — Charles Barkley speaking out for LBJ in the season opener.
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