As time relentlessly advanced, the Christmas showdown was drawing ever closer to the fans.
This year’s Christmas battle was extraordinarily classic and could be said to be even more attention-grabbing than ever before.
The reason it was classic was that after Stern’s era repeatedly failed to create the 23 VS 24 matchups, they could only put effort into the Christmas showdown.
It could be said that during the years James was still with the Cavaliers, the Christmas showdown felt like it was always the Cavaliers versus the Lakers.
VS 24 was a major draw, and it made money, so there was no disappointment there.
However, this year’s Christmas showdown was still between the Cavaliers and the Lakers, only this time, the former rivals 23 and 24 were on the same team, and their opponent was now Hansen, who had become the top player in the League.
Moreover, it was key that the game was being played at the Cavaliers’ home court, where James’s return to Cleveland was something fans would not miss.
However, about half a month before the Christmas showdown started, a comment by Irving brought the already much-anticipated event into even sharper focus.
This whole affair traced back to Irving’s post-game interview after his game-winning shot against the Bulls.
In that interview, Irving made a statement: "If there is anyone who can lead Cleveland to ultimate success, I believe Hansen is the only one."
There was nothing wrong with these sentimental words from Irving, given he received the pass from Hansen for the game-winner.
However, this also attracted the dissatisfaction of LeBron fans.
Or rather, they already harbored some resentment.
This season, with Zhan Ke teamed up, when they won games, LeBron fans and Kobe fans were peaceful and united against outsiders.
But when they lost a game, the atmosphere changed, as naturally neither LeBron fans nor Kobe fans wanted their idols to be blamed.
With their large fanbases, the likelihood of extreme fans was high, making it easy for sparks to ignite an argument.
But since James and Kobe were on the same team, they couldn’t really let loose and argue; it felt like a couple bickering about divorce yet unable to go through with it, filled with resentment.
Thus, upon seeing Irving’s remarks, LeBron fans immediately took to social media to object.
"If LeBron were to return to the Cavaliers, the team would have a Big Three lineup with LeBron, you, and Love, the Cavaliers would now be first in The East, you all would be the favorites for the championship, unlike now, where LeBron is the only one who has taken the Cavaliers to the Finals, he is the one who could truly lead Cleveland to success." Google seaʀᴄh 𝔫𝔬𝔳𝔢𝔩⁂𝖿𝗂𝗋𝖾⁂𝔫𝔢𝔱
"If" is the most provocative word in the world, especially when one is in unfortunate circumstances.
LeBron fans, being fewer in number compared to Kobe fans, were at a disadvantage in arguments, and that’s when they would think of "if" scenarios.
Moreover, if James did return to the Cavaliers and ultimately led Cleveland to success, it would completely restore his reputation, so they were more inclined to indulge in such thinking.
This sentiment initially was just on social media, but as it resonated with more LeBron fans, it moved from online to offline.
Irving was asked about that "if" by reporters during a public training session.
"This ’if’ does not consider what others think," Irving began, which didn’t seem significant at first.
But when pressed by the reporters, Irving displayed his usual emotional intelligence.
"I don’t want to play with LeBron; nobody wants to play alongside LeBron."
This was almost like a bomb thrown at the LeBron fans.
Irving was immediately bombarded by LeBron fans on social media.
"Who is Kyrie Irving? The core of the team that got the first draft pick twice in three years?"
"A player who has never played a single playoff game, where does he get off mocking the league’s MVP?"
"Irving is the worst team leader in NBA history, he’s even the most overrated All-Star, if it weren’t for Nike, he’d be nothing."
Truthfully speaking, Irving’s statement indeed lacked emotional intelligence.
Though the statement was rough, it made sense, but he was one of Nike’s rising stars, and he belonged to the same camp as James.
Rebelling within your own nest is truly problematic!
In late December, Hansen attended the ribbon-cutting ceremony of a Korean restaurant in Cleveland.
Following his return to Cleveland, several domestic businesses began investing in Cleveland.
After all, merely flashing an advertisement on an electronic rolling screen generated minimal profits.
These investments also attracted many Chinese to Cleveland, providing some market for the Korean restaurant.
The ceremony drew many fans who came to show their support, and a lot of reporters showed up too.
Given Irving’s recent controversial remarks, he was asked about his views on what Irving had said.
"Everyone is free to express their opinions," Hansen responded in a way that left reporters without grounds for rebuttal.
After all, this is the United States, the most dedicated promoter of "freedom"; could you really stop someone from speaking?
Of course, what Hansen didn’t say was, but you also have to be prepared for the consequences of what you’ve said.
Whether Irving was prepared or not, nobody knew, but he indeed was very firm.
Because as the controversy brewed and reporters continued to ask if he regretted what he had said, Irving’s attitude was summarized in one word:
Without a doubt, after saying that statement, Nike definitely had people talk to him, even asking him to retract his words.
But that’s just Irving’s personality, self-centered yet rebellious, the more you tell him, the more energized he becomes.
And he had nothing to fear.
After all, Nike’s readily notable rising stars were only him, George, and AD, then George had just suffered a leg break putting him out for the season, and AD was a center.