"This was an incredibly difficult decision, leaving the Lakers and my brothers, but you have to understand it was really hard to refuse Stephen’s invite; no one could, especially with Klay involved. We’ve spent the whole summer training together, talking a lot.
You know, both Stephen and I are kids from Akron. I’ve thought about it for a long time, and I really couldn’t give up this rare opportunity to fight alongside the greatest Point Guard in history.
Here’s another secret for you: Stephen and I were both born in the same hospital, Suma Akron City Hospital. I like to call it the MVP Hospital.
And there’s Draymond, he told me I could do anything I want there, which is undoubtedly fun and incredibly exciting, I really can’t wait, man, to start the new season soon."
This is a segment from an interview video posted on social media by Windhorst before the freeze period of the free market ended.
The video received an official push and instantly topped the trending list.
Of course, this was just the start of the video.
In the subsequent parts of the interview, Windhorst asked about the difference between James Curry and former teammate Wade.
"It’s too difficult, man, too difficult," James laughed heartily,
"You must know DW has unparalleled speed, he’s like a cheetah always ready to kill you, and Stephen has better shooting, he can make any shot you wouldn’t even imagine. It’s really hard to determine a winner.
But I think Stephen is a born winner, you know, man, he’s always winning, hungry, he’s always bloodthirsty, which drives you to strive and go crazy with him. He has unparalleled charm that makes you desperately want to fight alongside him. Being teammates with such a player is truly amazing!"
"What about Love then?"
"Love? Let’s wish him all the best in Los Angeles!"
"Are you sure this isn’t AI-generated?"
When Griffin and Thomas hurriedly handed the video to Hansen in the morning, he was somewhat incredulous.
James would actually go to the Warriors?
In the past, he always saw people on Mop shouting something about a perfect match with Golden State.
Now James himself sent himself there?
Could he really be the biggest James hater?
"Can AI make such a video?" Griffin had a face full of doubt.
Hansen snapped back to reality.
Indeed, AI in this era isn’t as advanced as it was before he traveled through time.
But this is truly hard to understand.
Not only is James choosing to go to the Warriors beyond his expectations, but the Warriors wanting James is also beyond his expectations.
Because James and Green’s roles overlap highly, where do they keep Green together in the same team?
"He will be our biggest opponent next season, LeBron and Stephen’s pick and rolls will destroy opponents’ defenses, their technical characteristics perfectly match."
Looking at Hansen’s expression, Griffin assumed he was also troubled by such opponents appearing and couldn’t help but sigh.
Although James has been a journeyman lately, his skills haven’t improved significantly, and he’s even become Nike’s number two personality, but he’s still one of the top five players in the League.
"The Warriors pursued LeBron in 2010 and 2014, but LeBron’s team rejected them both times," Thomas also added.
With his connections, this news is genuine.
Hansen snapped back into reality again.
He remembered the scenes of James and Curry playing in the Olympics.
If James truly could comfortably play as a support, Curry would indeed be the most fitting guard for him.
And unlike then at the end of his career, now James is only 31, at his pinnacle.
The Warriors also have ample space; you know this era’s Green has a three-point shot, and his 8-for-9 three-pointers in last season’s Western Conference finals are the best proof.
If it were a small lineup, James’ space for drives would be the best he’s encountered in his career.
And the Warriors play quick basketball, which fully utilizes James’ strong defensive and counter-attacking abilities.
As for defense, the Warriors have Green sweeping the interior and Iguodala on the perimeter, so defense shouldn’t be lacking.
So if James was content as a support, what he brings to the Warriors may truly not be less than Durant.
But the question is, would James do it?
If it were before, Hansen thought James definitely wouldn’t, just like Thomas said, if he were going to do it, he wouldn’t have refused the previous two opportunities.
But now, Hansen couldn’t say for sure.
Putting himself in James’ shoes, he’s been chasing technology but hasn’t won a championship, and Durant didn’t choose to go to the Lakers, James has practically gone through all the roads he could.
Staying with the Lakers is slow death, joining the Warriors is the best and only option.
He might even be thankful to Durant now, because the Warriors’ first choice must be Durant, and he was the alternate.
He ought to be making this choice with some determination, and it may allow him to play more comfortably.
With this thought, Hansen’s initially waning motivation due to Durant not going to the Warriors became reinvigorated instantly. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝓷𝓮𝓽
James has already fulfilled his promise to Cleveland, it’s time to let him continue to fulfill the not1, not2 promises!
Instantly filled with enthusiasm!
James left social media, so this interview was posted by Windhorst, partly to reduce some public pressure on James himself.
But in fact, it did not achieve any effect.
Lakers’ owner Jim Buss eventually ended up like Gilbert and Dolan, lashing out on social media, calling James a traitor.