As the game began, Head Coach Mike Brown was besieged by a throng of reporters.
"Coach Brown, what do you have to say about the China Tang assault incident?"
"Will the team suspend Tang?"
"Excuse me, is Tang Long confirmed to be dating Miss Scarlett?"
"Mike..."
Mike Brown was quite annoyed by the barrage of questions from the reporters.
It was supposed to be a pre-game press conference. The Cavaliers' sixteen-game winning streak had captured the attention of all reporters in America, so he had meticulously prepared for this press conference, even bringing back the recovered Big Z.
This fully demonstrated that the Cavaliers were now strong and well-staffed, with Big Z's return further strengthening the team's interior.
However, as soon as he sat down at the press conference, he saw reporters holding microphones and posing questions. Immediately after, it seemed as though all the reporters had received a video of Tang Long assaulting someone.
As a result, these reporters rushed forward like sharks smelling blood.
"I'm sorry, I have no comment on such matters. This press conference is now over!"
Mike Brown got up angrily. He had also received that video. In the footage, Tang Long's palm, as large as a cattail fan, had sent a hooligan flying.
Tang Long seemed unsatisfied and proceeded to kick the man several times. Scarlett, standing beside him, cast a look of admiration at Tang Long.
The Cavaliers were on the verge of setting an NBA winning streak record, and with numerous sports reporters gathered at the arena, it was an opportune moment for publicity. Who knew such an off-court issue would arise?
Mike Brown returned to the locker room dejectedly.
"Coach Brown, were those reporters asking tricky questions again?"
"These reporters always want to make big news, but their skills are too poor. Coach, don't get angry with them."
The Cavaliers players were now teasing Mike Brown.
In previous times, Mike Brown would have joined in the banter with the players. But now, his face was ashen. He walked up to Tang Long, threw his phone on a stool, and said, "Tang, I need an explanation."
"Explanation?"
Tang Long, who was about to change his clothes, frowned and picked up the phone.
The screen showed the video of him beating up those three street thugs.
However, the footage was edited, omitting the beginning and end, and did not include the homeless person or the street thugs drawing knives.
The edited version made it look like a burly man over two meters tall was viciously beating three black men on the roadside.
Scarlett's gaze was filled with admiration and affection.
The caption at the end of the video further fueled Tang Long's desire to display his masculinity in front of Scarlett, leading him to beat up three black civilians on the street.
Tang Long's nose nearly exploded with anger after watching it.
Were they civilians?
Those three guys were clearly street thugs robbing a homeless person.
"Coach Brown, this footage is all fake, it's been tampered with. Someone is deliberately targeting me!"
Mike Brown became even angrier upon hearing this. "Fake? Are you going to tell me the person hitting them in the video isn't you? Is it your twin brother?"
"Coach Brown, the person in the video is me, but the situation is not like that."
Tang Long turned to look at LeBron James. "LeBron, you were there at the time, you have to testify for me."
"Coach Brown, I just watched the video. While the content is all true, Tang was intervening to stop those thugs from robbing a homeless man. Besides, Tang himself is Asian, how could he discriminate against us black people?"
LeBron found it ridiculous.
He believed it when people said Asians were good at math, business, or even exploiting legal loopholes in America.
But to say Tang Long discriminated against black people was sheer fabrication. He was a minority himself, how could he discriminate against others?
Furthermore, there were many black players on the Cavaliers, and they all got along very well with Tang Long. How could Tang Long possibly be racist?
In America, political correctness and racial discrimination were things no one dared to trifle with.
"Alright, I will have someone investigate this and resolve it as quickly as possible."
Mike Brown breathed a sigh of relief. If he had to choose between assault and racial discrimination, Mike Brown would rather accept Tang Long's assault.
After all, assault could be settled with money, but racial discrimination could lead to Tang Long being suspended for at least a year, or even ending his NBA career.
However, just as Mike Brown finished speaking, his assistant handed him the phone.
Mike Brown spoke with the person on the phone for a few sentences and reluctantly hung up.
"Tang, the owner called. You cannot play in this game. The league is taking this matter very seriously and has already formed an investigation team."
Mike Brown looked at Big Z. "Big Z, you will start this game."
"Coach, this is unfair." Tang Long was indignant.
"Tang, the league considers this matter very important, and the owner is under pressure. Until this matter is resolved, you will likely have to sit on the bench."
"I refuse!"
"This is an order from Gilbert."
Mike Brown's face darkened, his expression extremely serious.
"Coach Brown, Tang is an indispensable part of our team. He cannot be prevented from playing."
At this critical moment, LeBron stepped forward.
"LeBron, this is not my decision. This is Gilbert's decision."
"Then I'll speak to Gilbert personally."
LeBron picked up his phone and dialed Gilbert's number.
Seeing LeBron's angry expression, it was clear that this negotiation was not successful either.
"Fuck."
LeBron swore and hung up the phone directly.
"Alright, I will now announce the lineup for this game."
"Wait." Tang Long looked directly at Mike Brown and said, "Coach, I can accept not starting, but I want to be on the active roster."
"No." Mike Brown flatly refused Tang Long's proposal. "This is the owner's decision."
"Then I won't play anymore. I want a trade."
"Tang, don't say things you'll regret."
LeBron had finally found a helper, and with a championship ring seemingly within reach, he couldn't let Tang Long be traded.
Not to mention that in the playoffs, victory goes to the interior players, and more importantly, he couldn't let Tang Long be traded so easily given their brotherhood. Especially since he had witnessed the entire sequence of events.
"Coach Brown, I also believe Tang Long should be on the active roster. We must ensure victory."
Mike Brown looked at LeBron helplessly.
"Coach, we believe LeBron is right. It's unfair not to allow Tang Long on the active roster until this matter is investigated."
"Yes, Coach Brown, I don't think Tang is a racist."
Seeing the players all stepping forward to support Tang Long, Mike Brown reluctantly nodded. "Fine, Tang will be on the active roster!"
Let him be on the roster. He wouldn't be allowed to play anyway, and Big Z had already returned.
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