Chapter 106: I’ve Already Forgiven Him
New York, Fifth Avenue, NBA headquarters.
David Stern’s office had an excellent view overlooking the bustling crowds in Midtown, but at this moment, everyone’s attention in the office was focused on the frozen image on the LCD screen—Eli Xu shaking his finger at LeBron James.
The air was filled with a strange atmosphere, mixing official seriousness with an irrepressible excitement.
“We must clearly condemn this behavior,” Stern began, his voice steady with his signature tone, “This goes beyond the boundaries of fierce competition and touches the core of sportsmanship—it’s unacceptable.”
The NBA president scanned the several core deputies in the office, including his carefully groomed successor Adam Silver.
Everyone nodded one after another, their expressions grave, as if handling a major international diplomatic dispute.
“The league’s reputation is built on superior competitive levels and high standards of sportsmanship,” Stern continued, “Any behavior that might… um… tarnish this image must be dealt with swiftly and clearly. Adam, has the fine notice been sent out?”
“It’s already drafted, David.” Adam Silver responded loudly, “For ‘public behavior detrimental to the league’s image,’ fining Eli Xu 25,000 US Dollars. Our wording in the announcement emphasizes ‘disrespect toward opponents and the game.'”
“Very good.”
Stern nodded, but his gaze swept over the screen again at Xu Ling’s cold and young face, and James’s moment of stunned expression as he fell to the ground. The corner of his mouth twitched almost imperceptibly.
As Stern’s confidant, Silver knew that it wasn’t anger, but a strange appreciation.
The president might truly care about the league’s image, so he issued the dress code to kill the gang culture and street style that Allen Iverson brought into the league. The NBA wants to become an international super sports league, and players must conduct themselves like nobles.
But, is shaking finger some intolerable scandal? How does it compare to rape? How does it compare to chasing and shooting at one’s wife with a gun? How does it compare to feeding drugs to one’s children? How does it compare to referees publicly admitting to betting on games?
Compared to these things, shaking finger could even be considered gentlemanly behavior.
Then, think about the protagonists involved: one backed by a Eastern power with 1.3 billion people, the most outstanding player of the younger generation, constantly stirring up trouble in headlines since entering the league, he is the most hated player in the entire league, also the most watched player in the entire league, and likely has already amassed a large group of fans. The other is the acknowledged best player under 23, wearing the halo of the Chosen One, leading the down-and-out Cavaliers to the Finals in his fourth year, with people expecting him to become a greater player than Michael Jordan.
Does the president really not get excited about something like this?
The brief silence in the office was broken by another executive from the marketing department, his tone cautious yet with unconcealed excitement: “Although… uh… the behavior itself is debatable, it cannot be denied, Sir, that this footage… it has a kind of viral spread. From yesterday to now, all sports media headlines, mainstream news website front pages, even entertainment channels are discussing it. Our ratings data shows that viewership in the last half hour of last night’s game was five times the regular segment.”
Silver timely added: “Yes, what Eli did has transcended the scope of basketball itself and become the world’s sports headline, with very intense external debate.”
Stern leaned back in his expensive leather chair, fingertips steepled together. Of course he understood. He knew better than anyone that the fuel for the NBA’s global expansion, besides the divine aura like Jordan’s, more needed this kind of dramatic rivalry filled with tension. Bird and Magic, Jordan and the Bad Boys, Knicks and Heat hatred—these are the oldest and most effective catalysts in professional sports.
The value of the global discussion and topic divisiveness brought by Xu Ling’s finger shake last night far exceeded that paltry 25,000 US Dollar fine.
This was practically a great gift from God to the league. A super talent from the East striking down America’s homegrown future king in the most humiliating way—could there be a more perfect storyline?
Stern couldn’t help but think of the black-and-white duo of the 80s.
Since the NBA lockout in the summer of 1998, league scandals have been constant, with circle-breaking malicious incidents almost every year, plus serious discord between labor and management, repeated changes to the labor agreement, all this repeated pulling and internal consumption has caused the league’s development to stagnate since the mid-90s, they have never found a new publicity point or breakout gimmick that can attract massive fans like the black-and-white duo or Jordan’s dominance.
Now, it has come.
At that moment, Stern’s assistant gently pushed open the door: “Gentlemen, ESPN is live broadcasting Cleveland’s press conference, LeBron James is about to make a statement.”
“Put it on the big screen.” Stern immediately said.
James refused media interviews last night citing physical discomfort and has not released any public message since; even league executives want to know, after such a heavy blow, how he will respond to Memphis’s regicide?
The screen switched to the scene. LeBron James sat behind the interview desk, wearing a simple black training uniform, his expression grave. He didn’t look at the camera, his gaze downcast, as if bearing immense pressure. The reporters below were packed and holding their breath.
A few seconds of silence, like endless torment.
Then, the king raised his head, his eyes devoid of the usual flamboyance and dominance, replaced by a heavy disappointment.
“This was a tough loss,” James opened in a hoarse voice, “We fought to the end, but congratulations to Memphis, they deserve the victory.”
“Regarding what happened in the final moments of last night’s game”
Look at the king’s wording—”what happened last night”—cleverly avoiding specific terms like “shake down” and “shaking finger,” as if he didn’t want to dwell on those painful details.
“…I’ve thought about it a lot. To be honest, I feel very… disappointed, and sad.”
The word “sad” made Stern in front of the screen slightly raise an eyebrow.
LeBron really never disappoints in public relations.
As for why public relations is needed, don’t ask.
“I’m not disappointed about losing the game, nor about the action itself. I’m disappointed that the most beautiful part of our sport—mutual respect after competition—seems to be forgotten.”
“There are so many talented young players in the league, I welcome the competition, it makes us all better. But some things are more important than victory. That’s how we treat each other, how we treat the game itself.”
“Eli is an extremely talented player with a bright future.” James shifted tone, showing surprising “magnanimity,” “I believe in that moment he was just overcome by irrepressible emotions, that’s not the real him. I’ve already forgiven him.”
In the office, a young executive almost couldn’t hold back from applauding this performance.
Stern wanted to laugh but didn’t, his self-control as an experienced old actor was beyond doubt.
“We all make mistakes when we’re young.” James concluded in a tone almost like a kindly senior, “I believe he will learn from this, not just about basketball, but about how to become a true professional player. It takes a process.”
Finally, James looked at the camera, his gaze firm again, transforming all the “sadness” and “disappointment” into a sense of responsibility that seemed to make the audience feel it personally: “As for me, this will only make me stronger. I’ll take all these emotions back to the gym, back to the court. This is my city, my responsibility is to lead this team forward, not dwell in the past. Thank you.”
The statement ended, and he didn’t give reporters a chance to ask questions, standing up and leaving directly.
In the ESPN studio, the guests and commentators biased toward James immediately erupted in amazement.
“This is a true leader! LeBron showed why he is the face of the franchise of this league!”
“In comparison, Eli’s behavior seems so childish and pathetic!”
The television in Stern’s office was muted.
The room fell into a brief silence.
“Wow,” Stern finally spoke, breaking the quiet, “It seems LeBron really knows how to fight this public opinion war.”
Stern’s tone didn’t reveal whether it was praise or something deeper.
Adam Silver smiled: “LeBron’s team has always been the top in the league.”
“Execute the fine as usual.” Stern gave the final instruction, “Our attitude must be clear: behavior disrespecting opponents must come at a cost.”
Stern paused.
“However,” Stern added meaningfully, “Notify the broadcast department and our media partners. For upcoming Grizzlies games in Memphis, especially their away games, particularly next season when they face Cleveland, allocate the highest level of broadcast resources. Full pregame hype clips, feature reports, data analysis… I want to see this storyline fully excavated by the media.”
Silver and several executives nodded knowingly in agreement.
With All-Star Weekend approaching, Xu Ling, who was selected for the All-Star Game, would depart for New Orleans tomorrow. Everyone else was on vacation, but he still decided to train at the training hall.
However, outside the training hall, the long-waiting reporters swarmed upon smelling the scent, questions firing like a barrage.
“Eli! LeBron says he’s forgiven you, will you apologize to him for your behavior?”
“James said he felt ‘sad and disappointed,’ said you ‘forgot respect after competition,’ what is your response?”
“Do you realize your behavior makes many people think you lack sportsmanship?”
“How does it feel to be the league’s ‘public enemy’? Is this what you wanted?”
“Nike spokesperson said ‘great players know how to win, and even more how to respect,’ what do you think?”
Xu Ling stopped, his gaze sweeping over the on-site reporters as if piercing through their sights. He ignored all the other noisy questions, seizing only the one he found most ridiculous.
“He forgave me?”
Xu Ling smiled slightly, revealing a mocking expression.
“Forgave me for beating him?”
With that, Xu Ling no longer looked at anyone, entering the training hall under the escort of his close bodyguard.
