Champions Creed

Chapter 130 129: There is no dynasty that will never fade (ask for a monthly ticket!)
O'Neill felt much more at ease because public opinion supported him and Roger also supported him.

Under such circumstances, he felt that the team would give him a satisfactory answer.

Now he doesn't have to worry about his future every night, and he doesn't have to think about his next contract every night.

He wants to win more championships, MVPs, and FMVPs in Orlando.

He wants to become a legend like Skyhook!
Roger knew that his support for the Sharks came at a price, and he must have upset management.

Rich DeVos is not the type of owner who likes his players to discuss contract extensions publicly, and he has shown this more than once.

But this is almost inevitable. If Roger wants Shark to concentrate, he has to support Shark.

And it is not just private support, but public support, which is important.

One of the triggers for the OK combination's fall apart was that after Kobe's messy incident in Colorado, O'Neal never publicly supported him.

Although Roger didn't know why Shaq publicly supported Kobe after he said "Shaq did it too", Kobe just felt that O'Neal's failure to support him was too much, which made their breakup more complete.

All Roger could do was learn from experience.

So he publicly supported the shark and did not give it any room for imagination.

As for management, to be honest, Roger didn't particularly care about that relationship. Jordan's relationship with management wasn't good either, but it didn't seem to affect his ability to create greatness.

It can even be said that if he had not been willing to go against the management to keep Pippen, Zen Master and others, he would most likely not have been able to create such greatness.

Throughout the history of the NBA, there have been few players who have a good relationship with management.

Relationships that are based solely on money are generally indifferent. If you don't go to work for Xiaoli for a month, will she still send you a good morning message?

Why is Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki so special? Isn't it because their relationship is so rare?
The day after the game, public opinion was calm.

Most newspapers reported about the Magic's easy win over the Rockets and the wonderful cooperation between O'Neal and Roger.

Not many media outlets paid attention to Roger's little joke after the game.

But the whole team knew that there were undercurrents behind this brilliant victory.

Roger has sent out very clear signals, how will the team management respond to him?

After the Christmas game, the team took two days off and will not resume training until noon on the 28th.

But early that morning, Roger and O'Neill showed up at the Advant Health Center.

If Roger was the only one who arrived at the training ground early, he must be there for extra practice.

But the presence of sharks means they came so early for reasons other than training.

The reason they came so early was because Roger and O'Neill both received a call from John Gabriel yesterday, in which he said:

"Mr. DeVos thinks we need to have a good talk. No need to bring along your clever vampire agents. We are not discussing contract renewal, but some internal team matters. Tomorrow at nine o'clock, remember to be on time."

This time it was not the general manager who talked to them, but the boss who talked to them directly, which shows that this was a very important conversation.

Let’s talk about it. After Roger said that, he had already made all the mental preparations.

Roger and O'Neal walked into the boss' office at the same time. There was a large cabinet in DeVos' office, which contained the O'Brien Cup. Every day, a special person would come with gloves to wipe the trophy.

There are several photo frames on the desk, mostly photos of his family, but one is a group photo of the Magic on the podium last season.

Roger was unfamiliar with this office. Although he had been with the Magic for some time and completed his contract renewal last summer, Roger found that he seemed to rarely come here. He had not entered this office many times.

Because Rich DeVos likes to create a relaxed atmosphere for conversation, several of their conversations took place on the golf course.

But this time he chose to hold the meeting directly in the office, which also showed that he didn't want a relaxed atmosphere.

His attitude will be more serious than before.

"Thank you for showing up on time, gentlemen." DeVos opened his arms and hugged Roger and the shark respectively, showing his enthusiasm.

John Gabriel was much colder. He just nodded at Roger and Shark, then stood beside DeVos with a cold expression.

Rich DeVos sat back in his boss chair and asked Roger and Shark to sit down as well.

"Gentlemen, we are having a great season defending our title. We've been through a lot in the last two months. We lost Shaq and we lost Roger for a while. The result? We're 23-5! We beat the Bulls, we beat the Heat, we slaughtered the Rockets on Christmas, and we made almost all of our rivals suffer. Well done, I'm really proud of you, and the whole of Orlando is proud of you."

Roger and O'Neill had blank expressions on their faces. They both knew that the purpose of DeVos's conversation was definitely not to praise them.

"but."

Not unexpected, but here it comes.

"But why? Why do we want to destroy such a tacit understanding? I have said it before, I don't like people discussing the issue of team renewal in public. Roger, I don't blame you, you want to support your brother, I can understand. But I must say that it was not a smart speech, absolutely not.

Look, we didn't rush to renew your contract last season, but did we treat you unfairly? No, we gave you the biggest contract in history. What I mean is that even if we don't discuss these things in public, things will be perfectly resolved!" DeVos doesn't want to be seen as a boss who has to listen to the players, as if he has to pay money as soon as the players speak.

Even if he really renews a player's contract with a high salary, it is because he is willing to do so, not because the player asks him to do so.

So he really dislikes players asking for wages in public!

Roger said calmly: "We all have one goal, which is to make the Orlando Magic the greatest team in the league. Before this, few teams in this league could be called great except the Lakers and Celtics. But Michael Jordan made the Chicago Bulls great because they could win more than just once. Now, we are doing the same thing. And Shaq is very important in this journey."

The shark also spoke up: "Mr. DeVos, I am not the kind of greedy person. You know, what I have always wanted is the market price, so one copy."

John Gabriel rudely interrupted the Shark: "Shaq, we're not going to talk about contract details today, remember?"

"John, at least wait for me to finish. I don't know what you think of me, but Pat used to respect me more than you do, and I think that's why he was successful."

"I have a problem with you? Why don't you say that your agent is always bombarding you with criticism?"

"Enough!" DeVos shouted, ending the quarrel between the two.

"Look, I agree with Roger, we all have the same goal, which is to make Orlando great. But it takes more than Roger, more than Shaq, it takes us! Us!

We will do our job. You will do your job. I know there were some minor disagreements before, and we will not discuss the media vote. I promise that the management will not reach out to the locker room, but the people in the locker room should not reach out to the management.

Even if there is a problem in this work, we will communicate privately. I don't want you to say anything about the team in front of the media, do you agree? "

"That's fine with me." Roger nodded.

"That's fine with Roger, and that's fine with me," Shark agreed.

"Very good, see, it's not difficult to reach a consensus. As for your contract, Shaq. After winning the championship, we will know your value. Once you prove your value, we will give you an offer to match it. Don't worry about this. You have my promise."

DeVos’ meaning is very clear: we will not treat you unfairly if we win the championship, so just play with peace of mind.

O'Neal was indeed much more relieved. At least he got a promise, and at least the management was no longer silent.

And that's what Roger wanted.

"Then, gentlemen, let me repeat our agreement.

From now on, don't threaten the management at every turn, and don't talk about deals all the time!

Of course, management will not interfere in the locker room.

Furthermore, both sides should stop talking about the team's problems casually or bringing them to the table.

Anything else you want to add? "

"Nothing."

"Well, in the next six months, go win that damn championship! I believe in you, the champion duo."

At the end of the conversation, Rich DeVos drew a bottom line for the behavior of both parties.

Is the matter completely resolved? No, the Magic still did not renew the contract with the Sharks, not even mentioning a number.

But at least the matter has been resolved temporarily. Judging from what DeVos said, the Sharks can get everything he wants as long as they win the championship.

Roger's intervention did achieve certain results.

However, the relationship between the two sides has indeed deteriorated. It can be seen from DeVos' tough attitude and the act of drawing the 38th parallel that the relationship between the two sides has begun to become indifferent.

In the office, DeVos looked at the group photo of the championship and was silent for a long time.

Is this the price of winning the championship?
Even if we really win the championship again, the cost is to spend another 120 million on the Sharks. Is this championship still worth it?
Not just Shark and Roger, what about the others? Does everyone who wins a championship have to get a big contract from me?
There's no way this can continue like this!
John Gabriel seemed to see through his boss's thoughts:
"Don't worry, sir. In the basketball world, there is no dynasty that lasts forever. But for us now, we still have to seize the present moment."

Seize the moment, this is what Roger also thinks.

At least now, he has succeeded in getting the entire locker room focused on the second championship.

The internal problems of the team have been solved, and what remains is to deal with one opponent after another.

Of course, the biggest opponent is still No. 23.
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Can the Chicago Bulls win 70 games this season? — "Slam Dunk".

It is reported that Michael Jordan may try the free agent market for the first time in his career after the season ends. Can his value surpass Roger? - Chicago Tribune

The Knicks made two trades in 10 days, including sending veteran forward Charles Smith away in exchange for some expiring contracts, creating $1000 million in space. So, what is their goal? MJ? Or Sir Charles? - The New York Times

In any case, one thing is certain, the New York Knicks have given up competing with the Magic this season. Roger and Shark are too strong, and their only rival in the East is the Chicago Bulls! - Orlando Chronicle.

New York is waiting down there, just waiting for the Bulls to screw it up. If the Bulls can't beat the Magic this season, if the Bulls can't offer a price that satisfies Michael, then Michael might consider moving to another place. No dynasty lasts forever. The wheel of history is turning, and no one knows where it will end up. - Sports Illustrated

(End of this chapter)