Champions Creed

Chapter 134 Chapter 133: It’s not just about honor, it’s about survival! (Please give me a monthly ticket!)
In April 1996, the Chicago Bulls left their name firmly in history.

4月14日，他们在克利夫兰以98比72大胜对手，打平了NBA历史最佳的单赛季69胜。

两天后的4月16日，公牛队的手感就像密尔沃基的气温一样冰冷，皮蓬和乔丹合计46中16，杜马斯8中2，库科奇8中3。

But relying on strong defense, the Bulls beheaded the Bucks in the second half and still won the victory even with a poor shooting percentage.

This is the scary thing about offense-first and defense-first, they can easily kill you with any one of their options.

After the game, the Bulls players just hugged each other calmly, but the significance of this victory was far from as calm as they appeared.

The 70th regular season win in a single season, an unprecedented record in the NBA!
No team has ever been able to match the number of wins in a single season with 70.

Michael Jordan did it, and he is writing a legend.

In the last two games, the Bulls have been resting.

Phil Jackson is not like Popovich, who made various excuses like Duncan had mad cow disease, Manu ate a spoiled sandwich, Parker was suspended for a few games internally to calm him down because he was too arrogant, and he had groin strain, and let the players rest blatantly.

In the last two games, the Zen Master still let the main players continue to play, but he did not let any player's playing time exceed 33 minutes.

Even so, the Bulls still successfully defeated the Bullets and Pacers, and finally set the number of wins at 72 games!
A number destined to be legendary in the basketball world was born.

In the original history, this number is even greater than the 73 wins in the future, because 72 wins with a championship and 73 wins without a championship are two completely different concepts.

Michael Jordan also knew this, so he was not too excited after the game.

When interviewed by reporters, Jordan also said the slogan that the whole team recognized: "Without the championship, 72 will be equal to 0."

Michael Jordan is still hungry, he wants a championship too much, he wants to prove that he is still the best basketball player in the world.

Needless to say, where Jordan's hunger came from. Throughout the season, only one team could beat the Bulls twice, and only one team could tie the record with the Bulls 2-2.

It was also that team that humiliated Jordan in the summer of 1995.

On the other hand, the Orlando Magic defeated the Hornets in North Carolina, where Jordan became famous, and ended the regular season with a record of 68 wins.

Although the whole world is discussing the Bulls' amazing 72 wins, 68 wins is actually a great record, ranking third in history, second only to the Lakers' 72 wins in 69.

Considering that the Sharks only played 50 games this season and Horace Grant only played 63 games, it is very difficult for the Magic to achieve such a record.

In addition, Roger finally won his first scoring title in his career.

After the Shark's return, Roger's scoring data declined, but still remained at 30.8 points, higher than Michael Jordan's 30.4 points, completely breaking his dominance over the scoring title!
Admiral? Not to mention that Admiral's scoring title was a fake one, he got the points when Jordan was playing baseball, so it doesn't count as breaking Jordan's dominance of the scoring title.

Roger, this is the real deal!
However, Roger and Jordan's reactions were very similar. Jordan did not get complacent about his 72 wins, and Roger did not get complacent about winning the scoring title.

He told reporters: "Without a championship, even if I am the scoring champion every year, even if I get 4 points in my career and become the all-time scoring champion, it is meaningless."

What Roger said was biased, because someone who scored 4 points in his career may not necessarily be the scoring champion every year.

In the West, the top two teams are the SuperSonics with 64 wins and the Spurs with 59 wins, which pale in comparison to the top teams in the East.

So as soon as the season ended, there was such a view in the public opinion: whoever can make it out of the Eastern Conference will be the champion.

In the eyes of most people, the Western Conference teams are just supporting roles.

This is indeed quite magical for Roger, because in the era he is more familiar with, the NBA was generally strong in the West and weak in the East.

Things like getting first place with 50 wins, entering the playoffs with 35 wins, and meeting three first-team opponents in the playoffs in more than ten years, all happened in the Eastern Conference.

Today, Western Conference teams are treated as the underdog.

In the original history, Western Conference teams only won the championship three times throughout the 90s.

In this history, the Rockets have lost one championship due to Roger's arrival, so the situation in the West will only get worse.

Regarding the statement that "whoever can make it out of the East will be the champion", the Sonics coach George Karl was naturally quite dissatisfied:

"This is a stupid conclusion made by stupid people. We beat the Magic and the Bulls in the regular season. Although we only won one game, it was because of the schedule. If we also met the Magic and the Bulls four times in a season, their record would be even worse. In the finals, we will prove it!"

Gary Payton also thought so: "I can lock down Roger and Michael. I am the only player who can deal with these two people!"

This may be the time when Roger and Jordan were most in agreement, because when reporters relayed this, Jordan and Roger had the same reaction, they both threw their heads back and laughed.

No one took the Supersonics or the Spurs seriously. Everyone knew that Jordan and Roger were the themes of this era.

In the future, people will use countless texts and videos to describe this war.

Before the start of the playoffs, the league's publicity and promotion were basically centered around the Bulls and Magic, Roger and Jordan.

Two days before the playoffs, NBC invited Roger and Jordan to conduct live television interviews at different times.

When Michael Jordan was being interviewed, the host played footage of him holding the trophy during his three consecutive championships.

In 1991, MJ vs. MJ, Jordan took over the throne from Magic. He almost jumped back to the locker room, and then cried for a full 17 minutes in the locker room while holding the championship trophy, letting the champagne in the hands of his teammates pour down over his head.

In 1992, he broke the wings of his glider, and from then on, no one would compare him with Jordan. After winning the championship, Michael Jordan did not cry again. He calmly jumped onto the technical table and made a golfing gesture. The influence of the evil book "The Jordan Rules" and the controversy of refusing to go to the White House were all shattered by this calm shot.

In 1993, he made the arrogant Sir Charles say "I am the best basketball player on earth, but Michael is an alien", and he told the world how strong a basketball player could be with his average of 41 points in the finals. He achieved three consecutive championships, and he truly became a god, the most successful basketball player in the world.

But at the peak of his career, he just hid in a small room alone with a bottle of wine and a cigar.

Chicago's basketball god was mesmerized by the scene, and all his memories came flooding back like a tide, completely drowning him. When he saw the touching parts, he did not forget to wipe away the tears from his eyes.

It's all so perfect. What a wonderful story it would have been if Michael Jordan's career had stopped in 1993.

But soon, the joy turned into anger.

Because the scene changed and showed Michael Jordan's defeat in 1995.

After a 4-0 sweep, Roger pounded his chest in front of the stunned Jordan.

Overnight, Jordan's crown fell off. Overnight, Jordan's opponent changed.

He had to compete with someone younger and more bloodthirsty.

Jordan looked at these images and clenched his fists.

People like to talk about success, but they like to avoid failure even more. Jordan didn't expect that the program would show his embarrassing failure.

It's like you can't imagine that the ending of a Tanhua movie is that the male protagonist is taken away by the uncle in the hat. It's really too unexpected.

"Michael, you don't look happy." The host asked knowingly.

"Of course, if you can take failure lightly, it means you are not a successful basketball player. I won't say that this is just basketball. I hate losing. But this year in the playoffs, we will get everything done. We will. Roger and Shaq are just passing by the times."

A few hours later, Roger also began his interview and also watched the video of Jordan holding the trophy during his three consecutive championships.

The video specially selected grand and majestic background music to highlight the epic feeling of Jordan's three consecutive championships.

But Roger was laughing the whole time, which was out of place with the serious atmosphere.

After watching the short film, the host asked Roger: "How do you feel?"

"Michael is very strong. He has never lost in the finals. People like him will never feel the pain I went through in the summer of 1994."

“So this year.”

"This year, Michael will not lose in the finals. Not only this year, but Michael will not lose even one round of the finals in his entire career. This is him, this is the great Michael."

"Ah?" The host was a little confused. Roger, if you are coerced by Jordan, just blink!

But soon, Roger changed the subject: "Because from now on, the only team in the Eastern Conference that can enter the finals is the Orlando Magic. Michael can't play in the finals directly, so of course there is no risk of losing. His team can promote this, and his fans can brag about this. For a man who has never lost in the finals, this is his last dignity."

Okay, this is what I meant after all this time.

"So, how confident are you?"

"Seventy percent."

The host was a little surprised by Roger's modesty. He thought Roger would say he was 100% sure. "Why only 70%? What's bothering you? This season, you and the Bulls have the same record. You are not weak."

"No, I'm not talking about this year. What I mean is that we are 70% sure of achieving our goal of winning three consecutive championships. It's our time from now on, man." Roger replied to the host with a smile.

Meanwhile, Jerry West was sitting in the stands of the UCLA Health Center training hall, deep in thought.

If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he really wouldn't have believed that this child could be so outstanding.

This high school student easily defeated Dontar Jones, the star guard of Mississippi State University, the MVP of the NCAA Southeastern Conference, and a member of the NCAA All-Time Team selected by ESPN.

This was the top college player who was easily defeated by that kid and was completely wiped out.

But that’s not the most outrageous thing. Just now, he actually beat the Lakers’ starting shooting guard Eddie Jones in a one-on-one match!

Although we only won one game, the opponent is an NBA player!
Jerry West didn't want to waste any more time. He turned around and told Michael Cooper beside him: "Tell them to stop fighting. No one here can beat that kid! Sooner or later, he will become the best player in the league!"

The kid Jerry West was referring to is Kobe. Ever since Kobe defeated Stackhouse in a one-on-one duel last summer, Logo has been paying close attention to the Philadelphia teenager.

A week ago, the kid followed Roger's example and held a press conference, announcing that he would skip college and take his talents to the NBA.

And in this history, because of Roger's influence, people believed that Kobe would be selected in the lottery.

Michael Cooper smiled, he knew Logo would be full of praise for Kobe, because a few days ago, Elgin Baylor commented on Kobe during his tryout: "His skills are excellent, and his athletic ability exceeds people's expectations. However, we selected him with a lottery pick, and people will definitely laugh at us."

The fact that Lord Beile can say this shows that this child is ready and will definitely become a talented person!
"But how can we get him? Thanks to Roger, this kid's market value is not low." Cooper knew that West liked Kobe very much, but the Lakers were fourth in the Western Conference this season and had no lottery pick at all.

Although Logo has always wanted to sell Divac and exchange for draft picks to free up salary space, it is probably difficult for Divac alone to get a lottery pick.

"We'll find a way, make a few trades, free up some salary space, and then pray that the Orlando Magic lose badly in the playoffs. If they can't win the championship, the Magic will definitely not renew Shaq's contract. If we can get that 18-year-old kid and Shaq at the same time, we will win many, many championship trophies!" Logo Man fantasizes about the future.

"Are you really determined to dismantle the team? We are at least fourth in the Western Conference."

"So what? So what if we're fourth in the West? Even if we can make it to the finals, what does it matter? Any lineup that can't win the championship is a garbage lineup!" Logo, who has won countless runner-up titles, gritted his teeth.

Logo walked onto the court and shook hands with Kobe, who had defeated Eddie Jones. "Kid, you performed very well. We will arrange a second tryout soon. Hey, what is your biggest wish after entering the NBA?"

Logo thought Kobe would answer "become an All-Star" or "surpass my father".

Kobe calmly told Logo: "Goal? Defeat Roger."

"what?"

"After defeating Roger, it's our time now, isn't it?"

Logo was stunned for a moment. He had just heard these words in Roger's interview program half an hour ago.

This made Logo even more certain that Kobe was the right person. His body might not be mature yet, but his heart was something most people didn't have.

Now, let's pray that the Orlando Magic lose badly in the playoffs! That way, the Shaq will definitely leave that place and Logo can complete his big plan!

Yes, next, it’s our time!
-
Although the entire NBA was waiting for him, Tim Duncan of Wake Forest University decided to finish his senior year and get a bachelor's degree in psychology. This means that the entire American college basketball world will have to suffer a nightmare for another year. Of course, this also means that the No. 1997 pick in the NBA draft has been announced a year in advance. - USA Today.

If Tim Duncan doesn't run, then Marcus Camby will be the most popular candidate for the No. 96 pick in the draft! -- "Slam Dunk".

Will Kobe Bryant, the son of Philadelphia, become a high school rookie of Roger's caliber? Ray Allen, Al, Stephen Marbury and Kobe, who is the best choice for the guard position? - Philadelphia Chronicle.

If Roger succeeds in winning two consecutive championships, Michael Jordan's dominance will be greatly reduced. This is undoubtedly Michael's battle to maintain his historical status! ——The New York Times

New Yorkers are waiting for Jordan to lose, and many teams are waiting for the Magic to lose. They all believe that a painful loss will make Michael or Shaq, who are about to become free agents, leave. No matter what the result is, one thing is certain: one of the Bulls and the Magic will definitely fall apart after this season. So this is not just about honor, this summer is a battle for survival for both teams! - Sports Illustrated.

(End of this chapter)