Champions Creed

Chapter 160 159: Bloody Election (asking for monthly votes!)
Derek McKay and Saroo drove to Roger's house early in the morning, hoping to catch him before he went out.

But when they arrived, they learned from Roger's neighbors that Roger had already gone out: "You know, the roar of the Ferrari is like an alarm clock, reminding everyone that Roger is out, Roger is back."

"Damn it!" Derek McKay cursed. He knew what Roger did to Pippen during his rookie season and what he did to Jordan.

Roger even left a lifelong scar in Jordan's body.

Based on McKay's understanding of Roger, that guy will definitely take action, absolutely!

Even if the shark was about the same size as Pippen and Jordan combined, Roger would never back down!
That madman is not afraid of anyone when he gets angry!

"We have to hurry, Roger must be waiting for Shaq in the locker room!" Saroo hurriedly opened the car door again.

The two wasted no time and immediately turned around and ran towards the Advant Health Center.

On the car radio, major radio stations in Orlando were also talking about O'Neal's interview yesterday.

"What kills a championship is the championship itself. This is an eternal truth. A dynasty doesn't collapse overnight. Maybe when Roger first won the FMVP trophy, the seeds of jealousy had already been planted in Shaq. Be prepared, Orlando. The wheels of the invincible chariot seem to be falling off."

McKay turned off the radio. "It's all bullshit! This group of media only knows how to kick someone when he's down!"

Saroo said nothing, just looked out the window.

He didn't understand why two such good friends would become like this.

When Saroo and Mackay arrived at the parking lot, they found Roger wearing a pullover hoodie, squatting in front of O'Neill's exclusive parking space, not saying a word.

What was he thinking about?
Maybe it was the first meeting in Baton Rouge, maybe it was the century alley-oop against the Knicks, maybe it was the scene when Odessa's grandmother died and the Shark hugged her and cried like a child.

Roger was very sad. He had really thought that he and the Shark could escape the judgment of fate and break the curse of the champion.

MacKay and Saru were extremely grateful that Roger was not black, otherwise who knows if he would have just brought a gun.

Noticing someone approaching, Roger looked up and glanced at Saru and Mackay, his eyes bloodshot: "I advise you not to get involved, this is advice."

"Calm down Roger, things haven't come to that point yet!" Saru said, signaling Mackay and himself to hold Roger's shoulders on the left and right.

"How far can things go? All of us have been very restrained in front of the media in order to protect his fragile self-esteem and shaky locker room relationships, but that idiot actually publicly caused a breakup in the locker room on a nationally televised show! Damn it, I'm going to knock his head open to see what the hell he's thinking!"

At this time, another car drove into the parking lot.

But it wasn't the Shark who came over, but Ron Harper, who was sweating profusely: "Damn, I just heard about that on the radio this morning! How could that bastard say that in front of the media!? He makes 2000 million dollars a year and is well respected by us in the locker room, what is he still complaining about?"

"Ron, stop talking. Don't you think this place is chaotic enough?" McKay yelled.

"Who created the chaos? Why did Shaq meet with Jerry West? He left a player option for next year and then went to meet with other team's general managers at the beginning of the new season. Do you believe he is innocent? Fuck, we are not children! A man and a woman lying in a bed, do you believe they are really just exploring the mysteries of the black hole in the universe?
We were chasing the three-peat, Roger was leading us to wins every night, and what was Shaq doing? He was just looking for a way out! We got sold out by that asshole, and our three-peat was sold out!"

"Enough, Ron, this won't solve the problem!" McKay unconsciously raised the volume of his shouting.

"Derrick, I can't control you if you want to side with the shark. But in this matter, I absolutely support Roger! Roger, no matter what you do later, I will follow you! I will never forget who helped me get two rings and who made me receive so many commercial endorsements!"

"Idiot, stop saying stupid things like that. Do you really want Roger and Shaq to fight here?" Saroo also cursed, which was rare.

This is the result of division in the locker room, and this is why Roger wants to maintain stability in the locker room.

Because once something like this happens, it's no longer just about Roger and the sharks, no one is immune.

As time went by, more and more cars drove into the parking lot, and almost everyone arrived at the training base early today. Almost everyone knew that the way things were resolved today would determine whether the Magic could continue to move forward towards the championship.

General Manager John Gabriel also rushed to the scene. He admitted that he was the first to tear up the "non-interference agreement", but he did not expect things to get out of control to this extent.

"Roger!" Gabriel squeezed into the crowd. "Roger, don't do anything out of line. Listen, everything is still under my control!"

Roger didn't even look at Gabriel. "Get lost, John. This is a matter in the locker room. The uniform staff doesn't need to get involved. If the management has any questions, let Mr. DeVos come and talk to me directly. You are not qualified."

"what?"

"You heard me, get lost! I don't want to see you now! No, I don't want to see you all season! Why don't you go back to your office and lick Mr. DeVos's toes? That's all you can do, asshole!"

Roger had nothing to say to Gabriel. He didn't intend to give face to the general manager anymore. He had had enough of the series of crappy things this idiot had done.

John Gabriel was stunned for a moment, then turned around and left angrily without saying a word.

He knew that he had completely lost his prestige in the team.

Roger had just murdered his prestige in front of everyone in an extremely cruel way.

He blew it, and he failed to be the successor to Pat Williams.

The only thing he could do now was to report the matter to DeVos immediately.

After that, head coach Brian Hill dragged Roger back to the locker room: "Stop going crazy, go back to the locker room!"

"That's right, Roger. Things that happen in the locker room should be resolved in the locker room. There are too many messy people here." Spoelstra also reminded that there were too many staff members watching around. If Roger and O'Neal had a conflict in front of them, the situation would be really irreversible.

After hearing what Spoelstra said, Roger stood up and walked towards the locker room.

A few minutes after arriving at the locker room, Shaquille O'Neal pushed the door open and walked in, followed by his bodyguard Jeremy Crawford.

This scene was quite funny. Saroo had never seen anyone needing to bring bodyguards to the locker room.

It seems that O'Neal also knew that what he said would completely infuriate Roger, so why did he do this?
Roger didn't say anything more and rushed towards O'Neal.

He couldn't believe that the bastard was treating the three consecutive championships as a joke. If it were two years ago, Roger might have coaxed him and forgiven him.

But it has been three years. Why do I have to keep coaxing this giant baby? Why can't this giant baby grow up?

Roger had enough!
The Magic players immediately stood between Roger and the Shark, and Jeremy Crawford took O'Neal behind him. He knew that Roger and the Shark would have a conflict today, but he didn't expect Roger to be so direct.

Now he finally understood why Pippen and Jordan were beaten so badly.

Once Roger's bottom line is touched, he won't waste any more words with you!

There was no foreplay, and they went straight in. How could it not be painful? How could it not bleed?
Seeing that they couldn't get close, Roger and the shark turned to attacking each other by roaring and swearing at each other.

"You are so fucking selfish, Shaq. Your comments in the media hurt the entire team! The three consecutive championships are not your efforts, not my efforts, but the efforts of all of us! And you are destroying our efforts!"

"What about you, Roger? A vulture that eats its companions, dares to call itself an eagle? Who has sacrificed for you time and time again, but now you take it for granted and think of yourself as the Big Brother!"

This was not the first time Roger and Shark had an argument. A similar conflict broke out in the first year of their collaboration.

In the 1995 Eastern Conference semifinals, just before the alley-oop of the century, they started arguing on the bench.

O'Neal complained that Roger held the ball too much, and Roger complained that O'Neal was too lazy on defense.

At that time, Derek McKay felt that the Magic would never win the championship.

The results of it?
Roger and O'Neal opened up to each other, accepted advice, and then played a game that laid the foundation for a dynasty.

Perhaps from that day on, the two of them began to tolerate each other.

But tolerance always has its limits.

Now, the deadline has come.

McKay knew that this quarrel was different from the previous ones. Looking at Roger and Shark who wanted to kill each other, he knew that there was no going back.

Even if they can still play this season, this will probably be the last year for this great duo!
"Enough, sit down!" Seeing the chaos in the locker room, Derek McKay decided to calm Roger and Shark first, and then talk things out.

Roger and O'Neal had argued enough and vented their emotions, so they both sat down separately with the comfort of their teammates.

Roger took a deep breath and asked the shark in the calmest tone possible:

"Tell me, why did you say that to the media like an idiot? You said I didn't publicly support you? But what about you? You didn't tell us anything, and we still don't know what happened between you and Jerry that night in Los Angeles!
You are always silent and never talk about this topic. All we know is what we read in the newspapers. You are not even willing to clarify this matter with your brothers! Do you consider us as your own people? Now you want us to support you publicly? "

"What about you, Roger? You always act so high and mighty, calling me and Dom to your house and talking to us in such a condescending manner! Where do you put me?
You won two Finals MVPs, but if I didn't help you contain the Dream, and if I didn't help you contain the double-team of the Seattle team, could you have been the Finals MVP? I don't understand, my statistics are obviously not bad, but why do all the honors belong to you, why do everyone say this is your team? "

It is not surprising that O'Neal said this. Looking back before Roger came to Orlando, Shaquille O'Neal was almost the local emperor here, and no one could say no to him at that time.

If he wants a rookie to carry his bag, the rookie will happily do it. If he wants someone to attend a party in his mansion, that person will rush there. If he wants the management to get rid of Webber and trade Roger, the management will happily fulfill his wish.

Simply put, in the past, where Shaq went, everyone had to follow.

But everything changed after Roger came. The shark's jealousy was not formed in a day or two.

"Enough Shaq, why is this Roger's team? Because Roger is a better leader than you!" Harper couldn't help it and joined the conversation.

"What?" O'Neal looked at Harper in surprise.

"Do you want me to say it again? Because Roger is a better leader than you! The instability of the team is caused by you. You were too naive and yelled at the boss like a fool, asking him to give you money. You forced Roger to stand on your side, causing him to offend the entire management and the entire team to be at odds with the management. And now you say he doesn't support you?"

After Harper finished speaking, he looked at the others and said, "Speak up, let's solve this problem today. Tell us who you think is the leader of this team! Shaq, if more people think Roger is the leader, are you willing to accept your position and stop complaining? Roger, if more people think Shaq is the leader, are you willing to accept your position and stop complaining? We have to solve this problem! I will vote for Roger first!"

Harper, who had been the most excited in the parking lot, now offered the most constructive suggestions.

Roger and Shark both nodded to the idea of ​​voting to decide the leader, which was like a race for the president of the United States. In this way, the loser would have nothing to say.

They are all full of confidence in themselves and feel that they will be true leaders in the eyes of their teammates.

But no one else came out to "vote" yet, because this was obviously an act of "choosing a team".

Whoever you support basically means breaking up with the other person.

Now Harper supports Roger, and Roger's vote is 1 to 0.

Roger and the shark were waiting for the second person to speak up.

At this time, Michael Cage plucked up the courage to stand up:

"I'm the oldest player on the team, so I'll say the bad things. Shaq, you only care about yourself and never think about us. You told the media that the team was too old and lacked athletic ability. Now look, there are trade rumors about me and Derrick everywhere! It was the media that annoyed you. The team never complained about you, so why did you turn around and fire at the team? Roger never said that kind of thing. No matter what kind of failure he experienced, no matter what the media said about him, he would handle it himself and would not complain about his teammates' abilities. Even in Chicago, he never complained about Scott Pippen's ability. Without a doubt, I voted for Roger!"

O'Neal was surprised. Although what Michael Cage said was harsh and blunt, the Shark had to admit that Michael Cage was right.

He never thought that his words would have an impact on his teammates. He never considered this point. He was speechless.

Now, Roger leads 2-0.

With the second person, the third person soon appeared, Derek McKay.

Ron Harper clenched his fists. Given McKay's behavior outside just now, he felt that this bastard would support the shark.

But McKay's statement was unexpected:
"As Roger said, you didn't communicate with us this season. Roger invited you to a party, you didn't go. We invited you to dinner on the road, you didn't go. Then, you turned around and had dinner with other team executives. Well, now that you've made a mess, you ask us to speak for you?

We don't know what you're thinking! You never take the initiative to come forward and explain things clearly, always mumbling "you all know what's going on anyway." No, we don't know anything! Roger would not speak so obscurely. He would always wait for the right opportunity to pour out his heart, never hurting anyone, and never letting anyone suspect him.

Also, when I was at the 3, I was responsible for protecting Roger, and there were times when I didn't do well, but Roger never complained in front of reporters. This season, I played at the 4, and I can't remember how many times you complained in public about our declining rebounding and help defense. Damn, I tried my best, Shaq! But I'm not a superstar like you guys! You can criticize me in private, but don't embarrass me in front of the media! Roger is the real leader!"

McKay just didn't want the conflict between Roger and the shark to escalate, so he confronted Harper.

But in fact, he has always been Roger's man.

3-0, Roger is far ahead.

O'Neal's eyes widened. If his teammates hadn't told him, he would never have realized that he had so many problems.

The fourth person was Saroo, who first bowed politely to Roger and O'Neill:

"You two are both great players, no doubt about it. But when it comes to leadership, sorry Shaq, you are not.

Not all players with good statistics are leaders, but it depends on what you do for the team.

Roger would encourage his teammates when they were unable to perform due to their mental problems. He would restrain his teammates when they were too proud of themselves. He would lead by example when the team was unable to make progress.

How about you, Shaq? When did you talk to us? Your performance on the court is unmatched, but Roger cares more about the locker room than you do.

It must be admitted that Roger's personality makes it impossible for him to be a good person or a good friend in the traditional sense, but Roger told me that good person is not a word to evaluate a successful athlete.

As an athlete, Roger is undoubtedly a good leader and a good athlete."

4-0, O'Neal has buried his head.

Anthony Powe, who has known O'Neal for a longer time and gave up his No. 14 jersey to Roger, also stood up:
"When training camp started, you were enjoying fried shrimp, mayonnaise, hamburgers and fried chicken, taking your friends to Las Vegas, and showing up at a strip club at 3 a.m. You took it for granted. There's a saying that goes, you become who you are by doing what you do over and over again. Shaq, who would you follow? I vote for Roger."

5 to 0, the votes started to become brutal.

What made O'Neal feel ashamed was that he couldn't refute any of the things his teammates said!

Soon after, more and more people stood up. They had different criteria for determining who was the leader, but there was one thing that everyone was surprisingly consistent about - they all felt that Roger was more like the real leader of the team.

Finally, only Dominic Wilkins was left. He was the last to join the team and had the worst relationship with Roger.

Wilkins' vote is actually meaningless, because O'Neal has not received a single vote so far. Even if Wilkins voted for the Shark, the Shark's votes would be completely defeated by Roger.

But he seems to be the only vote that the Shark can get. It would be too embarrassing if the Shark couldn't get any vote.

The Shark felt that Wilkins would choose him because his relationship with Wilkins was much better than Roger's relationship with Wilkins.

Wilkins stood up in the spotlight and sighed:

"Look, I don't want to talk about this. I've only been here a short time, so I don't have the same experience as you do. And this is stupid, and it has to stop. I didn't take the less money to suffer this.

I came here to win a championship. I also know that to win a championship, I must ensure a stable locker room. And Roger, although he is a complete jerk, he has been committed to ensuring a stable locker room. So, sorry Shaq, I would rather be friends with you in life. But if I have to choose someone to lead me to win a championship, there is no doubt that I will choose Roger. "

O'Neal's mentality collapsed. The result of this vote was too realistic and cruel!
From the starters to the rotation players to the water dispenser manager, not a single person in the entire team felt that he was qualified to be a leader!

This isn't a vote, this is Roger's fucking public execution of himself!

This is a bloody election!

Anyone who chooses Roger is stabbing the shark in the chest!

Throughout the history of the NBA, only Paul Pierce could experience such pain!

After everyone finished voting, the locker room was dead silent.

Roger didn't speak, the shark didn't speak, no one spoke.

Brian Hill, the usually fierce head coach, didn't even dare to speak when it came to this moment when someone really needed to speak up. Well, this is why he can't get the real respect of the players.

Everyone gave their own answers, and O'Neal had nothing left to say.

After an unknown amount of time, O'Neill stared at Roger, his eyes filled with resentment.

This is jealous resentment.

He originally thought that Roger just had more honors than himself, just received more favor than himself, and just had better luck than himself.

The results of it?
This bastard is also more popular in the locker room!
O'Neal now looks at Roger as if he were "the kid next door."

Because the "kid next door" is too perfect, you will become hostile to him.

"Okay," O'Neal finally said, "Okay, since you all think so. From now on, I will never say anything more. I will only focus on things on the basketball court and will not participate in discussions on other things. After I win the third championship, I will leave and never bother you again."

O'Neal originally wanted to turn around and request a trade, but he was unwilling to give up the opportunity to win three consecutive championships. He wanted to win a third championship and FMVP to prove that these bastards were wrong!
Roger stood up and stared at the shark. "Sorry, Shark, even a big guy like you can't go against the truth. Without me, the whole ship will sink!"

At that moment, O'Neal saw a look in Roger's eyes that he had never seen before.

This is a look that combines ruthlessness, arrogance, majesty, sharpness, and unquestionable emotions.

Simply put, this is the King's glare!

Roger is the real king of this team.

Even O'Neal, whose influence was second only to Roger, was completely unable to challenge his position.

The victory was decided, and Roger had already worn the only crown.

Finally, the teammates let Roger and Shark hug each other politely, and the two patted each other on the back and promised to cease fire.

But from this moment on, Roger and O'Neal would not talk any more. Their honeymoon period was completely over and their relationship was completely over.

Roger didn't know when things turned out like this.

He admitted that he had not been as considerate of O'Neal's emotions this season.

Because he always thinks about three consecutive championships, dynasties, and victories.

Shaq was jealous of Roger, but all Roger could think about was beating everyone.

He didn't sense anything wrong with O'Neal.

He just lost a friend like that.

It can be said that he is the best friend I have made since entering the NBA.

Roger is not a heartless person, he feels sad and regretful.

He once wore Shaq's jersey to a game, and Shaq once carried him into the locker room. He was saddened by the death of Grandma Odessa, and Shaq and Uncle Roger were brothers. They killed the God of Basketball and then became the God themselves. Roger told O'Neal that one ring was not enough, and O'Neal told Roger that he would never let him fight alone again.
The memories of the past two years flashed before Roger's eyes like slides. People say that memories flash before one's eyes like slides only when one is about to die. Now Roger can confirm that this is true.

His relationship with sharks is dead.

They were once close, but now they are going in opposite directions.

But... that's the reality about dynasties.

The first Bulls dynasty caused the breakup between Jordan and Grant, and the second Bulls dynasty caused the breakup between Jordan and Pippen.

The Lakers dynasty in the 21st century broke up, Durant broke up with the Warriors before they won three consecutive championships, and Poole had to leave after winning another championship.

Not to mention that Klay Thompson, who dedicated his entire peak to the Warriors, unfollowed all his teammates after the team declined.

The reality is that every dynasty is forged in blood.

This is the curse, this is the price.

Only those who have overcome all this can get what they want.

This is why the dynasty is great.

This is the creed of champions.

After the training that day, all Magic players were interviewed by impatient reporters and no one escaped.

I don't want to say anything. In fact, I won't say anything more. Let's see how the game goes. -- O'Neal talks about the team's current situation.

We have reached a kind of surprisingly unanimous consensus, really surprisingly unanimous. Now, we can go all out to win the third championship. - Derek McKay talks about whether there is still a chance for the third championship.

Fight? No, we held back. What Shaq said was bad, but it won't happen again. Nothing will happen to our team again. -- Ron Harper on O'Neal's interview yesterday.

This is the best situation. We have gone through so many difficult obstacles, but now we are still standing here and have not been knocked down. In fact, the rest of the league has not realized that they have lost their last chance to win. - Roger talks about the possibility of three consecutive championships.

I told you they were going to be screwed. But I didn't expect I would have to open my bottle of red wine so early. - George Karl on the potential disintegration of the Magic.

Lost the last chance to win? That's the funniest joke I've ever heard. Our chances to beat them aren't the last, they're over and over again. Christmas will be the first time. --Michael Jordan on Roger's comments and his thoughts on the Christmas game.

(End of this chapter)