Champions Creed

Chapter 191 190: The King's Mercy (asking for a monthly ticket!)
At the press conference where Michael Jordan announced his retirement, Jordan's second son, Marcus Jordan, cried sadly.

Most media feel that Marcus has the best chance of succeeding Jordan when he grows up.

Because this kid has such a strong sense of honor and shame at such a young age.

He must be upset that his father couldn't defeat Roger.

He must have the blood of a competitive fighter flowing in his body!

Jordan touched his son's head and felt extremely relieved.

Adults always like to impose their will on children.

Marcus Jordan didn't think that much. He just felt sorry: What should I do? It will be hard for me to see Aunt Larsa again. I won't even have the chance to see her four times a year!
Jordan's retirement was tantamount to announcing Roger's victory.

Nike and Falk's public relations rhetoric, as well as the "good man" persona they tried to create for Jordan, did not have much effect.

Even the fact that Jordan "accidentally" injured the fingers of his shooting hand was interpreted as "an excuse for his cowardice and weakness."

How could a person cut his finger with a cigar cutter? And according to Juanita, Jordan was not smoking a cigar at the time.

Regardless of whether Jordan really cut his finger accidentally or not, regardless of whether Jordan really wanted to be with his family, he could not change one thing: the whole world believed that Jordan was beaten into retirement by Roger. Moreover, he no longer had the courage to face Roger.

This is a complete victory for Roger!
The name Michael Jordan is truly obsolete.

The next day, Garnett and Kobe were reading newspapers during a break from training.

Although Jordan is no longer considered the greatest player of this era, major newspapers still devoted a lot of space to reporting on this matter.

This is normal. If LeBron James retires one day in the future, not to mention the news, all basketball writers will cry, even if he is not the greatest player.

Garnett found these special reports in the newspapers about Jordan's retirement unbelievable.

When he was a kid, Michael Jordan was synonymous with God.

Almost every black kid of their generation idolized Jordan.

The idea that "Michael Jordan is supreme" is deeply rooted in the minds of black children.

But Roger, who only entered the league in 1993, completely shattered the myth of Michael Jordan and destroyed their beliefs.

Although Kevin Garnett witnessed all of this, he still found it incredible when he saw the news in the newspaper about Michael Jordan's sad retirement.

That’s the high and mighty Michael Jordan.

He is one of the two MJs who have the greatest impact on the world.

Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson? No, the other MJ is Michael Jackson!
"Roger, you are amazing!" Garnett sighed after reading all the news about Jordan's retirement.

Kobe next to him disagreed: "It's nothing big. Michael's today is Roger's tomorrow."

Garnett immediately covered Kobe's mouth, but Roger, who was drinking water nearby, had already heard it.

Let’s be honest, everyone who plays basketball wants to win.

Well, at least most want to win.

If you want to stand out in today's NBA, the most important thing you need to do is one thing: beat Roger.

But you don’t have to say this kind of thing out loud!

What's more, we have been training together during this period!

Now Garnett knows why the Los Angeles media has such an evaluation of Kobe: "He is neither humble nor silent."

Roger continued to drink water: "How did you do it? With that stupid fat guy?"

"Depend on me."

"You know, I can humiliate you in a 21-point duel. So, when you are not strong enough, just shut up. I said I would defeat Michael, so Michael never won even one year on my head. What about you? Kobe Bryant, don't let me hear your bullshit again."

Roger always thought he could be friends with Kobe, but to be honest, this bastard is too difficult to get along with.

The more you get along with him, the more you feel that being friends with him is impossible.

However, Roger only needs to spend a short time with Kobe every year, but it is different for some people.

So, really, Roger sincerely wishes Shark to find true love in Los Angeles.

Wish him a good time in Los Angeles.

At this time, it was already mid-August.

The Eagles' recruitment has basically been completed, and the nine main rotations have been confirmed before.

However, if Roger wants to achieve results next season, he still has one important thing to do.

He called Pete Babcock and said, "Do me a favor."

"Ten will do."

"Give me Scott Pippen's number."

"Ah? You didn't?" Pete Babcock was surprised, after all, Roger and Pippen had been teammates for a year.

And they are fellow travelers.

As a result, they don’t even have each other’s phone number?

Ten minutes later, Scott Pippen received a call.

On the other end of the line came a voice that made Pippen suddenly feel physically uncomfortable:

"Scott, come out and face it!"
-
Scott Pippen appeared in Roger's big villa wearing sunglasses and beach pants.

He swore that this was definitely the most luxurious villa in the whole of Georgia!
Pippen felt very unbalanced.

How could Roger afford such a nice house?
Why did he receive such a grand welcome when he arrived in Atlanta?
Why?
What right does that bastard have?
Just because of the three consecutive championships?

Haha, who doesn’t have three consecutive championships?
Besides, my grandma could win three consecutive championships with Shaq!
"Shameless bastard!" Thinking of this, Pippen cursed.

But he soon shut his mouth in embarrassment because the owner of the villa showed up at such an inopportune time.

Roger didn't curse back, but said calmly: "Isn't this place beautiful? It's not expensive, just a skin."

Pippen: ???
"What does Yipi mean?"

"Oh, this is my new currency unit. One Pi means Scott Pippen's annual salary."

The blood vessels on Pippen's head popped out: "Damn it, Roger, do you think I dare not fight you?"

“I know the best surgeon in Georgia who specializes in titanium implants.”

"Oh, you are a rough man who only knows how to fight. I am not like you."

"Please sit down." Seeing that Pippen's attitude suddenly became gentle, Roger helped Pippen get a stool, and the two sat in the front garden of the villa.

Then Roger poured Pippen a cup of tea.

Pippen didn't drink and still had a sour face: "I told you a long time ago that it's impossible, absolutely impossible."

"really?"

"Yeah, let me tell you, there's no way I'm going to say yes to that unless it snows in the Georgia summer!"

"Okay, whatever you want." Roger took a sip of tea.

What he and Pippen talked about was Pippen's ankle surgery.

Roger hopes Pippen can have surgery during the holidays so that it will not affect the progress of the season.

Roger believes that the Eagles' lineup for next season is still quite competitive, and he hopes to do his best in his first year in Atlanta. To achieve this goal, a complete lineup is very important.

But Pippen refused.

To be honest, Roger didn't know where the logic was.

Pippen made this decision because he had a conflict with the Bulls. Of course, this conflict was actually very nonsensical. He wanted the Bulls to change his contract. There has never been such a thing in the entire history of the NBA.

In short, Pippen deliberately postponed the surgery because he was angry with the Bulls.

But now he is no longer with the Bulls, and he has no problems with the Atlanta Hawks.

So why is he still unwilling to have surgery in advance? Why does he have to wait until the start of training camp?
What Roger didn't know was that Pippen also had conflicts with the Hawks.

He blamed the Eagles for not telling him in advance that they wanted to bring Roger in, otherwise he would not have come.

In order to express his dissatisfaction, he continued to adhere to the principle of "injury during work time, recovery during work time".

Babcock had advised several times, but in vain.

Pippen's attitude was very firm. The reason why he was willing to meet Roger was because he thought Roger would beg him humbly.

In Pippen's fantasy, Roger should be like this: "Scott, please, it was all my fault before, you should have the surgery in advance, I can't live without you!"

As a result, Roger's words "It's up to you" confused Pippen.

Can you be more helpful?

Logically, the two sides could have said goodbye, but Pippen was unwilling to do so.

Now that he was here, he still wanted to see Roger's humble face.

“你这个蠢货，你真以为你能控制一切？老头儿（特德.特纳）是喜欢你，但那和我没关系，你别指望我也来舔你脚指头。在我回来之前，带着你的亚特兰大老鹰去挨揍吧。”

"I've already told you, it's up to you. A piece of trash like you is only worth 200 million a year anyway."

"Heh, you'll know next summer, half of the teams in the league will have to come to see me with cash!"

Roger smiled.

"Scott, I thought you'd be a little wiser after all these years.

Let me tell you some facts. Our new teammate Clifford Robinson, the one who played in the finals with you in 92, only signed a one-year contract with the Hawks for $80 this summer.

Even if he didn't accept it, he could only sign a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns for $100 million at most. Obviously, this is a contract far below his actual value. But why did this happen? Because his performance in the contract year was not very good.

Actually, that wasn't his reason.

His tactical position in the team has declined, his shooting rights and ball possession have been diluted, and his statistics will definitely decline.

But the market doesn't care. He is 31 years old and his statistics have declined, so he is not valuable.

How about you, Scott? Are you about the same age as Clifford?
If you return in the middle of the season, how long will it take you to find your form and how much will your statistics be affected?
By the summer of 98, are you still worth money?

Are you going to cry and tell other teams: Damn, I just had an operation, do you believe I can return to my peak!

If it were you, would you believe it? "

Roger's words silenced Pippen again.

For many years, Pippen has been dissatisfied with his income.

I have finally made it through, and the next contract I have to sign is a big contract with an annual salary of tens of millions.

But if what Roger said happened, he would miss the last chance to sign a big contract in his career.

"So," Roger spoke again, "it's up to you whether to have the surgery or not. I'm just reminding you."

Pippen gritted his teeth. Nothing has changed in all these years.

I will still be controlled and suppressed by Roger!
Finally, Pippen found a way out for himself: "It's okay for me to have surgery early, but there are a few conditions."

Roger laughed disdainfully, but did not interrupt, letting Pippen speak on his own:

"The first condition, and the most important one, is that you are not allowed to be within ten meters of Larsa! If you break this condition, I will fight you to the death, I swear!

The second condition is that there will be two captains in the locker room next season, you and I will be the captains. I must also have a say in the locker room, and you should stop ordering me around.

Third, I want to share the ball with you. I am not your blue-collar worker!

Fourth, you need to be more fucking respectful when you talk to me, and it’s better not to act like you did today.”

After Pippen finished speaking, Roger calmly drank another cup of tea and shook his head: "Scott, you don't understand yet."

"Next season, you'll be the one asking me to help you win a few more games, begging me to help you not be so embarrassed. You? Put forward conditions? What qualifications do you have to put forward conditions to me? If you don't want to, then you can just get out and watch me win the honor. Yes, just like you watched me lead the team to win on the bench in 1994."

At that moment, Pippen's pride was completely shattered.

Bad memories suddenly flooded back into his mind.

He found that he had no power to compete with Roger at all!

In front of Roger, I feel so terribly insignificant!
Threaten the team and Roger with surgery?
Haha, even Pippen himself thought this was ridiculous!

He poses no threat to anyone.

He thought he and Roger could still compete in the locker room, but the situation had changed. Roger was the emperor of Atlanta, and Pippen was just a servant.

He recalled what Slam magazine reporter Ben Osborne said: "Scott Pippen will always live in Roger's shadow."

After a few minutes of silence, Pippen spoke: "In any case, I will let the team arrange the surgery as soon as possible, but it's not because of you, but I want to do it anyway."

Pippen must ensure that he will not be DNPed or benched next season, and must put in an outstanding performance.

Just tolerate Roger for a year, and when his contract expires, sign a big contract with another team and leave right away!

Seeing that Pi Peng was relenting, Roger gave him a way out. As a human being, you have to have some dignity:

"Congratulations Scott, you just made a very, very wise decision. Maybe you haven't realized it yet, but this is the closest you've ever been to becoming a winner."

After this conversation, Roger basically solved all his troubles this summer.

Next, it’s all about strength.

At this moment, a roar suddenly sounded in Roger's yard, and then snow started falling from the sky!
Pippen sat on the bench, unable to believe his eyes.

Because he had told Roger very firmly before: "Unless it snows in Georgia in the summer, I can't agree to it."

Now he has agreed, and it is snowing in Georgia in the summer.

What kind of magical plot is this?

Pippen looked at Roger in astonishment. At that moment, he even doubted whether Roger was a real God.

Roger caught the falling snowflakes with his hands and smiled with satisfaction.

"Look Scott, who says you can't have snow in the Georgia summer? All you need is one of the latest high-temperature snowmaking machines. It's not expensive, and it doesn't even cost a tenth of the price."

The summer in Georgia is too hot, and Roger wanted to feel a little cooler, so he bought a high-temperature snowmaking machine in the yard and played with the snow whenever he had nothing to do.

As a result, Pippen just came in and made a bet about the snow.

Look, Roger and Pippen are not completely without tacit understanding.

Time flies. Half a month before the start of the new season training camp, Roger accepted an exclusive interview with ESPN and did a program previewing the new season.

"Hi Roger, how's it going in Atlanta?"

"It's great, I love the fans and the climate here."

"The new season is coming, this is a new starting point for you, how do you feel now?"

"I'm very excited and I can't wait for the new season to start."

"Scott eventually had surgery ahead of schedule and was able to play in the season opener. What do you think changed his mind?"

"He's a player with a sense of honor, of course he will do that."

"But the outside world is not optimistic about your second collaboration with Scott. What do you think about it?"

"We can work together happily. At least Scott won't suddenly disappear for no reason and miss training camp."

"Okay, you wanna talk about Shaq?"

"why not?"

"He just sang a rap song about you at a nightclub in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. There are some controversial lyrics in it. Do you mind if I read them out to you?"

Roger shook his head.

The host took a deep breath and mustered up his courage: "You can't do it without me. With or without me, it's the difference between first and last place. Roger, you bastard, come and have a taste of my big bastard next season."

The host finished speaking and glanced at Roger.

Roger was still smiling, but his teeth were clenched. He was very angry, but he still maintained his basic rationality: "Did he really sing like that?"

“I have the video, and this is just some of the lyrics.”

"Very good." He didn't lose his composure, but just repeated it again, "Very good."

After the show ended, Roger met someone outside the recording site.

Jim Gray, who deliberately provoked Shark last season, causing a complete breakdown between Shark and Roger, and publicly stated that he "wanted to see the expression on Roger's face when he failed."

Roger is the most commercially valuable player right now, and one of the conditions for him to accept an ESPN interview was that ESPN could not have Jim Gray.

Jim Gray, once the most successful sports reporter in the United States, is out, just like Jordan.

The more glorious it was before, the more miserable it is now.

But unlike Jordan who accepted his fate of being eliminated, Jim Gray didn't want to be eliminated, so he walked up to Roger and said humbly, "Roger, you have to help me! ESPN doesn't want to renew my contract, and other TV stations don't dare to sign me because they don't want to offend them. There's nothing between you and me, right?"

Roger looked at the bastard coldly: "Why are you looking for me? Can't you find Shaq's number?"

A true king needs to learn compassion.

But not mercy to everyone.

Michael Jordan and Jim Gray have paid dearly for their offenses.

Next, it's the turn of another bastard who is ignorant of his own limitations and offends the king.

(End of this chapter)