Champions Creed

Chapter 210 209: It's the same no matter how many times you say it! (Please give me a monthly ticket!)
Before the Eastern Conference Finals began, the league announced the biggest suspense of this season's individual awards.

Roger won the MVP trophy for the second consecutive year, and the award ceremony will be held before the first game of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Karl Malone won the second place in MVP voting. As for the fat guy who always complained that Roger took away all the honors last season, he couldn't even make it into the top three in the MVP voting.

The only thing O'Neal can be thankful for now is that he and the Lakers have made it to the Western Conference Finals.

But this is also thanks to Roger. The three-point strategy used by the Hawks against the Supersonics gave the Lakers inspiration.

The Lakers followed the script and sent out a star-studded starting lineup of Eddie Jones, Van Exel, Robert Horry, Rick Fox and O'Neal.

When the Supersonics used their front line to double-team the Shark, the Lakers' outside line completely exploded.

Eddie Jones shot 59% from three-point range, Van Exel 42%, Horry 44%, and Rick Fox 38%.

When the Supersonics had to consider the threat from beyond the three-point line, the Sharks averaged 63 points per game with a 30% shooting percentage.

I have to say that the Sharks were quite dominant in this round of the series.

Therefore, he is still qualified to challenge Roger: "Everyone who watches basketball all over the world knows that the MVP is not necessarily the final winner! Don't forget, the Hawks only won one more game than the Lakers, and that damn Golden Club indirectly helped the Hawks win at least 10 games! By this calculation, Roger actually won 9 fewer games than me! His MVP is simply the product of media operations. I knew when I was at Reebok that they would use their media relations to vote for Roger!
O'Neal is still firing on Roger, and many media and fans are already fantasizing about the encounter between O'Neal and Roger in the finals.

This is also the plot that David Stern is most looking forward to.

But Roger didn't care too much about the crazy Shark. In fact, when Shark mentioned the Golden Club, it was not Roger who was nervous, but Jordan, Ewing, Mutombo and others.

There is no need for Roger to teach that fat guy O'Neal a lesson. His beloved wife No. 8 will teach him a lesson.

God knows if that guy will kill the game with three consecutive no-touches.

Now, the Indiana Pacers are what Roger should really worry about.

When the Pacers players learned that Roger became the MVP, they were very happy.

Mark Jackson told reporters in an interview: "Who would refuse to defeat a MVP? It would make our resume even better."

The Indiana Pacers are now the number one villain. They are trying their best to prevent what the fans want to see most from happening. They are trying their best to prevent Roger from saving Atlanta.

The Pacers are very happy to play the villain role and they are confident in themselves.

They all agreed that this year was the best window for the Pacers to win the championship. The team's roster was championship-level, and they also had the help of Bird, who won the best coach award in his first year as coach.

Moreover, the Pacers only won four fewer regular season games than the Hawks, and the two teams had a tie in the regular season head-to-head record.

So, the Pacers don't think the Hawks are anything special at all.

Even some New York fans who were interviewed on the street felt that the Pacers might break Roger's record of "never losing the Eastern Conference Finals in his career."

"Yes, Roger has never lost in the Eastern Conference Finals. Since entering the league, Roger has made it to the Finals every year. But the Indiana Pacers are different. If you have seen their game against the Knicks, you will know how strong they are."

"I know New York is missing Patrick Ewing this year, but even if he is there, he can't change anything. Maybe Patrick can make the series score 2-4 or 3-4, but believe me, the Knicks will never win. The Pacers are very strong, and the Hawks are more dangerous than people think."

"Our team was easily defeated. Those bastards in Indianapolis were very tough. They inherited the true spirit of Pat Riley's basketball. The only thing to be happy about is that Roger will also be buried with us."

Of course, there are some New York fans who hold the opposite view.

"Damn it, Reggie Miller is nothing, Roger is the best! When I enter the NBA one day, the first thing I will do is to break the ribs of that bitch Reggie Miller!"

"Into the NBA? What's your name kid?"

"My name is Ron Artest, the best player in New York!"

But everyone just treats this kind of person as a psychopath.

Most New Yorkers felt that even Roger couldn't stop the Pacers' rise.

Roger admitted that the next round of series would not be that easy, as Reggie Miller's Pacers were a typical team where the playoffs were better than the regular season.

The tougher the game, the tougher the Pacers become.

Moreover, the Eagles also encountered some troubles of their own.

Pippen's offensive state has become very bad since entering the playoffs.

A back injury severely affected his shooting.

In the last round against the Hornets, Pippen averaged only 14 points per game and his shooting percentage was less than 40%, which means that he is no longer a reliable offensive point.

Fortunately, his defense is still quite good.

Now Pippen is very hesitant, hesitating whether to take a break for a while.

For athletes, nothing is more valuable than health.

Why was Pippen's trade value so low last summer? It was because he was unhealthy, because the whole league knew he was going to have ankle surgery.

This value will also be reflected in the contract renewal.

Pippen didn't know if he could get the big contract he wanted if he got injured.

For a moment, Pippen wanted to give up.

With his performance in the regular season this year, he is likely to sign a lucrative contract. After all, he is still a third-team All-NBA and first-team All-Defensive player.

If you don't play well in the playoffs, you may actually damage your own value.

Just as Pippen was hesitating, something happened the day before the Eastern Conference Finals that Pippen found incredible.

When he was driving home that afternoon, he saw some fans holding signs at the entrance of the training center.

This is not surprising. Emory Health Center is not too far from downtown Atlanta, so there are a large number of fans waiting at the door every day just to catch a glimpse of their idols.

Just today, Pippen saw some signs about himself.

"Don't forget Scott's contribution throughout the season just because of his hit rate in the last round. Keep Scott! He is Roger's best helper!"

"God needs his messengers."

"Give Scott $10 million and keep him in Atlanta!"

Pippen was stunned when he saw the signs.

You know, his offensive performance in the last round of the series was not good.

If this had happened in Chicago, he would have been locked in the conference room.

Whether or not you can have a meal depends on Jordan's mood.

As a result, Atlanta fans chose to be tolerant and even called on the team to renew their contracts.

This was the first time Pippen felt such strong love from the fans.

The Eagles players now have a very special existence in the hearts of Atlanta fans.

As the last hope to save the city's face, coupled with the team's series of efforts in community activities, every Eagles player is highly respected by the city.

Everyone's hard work was seen by the fans.

Roger is of course the most popular one, but the other players are not ignored.

At this time, Pippen's mentality changed again.

During his one season in Atlanta, Pippen's mentality changed a lot.

At the beginning, he just came to join the competition, and the competition was just a way for him to punch in and out.

Later, he began to assist Roger with all his strength, hoping to stay in Atlanta and create greatness.

And now, he is even seriously thinking about what he can do for Atlanta.

Look at the fans who support him. There are no better fans in the league. Pippen, who was struggling, returned home. Larsa came out in a silk robe and lifted a corner of the robe to reveal the black stockings underneath. "Want to take a break? Or start now. Don't worry, the kids are out playing."

Other women wait for their men to come home, either by preparing a bath or dinner.

Larsa is ready herself.

In the past, Pippen would be eager to pick up Larsa and give him some damage.

But today he waved his hand and said, "Take a break. I'm a little tired."

The pain in his waist couldn't stop Pippen, but the inner struggle made him have no time to do anything else.

Pippen lay on the sofa and turned on the TV, which was playing the locker room interview after the Hawks' training today.

Pippen did not participate in the interview due to a back injury and went directly home after training, so it is not known what his teammates said.

At this time, Roger was being interviewed.

"Roger, many fans gathered at the entrance of the training base today, and they all called on the team to keep Scott Pippen. What do you think about this? Considering his poor performance in the last round, do you think Scott deserves a contract with an annual salary of tens of millions?"

Pippen clenched his fists nervously, wondering what Roger would say.

"Was Scott's performance bad in the last round? I just remember that he appeared in almost every defensive gap. OK, maybe the back injury affected Scott's jump shot, but he is still a player who has a huge impact on the game. I think he is a very good helper, and I would definitely be happy if the team re-signed him.

In this era when a loser like Shaq can earn 120 million, it is very reasonable to give Scott an annual salary of 10 million.

Besides, when has that bastard ever shot well? He and I have been teammates since 1993, and I have never seen him shoot well.

Roger made a little joke at the end, but Pippen didn't care.

He only heard Roger speak publicly for him.

On one side are the fans who support you, and on the other side are your teammates who support you.

The idea of ​​a truce completely disappeared from Pippen's mind.

"Larsa, honey."

"What's wrong?" Larsa sat on Pippen's lap.

"For the next period of time, we will suspend this good living habit."

"what?"

"I'm going to help Roger win the damn championship. I'll kill anyone who stands in his way first! Next up, it's Reggie Miller! Before that, I have to focus all my energy on the game!"

Pippen hasn't felt this way for a long time since he became materialistic.

The feeling of giving everything for the team.

For many years, he was in a state of "I don't want to play here at all, but I have no other choice" because of his dissatisfaction with the Bulls contract.

So, Pippen lost his sense of honor and his drive.

But now, a strong sense of honor enveloped him.

He knew clearly in his heart that he wanted to give everything for Roger and Atlanta.

truce?

I am the best in the world among the second best in the world!

The next day, G1 of the Eastern Conference Finals will begin.

Outside the Georgia Dome, fans had already assembled five hours before the game started. And just like in the commercials, every fan put their arms around each other's shoulders and sang and danced in the outer plaza of the arena.

Aerial helicopters captured this spectacular scene. The basketball atmosphere in Atlanta has never been so good.

Looking at the aerial footage, Bob Costa in the NBC studio began to warm up for the game: "The past few months have been sad for Atlantans. Both the Warriors and the Falcons have attracted much attention, but both have brought the worst results. No team can have the last laugh, and many media call it the Atlanta curse. This time, can the Hawks break the curse? The eyes of the entire Georgia are focused on this round of games!"

In the physiotherapy room in the locker room, Roger was enjoying a massage to relax his muscles.

At this time, Pippen came in, lay on the bed, and received electrotherapy on his back.

This thing can relieve back pain, but the treatment process itself is very painful. Of course, if the electric shock power is adjusted to a suitable range, the pain will not be so obvious.

Roger glanced at Pippen and asked casually, "Can you still hold on?"

"Don't humiliate me. I am a man too. Do you think I will abandon the fans gathered outside the stadium? Abandon my teammates?"

"That's a nice thing to say. If you had done the same thing in Chicago, we might have gotten along very well."

"Okay, forget about Chicago."

"I thought you missed it very much. After all, that's where you created your glory."

"Not anymore. My glory is here now, in Atlanta. Don't worry about me. I will do my best to help you reach the top. Whether you want to be the savior or your own dynasty, I will do my best to help you."

Seeing Pippen's serious expression, Roger's evil sense of humor came up: "Hey, remember the four conditions you put forward to me last summer? Do you want to repeat them?"

“It’s the same no matter how many times I say it!
First, just make sure the distance between you and Larsa is not a negative number!
Second, as dual captain, only I can be your second in command!

Third, share the ball equally, you are responsible for shooting and I am responsible for rebounding!
Fourth, watch your tone when you speak to me. If you are too polite, I will think there is something wrong with our relationship!"

Roger didn't expect Pippen to answer like that. It was the first time he realized that this guy had such a high EQ: "Hahahahahaha, you don't have a good memory, Scott."

"Really? That's what I remember saying."

At this time, an assistant coach pushed open the door of the physical therapy room: "Scott, Roger, there are two minutes left. Lanny will start pre-match deployment."

"OK, we'll be out right away." Roger replied.

Both men got dressed and stood up, and as they were about to leave the physical therapy room, Pippen grabbed Roger's wrist.

"Leave Reggie Miller to me. Just focus on destroying those bastards with your firepower."

The two losses to the Pacers in the regular season were both because Roger focused on defending Reggie Miller, who was as slippery as a loach, which dragged down his own offense.

After all, the 50+10 performance in the first match cannot be replicated all the time.

"Reggie is not easy to deal with."

"I'm not easy to deal with either. This is my seventh consecutive year in the All-Defensive First Team. Roger. You know, even you were only selected to the All-Defensive Second Team this year."

"I have no problem with that. Let's see what Lanny says."

"Okay, I'll tell him myself later."

Half an hour later, the Eagles players appeared in the bustling stadium.

The entire stand became oppressive because all the fans were wearing T-shirts that read "One Team, One City, One Goal."

It was as if a huge black wave was about to collapse.

The starting lineups of both teams gathered together, and Reggie Miller remained stubborn: "Roger, we are your Atlanta curse."

But it was not Roger who responded to Miller, but Pippen: "Mortals, don't disturb God!"

"Where did you get this bull terrier? Get out of here."

"No, I will bite you like a piece of trash to death."

Pippen's eyes were fixed on Reggie Miller.

Once a bull terrier bites its opponent's neck, it will never let go and will not give in even if it is beaten to death.

(End of this chapter)