Champions Creed

Chapter 219 Chapter 218: The smallest ripple can also stir up the biggest difference (please give me a monthly ticket!)
Roger led 3-1 twice and 3-0 once in the finals.

Generally speaking, when the finals reach this point, the suspense has basically been lost.

But the 1998 NBA Finals was an exception.

You can say that the Atlanta Hawks are infinitely close to the championship, and Roger is infinitely close to that legendary personal four consecutive championships.

But you can't say the Utah Jazz have no chance.

As Slam Dunk magazine said, this was the most suspenseful 3-1 in NBA Finals history.

The day after Game 4, Roger woke up and found that it was already eight o'clock in the morning - on weekdays, he would automatically wake up at half past six.

This was a sign that Roger's body was indeed tired.

Roger has perfectly inherited the Iceman's abnormal physique that allows him to fight without sweating much.

If even he started to feel tired, then the others would probably feel bad too.

As soon as he got up, Roger received several calls.

The first one was from my uncle: "I want to bring your future aunt to cheer you on!"

Roger was stunned for a moment. I’m about to have an aunt?
Although my uncle opened his own chain of auto repair shops with Roger's funding in recent years, he was also able to obtain first-hand original resources and made a lot of money.

But he did not fall into the arms of women just because he became rich. He put a lot of energy into running the auto repair shop.

In his words, "I am just helping you run these auto repair shops. You can't play basketball forever. Only when we make them bigger and stronger now can your life be guaranteed in the future."

Although with Roger's current wealth, it would be difficult for him to squander all his fortune after retirement.

But many Chinese parents are like this, always full of a sense of crisis.

After that, Andre Patterson and Andy Lee, two of Roger's high school friends, also called and said they would be there at Game 5 to witness Roger's coronation.

Andre Patterson has been training with Roger over the years and has been working hard in the NCAA.

After transferring schools and serving time as a substitute, he is finally going to participate in the draft this summer after spending five years in college.

However, unlike Roger, who entered the lottery right after graduating from high school, Patterson's current prospect is at best a second-round pick.

As for Andy Lee, after graduating from college and going to the coveted Holy Valley, he discovered that the art film and television industry is not so easy to break into. An unknown director will not have a famous actress willing to partner with you, and an unknown director even has to act as a role himself!
Moreover, this is an industry that places great emphasis on connections. Without connections, you will not be able to make a name for yourself even if you use up all your energy.

So now he has changed his career and become an advertising director, specializing in shooting socks and women's clothing commercials, which can be considered to be close to his dream.

Although the gap between them is huge, their support for Roger has never changed.

Sofia Vergara also said that she would go to the scene to watch the game. This was her first public appearance as Roger's girlfriend. For this purpose, she even hired some stylists and makeup artists to help her create her makeup for that night.

As a superstar's woman, first of all, you have to make him capable of bringing you out.

Dominique Wilkins will also be there to cheer for Roger, and even he is looking forward to the moment when the Eagles reach the top.

In short, many people wanted to see Roger on G5 day.

After all, that night was most likely the miracle night when Roger created his personal dynasty.

Before the game, Roger also had someone he was eager to see.

It was time for him to fulfill the promise he made to the little boy.

Two hours later, Roger pushed Andy in a wheelchair and took him to visit the Eagles' training center.

Andy was thinner than before. He was now completely unable to walk on his own. His arms seemed like dead wood that would break at a touch, and his back could no longer be straightened.

Even the voice became weak.

When he was just discharged from the hospital, the doctor said that he might only live for another five months.

But now, it's been six and a half months.

Because he always kept those words in mind: "This is a journey of dignity and courage. Come on, champion."

Although he was suffering from illness, Andy's face was always filled with smiles during the visit.

And when Roger asked his parents about Andy's health, his parents were also all smiles: "Andy is great, everything is fine."

This doesn't look like a family stricken by illness at all.

After the tour, when Roger took Andy and his family to the cafeteria of the training center for dinner, Andy asked Roger a question: "Warden, can you win the trophy at home in the next game?"

“That’s what we’re trying to accomplish.”

"That's great, this way I don't have to just watch you win the championship on TV."

In the next game, the Eagles gave Andy's family the best seats in the front row.

Some business tycoons and entertainment stars wanted to reserve that spot early on, but the old man in the red hat insisted on leaving it to Andy.

So, if Roger can lift the trophy in the Georgia Dome next time, Andy will get to witness his dream come true.

"My teammates and I will do our best to win Game 5, but even if we lose the next game, you can still go to Salt Lake City to watch the game. We will arrange the hotel, air tickets, and game tickets. You and your family don't have to worry about anything. Andy, no matter what, you will see the Hawks win the championship with your own eyes."

Andy shook his head. "No, I can't go to Salt Lake City. Although I really want to go, my current physical condition doesn't allow me to go so far, let alone adapt to the thin air there. But it doesn't matter. As long as the Eagles can win the championship, I will be satisfied. Thank you for everything, Roger."

Roger nodded. He had one more reason to end the series in the next game.

After dinner, the Eagles arranged a special car to take Andy and his family back home.

As the vehicle drove away from Emory Health Center, the smiles on Andy's parents' faces disappeared instantly.

Although they have been preparing themselves mentally for a long time, the family is still in a sad mood.

Andy doesn't have much time left. During the follow-up examination yesterday, the doctor gave a clear answer: "It's a miracle that Andy can hold on until now, but from now on, he may only have a few weeks left."

The reason why they were all smiling in front of Roger was because before coming, Andy calmly told his parents: "Please don't let Roger know that I'm dying. He will definitely be sad."

After seeing Andy off, Roger sat in front of his locker, clasped his hands together, supported his chin, and closed his eyes.

At this time, Pippen walked back to the locker room accompanied by the team doctor, his steps were slow.

It looks like even if Larsa moves on it, Pippen may not be able to hold on for more than 30 seconds. Pippen did not practice this morning, but took an X-ray at the health center. The entire medical team will evaluate Pippen's back injury.

At first, Pippen just had tightness and soreness in his back muscles.

But now, the injury seems to have worsened.

At this time, the team doctors who walked back with Pippen all had gloomy expressions.

"Scott, what happened?" Roger asked.

Pippen leaned against his locker. "I can't explain the lumbar disc compressing the nerves or anything like that."

Chief team doctor Petr Ryan interjected: "In short, in addition to the tightness of Scott's back muscles, he also has a slight herniation of the lumbar disc, which compresses the nerves, which will cause his pain to increase."

“Is there any solution?”

"It's not time for surgery yet, all we can do is rest." Cech answered honestly.

"It's just one game, I should be able to hold on. We'll beat the Jazz in the next game, we can do it, right Roger?" Pippen didn't want to give up the game.

"I guess we have no choice."

The team has reached this point. If the Jazz really drag the game to Salt Lake City, it will be a life-and-death situation.

Although the next game is not a tiebreaker, it is better than a tiebreaker.

Whether to celebrate the championship or become a loser will be decided by one game.

On the day of Game 5, the scene in Atlanta was similar to the commercials shot by Reebok before.

A sea of ​​fans rushed into the Georgia Dome from all directions, everyone hugged each other's shoulders, like a whole.

All of Atlanta is looking forward to tonight being a historic night.

Inside the stadium, Andy and his family were interviewed by reporters.

"Andy, do you think the Utah Jazz have a chance to win tonight?"

"Maybe, but if you look at the whole series, no."

"You are very frank. Many people are discussing that if Roger can achieve his fourth consecutive championship, he will officially enter the discussion of GOAT. What do you think?"

"He is already the best player in history in my mind."

Andy, the boy who is about to die, now doesn't care about his illness at all. He only cares about basketball and his hobbies.

His father was relieved by this. Instead of letting his child die in fear and pain, it was better to let him leave this world full of suffering with a smile.

It was Roger who made their children's final days extremely fulfilling and happy.

Facing the camera, Andy's parents wiped away their tears: "Roger is of course the best player in history. He helped us a lot. Maybe he himself doesn't know that even the smallest ripple he shows can stir up the greatest difference! This is what he means to us! Thank you Roger, God is with him!"

More fans at the scene have held up signs that say: Roger is God!
The atmosphere in the Eagles locker room was much heavier.

"Scott's back injury is not optimistic. We don't know yet whether he will play tonight. Without Scott's defense, can the Hawks deal with the Jazz? Can Roger and Steve Smith's touch recover tonight?" The news on the locker room TV was reporting on the Hawks' recent situation.

Lenny Wilkens walked over, turned off the TV, and then looked at the players.

Roger was lying on his yoga mat, not saying a word.

Steve Smith sat curled up on the carpet, thinking.

Big Ben was wearing headphones and moving his shoulders after putting on the protective gear.

Kurt Thomas is relaxing his muscles. None of the games in this round were easy for him.

Everyone felt like a huge rock was pressing down on their chest. The game had to be finished tonight. There was no way back.

At this time, Big Ben took off his headphones, stood up, and pulled out a cylindrical object from the locker.

When it was opened, there was an Eagles flag inside.

Everyone in the locker room's attention was drawn to the flag, and Big Ben waved it proudly.

"Hey guys, tonight, we're going to end it all in style! When the time comes, I'll be responsible for waving the flag!"

The atmosphere relaxed a little, and Roger clapped his hands: "We have been waiting for such an opportunity, and we have fought for it ourselves. It's time, come on, dog!"

Walking out of the player tunnel, the cheers of Atlanta fans poured into the blood of every Hawks player.

"Kill them, we are the champions!"

"Keep the championship trophy in Atlanta!"

"You are the best team in the world! You are the best basketball players in the world!"

Roger waved to his uncle, Patterson, Li Andy and Wilkins in the stands.

Then he pointed to Andy who was sitting in the first row.

On the other side, Karl Malone's team is also ready for battle, and they have no good intentions.

But no Eagles player is going to be overwhelmed by the high pressure right now.

Because they have become one with the entire city.

One city, one team, one goal.

At this point, this is no longer just a slogan.

"Tonight, the Savior will complete the final redemption. The smell of decay in Atlanta will soon be completely dispelled!"

The magician who said this was wearing a red suit in the colors of the Hawks.

Marvin Albert on the side teased, "You rarely try this color, buddy. To be honest, I'm not used to this color yet. I think black suits you better. Red? Leave it to Craig Sugg."

"Oh, then you'd better get used to it. Because the whole world will be this color for the rest of the summer!"

(End of this chapter)