Champions Creed

Chapter 302 Chapter 301: Master and Dog (asking for monthly ticket!)

In the "glorious" history of the Detroit Pistons, there have been countless fights and brawls.

The Bad Boys of the 80s fought with more than half of the teams in the league.

And most of the time, they won't suffer any loss.

But this time was undoubtedly the worst beating the Detroit Pistons suffered, and they were almost completely wiped out.

Ron Artest, who suffered from mania, became as calm as a dead man less than 5 seconds after the conflict.

If Michael Curry hadn't been dragged out by his teammates, he would have been beaten into a pig's head.

Rasheed Wallace's highest damage output was on his teammate Chucky Atkins.

On the other hand, Roger was almost throughout the entire battlefield, fighting from Artest to Tianzun, and going in and out of the Pistons three times.

The word dominance will be redefined because of Roger from now on.

If you just play basketball well, sorry, that's not true dominance.

This is not the first time the Eagles have clashed with their opponents, but this is undoubtedly the most serious.

Most of the players from both sides were involved in the fight. This was not a conflict between two players, but a conflict between two teams.

Prior to this, the biggest riot the Hawks had caused was in a game against the Lakers in 1999.

At that time, O'Neal, who was angry about losing, committed a flagrant foul on Roger. Andre Patterson stepped up to help Roger and knocked down the shark, and the conflict began.

But because Shark and Kobe were so weak, the conflict did not last too long. Before Roger could even feel the pleasure, everything was over.

This time was different. The chaotic fight lasted for several minutes, and the referee's ability to maintain order was almost negligible.

No one on the field could stay out of it.

Both sides have tolerated each other for too long, and both sides are very cohesive teams. So when this happens, most people on both teams will choose to stand up.

The more people come forward, the more out of control the situation becomes.

If the Pistons hadn't been beaten back, who knows how things would have turned out.

Roger, Stephen Jackson, Kurt Thomas, Andre Patterson and Paul Pierce were sent off directly.

On the Pistons side, Artest, Roaring God, Michael Curry and Richard Hamilton were also ejected on the spot.

Hamilton was shocked by the decision: "I didn't do anything!"

"No Richard, don't make excuses. I saw you punch Stephen Jackson with my own eyes, and you were going to grab the bench!"

"Oh my god, I took the bench just to get everyone to calm down and sit down and talk!"

"Oh, then you're a nice guy, RIP. If that's the case, why don't you say Ron Artest was the calmest person in this conflict? He didn't even say a word during the whole conflict!"

Hamilton's excuses were weak and he was still expelled on the spot.

Both sides lost their main players, but because the Detroit Pistons still have Ben Wallace, the Pistons actually have an advantageous lineup.

But after such a chaotic fight, both teams lost interest in playing, and in the end the Eagles won the game relying on the advantage they had gained before the fight.

After the game, David Stern was furious.

In 1979, cable TV saved the NBA. In fact, it helped save the NBA even more than Magic and Bird did. With the advent of cable TV, NBA games were no longer limited to recorded broadcasts.

It is really hard to imagine that those great finals at that time could only be watched by fans in delayed broadcasts after midnight.

Cable TV has greatly increased the league's influence. After entering the 21st century, as live television technology has become more advanced and the Internet has emerged, the impact of anything that happens on the court will be several times greater than in the past.

Generally speaking, this is a good thing, as it makes it easier for David Stern to create stars. With advanced live TV broadcasts and the Internet, a player in this era can definitely surpass Jordan with one championship, because the number of people watching him play will be several times that of Michael Jordan, and he will leave a deeper impression on people.

But the spread of influence is also a double-edged sword. Just imagine, if fans saw Rudy Tomjanovich covering his face and kicking around with blood all over the ground during a live NBA broadcast in the 21st century, what a tragic disaster it would be.

People equate the NBA with minor fighting leagues like the UFC, which is banned in several states.

So since the beginning of the new century, David Stern has paid close attention to the issue of violence on the field and tried his best to avoid such disasters from happening.

He emphasized the concept of "zero tolerance for violence" more than once.

As a result, the most high-profile team in the entire league blatantly flouted the rules he set in the most high-profile game.

So this time, David Stern took heavy action.

The next day, the league quickly announced the punishment results.

Ron Artest, who started all the disputes, was suspended for 10 games, Rasheed Wallace was suspended for 8 games, Richard Hamilton was suspended for 6 games, and Michael Curry was suspended for 4 games.

On the Hawks side, Roger and Stephen Jackson, who were the most violent, were suspended for 8 games, while Kurt Thomas, Andre Patterson and Paul Pierce were suspended for 6 games.

Fines are extra.

This time the league didn't even send any investigators over, but directly issued a fine.

What else is there to investigate? Artest had a broken jaw, a broken nose, and cracked eye sockets. His entire face was almost shattered by Roger. He had to stay in the ICU for half a month after the operation. The only difference between him and Tomjanovich was that his brain didn't leak out.

God knows if it's because Artest has no brains.

However, Artest still has to thank Roger, because he had blown out Jordan's eyes in 1993, so the doctors are already very skilled in similar operations.

David Stern hopes to use this method to intimidate the players. He doesn't want the league's top star to look like a madman who wants to taste American blood.

But to be honest, Roger felt relieved after seeing the punishment result.

This suspension will have a significant impact on the regular season results of both teams.

But it has little impact on the playoffs.

That's enough. As his career lengthened, Roger became less and less interested in regular season wins.

As long as the winning numbers are acceptable, the playoffs are the key to everything.

No one will remember those 72-win garbage teams, but the 72-win championship teams will be praised forever.

So during the tough times of the regular season, just grit your teeth and get through it.

As for the playoffs, people are already looking forward to the playoffs between the Hawks and the Pistons.

This fight is not the end of everything, but the beginning of everything.

The Pistons and Hawks players must want to kill each other, and this incident will definitely turn the playoffs into a gladiatorial arena.

During the locker room interview after training the next day, reporters felt the anger on both sides that was far from extinguished.

Rasheed Wallace had stitches on his eyebrow arch, and his expression was grim: "It's over? Ron is still lying in the hospital, and you tell me that everything is over? Until we completely defeat the Atlanta Hawks, until we snatch the spot in the finals, until we bury them in the abyss, none of this will be over!" Peace Elite Richard Hamilton also toughened up again today: "You know, from last night, the Los Angeles Lakers are no longer the mortal enemy of the Atlanta Hawks, we are. We will take everything back in the playoffs and will not give up until we achieve our goal."

Pistons captain Michael Curry said bluntly: "If you want to beat the champion, you have to hate him first. So I think we have taken the first step. There is no doubt that this will be a life-and-death battle!"

Paul Pierce continued to taunt the Pistons: "Don't pretend to be victims. They were the ones who committed the flagrant foul on Sean first, and then they hit Roger. They are so miserable simply because they are too bad and Roger suppressed them in two sports."

Andre Pat also laughed and said, "Roger's mistake is that he is too strong."

But everyone knows that grudges in competitive sports ultimately have to be resolved through victory.

If the Pistons can stop the Hawks' three consecutive championships and destroy the Hawks' dynasty, then getting beaten up will instantly be nothing.

There is no better revenge in this world than destroying the Eagles' dynasty.

This is the inevitable conflict between the upstarts and the old kings; their competition will eventually develop to this point.

The Hawks and Pistons don't just want to compete for the championship now, they really hate each other.

Maybe Ben Wallace doesn't hate Roger or the Atlanta Hawks.

But his personal will can no longer change the overall will of the team.

But Roger has long been accustomed to this kind of competition. He and Michael Jordan, he and Shaquille O'Neal have always fought in a state of mutual hatred.

Since you hate it, just play it to your heart's content in the playoffs!

After the penalty results were announced, something unprecedented happened.

Michael Gillen, the second largest shareholder of the Eagles, actually invited Roger to dinner.

You know, ever since Ted Turner left, Steve Belkin left, and finally Ben Affleck left, the relationship between Roger and the shareholder team has become quite cold.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Michael Gillen and Roger ordered food, and then while the food was being prepared, Michael Gillen and Roger started chatting.

Roger thought the purpose of this meeting was to discuss the contract renewal of Pierce and Marion.

As a result, Roger was stunned as soon as Michael Gillen opened his mouth.

"Roger, Bruce Levinson is angry about this."

"What's the matter?"

"Let me be frank, Roger. Times have changed. It's the 21st century now. The NBA now has a dress code and automatic suspension for technical fouls. This is not the rough 90s. Fans in the 21st century need some more civilized idols and teams. Just like the players in the 80s can't take drugs as recklessly as the players in the 70s, the players in the 00s can't be as barbaric as the players in the 90s."

"You mean to say that I won't fight back when I'm beaten, and I won't do anything when I see my teammates being bullied? Is that right?"

"I'm not saying that you should be bullied. The league will give you justice. After something like this happens, the suspension will affect our ticket revenue, our record, and our image and sponsorship. Look at Roger, this is simply not worth the loss. So, maybe you can control it next time."

Roger was almost laughing out of anger. If he had known that Michael Gillen was here to talk such nonsense, he would never have kept the appointment.

"Now I understand what Michael Jordan said. When we fought for the championship, where were you guys in uniform? When we bled for the championship, where were you guys in uniform? Now you come and tell me you're unhappy? It's none of my business! Tell Bruce that I don't play basketball to please him!"

Michael Gillen didn't expect Roger to be so angry: "Roger, I didn't say you have to please Bruce."

Roger continued to speak, rudely interrupting Michael Gillen.

"Shut the fvck up! First of all, I'm not playing for you guys, I'm playing for the fans of Atlanta and my own career. So, don't talk to me about ticket sales, I'm not doing this for you guys.

Secondly, do you have the nerve to talk to me about income? Your interests are the accessories I give you in the process of creating greatness!

That’s right, I’m the one giving you money!
So, you have to act like bitches and find ways to make me happy, do you understand?
A bitch would say she's unhappy when she's feeding you?

The whole world knows that without me, the basketball market in Atlanta would be worthless.

Before I came to Atlanta, the Hawks could only survive in a shabby arena, selling the cheapest tickets in the league and with the worst attendance!

If you make me unhappy again, I won't give you any charity next season.

I am the master and you are all dogs!
So why would I keep a disobedient dog?"

Roger's blunt remarks made Michael Gillen pale. He certainly knew what "I won't give you any more alms next season" meant.

This is the first time Roger officially told management that he might leave next season!
"Calm down Roger, we're not there yet."

"No, I've put up with you for too long. Really too long. You stupid men in suits better stop getting in my way, stop pointing your fucking fingers at me, stop wasting my time, and don't expect me to listen to you. Just follow me around, shut up, and pick up the scraps.

As for whether you can still eat these leftovers next season, that depends on my mood.

Tell Bruce that I can do whatever I want and not do whatever I don't want. If he's unhappy, let him jerk off in front of the mirror and leave me alone!

From today until I win my third consecutive championship, I don't want to hear another word from him.

You, call right now and tell him exactly what I said! Don't omit a single word! "

After saying that, Roger pushed his chair away and stood up.

The dishes were just served at this time, but Roger left without looking back, leaving Michael Gillen behind without any dignity.

Michael Gillen knew that just now, Roger's relationship with the Eagles had completely broken down.

Michael Jordan's actions with the Bulls allowed the world to witness that the power is tilting towards the players.

He can decide how many years to sign with the Bulls, whether the Bulls should trade Roger, and many other things.

But in the end, he still had to beg Jerry Reinsdorf to give him 3000 million a year and keep the championship team. In the end, the Bulls gave up on him, which was the peak and end of his franchise power.

Now, the power of this right continues to break through the ceiling in Roger's hands.

In the past, it was the teams that gave up on the players.

But this time, it was the players who gave up on the team!
After leaving the restaurant, Roger called Eric Fleischer.

"If I were to leave Atlanta next summer, where do you think would be best for me?"

Fleischer, who was feeding the child, was stunned and the spoon went directly into the child's nose.

"what?"

"Don't be so surprised Eric, why don't we throw darts at a map of the United States and see which city will be lucky enough to become great. Of course, find me a boss with a simple shareholder structure and few problems!"

This is Roger's confidence. He is confident that he can succeed anywhere.

Of course, he has to finish his unfinished business in Atlanta first.

The Detroit Pistons want to stop themselves?

Then kill them all in the playoffs!

(End of this chapter)