Champions Creed

Chapter 316 Chapter 315: Keep working hard but be patient (ask for a monthly ticket!)
20 years from now, there will be three unsolved mysteries in the NBA: When did Kawhi Leonard have surgery again? When did Ben Simmons return? How much power does Roger have in the Warriors?

Roger's rights had long been apparent. Why did the Warriors unexpectedly choose Amar'e Stoudemire with the third pick? Because after Roger verbally agreed to join the Warriors, he told Mikhail Prokhorov about his draft plan, which was to take Stoudemire.

Now, Roger continues to exercise his rights, but trading Gilbert Arenas away has caused some controversy. It looks like a deal of exchanging potential stocks for combat power.

"Old Cat" averaged 21.7 points per game in the Rockets last season, with good efficiency. But the whole world knows that it was because he and Steve Francis took turns to shoot for the entire Rockets.

Last season, the Rockets took 80 shots, and the two brothers accounted for 36, almost half.

The data collected by a bad team is not of much value.

It is generally believed that Cuttino Mobley's ceiling is not as high as Arenas'. Arenas' amazing performance after he started last season was obvious to all. He can not only score, but also organize and pass. Moreover, he is only 20 years old.

Mobley's ceiling should be fixed, a player on the edge of an All-Star.

Was this a brilliant deal or was Roger too hasty?

Everyone has this question.

However, Roger's mouthpiece will not allow his king to fall into controversy.

Soon, some media began to report Arenas' past "glorious deeds", believing that he was an uncontrollable time bomb, which must not appear in a championship team.

In addition, analysts have also pointed out another reason to give up Arenas - if Gilbert really shines next season, other teams can offer high-priced contracts and the Warriors cannot match them under the current rules. In this case, why let Gilbert go for nothing instead of exchanging him for some other assets?

With the efforts of Roger's mouthpieces, the controversy of this transaction gradually subsided.

Don't underestimate the power of a man's tongue. Sometimes you don't need to use your hands, you can solve many problems with your tongue.

But this is not a forced whitewash, Roger really thinks this is a good deal.

Although Lao Mao is also a bad guy, he is still relatively principled. In the original timeline, he could play as Houston's double gun with Steve Francis, or he could control his shooting rights and willingly retreat out of the spotlight after Yao Ming's arrival.

This 98 second-round pick knows that he is not a superstar, so he is very clear about his "position".

Moreover, since Lao Mao grew up on the streets, he is a very loyal person and is very easy to get along with as long as you find the right approach.

Roger believes that in this new championship Warriors, there is no better choice for the sixth man than Old Cat.

Unlike JR Smith, whose offensive level is like Michael Jordan at one moment and DeAndre Jordan at another, Cat is generally quite stable. He can't have a big explosion, but he rarely pulls it all the way.

Moreover, Mobley has a good level of one-on-one defense and can contribute when defending non-superstars at the first and second positions.

This is definitely a great addition to the team.

Jason Coral is just a bargaining chip to balance the deal, so let's ignore him.

What really made this deal worth it was that the Warriors unexpectedly acquired Tayshaun Prince.

Because the Pistons already had Artest, Tayshaun Prince was accidentally picked by the Rockets in this year's draft, and now he is in the Warriors. He is a player with a very short growth cycle and can make an impact in his second year.

Moreover, he is Roger's favorite type of wing who can defend, is smart, and does not occupy the ball.

It is definitely not a loss to trade Arenas, whose playing style conflicts with Roger and who may destroy the team, for these.

As for Dampier? There is nothing to feel sad about. No one really thinks he is the second best center in the West, right?

His defense is good, but only limited to defending under the basket. His help defense is terrible.

It is no longer the days when centers dominated the league in the low post. Yao Ming and Shaq are the only two low post offensive centers in the entire league. But facing them, even if you put Dampier on the court, it is still useless. Therefore, in the era of zone defense, a center who can only defend has limited effect.

Therefore, Dampier's departure is not worth regretting.

Roger thought the deal made sense, but Arenas found it unbelievable.

Really? The media really thinks it's reasonable to trade a super talent like me for a Mobley?

After arriving in Houston, Arenas still didn't shut up and continued to bark like a mad dog.

"There is no doubt that Steve and I will form the strongest backcourt combination in the league next season. I think no one in the entire league wants to face us, including the Golden State Warriors! Roger doesn't know who Gilbert is? He will remember me well next season!"

Arenas felt like he had picked up Roger's script and was traded by his parent team because of the arrival of a superstar. All of this was a replica of the summer of 1994.

Don't people often say that a young man who slays a dragon eventually becomes a dragon?

Roger still ignored the general, he just had one more reason to look forward to next season.

After the team traded Arenas, Jamison was next.

Antawn Jamison's personality prevents him from jumping out to complain like Arenas did. He was very quiet throughout the summer, waiting to accept his fate.

In Jamison's view, trades are a normal part of professional basketball. A professional player should look at all this calmly.

What's more, the Warriors just gave him a big contract, so it's not a loss for him.

Finally, the deal for Antawn Jamison was finalized. The New York Knicks sent Marcus Camby and Charlie Ward to Oakland and took Antawn Jamison away.

New York now has Yao Ming, and Marcus Camby's presence seems superfluous. Moreover, there are conflicts between Marcus Camby and the Knicks.

Camby joined the Knicks in 98 and played for the Knicks with all his heart, devoting himself completely on the defensive end.

The result? The Knicks gave him a pitifully small contract this summer because he played in just 29 games last season.

But Marcus Camby played in only 29 games because the Knicks misdiagnosed his injury and kept him playing when he needed to rest, which eventually worsened his injury.

Even so, Marcus Camby endured it.

But the Knicks now turn a blind eye to the misdiagnosis. Instead, they only give him a low contract because of his injury, and then put all their attention on Yao Ming, the prodigy.

Marcus Camby is very disappointed. He has dedicated everything to the Knicks over the years, including his health, but what has he got?

It’s better not to work so hard and just be a data collector. Who knows, you might be able to sign a big contract!
Marcus Camby, who was furious, confronted the Knicks in front of the media, and the misdiagnosis incident caused a sensation.

The Knicks couldn't stand it anymore and finally put Marcus Camby on the shelf.

And just like that, the deal happened.

Roger's team doesn't need Eric Dampier, but in the era of double-team defense, a big inside player who can roam around and help defend is definitely a resource that must be seized.

Without knowing whether Stoudemire can develop defense, Roger needs a guaranteed answer.

Some people cannot be changed, but some people may be able to be changed.

In the original timeline, Marcus Camby became a famous stat-gambler in the future, in large part because he was heartbroken by the Knicks. Ironically, after he became a stat-gambler, he was surrounded by honors and even received a big contract from the Denver Nuggets.

But Roger feels that Marcus Camby will regain his sense of honor in his Golden State Warriors.

Roger would give him the honor.

At this point, the Golden State Warriors' lineup for next season is basically determined.

Roger, Alan Houston, Tayshaun Prince, Stephen Jackson, Amar'e Stoudemire, Cuttino Mobley, Charlie Ward, Jason Richardson, Marcus Camby and Troy Murphy will serve as the main rotation.

There are some remaining players, such as Jason Coral, who was traded from the Rockets, Bob Sura, who joined the industry in 95, and Earl Boykins, who is less than 170 cm tall, who will linger outside the rotation and play occasional games in a season.

But their ultimate fate is likely to be to leave quietly after the contract expires, or to be sent away as a trade bonus.

This main rotation is pretty good from Roger's perspective, but don't overlook the fact that most of them are actually newcomers.

Tayshaun Prince and Amar'e Stoudemire are both freshmen, and Jason Richardson is a sophomore.

Marcus Camby will need some time to recover from his injury.

So, Roger still has to be patient.

Compared to their main competitors, the Golden State Warriors are not particularly competitive right now.

The Detroit Pistons have signed and traded Chucky Atkins and Jon Barry for Chauncey Billups, and the Pistons' five-star roster is now complete. And this is a Pistons' five-star roster that also includes Ron Artest.

The Pacers became much stronger after acquiring Paul Pierce.

The black and white twin towers of the Dallas Mavericks are watching eagerly.

On the Lakers side, the 96 duo are also ready to go.

Of course, don't forget Tim Duncan, who won the championship in 1999. As the only player who won a championship in Roger's era, this low-key guy is coldly watching the series of changes in the league and spying on the vacant throne.

It is foreseeable that the Golden State Warriors will not be the favorite to win the championship next season. This is the first time that Roger has not been the favorite to win the championship except for his rookie season.

It's true that Roger is a superstar, but when a team's main rotation has two first-year rookies and a second-year rookie, it's really hard to expect this team to achieve anything.

You can't say the Warriors have no chance at all, but the possibility is indeed slim.

So, who will be the champion next season? This is full of suspense.

But for Roger, he can't completely give up next season.

You know, as a superstar at his peak, if he leads his team and fails to make the playoffs, or makes it to the playoffs but is eliminated in the first round, or gets his head shaved in the playoffs, it will be a stain on Roger's career that can never be washed away.

Michael Jordan was swept, even in the first round, but Nike had an excuse: Oh, it was just young Jordan.

If there is really no excuse, the standards can actually be made flexible.

LeBron had his head shaved in 2007, oh, that was just young James.

Shaved head in 18? Oh, that's LeBron James, what can you expect from a veteran?
Winning the championship again in 20 years? You know, LeBron James' peak is very long!
But Roger is different, he is at the peak of his career, neither young nor old. He has no flexible standards, because he still has dignity.

Therefore, things like not making the playoffs, being eliminated in the first round, and being swept must never happen.

Just like Roger told Pippen before, he can only win and run until his death on the road to victory.

Roger also didn't expect that a dozen years later, there would be a bunch of garbage memes about shaving a goat circulating on the Internet.

So next season, Roger set a goal for himself: at least make it to the second round and not be swept.

Of course, there cannot be more than three such seasons, which means that Roger must win the championship within four seasons. This time can only be advanced and not postponed, otherwise his influence will decline.

Keep working hard but be patient, that's what Roger needs to do next.

A month and a half before the start of the new season, Roger's documentary on the Eagles was released.

The documentary was produced by Reebok and became the best-selling DVD product in the United States this summer.

The documentary begins in the summer of 1997 when Roger moved to Atlanta and continues until the summer of 2002.

The five-year legend has made all fans feel the grand epic feeling.

At the end of the documentary, there are flash shots of many well-known stars in the league, and the narration follows these flashing images and says: "Atlanta has become eternal, and others who aspire to be eternal are on their way. This will be a chaotic and bloody time. Maybe some people will achieve some temporary victories during this time, but in the end..."

Having said that, the camera finally focuses on Roger's back, and his No. 14 has become a symbol of victory.

"But in the end, the king will rule again. You know he never fails, and you know he will leave an unsurpassed legacy."

The screen gradually darkens, leaving only the number 14 in red, and the video ends.

Next to Roger, Paul Pierce clapped his hands vigorously: "It's a good shot, but why do I feel like that bastard Jeff has more shots than me?"

"Come on Paul, the highlight of this movie is you and Shaq"

"Stop! I don't want to recall that!" Pierce waved his hand to interrupt Roger, then changed the subject, "Preseason training camp will start in half a month. Do you want to go somewhere to have fun? Take advantage of the vacation. I can't be with you next season."

"There's nowhere I want to go. I just want to find a new girlfriend."

"and then?"

"And then? Beat up the Houston Rockets. You know, Gilbert's bullshit makes me really mad, and a girlfriend isn't enough."

Roger said, glancing at today's freshly prepared schedule on the table.

Opening game, Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors.

Gilbert Arenas has to give Roger a thumbs up. If it weren't for Roger trading him away, which created a lot of news and exposure, he would not have gotten the chance to play in the opening game in his sophomore year.

This is a new era and also a chaotic era, and many people can come to the fore.

But Roger will remind everyone in the first battle that the terror brought by the tyrant will still be everywhere.
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Jeff Hornacek and Eric Spoelstra have officially joined the Warriors coaching staff. Next season, they will assist Hubie Brown, who has been away from the head coaching position for ten years. - Oakland Star.

It's not a problem at all. I'm very happy to live in the Bay Area. Where there is Luo... Where there is a father is always the best place. - Abby Hornacek talks about whether frequent moves bother her.

Can Roger surpass greatness? I mean surpass Wilt Chamberlain's 20000. I think Roger has the potential! - The New York Times

Gilbert Arenas was happy to be able to play in the opening game because he felt like he was a real star. This poor guy, did he ever think that the opening game was not prepared for him? - San Francisco Chronicle

(End of this chapter)