Champions Creed

Chapter 334 333: Michael, here I come (asking for monthly ticket!)
Tonight is probably the happiest night for Bay Area fans since the team won the championship in 1975 and got Roger.

The Warriors successfully defeated their arch-rival, the Spurs, in a thorough and convincing victory.

From adjusting the defensive strategy to supplementing the inside defense, the Warriors finally dealt with the guy they had always been unable to deal with.

Tim Duncan's performance in this game was undoubtedly ugly, but it was not because of last season's MVP's incompetence, but because the Warriors did not allow him to be relaxed on the offensive end for even a minute throughout the game.

Whether it is Stoudemire + Mutombo, Stoudemire + Camby, or Camby + Mutombo, the Warriors can ensure the quality of their interior defense every minute of rotation.

When Marcus Camby also started to play seriously, the Warriors' originally weak inside lineup last season suddenly became very strong.

It turns out that the choice to add Dikembe Mutombo this summer was quite correct.

He not only strengthened the Warriors' inside line, but also got Marcus Camby back on track.

If Roger was to deal with Camby, he would definitely let Camby go. But the existence of Mutombo made Camby make a choice that was completely different from the original timeline.

This is why Roger said "This is our team". Even a year ago, as the savior of Atlanta, Roger would be very arrogant and say "This is my team". But this incident made Roger realize that his teammates can not only help him deal with problems on the court, but also problems off the court.

Roger could clearly feel the changes in himself over the years, and these changes also resolved some of his doubts.

This is probably why a proud person like Michael Jordan would gradually accept the mediocrity of his teammates.

This is probably why a low EQ species like Kobe Bryant was able to create a locker room with a great atmosphere during the two consecutive championship periods as if he had suddenly come to his senses.

As people age, they do not remain the same.

Of course, whether it is Jordan, Kobe or Roger, one thing will never change, that is the pursuit of victory and status.

No matter how they change, they will become bloodthirsty when they are on the field.

No matter how things change, they will not allow their locker room status to be challenged.

I allow you to assist me and even allow you to be my friend.

But no one can look down on me or defeat me.

While the players were still celebrating their victory in the locker room, Bob Buss had already received a call from the Supersonics.

Apparently, Sonics general manager Rick Sander watched the entire game and was quite satisfied with Marcus Camby's performance.

If this is the case with Camby, then with the addition of Ray Allen and Rashard Lewis, Seattle will definitely be able to grab a playoff spot.

"I've already thought about it, Bob. I agree to add a second-round draft pick to the original bargaining chip! Let's complete the deal and don't waste any more time!" Rick Sander's voice was very anxious on the phone.

But Bob Bass's answer disappointed him: "Oh, I'm afraid we can't make a deal, Rick."

"What!? We agreed last time that this was the final offer!"

"That was the final offer, and I wasn't asking for a raise. It's just... I'm sorry, we've decided not to put Marcus Camby on the shelf anymore."

Less than 20 minutes after the game ended, Bob Bass received a text message from Roger: "Something has happened, terminate the transaction!"

It is not difficult to imagine how angry Rick Sander was at this moment. He felt that he had been fooled.

But unfortunately, in NBA transactions, going back on one's word is extremely normal.

After all, general managers are not athletes, but businessmen. Isn't it basic professional ethics for businessmen to go back on their words? What's wrong with that?

Athletes should value credibility and honor, but hype, gimmicks, intrigue and profit above all else are exactly what a businessman should do.

Bob Bass had nothing to offer Rick Sander except apologies.

After celebrating in the locker room, Roger, who had just finished attending the press conference, called Scarlett Johansson and asked her to prepare a bath, and then immediately returned home.

The night we defeated the Spurs was definitely a night worth celebrating.

Don’t ask why taking a bath is considered a celebration. The reason is that Roger and Scarlett Johansson’s bathing activities are so rich that it can be regarded as a party.

Marcus Camby was still sitting in the locker room after changing his clothes. He hadn't experienced the joy after the victory for a long time, at least two years.

01-02赛季在纽约他只打了不到30场球，02-03赛季在勇士更是一场没打。

He had been away from victory for so long that he even forgot how sweet victory tasted.

Mutombo walked out of the physical therapy room. As a veteran who is 37 and a half years old on paper, Mutombo, like Hornacek back then, has to have a massage to relax after every game to avoid muscle tension.

So on game nights, Mutombo is often the last person to leave the locker room.

Mutombo was a little surprised when he walked out today and found Marcus Camby still sitting in front of his locker.

"Are you waiting for your mother to pick you up?"

Marcus Camby deliberately laughed dryly: "Ha! Ha! Ha! No one ever said that you can tell jokes better than Tim Duncan? I'll tell a joke too. Roger has never dunked over me."

Camby was making fun of the famous scene where Mutombo was dunked over by Roger immediately after he said this.

"Seriously, Marcus, why don't you leave?" Mutombo was not angry. He just sat down and started to change into casual clothes. He never minded his teammates teasing him.

Camby leaned forward in his chair, his hands on his knees: "Dikembe, what is the biggest reward?"

Mutombo stopped putting on his coat and looked at the light on the locker room ceiling, as if reminiscing.

"What is the biggest reward? Let me tell you a story. There was a fool who went to a team that no one would go to, and went to the most boring city in the world, just for the championship. That fool worked very hard and made it to the finals with the team, looking forward to the championship and an opportunity.

He tried his best in every game. Even if he was hit by a fat guy on the opposite side and had to rely on painkillers to fall asleep, even if he was so tired that his whole body seemed to be falling apart after every game, he never retreated.

Because he firmly believes that as long as you work hard, you will be rewarded.

But for two years in a row, that idiot's efforts were in vain. He lost to the same guy in both finals and never came close to winning.

Those sacrifices, those efforts and persistence did not bring him any rewards, and all that was left to him was beautiful fantasies.

After the second finals, he sat on the ground with his legs hugged and cried like a child who had not grown up.

The head coach went over, patted the idiot on the shoulder and told him: Don't cry, you tried your best.

Yes, he tried his best. Many people like to use this sentence to comfort others, but this is exactly the saddest and most hurtful thing. He can't do better, but he is still far away from victory.

From that moment on, the idiot understood that not all players in this world have the opportunity to win the championship. Even with the same efforts, tenacity and dedication, some people still cannot win the championship. It is not the case that as long as you work hard, the opportunity will always be there.

Championship. Only a small number of lucky people can experience that kind of happiness. "

After that, Dikembe Mutombo was silent for a while, then stared at Camby:

"That idiot was me, and the one who beat me was Roger. I fought Roger for two years in Salt Lake City, and I was beaten badly both times. Those were two series that you couldn't win even if you tried your best, even if you risked your life, even if you were willing to sacrifice everything. So, what's the best gift? A championship! Or the chance to win a championship!
Not everyone has the chance to touch the championship. Some of them lost to injuries, some lost to themselves, some lost to a penalty, and some lost to a jump shot by the opponent.

And now, this opportunity is in our hands. We are playing with the person who knows how to win a championship the best in the world. We have the opportunity to redeem the ultimate gift. So don't waste Marcus and seize this opportunity to win the ultimate reward. "

After saying that, Dikembe Mutombo stood up and prepared to leave the locker room: "Together?"

"Yeah." After agreeing, Marcus Camby turned his head and glanced at Roger's locker.

Best reward ever, eh?
He will definitely redeem this grand prize!

The next day, photos of Tim Duncan being dunked over by Roger were all over the newspapers.

Roger was really curious about why the NBA didn't have statistics like "being blocked" and "total distance traveled". He really wanted to know who these people were. After all, Duncan made headlines too often because of being blocked.

Roger felt like he could meet 10 men who had slept with Duncan just by walking around the All-Star party.

As for the total mileage, it can accurately show who is the most diligent player on the field and runs the most distance.

However, Tim Duncan's shame did not last long, because in a game three days later, the Cleveland Cavaliers became the focus of the entire United States, and everyone forgot about the dunk on Duncan.

The game between Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks is not actually a big deal.

Since Michael Reed was in Atlanta at the time, the Bucks did not have any star players. The most famous player was Keith Van Horn, the second pick in 97.

The reason why this game, which should have been ordinary, was so hot was that LeBron James shined in this game, getting all-around data of 24 points, 7 rebounds, 10 assists, and only two turnovers.

Michael Jordan miraculously scored 41 points - this is incredible considering that he is already 40 years old.

在此之前，年龄最大的40分球员是卡尔.马龙。上赛季末，老邮差在对阵魔术队的比赛中拿下了令人振奋的40分9篮板7助攻4抢断的数据。当时，他已经是39岁231天的年纪。

Jordan was a full year older than him and had been away from the court for six years.

In addition to the impressive statistics of Michael Jordan and LeBron James, the Cavaliers also got out of the quagmire of losing streak and achieved the longest three-game winning streak of the season. The current record is 5 wins and 6 losses!
Although the result is still "negative", it is much better than the previous poor start of 2 wins and 6 losses.

For Cavaliers fans, this game was a triple blessing.

As one of the most popular teams this season, the Cleveland Cavaliers' three-game winning streak, James' near triple-double and Jordan's 41 points were enough to make fans forget the scene of Tim Duncan being dunked on three days ago.

All eyes were on Cleveland, on the Nike duo.

At today's press conference, most people were praising Jordan. Jordan enjoyed this feeling very much. He hadn't experienced this feeling for many years, the feeling of being treated as a hero. "Michael, how does it feel to score 40 points at the age of 41?"

"It's wonderful, it's wonderful. But this is not the most wonderful thing. My goal is to bring the team to the playoffs, and I will definitely do it. That's the most wonderful moment. Cleveland's dark days are over. I keep saying that."

"This is undoubtedly a record that has never been surpassed. You are still one of the best athletes in the league, right?"

"No, no, no, I'm still old, otherwise I would have scored 51 points tonight, maybe 61 points."

Jordan acted proudly, causing the whole audience to laugh.

The flattery ended there, and the reporters asked something else. The next question made Jordan's smile disappear instantly.

"What do you think of LeBron today?"

Jordan glanced at James, who had already lowered his head.

"This kid is spoiled," Jordan said, and the reporters knew as soon as he opened his mouth that he was not going to praise the No. 23 with dazzling statistics.

"Phil Jackson once said that Kobe Bryant would deliberately not play well in the first three quarters in high school, and then be a hero in the fourth quarter to turn the tide. You see, high school games are too easy for them, making them relax and proud. But the NBA is another matter. LeBron's stats were good today, but his three-pointers and free throws were terrible. He didn't play 100% of his game.

If you’re an average rookie, OK, you did well tonight. But if you’re the best player in the draft, you should do better.”

James is embarrassed. Any rookie who scores 27+7+10 will be praised and praised, but next to Michael Jordan, he can only receive criticism.

Yes, Michael Jordan can accept mediocrity from his teammates, but LeBron James is the exception.

Because he had been looking forward to this Akron boy for several years, because he had the dual mission of reviving the Cavaliers and Nike.

In other words, in Jordan's mind, James' rookie season should be as good as his and Roger's!

But James didn't know all this. He only knew that the more he spent time with Michael Jordan, the more he discovered that he was different from before.

Jordan used to be a good brother, but now he is mean, harsh and unkind.

Recently, although the team's record is getting better and better, James has been criticized more and more.

James chewed his fingers like a child being scolded by an adult. After a few seconds of silence, the highly anticipated No. 1 draft pick slowly spoke: "Michael is right, I can do better."

Jordan seemed to have read something from the Akron boy's expression, so he immediately added: "Of course, overall I am satisfied with LeBron's performance. In short, we performed very well today. We are like a green stock (green means rising in US stocks), rising steadily. I will lead the team into the playoffs, I will."

Michael Jordan enjoyed his heroic moment and the praise and admiration from reporters.

But at this time, a reporter wearing glasses stood up with a disdainful smile: "Hello Michael, I am a reporter from Sports Illustrated. You just said that you and the Cleveland Cavaliers are like a green stock. In the next game, will Roger make you a red stock?"

Michael Jordan's smile disappeared instantly. This was an inopportune question, like a challenge that suddenly stopped you when you were having the best time.

This kind of question shouldn't have happened on a 40-point night when he was 40 years old in his career, because it ruined the entire atmosphere.

During this period of time, Jordan has been worried about one thing - he doesn't know how Roger will deal with him.

This worry became more obvious, especially after he found that the Cavaliers were not as strong as he expected.

After all, he vowed during the offseason that he could do a better job coaching rookies than Roger.

And Roger never could bear to hear that.

You might say, Michael Jordan is one of the best basketball players in the world, why couldn't he judge the true strength of the Cavaliers during the offseason?
This is normal. Considering that he also clamored to lead the team to the playoffs when he was with the Wizards, but only won 37 games for two consecutive years, this does not seem to be incomprehensible.

After the press conference, Michael Jordan returned to the locker room nervously.

This was the first time Jordan had felt this way, the feeling of being nervous about an upcoming opponent.

And when Jordan got nervous, his teammates didn't have an easy time either.

"LeBron!" Jordan shouted as soon as he returned to the locker room.

"what happened?"

"You know what the next game means to us, right? You'd better perform better than today! No matter what, we can't lose to the Warriors. This is the game we can't lose the most this season!"

James is under tremendous pressure. Given the overall strength of the Cavaliers, it is very difficult to beat the Warriors.

So Michael Jordan's pressure made James feel suffocated.

"I'm doing my best, Michael."

"No no no, LeBron, you have to be a fucking man! Not try your best, but I must win! Why? Why do you always look so lacking in killing intent? Why do you look like you'll run away immediately? You are the chosen one, you are the only rookie who dares to reject Roger! Can you be a man!?"

Jordan yelled uncontrollably, and the entire Cavaliers locker room became very depressing.

James lowered his head and replied in a weak voice: "I will definitely win, Michael."

Although he was catering to the situation on the surface, a terrible thought occurred to James' mind: What would my rookie season be like without Michael?

On game day, Michael Jordan couldn't sleep until four in the morning.

He was thinking about tonight's game, he was thinking about Roger and the Golden State Warriors.

To be honest, Michael Jordan is not an idiot. He certainly knows that there is a gap in strength between the Cavaliers and the Warriors.

But the charm of competitive sports lies in the fact that the team with a better lineup on paper is not necessarily the final winner.

As long as I can still perform in the same state as in the last game, as long as James can still perform in the same state as in the last game, winning is not impossible.

When the sun rose in the morning, Michael Jordan got up and walked to the sofa in the living room to watch TV.

He saw the footage of Roger being interviewed by reporters after arriving in Cleveland yesterday afternoon.

"Roger, are you still looking forward to the current Cleveland Cavaliers?"

"Of course, they have undoubtedly found their rhythm after struggling at the beginning of the season. I will always remember Michael's promise, the conference semifinals. What does a small playoff game mean to him? If Michael and LeBron can't make the playoffs together, it would be the biggest joke. So I am looking forward to their performance, and I will treat them as playoff-level opponents."

Seeing this, Jordan cursed inwardly, "This damn bastard!"
For so long, Roger has been deliberately praising the Cavaliers and then laughing at the Cavaliers' joke.

So fucking vicious!
"Do you have any personal grudge against Michael?"

"Of course not, but I didn't like LeBron standing me up because that was disrespectful. And he disrespected me when I was very polite to him. And I didn't like Michael saying he could do better than me.

But you know, a game is a game, and I won't put too much personal emotion into it. LeBron has shown his talent, and Michael still has the ability to score 40 points. The next game will definitely not be easy. I said, they are a playoff-level team, and they are very difficult to deal with. "

Jordan gnashed his teeth. You call this not putting personal emotions into it? This is simply not disguising personal emotions!

Roger remembered LeBron James's lack of respect and Jordan's own boasting.

He doesn't have personal emotions involved? No way!
Michael Jordan was in fear all day.

He didn't dare to imagine what Roger would do, what the game would be like, or what would become of him.

He could only keep telling himself: "We still have a chance to win, we still have a chance to win."

When Michael Jordan arrived at the locker room of Gund Arena in the afternoon, he was worried and even wondered why he made such a boast.

At this time, the Cavaliers coach, Doug Collins, who was appointed by Jordan and had worked with him for three years in his early career, came up to Jordan and said, "Michael, you don't look well. Are you scared?"

Jordan was furious, his eyes instantly filled with bloodshot: "Shut up Doug, who do you think you are talking to?"

At the same time, Jordan found that he was showing his nervousness and fear too obviously, which was absolutely not allowed. How could the great Michael Jordan be afraid?

So after going on the court, Jordan tried hard to give himself courage in front of the camera.

"Anything can happen in basketball."

“Why can’t we make it four in a row tonight?”

"There are no eternal winners in competitive sports. I understand this very well."

Jordan still looks like the same Jordan, fearless and always believing that he can win.

But then, the whole world saw a scene that they could never imagine.

The Warriors players came out of the player tunnel. As an old fan of Joe, Roger could not hide his excitement to see his good brother again after six years.

He immediately walked to the center circle, towards Michael Jordan, and all the cameras in the stadium were focused on the two of them. This was undoubtedly the first time they had been in the same frame in six years.

Roger looked at Jordan with a smile. The No. 45 was still strong and didn't look like a 40-year-old at all.

But Roger didn't say "hello" to you, but just whispered: "Michael, here I come."

Under the watchful eyes of the entire world, the great Michael Jordan took a step back.

(End of this chapter)