Champions Creed

Chapter 43: Pennies are just a bunch of change, but I have a big check!

This is bound to be a sleepless night.

In the second match between Roger and Penny, there was no Scott Pippen to disrupt the game.

To give an inappropriate example, the first fight seemed like both sides were wearing condoms, so it was not that exciting to watch. This time, the two of them were really fighting naked.

The last time they met, the game was held at the United Center. This time, the stage was moved to the Oakland Arena.

Warriors fans were ready to welcome Roger. When Roger entered the court in his training suit, the boos were no less than the Beat LA at Boston Garden.

The Zen Master was surprised by the reaction of Warriors fans. You know, it often takes a long time for a person's fame to rise to a considerable level of influence.

For example, the Zen Master himself, he has been playing professional basketball since 67 and won two championships as a player. But he became well-known after playing in the 91 Finals as a head coach.

The Zen Master doesn’t know a more exaggerated example yet – the five-star reviewer MacArthur, who was born in 1880, died in 1964, and his fame on the Internet only reached its peak in 2024.

But this is exactly why the Zen Master was surprised. Roger had only played in the NBA for less than a month and only 11 games.

But look at the scene, his fame is at the level of a superstar!
In fact, the fans on site are just the tip of the iceberg. This game is about to break the ratings record this season.

Even many NBA players are paying attention to this game.

O'Neal supported Roger in front of the media: "The truth is indisputable. He will prove that he is the best player in the 93 class. Chris? He should learn how to control his mistakes like Roger did."

Michael Jordan also commented on Roger for the first time: "I know he has strong scoring ability, but he is not mature enough. He is very talented, but he doesn't know how to play the right basketball yet."

The magician, as always, played the role of the good guy: "No matter what, this will be the beginning of a great new era."

NBA stars' exaggerations made this game attract almost the entire country's attention.

Everyone wanted to know if Roger could win without Pippen. Everyone wanted to know how good Michael's chosen successor was.

This is David Stern's ability to create stars, and this is the benefit brought by the halo of "Jordan's successor."

Roger and Penny have a starting point that other rookies don't have.

But no matter how good the starting point is, it is only temporary. Whether you can laugh last or not depends on the sprint after the start.

The boos finally stopped when Pence and the Warriors entered the stadium, and were replaced by even louder cheers.

Penny's perfect marketing personality, coupled with Jordan's selection, has made his popularity reach a rather terrifying level.

Hardaway still had his charming smile and looked harmless as he waved to the fans in the stands.

Of course, fans like Penny, because most of their knowledge of the NBA comes from news reports. In the 1990s, since the Internet was not well developed, fans' perceptions of players were mostly full of stereotypes.

Dr. J is always a flyer, the highlight of the movie is always the windmill dunk, Karl Malone always takes the pass from Stockton and shoots, and Jordan is always a hero.

Corresponding to Penny and Roger, one is always kind in the eyes of fans, and the other is just a rebellious boy in the eyes of fans.

Roger couldn't help laughing when he saw the fans who were fascinated by Penny. Is a person who dares not even admit failure, who makes excuses for himself immediately after failure, and who plays tricks when his teammates are seeking big contracts in the original history really perfect?

Go to hell.

Roger scoffed at Nike's practice of creating player personas, but he was excited when he thought about the fact that he was about to strip this public idol naked in public and that he had the opportunity to stop Michael Jordan, who was always confusing right and wrong, from laughing.

After the warm-up, NBC sideline reporter Hannah Storm approached Roger again: "Truth, in the last game Penny said he was defeated by Scott, not you. Today, will you prove that you deserved the win?"

Hannah certainly knew that this would annoy Pence in the other half, but the media sometimes just loves to create conflicts and topics.

Roger was not like Penny, who always had a smiling face. His expression was more serious. "Today he can't use my friend Scott as an excuse anymore. I'll find a way for Penny to never lose. That is to never play. Penny is just a pile of change, and I'm a big check!"

A few minutes later, Roger's words were unsurprisingly relayed to Pence by the media.

Penny was still smiling: "I don't want to have a verbal fight like a child. See you on the court."

What a kind and generous gentleman.

But as soon as the camera was turned away, Pence's signature smile disappeared. He clenched his fists and probably cursed all the dirty words he knew in his mind.

Nelson saw Penny's mood swings, he walked onto the court and patted his favorite player on the shoulder: "His scoring ability is a higher challenge to our psychology, and his trash talk is an even higher challenge to our psychology. Roger is this kind of player, don't be influenced by him, play your own basketball, OK?"

Old Nelson was afraid that Penny would be influenced and challenge Roger to a duel, which would fall into Roger's trap.

After listening to the coach's words, Penny nodded calmly: "I know what to do, sir."

Both teams started their games. The Bulls' starting lineup today was Kerr, Roger, Meyers, Kukoc and AC Green.

The Zen Master is determined to play offensively.

The Warriors have Hardaway, "Madman" Sprewell, "God's Left Hand" Chris Mullin, Billy Owens and Victor Alexander. In this Warriors lineup, the center Victor Alexander is only 206 cm tall. Except for the five position, everyone can shoot and pass, just like the prototype of the death five.

Both sides were ready to play fast-paced offensive basketball.

Before the game started, NBC commentator Steve Jones brought up the past: "Anfernee was Michael's only chosen successor. Even though Roger was Michael's junior in the Bulls, he didn't win Michael's favor. Let's see if Roger will make Michael regret his choice."

Krause stared at the TV screen nervously. Please, there must be someone in this world who can make Michael Jordan lose face, right?
At the beginning of the game, AC Green won the ball, and after getting it, Kerr threw the ball to the frontcourt with great force.

Madman was responsible for defending Roger. Many people may not believe it, but Madman, who is only a sophomore this season, finally won the honor of the second defensive team.

In other words, he is at least one of the top three shooting guards in the league this season!

Madman averaged 2.2 steals per game this season, ranking th in the league. Therefore, he was very confident in his ability to steal. Outside the three-point line, he saw the moment when Roger was about to dribble the ball, so he made a move.

But the next second, Roger did not drop the ball, but suddenly closed the ball, letting the madman empty it. Then Roger raised his center of gravity and shot directly!

In the 90s, shooting a three-pointer from outside the three-point line was considered an act of "treason".

Warriors fans scoffed at Roger's irregular style of play. However, this beautifully connected fake dribble and real shot left Sprewell no time to interfere, and the basketball flew straight into the net.

3:0.

Then came Roger's ventriloquism performance: "Anfernee, it's okay. It's normal to hide behind a madman. Scott is so old and still hides behind me. After all, you know that you can't defend against me at all."

Pippen's mouth twitched on the bench. He swore to kill that bastard, in his dream!
One round later, Hardaway broke through to attract Kukoc's help defense, and then passed the ball to Billy Owens. Kukoc's speed did not allow him to return to the position to interfere, and Owens made a mid-range shot.

A typical penny round, his playing style was both gorgeous and reasonable, and he was deeply loved by the people.

But the Warriors fans were happy for a short time, as Roger scored again!
Roger still did his own thing, playing simply and roughly. He used a three-threat to play with the madman's center of gravity, broke through, carried the madman to jump from the mid-range, and made a long-range shot.

5:2.

With his obsessive one-on-one play and long-distance layups, Roger's playing style is still unconventional.

In fact, Roger played like this in the previous few games. He didn't care how the media criticized him. He only knew that scoring was his most advantageous weapon.

Today, he will use his most powerful weapon to kill Penny!
After scoring the goal, Roger hooked his finger at Penny and said, "Anfernee, didn't you complain that you didn't play against me many times? Then come on, fuck me."

Hardaway remembered what old Nelson said, controlled his emotions and remained unmoved.

He continued to do his job, and after shaking off Roger with a beautiful long-arc dribble, he jumped up and found the madman who cut into the basket.

But the madman's layup was blocked by AC Green who made a timely response. The years of abstinence of old Green were not in vain. Although he is 30 years old, he is still full of energy and his assist defense speed is always very fast.

The Warriors' offense failed, and you can't say that Penny's pass was bad. He still completed the pass with an almost artistic move, and still played very reasonably.

But people suddenly realized... Hmm? Correct basketball seems to be less effective than Roger's "random shooting"?
After Kukoc grabbed the blocked ball, he went straight to Roger, who counterattacked with the ball.

Because the madman had just been blocked and was still under the basket, Penny had to defend Roger in this round.

The whole audience cheered, this was the moment everyone had been waiting for!

Roger and Penny were competing at high speed, and when they reached the three-point line, Roger suddenly stopped and held the ball with both hands. Hardaway braked urgently and adjusted his center of gravity, preparing to block.

But when he was about to jump up to block Roger's three-pointer, Roger dropped the ball and accelerated forward. He didn't really pass the ball just now, he just made a gesture of worshiping Buddha. Hardaway wanted to chase him, but his center of gravity was completely messed up and he sat down on the ground. He could only watch Roger pass by him and then dunk with one hand.

The NBC commentator excitedly shouted: "Roger just had at least three chances to pass the ball, but he chose to hit it directly through Penny!"

Roger scored three goals in a row using his much-criticized offensive methods!

7 to 2. After Roger scored, he looked back at the penny on the ground, then looked at his European friend: "Hey Tony, I found a penny on the side of the road."

Penny, who was superior, a team player, and played "correct basketball", was severely humiliated by the powerful Roger in front of the home fans!
Without the "condom" of Pippen, this naked sense of shame is particularly strong!

People criticized Roger for being rebellious and non-conformist, hoping to gain a sense of superiority from such condescending instructions. Michael Jordan also had this mentality.

If Roger played as they said, they would say, "See, Roger won because he listened to our advice."

If Roger didn't fight like they said, they would say, "This guy deserved it."

As a result, this guy who was not blessed by his predecessors and whose playing style was criticized, suppressed Penny in his own way, leaving all of them with a cold shoulder!
The right basketball? The right basketball that wins!
This time, it's not just the Warriors fans' hearts and Penny's butt that are hurt, but also Michael Jordan's face.

God's eyes behind the TV were already filled with anger.

But Roger will not stop, appoint a successor? A popular idol?
The one I hit is you!
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Thanks to Black Cat Loves Tangguo, Beiguo Zhongwei, Yunshen Buzhichu 3, Shuyou 20190521165020702, Hengzai and other big guys for their rewards. I kneel down to thank you all!
(End of this chapter)