Champions Creed

Chapter 70 069: The first pleasant meeting (asking for monthly tickets!)
So, under the pressure from Reebok, Roger, O'Neal and Jordan.

The deal was done.

The management of the two teams became the most passive players in this transaction.

This is a sign that, starting with Michael Jordan and various rookies forcing teams to sign big contracts, stars are beginning to dominate and control the league. The voice of team management is gradually shrinking, and the Auerbach-style legend is likely to cease to exist.

In fact, when Leonard disobeyed Popovich many years later and the Spurs' locker room myth no longer existed, this legend did disappear.

It goes without saying what a terrible earthquake this deal caused.

The deal was on the front page of every Chicago newspaper.

But the media's reaction was somewhat different from what Jordan had imagined.

One day, the Chicago Bulls will regret accepting this trade. --Chicago Tribune

This deal completely diluted the joy brought by Michael Jordan's comeback. If there is a list of the stupidest trades in the NBA, this deal will undoubtedly be number one on the list. - Chicago Chronicle

Jerry Krause has booked the General Manager of the Year award in advance. His operations have instantly turned the Magic into a force that cannot be ignored. The Orlando Magic should consider retiring Jerry Krause's jersey. Without him, the Magic's glory may be delayed by 10 years. - Chicago Sun-Times

Originally our opponents were only the Houston Rockets and the New York Knicks, but now we have to find a way to deal with the Orlando Magic. - Chicago Morning Post

Jerry Krause silently endured all the criticism, but in fact, it was not him who wanted to trade Roger.

Chris Webber silently endured all the shame, why do you all think this deal is not worth it?
Michael Jordan was surprised by the media's reaction. All of Chicago knew that he and Roger could not coexist, but when Roger left, almost all the media were complaining.

He thought the media coverage would be like this: "Roger leaving Chicago will expose the fact that he is a loser."

The results of it?
The Chicago media actually thinks that Roger is an indispensable person.

And they all felt that the Orlando Magic would become a problem because of Roger's joining.

What a stupid joke!

Jordan was injured, and he found that Roger had left a deep mark on this city.

More importantly, he found that his dominance was beginning to be questioned.

In the past few years, not even Charles Barkley could shake his position.

But now? People actually think that a kid under 20 and a big guy who has only played one round of the playoffs will be a threat to them.

Even if the media felt Olajuwon was a threat, Jordan would not feel ashamed.

Jordan didn't like this.

For him, the first place with a clear lead is the real first place. If the victory is still discussed, it is definitely not the real first place.

It seems that I really need to win a few more championships to show the world what it means to be the real number one.

Michael Jordan thought that by trading Roger away, he would be able to enjoy the thrill of victory.

But not at all.

Instead he became even angrier.

Why, that bastard, why does he make Chicago so nervous?
He is just a loser who lost the finals, a loser!
At the same time, Roger had already flown to Florida, a place where there is no idleness, with his uncle and agent Fleischer.

Although it is still early for the new season, the trade has already taken place, and Roger is technically already a member of the Orlando Magic. So according to convention, Roger needs to meet with the Magic's top management first.

The Magic management didn't want to put too much pressure on Roger, so they didn't choose a serious place like the office for the meeting. Of course, a place full of princesses was too frivolous. Don't get me wrong, this is Disneyland.

Disney wanted the first meeting between the team and Roger to take place in the park, and they extended a warm invitation, but Pat Williams couldn't imagine a few grown men eating turkey legs and talking about basketball under the gaze of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, so he declined.

A golf course becomes a perfect meeting place.

There, Roger met the general manager Pat Williams who was forcing a smile, the head coach Brian Hill who had white hair and a serious face, and the team owner Rich DeVos who was smiling sincerely.

DeVos hugged Roger familiarly and said a Disneyland slogan: "Welcome to the magical world of magic!"

This is also the origin of the team name Magic.

Disney and Magic are the two most important business cards of the city of Orlando, and the two have always been closely linked.

The head coach and general manager were not as enthusiastic as the owner. They just shook hands with Roger in a friendly manner.

Then, several people started playing golf.

Roger wasn't very good at it, but that didn't matter. Golf was just one of the ways to make the conversation less serious.

Sitting in the golf cart, head coach Brian Hill spoke first: "I don't believe the media reports. I don't believe you are that kind of person. You are willing to share the ball, right?"

Roger knew Hill was the kind of coach who emphasized discipline and teamwork, but he didn't want to lie: "I'm a finisher."

"I know," Hill was not surprised by Roger's answer.

"I won't ask you to play like a point guard. You can still do what you like, score, finish. But there is no Phil Jackson triangle here. Your task is not just to score.

My team's guards need to be the ball handlers and the initiators of the offense. You'll get more possession time, not just catching the ball and finishing. You can still be your scorer, but I need to make sure you're not the kind of possession black hole that dribbles for 23 seconds on one possession."

"If you're worried about that, that's not me. Maybe I can't organize the offense, but I'm still willing to pass the ball to teammates who have a chance." Roger replied, "If you don't believe me, you can ask Steve Kerr."

"Very good. I've heard about your training attitude. You should really persuade your good friend Shark. I'm looking forward to working with you in the new season, Roger. I think we can create something together."

The car stopped, but the golf continued. The next time they got on the golf cart, head coach Brian Hill and team owner Rich DeVos sat in the front row, leaving the seat next to Roger for general manager Pat Williams.

Now it was their turn to have a conversation.

Pat Williams first told Roger in a warning tone: "I don't want any problems in the locker room. I know what happened between you and Scott in Chicago."

"Pat, are you dissatisfied with me?" Roger asked back.

From the time he appeared on the golf course until now, Pat Williams only gave a fake smile when they first met.

Then he had a sullen face throughout the whole time, with the word "unhappy" almost written all over his face.

“There is no dissatisfaction.”

"Then I don't owe you money, right?"

"No, I have nothing against you personally. Let me be frank, I know your and Shaq's backgrounds, and you both have Reebok behind you. I also know that Reebok was behind this trade. You threatened to scare off teams you didn't want to go to by threatening the player option. Shaq threatened to renew his contract in the summer of 96 to speed up the trade.

You guys are working together perfectly, but I want to say, please stop this!
Just focus on playing, and I will be responsible for building a competitive lineup for you. You should trust me in this regard! "

Different from the "stupid Magic management" that people have in mind.

Pat Williams is not some brainless general manager who came from a wild background. In fact, as general manager, he helped the 80ers create the only glorious period in the team's history since the Chamberlain era in the 76s.

He is also the co-founder of the Magic, and it was his successful lobbying that led the league's board of directors to vote to approve the Orlando Magic's request to join.

He has a very high reputation in the Magic team, and even the owner DeVos has to respect him, so he doesn't want to become a puppet of the star players.

Roger didn't have to manipulate the management, but he still asked: "What do you mean by competitive? It won't be breaking through the first round? What is your plan? Of course I am willing to trust you, Pat, but you have to at least let me know whether your plan is trustworthy?"

"Damn it, when I say competitiveness, I mean competitiveness for the championship, what do you think I traded you for?
You led your team to the finals last season, and now we have Shaq, I don’t believe you will play worse!
To be honest, my goal this summer is to free up salary cap space first, because there are many players we need in the free agent market, which is why I have to include Nick Anderson in the trade. He can score, but since you are here, Nick is useless. He has the same function as you, but he is far less good than you, and he can't help you defend, but he has to take up more than 300 million salary cap space.

I tried to trade him directly, but do you think he can be traded for Kemp or Payton?

Get rid of him so we can free up space to sign more players that are suitable for you and Shaq.

Damn, there are still media outlets that say I'm a complete idiot for this, enough is enough! They don't really think that the more players with high scoring averages on a team, the better? Basketball is not a math problem! "

Hearing this, Roger secretly complained in his heart that there is a high probability that Nick Anderson could be exchanged for Rodman.

But if you don't have a keen eye, Rodman is a dangerous choice. In the original history of the Bulls, they chose the Worm because they had no other choice, so it is normal that Pat Williams did not consider Rodman.

Roger didn't think much about it and continued to listen to Williams.

"Next, I will also trade the sixth man, Denis Scott, for the same purpose.

After I free up the salary cap space, I can make my move. I have already contacted Ron Harper of the Clippers and Horace Grant of the former Bulls. They have both reached preliminary intentions with me. Their joining will make the team stronger.

I will also try to add more defensive forwards. The Pacers' defensive stalwart Derek McKay and former rebounding champion Michael Cage are both in the free agent market this year. This is our opportunity. We have to deal with Jordan and Olajuwon, so we need a strong defensive forward group to protect you and Shaq, so that you and him can score with peace of mind.

I know that people don’t think much of me, but I’m working hard, so just do your part and let me do mine, OK?”

To be honest, Roger's impression of Pat Williams has changed a little. It seems that this guy is not that stupid.

Now, his team building strategy is completely different from the original history.

Because Penny in the original history was more of a point guard player, the Magic also needed players like Nick Anderson and Denis Scott who could shoot and score to bring out Penny's passing talent.

But now Shark and Roger can both score, and can both consume a large number of shots to force the position, so Pat Williams adjusted the direction, eliminated the extra scorers, and began to look for those fierce defensive forwards.

This is indeed the right direction.

Well, this still cannot hide the fact that Pat Williams is an idiot. In Roger's opinion, letting Shaq go in 96 and missing out on Duncan in 00 are definitely black marks that the Magic management will never be able to wash away in their lifetime.

But today's conversation at least proves that Pat Williams makes mistakes, but he is not completely brainless.

His plan sounds very reliable.

"I have no problem, Pat, I won't interfere with your plan. But a plan is a plan, and you still have to be able to execute it." Roger stretched out his hand.

"Of course I will try my best to execute it. I am already doing it." Pat Williams finally smiled from the bottom of his heart and held Roger's hand. "Although the boss has already said it, I still want to say it to you alone. Welcome to the magical world of magic. Let's create some magical things together."

Roger and the team's top management had a fairly pleasant meeting. At least, their goals were the same.

Roger wants a championship, and the Magic want more than just getting through the first round.

This is a good start.

That afternoon, while Roger was playing golf with the Magic management, Chicago reporters caught up with Michael Jordan and asked him about trading Roger.

Jordan smiled: "Forget Roger, what he couldn't do with the Bulls, I can do. In fact, I would rather talk about my new teammate Chris Webber."

The next day, Roger, who was looking at a house, was also caught by reporters in Orlando and asked to respond to Jordan.

His response was:

"I didn't lead the Bulls to a championship last season, but Michael couldn't do what I've done."

"you mean?"

"He won't even be able to lead the Bulls to the Finals next season."

(End of this chapter)