Champions Creed

Chapter 88: To deal with some trash, you don’t need to do it yourself (please give me a monthly ticket!)
When did the Smiling Assassin begin to realize that he was on his way to downfall?
Probably when the Dream Team was being selected.

He did not have the support of the majority.

There are a million theories and various interpretations about the assassin's failure to be selected for Dream One.

Some people said that it was Jordan who was exerting his power, some said that it was Magic who was behind the scenes, and some said that the entire Dream Team did not want the Smiling Assassin to join. In short, it was definitely abnormal that the Assassin was not selected, because even the injured Stockton was selected.

But no matter which truth is true, the result is the same: the Smiling Assassin did not receive the support of the majority, and as one of the greatest players of the time, he was eliminated miserably.

A few years ago, the Smiling Assassin was able to unite people to isolate Jordan at the All-Star Game, but a few years later things were completely reversed.

Michael Jordan found himself looking in a mirror, with himself on one side and the assassin he once hated the most on the other.

A few years ago, he could still bring everyone to isolate the assassin, but what about now?

This All-Star Game was a mess. Ever since Reggie Miller and Grant Hill took the lead in passing the ball to Roger, everyone ignored Jordan's ideas.

It wasn't that everyone was deliberately passing the ball to Roger, but no one was deliberately isolating Roger either.

In short, Michael Jordan's will is not important. He failed to control this Eastern Conference star team and overestimated his prestige in the East.

In the original history, all those who dared to challenge Jordan had a miserable end, so everyone was more or less afraid of him. Roger's challenge to Jordan was undoubtedly something that most people wanted to do but did not dare to do.

Roger's consecutive victories made people feel that Jordan was not so terrible.

So why should we be afraid of him?

Roger also seized the opportunity and took most of the shots.

In the end, he made 14 of 11 shots and scored a night-high 29 points, leading the Eastern Conference to a 128-122 victory.

And he became this year's All-Star MVP without any suspense!

Last year when O'Neal won the AMVP, he pulled Roger to his side, and this year Roger did the same thing.

Watching O'Neal and Roger lift the AMVP trophy at the same time, Jordan felt extremely humiliated.

The sharp-eyed people noticed that when Roger held up the AMVP trophy, Jordan was the only one who did not applaud. He was too lazy to even pretend.

Jordan was furious, but Roger mentioned him when he gave his acceptance speech: "I also want to thank Michael."

Instantly, everyone's eyes fell on Jordan, and his unhappy expression also appeared on the big screen.

"Thanks, Michael. He created space for me tonight. He was so selfless that he only scored 9 points. As a veteran who has just returned, it is a great spirit to take the initiative to give newcomers opportunities. I'm glad, Michael, I didn't let you down." After Roger finished speaking, the audience applauded again.

Roger deliberately drew the spotlight to Jordan, with a simple purpose: "Make me laugh."

Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Jordan, who was being mocked, could only act like a princess chosen by an old man. Although she was very reluctant, she still had to put aside her dignity, force out a smile, and then applaud Roger along with everyone else.

This was Michael Jordan's most humiliating All-Star Game.

His self-esteem and desire for control were shattered bit by bit by Roger.

Of all the people, Jordan clapped the loudest because in his imagination, every slap he made landed on Roger's face!

Sooner or later, he will turn this fantasy into reality! In fact, he will do so in the playoffs!

This bastard has made me so angry!
The 1995 NBA All-Star Weekend ended with Jordan's embarrassed smile.

Arrogant Roger was still arrogant, and Jordan did not punish or teach Roger any lesson.

Now the whole league knows that these two young men can do whatever they want over Jordan's head.

Instead, it was his little brother Penny who became the most famous background board in the history of the NBA All-Star Game.

If you hang out with Jordan, you'll get nine beatings a day.

Who else would dare to follow Jordan? Who else would be willing to lick the bottom of his shoes?
His collapse is accelerating.

After the All-Star Game, everyone is most concerned about the upcoming playoffs.

The same goes for Jordan. He now just wants the playoffs to start as soon as possible, to settle things with Roger, and to sit back on his throne.

The Magic's record remained stable after the All-Star Game, and in mid-February, as March Madness was approaching, the NCAA games gradually heated up and the NBA began to enter a cooling-off period.

Jerry Stackhouse, Roger's high school rival and self-proclaimed lifelong enemy, took advantage of this opportunity to become famous all over the United States.

The University of North Carolina star, 198 cm tall, plays as a shooting guard, has strong athletic ability, comprehensive skills, and scores like chopping melons and vegetables. What do you think of?
That's right, the United States has found a new successor to Jordan. And this is a legitimate successor to Jordan, because he is also from North Carolina.

In a nationally televised game against arch-rival Duke in February, Stackhouse became famous for his backward dunk after dodging two players in the air.

After that game, Stackhouse officially became a hot supernova.

In an interview with reporters, his shocking statement made him even more popular: "One-on-one, I can beat Roger. He can come to me anytime, or I can go to Orlando to find him. Roger didn't play college basketball because he was afraid of me."

Stackhouse couldn't wait. He thought he and Roger were players of the same level, but he chose college basketball while Roger skipped college.

Otherwise, he would have ruled Roger long ago!

Looking at the huge success Roger has achieved now, Stackhouse is jealous.

It’s okay for me to fuck you!

Because Stackhouse was already very popular and his remarks were controversial, some reporters also wanted to interview Roger and ask him what he thought about this matter.

Countless reporters from major media outlets have rushed to Philadelphia, where the Magic will play an away game tomorrow.

But after the Magic's adaptive training that afternoon, reporters learned from O'Neal: "Roger? He asked for leave today, saying he was going to watch a high school game."

Lower Merion High School was clearly not prepared for a visit from a guest like Roger. The audience around him all asked Roger for his autograph, which caused chaos in the basketball hall.

Roger patiently signed autographs for everyone and eventually watched the entire game live.

The star of today's game was undoubtedly No. 33, who scored 34 points, 15 rebounds and 13 assists with ease. His strength is not at the same level as other players of the same age.

Just like Roger back then. Roger's curiosity was satisfied. He had never known how Kobe Bryant played basketball in high school.

Of course, Roger's trip was not just to satisfy his curiosity.

He came for Stackhouse.

After the game, the No. 33 who easily dominated the entire field walked up to Roger and said, "Hello, sir."

"Where do you want to sign?" Roger crossed his legs and looked at the child in front of him.

"I'm not here to ask for an autograph. Can you challenge me in a one-on-one duel?"

Roger laughed, that was very Mamba.

"Are you serious? I think you can discuss this with your father."

"You know my father?"

"I'm not familiar with him, but I know he's an excellent professional. He will use his own experience to tell you: kid, stop going crazy and go home and do your homework."

"I think I can beat you."

"You're not the first student player to say something stupid like that. What makes you think you can beat me? Not even Michael Jordan can beat me."

Kobe frowned angrily: "Sir, you said you are better than Michael Jordan, but he has three championships and you have none. In the finals last season, you were beaten badly by Hakeem."

Kobe is undoubtedly a Jordan fan now. He doesn't like Roger, not at all.

"Kid, that's because I wasn't even in the league when Jordan won three championships."

"You can't stop him even if you enter the league." Kobe tried hard to protect his idol.

"Whatever you say, as for who is better, when you are strong enough, you can go to the NBA and try it yourself." Roger stood up, took the basketball from Kobe, and then went on the court and shot casually.

Kobe quickly followed up: "Do you want to challenge me one-on-one?"

"You are not qualified. I know you play very well and even scored 50 points in a single game last season, but you are not qualified."

"How do I qualify? Wait until I enter the NBA?"

"That's not necessary, but you have to at least play against a college player first."

“That would be so easy, but I can’t do it because no college players are going to come here.”

"No, there will be a college player who will challenge you. This is my phone number. Contact me after you beat that player. Train hard, beat that player, and don't let me down."

After saying that, Roger waved goodbye and prepared to leave.

But Kobe called him again: "Sir."

"Any more questions?"

No. 33 looked at the floor sheepishly: "Can you give me an autograph?"

When Roger walked out of the stadium, there was already a group of reporters waiting outside.

Reporters who received the news rushed to Lower Merion High School early. If the security guards hadn't stopped them, they would have rushed into the stadium.

"Roger, what do you think of Jerry Stackhouse's remarks?"

"Will you fight him one on one?"

"Do you think he can be the No. 1 pick in this year's draft?"

Roger looked at the excited reporters and pressed his hands down:
"Two years ago in the McDonald's All-Star Game, he couldn't beat me in a 5-on-4 game. Now, he actually said he could beat me 1-on-1? This is ridiculous. Jerry Stackhouse, like his predecessor Michael, always says nonsense.

Impossible, in fact, Jerry couldn't even beat a high school kid."

"High school student? Jerry is North Carolina's leading guard and one of the best scorers in college," a reporter retorted.

"So what? He just can't beat a high school kid. If you don't believe me, just wait and see. Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School is much better than him."

After saying that, Roger turned and walked away with a smile.

I am a big star now after all, so why should I bother with a college player?
No need. To deal with some trash, you don't even need to do it yourself.
-
Roger just doesn't dare to fight me. He actually used a high school student as a shield. How pathetic! What should I be afraid of? Do you think I would be afraid of a high school student? When the season is over, I will personally visit Kobe Bryant! - Jerry Stackhouse responded to Roger angrily.

I don't know any Jerry Stackhouse, is he that good? I accept all challenges. -- Kobe Bryant answered honestly when being interviewed by a reporter.

Escape? Let me tell you a well-known fact. I made the All-Star team, won the Eastern Conference championship, and was selected to the All-NBA Team in my first year in the NBA. Now, I am still the No. 6 player in the Eastern Conference. Why should I escape from a player who has not even proven himself in March Madness? Thanks to his 32 points in a single game, his team was eliminated in the top last year. Let him beat Kobe first. I have to prepare for the playoffs. - Roger responded disdainfully to the one-on-one match with Stackhouse.

At the same time, Michael Jordan accepted an exclusive interview with Andrew Sharp, a well-known writer for Sports Illustrated.

"Michael, are you losing control of the East?"

"Why do you say that?"

"Look, this season when you came back, your record was suppressed by Roger, your win-loss record was suppressed by Roger, and even the All-Star Game was suppressed by Roger. Apart from the data, you are not ahead of him in any way. People compare you to Magic Johnson in 1991 and think this is the beginning of your fall. How do you view this?"

"Everything is about the playoffs, that's the real battleground. I haven't even played yet, how can I say I'm doomed?"

"Some players revealed that you deliberately isolated Roger in the All-Star Game, but failed, and he became the AMVP instead, which made you very unhappy. Is that true?"

"I don't want to talk about this."

"It seems true."

"Of course not!" Jordan suppressed his anger.

"Roger said your Bulls can't win a single game against the Magic this season, what do you think?"

"I'm going to humiliate him in the playoffs, I swear!" Jordan stared at him with bloodshot eyes and shouted hysterically.

(End of this chapter)