CHAPTER 1047: CHAPTER 337: SOMEONE’S BRAGGING IN CLEVELAND AGAIN

Roger finally saw the sequel to the brotherly story of LeBron James and Michael Jordan.

But this sequel caught Roger a bit off guard.

He thought that Michael Jordan and LeBron James were at most causing some stir internally.

But he didn’t expect it to escalate to the point of a trade.

Poor Michael, incredibly pitiful.

A true superstar shouldn’t be kicked around like a ball.

For Michael Jordan, this comeback is simply too undignified.

Even more so than his time with the Wizards.

Although during his time with the Wizards he was also tricked by the owner, at least he wasn’t traded away mid-season.

And during that season in the original timeline’s All-Star, the league even held a sort of retirement ceremony for Michael Jordan.

Overall, Wizards Jordan left quite respectably. Besides not making the playoffs, there’s nothing else to say.

Now, Michael Jordan being put on the trading block is truly quite awkward.

Roger is very curious about where exactly Michael Jordan will be traded.

Upon learning that Jordan was going to be traded, many teams in the league swarmed.

Yes, from the perspective of ability, the 40-year-old Michael Jordan isn’t considered a top superstar, but he still has a certain box office appeal.

As the saying goes, an old A8 is still an A8.

The Cavaliers’ goal is also clear, to exchange LeBron James for a good helper from a weak team without playoff hopes.

Maybe first-year LeBron James has various issues, but as long as he has a teammate who can get along with him, he definitely has the ability to lead the team to the playoffs.

As for why exchange from a weak team with no playoff hopes? Firstly, most strong teams aren’t interested in Michael Jordan. Because his ability makes it hard for him to compete in high-intensity playoffs, and for those teams on the fringe of the playoffs, the Cavaliers fear trading Jordan there would backfire on themselves.

Although it’s unlikely, what if, just what if Michael Jordan leads a team hovering around the Eastern playoffs to block the Cavaliers?

Wouldn’t that make them the laughing stock?

You say Michael Jordan has no influence anymore, right? But once he’s on the trading block, everyone pays attention.

As they say, not as good as Jordan, but better than James.

Even Roger is gossiping about Michael Jordan.

"Hey," Tom Brady nudged Roger with his elbow, "Stop playing with your phone, look up!"

Roger looked up and saw Gisele Bundchen showcasing herself on the runway in million-dollar lingerie.

She still dazzled, lighting up the entire venue, making Tom Brady stare: "God, how could you bear to break up with such a perfect lady?"

Roger buried his head again, continuing on his phone, silently mocking in his heart: "You even divorced her."

At this moment, Roger and Tom Brady are attending the "Angels Across America Tour" hosted by the Victoria’s Secret brand, promoting the brand through visits to New York City, Miami, Las Vegas, and Los Angeles, also as a warm-up for the upcoming Victoria’s Secret main show.

This Los Angeles show, being closer to the Bay Area, made Tom Brady hesitant to come alone, so Roger agreed to his invitation for some relaxation.

How could this not be considered relaxation? In the ’90s, old money went directly to the Gold Club. By comparison, the Victoria’s Secret show is very upscale.

"What’s more attractive to you than a Victoria’s Secret Angel?" Seeing Roger constantly fiddling with his phone, Tom Brady leaned over.

"I’m asking my agent if there’s any inside scoop on Michael Jordan’s trade. Isn’t that more intriguing than diamond lingerie?"

"Why do you care about him?"

"Of course, I care. If he’s in the West, I can see him three times. You know, I love reuniting with old friends."

"Forget it, Michael is the past, and his influence on the NBA is negligible now. This season, you and I, we are the main characters. In February, I’m surely winning the Super Bowl, and you? Do you have any doubts about June?"

"Tom, you’re impressive, I admit. But let me remind you, I’ve won seven championships, and you only have one. Shouldn’t it be me asking you if you have any doubts? I don’t want to celebrate alone in June."

"You bastard, we’ve won 12 games in a row this season, no one can beat us."

"Just wait and see, Tom, after you take the second champion this February, the gap between you and me will only be..." After saying that, Roger showed four fingers.

Tom Brady was a bit puzzled. If Roger wins the champion this season, it should be 8-2 making it 6.

What does four fingers mean?

"Four times, that’s right, we can’t even use single digits to describe our gap."

Tom Brady laughed and shook his head: "That’s why I said, you’re a bastard. Hey, Adriana Lima is also very sexy. Roger, can you help me get her phone number?"

"No problem Tom, but I can’t guarantee whose room she’ll end up in."

"Ha, you’re overconfident, Roger. By the way, you have to come for the Super Bowl. I want to publicly announce that you’ll also return to the throne. Then, I’ll also go to your finals to support you, let the whole world see us standing at the pinnacle!"

"Not bad, Tom, this suggestion is much more interesting than a Victoria’s Secret show."

After the show ended, Roger went backstage to get Adriana Lima’s phone number and introduced her to Tom Brady.

But seeing Lima’s longing glance at Roger, Tom Brady knew, he lost again.

Returning from the Victoria’s Secret show, Roger continued to lead the team to victory.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers’ trade is underway.

Since Michael Jordan only has one year left on his contract and is likely to retire next season, many teams are unwilling to offer a high price.

The funniest thing is the Los Angeles Clippers, who actually offered two second-round picks to trade for Michael Jordan.

Gordon Gund felt this wasn’t an insult to himself, but an insult to Michael Jordan.

If he accepted this trade, he could humiliate Michael Jordan to the point of wanting to die.

But this wouldn’t help the Cavaliers make the playoffs at all.

Bob Bass also asked Roger if he was interested in Michael Jordan, and Roger replied: "Why don’t you tell me, would you eat in the toilet? Playing with Michael is like eating in the toilet for me."

Roger absolutely wouldn’t team up with Michael Jordan, he would rather team up with Pippen than Michael Jordan, because Roger truly doesn’t want to pretend to be brotherly with him.

He doesn’t like him, it’s that simple.

Also, Roger understands Jordan. If that bald guy had to play second fiddle on a team, he would definitely retire on the spot.

Ultimately, not everyone can latch on to the main competitor’s thigh.

Currently, there’s only one team closest to a trade, and that’s the Atlanta Hawks, because they have what the Cavaliers need most — immediate power to assist LeBron James in making the playoffs.

The Hawks are willing to offer Michael Reed and Dean Glover to trade for Michael Jordan and Darius Miles.

First, next summer, Michael Reed’s contract will expire, and the Hawks don’t want to keep him with a max salary. So, they hope to trade Reed before the contract expires to prevent his departure for nothing.

Second, the Hawks aren’t aiming to make the playoffs; the shareholders just want a lottery pick. They’ve already decided that if possible, they’ll use the lottery pick plus Marion to trade for the No. 1 pick, and then strive to get that local Atlanta superstar talent who is a combination of KG and TD — Dwight Howard!

This guy’s physical talents are visible to the naked eye, his skills are exquisite. Being an Atlanta kid, he’s greatly influenced by Roger, loving the step-back three-pointer and Finger Roll layup in high school games.

Even if 80% of his skills carry over to the NBA, he will be the next era-defining player!

Therefore, they don’t mind if Michael Reed will strengthen the Cavaliers; it would be better if he does.

As for Darius Miles, this guy, dubbed the "Second KG," hasn’t shown superstar potential even in his third season, but rookie high schoolers deserve more time, and the Hawks shareholders still believe he’s an unscratched lottery ticket.

Given time, if Darius Miles matures and combines with Dwight Howard, Atlanta is sure to dominate the League again.

Michael Jordan as this bargaining chip can temporarily give the Hawks some exposure and ticket revenue this season.

The Cavaliers have been pondering whether, after this trade, the Hawks would actually pose a threat to the Cavaliers.

But LeBron James’ team told Gordon Gund: "Do it, it’s not 1994 anymore, what’s so scary about Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen?"

LeBron James’ team probably doesn’t know that someone said something similar ten years ago and paid a very painful price for it.

So, just as 2004 began, there was a blockbuster trade in the League.

The Atlanta Hawks sent Michael Reed and Dean Glover to Cleveland in exchange for Michael Jordan and fourth-year Darius Miles!

Roger was asleep at the time, suddenly woken up by a phone call.

He glanced at the caller ID; it was Scottie Pippen.

"Scottie, you better have something important, like Larsa’s about to have a baby!"

"Damn it, it’s even more important than that! Michael Jordan, he’s back again!"

"Huh?"

"I always said, I’ll never escape you and Michael in this lifetime; it’s the curse of fate! Damn it! Damn!"

Pippen was very speechless; he hadn’t even ordered his final season of his career and there was already such a big surprise!

Originally in Atlanta this year, he was the only Hawks player with the "retirement tour" aura, so he was getting all the attention. Now it’s all over, Michael Jordan’s coming, who will care if you’re retiring with the number 33.

He’s the second fiddle again!

Roger suddenly woke up: "Atlanta Hawks? Don’t the Cavaliers know the Hawks are their biggest playoff spot contender?"

"We’ve lost Michael Reed and gotten another Michael. So, I don’t know whether we can still be a threat, whether we’re still competitive for a playoff push."

"Interesting, interesting..."

"No, it’s not interesting at all!" Scottie Pippen painfully yelled.

His entire life, he’s been under these two men’s shadows!

One comes and goes, the damn other comes back again!

The next day, the Cleveland Cavaliers training camp was packed with reporters.

The reporters didn’t find Michael Jordan; he probably wasn’t in Cleveland at all.

So, all the cameras and microphones were aimed at LeBron James: "LeBron, how do you feel about this trade!? Can teaming up with another Michael lead the team out of trouble?"

"I’m very shocked. I had no idea about this trade beforehand. You know, Michael is like a big brother to me, so for the team, this must be quite a difficult decision. But no matter what, my goal won’t change. I’ll carry on with Michael’s spirit, lead the Cavaliers into the playoffs, it’s my promise to my hometown, and to Michael."

The storm of the Michael Jordan trade naturally reached the Bay Area as well.

After practice today, reporters similarly asked Roger what he thought of the trade.

Roger laughed.

"I don’t know about anything else, but I bet, at this moment, right now, someone in Cleveland is definitely boasting. No worries, I’m good at dealing with this type of person."