Champion Creed
Chapter 1056 - 339: Michael, One Last Bet
CHAPTER 1056: CHAPTER 339: MICHAEL, ONE LAST BET
Where’s Roger?
As Tom Brady was speaking, the on-site camera didn’t know how many times today it had focused on Roger, lingering for a full ten seconds.
Given that this is the highest-rated Super Bowl in history, the value of those ten seconds of footage is evident. Apart from Janet Jackson’s Black Pearl and the game itself, Roger was the most talked-about focus today.
Tom Brady’s speech and those ten-second close-ups have made all of America even more eager to see Roger’s results this season.
Now, not winning the championship is simply not an option.
Though the close-up lingered for a long time, Roger merely smiled and applauded Tom, not rushing to wear the crown in front of so many people.
Would a true King be afraid of others not knowing he has a crown?
The camera switched back to the podium, and everyone’s attention refocused on the Patriots Team. Only then did Roger’s expression relax; he really doesn’t like seeking presence at someone else’s moment of honor.
Yet watching Tom Brady back at the top, Roger felt a certain kind of restlessness inside.
This atmosphere, this feeling, the moment of the entire crowd’s cheer, the instant of defeating the strongest opponent...
Roger really missed all of this!
He couldn’t wait to create his own championship moment.
"Wait and see Tom, just wait," Roger murmured to himself.
After the Super Bowl ended, the NBA season reignited.
In February, the Hawks lost to the Lakers once again, as Stoudemire was troubled by the experienced Karl Malone, scoring only 15 points with a shooting rate of less than 45%.
Moreover, Steve Nash shot 5 out of 6 from the three-point line in this game, forming a web of firepower combined with Kobe that completely overwhelmed the Warriors’ defense.
Thus, the Warriors’ record against the Lakers became 1 win and 2 losses.
Burdened by off-the-court troubles, Kobe Bryant expressed his determination after the game: "No matter what happens off the court, I will become this year’s NBA champion!"
He could only use the championship to soothe the mess of his low moments.
However, February’s most talked about event wasn’t the Warriors versus the Lakers, but LeBron James’ All-Star injury drama.
Before the All-Star game, LeBron James was continuously talking about the possibility of participating in the slam dunk contest.
Fans were looking forward to it; after all, this Knight number 23’s physical talent is indeed outstanding.
Previously at the McDonald’s All-American Game, LeBron James had also won the slam dunk contest champion—though some believed this title should have gone to Shannon Brown.
Regardless, LeBron James had reaped enough buzz from the slam dunk contest.
Yet a few days before it began, he had to withdraw due to injuries: "I really wanted to bring fans an exciting show, but I’m afraid I can’t compete with an injury."
This is understandable; after all, the slam dunk contest is an entertainment event, not really a hard honor. If you can participate, do so; if you’re injured, rest; there’s no need to risk your career over it.
But the most puzzling thing was, James missed the dunk contest, yet didn’t miss the rookie challenge.
According to his own words: "I think I can still hang on, to bring fans an exciting show."
This was the first time Roger had seen someone make avoiding a battle sound so fresh and refined.
In the 90s, Roger had never encountered such opponents.
Charles Barkley would admit defeat after losing to you, and Michael Jordan would fight you to the end. Clyde the Glide Drexler admitted he wasn’t as good as Jordan and Roger, so he went to find Olajuwon. Karl Malone and John Stockton committed heinous acts on the court year after year, but rarely defended themselves in front of the media.
They were all different, but you could feel they were real people.
What about LeBron James? He always gives off a nauseatingly fake vibe.
Even if you said from the start you weren’t participating in the dunk contest, no one would call you a coward.
Roger never participated in the dunk contest, nor was he ever the League’s best dunker, but this didn’t stop him from becoming the greatest player.
Roger simply couldn’t understand why, when you clearly never intended to participate, you’d make such a big fuss about it and then come up with a blatantly fake excuse to flake?
Alright, maybe LeBron James really was injured, couldn’t perform high difficulty dunks, and could only make a brief appearance in the rookie game.
Yet in the rookie game, James was bouncing around, dunking wildly as if his injury had healed overnight, ultimately scoring 33 points.
If it weren’t for the sophomore Stoudemire scoring 36 points and leading his team to victory, the injured James would have snatched the rookie game MVP.
Roger shook his head, some people’s fakeness starts at 18.
After February, the Warriors team made no addition or changes to their roster before the trade deadline; Roger was already very satisfied and confident with their current lineup.
Heading into March, the League welcomed a special heavyweight showdown, Atlanta Hawks vs Golden State Warriors.
Because this time the match was held in the Bay Area, there was no talk of Roger’s homecoming.
The reason today’s game was so talked about was because it marked Michael Jordan and Roger’s final encounter in the NBA.
The Hawks were still hovering around eighth in the East, sometimes eighth place was the Knights, sometimes the Hawks, sometimes the Philadelphia 76ers.
All in all, the playoff spot competition remained fierce.
Before the game started, Mutombo asked Roger in the locker room: "Who would you prefer to see in the playoffs, LeBron or Michael?"