CHAPTER 1271: CHAPTER 402: AFTER LU BU’S DEATH, EVERYONE CAN SLAY LU BU

"Sports Illustrated" explained using more straightforward language: "Last season the Golden State Warriors had a strength of 105 points. This season, without Cattino, their strength might only be 100 points, but it’s still a perfect score."

"The New York Times" mocked Gary Payton but acknowledged the Warriors’ strength: "Gary started a new era, the era of coward that joins when defeated. But it must be admitted, this time Gary chose a master very close to the championship."

Almost no media underestimated the Warriors’ championship prospects, and no player dared to step up and say, "No, the championship belongs to us."

You’ve got to know, Roger has won nine championships over 12 seasons.

This is unprecedented dominance in modern NBA basketball history.

Roger’s deterrent power in the league far surpasses Bird, Magic, and Michael Jordan.

People still desire to challenge him, but no one would be foolish enough to underestimate him.

At the news press on media day, reporters also asked Payton: "This year you’ll easily achieve your goal, won’t you?"

Gary Payton did not smile: "No championship is easy."

For the past two seasons, with the Spurs and Knicks, Payton always went into the season thinking the championship was assured.

But until now, he is still empty-handed.

The experience in San Antonio and New York also taught Gary Payton a lesson——never underestimate the difficulty of winning a championship before you get it.

Even now, with the best players in the world, he still holds this mindset.

During the preseason training camp, Gary Payton and Roger had almost no communication.

Roger was displeased because Payton had previously quit the training camp without permission, and Gary Payton continued to hold his stance.

But it didn’t matter, Roger maintained the same sentiment: if it can’t be used, cut him.

The first few days of preseason training camp were very smooth until one day in the locker room, Amar’e Stoudemire said: "My knee feels a bit painful."

Roger didn’t think much, just asked him to get it checked and undergo therapy.

Stoudemire himself didn’t care much, thinking it was just normal wear and tear, after all, he hadn’t suffered any major injuries during training.

But two days later, the check results regarding Stoudemire shocked the whole team.

Chelsea Lane told Erik Spoelstra and Roger: "Amar’e’s left knee has cartilage damage, at least four months out."

Roger couldn’t believe it: "Four months? That serious? It was just a bit painful."

"Luckily, it was just a bit painful, because the condition hasn’t worsened yet," Chelsea Lane handed Roger and Erik Spoelstra some materials, "The cartilage injury in Amar’e’s knee is akin to the joint’s shock absorber; this specialized connective tissue can mitigate the mechanical stress exerted on joints during movement and reduce friction, providing cushioning protection. Without it, it’s tantamount to removing the meniscus, which is like bone rubbing directly against bone. That way, the possibility of Amar’e suffering a career-ending injury is much higher, and..."

Chelsea Lane paused, hating this feeling, every time she announced bad news, she imagined herself as "the goddess of doom," as if all bad news was her creation.

"Moreover, four months is just a conservative estimate. After surgery and recovery, if Amar’e still feels uncomfortable, or if his recovery doesn’t meet expectations, we don’t rule out the possibility of him being out for the season."

For Erik Spoelstra, this was undoubtedly a bolt from the blue.

Last season Stoudemire was already one of the league’s best power forwards, Roger’s most trusted partner, and his only All-Star teammate of the season.

If he can’t play next season, the impact will be on a completely different level than Cattino Mobley.

"No conservative treatment options? We’re aiming for a three-peat!" Spo’s tone was clearly much tenser.

Chelsea Lane shook her head: "He can persist in playing, but would you let him assume the risk of devastating injury?"

Listening to Chelsea Lane speak to this extent, Spo looked at Roger.

Roger decisively: "Let him do the surgery, what’s there to say? If he can come back in February, that’s best; if not... we’ll have to face it!"

Countless talents ruined by injuries share a common trait—they played when the injury wasn’t fully healed or dragged a minor injury into a major one.

In fact, often the initial injury isn’t so fatal.

Amar’e Stoudemire insisted on not wanting surgery, but Roger told him about Grant Hill’s example.

"How long has it been since you’ve heard Grant Hill’s name in the news? Rest for a year, or forever fall, it’s your choice."

The news of Stoudemire possibly being out for the season became the hottest topic during preseason training camp.

Because it meant the King’s dominance was showing signs of weakening.

No team can win a championship without their recognized number two, and neither can Roger.

People haven’t forgotten why the Atlanta Hawks lost the championship in the 98-99 season because Stevie Smith left, because Scottie Pippen was out. Roger’s most reliable helper was just rookie season Paul Pierce.

Thus, they were eliminated in the playoffs by the Miami Heat.

More distressing than that Atlanta incident was that before the 98-99 season, Roger had only won one championship with Atlanta; he could easily start over.

But now, the Warriors are only one step away from a three-peat.

At this moment, Amar’e Stoudemire’s injury is practically a devastating blow to the dynasty.

At once, people claiming they could take down the Warriors increased.

Kevin Garnett didn’t hold back: "It’s unfortunate, I wish Amar’e an early recovery. But I must say, the opportunity for all of us has arrived."

Kobe Bryant didn’t remain silent: "Injury has always been part of the game; I won’t make predictions, or rather the only prediction I’ll make is the Lakers winning the championship."

Vince Carter also sensed the taste of vengeance: "The Dallas Cowboys are ready to dominate the West, you know, there’s no sheriff in the West."

And the most triumphant was LBJ; after half a month of preseason training camp, he could deeply feel that his teammates were on a completely different level than the prior two seasons.

This season, the overall strength of the Cleveland Cavaliers is strong, unprecedentedly strong.

Of course, LBJ wasn’t arrogant enough to think the Cavaliers could win the championship; whether the Cavaliers could pass the New York hurdle was still debatable.

He may not win the championship, but one thing he thought he was fully capable of achieving.

In the context where everyone suddenly stopped fearing the Warriors, LBJ also followed the trend.

After today’s training, facing reporter interviews, he confidently told everyone: "Goal? Win more games. Also, this season I won’t lose a single game to Roger."

The Cavaliers and Warriors will meet twice in November and December this season, meaning when the Cavs and Warriors battle occurs, the Warriors by no means can have Amar’e Stoudemire back.

This gave LBJ immense confidence.

With the Cavaliers’ lineup this season, against a Warriors team without Amar’e, they could effortlessly win everything.

The entire league was like suppressed nuns, suddenly unreservedly revealing their desires.

Inside the Warriors, Gary Payton was already cursing the unfairness of the heavens.

He just said, no championship is easy!

Losing the team’s number two means Roger lost his only All-Star level teammate.

But Roger was at ease, training as usual.

Not just Roger, but the entire Warriors weren’t knocked down by Amar’e Stoudemire’s injury.

They were even more excited, more united.

In interviews after training, Roger only said two sentences.

"Let me emphasize again, this team is hard to beat."

"How do you view the recent media frenzy? You can look up a Chinese story: After Lu Bu died, everyone dared to cut Lu Bu. Before, those bastards dared not utter a word. Sadly, I’m not dead yet."

Gary Payton didn’t know whether Roger was putting on a brave front or genuinely confident.

He didn’t know if the whole team was putting on a brave front or genuinely believed they could win the championship.

He’d never seen a team so calm after losing their number two.

Everyone was resolute, everyone was unflustered.

Were they genuinely able to win or just acting strong?

Gary Payton would soon find out.

He would soon grasp all the secrets behind Roger’s continuous victories.