Champion Creed
Chapter 179 - 179 091 Will he see me

179: 091: Will he see me?

(Vote for monthly tickets!) 179: 091: Will he see me?

(Vote for monthly tickets!) As the fourth quarter began, the Orlando Magic seemed transformed.

Their defense became fierce.

They no longer relied solely on Roger and O’Neal’s talent to overpower their opponents but truly connected as a strong team.

Do not underestimate this power; imagine if the Warriors had chosen Bronny, and then James joined the Warriors—the sheer force of their combined fandom on the internet would be terrifying.

They would have no equals online.

Seeing his team gaining momentum, Magic’s head coach Brian Hill was excited yet still shaken.

When O’Neal and Roger had just argued on the bench, he had already planned the outline for his resignation letter.

The first part would thank the players and the owner, the second part would talk up the regular season record and those good times, the third part “What can I say?

Brian out”.

But who would have thought, it was that very argument that put everything back on track.

A locker room doesn’t always need to be amicable to be effective; sometimes, someone needs to stand up and say something.

Regardless, Roger successfully ignited O’Neal, filling him with passion for defense.

Roger and O’Neal now on defense didn’t need other teammates to cover for them; they, together with the others, were protecting the Magic’s advancing prospects!

At this time, New York fans were undoubtedly the most nervous.

Pat Riley was working hard to stabilize the situation, telling his team to be patient with the ball, as the Magic’s current defense was surely to leave gaps, no matter how fast they rotated.

“Win this game, and we’re one step into the East finals!

After tonight, the New York Knicks will be the greatest victors people have seen in their lifetime!

Keep up the fighting spirit, gentlemen, we cannot let those two young players easily close the gap to single digits!”

Riley was motivating his players; they hadn’t failed when they were 0-2 down, and there was no reason to fail now with a substantial lead in the fourth quarter of the decisive battle, at a 2-2 tie!

The game continued, Pat Williams still kept his eyes on the court, while the owner Rich DeVos continued to eat cake and play Ludo with his family.

It was clear he had lost hope in the match.

But Pat Williams still felt there was a turnaround, and it wasn’t over yet.

Like starting a fire, he had now seen the first sparks and hoped that Roger and O’Neal would blow hard enough to stoke a fierce blaze!

Roger and O’Neal did just that.

During this timeout, they became the stars, while Brian Hill was merely a spectator.

“Listen, you push hard to suppress those Knicks bastards on the perimeter, and I will back you up from behind.

I will do my best to knock away anyone trying to penetrate!” O’Neal, after several successful defensive efforts, began to change his attitude on defense.

“We haven’t lost three games in a row this season, and tonight will be no different!

All of us together, let’s make the Knicks leave Orlando in defeat!

Let’s go back on the court!” Roger also shouted.

These two young players had the whole team energized, despite still being down by double digits, which was completely different from the last timeout.

The fierce clash resumed, and NBC’s Mike Fratello reminded everyone: “Magic needs to make up 11 points in less than a quarter!”

“It’s not 11 points anymore, Derek Harper just stretched the lead to 13 points,” another commentator, Bob Costas, shook his head.

Costas acknowledged that Magic had played some spectacular rounds just now.

But the Knicks weren’t foolishly waiting for you to turn the game around.

They weren’t like those extras in action movies who just wait around to get beaten; the Knicks would fiercely defend their lead.

Derek Harper’s timely scoring after the timeout helped the team stabilize.

This was undoubtedly a major setback, a cold shower.

Pat Williams covered his head, the spark he had just seen was likely extinguished.

What’s worse, Derrick McKey’s next mid-range shot also bounced off the rim.

In this offensive round, Roger had just received the ball when he was double-teamed, so he immediately passed to McKey, but McKey failed to capitalize on this great opportunity.

The Knicks’ strategy was still effective, focusing all their defensive resources on Roger and Shaq was the right choice.

After the timeout, Magic failed in both their offense and defense.

It seemed the Knicks were still in control.

But Magic’s two young core members did not lose spirit; they remained focused.

Starks and Ewing executed a pick and roll, and an exhausted Roger failed to squeeze past Ewing this time.

Starks was about to shoot when he saw O’Neal rushing towards him.

He didn’t expect O’Neal’s defense to be so proactive, and the sight of that huge figure approaching made Starks a bit intimidated.

He almost reflexively passed the ball to Ewing without a hint of hesitation.

But the basketball didn’t successfully reach Ewing’s hands, Roger intercepted Starks’ pass right in its path!

Roger and O’Neal’s massive net halted even the most ferocious gorilla!

This play wasn’t merely about talent; Roger and Shaq’s defense was serious, effective, and strict.

They were setting the tone for the whole team!