Champion Creed
Chapter 302 - 302 129 No Dynasty Lasts Forever Vote for Monthly Tickets!

302: 129: No Dynasty Lasts Forever (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) 302: 129: No Dynasty Lasts Forever (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) O’Neal was much relieved because the public supported him, and so did Roger.

In such a situation, he felt that the team would give him a satisfying answer.

Now he didn’t have to worry about his future every night, nor did he have to think about his next contract all the time.

He wanted to win more championships in Orlando, to earn MVPs, to earn Finals MVPs.

He wanted to become a legend like Skyhook!

Roger knew that supporting Shaq came with a price; he certainly had upset the management.

Rich DeVos was not the kind of owner who liked players discussing contract extensions publicly; he had shown this more than once.

But that was almost an unavoidable matter; Roger wanted Shaq to focus, so he had to support Shaq.

Moreover, not just privately, but publicly—this was very important.

One of the triggers for the breakup of the OK combination—after Kobe’s mishap in Colorado, O’Neal had never publicly supported him.

Although Roger also didn’t know why, after Kobe made remarks like “Shaq also did it”, Shaq would have any reason to publicly support him.

Anyway, Kobe just felt that it was too much for O’Neal not to stand by him, and this exacerbated their split.

What Roger could do was to learn from the experience.

So he publicly supported Shaq, leaving no room for Shaq to have wild thoughts.

As for the management, truth be told, Roger didn’t care too much about that relationship.

Michael Jordan and the management didn’t have a good relationship either, but it didn’t seem to stop him from achieving greatness.

In fact, one might say if he hadn’t been willing to oppose the management to keep players like Pippen and the Zen Master, he might not have been able to achieve such greatness.

Throughout the entire history of the NBA, there are few players who have had good relationships with management.

Relations dependent solely on money are generally indifferent.

If you don’t seek out Xiao Li for a month, see if she still sends you good morning messages.

Why are Mark Cuban and Dirk Nowitzki so special, if not because such relationships are so rare?

The day after the game end, the world of public opinion was calm.

Most newspapers reported the news that the Magic easily defeated the Rockets, highlighting O’Neal and Roger’s excellent cooperation.

Few media cared about the little joke Roger made after the game.

But the entire team knew that beneath this shining victory, there were undercurrents.

Roger had been very clear in signaling his stance, so how would the management respond to him?

After the Christmas game, the team had two days off and would not resume training until noon on the 28th.

But early in the morning of that day, Roger and O’Neal appeared at the AdventHealth Training Center ahead of time.

If just Roger had come to the training ground early, he certainly would have come to practice more.

But with Shaq together, it indicated they came so early for reasons other than training.

They came so early because both Roger and O’Neal had received calls from John Gabriel the previous day.

In the calls, he had said,

“Mr.

DeVos believes we need to have a serious talk.

There’s no need to bring those clever bloodsucking agents of yours; we are not discussing contract renewal, just some internal team matters.

Remember, nine o’clock tomorrow, be on time.”

It was not the general manager who wanted to talk to them this time, but rather the owner speaking directly to them, signaling that this was an important conversation.

A talk is a talk, Roger had already made all the mental preparations after saying what he had said.

Roger and O’Neal entered the owner’s office together.

DeVos’s office had a large cabinet that displayed the O’Brien Trophy, which someone wearing gloves cleaned every single day.

There were several picture frames on the office desk, mostly of his family, but one was a group photo of the Magic at the award ceremony last season.

Roger felt very unfamiliar with this office; although he had been with the Magic for a while and even renewed his contract last summer, Roger realized he seldom visited—hardly ever having entered the office.

Because Rich DeVos liked to create a relaxed conversation atmosphere, their few discussions had taken place on the golf course.

But this time choosing the office indicated he didn’t want a relaxed atmosphere.

His attitude would be more serious than usual.

“Thank you for showing up on time, gentlemen,” greeted DeVos, opening his arms to hug Roger and Shaq, demonstrating his enthusiasm.

John Gabriel was much colder; he just nodded to Roger and Shaq and stood beside DeVos with a cold expression.

Rich DeVos settled back into his chair and gestured for Roger and Shaq to sit down too.

“Gentlemen, we are having a great defending season.

In these past two months, we’ve been through a lot.

We lost Shaq for a while, and for a time we even lost Roger.

And the result?

We played 23 wins and 5 losses!

We crushed the Bulls, defeated the Heat, and slaughtered the Rockets on Christmas, making almost all our arch-enemies taste defeat.

Well done, I am truly proud of you, and the whole of Orlando is proud of you,” he said.

Roger and O’Neal showed no expression; they both knew that DeVos initiated the conversation for reasons other than praise.

“But,”

As expected, the ‘but’ arrived.

“But why?

Why would we want to disrupt such an understanding?

I said it before, I don’t like it when contract renewal issues are discussed publicly.

Roger, I don’t blame you; you wanted to defend your brother, and I can understand that.

But I must say, it was not a smart statement, not at all.

Look, we didn’t rush to renew your contract early last season, but did we wrong you?

No, we offered you the biggest contract ever.

What I mean is that even without discussing these matters in public, issues can still be resolved perfectly!”

DeVos didn’t want to be seen by the outside world as an owner who had to obediently heed players’ demands, as if he had to scurry to pay up the moment they spoke.

Even if he really re-signed a player with a high salary, it was because he was willing to, not because the player asked him to do so.

That’s why he was extremely averse to players discussing salaries in public!

Roger spoke calmly, “We all have one goal, which is to make the Orlando Magic the greatest team in the league.

Before this, aside from the Lakers and the Celtics, few teams could be called great.

But Michael Jordan made the Chicago Bulls great, because they could win more than once.

Now, we are doing the same thing.

And on this journey, Shaq is very important.”

Shaq also spoke up, “Mr.

DeVos, I am definitely not the kind of person who’s insatiably greedy.

You know, what I’ve always wanted is the market price so a…”

John Gabriel rudely interrupted Shaq, “Shaq, we are not here to talk contract details today, remember?”

“John, at least let me finish my words.

I don’t know what you have against me, but Pat respected me more than you do, and I think that is why he was successful.”

“I have something against you?

Why don’t you say how your agent constantly blasts…”

“Enough!” DeVos shouted, putting an end to their argument.

“Listen, I agree with Roger’s statement, we all have the same goal: to make Orlando great.

But to achieve this goal, it’s not just about Roger or just about Shaq, it’s about us!

Us!

We will do our jobs.

You do yours.

I know there has been some minor unpleasantness in the past, the media voting thing won’t be discussed again.

I assure you, the management won’t reach into the locker room, but the people in the locker room better not reach into management either.

Even if there is a problem with the work somewhere, we will communicate privately.

I don’t want you speaking about any internal team matters to the media.

Do you agree?”

“I have no problem with that,” Roger nodded.

“Roger has no problem, I have no problem either,” echoed Shaq.

“Good, see, reaching a consensus is not difficult.

As for your contract, Shaq.

After winning the championship, we will know your worth.

When you have proven your value, we will give you an offer to match it, don’t worry about that, you have my promise.”

DeVos’s meaning was clear: win the championship and you won’t be shortchanged, just focus on playing.

O’Neal really felt much more at ease; at least he had a promise, at least management wasn’t silent anymore.

And that’s what Roger wanted too.

“So gentlemen, let me repeat our agreement one more time.

Starting now, you don’t threaten the management every chance you get, no more casually talking about trades or whatever!

Of course, the management will not interfere with the locker room.

Also, both parties should not casually speak out about the team’s issues or bring them to the table openly.

Anything else to add?”

“That’s all.”

“Good, for the next half year, go get that damn championship!

I believe in you, the championship duo.”

The meeting ended, and Rich DeVos effectively drew a line for both parties’ behaviors.

Was everything completely resolved?

Not really, the Magic still hadn’t renewed Shaq’s contract, not even a number had been mentioned.

But at least the situation had been temporarily resolved.

From DeVos’s words, Shaq would get everything he wanted as long as he won the championship.

Roger’s intervention had had a certain effect.

But the relationship between both parties had indeed deteriorated.

From DeVos’s tough stance and line drawing, it was evident that their relationship had cooled off.

In the office, DeVos looked at the championship team photo and stayed silent for a long time.

Is this the price of winning a championship?

Even if we win again, but the cost is spending $120 million on Shaq, is the championship still worth it?

Not just about Shaq and Roger, but what about the others?

Does everyone who wins a championship get a big contract from me?

This situation can’t go on forever!

As if seeing through his boss’s thoughts, John Gabriel said:

“Don’t worry, sir.

In the world of basketball, no dynasty lasts forever.

But for now, we need to seize the moment.”

Seizing the moment was also what Roger thought.

At least for now, he had successfully made the entire locker room focus on the second championship.

With the internal issues of the team resolved, what was left was to deal with one opponent after another.

Of course, the biggest opponent was still that number 23.

—————–

Can the Chicago Bulls clinch 70 wins this season?

— Slam.

Rumors suggest that Michael Jordan might test the free-agent market for the first time in his career after the season ends.

Could his value surpass Roger’s?

— Chicago Tribune.

The Knicks have made two trades in 10 days, including shipping out the veteran forward Charles Smith in exchange for expiring contracts, thereby creating $10 million in cap space.

So, what’s their goal?

MJ?

Or Sir Charles?

— The New York Times.

In any event, one thing is for certain: The New York Knicks have given up competing with the Magic this season.

Roger and Shaq are too powerful; their only opponent in the East, only the Chicago Bulls!

— Orlando Times.

New York lies in wait below, just waiting for the Bulls to screw it all up.

If the Bulls can’t win over the Magic in this season’s battle, if the Bulls can’t offer Michael a satisfactory deal, then Michael might well consider a change of scenery.

No dynasty lasts forever.

The wheels of history are turning, and no one knows where they will ultimately lead.

— Sports Illustrated.