Champion Creed
Chapter 361 - 361 146 Wishing you all the best Michael asking for monthly passes!_2

361: 146: Wishing you all the best, Michael (asking for monthly passes!)_2 361: 146: Wishing you all the best, Michael (asking for monthly passes!)_2 John Gabriel still felt uneasy when he thought back to the past 24 hours, so very close, just so very close, Roger and Shaq almost didn’t make it to today’s championship parade.

Shaq and Roger were back, but some things could never return.

Today, on this day of team celebration, Roger and Shaq did not have any private conversations with John Gabriel or Rich DeVos.

Their relationship had completely shattered, just like that of Michael Jordan and the Bulls’ management.

The only thing that held them together now was probably the championship itself.

During the speech at the end of the parade, Roger said he wanted to add another title for Orlando, “The ’90s also belong to us!”

After Roger, it was O’Neal’s turn to speak.

His biggest task this time was to announce that he would stay with the Magic.

To give all the fans confidence, as well as to cut off any thoughts from other teams.

But just before going on stage, O’Neal suddenly turned to John Gabriel, “Hey John, I forgot my lines.

Am I supposed to say ‘I’m staying,’ not ‘I’m leaving,’ right?

You know, I’ve always had a bad memory.”

John Gabriel and Rich DeVos instantly broke out in a sweat, their lips quivering.

What did that mean?

Yes, Shaq’s agent had indeed verbally agreed to the Magic’s four-year, $80 million deal, but that was just a verbal agreement.

Theoretically, Shaq was still a free agent right now.

People could be unfaithful even after a dowry had been given, let alone when not a single dime had been paid.

So O’Neal’s question was like needles to the pair, considering the relationship between the parties and O’Neal’s personality…

That damn guy wouldn’t go on stage and suddenly announce he was leaving, embarrassing the team, would he?

Fortunately, O’Neal was just playing a small prank on them.

When he went on stage, Shaq officially announced that he would stay in Orlando, and he didn’t stir up any trouble.

The fans below the stage cheered wildly, while on stage, Rich DeVos and John Gabriel clapped with forced smiles.

Nobody liked being toyed with, especially those in high positions.

The two men watched Roger and Shaq embrace each other, both deep in thought.

After three championships, take it slow.

It couldn’t go back, the honeymoon was completely over.

The championship parade went off perfectly, and O’Neal organized a party at night, inviting the entire team.

After tonight’s final celebration, he was heading to Atlanta to prepare for the Olympics.

At the party that night, Roger grabbed some food and found Shaq, who had just finished dancing, “I’m glad you’re back, Shaq.”

“Thanks for everything, brother.

The DeVos family and John are jerks, and to tell you the truth, I almost agreed to go to the Lakers with Jerry West!”

“What did Jerry tell you?”

“He told me that we could definitely win a lot of championships.

We’ve got you, and that eighteen-year-old kid, you’ll meet him, sooner or later, he’s going to be the best player in the league.”

“Do you think you guys could win a lot of championships together?”

Shaq shook his head, “I don’t know, Kobe is like your little brother, you know him better.

Forget it, man, let’s not talk about this.

Tonight, I just want to relax.”

The next day, O’Neal flew to Atlanta to join the Olympic training camp.

The Dream Team stars in the camp, just like the fans, were feasting on the big transfer news in this crazy offseason.

During the training break, people asked Barkley if he would leave the Suns, as there were rumors that he was close to both the New York Knicks and the Houston Rockets.

Barkley didn’t want to discuss it, so he teased Shaq to change the subject, “Shaq, you’re such a lucky bastard.”

“Lucky?

I was almost abandoned by the team, man.”

“Yes, so you’re lucky.

Because the Magic didn’t want to upset Roger, they kept you.

Without Roger, you wouldn’t be getting a $20 million salary.

Damn, I’m even a bit envious of you.”

Around them, some people started to laugh, “Yeah, yeah, Shaq, you’re really lucky to have such a teammate.”

O’Neal was extremely embarrassed, usually shameless, at that moment he buried his head so deep it was like he couldn’t face anyone.

Because in his teammates’ eyes, it seemed like he was worthless, completely reliant on Roger!

Winning championships was thanks to Roger, as was the contract renewal.

This made him feel ashamed.

When had he become like this?

Once, he was the nightmare of the league’s interior players, all media thought he would be a legendary center like Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain.

But now?

He had become Roger’s “Shaq baby”!

We don’t want Penny to be unhappy, which troubled Shaq in the original history.

And now, that sentence had become: We don’t want Roger to be unhappy.

He was never able to escape the torment of this phrase.

Also troubled was Michael Jordan.

He knew that Roger used his influence to stop the Magic Team from carrying out the idiotic act of dismantling the foundation of their dynasty.

In other words, that most terrifying duo in history, would still exist next season.

If the Bulls rashly tampered with the current lineup, then next season was definitely hopeless.

Michael Jordan couldn’t let this happen; it was time to show his own influence.

Huh, who isn’t a team despot these days?

On the first day of the free agent market, the Bulls offered Jordan a 2-year 50 million contract.

Jordan, somewhat angry and without the patience to continue negotiations, had David Falk tell the Bulls directly:

“Give me a one-year contract with a total value over 30 million US Dollars, and you only have one hour to decide whether to renew.

Also, if Dennis, Joe, and Phil leave, I leave too.”

The reason Jordan was so impatient was because the Bulls knew full well that Jordan was in touch with the Knicks.

Although the Knicks could only offer a 12 million contract, Jordan could still get 15 million from Sheraton Hotel endorsements after moving to New York.

Like this, the value of the contract was 27 million.

Strictly speaking, player contracts can’t be calculated this way, but the amount Jordan could get in New York was indeed that much.

Therefore, Jordan felt that the Bulls offering only 25 million, knowing his value, was completely a sign of no sincerity, so he delivered an ultimatum to the team.

Bulls owner Reinsdorf was furious beyond words, “You want 30 million from me, alright, but I also have to keep the others?

And besides, you and your group of old guys can’t even win the championship!”

So an hour later, Michael Jordan got the response:

“If you don’t accept the 2-year 50 million, then we wish you all the best in the future, Michael.”

Jordan:???

Some people confidently display their influence and then achieve great success.

While some others just as confidently try to show their influence and end up with a big mess.

Michael Jordan’s god-like status dropped down a notch the moment the Bulls notified him.

In this league, there are still people who can be capricious; it’s just no longer Michael Jordan.

—————–

The Shaq, currently playing in the Olympics, has not officially signed the 4-year 80 million contract with the Magic, but we believe everything will no longer change.

Are you ready, Orlando?

The three-peat is coming soon!

— “Orlando Sentinel.”

Jerry Krause officially announced the team would not renew contracts with Dennis Rodman, Phil Jackson, and Joe Dumars, marking a dark day in the downfall of the dynasty.

So, the most crucial question: Will Michael stay?

— “Chicago Tribune.”

Sensational!

Michael Jordan to join forces with Patrick Ewing?

Is the league’s grand finale coming early!?

— “The New York Times.”

Cindy Crawford: “Roger is a man full of impact, I thoroughly enjoy every minute I spend with him.” — “VOGUE” Magazine.

We can say that it was Roger who drove Michael Jordan away, who shattered the Bulls Dynasty.

The greatness of number 23 was completely ended by a 21-year-old scoring champion.

Several years ago, many media had already successfully predicted: Now, it’s Roger’s era.

— “Sports Illustrated.”