Champion Creed
Chapter 375 - 375 151 Want to share the cake

375: 151: Want to share the cake?

Or just smash the cake (asking for monthly tickets!)_2 375: 151: Want to share the cake?

Or just smash the cake (asking for monthly tickets!)_2 The Magic Team was a complete mess, but what about their opponents?

How were the newly-formed teams doing?

Exactly the opposite, those teams showed a positive and optimistic attitude during training camp.

Jordan and Ewing were like a model couple; they always appeared together in public, attending concerts together, doing charity in Atlanta together, and they were just shy of hugging and kissing in front of the cameras.

As for Larry Johnson, he voluntarily gave up his star status in the presence of Jordan and Ewing, willing to be a blue-collar player, and he didn’t cause any unpleasantness with them.

After Barkley went to Houston, he made a promise to become the “rebounding king.” Yes, he said rebounding king, not scoring king, because he was very clear that his role on the team next season was only the third option, and he accepted this fact quickly.

Dikembe Mutombo seemed to evaporate in Salt Lake City; the Jazz Team, as usual, kept a low profile with no negative news coming out.

The only one who seemed a bit critical of his new teammates was probably Alonzo Mourning: “After practice, that guy doesn’t even take a shower, he goes straight to the nightclub, and the girls he picks up there might be the worst I’ve ever seen in my life.

But the next day in the scrimmage, he could still grab you 15 to 20 rebounds.

Dennis, man, he’s the coolest player I’ve ever seen, haha.”

But rather than sounding like a complaint, Mourning’s words seemed more like praise for Rodman’s strong personality.

In other words, after these major roster changes, the locker rooms of these teams were even more stable than the defending champions!

The season hadn’t even begun and it seemed the defending champions were already at a disadvantage in the competition.

“SportsCenter” also specially talked about the Magic that night: “Sports Illustrated has ranked the defending champions first on the Power Rankings.

From the perspective of the roster on paper, yes, even without Grant, we can still believe in Shaq and Roger.

But this year, Roger needs to overcome more difficulties.”

However, Orlando fans finally received some good news on the seventh day of training camp—O’Neal returned to the team.

When Shaq came back, he was wearing beach shorts and flip-flops.

As expected, his belly was bigger than the pregnant bulldog next door to Roger’s place.

He brought gifts for everyone, all commemorative merchandise from the Olympics.

Then, he bragged about his various summer flings.

Finally, he turned to Dominique Wilkins, who was gloomy and completely unable to fit into the locker room atmosphere:

“Hey buddy, I know you must be thinking of leaving, especially since my brother Roger has always been a tough nut to crack.

But now that I’m back, you’ll see just how fun the Orlando locker room can be.

My dad has always wanted your autograph; could you sign one for me later?”

O’Neal’s return indeed eased the tense atmosphere in the locker room.

Roger was a staunch enforcer; Shaq was the perfect spice to relieve pressure.

If there were only Roger, the locker room would be too tense.

With just Shaq, the locker room would lack discipline.

With both of them there, the ecology of the locker room was healthiest.

The whole world knows their roles on the court, but their roles in the locker room are often overlooked.

Roger had been letting O’Neal do his thing until everyone else had gone to the practice court and it was just the two of them left in the locker room, Roger finally asked, “Shaq, why do this?”

“Ah?

Don’t worry, guy, I’m definitely on your side.

Didn’t you see?

My friendly gesture just now was to ease his mood.

If Dom dares to cross you, I’d be the first to rush up and punch him.

I heard European teams are staffing him with maids?

Damn, NBA teams really should learn from those advanced team management cultures.”

“Cut the crap, Shaq, you know that’s not what I’m talking about.

Training camp has started for a week, man.”

“You didn’t play in the Olympics; you can’t understand my fatigue.

I just took an extra week off, it’s not like I didn’t show up.

All right, Roger, don’t nag like those reporters.

I’m here now, right?”

“You could have asked for leave.”

“You think John that idiot would grant me leave?

Besides, why should I ask for leave?

Just because they offered me an insulting 69 million dollar contract at the start?

Fuck it, I’ll do what I want, I don’t have to check with management.”

Roger didn’t want to discuss management with O’Neal; that would only make things messier: “Do you remember our agreement?”

“Of course, no messing around the night before a game, I remember everything.

I’ll stick to it.

Hey, I really just wanted to rest a bit more.”

“Good, Shaq, I just wanted to make sure you’re still eager for the third crown.”

“Of course I’m eager!” O’Neal stared at his fist; in fact, he was eager for more than just a three-peat.

O’Neal had passed the test with Roger, but getting through to management wouldn’t be so easy.

O’Neal, who missed practice without reason, was fined 5000 US dollars internally, and John Gabriel even wanted to suspend him for 10 games: “What difference does it make?

After all, last season proved that whether Shaq is there or not doesn’t matter at all during the regular season.”

But Brian Hill stopped this crazy action, it was his last act of sanity: “As head coach, I won’t allow it.

At the start of the season, we’ll face many key opponents; we need to win these games to solidify the confidence of our players!”