Champion Creed
Chapter 377 - 377 151 Want to share the cake

377: 151: Want to share the cake?

Or just smash the cake (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 377: 151: Want to share the cake?

Or just smash the cake (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 Because tonight, NBA Commissioner David Stern will announce the list of the 50 greatest NBA players at the grand ballroom of the Hyatt Grand New York.

“This is our moment of celebration, isn’t it?

We should watch as David Stern reads our names, and then have a drink together,” Roger said with a smile to Shaq and Wilkins.

Although Roger and O’Neal were both young, their influence led most media to believe they would be named among the top 50.

Dominique Wilkins needed no speculation; as one of the NBA’s iconic figures, he was quite likely to make the list.

O’Neal was certainly interested in such matters, while Wilkins was somewhat surprised—Roger had invited him, even though they had spoken no more than five sentences to each other since their conflict erupted.

Wilkins was about to refuse, but O’Neal wrapped an arm around his shoulder: “Don’t even think about not going, Dom.

Roger is right; this is our glorious moment.”

Wilkins had no fondness for Roger but bore a favorable impression of Shaq.

Seeing Shaq’s enthusiastic invitation, the highlight of the cinema nodded.

So, after practice, the three headed to Roger’s house by car.

Roger poured a bottle of wine into a decanter and also brought out a cake, decorated with a large “50”.

The celebratory atmosphere instantly thickened.

“I’ve got wine and cake right here, but as for beauties, sorry, we’ll have to try admiring the beauty in each other tonight,” Roger joked.

Wilkins chuckled, starting to realize that maybe Roger wasn’t such a cruel warlord after all.

The stars of the cinema and Shaq sat on the long sofa, filled with anticipation for the live broadcast to begin.

Roger didn’t join them but sat alone on a single-seater sofa, lighting a cigar and lounging back with crossed legs, puffing away.

When the broadcast began, David Stern started reading the names of the 50 greatest stars.

With each name announced, a ten-second highlight reel of the player was inserted.

The order was by position: centers, guards, then forwards.

Unsurprisingly, O’Neal’s name was read after Olajuwon’s among the centers.

O’Neal raised his hands in joy, “We should drink to this great moment!”

“Hold on, Shaq,” Roger said with a cigar in his mouth, gesturing, “Let’s wait until all three of our names are called, then we’ll raise our glasses and cut the cake together.”

When it came to the guards, Roger’s name appeared after George Gervin’s.

Roger remained calm; he had long been certain of his selection and he had that confidence.

However, while Roger was pleased, Drexler was likely quite frustrated.

Because of Roger, Drexler had not been included in the top 50.

Finally, when it came to the forwards, Roger could clearly see Dominique Wilkins’s nervousness.

He clutched his pants throughout, staring intently.

Wilkins felt certain he would be selected; he had been a scoring champion, made All-NBA First Team, and left countless spectacular highlights.

But he lacked confidence because his best playoff result was only a division semifinal.

Rick Barry, Elgin Baylor, Larry Bird, Julius Erving, Scottie Pippen, James Worthy…

One name after another was announced, leaving fewer chances for Wilkins.

O’Neal patted the cinema star’s shoulder: “No worries, Dom, you’ll definitely be chosen; you’re the greatest Slam Dunk King.”

Roger didn’t speak; he continued smoking his cigar, observing Wilkins and Shaq like a bystander.

Minutes later, when David Stern read out Charles Barkley’s name, Dominique Wilkins’s face was a picture of shock, seemingly unable to believe his own eyes and ears.

Because Charles Barkley was the fiftieth name David Stern had called out that night.

Dominique Wilkins had not been selected.

The fine wine and cake seemed redundant at this moment, even Shaq, who was usually good at enlivening the atmosphere, didn’t know what to say.

He looked at Roger as if to say, “Inviting Dom was the damn worst decision of the day!”

Wilkins also looked towards Roger, seemingly eager to hear how Roger would console him.

After all, he was the master of this game.

Roger, sitting with his legs crossed, continued to puff on his cigar, sweeping his haughty gaze over Wilkins and Shaq.

“Look, Dom, such a sad ending.

Unfortunately, you can’t share the cake with us now.

Do you know why?

I guess it’s because you’ve won too little.

It proves that those stats and flashy slam dunks you thought were so important are actually worthless.”

So, stop posing like a superstar when even Scottie Pippen, who has never led a team on his own, is ahead of you!

Want to change all that?

Go win games, go win a damn championship, be part of a dynasty!

I know you’re changing, just don’t tell me you’ve done your best, because that’s like treating me like a fool, and that would really piss me off,” he said.

After finishing, Roger turned his head towards Shaq:

“Shaq, you’re my brother, I love you, and I’m happy for you being selected among the top 50.

But it won’t be long, maybe by tomorrow, someone will jump out and say you’re the weakest top 50 star apart from Scott.

Because your current performance doesn’t deserve it, you’ve wasted too much energy bickering with management, and you’re as lazy in practice as a damn 50-year-old.”

If you continue like this, you’re only going to have an utterly ridiculous season.

The whole world wants to see us fail to defend our title, and you’re playing the clown they wanted!

You can choose to keep playing childish grudge games with John, or, join me to continue conquering the world, make that damn John shiver under the spotlight from his dark corner on bended knee.

The dynasty is within our grasp, Shaq!

Don’t you guys get it?

There isn’t all that much to basketball.

Victory is the only truth.

Win the victory, win everything.”

Having said this, Roger finally leaned out of the smoke coiling up from the sofa and picked up his wine glass:

“I can’t finish the cake by myself.

Do you want to join my Victory Club and share the cake, or would you rather smash the cake?”

Roger gulped down the wine in his glass, then cut the cake into three pieces, and settled back into the armchair, holding his cigar, he waved his hand:

“We’re hitting the court in two days, gentlemen.

It’s time for you to think for yourselves.”

Roger’s tone was anything but polite; it wasn’t as if he was discussing anything with them.

Roger, shrouded in smoke, made it hard for Shaq and Wilkins to see his face, creating a distance between them.

But in the end, they both picked up their own slice of cake.

Wilkins had already thought through whether the championship was worth it.

Shaq, too, had figured out why he had chosen to stay.

They could not refuse this offer to share the cake.

—————–

The CEO of basketball operations for the Magic Team, Pat Williams, believes that Roger will lead the Magic to a dazzling splendor.

Despite the difficulties, he believes we are witnessing the birth of another great dynasty.

— “Orlando Sentinel.”

The Magic duo needs a victory to prove that all the trades and signings of every team this summer have been in vain.

— “Slam.”

The feud with Dom, Shaq’s wars with management, an aging lineup, stronger opponents… Can Roger solve all these troubles?

We will soon find out.

— “Orlando Sentinel.”