Champion Creed
Chapter 416 - 416 162 I am the Mayor of New York!

416: 162: I am the Mayor of New York!

(Requesting monthly votes!) 416: 162: I am the Mayor of New York!

(Requesting monthly votes!) Indeed, George Karl almost smashed his glass against the TV.

It was a false celebration!

On the Magic Team’s bench, Roger and O’Neal still weren’t talking to each other.

They were just silently drinking Gatorade and wiping the sweat from their foreheads.

But the players of the Magic Team were no longer worried about the game, Roger had said they would handle it!

Even the estranged Roger and Shaq had the ability to handle everything!

The subsequent game was extremely tense, with the Knicks relying on Jordan’s various difficult mid-range jumpers to score frequently.

On the Magic side, Shaq and Roger continued to dissect the Knicks’ defense.

Before the start of the fourth quarter, seeing Larry Johnson allowed Roger to score 28 points, the Zen Master decided to put Jordan up against Roger.

What the Knicks fans saw, however, was Jordan and Ewing struggling against Roger and Shaq.

Ewing’s case is aside, at 34 years old, his mobility and jumping had severely declined, making it very hard to defend O’Neal.

That his knees had held up till the age of 34 was already a miracle.

What astonished the New York fans was, when Roger faced the seven-time Defensive Player of the Year Jordan, he played with ease.

The 98-kilogram Roger could handle Michael Jordan more comfortably now, whether with or without the ball.

He was faster than Jordan, and did not lose in physical confrontations.

Hence, Jordan found it hard to contain Roger in one-on-one defense.

The Knicks still had to rely on double-teaming to guard Roger and Shaq.

The Zen Master continued to refine the defensive strategy, asking Oakley not to help on the perimeter and to be ready to double-team Shaq at any moment.

He also asked Larry Johnson not to help inside and be ready to double-team Roger any time.

Whether O’Neal or Roger got the ball, there must be at least two people defending them.

This tactic worked, as both Roger and O’Neal’s shooting percentages began to be suppressed.

But since Ewing and Jordan both had heavy duties on defense, investing too much there ultimately affected their own offense.

All four superstars abandoned their glamorous images for the most brutal close combat.

The intensity and excitement of the game satisfied all neutral fans’ fantasies but certainly dismayed the New York fan.

They had imagined the night as a joyful celebration, not a high-wire act of dangerous acrobatics.

They wanted to see their team establish a dynasty with a big win, but clearly, that Christmas wish was shattered.

They now didn’t even know if their team could win!

Until 1 minute and 34 seconds before the game ended, the score still hadn’t widened.

The Knicks were ahead by only one point, with the ball in Magic’s possession.

New York fans held their breath, unable to believe what would happen if the Magic took the lead at this critical moment.

Roger continued to play off the ball, engaging in a cat-and-mouse game with Michael Jordan.

After running through several screens, Jordan was still shaken off by Roger by some distance.

Roger successfully received the ball in the mid-right range, but Larry Johnson’s double-team came without a second’s hesitation.

At the same time, Jordan also caught up and blocked Roger’s other side driving lane.

Having no choice, Roger had to choose to drive past Larry Johnson before Jordan completely closed in with the double-team.

Roger had a significant advantage over Larry Johnson when off the ball, but it was a different story when he had the ball.

Grandmama’s formidable physique meant that even a 98-kilogram Roger found it hard to squeeze past, although Larry Johnson didn’t completely stop Roger, he still slowed Roger’s penetration speed considerably.

Jordan took the opportunity to reposition, and along with Grandmama, they trapped Roger.

Seeing this, Roger immediately passed the ball to Shaq.

But O’Neal’s situation was no better, the Stonewall at Shaq’s back and Charles Oakley’s skilled movement next to him, not letting him make a move.

If O’Neal tried to force his way, Oakley guaranteed to flip him over harshly at the first chance.

Even a supernaturally talented Shaq found it hard to score comfortably under such fierce double-teaming defense.

Shaq had to pass the ball to Derrick McKey, but his already unstable mid-range shot was even more off-target due to exhaustion.

The ball rattled out of the rim, and the Zen Master’s strategy once again suppressed Shaq and Roger, not allowing the Magic to take the lead.

McKey felt very guilty but he had no time to be upset, as the Knicks quickly attacked again.

The Knicks swiftly counterattacked, with Ewing setting up at the high post and passing the ball to Jordan in the mid-left range, and the Knicks’ number 23 took the shot directly after catching.

Roger’s defense was just a little slow, giving Jordan just enough space to barely get his shot off.

But the ball still swooshed through the net!

Against Jordan’s shot, unless you complete a block, he can make the score!

With Michael Jordan’s stop-and-shoot mid-range jumper hitting, the Knicks finally gained a three-point advantage.

Jordan’s score made the fans at Madison Square Garden feel like they had just gotten a few breaths of rare air; everyone quickly inhaled some fresh air.

“This is why I say Michael Jordan is the greatest guard in New York Knicks history!” Bob Costas was very excited; it was clear he genuinely admired Jordan.

Jordan pursed his lips, gently fist-pumping.

The current him was no longer as easily excited as in his youth; he was composed, seasoned, and had a killer instinct.

With only 57 seconds left in the game, New York fans were less than a minute away from a much-deserved victory.