Champion Creed
Chapter 444 - 444 169 I seem to have said this to someone else too asking for monthly pass!_4

444: 169: I seem to have said this to someone else too (asking for monthly pass!)_4 444: 169: I seem to have said this to someone else too (asking for monthly pass!)_4 “You know more than I imagined.”

“After all, it’s directly related to us.”

“Why do they restrict us?

I mean, it’s us who make money for this league.

Without us, this league wouldn’t even exist.”

“I guess it’s all about balance.

When you deal with a stingy owner, you’ll see how much they hate our high salaries.

And NBA Commissioner David Stern, he needs to ensure that the smaller teams can also survive.

Only if all teams make money can this league get better and better.”

Olajuwon laughed: “Good thing Leslie Alexander isn’t stingy.”

Roger also laughed: “Yeah, he’s really generous, dedicating every year to building a championship roster.”

Who dares to say that the Rockets of the 21st century aren’t called a “champion roster” every year?

After a few words, Roger and Dream decided to go talk to others, planning to meet up again later at the old place for a few drinks.

Dream’s words had impacted Roger, and he realized he hadn’t had a girlfriend in a while.

Since he couldn’t bring one to walk the red carpet, could he bring one out somewhere else?

But Roger didn’t get such a chance, as he had just started looking around when a silver-haired man with a small mustache approached him: “Roger, I’ve been looking for you!

Glad to see you!”

“I’m glad to see you too, sir.”

“Call me Ted, or Captain, just not sir.” This founder of CNN, owner of WCW Wrestling, and owner of the MLB Atlanta Braves, NHL Atlanta Thrashers, and NBA Atlanta Hawks, was more approachable than people might think.

“Alright, Captain, how have you been lately?”

Roger had a good impression of Ted Turner because he often made bold statements in public that didn’t conform to the usual rhetoric, showing he wasn’t the type to blindly follow along.

For instance, on the topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Turner directly criticized Israel:

“The Israelis, they have one of the most powerful military machines in the world, yet they leave the Palestinians with nothing, and the media calls the Palestinians terrorists?

Who really are the terrorists?

Why is there no mention of what Israel is doing in our reports?”

Seeing him as a clear-headed person, Roger was willing to chat with him.

“Thanks to you, my teams are about to go bankrupt, hahaha.

If someone offered over 100 dollars for the Hawks, I’d sell them immediately.” Ted Turner, always the joker, made a joke.

“Don’t say that, we all know you’re a real sports operator, your baseball team just won the championship in 1995.”

“Alright Roger, don’t console me.

An awkward truth is, the Braves won precisely because I stopped meddling with the team.

Did you know?

In the 70s, I even coached the team myself for a while, and we lost everything.

And now, the Hawks don’t even have a hope of seeing the playoffs.

You know, it’s not easy managing a team these days.”

“I believe you have your plans, Ted.”

Roger wanted to find an excuse to leave, he liked Ted Turner, but he really didn’t want to talk about labor agreements anymore.

He had a feeling that if the talk continued, it would certainly lead to that topic.

Ted Turner would likely complain about salary issues to illustrate why it’s tough to manage a team, and then touch on the subject of labor negotiations.

But Ted Turner’s sudden shift in the conversation surprised Roger.

“I indeed have plans; I plan to bring in the strongest players in the league.

Come on, Roger, join the Atlanta Hawks, I’ll listen to whatever player you want, let’s make Atlanta great again!

Hahaha!

Don’t worry, nobody here will say I’m violating any recruitment rules, if anyone asks, we’ll just say we were discussing a partnership about wine.”

Ted Turner was always joking around, using that tone to speak those words.

But Roger always felt it was more than just a joke.

“I thought Atlanta was a baseball city,” Roger replied.

“It could also be a basketball city— I like basketball just as much as I like winning.

Sadly, we’re getting farther from that…

Sorry Roger, just kidding.

I hope everything goes well for you in Orlando, and that you’ll add MVP and a three-peat to your resume.

Excuse me, I have to meet with Senator.

See you in a bit, okay?”

“Goodbye Ted, it was nice chatting with you.”

Soon after, Roger and Olajuwon were back at the old spot.

“Still alone?” Olajuwon was surprised.

“Hey, I’m not here to pick up girls, Hakeem, this is a charity dinner, not a nightclub.”

“I know, but you might become the target of someone else’s flirting.

I saw you chatting with Ted just now?”

“Yeah, we talked about the wine business.”

“Didn’t talk about playing ball in Atlanta?” Olajuwon smirked.

He always believed that there was no such thing as pure friendship between men and women; any interaction was, to some extent, purposeful, like wanting to get to know each other better.

The same went for team owners and players.

In the adult world, how many friends are truly innocent?

“We did talk, but I don’t think it will happen.

The people in Atlanta only like baseball; the Atlanta Braves are the most popular team there.

Besides, I’m only focusing on the three-peat right now.”

“Don’t be so sure, haven’t you heard the saying, Roger?

Destiny is quite amazing.

A year ago, Charles certainly didn’t imagine he’d be in Houston.”

“I think I’ve said that to someone else,” Roger sipped his wine.

Going to Atlanta?

That was never in Roger’s career plans.

In fact, Roger hadn’t yet carefully considered his future with the Magic.

But you know, Ted Turner’s “I’ll listen to you on whatever players you want” certainly sounded better than John Gabriel’s “we won’t pay the luxury tax.”

—————–

Headed by the union chairman Patrick Ewing, the labor side had completely infuriated the capital side, undoubtedly making the negotiations more difficult, and the league might face the most challenging labor-capital negotiation in history.

If the parties couldn’t agree in 1998, would the NBA experience a season shutdown like Major League Baseball did?

— “The New York Times.”

Steve Smith had the best season of his career, but we all know, the Hawks need a true leader.

— “Atlanta Journal-Constitution.”

The latest MVP rankings: Roger first, Michael second, Karl third, Grant fourth.

So far, so normal.

So, can someone explain the anomaly: how did Tim Hardaway get fifth?

— “Slam.”

We’re underestimated; our record isn’t much worse than the Knicks and Magic, even better than the Utah Jazz!

Tim, as the leading scorer of this team, definitely deserves a spot in the MVP rankings, even competing for the trophy!

Florida doesn’t just belong to Roger, MVP hasn’t just belonged to Roger!

We are terrifyingly strong now!

— “Miami Herald.”

Dominique Wilkins has fully embraced his new role and has become one of the most crucial players on this Magic team.

If he can maintain this form, Orlando’s performance could be unexpected.

The question is, can he continue this competitive state at 37?

— “Orlando Sentinel.”