Champion Creed
Chapter 475 - 475 178 He's Completely Out of the Game Vote for Monthly Tickets!

475: 178: He’s Completely Out of the Game (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) 475: 178: He’s Completely Out of the Game (Vote for Monthly Tickets!) Dominique Wilkins spent his life playing basketball above the rim, but this time his finest moment came on the hardwood floor.

No matter how high the Hawks soar, in the end they must dive to the ground to capture their prey.

Wilkins extended his talons, leaving Jordan with a fatal wound.

From now on, he wouldn’t suffer over the regret of 1988.

From now on, he wouldn’t shed tears for never having won a ring.

Watching Roger run past Jordan without uttering a word, Wilkins felt only fortune.

Tonight, Roger’s 27 points in a single quarter were nearly identical to that time by Bird.

Infinite catches and shots, each one a disdainful snub to your defense, each shattering your confidence.

Michael Jordan’s role became Wilkins’s own, as he desperately tried to stop it all, to no avail.

27 points in a single quarter, Roger wasn’t the only one to have done this in the playoffs.

In 1994, Charles Barkley, and in 1988, Mark Aguirre had also put on a 27-point quarter show in the playoffs.

“Sleepy” Floyd, in the 1987 West semifinals faced the Showtime Lakers, even set a historical record with 29 points in a single quarter.

However, one thing was for certain—Roger’s 27 points in a single quarter was the most legendary of all these stories.

With those 27 points, he had completed a thorough domination over “God” and snatched the torch right out of Michael Jordan’s hands.

Jordan watched the score on the big screen in disbelief, unable to accept that his team was now trailing by 11 points.

The photographer from the NBA entertainment department who was responsible for filming the Magic Team documentary immediately zoomed in on Jordan’s incredulous expression, knowing this moment was the pinnacle of the documentary.

More thrilling than the moment of winning a championship.

Champions come every year, but there’s only one person who could thoroughly end Jordan.

New York fans were collectively rendered voiceless, right before the fourth quarter began, they were still hoping Jordan would create a magnificent night.

Dreaming of redeeming themselves in a decisive Game 7.

But Madison Square Garden was once again dominated by Roger.

It seemed he was the true master of the Garden.

At this moment, Roger 49 points, Jordan 45 points.

At first glance, this appeared to be a neck-and-neck battle.

But stats can be deceitful, and anyone who had watched the game knew that Roger was simply humiliating Jordan.

He ended Michael Jordan and his era in the most straightforward way possible.

When Magic lost to Jordan in 1991, he acted very quietly, like a dignified, abdicating emperor.

At that time, Jordan didn’t understand.

He felt that if one day he were taken down by a junior, he would definitely rage.

But now, Jordan was quiet, just like Magic back then.

He finally understood how Magic felt: when you are enveloped by a strong sense of powerlessness, your emotions become incredibly calm.

Because at that moment you know that no matter how much you struggle, it’s all in vain.

After Roger slammed in that ball, Phil Jackson called a timeout.

The timeout felt more like a farewell to Michael Jordan.

Zen Master looked at the number 23 before him, and patted his shoulder, “The importance of a championship might not be much, but the process of striving for it is great.

Years from now, when we can gather together, we’ll all be able to laugh and say, ‘I’m proud, we fought until the very end.'”

Most Knicks players thought Zen Master was saying goodbye to the season, not realizing that Zen Master was bidding farewell to a legend.

“Give it a rest,” Jordan said emotionlessly as he sat back on the bench, “There’s nothing to be proud of.”

Jordan really found it ironic; it was the first time he discovered that Zen Master was so good at comforting people.

You wouldn’t know how good your coach is at spouting such nonsense until you lose a few times.

The outcome was decided, but Jordan didn’t leave the court early.

His pride wouldn’t let him do such a thing.

Getting back on court, Jordan attempted a quick two-pointer but hit iron under Roger’s tight guard.

Ewing secured the offensive rebound and went up strong.

But awaiting him was Shaquille O’Neal’s scorching block.

Without any mercy, Roger and Shaq showed no quarter.

Such is the harsh nature of competitive sports.

Please believe, if Kobe Bryant in 2016 was still a championship contender, then his last fight would not have been so dignified.

The combination of Michael Jordan and Ewing was like a dream for New York fans.

Beautiful, but unrealistic.

The 11-point gap remained until the end, 113 to 102, Orlando Magic took down the Knicks in New York.

The total score 4 to 2, advancing to the finals for the third consecutive year!

Roger said there would be no Game 7 this year, and with his 27 points in a single quarter, he forcefully ended all suspense.

Jordan, as usual, went over to Roger for a handshake.

He was tired, this was the third year in a row he’d shaken hands with Roger as a loser.

He didn’t know what his perseverance meant anymore.

After the embrace with Roger, Jordan turned and left.

In the past, Jordan and Roger never said much after shaking hands.

But this time, Roger stopped him, “Michael, tell me, do you regret making the team trade me away?

If not for that, you’d at least get another championship.

Although you’re a complete asshole, I think, I could at least have stayed with you for a year before we totally fell out.”

Jordan paused, didn’t respond, and continued walking towards the players’ tunnel.

Roger already had his answer.

If he didn’t regret it, he would definitely say it out loud.

Twenty years, thirty years from now, the story of Jordan forcing the team to trade Roger will become the beginning of his shame.