Champion Creed
Chapter 481 - 481 180 When the Fire Goes Out Requesting Monthly Tickets!

481: 180: When the Fire Goes Out (Requesting Monthly Tickets!) 481: 180: When the Fire Goes Out (Requesting Monthly Tickets!) Roger had a Larry Bird-style humble speech after the game, which inflicted tons of damage on Karl Malone and the Salt Lake City fans.

It was even more damaging than the elbow hit during the regular season.

As you know, in the NBA, not every team gets the chance to reach the end.

Some city’s fans might never see their beloved team win a championship in their lifetime.

Take the Jazz, for example.

Since relocating to this polygamous, bitterly cold place in 1979, it had taken them 18 years to reach the finals for the first time.

Fans invested huge amounts of enthusiasm and energy, supporting the team season after season.

Yet, when faced with defeat, all you could do was vent outside the arena with a “RNM, refund” and then go home to face the complaints of your three wives.

These moments were very common in the history of the Jazz team.

In ’88 Western Conference semifinals Game 7, if the Lakers hadn’t rolled out a fast break scoring 11 points in the last two minutes.

In ’92 Western Conference Finals, if Terry Porter hadn’t been on fire from three-point land.

In ’96 Western Conference Finals Game 7, if Karl Malone hadn’t missed consecutive free throws…

They came close to the finals countless times but faltered at the crucial moments, and that was the real disappointment.

While others were still regretting not winning a championship, Roger was regretting matters like “where to win a championship.”

This stung Malone and the hearts of the Salt Lake City fans.

It also deepened their hatred toward Roger.

Just as back in the day, nearly no team didn’t hate Larry Bird.

These two masters of wordplay always knew how to stir everyone’s emotions.

But what Karl Malone couldn’t have imagined was that Shaq, who had won the game, had suffered an even greater injury.

After G1, many media outlets raised a point: the Magic team might not need Shaq at all.

“I don’t understand what Shaq’s role in the game is, his shooting percentage is a joke.

He tried to batter the DPOY like Roger did, but ended up getting battered by the DPOY instead, which was so embarrassing.

If it hadn’t been for Shaq messing up in the first half, the Magic would have had an easier game,”

“Does anyone remember any highlights of Shaq in the playoffs?

I only recall one, and that was in the Eastern Conference Finals where Shaq missed continuous free throws in the final moments helping the Knicks to recover one game.

Only the mighty Shaq could shake the foundations of the Magic dynasty.”

“The Jazz Team only had one way to win, and that was to let Shaquille O’Neal handle the ball more.”

This included local media from Orlando and the deliberately provocative Salt Lake City media.

These news pieces made Shaq even more eager to leave this dreadful place in Orlando.

Fortunately, Leonard Armato had already considered Shaq’s future.

He had wanted Shaq to leave last season, but Shaq insisted on something like a three-peat.

Look at it now, who cares if you are a three-peat hero?

In the Lakers, even if James Worthy has won the FMVP, his presence isn’t even a tenth of the Magic’s.

Armato bet, 99 percent of fans would only remember him if he was disguised as a policewoman in a sting operation.

So, even if Shaq had won three consecutive championships in Orlando, it wouldn’t have added much to his status or commercial value.

Thankfully, Shaq now finally understood this.

Although it was determined that he would leave after this season, Leonard Armato still reminded Shaq, “Don’t do anything stupid.

You don’t want other teams to treat you like they would a childish kid, right?”

His meaning was, stop the single-minded, inefficient toxic solo plays.

No matter what happens with Roger, you must never mess around on the basketball court!

O’Neal accepted Armato’s advice, but still felt angry about the media reports.

This led to a split between him and Roger that reached an appalling level.

Yes, he blamed it all on Roger.

Top players all have one skill, “imagination.”

Jordan would imagine that his opponents had once provoked him, to unleash his potential.

Flying Pig would imagine himself as a handsome butt-sticking-out three-point shooter.

Stephen often imagined himself as Vince Carter.

Shaq fabricated a story about the Admiral once refusing to give him an autograph, to fuel his hatred towards him.

Now, he imagined all these issues to be Roger’s fault.

It’s because of him that the media attacks me!

So now, in the locker room, if you’re not one of Roger’s, then you’re one of Shaq’s.

If this trainer helps Roger with his straps, then Shaq won’t speak to him.

If this reporter interviewed Roger, then Shaq won’t accept his interviews anymore.

The animosity between the two increased daily, both now wanting to be the rival to the other.

However, this didn’t affect G2 of the finals; the Magic team secured another crushing victory.

Karl Malone perhaps felt that Shaq crashing out alone was too lonely, so today he made 6 out of 20 shots, grabbing only 20 points with a 30% shooting percentage.

True to his reputation as one of the league’s tough guys, whatever the opponent did, he would respond immediately.

You think a 37.5% shooting percentage is harsh?

Hah, let me show you what a real tough guy looks like, what it means to be tough, oh, I mean, tough as in bricking!

The Jazz Team showcased not just their toughness but also their team spirit in this game.

Seeing Karl Malone wildly missing shots, Stockton also pitched in without a second thought.

Stockton made 4 out of 12, achieving only a 33% shooting percentage.

At this synchronization rate, they could directly operate a mecha in the world of “Pacific Rim.”