Champion Creed
Chapter 496 - 496 184 About the Future Request for Monthly Tickets!

496: 184: About the Future (Request for Monthly Tickets!) 496: 184: About the Future (Request for Monthly Tickets!) The warmth of the championship title wouldn’t fade so quickly.

Although several days had passed since the finals ended, people were still keen on discussing Roger’s historical status.

As expected, the arguments persisted.

Everyone held different views on Roger’s current achievements.

Once Roger’s opponent, Joe Dumars, who had returned to work as the Deputy Director of Player Affairs for the Pistons a year after retiring, admitted Roger’s greatness:

“Times have to move forward, don’t they?

Michael was the best player of his era, but Roger is forging an even greater career.

A player who has achieved a three-peat at the age of 22 surely enters the discussions for the all-time greats.

That’s professional basketball for you, there’s always someone climbing up; no one’s position is eternal.”

Charles Barkley, on the other hand, contested this in an interview:

“I’ve never doubted his ability, but I question where his historical status comes from.

This season, before Shaq got injured, he was in the top three of the MVP rankings, and I’ve never seen anyone have a better teammate than Roger.

I’ve never seen two of the top three MVP contenders on the same team.

Let’s wait until he wins a championship without Shaq before we talk about his historical status.

The same goes for Shaq, that fatso thinks he’s dominated the world?

No, he’s nothing, just luckier than others.”

Kobe also expressed his opinion, “Roger has already surpassed Michael, just as I will surpass him in the future.”

Jerry Stackhouse made an unsolicited entry into the fray: “You know, I’m his lifelong rival!”

Roger had a lot to do if he wanted to calm all these debates.

Having controversies is good though, it at least proves that you’re indeed a focal point.

Do you see anyone discussing Karl Malone’s historical status?

Who cares?

The pre-draft championship parade was incredibly lively, due to it being a three-peat, so the entire Orlando area was packed with people.

Several fixed-wing aircraft trailed huge ice blue banners through the sky, bearing the ultimate basketball word “Dynasty,” and even the roaring of the plane engines contributed to the festive atmosphere.

When you ride the Orlando Eye to its highest point, you see the crowd below bustling like ants.

From International Drive to the City Hall, fans cheered and embraced each other.

If you see men and women leading the crowds…

If you see someone climbing to the top of a lamppost…

If you see alligators mixed in with the crowd…

Don’t be surprised, because Florida is no place for idlers.

Everyone’s face was beaming with smiles, and when the double-decker buses carrying the players passed, fans raised their signs and cheered.

“Michael sucks!

Roger is number one!”

“AJ shoes are for dogs!”

“Karl Malone, the biggest softie in history.”

“We only use the Eastern Conference championship banners as doormats at the bathroom door, because we are the true dynasty!

The Chicago Bulls and the New York Knicks?

They can’t even get Eastern Conference banners now!”

“Roger, take me!

My bestie can join too!”

Look at these slogans, as arrogant as Roger himself.

It’s the confidence their star player gives them.

Clearly, Orlando had turned into a true basketball city.

Florida and basketball had little in common before, but now, the fans here are incredibly passionate, and the basketball market is thoroughly activated.

Rich DeVos watched everything before him and couldn’t help but smile.

Yes, the warmth of the championship title won’t dissipate quickly.

The residual heat from the dynasty could last much longer.

This season, although Jordan had left, the Bulls were still one of the highest-grossing teams in the league.

That’s the lasting heat of a dynasty.

Historically, after Jordan’s second retirement, Bulls’ attendance didn’t begin to slide until the 01-02 season.

In the three seasons before, they were first in attendance twice and second once, even though they were bottom-ranked each year.

The situation with the Bulls gave DeVos a lot of confidence in the team’s development; in the coming years, the Magic would be among the most noticed and most profitable teams in the league, with or without anyone!

Definitely!

Thinking this, DeVos’s face spilled over with the same blissful smile as the 91 female lead counting her money—this kind of happiness could not be hidden.

The NBC network broadcasted the parade live, but those involved in the live broadcast, Magic and Steve Jones, didn’t care at all about the slogans and the scenes.

All they discussed was one question: “Where’s Shaq?”

A championship player not attending the championship parade was a very rare occurrence.

In the past, even those players who were confirmed to leave the next season definitely participated in the championship parade.

After all, no matter where you are next season, you contributed to this season’s championship.

No one would give up a day meant for worship by fans and surrounded by honor.

But Shaq, who loved the spotlight, had disappeared.

This was even more ludicrous than Jerry West missing the 50 Greatest Players celebration.

At least Jerry West had the excuse of needing nose surgery.

What about Shaq?

He couldn’t even be bothered to make an excuse.

He didn’t make any public statement, and nobody knew beforehand that Shaq would be absent from the parade.

Even the Magic players only found out this morning that O’Neal wouldn’t show up.

“Magic, do you think this is a sign that Shaq and the team are completely breaking up?” While watching the cheering crowd, Steve Jones asked during the show.