Champion Creed
Chapter 503 - 503 186 The Marvelous Fate Finally Converges Request for Monthly Votes!

503: 186: The Marvelous Fate Finally Converges (Request for Monthly Votes!) 503: 186: The Marvelous Fate Finally Converges (Request for Monthly Votes!) Perhaps, this is a testament to Roger’s status in the league now.

By the summer of 1997, after the salary cap had gone through two more raises, there still wasn’t a player who could sign a contract worth more than Roger’s.

Shaq finally got his longed-for $120 million, but the contract term was seven years.

Roger’s $120 million, only five years.

In terms of average annual salary, O’Neal still couldn’t surpass Roger.

However, Shaq was very satisfied with the contract because he received respect.

Jerry West did everything he could to free up salary space for Shaq, and he told him, “The $120 million is not your value, it’s just the most we can offer you within the rules.

Dr.

Jerry Buss swears that if he could, he really would give you more.”

These words greatly satisfied Shaq’s ego.

Over the years in Orlando, he had had enough of remarks like “Shaq is simply not worth that much.”

He was fed up with the Magic Team and their reluctant face when it came to renewing his contract.

Now, someone was finally willing to stand up and say: “You’re worth more than this.”

News of Shaq’s journey west to Los Angeles spread quickly.

Although most fans had long felt that Shaq would leave, they didn’t expect him to do it so decisively, deciding on his new team as soon as the free agent market opened.

This was normal, given O’Neal’s personal relationship with the Logo, Shaq never considered any other team.

Moreover, Shaq’s agent Armato had always been very eager for him to play in a big market like Los Angeles.

The two parties hit it off instantly, willing and eager, with nothing much to negotiate, so the signing was done very quickly.

Previously, O’Neal and the Lakers had always been open with each other, but as the free agent market had not yet opened, they always had to cover up with bubbles.

Now that the free agent market was officially open, they could wipe off the bubbles and merge on the spot.

Los Angeles fans cheered for this, when Shaq was in Orlando, they mocked that O’Neal was just an oversized Pippen.

But now with Shaq truly theirs, they couldn’t wait to extol him to the skies.

Even though O’Neal had left, John Gabriel didn’t forget to spite Shaq one last time: “Of course we tried our best to keep him, but I have said before, the Lakers team is suspected of illegal recruitment!

They had already sorted everything out, all our attempts to keep Shaq were in vain!”

Creating an atmosphere of “It’s not that we were unkind, it’s truly that Shaq was unrighteous.”

Jerry West really wanted to take his shamefully won FMVP trophy and invite Gabriel to a helmetless fishing trip.

One trip and the motherfucker would learn his lesson.

O’Neal couldn’t wait to pack up and move.

He had never anticipated feeling no regret at this moment after battling for five years in Orlando.

Shaq’s mother was deeply sad: “Those fans who once loved you, the team that once valued you, now they see you as nothing, why?”

Sergeant Harrison consoled his wife: “This is professional sports, my dear.”

O’Neal didn’t speak; if someone made his mother unhappy, he wouldn’t be happy either.

He swore he would turn Orlando into ruins.

That was the first thing on his to-do list for the next season.

Before leaving, Shaq looked back at his house for one last time.

In the garage, there still sat that ridiculously long Ferrari.

Yes, he was just 20 when he first joined the Magic, naive about everything, loving to play and make a ruckus, doing too many stupid things.

Now he was 25, he was a man.

It was time for him to move on to the next stage of his life.

Looking at the Ferrari, O’Neal was reminded of his road-trip breakdowns with Roger, of those memorable victories, and of his grandmother’s death when only in Roger’s presence could he cry unrestrained…

Shaq shook his head, stopping the memories.

He had no regrets about this decision.

The next day, “Sports Illustrated” chose Shaq and Roger as the cover for the last time.

They devoted a lot of text to reminiscing about the bits and pieces Shaq and Roger created in Orlando.

The magazine also featured 30 high-definition photos of Shaq and Roger in various poses.

From their tight embrace at the first championship, to the second one where they cockily posed with cigars, to being strangers by the third.

The last photo was taken right after the ’97 finals ended.

Shaq was raising his arms high, looking up at the sky.

In the blurred background was Roger, with his arms outstretched at the scoring table.

They had won the championship together but appeared to be unrelated individuals.

Their relationship was just like this series of photos, starting off close and gradually drifting apart.

Even in each other’s eyes, they became fuzzy.

On the following page was a blank page with just a few words: “This is the story of the strongest duo in history.”

After Shaq arrived in Los Angeles, he was surrounded by numerous reporters.

Many reporters held up their copies of “Sports Illustrated,” asking Shaq: “How do you feel about ending this partnership?”

Shaq had also bought this issue of “Sports Illustrated” and had pored over it several times on the plane.

He told his father: “Indeed, it’s hard to imagine leaving.

But we have to understand, we can’t be together forever.

Even though, for the most part, we have enjoyed working together.”

It was evident; this was Shaq’s sincere sentiment towards the relationship, he still reminisced a little.