Champion Creed
Chapter 53 - 53 038 Are you counting on him Charles_2

53: 038: Are you counting on him, Charles_2 53: 038: Are you counting on him, Charles_2 The Suns’ games are just like that, the pace is so fast it doesn’t give you a chance to catch your breath.

The moment you score, their counterattack has already kicked off.

Pippen, not to be outdone, attacked Ceballos again, preparing to take it directly to the basket.

But the active Kevin Johnson slid to Pippen’s side and managed to poke the ball away.

Pippen’s solo play failed for the second time!

Although some groups claim Pippen was invincible and that Jordan won six championships just because he was carried by Pippen.

But the truth is, Pippen had quite a few weaknesses, ball handling being one of them.

He could deal from the top of the arc and pivot on the post for a backdoor cut, but if you really let him control the ball like a ball-dominant core, feeding shooters and hooking up inside or isolating him as the core player, that would be disastrous.

Pippen was a good distributor, but not a good dominator.

Kevin Johnson knew this too well, which is why the timing of his steal was impeccable.

Luckily, the ball was picked up by Kukoc, so it didn’t end up as a turnover for Pippen.

Yet, the Bulls’ offense was still disrupted.

Barkley smiled, without Jordan’s average of 41 points, the Bulls’ firepower was simply not enough to compete with the Suns!

Kevin Johnson immediately stuck close to Kukoc, knowing the best way to handle this white shooter was to press him tightly.

Pippen still wanted the ball, but Kukoc, under pressure, unconsciously passed it to the first person in his sight, who was Roger.

Roger on the wing finally faced Dan Majerle!

Majerle’s defensive stance was just right, he strictly watched the 18-year-old who had scored over 20 points in consecutive games.

He certainly didn’t want to become a poster background for this young player.

The whole audience watched this matchup intently, wondering whether Roger had the ability to handle a player of defense team caliber?

Roger did not hesitate much, the ball crossed under his left leg and then he accelerated directly.

The reason Majerle couldn’t guard Jordan last season was simple, no normal-sized wing player in the world could keep up with Jordan’s first step.

Therefore, the players who historically had some success guarding Jordan were actually smaller players, like the 193cm Moncrief and Payton.

Roger’s explosion wasn’t as freakish as Jordan’s, but it still made Majerle struggle to keep up.

Majerle chased with all his might, but Roger followed with a turnaround, shaking off Majerle by a whole position and then scoring with a jump shot!

The cheers inside the United Center erupted like a volcano, as Chicago fans were delighted to see Barkley’s hopes crushed.

Majerle couldn’t destroy Roger, and Roger was still able to score effortlessly against a defense team caliber opponent!

Well, in fact, this season’s Majerle was different from last season’s, he had gotten slower.

The ’92-’93 season was the last time Majerle made the defensive team, as well as his last peak.

Since then, Majerle had gradually declined.

Since then, he relied more on his experience on the defensive end.

However, no matter how rich the experience, it’s difficult to be effective against someone twice as fast as you.

Even with extensive experience, it’s difficult to stop a young player both fast and fierce.

The Suns thought having Majerle there today meant Roger wouldn’t get much of a chance.

So, if they could handle Pippen, they could handle the game.

Unfortunately, their hopes had already begun to falter.

After Roger scored, he looked towards the Flying Pig: “At least I can count on Scott, what about you?

Just relying on such defense?”

Barkley was furious, “Dan!”

Majerle waved his hand helplessly, “I did my best!”

A round later, Kevin Johnson broke through for a layup, tying the score again.

And the team quickly fell back, forcing the Bulls into a half-court game.

This time, Pippen on the side of the free-throw line asked for the ball with his back to the basket, wanting to post-up Ceballos.

But Pippen noticed the Flying Pig ready to pounce, and he knew as soon as he turned around, he’d definitely come to disrupt.

If it were Jordan, he could decisively choose to turn and jump shoot.

After all, whether it was one person or two disrupting him, it didn’t make much difference.

But Pippen couldn’t, he had to carefully consider his offensive options.

Scottie Pippen’s offense could be described as jack of all trades, master of none.

His turn-around jumper was functional, but not to the extent that he could casually disregard double coverage.

As Pippen hesitated, Roger in the corner made his move.

Originally moving towards the 45° angle, he suddenly reversed direction, cutting along the baseline.

Pippen spotted the opportunity, and deep down, he didn’t want to pass to Roger, but his instincts wouldn’t allow him to miss this chance.

Pippen pushed with one hand, perfectly timing the ball to land in Roger’s hands.

Barkley didn’t expect Pippen to still pass to Roger, weren’t these two guys at odds?

Indeed, they were at odds, Roger and Pippen had disliked each other from practically the first day they met.

But the Zen Master was right, “The most important thing as a basketball player is to win.”

“Roger cut in and directly challenged the Suns’ center, Mark West, avoiding the defense in midair, gliding under the basket, and scoring with a layup!

Thunder Dan was broken through again, Roger easily defeated him even without the ball!” NBC commentator Bill Walton shouted, as Dan Majerle cursed under his breath.

It was a classic triangle offensive play, Pippen as the low post pivot, Roger cutting to the basket.

But…

was Pippen really content being under that rookie?