Champion Creed
Chapter 979: 320: The Answer I Dare Not Face (Vote for Monthly Ticket!)

Chapter 979: 320: The Answer I Dare Not Face (Vote for Monthly Ticket!)

“Damn, that damn German!”

When Shaquille O’Neal stepped onto the court and found himself still sweating, he cursed under his breath.

It’s all Dirk Nowitzki’s fault for talking all that useless trash before the game, causing everyone on the Mavericks to feel a bit nervous now.

The Mavericks players didn’t know if they would also become part of Roger’s playoff miracle or end up as a shameful historical footnote.

Even though the teams tied during the regular season, the Mavericks players still felt uneasy, which is Roger’s intimidating force.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, Shaquille O’Neal told his teammates before the game: “Everyone watch your mouths. Don’t trash talk Roger during the playoffs. You can’t outtalk him, and you sure can’t outplay him!”

Nick Van Exel looked at Shaq speechlessly; wasn’t it you who were shouting at the media first? And now you’re reminding others.

It can only be said that the environment changes one’s mindset.

Before today, Shaq was brimming with confidence about defeating Roger, thinking Roger was not worth his time this season.

But the overly serious atmosphere in the locker room made Shaq start to doubt his confidence.

Regardless, Nick Van Exel agreed with Shaq’s decision.

Don’t provoke Roger in the playoffs, that’s the first step to defeating him.

Old Nelson listened to the players’ conversation, finding it unbelievable.

It’s astonishing that a team could reach a consensus not to trash talk a certain player, especially in this league filled with trash talk experts, where everyone pounds their chests and roars, and NBA players aren’t yet so “brotherly” toward each other. This is an unprecedented phenomenon that may never be seen again.

How would Old Nelson rate this? He’d say: You’re damn right!

Unlike the Mavericks players feeling tense, Amar’e Stoudemire was now excited. Last year at this time, he was competing with Carmelo Anthony in the McDonald’s All-American Game, striving to prove himself. Now he’s stepping onto the NBA playoff stage, about to assist the greatest player in defeating the most dominant center.

He stayed up late for two nights watching Spoelstra’s analysis of Shaq’s footage, believing he’s mastered the full set of skills to defend Shaq and ensure Roger’s victory.

Stoudemire knew that he had to face Shaq one-on-one for most of the game.

If the team wants to fight back, the best strategy is to shut down Dirk, then let Roger and Shaq go at it.

But if Nowitzki finds his stroke, the balance of the duel will be broken.

If both Dirk Nowitzki and Shaq are firing, few teams in the league can stop them.

After all, the Mavericks are the only team in the league with two players in the top ten scorers.

So Stephen Jackson wouldn’t have much energy to help Stoudemire, and Stoudemire had to rely on himself.

To be fair, during most of Shaq’s career, he had a top-ten league partner.

During the Magic Dynasty, it was Roger; during the Lakers, it was Kobe; now it’s Dirk.

But his success seems disproportionate to his teammates’ level.

O’Neal stopped overthinking, focused on warming up.

All of the Lakers’ failures are Kobe’s fault!

With Dirk, I can’t be idle anymore!

Before the game started, Dirk Nowitzki exchanged pleasantries with his idol Roger.

But Roger wasn’t particularly warm; pardon him as he was solely focused on taking down the entire Mavericks team.

When a man wants to tackle you, that desire is unhideable; he doesn’t want to hear your unnecessary words.

Roger can’t accept losing in the first round, especially losing to Shaq.

Even though it’s been six years, even though the resentment in his heart isn’t as intense anymore.

But as soon as Roger sees Shaq’s fat face, he has an intense desire to conquer.

He hopes to prove throughout his career that Shaq is nothing without him!

Even if changing teams, even if he’s not a championship favorite this year, Roger wants to take down Shaq anyway!

Roger has a peculiar obsession with this matter; he actually doesn’t hate Shaq that much anymore, but regarding “defeating Shaq,” Roger’s attitude has never changed.

Roger himself has analyzed this psychology, he thinks it comes from his expectation for the word “dominance.”

After all, in competitive sports, it’s impossible to win championships every year. If saying a player has no dominance just because they didn’t win in a certain season, it would be too unfair.

But can he suppress certain players? Can he prevent some players from defeating him throughout their entire career? That’s one standard to measure dominance.

Michael Jordan also lost, but why do people still acknowledge his dominance?

Because in his entire career, he never let Patrick Ewing, Karl Malone, Charles Barkley, Reggie Miller, and others defeat him.

He didn’t just go toe-to-toe with them; he completely dominated, and these players never beat Jordan once.

If a star player is eliminated or repeatedly eliminated by many others even after reaching his peak, then the word “dominance” doesn’t apply.

When is one’s peak considered? Starting from the first MVP win shouldn’t be excessive, right?

Michael Jordan got MVP but was eliminated by the Pistons three times, only winning the fourth encounter, one of the few blemishes in his career.