110: 069: The First Pleasant Meeting (Requesting Monthly Tickets!) 110: 069: The First Pleasant Meeting (Requesting Monthly Tickets!) So, under the pressure from Reebok, Roger, O’Neal, and Jordan,
The management of both teams became the most passive presence in this transaction.
This was a sign that, starting from Michael Jordan up to the rookies forcing teams to sign big contracts, stars were beginning to dominate and control the league, and the voice of team management was gradually diminishing.
The legendary era of Auerbach was likely to be no more.
In fact, years later, when Leonard defied Popovich, and the myth of the Spurs’ locker room no longer existed, that legend truly vanished.
One didn’t need to think hard to know the trade had caused a terrible earthquake.
The headlines of every Chicago newspaper were all about this trade.
But the media’s reaction wasn’t quite what Jordan had expected.
One day, the Chicago Bulls will regret making this trade.
This trade completely diluted the joy brought by Michael Jordan’s return.
If there is a list of the NBA’s most foolish trades, this trade would no doubt be number one.
— “Chicago Chronicle”.
Jerry Krause has booked the Award for Executive of the Year in advance, his move made the Magic an immediate force not to be overlooked.
Orlando Magic should consider retiring Jerry Krause’s jersey; without him, the brilliance of the Magic might be delayed by 10 years.
— “Chicago Sun-Times”.
We thought our only opponents were the Houston Rockets and New York Knicks, now great, we have to figure out how to deal with Orlando Magic.
— “Chicago Morning Post”.
Jerry Krause silently endured all the blame, but in truth, he wasn’t the one who really wanted to trade Roger.
Chris Webber silently bore all the disgrace, why do you all think this trade isn’t worth it?
Michael Jordan was surprised by the media’s reaction; all of Chicago knew he and Roger couldn’t coexist, but when Roger left, almost all media were complaining.
He thought the media reports would say: “The Roger leaving Chicago will expose the fact that he is a disgrace.”
The Chicago media actually seemed to think that Roger was an indispensable figure.
And they all believed that the Orlando Magic would become a problem because of Roger’s addition.
Jordan was hurt; he found the mark Roger left on this city was extremely deep.
More importantly, he found his own dominance was being questioned.
In the past few years, even Charles Barkley couldn’t shake his position.
People actually think that a kid not yet 20 years old and a big fool who had only played one round of playoffs could threaten him.
Even if the media thought Olajuwon was a threat, Jordan wouldn’t feel it was a disgrace.
To him, being first by a wide margin was the only true first.
If winning was still subject to endless debates, that was definitely not the real first.
It seemed he really needed to win a few more championships to tell the world what being the true first meant.
Michael Jordan thought trading away Roger would give him the pleasure of victory.
But it did not at all.
Why the hell did that bastard make Chicago so anxious?
He was just a loser who lost in the Finals, a loser!
Meanwhile, Roger had already flown to the no-nonsense Florida with his uncle and agent Fleisher.
Though it was still early before the new season started, the trade had already occurred, and strictly speaking, Roger was already a member of Orlando Magic.
So, as per convention, Roger needed to meet with the upper management of the Magic first.
The management of Magic didn’t want to put too much pressure on Roger, so they didn’t choose an office, a place too solemn, for the meeting.
Of course, a place full of princesses would be too frivolous.
Don’t get it wrong, this refers to Disneyland.
Disney was very keen on having the first meeting between the team and Roger within the park, issuing a cordial invitation.
But Pat Williams couldn’t imagine several grown men discussing basketball while eating turkey legs under the watchful eyes of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck, so he declined.
A golf course thus became the perfect meeting spot.
There, Roger met the forcedly smiling General Manager Pat Williams, the white-haired, serious-faced Head Coach Brian Hill as well as the sincerely smiling team owner Rich DeVos.
DeVos hugged Roger familiarly and uttered the slogan of Disneyland, “Welcome to the wonderful world of Magic (Magic)!”
This was also the origin of the team name Magic.
Disney and Magic, the two most important calling cards of the city of Orlando, have always been closely linked.
The coach and general manager weren’t as enthusiastic as the owner; they just shook hands with Roger amicably.
Afterward, they began to play golf.
Roger wasn’t good at it, but that wasn’t important.
Playing golf was just one way to make the conversation less serious.
Sitting in the golf cart, Head Coach Brian Hill was the first to speak, “I don’t believe the media reports, I don’t believe you are that kind of person.
You are willing to share the ball, right?”
Roger knew Hill was a coach who emphasized discipline and teamwork, but he didn’t want to lie, “I’m a closer.”