151: 082: He is a better scorer than the scoring king, and he is a badder bad boy than Dennis!_2 151: 082: He is a better scorer than the scoring king, and he is a badder bad boy than Dennis!_2 “You motherfucker…”
The hoodlum was afraid of meeting a bigger hoodlum, and Roger’s attack left even the thick-skinned Rodman at a loss for words for a moment.
Shaq, who was nearby, couldn’t help but laugh seeing Rodman’s crestfallen face.
I told you, this time I got a tough guy!
“He’ll stand up for me!”
The game started, and Shaq vied for the ball over the Admiral’s head from the jump ball.
On Magic’s first offense, Roger backed down Spurs’ number two scorer, Sean Elliott.
This third overall pick of ’89 stood 203 cm tall with an impressive wingspan, but his weight was exactly the same as Roger’s right now.
Because he was taller, he looked even skinnier compared to Roger.
Roger’s post-up met little resistance, and he got to the free-throw line’s left side, smoothly turning around for a jump shot.
But as he released the ball, The Worm Rodman came up to contest the shot.
Rodman’s timing to double-team was impeccable, arriving just as Roger shot the ball.
That way, Roger couldn’t pass it off.
Under the joint distraction of Rodman and Elliott, Roger’s first shot clanked off the rim.
Rodman immediately flew back to fight for the rebound.
Although Horace Grant had jumped first and had a better rebounding position, Rodman, with his unbelievable spring, outjumped Grant in midair and tipped the ball over his head, then leaped a second time to secure the rebound.
That was Rodman’s ability.
In the original history, when the Bulls thought about bringing in Rodman, Pippen shivered with fear, “We don’t need this crazy guy!”
But Jordan had the final say, “But we need 20 rebounds.”
His value was just that.
After securing the rebound, Rodman passed the ball to point guard Little General, Avery Johnson.
With that, Rodman had completed his task.
Having taken care of everything, Rodman shrugged at Roger, “What did I say?
You’re a supersized trash bin, your dad should have spared shooting you into your mom’s X.”
Spurs’ attack, David Robinson began his offense from the high post.
Even though he was one of the four great centers and had won a scoring title, the Admiral’s post game probably ranked last among the four centers.
He was a face-up player.
His offensive style didn’t really resemble that of a center, more like that of Anthony Davis.
It wasn’t that he couldn’t post up at all, but compared to the solid Ewing and Shaq, his game was more “floaty.”
In the last two seasons, he had used his face-up skills to easily dominate Shaq.
However, David Robinson quickly discovered that today the Magic were using Horace Grant to defend him, with the chubby Shaq continuing to squat under the basket.
This was Brian Hill’s strategy specially prepared for Robinson.
He wanted Horace Grant to stick to Admiral on the perimeter the whole time, biting at his steps, not giving him any room for easy shots, making sure every shot he took was contested.
Grant, with more defensive experience and a steadier temperament than Shaq, was therefore the better choice to handle the Admiral outside the paint.
And if the Admiral dared to drive hard, Shaq would take care of him under the basket.
David Robinson’s turnaround from the spot under close defense by Grant bounced off the frame.
Grant immediately blocked out Rodman, allowing O’Neal to easily grab the rebound.
After pulling down the rebound, O’Neal shouted, “Fake scoring king, imitation!”
After the opening, neither Roger nor the Admiral had scored.
But after all, this was only the first round.
Perhaps the fans needed to adjust; they should be able to find the rhythm quickly.
But on the second offensive attempt for both Roger and the Admiral, neither scored again.
This time, Roger called for Grant to set a screen, which conveniently switched Rodman to defend him.
Seeing the Worm guarding his penetration, Roger pulled up for a quick shot.
But the Worm’s contest was quick.
Even though he gave Roger some space, he instantly reacted as Roger shot and got a hand up to challenge.
The basketball hit the rim again, and Rodman, not forgetting to play around after contesting the shot, pretended he had too much momentum to stop and fell onto Roger, dragging him to the ground.
In the eyes of the referees, this was a non-malicious contact, so no foul was called.
Grinning, Rodman looked down at Roger pinned under him, “I could maintain this position and go at it with Madonna for 30 minutes, then keep playing and make sure you can’t score.”
After finishing, Rodman got up proudly, preparing to leave.
Lil’ rookie, wanna play?
A few more rounds and his mindset’s gonna crumble!
But just as Rodman was about to get up and run forward, he felt someone tug on his ankle, causing him to faceplant.
With his chin knocked, Rodman winced and lifted his head, only to see a smug Roger running past him, “Madonna could score five or six points on your head in 30 minutes, but she wouldn’t get a single one against me, you one-minute man.”
Rather than being affected, Roger’s mood seemed even more combative, and he managed a timely counterattack!
At that moment, O’Neal thought to himself, if Madonna were actually on the court and heard these two assholes trash-talking, she’d probably lose it on the spot and invite both “gentlemen” to simultaneously help her fix her drainage.
Spurs’ fans angrily pointed at the court, accusing Roger of pulling Rodman’s leg just now.
But the referees still didn’t react.
They were even urging Rodman to get up quickly, “Stop faking it, Dennis, or I’ll call a technical on you!”