154: 083: We have no rivals in the East (Ask for monthly passes!) 154: 083: We have no rivals in the East (Ask for monthly passes!) Roger, like a blade cutting through bone, shattered Rodman.
Knocked down, he got up, and amid the roaring of twenty thousand people, he made his free throw and shut them up.
With Roger’s extra point in, the Magic led the Spurs 9 to 0, forcing Bob Hill to call a timeout.
O’Neal reached out for a fist bump with Roger, “Scott doesn’t deserve you, neither does Michael.
Trading for you was the greatest deal in NBA history.”
“Shaq, even if you say that, you still owe me the money for the Ferrari rims, it’s been a month.”
“Damn, Roger, you’re so materialistic, no wonder you can’t find a girlfriend.
Can’t you be a little more romantic?”
Though he grumbled, Shaq was simply too thrilled, too exuberant at the moment.
He had never beaten the Spurs or the detestable David Robinson since he became a professional player.
But today, with Roger, everything was just too easy.
In truth, Roger didn’t just halt the game.
What he disrupted was the peace of the Spurs.
In just a few rounds, Roger had already unleashed the demon inside Dennis the Worm’s heart.
On the Spurs bench, head coach Bob Hill lashed out at Rodman, “Are you an idiot?
Why did you get yourself into foul trouble so early?
A technical foul, two defensive fouls.
Great job, Dennis, way to be a first-team All-Defensive player!”
Bob Hill was Popovich’s man, plus, he had been punched by Rodman before, so he really didn’t Demon Lord of Mayhem.
Now, seeing Rodman give Roger an and-one with a completely unnecessary foul, Bob Hill was even more infuriated and couldn’t help but curse at Rodman.
Rodman, already furious, couldn’t stand the coach’s mockery, “If David would step up, I wouldn’t have to foul.
He can’t handle Grant on offense, nor can he deal with Roger on defense.
Now, you’re blaming me?
Silence fell abruptly over the entire Spurs bench.
They hadn’t expected Rodman to suddenly fire at David Robinson.
He had been boasting about getting crowned alongside David Robinson before the game.
Indeed, even the NBC commentators were now saying that David Robinson’s opening game was too soft.
Compared to Roger, he severely lacked aggressiveness.
Even his scoring title wasn’t all that glorious, and today, he should have strongly responded in front of Shaq.
Instead, he let a 19-year-old kid shine in the Alamodome, wreaking havoc in his own house.
Rodman couldn’t stand this.
Popovich’s failure to fulfill the promise of a $7 million contract renewal had already left him dissatisfied.
Today, Robinson played so disgracefully, and on top of the coach’s scolding, Worm grew even more discontent.
At least publicly, Robinson should have claimed he could handle Roger and Shaq.
He should have been shouting, “I won’t let that bastard score again, I promise!”
In reality, everyone knew it was impossible to prevent Roger from scoring at all, but you should at least have the responsibility, becoming the leader of the team.
But looking at David Robinson’s reaction, he was silent as if nothing had happened.
Whether Rodman was a good teammate depended on whether you could earn his respect.
Obviously, David Robinson’s performance today made him lose respect in front of Rodman.
It’s not hard to imagine the impact this would have if it happened on the Magic.
Whether it was Roger or Shaq, they would definitely have confronted the person who said those words on the spot, and it might have even led to a fight.
But what about the Admiral?
He just glanced at Rodman and then said nothing.
David Robinson was undoubtedly a nice guy, too nice.
Even with his burning rivalry with O’Neal, he would still hug him before the game and wish him “good luck.” That’s just who he was.
But the ruthless basketball court doesn’t need such nice guys.
Fortunately, David Robinson would eventually get Duncan, a perfect match for him both in basketball and personality.
Unfortunately, he would have to wait a few more years.
At least for now, his team was in serious trouble.
Bob Hill tried to regain control of the team before the situation got completely out of hand, “Cut the crap, apologize to David!”
Rodman laughed, “The only thing I have to say is, ‘Fuck you.’
“You want me to repeat it?”
“You…” Bob Hill wanted to say “You’re suspended,” but then he suddenly realized that he needed Rodman to help the Admiral handle Shaq and Roger in the game, so he swallowed his words.
A coach without authority, a core without temperament.
No wonder Rodman couldn’t play well for the Spurs.
No one here could make him respect them.
That was the end of the incident.
David Robinson made no comment; Bob Hill didn’t punish Rodman, and Rodman stopped talking back.
But the damage was done, and the scales of victory had begun to tip.
In the game after the first quarter, with Rodman unable to play due to foul trouble, O’Neal was unleashed.
He scored 8 points in a single quarter, slamming four stunning dunks over David Robinson’s head.
Thankfully, David Robinson’s scoring touch also began to awaken; after all, he was a scoring king.
But because they had dug themselves into such a big hole, the Spurs were still down by 9 points at the end of the first quarter.