161: 085: Public Enemy of the East (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_3 161: 085: Public Enemy of the East (Seeking Monthly Tickets!)_3 O’Neal posted up, backing in twice before suddenly turning around.
Ewing thought O’Neal was going for a hook shot, but instead, Shaq turned, bent down, and precisely passed the ball at just the right time to Roger, who was cutting along the baseline!
The Gorilla didn’t expect O’Neal to pass; he thought his verbal provocation had already caused O’Neal to lose his cool.
At that moment, Ewing was too slow to react, and standing under the basket, he was cruelly dunked on by Roger!
After the basket, Roger mimed counting money, “Easy money!
I said it last year, I’ll wild out at Madison Square Garden however I want!”
O’Neal and Roger fist-bumped, then looked towards the humiliated Gorilla, “That’s right, Patrick, I rely on Roger, what about it?
You’re just jealous of me!
Almost forgot, I’m the Eastern Conference All-Star’s starting center again this year!
That dunk put the Magic ahead by two points in the last 20 seconds.
On the final offensive, Ewing’s bunny hop jump shot, which he had been accurate with all game, missed, and Grant protected the rebound, ending the game.
Boos filled Madison Square Garden; they were booing Ewing, who had missed a critical shot.
New York fans are often toughest on their own.
Ewing was extremely frustrated; his mindset had been affected by the last offensive.
The trash talk spewed by Roger and O’Neal during that play had made him too anxious.
Back in the locker room, the locker room radio broadcast from a local New York station was criticizing Ewing too:
“When it comes to disappointment, Patrick never disappoints!
That last offense and defense were simply ugly!”
“You’re right, Jason.
Dunked on by Roger, defended by Shaq, Patrick is the most incompetent star in the league, a top-tier softie!”
“Damn it!” Ewing picked up the radio and smashed it forcefully.
He loved the Knicks, but he didn’t love New York!
He loathed this place, the media, and the fans!
He also loathed Roger and O’Neal!
These two youngsters had humiliated every team in the East, leaving the rulers of the old order with no dignity!
Then, Ewing’s cellphone in his locker rang.
“Hello!” The Gorilla’s voice was filled with anger.
“Hey, relax, Patrick.
It’s me, your old friend Michael.”
“What is it, Michael.”
“Sorry, the outcome of the game was tough, huh?”
“Enough, now’s not the time to rub it in!” Ewing and Jordan had always been good friends, but if Jordan were to mock him now, he really would get angry.
“That’s not what I meant at all; actually, I was hoping to give you a way to vent.
The All-Star Game, I’ve got an idea.”
“Yes, the All-Star Game.
Me, Scott, Old Joe (Dumars), and you.
If the four of us lead by not passing to Roger and Shaq, guess how many points they could score?
I could also contact some friends from the West, like Penny, like Charles, to help us defensively.”
Ewing immediately knew that Jordan was planning to recreate the “Freeze Out” that the assassin had once done to him.
“This makes no sense, Michael.”
“I admit, but I just want those two arrogant idiots to know what happens when they piss us off!
We have to strike back, let them know who the East really belongs to!
Patrick, don’t you think they’re too arrogant?”
“I’m in,” Ewing, fueled by anger, clenched his fists, “I’m with you, Michael!”
Roger and O’Neal, these two young men, dangerous and arrogant before most veterans, were shining, built on the decline of Ewing and others like Jordan.
Thus, they were eager to see these two young men make mistakes, be embarrassed.
In the eyes of Jordan and Ewing, they were the public enemies of the East.