167: 087: To deal with some trash, there is no need for you to take action personally (Vote for monthly ticket!)_2 167: 087: To deal with some trash, there is no need for you to take action personally (Vote for monthly ticket!)_2 Stackhouse was eager.
He believed he was on the same level as Roger—only he had chosen college basketball, while that punk Roger jumped straight to the pros.
Otherwise, he would’ve already dominated Roger!
Seeing the immense success Roger was achieving now made Stackhouse green with envy.
Because Stackhouse was highly controversial, reporters sought to interview Roger and get his perspective on the matter.
Countless major media reporters rushed to Philadelphia, where the Magic Team would be playing an away game tomorrow.
But after the Magic Team’s adaptability training concluded in the afternoon, the reporters learned from O’Neal: “Roger?
He took a leave today, said he was going to watch a high school game.”
Lower Merion High School clearly wasn’t prepared for a guest like Roger, as the surrounding spectators clamored for his autograph, leading to some chaos in the basketball gym.
Roger patiently signed autographs for everyone, ultimately watching the entire game on site.
The star of today’s game was undeniably Number 33.
He easily racked up 34 points, 15 rebounds, and 13 assists, operating on a level far beyond his peers.
Just like Roger had done in the past.
Roger’s curiosity was satisfied; he had never known how Kobe Bryant played during his high school days.
Of course, Roger’s visit wasn’t just to satisfy his curiosity.
It was for Stackhouse.
After the game, the Number 33 who had effortlessly dominated the court approached Roger: “Hello, sir.”
“Where do I sign?” Roger asked, lounging with one leg crossed over the other, looking at the kid in front of him.
“I’m not here for an autograph.
Can you play one-on-one with me?”
I think you might want to discuss this with your father.”
“You know my father?”
“Not well, but I know he’s a great pro player.
He’d tell you from his experience: Kid, stop dreaming, go home and do your homework.”
“I think I can beat you.”
“You’re not the first student player who’s said that stupid line.
Why do you think you can beat me?
Even Michael Jordan can’t beat me.”
Kobe furrowed his brows in anger: “Sir, you say you’re better than Michael Jordan, but he has three championships, and you have none.
Last season’s finals, you got beaten pretty badly by Hakeem.”
Current Kobe was undoubtedly a Jordan fan; he didn’t like Roger, not one bit.
“Kid, that’s because when Jordan got three championships, I wasn’t even in the league yet.”
“Even if you were in the league, you couldn’t have stopped him.” Kobe was determined to defend his idol.
“Say whatever you want.
Who’s better, you’ll see when you’re strong enough; just enter the NBA and try for yourself.” Roger stood up, took the basketball from Kobe’s hands, and casually went on the court to shoot.
Kobe quickly followed: “Are you going to play one-on-one with me?”
“You’re not qualified.
I know you’re great, you even scored 50 points in a game last season, but you’re not qualified.”
“How do I become qualified?
“You don’t need to do that, but you must at least play against a college player first.”
“That’s too easy, but I can’t do it, because no college player would come here.”
“No, there will be college players looking to challenge you one-on-one.
Here’s my number, contact me after you beat that guy.
Train hard, beat him, don’t disappoint me.”
After speaking, Roger waved goodbye, ready to leave.
But Kobe called out to him again, “Sir.”
The guy in number 33 looked at the floor, embarrassed, “Could…
could you give me an autograph?”
When Roger walked out of the gym, there was already a crowd of reporters waiting outside.
The reporters had arrived early at Lower Merion High School after receiving the news; if it weren’t for the security stopping them, they would have rushed into the gym already.
“Roger, what do you think of Jerry Stackhouse’s comments?”
“Will you play one-on-one with him?”
“Do you think he could be this year’s draft number one pick?”
Roger looked at the enthusiastic reporters and pressed down with his hands:
“Two years ago, at the McDonald’s All-American Game, he couldn’t beat me even when it was five against four.
Now he’s saying he can win one-on-one against me?
Like his predecessor Michael Jordan, Jerry Stackhouse always talks nonsense.
Impossible, in fact, Jerry can’t even beat a high schooler.”
Jerry is North Carolina’s leading guard, one of the best scorers in college,” a reporter interjected.
He still can’t beat a high schooler.
Don’t believe it, just wait and see.
Kobe Bryant from Lower Merion High School is much better than him.”
After that, Roger walked away with a cheerful smile on his face.
He was a big star now, after all.
Did he need to stoop to the level of a college player?
He didn’t have to lift a finger himself to deal with some waste of space.
Roger just doesn’t dare to face me, using a high school kid as a shield is just pathetic!
What do I have to be afraid of?
Do you think I’m afraid of a high school student?
After the season ends, I’m going to pay a little visit to that Kobe Bryant!
— Jerry Stackhouse responded angrily to Roger.
I don’t know any Jerry Stackhouse.
I accept challenges from everyone.
— Kobe Bryant honestly answered during an interview with reporters.
Let me tell you a well-known fact, during my first year in the NBA, I made it into the All-Star, won the East Championship, and was placed on the All-NBA Team.
Now, I’m still number one in the East, why would I evade a player who hasn’t even proven himself in March Madness?
Thanks to his whopping 6 points in a single game, his team was eliminated in the round of 32 last year.
Let him beat Kobe first; I’ve got playoffs to prepare for.
— Roger responded disdainfully to the one-on-one challenge with Stackhouse.
Meanwhile, Michael Jordan gave an interview to the famous Sports Illustrated writer Andrew Sharp.
“Michael, are you losing your domination over the East?”
“Why do you say that?”
“Look, this season you came back, your record was suppressed by Roger, your wins and losses were suppressed by Roger, even the All-Star game was dominated by Roger.
Apart from stats, you’re not leading in any area.
People compare you to the 1991 Magic Johnson, saying this is the beginning of your fall-off, what do you think about that?”
“The key is in the playoffs, that’s the real battlefield.
I haven’t even played yet, who’s talking about a fall-off?”
“There are players who revealed that you tried to isolate Roger at the All-Star game, but it failed, and he even became the AMVP, which made you unhappy, is it true?”
“I don’t want to talk about that.”
“It seems to be true.”
“Of course not!” Jordan responded, holding back his anger.
“Roger said your Bulls won’t win a single game against the Magic this season, do you think…”
“I’m going to make him face disgrace in the playoffs, I swear!” Jordan glared with his bloodshot eyes, shouting breathlessly.