207: 099: The Miracle of Houston, The Pleasure of Mastering the Locker Room (Request for Monthly Tickets!) _4 207: 099: The Miracle of Houston, The Pleasure of Mastering the Locker Room (Request for Monthly Tickets!) _4 “Once or twice might be luck, but they made it all the way to the Western Conference Finals!”
What you see as luck, what do I see?
I see the Houston Rockets mobilizing the whole populace.
They lacked depth in their roster, with only seven or eight regular turns in the playoffs, but these few people completely gave their all for victory.
Every night, they found a different person to bring the team a win.
Often, you can’t pinpoint who was the key to their victories.
Take the Game 7 against the Suns, Clyde and Hakeem both scored 29 points, but Sam Cassell played for 22 minutes scoring 18 points and 7 assists with zero turnovers, and it was Mario Elie who delivered the coup de grace.
You can’t say who was more important because each of them contributed exceptionally to the victory.
Next, we’re up against this Houston Rockets team that mobilizes the whole populace.
Yes, I’m certain that the Rockets will be our opponents in the finals.
The Admiral is doomed, the MVP will be dismantled by Dream like Legos.
The Houston Rockets have someone who stands out in every game, it’s not luck, it’s their strength!”
Roger reminded O’Neal, and Shaq seemed to be taking it in, deep in thought about something.
Suddenly, Shaq swallowed hard.
He was a man who cherished his reputation, and he couldn’t imagine how embarrassing it would be to lose to the Rockets, a team disfavored by the whole world.
But he wasn’t entirely convinced yet.
“Alright, buddy, I won’t underestimate them anymore; I’ll train seriously, starting tomorrow.
hey, at least let’s finish that championship song.
And the Disney parade on Children’s Day, you’re not going to say we can’t go to that, are you?
We can’t disappoint the kids!”
Roger leaned in close to O’Neal, pressing his forehead against his.
“Shaq, let me tell you an unfair truth.
When we win, most of the credit goes to you and me.
But if we lose, all the blame is also ours to bear.
So even if Ron Harper goes 0 for 10 in the finals causing a loss, the ones who get cussed out are us.
Even if Horace can’t grab a single rebound in a game leading to a loss, the ones going to be grilled are us.”
“Of course, you can run away, you can say you did your best, but your teammates weren’t up to the NBA Finals level, but only cowards push the blame for a loss onto role players.”
“If we lose to such a ‘feeble’ Houston Rockets, you can imagine what the media will say.
“Both of us, we’ll become clowns, more pitiful than Jordan, and the most laughable losers.
“At that moment, the Admiral could be lying in his bed laughing so hard he secretes prostate fluid because you will have taken his place as the universally known number one soft egg.”
“We’re the stars, if we lose, we have to accept all the responsibility, endure all the criticism, that’s the game rules.
“Do you want to end up as the number one loser after the finals, Shaq?”
“Damn it, Roger, we can’t lose this round of the finals, or all our efforts will have been in vain.
We need to prepare well and get that championship firmly!” For the sake of the title and face, O’Neal was willing to put everything else aside for now.
“Congratulations, Shaq,” Roger smiled, “you’ve reclaimed your great wisdom.”
The next day, in the locker room at the AdventHealth Training Center.
All the players were wearing Mickey Mouse ears or donning Donald Duck’s bottom, ready to participate in Disney World’s Children’s Day parade that afternoon.
This was an event specially invited by Disney World for the entire Magic Team, and everyone was as excited as primary school students going on a spring outing.
Head coach Brian Hill grumbled to the assistant coach at his side, “Idiotic, the most idiotic thing in history!
Look at their outfits, it’s a disgrace!”
There was nothing he could do, as the event had been agreed to by the general manager, Pat Williams, and as a coach, he had no right to obstruct it.
At that moment, Shaq and Roger walked into the locker room.
Horace Grant scurried over, holding Mickey Mouse ears and Donald Duck’s butt, “Shaq, which one do you pick?
Everyone says your butt is perkier than Donald Duck’s without even trying!”
The whole team burst into laughter.
But the normally playful and mischievous Shaq wasn’t laughing, and then Roger clapped his hands, “Guys, the event is canceled, we are continuing with our regular training today.”
“I’ve already talked to Pat, and I told him, to hell with Disney World, that’s a place for boys.
Men should be going after that damn championship trophy.
No more parade activities, and no more recording of the championship song.
We need to get ready to fight.
That’s all we’re doing these upcoming days.
Who’s in favor and who’s opposed?”
After Roger finished speaking, the big guy beside him shrugged, “You’d better listen to him.”
Everyone looked at each other, then took off their cartoon accessories.
This was the first time Roger tasted the control of the team’s fun in the locker room, and he admitted, it felt really great!
In the original history, the Magic became carried away after the Eastern Conference finals, which led to a disastrous performance by several key players in the Finals, resulting in a humiliating 4-0 sweep by the Rockets.
But now, the Magic didn’t have that problem.
After stabilizing the locker room, only one more thing remained to be done.
In the Western Conference Finals Game 5 and Game 6, Hakeem Olajuwon scored 42 points and 9 rebounds with 5 blocks, and 39 points with 17 rebounds and 5 blocks, leading the team to defeat the Spurs twice and reach the 1995 Finals.
The miraculous Houston Rockets, having toppled their opponents all the way, were set to meet the giant-killing Orlando Magic.
Roger and Hakeem Olajuwon, destiny had paired them together once again.
Before the Finals began, many media outlets were touched by the Rockets’ underdog rise to the last round.
As a result, they interviewed several stars who had faced off against the Rockets.
From their interviews, it wasn’t hard to see just how much pain the Rockets had inflicted on their opponents.
Never, ever let them drag the damn game to the final moments!
— Jazz guard John Stockton discussing the Rockets who were about to play in the Finals.
Don’t underestimate the Rockets, they really have the heart of champions.
— Suns guard Kevin Johnson, lamenting after scoring 46 points in Game 7 and still losing the game.
The Rockets are like disgusting Texas cockroaches, you can never squash them!
Ha, he’s just a coward!
If it were me, I’d never join my own rivals!
— Barkley said angrily on camera.
Maybe no one believes it, but I did pretty well on most of his defense.
— The Admiral sighed helplessly.
It’s not that no one can create miracles in the playoffs anymore, just that this year’s miracle maker has changed from Michael to the Houston Rockets.
— Spurs General Manager Popovich said.
Sports Illustrated also interviewed Rockets head coach Rudy Tomjanovich, who was about to board a plane to Orlando and only told reporters one thing: “All those who underestimated us now have to shut up.”
The most magical team in NBA history landed in Orlando, trying to continue their miraculous performance.