21: 015: 4 versus 5 doesn’t matter_3 21: 015: 4 versus 5 doesn’t matter_3 At least all of America had already started to feel that there was no insurmountable gap between Roger and the NBA.
Now, he just needed to shine bright at the McDonald’s All-American Game!
That evening, the McDonald’s All-American Game announced the rosters for the East and West teams.
Roger was on the Western Conference All-Stars.
Originally, he was to team up with Rashad Griffith, the fourth-ranked player in the nation and 2.11 meters tall, to take on the combination of Stackhouse and Rasheed Wallace from the East.
The anticipation of a duel between super guards and super big men had fans very excited.
However, because Griffith had already participated in Magic’s Roundball Classic and the Illinois high school All-Star game, he withdrew from this event.
He didn’t want to impact his performance due to excessive fatigue.
Consequently, Darnell Robinson, the high school basketball history’s king of blocked shots, stepped in to replace him, becoming the starting center for the Western Conference All-Stars.
Although Darnell Robinson racked up many blocks, his skills seemed too rough even in high school, and people thought he ruled the high school courts merely with his height of 2.11 meters.
Hence, his national ranking was just right at number 10.
The Yelling Maestro looked down on such an opponent, “Don’t compare me with him anymore.
Griffith ran away because he was scared of me, and poor Darnell is just a big fool.
I’ll handle him as easily as Shaq took care of Smits.
If he starts, Jerry and I will easily clinch the victory.”
Darnell quickly responded, “I’ll knock your brains out!
I’ll knock every single player from the East to the ground!”
Initially, Roger didn’t take their trash talk seriously, but the next day, when he showed up in the locker room, he sensed something was off.
Although it was a team thrown together at the last minute, everyone was pumped up, fists clenched, ranting about how they’d show those assholes from the East.
This was, after all, a team made up of high school players, and everyone here was a capable star player.
Unlike the NBA All-Star game, which valued harmony, in this high school All-Star game, each player wanted to prove they were the best.
Fighting viciously was what these kids enjoyed doing at this age.
The fierce trash-talking between The Yelling Maestro and Darnell Robinson had undoubtedly enraged both sides.
Roger felt that the players from both teams were like ticking time bombs, ready to explode at the slightest spark.
Sure enough, amid this intense mood, something did happen.
During the sixth minute of the second half, The Yelling Maestro let the world see his temper for the first time.
Frustrated at being dominated by a much-lower-ranked Robinson, The Yelling Maestro, after being blocked again, directly went into a rage and beat up Darnell.
Seeing this, the fiery players surged forward, but only a few could stay calm, turning the basketball game into a WWE Royal Rumble.
The referees blew their whistles frantically, and the spectators cheered loudly.
This was the first time a fight had ever broken out at the McDonald’s All-American Game.
Roger and Andrae didn’t get involved, as they thought the fight was pretty senseless.
A few minutes later, the referees ejected all the troublemaking players, leaving both the East and West teams with only 5 players each able to continue the game.
Everyone thought the chaos would end there, but a minute later, Western center Evander Jones got injured during a scramble for a rebound.
The West team was down to playing with just 4 players!
Bob Geoghan, founder of the McDonald’s All-American Game, held his head in his hands, feeling this event was doomed.
If the game were to end prematurely, the fans would certainly not accept it.
But if they continued playing, they wouldn’t have enough players.
At that moment, Stackhouse approached Roger.
He had already scored 17 points today, while Roger had logged 15.
The rookie who dared to challenge Jordan this season proudly said, “You’re really lucky.
If the game continued, the gap between us would only grow.
I told you, you won against Oak Hill Academy in last year’s Sunshine Classic because I wasn’t there!”
Stackhouse had been holding back!
This proud guy was always annoyed at being ranked behind Roger, but had been afraid to talk smack before, fearing a setback.
But now, with no continuation of the game, he could finally speak his mind!
Roger ignored Stackhouse, whose face could rival a Marvel villain like Red Skull.
At that moment, he remembered a rather unique NCAA game and then approached the event’s founder, Bob Geoghan, saying, “Let the referees continue the game, sir.”
“Kid, we can’t just find another player to field right now.”
“No need to find another player, we still have 4 players who can play.
According to FIBA rules, the game can continue until there are fewer than 2 players.”
Bob Geoghan glanced at co-founder and Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Famer John Wooden, the legendary white-haired NCAA coach who nodded, “If it were up to collegiate basketball, it would indeed be handled this way, but…
“It’s okay,” Roger smiled, “Playing 4 against 5 doesn’t matter, we can still win.”
Geoghan gaped at the number one player in the nation, whom “Sports Illustrated” believed could enter the lottery draft right out of high school.
This kid was freaking insane!
Thank you to Mars Medical University and the Child’s Leg Whip and other benefactors for their gifts, I kneel in gratitude!
Here’s the 5K chapter offering during the new book period!
Sincere requests for favorites, monthly tickets, and gifts, please !