215: 103: Opportunities only come once or twice (Combining two chapters for monthly votes!)_2 215: 103: Opportunities only come once or twice (Combining two chapters for monthly votes!)_2 Horry’s big heart was well-known, he wasn’t nervous at all, but he wasn’t a leader, he didn’t know how to help his two teammates or make them as composed as himself.
After pushing open the locker room door, Mario Elie and Kenny Smith were both stunned.
With the team trailing 1-3, one loss away from going to Buffalo Bayou to collect eggs.
Drexler was calmly crossing his legs, reading his favorite “Wall Street Journal” leisurely.
Olajuwon sat on the ground meditating, looking very peaceful.
The demeanor of these two key players didn’t look like they were about to fight a battle for survival.
Seeing them, the mood of Kenny Smith and Mario Elie eased a lot.
But they had not completely recovered yet.
As more and more fans entered the stadium, the faint shouts seeped into the locker room, making Kenny, Elie, and Cassell very uneasy.
Cassell quietly told Kenny, “Buddy, I feel so nervous my face is distorting into something unrecognizable!”
Kenny Smith didn’t see it, Cassell always had an abstract beauty to him, twisted or not his face just didn’t seem human.
Just as the players were about to enter the court, the team’s head coach Tomjanovich entered the locker room.
He glanced at his two key players, Olajuwon was calmly tying his shoelaces, Drexler was sitting in his chair, ready.
But the Houston Rockets weren’t a team that only relied on their key players, never had been.
Tomjanovich could see the others were very nervous, and he had to address it immediately.
So, he clapped his hands.
“Alright guys, we’ve reached the moment where we can’t afford to fail.
I want everyone to recall the ending of last year’s finals, the moment we won the championship, remember that joy and pride.
We climbed to the top of the world, we earned all the accolades and respect.
But now, your opponents want to take all that away.
Are you going to let them!?
I know our situation is tough, but championships are never won easily, you must go through the fire, you must overcome many obstacles, experience hardships, even tears.
There’s no shortcut to being champions!
If a team isn’t defeated by these, it emerges with a distinct potential.
Guys, when we were in Salt Lake City, did anyone believe we could do it?
When we were in Phoenix, did anyone believe we could do it?
We’ve already overcome so many difficulties, we can’t fall at the last hurdle!
Show your bravery and pride, let’s take the game back to Orlando!
In their court, their home ground, in front of their fans, when they think they are winning, take away our championship!
I believe, we’ve already shown the unique potential to win!”
Tomjanovich’s pre-game speech successfully invigorated the entire Rockets team.
This was the magic of this team, they had two ever-composed leaders and a coach adept at motivating people.
It was their presence that had won the team every do-or-die battle to date.
The secret of basketball, lies beyond basketball.
On the court, O’Neal was a bit distracted while warming up.
“What’s up, Shaq?” Roger replied while continuing to shoot to keep his touch.
“So, you’re saying if we win tonight, we’re taking the championship?
We’re going to achieve what Elgin Baylor spent his whole life trying to achieve?”
Win tonight and you could retire at 23.
You could boldly tell your arch-rival Charles Barkley, ‘Old man, I’ve got something you’ll never have in your lifetime.’ You can show off your ring and shut up all those who don’t like you.
The Admiral might be crying into his pillow tonight because of your triumph.
Most importantly, Shaq.
Your grandma in Odessa would be proud.”
“Yes, yes, damn it, we’re going to take the championship!”
“Provided we take down the Houston Rockets, they only need two more wins to be back at the starting line with us.
We can’t waste this chance; we must finish the fight tonight!
Start with effort, end with champagne!”
Roger was pleased, the team wasn’t complacent despite leading 3-1.
Even O’Neal didn’t underestimate this game.
Could anyone really take their opponents lightly in front of a championship?
Perhaps, Roger knew of a team that was too complacent, even faking coughs in the finals to mock their opponents, and they paid a heavy price.
Luckily, nobody on the Magic Team was foolish to that extent.
In front of the TV, Michael Jordan was watching the finals Game 5 live with several other stars on the set of “Space Jam.”
He said he didn’t care, but as the game started, his body told the truth.
“Michael, can I have a Coke?” a little boy tugged at Jordan’s sleeve.
The leader laughed, “Hey, I think this young fella really thinks you’re his dad.”
It was Eric Gordon playing the role of Marcus Jordan in the movie, and the young boy’s dream was to become an NBA player.
Jordan patted chubby-faced Gordon on the head, “Go ahead, grab a bottle yourself.
But before you do, you have to tell me who will win tonight.”