237: 108: As the trade progresses, the old King’s influence visibly declines (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 237: 108: As the trade progresses, the old King’s influence visibly declines (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 Although he still had an extremely good shooting percentage, he was undersold by the SuperSonics.
After all, George Karl didn’t like the look of this soft, shooter-type player.
Last season, George Karl was very hostile toward Marciulionis, often insulting him openly and without restraint.
“The softest in history, this weak European sucker can’t defend anyone in the league, I could easily break through him!”
“I don’t know why the team would sign such a broken-down piece of garbage.”
“I wish him a happy retirement, he better retire soon!”
Both sides despised each other, so naturally, the price for trading him wasn’t high.
Even though Marciulionis’ peak was over, the Magic precisely needed someone who could score with jump shots.
Gabriel was well aware of the legendary deeds of John Paxson, a hero of the Bulls Dynasty.
Paxson also didn’t have much personal ability and could only shoot from a fixed position.
But when Jordan and Pippen were double-teamed, he indeed could end the game with spot-up jump shots.
Gabriel didn’t need Marciulionis to be as agile and fluid as before; he just needed this crippled version of the European king to make those critical open jump shots, and that was enough.
This trade brought quite a bit of praise for Gabriel because he added more possibilities to the team without changing the main rotation.
The off-season is the stage for general managers, and John Gabriel, who had just taken up the post, undoubtedly seized this opportunity to perform.
While various team managers were competing, the players were enjoying their vacations.
Michael Jordan was preparing to take his three children and his wife to Disney World in Orlando to relax.
Now that the team had completed the trade, Jordan was in a great mood, and he decided to relax for a while longer before continuing his training.
However, the day before departure, Jordan received a call from the manager at the front desk of the Disney hotel: “Sorry, Michael, due to force majeure, we may not be able to provide you with the lake view luxury suite that you booked.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience.
However, you can switch to our park view luxury suite.”
Is the toilet in the room clogged?”
“That’s not it”, the manager apologized with a smile, “it’s because the hotel needs to accommodate a very special guest on short notice, and I was just informed, I’m really sorry.”
In his life, Michael Jordan had never heard of such ridiculous things, a very important guest?
More important than me?
Who has the clout to make me move?
“What, is the President going to Disney World too?” Jordan retorted.
“Of course not, forgive me but I cannot disclose the guest’s information.
We’re willing to waive the park entrance fees for you and provide a complimentary guide serv…”
The manager hadn’t finished speaking when Jordan hung up the phone.
He was incredibly angry.
In ’91, Disney World had humbly begged him to shoot a commercial, and now they dared to ask him to change rooms?
Exactly who was this big shot?
As Jordan was wondering, a news report about Roger being interviewed by reporters came on TV:
“Yes, it’s actually my first time visiting Disney World.
I’m very excited, I heard they’ve prepared the best lake view suite for me, I’m really grateful for their hospitality.
Shaq mentioned this room type was hard to book, maybe I just got lucky that they had a spare room.”
Michael Jordan clenched his fists, he knew who the big shot was.
Jordan had actually encountered a similar situation before.
In 1992, during a vacation in Hawaii, he “occupied” the hotel’s presidential suite, forcing the hotel to move the guests who were already in the room.
It was undoubtedly an unreasonable request, but just because he was Michael Jordan, the hotel complied.
Coincidentally, the unfortunate soul who had to change rooms was Pat Riley.
When they met in the hotel swimming pool, Riley told Jordan about the situation, and Jordan just smiled slightly: “Sorry, Pat, the man who made you change rooms was me.”
This was the face Michael Jordan used to have; he could unreasonably move into someone’s room, even if that room belonged to a champion coach.
But now, everything had changed.
He had become the one who was being moved out!
Juanita tried to comfort her husband: “Don’t be so angry, Michael, if Disney disrespects you, we simply won’t go.
Kids, how about Universal Studios Hollywood?
Do you want to go to the real Jurassic Park?”
The kids jumped up happily, for them, just being able to go out and play was the happiest thing.
Marcus even excitedly asked: “Is Aunt Larsa going too?”
But Jordan was still clenching his fists.
He wasn’t a child, he didn’t care where they went to play, he cared about his visibly declining influence!
Now, there was a player who could overshadow him!
There was someone who could tell him to make way!
Yes, Orlando was Roger’s base, and the Magic Team and Disney had always collaborated.
But even so, this shouldn’t have happened!
First it was the criticism from Chicago fans, and now Disney’s snub.
Does the voice of the old king no longer carry weight?
“Juan”, Jordan waved at his wife, “you take the kids to Hollywood tomorrow.”
“I’m going to keep training!”
Jordan had completely lost interest in vacationing now, he had only one goal.
To make Roger feel the wrath of God!
Since the trade was already complete, what was left was simply hard work!