241: 110: How is one enough?
The continuously evolving young King!
(Vote for monthly tickets!)_2 241: 110: How is one enough?
The continuously evolving young King!
(Vote for monthly tickets!)_2 “But if you need it, I’m willing to practice with you, no teaching involved,”
“You’re too kind, Saru.”
“No, I’m not good enough.” Marciulionis’s spirits seemed to instantly sink.
Roger patted his shoulder, not knowing how to console a player who had lost confidence after a serious injury.
Roger would not say something hollow like “I understand this feeling, you need to cheer up.”
Because he truly didn’t understand that feeling.
Now, the entire league was waiting for the defending champion’s opening game.
Everyone was curious how Roger would lead the team forward without Shaq.
Last season, most media already suggested: had it not been for having to share touches with Shaq, Roger would have been the scoring champion.
Whether it was facing Jordan’s 50 points, facing Penny’s 40 points in the half, or the consecutive three games of over 40 points in the finals, it all seemed to support this view.
Now, the media were eagerly expecting Roger to fully unleash his firepower.
However, the opponent of the opening game was not a team that was easy to score against.
This year, the Magic Team’s opening game opponent is the Seattle SuperSonics, Marciulionis’s former team.
Ever since George Karl took over the SuperSonics, their regular-season records had been quite impressive.
In the three complete seasons that Karl coached the SuperSonics, they had over 55 wins each.
But they always had unexpected exits in the playoffs.
In the ’93 Western Conference Finals Game 7, the Suns got 64 free throws without going into overtime and ultimately won the series, and George Karl still believes it was the biggest referee scandal in NBA history.
After the match, George Karl’s words led to a league fine: “The league wanted to set up an MVP and Jordan matchup, need I say more?”
In ’94, the SuperSonics with 63 wins ranked first in the West but became the first no.
1 seed in history to be upset in the first round.
In ’95, they lost again in the first round to the Los Angeles Lakers, who didn’t have a superstar but were on fire from the three-point line.
For three consecutive years, the Seattle SuperSonics fell in the playoffs.
George Karl didn’t understand why he was always so unlucky, especially last season; he had never seen a team in the playoffs with a three-point shooting percentage over 40% in three consecutive games.
He believed that if the first round had also been a best-of-seven, his team would have won without doubt, as he didn’t think the Lakers’ miraculous hands could last for four games.
And so, a team that always choked in the playoffs appeared in the defending champion’s territory.
You could ridicule them for their consecutive first-round exits, but their defensive ability was undeniable.
Ever since George Karl took over, the SuperSonics’ defensive style never changed.
They had a group of nearly 210 cm tall forwards who were agile and flexible.
With such players, the SuperSonics’ double-teams, switches, and rotations were flawless.
Fighting against the green-jerseyed SuperSonics, you’d feel like you were in a primeval forest, surrounded by tall trees that made you feel ensnared.
Even giants like Dream at times lost their way in Seattle’s jungle.
For Roger, leading the team alone against such an opponent was undoubtedly a huge challenge.
However, the media still favored Roger.
Sports Illustrated writer Andrew Sharp opined: Roger was the Finals MVP last season and is one of the league’s best players.
But don’t forget he’s only 20 years old, this is only his third NBA season.
This young millionaire can’t even buy a bottle of liquor on the street.
What I mean to say is, we still don’t know, to what extent young Roger has grown.
Lastly, Andrew Sharp snarked: Well, at 20 you indeed can’t buy liquor in the United States, but at 18, you can buy a semi-automatic rifle and rob the liquor.
This is why Roger liked Andrew Sharp, the guy had a sense of humor and dared to speak his mind.
George Karl arrived in Orlando with anger, not understanding why the defending champions were seen as vulnerable without Shaq and his team still wasn’t favored.
He didn’t want to be underestimated any longer, and neither did the whole SuperSonics team.
And there’s nothing more effective than to crush the defending champions directly.
With such anger, George Karl was rather unfriendly during the airport interview:
“Who cares about what Andrew Sharp said?
That clown always loves to puff out his chest and boast, ‘Oh, I talked to Roger again today.’ Oh, congratulations, since no one else bothers to talk to you.”
“But,” the Sentinel reporter laughed awkwardly, “it’s not just Andrew Sharp who thinks Magic can win.”
Then I wish all those idiots a lousy life!
I won’t let you have what you want, I’m not some Rudy who finds cameras and then kneels down!
You’ll never see me submit, I will leave Orlando with victory!”
On the night of the game, the Magic Team held a ceremony for the championship ring at their home court.
Roger really liked the NBA’s championship ring culture, which was cooler than medals, and it also made everyone feel the joy of winning.
After all, the championship trophy belongs to the team.
How could players have something to remember it by?
Nothing could be more appropriate than championship rings.
Roger slipped on the ring and raised his hand towards the light.
Shaq, dressed in a suit and with his hand wrapped in bandages, stood beside Roger—even though he couldn’t play today, he couldn’t miss the championship ring ceremony.