310: 132: Ice Blue (Vote for monthly tickets!)_2 310: 132: Ice Blue (Vote for monthly tickets!)_2 So people believed that this season would be Michael Jordan’s return to glory.
This would mark the beginning of a new dynasty for the Chicago Bulls.
Just like Michael Jordan said a few days ago in an ESPN interview, “This year, we’ll get it done.”
Although the Magic had been chasing the Bulls, they were always just a bit behind in the records.
Moreover, the Magic had faced too many unexpected issues this season: the team’s star center O’Neal disappeared every other day and the controversy over his contract renewal with the team made people think that the Magic might very well collapse internally.
But tonight, when Roger wore Shaq’s jersey to show his support, when Shaq returned to the court in the fourth quarter to participate in the game, and when the two of them defended together repeatedly stifling the opponents and scored in sync on offense, it proved one thing, “Under the influence of Roger Magic, the defending champions still have the strength to fight!”
Roger Magic was a term first coined by Bill Walton.
He believed that Roger allowed the team to withstand the various off-court challenges of being the defending champions.
Even though the Chicago Bulls had played the most dominant season in history, even though Michael Jordan’s basketball skills had been honed to an unparalleled level.
The Magic could still cause trouble for them!
They were about to become the first team to defeat the Bulls twice in the regular season.
They were about to become the first team to walk away with a victory at United Center.
Or rather, they were the only team that refused to be dominated by the Chicago Bulls!
Shaq and Roger, with their own hands, had held down those blood-stained horns!
That was the significance of this game, and that was why people were so excited.
With little time left in the game, Roger and Shaq once again drew near the Bulls’ camp.
The bloody charge had reached its final moment, neither side could afford to stop.
Roger lobbed the ball to O’Neal, and the Bulls’ deadly collapse defense immediately unfolded.
But Shaq wasn’t so easily caught; he single-handedly passed the ball back out to Saru beyond the three-point line.
Saru confidently took his shot and scored a three-pointer right at the fingertips of Michael Jordan.
The Magic were ahead by 5 points, one step closer to victory.
The Chicago fans had forgotten to boo; their hearts raced and nerves jangled.
Would this be the Bulls’ first home loss?
Michael Jordan was ready to counterattack, but this idea was thwarted at the very first step.
The high and mighty Chosen One had barely approached the three-point line when he was stolen by “Mudfoot” Ron Harper!
Harper struck with lightning speed the moment he got close to Jordan, who tried to dodge but found his space blocked by the closing Roger.
In a moment of hesitation, the basketball slipped away.
Ron Harper quickly broke away, with Jordan and Pippen swiftly catching up; the former was responsible for biting at Harper, while the latter was tasked with blocking any pass to Roger.
This season, Harper had played out the scenario of charging ahead as a lone hero drawing the defense, only to pass the ball to Roger for an easy basket countless times.
So the Bulls were very experienced in dealing with this tactic.
But this time, Harper didn’t pass.
He leaned forward against Michael Jordan and took off, challenging the Chosen One.
No need to elaborate on Harper’s outcome, as both he and the ball were pressed to the floor, utterly embarrassed.
Although Harper was once considered the ultimate Jordan model, the talent gap between the two was clearly visible.
Yet the referee quickly blew the whistle, a defensive foul on Michael Jordan, giving Harper a chance at free throws.
Chicago’s number 23 roared at the referee, “This is a stupid call!”
He wouldn’t get a technical because he was Michael Jordan.
But tonight, someone was unfazed by his authority.
Harper, rising from the floor, directly confronted Jordan, nose-to-nose: “All you can do is lose your temper at the referee, Michael.”
The familiar smell of gunpowder spread again, and Pippen immediately pushed Harper away.
But soon he felt a chill up his spine, as a familiar hand pressed on his shoulder: “Be nice to my friend Scott, you know our style,” Roger said calmly.
This was the second consecutive round that Michael Jordan was disrespected by a role player from the Magic.
Just before, Marciulionis had solidly scored a three-pointer over his head.
Now, Harper bravely challenged the supreme god of Chicago.
Michael Jordan had conquered the league all season long, and most opponents were like the pitiful Kevin Garnett, trembling in the shadow of number 23.
Only Reggie Miller from Indianapolis had some spirit, but even he could barely shake Jordan’s dominance this season.
Only the Magic, all their players dared to oppose Jordan, and they indeed had the ability to defeat him.
Who gave them this confidence?
It was certainly Roger, who had led the team forward all season.
“Now opposing Michael isn’t just Shaq and Roger, but everyone!
Roger is the heart and soul of this team, and I believe his actions are a major reason why the Magic are so combative; this is the effect of Roger Magic!” Bill Walton said.
Harper ultimately made one of two free throws at the line, but the Magic still led by 6 points with 1 minute and 7 seconds left.
Phil Jackson called a timeout, and Michael Jordan, drenched in sweat, couldn’t tolerate having his perfect season spoiled.