49: 035: With Pippen’s “assistance,” rising to the top is fast.
49: 035: With Pippen’s “assistance,” rising to the top is fast.
At last, the Charlotte Hornets became yet another soul vanquished by the Bulls.
With a score of 96 to 89, the Bulls triumphed by seven points in the opening game.
Pippen grabbed a significant double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds, displaying relentless dedication on defense.
As the theoretical leading star, he even showed great enthusiasm for the gritty task of rebounding.
This showed just how much Scottie Pippen wanted to be a great leader, wishing he could do everything himself and carry the team on his shoulders.
However, his shooting percentage was ultimately only 30%, which meant that the Bulls were still unable to pull away to a comfortable lead in the final moments.
Therefore, the real dagger that pierced the Hornets’ heart today was actually Roger.
Roger made 11 out of 18 shots, scoring 25 points with a shooting percentage of 61.1%.
In the last two minutes of the game, when the Hornets had nearly smothered Pippen to the point of vomiting, Roger took over the game with his powerful one-on-one ability.
The Hornets’ head coach, Bristow, never believed an 18-year-old rookie could decide the outcome of an NBA level game, so he still focused his defense on Pippen in the final moments.
And as Pippen was struggling, Roger crushed Charlotte’s hopes by repeatedly sinking those crucial shots.
In Fratello’s words, “His hand was so ruthless, it didn’t seem like he was an 18-year-old rookie at all!”
Naismith invented the sport of basketball at McGill University in Canada, he imagined a game where the ball quickly passed through the players’ hands like a skip of a stone, and then gently tossed into the basket under the hoop.
Considering basketball originally did not involve dribbling, this image made sense.
But Roger’s way of decimating the Hornets’ team was something Dr.
Naismith could never have imagined: two towering big men bending down to face each other, like wild beasts about to fight to the death.
One dribbles, feints, and cruelly pierces the other’s defense, like a matador cruelly thrusting a spear into the spine of a bull.
The attacking player finishes with a precise jump shot or a sleek play, stabbing through the opposition’s heart, greeted by cheers and the opponents’ laments.
The process by which Roger killed the game was essentially .
Watching the television screen, O’Neal was utterly stunned into silence.
The most painful thing in the world is not being unable to possess, but clearly having the opportunity to possess, and then tragically missing out.
At the same crucial moment, what did Chris Webber do?
Why did we use the No.
1 pick on such a cowardly fool!
Since last season, O’Neal had been frequently lamenting to the public, “If we had Roger…”
But as of now, that could still only be an if!
Shaq was truly miserable because the Magic Team had definitely had the chance to get Roger!
They should have been reaping victories together, becoming the biggest winners in the post-Michael Jordan era!
Pat Williams had just daringly said it was only Webber’s first game, that it was normal for him not to play well.
Thinking about this, O’Neal got angry, so he used a communication method less than a year old, “text messaging” to tell Williams, “Ha, just look at Roger’s performance in his first game—that’s what a real No.
At this moment, at the court, the Bulls players all rushed to hug Roger, congratulating this 18-year-old teammate on such a perfect debut performance.
Cartwright looked incredulous, “Weren’t you nervous at all in the last two minutes?
Hawkins, in front of you, seemed more like the rookie!”
Roger shook his head.
He wasn’t just pretending to be calm; he truly wasn’t nervous at all.
Though Hawkins was an All-Star guard, he wasn’t a defensive stronghold.
Going one-on-one with him didn’t put too much pressure on Roger.
One-on-one offense was what Roger was best at for now, so he had great confidence in it.
And the result of the match proved that Roger’s confidence wasn’t misplaced.
Amid the celebrating crowd, Pippen stood alone on one side.
He had won, his first match after leaving Michael Jordan, he had won.
But he felt awkward because Roger’s performance in the last two minutes was too dazzling, so dazzling that it made him seem pale in comparison.
And Roger had only one assist the entire game!
What kind of player can continuously fire at crucial moments without passing the ball, and not have to worry about being scolded by the coach?
What kind of player can still ignore his teammates under double coverage?
Pippen was not very happy, the result of the game was what he wanted, but the process was not.
However, no one cared at the moment whether Pippen was happy or not.
In the eyes of the media and fans, it was all about Roger, who had already been the most eye-catching rookie in the preseason.
Today, Roger had successfully fulfilled all their fantasies and expectations with his incredibly soft and precise shooting, elegantly finishing in the paint, and the occasional powerful dunk that satisfied the fans.
His performance confidently captured the wave of excitement.
Even in passing, Roger met people’s expectations.
He was the same as he had been in high school.
What, you say Roger is playing solo?
Look at the bigger picture, that clearly translates to zero turnovers in passing!
“Roger, an almost perfect debut, your performance in the last two minutes was spectacular, how are you feeling right now?” NBC’s renowned courtside reporter, Hannah Storm, drifted past Pippen to find Roger.
“Nothing special, I’m just here to do this,” Roger answered with a smile.
“Are you referring to winning or scoring?”
“You hardly passed the ball today, your teammates probably don’t mind, right?” Hannah joked.
Roger shrugged, “I don’t think the Bulls picked me to pass the ball.”
Roger admitted that his awareness in passing truly lacked a bit, always wanting to drive directly to the basket whenever he got the chance.
But because more often than not Roger served as the endpoint in the triangle offense, his limited passing did not significantly hurt the team.
For that, Roger had no regrets.
He was just fulfilling the responsibilities expected of him.
Roger’s performance today was impeccable, but at the subsequent press conference, a reporter still asked the Zen Master this question:
“Roger scored 25 points tonight, but also allowed Hawkins to score 20 points with a 58.3% shooting rate.
Phil, do you really think Roger can handle so much playing time?
When he is on the court, he becomes the main target for the opponents, are you considering reducing his playing time to ensure defense?”
Pippen looked toward the Zen Master, concerned about this issue as well.
Just how important is this kid in your plans?
The Zen Master first nodded, “Roger’s attitude on defense is quite good, but his technical details and awareness certainly need improvement.
Today, his battle with Hawkins was brave, but he couldn’t keep up with the cunning moves of such an experienced player.”
Although the Zen Master acknowledged Roger’s defensive issues, Pippen could tell from his tone that he was not there to criticize Roger.
As expected, the Zen Master changed his tone, “But after all, we won.
As long as Roger scores more than the points he allows, we can win.
However, I do need to adjust his playing time starting from the next game, he will start the game.”
Coach, what did you just say?”
Both the questioning reporter and Pippen were shocked.
The Zen Master was planning to start Roger after just one game!?
Pippen, in his years with the Bulls, had played over 100 games off the bench before finally earning a starting position.
And this high school kid was set to start after just one game?
The Zen Master spoke seriously as he leaned into the microphone, “I said he’ll start the game.
Without Roger, our offense today would have been a disaster.
So, Roger’s career as a substitute ends today.
We really need him in our offense.”
Roger was somewhat surprised himself; he thought as a high school student, he would have to play as a substitute for a few more games.
He assumed he would have to go through a series of schemes and deliberate suppressions, the kind you see in melodramas, before he could finally start.
Only one thing to say…
With Pippen’s assistance, rising to the top had indeed been swift!
If Pippen’s shooting percentage today was not 30% but 50%, if at crucial moments Pippen could score by himself against two people instead of needing his teammates’ help, if Pippen had led the Bulls to easily handle the Hornets, who merely made a first-round exit last season, would Roger still be starting?
Finding such an influential support role, what more could one ask for?
Thanks to those fathers like Years of Peace and Safety, Black Cat Loves Candy, Father of Pagi, and Here for the Old Dog for their rewards, thank you, everyone!
During the new book period, I humbly ask for monthly tickets, followings, and rewards; I bow in respect to all of you!