Chapter 439 Chapter 438: Just the beginning (ask for a monthly ticket!)

60 points difference.

Everyone stared intently at this game which had already become a foregone conclusion.

This may be the most watched game in recent years that has been sent to garbage time.

Although the outcome had already been decided, most fans watched it until the very last second.

Not many fans left the stadium early. They seemed to be held down by some huge force, unable to move.

Everyone wants to see the end and see how much the Hornets will lose.

But even though we were mentally prepared, the final score difference still broke everyone’s expectations.

In an NBA-level game, no normal person would think that one team would lose to another team by 60 points, just like no normal person would think of using the beef seeds of basketball author Lao He to name a dish, the answer would be stir-fried beef seeds.

The score is as fantastic as the answer.

This season, New Orleans fans have become accustomed to standing up with their chests puffed out and celebrating wildly after games.

But tonight, a huge loss and disappointment were suddenly forced into their minds.

The drama of potential new stars challenging the current kings is often seen in any sport, and it is also the most enduring script in competitive sports.

And tonight was definitely the worst performance of all these scripts.

Chris Paul is like Jia Ling who released “Hot as Hell”, and ruined everything he had created before with an extremely disgusting failure.

Reggie Miller said at the end of the game: “I don’t think any MVP candidate will lead his team to lose by 60 points. Chris is not qualified yet. It’s not time yet.”

He directly announced that Paul was not qualified to compete for MVP.

Miller is not targeting Paul, he is just telling the truth. Unless CP3 can lead the Hornets to 70 wins this season, or produce some amazing historical data, it will be difficult to reverse his reputation.

He may still be one of the best players this season.

He may still be the point guard god revered by the media and fans.

But he definitely couldn’t be the MVP, Roger completely shattered this possibility.

No one is going to vote for MVP for a guy who can lose a game by 60 points.

This is not Paul’s fault alone, but Roger told Shaq a truth more than a decade ago: “As the brightest star on the team, you can get the most praise when you win, but you must be prepared to bear the most blame when you lose.”

The camera gave Paul, who sat blankly on the bench. No matter where the greatest point guard in Wake Forest University history looked, he could only see endless darkness.

Perhaps he realized at this moment that he was not the young Roger, and the current Roger was not the Michael Jordan of the past.

People always fantasize that Roger taking the scepter from Jordan will happen again, thinking that this is the natural law of the league. Sooner or later, the same thing will happen again, and it will mark the beginning of the next era of the NBA.

In the past, all stars retired in this way, and all stars became famous in this way.

Tonight is the night that New Orleans fans imagine Paul will usher in a changing of the times.

But Roger proved through a game that he didn’t need to go through that cycle, and he didn’t need to follow the previous laws of nature.

As long as he is still in this league, no one can break his dominance, and no young player can step on his shoulders to get to the top.

三节轰下38分5次助攻5个篮板2次抢断2次封盖的罗杰接受了记者采访，ESPN甚至懒得把保罗的数据打在罗杰的数据下面进行对比，因为13分5次助攻6次失误的数据和罗杰实在没有什么可比性。

“It was a great game, creating the biggest score difference in the 21st century. We saw that you and Chris seemed to have some verbal disputes during the game. Was there any problem between you?”

“Maybe we did have some problems during the game,” Roger said with a big smile, “but I think they are all solved now.”

“So, how do you evaluate Ray Allen’s performance today? He scored 28 points and was the only one who performed well in this defeated Hornets team.”

“He’s good, but not a winner. Hasn’t he been that throughout his career?”

Ray Allen had returned to the locker room, where the game was being broadcast live on the TV, so he could see what Roger had just said during the interview.

He didn’t like Roger’s evaluation of him. Any competitive athlete doesn’t like to be evaluated as “he is not a winner.”

Ray Allen still hates Roger, nothing has changed.

but.
What can he do?

He hated Roger, but after so many years, he still couldn’t do anything about Roger and couldn’t change anything.

At that moment, Ray Allen deeply experienced the true feeling of being “ruled” and realized his own insignificance.

Roger rules you without any need to respect your will, and doesn’t care whether you like it or not.

As for Chris Paul?

Roger was happy for him, he would never be labeled as 58 again in this timeline.

At least he could make up an integer.

The day after this game, Chris Paul fell directly from second place to the top five in ESPN’s MVP rankings.

As Reggie Miller said, any player who leads his team to a 60-point loss should not be labeled MVP.

After all, the most important indicator in a basketball game is leading the team to victory, not how many points you score.

At the same time, Roger, who led the team to 13 consecutive wins at the start, is one step closer to his goal of “winning the MVP”.

But the season is still long, and KG and Kobe who are right behind them still have a chance.

They have indeed lost to Roger this season, but at least they didn’t lose by 60 points like Paul, causing all suspense to disappear.

When the Lakers defeated James’ old team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and returned their record to second place in the Western Conference, a reporter asked Kobe at a press conference: “This season, will you focus on the DPOY you promised, or do you want to do your best to win another MVP?”

Kobe asked back: “Are you kidding me?”

“what?”

“You’re kidding me, right? You mean, I have to give up one award to fight for another? Does the NBA have this rule? After Roger, there will always be someone who gets both MVP and DPOY in a season. Why can’t that person be me? My goal is DPOY, but if I have the opportunity to get MVP at the same time, I won’t let it go.”

You can say this is arrogance, but this is Kobe. He is quite confident and strong.

LeBron James sat next to Kobe, listening absentmindedly as reporters asked Kobe a bunch of questions related to MVP.

He was distracted tonight, even on the field.

Facing the abuse and boos from Cleveland fans, James did not have a big outburst like Vince Carter did when he first returned to Toronto to take revenge on the Raptors. Instead, he played very badly, scoring only 17 points and 3 rebounds with a shooting percentage of only 40%.

He seemed unable to focus, was at a loss on the court, and had no desire to win.

Phil Jackson saw it all, and he probably knew what was bothering James.

Currently, Kobe is second in the MVP rankings, replacing Paul’s previous position.

What about James? He is only ranked eighth on the list.

Look at the best duos in history during their heyday. Roger and Shaq were both in the top three in MVPs, and there was never that much of a gap between them.

But the second and the eighth? The gap is really too big, just like the gap between the first and the second in command.

What would James think? He certainly doesn’t know how he is being viewed by the outside world. Is he viewed as Kobe’s helper? The Lakers’ second-in-command? Or a high-class prostitute who only signed a short-term 1+1 contract and can say goodbye after using it?

He has been abandoned by Cleveland fans. He left his hometown and bore the infamy, not to make Kobe successful.

He must be doubting whether such a victory means anything to him.

The last time the Zen Master talked to him, he solved the problem between him and Kobe, but now it seems that is not enough, he also has to solve James’ own inner problems.

Phil Jackson shook his head. People said he was mature and smart, but he had the most problems.

But even the immature Shaq never caused the Zen Master so much trouble.

As someone who has superstar status in his first year in the industry, is it that difficult to focus on winning?
After the press conference ended and the team returned to the hotel, Phil Jackson gathered the entire team to the hotel conference room, which was temporarily used as the Cavaliers’ video screening room.

But he did not call everyone together to review tonight’s game. After everyone arrived, Phil Jackson turned off all the lights, lit a small incense burner, and asked everyone to close their eyes, meditate and relax their bodies.

This is one of the ways that Phil Jackson, who is extremely fascinated by Zen Buddhism, adjusts the team’s mood. The Lakers players have become accustomed to it.

After everyone relaxes in the darkness, Phil Jackson will wander in the darkness like a ghost and have one-on-one conversations with very few players.

He believes that this kind of relaxed environment can make a person let down his guard and speak his mind. This time, the Zen Master walked to LBJ’s side.

“LeBron, it’s been a month since the start of the new season, how do you feel?”

“Great, great. I love this Lakers team, I love this group, and I’m willing to do anything to make us win.”

“Would you be willing even if Kobe was the MVP or Finals MVP?”

James swore that at that moment he was a little afraid of Phil Jackson.

Because the old man seemed to be able to see through a person’s heart. How terrible would it be when you have no secrets at all in front of someone?

Phil Jackson wanted to solve this problem even if he didn’t hesitate to open James’ heart. He had to solve this problem to avoid a complete failure in the playoffs. He knew that if James’ performance tonight appeared in the Western Conference Finals or the Finals, it would have devastating consequences.

“If we are first in the Western Conference, the MVP may be you, but it may also be Kobe. If we win the finals, the FMVP may be you, but it may also be Kobe. Even so, will you do your best to win?” The Zen Master continued to ask. He knew that James could not bear such pressure, and he would definitely speak up.

James was struggling. Even though the environment and the smell of the incense burner were relaxing, his nerves were still tense.

Yes, that’s what bothered him!
Look at the current MVP rankings. He is simply the second in command. He doesn’t know whether the victory now belongs to him or Kobe!

He doesn’t expect to replace Kobe in Los Angeles, as Kobe has left a deep mark here. But becoming the Scottie Pippen of Los Angeles? This is something James cannot accept.

This can’t be a story about Kobe taking on a potential rookie and changing his career. This has to be a story about two superstars ruling the league together.

In the original timeline, this worry did not disappear from James’ mind until Dwyane Wade took the initiative to give up his position, allowing him to truly focus on the game.

The media always praises James’ selfless playing style, but in this regard, James is very clear and will never maintain any trace of selflessness. He knows clearly how big the gap is between the first champion and the second champion, and he is never willing to retreat to the second line.

And he is very twisted, he never takes the initiative to talk about it, he will never say “Hey Kobe, let me lead the team”. When he encounters something unpleasant, he will only waste his energy, and then lose himself in the game, which will affect the team.

Seeing that James still didn’t speak, the Zen Master simply changed the question: “Tell me, which one bothers you more, losing the individual award or losing to Roger again.”

This time, James gave the answer without even thinking: “Phil, is this even necessary?!”

“So, let’s focus on the most critical issue first. Basketball is not complicated. As long as you can win, most problems will be solved. It’s not you who made Kobe, but you made each other. I coached Michael and Scott, and I led them to three championships. But I swear LeBron, you are different. You are not Scott, and Kobe is not Michael.”

James took a deep breath, as if he let out all the stress and troubles.

Yes, MVP and FMVP are things that come later.

The key is to beat Roger first.

This was his last chance to defeat him, his last chance to get rid of his loser status. If he let Roger defeat him again and retire, the fact that he was dominated by Roger would never change.

“I won’t be lost like I was tonight again Phil, I promise.”

“You’re going to be great, LeBron.”

After saying that, Phil Jackson went to talk to other people, while James continued to lie on the sofa and relax.

If it were someone else, Phil Jackson would feel that the matter was over and the problem no longer existed.

But LeBron James has said “I promise” countless times before, but…
Phil Jackson just hopes that this time James is really no longer troubled by this problem.

The Zen Master has solved another problem regarding LeBron James, and he has been committed to protecting this super battleship to sail smoothly.

This battleship is invincible, provided it does not split from within.

In the following days, James’ condition returned to normal and he performed very well. The Lakers also maintained their winning streak and kept close behind the Warriors.

But the Warriors’ winning streak continued until they defeated the Detroit Pistons on December 12, and the Warriors have started with 16 consecutive wins!

This is the longest winning streak in NBA history, far exceeding the 16-game winning streak created by the strongest duo in history and the OK combination. In the twilight of his career, Roger can still surpass his past self.

Moreover, this is the second longest winning streak in NBA history, second only to the 72-game winning streak of the 33nd Lakers.

Roger and Roy continued to perform steadily, and the terrifying stability of these two people raised the Warriors’ lower limit very high.

The Warriors didn’t lose their first game of the season until December 12, when they faced the Mavericks in a back-to-back.

24 wins and 1 loss, this terrifying record is far beyond the reach of all other teams.

At this time, the media is not only discussing Roger’s MVP, but also discussing another thing: Maybe this Warriors team can really win 70 games?
The Los Angeles Lakers did a great job preventing that from happening, as they handed the Warriors their second loss of the season a week later on Christmas Day.

This Christmas Eve is definitely a milestone night in LeBron James’ career.

Witnessed by his family and Los Angeles fans, he ended his career-long 13-game losing streak against Roger, and the nightmare that had plagued him for three years ended at this moment.

This also gave Kobe confidence, and it turned out that this Lakers team was able to defeat the Warriors.

Nike’s mouthpieces almost started to celebrate, they all thought this was the beginning of James breaking through Roger’s blockade.

Of course, Bill Simmons poured cold water on the situation: “LeBron’s record against Roger is now 1-13! God, he’s awesome! He’s destined to replace Roger!”

In any case, the defeat was real and Roger had no intention of avoiding it.

At the press conference, he took all the responsibility: “The Lakers played very well today. The Warriors lost the game because of me. I failed to defend Kobe’s three-pointer with 39 seconds left, which was the key reason for our loss.”

“Brandon was locked down by Kobe today, and only scored 16 points on 6 of 15 shots. This is Brandon’s worst performance this season. Do you think he doesn’t need to be held responsible for the loss?”

“Of course it is necessary, but my responsibility is undoubtedly the greatest.”

Roger didn’t want to put too much pressure on Roy. Kobe’s defense in today’s game was great and impeccable. Anyone else would not be able to perform well if they met a Kobe like him.

No one blamed Roy, but Roy was clearly blaming himself.

He missed all his shots from beyond the three-point line today. If he had made one or two, the Warriors might not have lost.

Feeling extremely guilty, he followed the example of Kobe and Roger and immediately practiced his three-point shooting after the game.

He mistakenly thought that those heroic stories were something that everyone could emulate.

He forgot that Roger was a monster who had never suffered any serious injuries in his entire career.

Kobe is a monster who can drag more than 100 kilograms and still jump up and down and ensure attendance in all 82 games.

And what about Brandon Roy? His knees were already scarred.

The day after extra training, Roy felt some discomfort in his knee.

Chelsea Ryan was eventually diagnosed with a mild knee sprain, probably caused by improper landing posture during extra shooting practice.

This in itself is not a big problem, the problem is that Roy’s knees are very fragile.

In order for Roy to finish the season safely, she hopes Roy will recuperate for at least four weeks.

Of course Brandon Roy refused. In the original timeline, even with a torn meniscus, he was forced to return after only eight days of rest.

Of course, that ultimately ended Roy’s career completely.

Roger naturally would not let him go back to his old ways, and he convinced his younger brother with just one sentence.

“You’re important to me, and I need you. That’s why you better listen to Chelsea. And don’t sneak off to shoot hoops anymore. Don’t you have anything else to do, Brandon? Can’t you go play some games? Can’t you go to a party? Tim Duncan has a more interesting life than you!”

Roy was familiar with the stories of Roger saying “I don’t need you” countless times to many people.

He dared to say to all the Bulls players in the playoffs, “We don’t need Michael.”

He dared to say to Pippen who refused to play at a critical moment in the playoffs, “I don’t need you.”

But this was perhaps the first time Roger said to someone, “I need you.”

Roy accepted it. Roger might be the only one in this world who could control number 7.

There is only one question left: Without Brandon, can Roger stabilize the Warriors’ record and continue to challenge for the MVP?

On December 12, in the first game after Roger lost Brandon Roy, facing the Denver Nuggets, Roger scored 28 points to lead the team to victory.

He gave his own answer to that question.
–
Brandon is important. There are no words that can be used to describe the second-year guard. He has shown us how good he is. But those who think that losing him is a disaster for Roger are destined to be disappointed in the next month. –Bill Simmons column

LeBron James currently ranks fifth in the MVP rankings, and Kobe Bryant is still second. Can they climb to the top during this period? — ESPN Magazine.

The Lakers are running wildly on the highway of winning streak. When they can defeat the Warriors in the Christmas game, what can stop them? LeBron and Kobe’s cooperation is close and invincible. They may really be the right answer to end Roger’s reign! – Los Angeles Times.

Poor Melo, he witnessed Roger’s performance at Madison Square Garden as a kid, and then Roger scored 61 points on him. It was a great performance, but I have a feeling that similar performances will continue in the next month. I think this may really be Roger’s last season, because he will not miss any opportunity to show his dominance. 61 points is just the beginning, I promise. If Roger only gets 60 points once this month, I will kiss Kenny’s skin! – Charles Barkley swore on the show.

(End of this chapter)