Chapter 458 Chapter 457: Courage, the foundation of greatness (asking for monthly tickets!)
James is probably the player who had the most tragic ending among all the players who were enemies with Roger.

After this round of series, LBJ’s failure was irreversible, and he and Roger had already come to an end.

It turns out that he is even worse than Roger.

Unless he creates a Dirk Nowitzki-style championship, everything about him will be over.

And Roger knew that that was almost impossible for James.

The day after the series ended, Phil Jackson announced his resignation, and LeBron James’ team also announced that they would not renew their contract with the Lakers next season.

Just as Roger had expected, the Super Lakers became expensive, brilliant, but fleeting beautiful fireworks, completely serving as their own foil.

In this respect, LBJ did not disappoint Roger.

Because without him, the fireworks show wouldn’t be as brilliant.

After defeating the Lakers, the concept of “perfect season” was proposed by Bill Simmons.

He believes that Roger is playing the most perfect season in NBA history.

“From the record-breaking 24-game winning streak at the beginning of the season to 73 wins in the regular season. From regaining the MVP to sweeping the first three rounds of the series. Roger is playing a flawless retirement season, which will be the greatest work and the most perfect season in basketball history. Now, Roger is only one championship away from being truly perfect. We all know that no one in this world can do things perfectly, but what if it is God?”

On the same night that Bill Simmons published the article, the New York Knicks defeated the Magic on the road with a total score of 4-0 and advanced.

So far, the Knicks’ record in the playoffs is also 12 wins and 0 losses, invincible.

After the victory, Kevin Garnett talked about the ultimate challenge that is coming.

“Oh, as an opponent, I never liked Roger. It’s too difficult to beat him. But you know, it would be an honor to take the championship from such an opponent. It would even be the greatest honor of my career.”

Kevin Garnett expressed respect for Roger, but also expressed desire.

He sees defeating Roger as the greatest honor of his career, so he would certainly be willing to give everything for it.

It is impossible to predict who will win between the Warriors and the Knicks, but it is generally believed that the New York Knicks are a more difficult opponent than the Lakers because they do not have a deserter like LeBron James.

Even Kirk Hinrich, who joined the team midway through the season, fits perfectly into the Knicks’ tough team culture.

Absolutely none of them will retreat, absolutely none of them will surrender.

They will fight the Warriors until the last second and shed their last drop of sweat.

And the Knicks definitely want to win more than the Warriors.

After all, they have never tasted victory.

Men are always curious and enthusiastic about anything for the first time.

Therefore, the Knicks’ desire to win must be stronger than the Warriors.

Bill Simmons made this point when interviewing Scottie Pippen for Roger’s autobiography: “Predictably, do you think the Knicks will not break Roger’s perfect season?”

Pippen shook his head decisively: “Listen, Roger is only greedy for one thing, and that is winning. He will never think that thing is too much, and he will never get tired of the game. I don’t think the Knicks or KG have any advantage in terms of desire to win.”

“When did you realize that Roger would never be satisfied with winning?”

“When? God, since he told me that crazy thing.”

“What?”

“He once told me that as professional players, we can only run until we die on the road to victory. At that time, I knew that he was a madman, a madman who would never feel satisfied with victory.”

“So tell me Scott, what do you predict will be the outcome?”

“4-0, Roger always does what he says.”

“Very good, we’ll wait and see.”

At the end of the interview, Bill Simmons thought Roger’s autobiography was almost complete.

He interviewed everyone who had any connection with Roger and he had collected enough material.

He believed he had the ability to describe Roger’s entire career in words.

Now, he only needs one more person to complete his interview.

He will go to the game at Oracle Arena tomorrow to see the man and then talk after the game.

Bill Simmons wanted to know everything about Roger and how this legendary story began.

On June 6, at Oracle Arena, Game 5 of the 2008 NBA Finals is about to begin.

After Roger entered, he hugged a strong black man tightly and had a good chat with him.

Many fans have forgotten who the black man is, but Mike Breen, who was commentating the game, reminded everyone: “Andre Patterson has disappeared from the American basketball scene for a while. After winning the championship with Roger in Atlanta, he started to play in the European basketball scene in 2005 and now plays for the Greek Egaleos Basketball Club. But I think that no matter where he is, his friendship with Roger will not be affected.”

Indeed, Roger was very happy that Andre Patterson could come to the scene. He was in a relaxed mood and joked with his old friend: “I’m curious, have they given you a team of maids like they did with Dom back then? If so, I’ll go next season too.”

Patterson shook his head helplessly: “Come on, I’m not a superstar.”

“Don’t say that Andre, you are one of the few players who can suppress me for several years.”

The Knicks players came out to warm up, and Roger’s attention was also attracted by them.

He patted Patterson on the shoulder: “Sorry man, I’m going to entertain other friends first, you don’t mind?”

Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming and Wade stood in front of Roger again, the third time in five years.

They had lost twice before, but this time, in just the first quarter, he was about to start a legendary career.

After the first quarter of Game 1 of the Finals, the fans in the Oracle Arena were as surprised as if they had seen the video of Hillary Clinton’s letter scandal on the big screen.

35 to 15, the New York Knicks led the Warriors by 20 points in the first quarter.

这打平了NBA总决赛历史上第一节最大分差记录——上一次是1970年总决赛G6，洛杉矶湖人首节36比16领先纽约尼克斯20分。

38 years later, it was the New York Knicks’ turn to lead their opponents by 20 points in the first quarter.

The Golden State Warriors were almost destroyed by the Knicks in the first quarter. Facts have proved that the Knicks’ acquisition of Rashard Lewis last summer and Kirk Hinrich before the trade deadline this year were both very successful.

Because in the first quarter today, Mike D’Antoni’s Knicks completely got rid of the hat that they were lagging behind in their play.

In the first quarter, Wade, Hinrich, Lewis and Yao Ming all made shots from beyond the three-point line.

When Yao Ming made consecutive hits to pull Stoudemire out of the restricted area, Dwyane Wade got the opportunity to cut into the basket, which made the firepower of the New York Knicks simply unstoppable.

In addition to offense, the Knicks also play defense to the extreme.

The current Knicks lineup allows Knicks defensive coach Tom Thibodeau to replicate the Knicks’ iron-blooded defense in the 90s – excessive double-teaming, desperate pressure, and rotation to fill in positions.

This strategy is a strategy that does not treat players as human beings. The Knicks used this strategy because the team was coached by Pat Riley, who never treated players as human beings.

And Tom Thibodeau has undoubtedly surpassed the Heat godfather in terms of “not treating players as human beings.”

Not only does he fuck his players hard in practice, he also likes to fuck his players hard in games.

He doesn’t allow anyone to relax on any defensive possession.

Tired? You can still breathe.

Now, with the addition of Kirk Hinrich, the Knicks have an excellent defender at the No. 1 position to pressure Roger.

Once he gets a hold of Roger, Wade or the tall and long-armed Lewis will quickly double-team and force Roger to pass the ball.

Roger passed the ball a lot in the first quarter, but the Knicks’ quick rotation blocked almost all the loopholes.

So the Knicks played a nearly perfect first quarter.

Jeff Van Gundy applauded Tom Thibodeau: “Tom has developed a perfect defense. Let me tell you something you may not believe. I hired Tom because I was attracted by his innovative offensive combination. I’m not kidding. I originally wanted him to be my offensive coach.” Mike Breen praised Mike D’Antoni’s offense: “Letting a tall center like Yao Ming develop three-pointers is the greatest tactical revolution in the 21st century.”

For Warriors fans, ESPN commentary is boring because they are only concerned about one thing now – can the Golden State Warriors catch up again?

In the stands, Bill Simmons was very uncomfortable: “Damn it, no! Don’t ruin Roger’s perfect season!”

In his opinion, if Roger lost in the playoffs, even just one game, Roger’s perfection would no longer exist.

That would be as frustrating as a perfect TV show ending badly.

Next to Bill Simmons, Andre Patterson just shrugged in relief: “It’s only the first quarter, man.”

“But I’m not sure Eric can find a way to turn it around. New York’s defense is impeccable right now.”

“Sometimes, chasing points requires more courage. Hey, have I ever told you when Roger and I became friends? I remember I told him a sentence: Stifling opponents, the survival of the fittest, and life and death are the essence of basketball.”

“After this sentence, you two have become friends? Oh, so you are half a mentor to Roger?”

“No, I just relied on my influence at Brock High School to talk big. Who can’t say nice things? To be honest, when we played against Oak Hill High School, the best high school in the United States for the first time, I was scared and at a loss. I had the same strange disease as LBJ. I didn’t have the courage to face those top high school students in the United States.

Then Roger yelled at me: Either you fight with me, or you get fucked like a coward and get ridden to death by someone else!

Look, this is how he, who was as thin as a bamboo pole, reacted to the top high school in the United States. He was not afraid of anyone. That’s when I began to admire him and became his friend. So what’s the big deal about falling behind by 20 points? Roger will have the courage to overcome the difficulties. Courage is the foundation of greatness. “

Roger was indeed not scared by the situation of being 20 points behind at the start. He thought the Knicks could not maintain their good touch.

Tom Thibodeau is a death-fuck maniac, and Mike D’Antoni is a short rotation enthusiast.

They were worse than the blacks who tortured the white actresses in the San Fernando Valley.

Therefore, the Knicks are prone to collapse in the third quarter due to physical problems, which is a problem they have always had.

Therefore, Roger believes that the Warriors’ reversal tonight does not need thunder and earthquake. He told everyone: “We just need to do all the basics well, control the rebounds, defend actively, shoot open shots, stay patient, and most importantly – don’t be afraid. As long as we do these, we can walk out of here with a smile.”

At the beginning of the second quarter, with Kirk Hinrich’s three-pointer, the Knicks widened the gap to 23 points.

New York fans are cheering, they are about to break the Warriors’ unbeaten streak and they are about to become the only team this season that has not lost a game in the playoffs.

But this three-pointer did not dampen the enthusiasm of the Warriors. Brandon Roy controlled the ball and passed it to Roger after being double-teamed. Facing the aggressive Kirk Hinrich, Roger did not pass the ball again, but shot directly without hesitation.

Sometimes, you can’t wait for the safest opportunity to appear before taking a shot. Especially when facing a team like the New York Knicks, there is no such thing as the safest opportunity.

Kirk Hinrich rushed too hard and couldn’t stop, and his body hit Roger. Roger kept his shooting posture and shot the ball before falling.

He fell to the ground and the whistle blew.

Roger’s brave shot earned him the chance to score four points!
Kirk Hinrich complained loudly to the referee: “I touched him after he shot!”

But it was of no avail. Roger stood on the free throw line, took a deep breath, and made the free throw steadily.

With 4 points, the Warriors narrowed the gap to 19 points.

After scoring the goal, Roger did not celebrate, but just clapped his hands vigorously: “Do a good job of the basics, do a good job of the basics!”

In this round, the entire Knicks team was under close pressure. Yao Ming pulled out to the three-point line, and Wade saw this situation and shook off Roger, cutting in like lightning, trying to attack the basket.

After Wade received the ball, he saw Roger behind him, so he faked a shot but did not shoot.

As the leading party, Dwyane Wade would rather wait for the safest opportunity to appear before taking a shot.

But in this round, the Warriors’ defense was very active and they did not relax even though they were trailing by a large margin.

Finally, the Knicks’ ball swung around and Rashard Lewis made a strong shot.

The basketball bounced out of the basket, and Stoudemire actively positioned himself against Yao Ming, giving the chance to grab the rebound to Stephen Jackson.

After protecting the backboard, Roger, who got the ball, pressed down with both hands, signaling everyone not to panic.

Then, facing the fierce pressure from Wade and Hinrich, Roger calmly fed the ball to Amar’e Stoudemire who was out to the mid-range. The latter easily made a mid-range shot and the score difference was 17 points.

Under Roger’s rhythm control, the Warriors played some basic tactics leisurely.

He did not panic because of falling behind. His courage allowed his brain to think calmly.

Of course, it wasn’t that easy. When the Warriors narrowed the gap to 13 points, the Knicks pulled away again and led by 19 points.

Such a blow is enough to make a coward despair, but a brave person will choose to insist on doing the right thing.

Roger yelled to motivate his teammates, he passed the ball calmly, and he didn’t wait for the perfect opportunity to shoot because he knew he had to step up.

The Warriors have always played in the most basic way, and Roger has also played in the bravest way.

By the fourth quarter, the Knicks’ physical fitness began to deteriorate.

Their three-point shooting percentage plummeted and their defensive pressure began to decline.

Tom Thibodeau kept yelling on the sidelines: “Go, go faster, go harder!”

But the man shouting these words doesn’t seem to have any motivating effect.

And, the Knicks are plagued by a “winner’s mentality.”

They always over-pass the ball, trying to find the safest opportunity to firmly grasp the leading advantage. However, doing so will make them hesitant to shoot and make them make frequent mistakes.

In the seventh minute of the fourth quarter, when Kirk Hinrich attacked with the ball, the Knicks’ lead was only 2 points.

Oracle Arena is back to its old self, and Mike Breen has stopped praising the Knicks players.

In this round, Kevin Garnett and Stephen Jackson collided shoulder to shoulder and forcefully entered the restricted area. However, Amar’e Stoudemire had already returned to the basket to make up for the loss. Since Yao Ming had missed two shots from beyond the three-point line in the past, Stoudemire no longer cared much about the Eastern God Tower outside the three-point line.

KG did not force his way to the basket with four raised arms, but threw the ball to Yao Ming who had the best chance.

But the safest chance was no longer safe. Yao Ming, whose physical strength was almost running out, jumped out to shoot, but the basketball just hit the front of the basket.

“boom!”

Amar’e Stoudemire and Stephen Jackson tried hard to get into position, and Roger took advantage of the situation to get the rebound and then quickly counterattacked.

He pushed Kirk Hinrich aside and quickly crossed half court. Rashard Lewis and Wade were defending in front of Roger, but neither of them dared to foul, so Roger easily passed between them.

But just as he passed the ball, Kevin Garnett came up to defend. Roger didn’t even think about it and just jumped up and shot.

He doesn’t think too much, he doesn’t get stage fright, he just always chases victory and runs on this road until he dies.

Everyone’s eyes were on the basketball, and Roger, who had landed, had already clasped his arms across his chest.

The basketball went in and the whole stadium was shocked.

With five minutes left in the game, the Golden State Warriors finally evened the score difference!
The Warriors did not rely on any substitutions or surprise moves to win; they simply refused to give in, fought to the end, and bravely faced the gap under the leadership of a brave leader.

This was fatal for the Knicks. They were leading by 23 points at most and then got tied. This would be unacceptable for any player.

The Warriors’ morale was boosted. This was almost the biggest setback they had ever encountered in the playoffs, and now they have completely resolved even this setback.

In the last five minutes, the New York Knicks were no longer able to establish an advantage, and the Warriors won the game 106-101 at home, completing the biggest reversal in the history of the Finals!

1-0, the Golden State Warriors still maintain their undefeated record.

At the end of the game, Roger waved his fist vigorously, and Bill Simmons in the stands wrote two sentences on his mobile phone: “Courage is the foundation of achieving greatness” and “Run until death on the road to victory.”

At this point, his six tenets had been established.

Roger’s autobiography can be put into the finishing touches.

And Roger’s perfect season is about to come to an end.

(End of this chapter)