Chapter 458 Chapter 457: Courage, the foundation for greatness (please vote for me!)
James probably had the most tragic ending among all the players who were enemies of Roger.
After this round of the series, LBJ's failure was irreversible, and there was a break between him and Roger.
It turned out that he was even more than one level behind Roger.
Unless he creates a Dirk Nowitzki-style championship, everything will be sealed for him.
And Roger knew that it 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.
The Super Lakers, just as Roger expected, became expensive, gorgeous, but fleeting and beautiful fireworks, completely becoming his own foil.
In this regard, LBJ did not disappoint Roger.
Because without him, this fireworks show would not be so brilliant.
After defeating the Lakers, the concept of a "perfect season" was proposed by Bill Simmons.
He believes that Roger is playing the most perfect season in NBA history.
"From a record-setting 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 go down in basketball history. The greatest work, the most perfect season. Now, Roger is only one step away from being perfect. We all know that no one in this world can make things perfect, but what if it is God? br>
On the night Bill Simmons published his article, the New York Knicks defeated the Magic in the away game, sweeping the championship 4-0 with a total score of 4-0.
At this point, the Knicks' record in the playoffs is also 12 wins and 0 losses, and they are invincible.
After the victory, Kevin Garnett talked about the upcoming ultimate challenge.
"Oh, I have never liked Roger as an opponent. It is too difficult to beat him. But you know, if I can take the championship from such an opponent, it will be an honor and even my career." The greatest honor of my career.”
Kevin Garnett expressed respect for Roger, but also longing.
He regards defeating Roger as the greatest honor of his career, so he will definitely 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 deserters like LeBron James.
Even Kirk Hinrich, a new addition in the middle of the season, has fit perfectly into the Knicks' tough team culture.
Absolutely none of them will back down, absolutely none of them will surrender.
They will fight with the warriors to the last second and shed their last drop of sweat.
Moreover, the Knicks definitely want to win more than the Warriors.
After all, they have never tasted victory.
Men are always full of curiosity and enthusiasm when it comes to 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: "Prediction, 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 have too much of that stuff, and he will never get tired of the game. I don't think the Knicks or KG are there. What advantages can there be in the desire to win? ”
"When did you realize that Roger was never satisfied with winning?"
"When? God, ever since he told me that crazy thing."
"What words?"
"He once told me that as professional players, we can only run to death 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's your prediction?"
"4-0, Roger always does what he says."
"Very good, we'll see."
At the end of the interview, Bill Simmons believed that Roger's autobiography was nearly completed.
He interviewed everyone who had anything to do with Roger, and he had collected enough material.
He believed that he had the ability to describe Roger's entire career in words.
Now, he was just one person away from completing his interview.
He would go to the Oracle Arena game tomorrow to meet that person and chat after the game.
Everything about Roger, Bill Simmons also wants to know how this legendary story began.
On June 5th, Oracle Arena, G1 of the 2008 NBA Finals is about to begin.
After Roger entered the venue, he hugged a strong black man tightly and chatted happily.
Many fans no longer remember who the black man is, but Mike Breen, who commented on the game, reminded everyone: "Andre Patterson has disappeared from the American basketball world for a while. After winning the championship with Roger in Atlanta, , he started playing in European basketball in 2005 and now plays for the Greek Egaleo Basketball Club. But I think that no matter where he is, the friendship between him and Roger will not be affected.”
Indeed, Roger was very happy that Andre Patterson could come to the scene. He joked with his old friend in a relaxed mood: "I'm curious, have they given you a maid like they did to Dom back then?" Team? If so, I will go there next season.”
Patterson shook his head helplessly: "Come on, I'm not a superstar."
"Don't say that about 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 drawn to them.
He patted Patterson on the shoulder: "Sorry, buddy, I'm going to entertain other friends first. You don't mind, right?"
Kevin Garnett, Yao Ming and Wade stood in front of Roger again, for the third time in five years.
They lost twice before, but this time, in just the first quarter, he was about to kick off the myth.
After the first quarter of G1 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.
This tied the record for the largest first quarter point difference in the history of the NBA Finals - the last time was G6 of the 1970 Finals, when the Los Angeles Lakers led the New York Knicks by 20 points 36-16 in the first quarter.
38 years later, the New York Knicks led 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' introduction of Rashard Lewis last summer and Kirk Hinrich before the trade deadline this year were very successful.
Because in the first quarter today, Mike D'Antoni's Knicks completely lost their hat of lagging behind in play.
In the first quarter of the game, Wade, Hinrich, Lewis and Yao Ming all made frequent shots from beyond the three-point line.
When Yao Ming made consecutive hits and pulled Stoudemire out of the penalty area, Dwyane Wade got the opportunity to cut and attack the frame, which made the New York Knicks' firepower 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 iron-blooded defense of the Knicks in the 1990s - 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 back then 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".
He not only fucks players in training, but also likes to fuck players in games at the same time.
He doesn't allow anyone to relax on any defensive possession.
exhausted? Can't I still breathe?
Now, with the addition of Kirk Hinrich, the Knicks have an excellent defender at the first position who can press Roger.
Once he bites Roger, Wade or Lewis, who is tall and long-armed, will quickly attack and force Roger to hit the ball.
Roger passed a lot of balls in the first quarter, but the Knicks' quick rotation blocked almost all the holes.
As a result, the Knicks played an almost perfect first quarter.
Jeff Van Gundy applauded Tom Thibodeau: "Tom has developed a perfect defense. Let me tell you something that you may not believe. I hired Tom because I was attracted by his innovative offensive combination. I'm not kidding. I originally hired Tom. I want him to be my offensive coach." Mike Breen praised Mike D'Antoni's offense: "Letting a tall center like Yao develop three-pointers is the greatest tactical revolution in the 21st century."
For Warriors fans, ESPN commentary is boring, because they only care about one thing now-can the Golden State Warriors get back?
In the stands, Bill Simmons was very uncomfortable: "Damn, no! Don't ruin Roger's perfect season!"
In his opinion, if Roger loses in the playoffs, even just one game, Roger's perfection will cease to exist.
That would be as uncomfortable as a perfectly good TV series ending badly.
Next to Bill Simmons, Andre Patterson just shrugged relaxedly: "It's only the first quarter, man."
"But I'm not sure Eric can find a way to reverse it. The New Yorkers' defense is currently impeccable."
"Sometimes, chasing points requires more courage. Hey, did I tell you when Roger and I became friends? I remember I said something to him: Kill the opponent, the weak and the strong, and life and death are the best. The essence of basketball.”
"After these words, you turned enemies into friends? Oh, so you are still half of Roger's life mentor?"
"No, I was just using my words to influence the situation at Brock High School. Who doesn't say nice things? To tell you the truth, the first time we played against Oak Hill High School, the No. 1 team in the country, I was shocked. I was at a loss, suffering from some kind of strange disease like LBJ, and I didn't have the courage to face the top high school students in the United States
Then, Roger yelled at me: You either fight with me or you act like a coward and get fucked to death by someone else!
Check out the 16-9 book bar and see the correct version!
Look, this was how he, who was as skinny as a bamboo pole, reacted to the No. 1 high school in the United States. He was not afraid of anyone, and that’s when I started to admire him and became friends with him. So being 20 points behind is nothing? Roger will have the courage to get through this. Courage is the foundation of greatness. ”
Roger was indeed not frightened by the situation of being 20 points behind at the beginning. He believed that the Knicks' touch could not be maintained.
Tom Thibodeau is a fanatic, and Mike D'Antoni is a short-rotation enthusiast.
They were more brutal than the black men who tortured white actresses in the San Fernando Valley.
Therefore, the Knicks are prone to collapse in the third quarter due to physical problems. This is a problem they have always had.
Therefore, Roger believes that the Warriors' reversal tonight does not require thunder. He told everyone: "We just need to do the basics, control rebounds, defend actively, hit open shots, remain patient, and the most important thing ——Don’t be afraid. As long as we do this, we can walk out of here with a smile.”
At the beginning of the second quarter, with Kirk Hinrich hitting a three-pointer, the Knicks widened the point difference to 23 points.
New York fans are cheering, they are about to break the Warriors' undefeated streak, and they are about to become the only team this season that has not lost in the playoffs.
But this three-pointer did not extinguish the Warriors' enthusiasm. Brandon Roy controlled the ball and gave the ball to Roger after being flanked. Facing the menacing Kirk Hinrich, Roger did not move the ball, but took action without hesitation.
Sometimes, you can't wait until the safest opportunity presents itself. What's more, facing a team like the New York Knicks, there is no so-called "safest chance" at all.
Kirk Hinrich rushed too hard, unable to stop the car, and hit Roger with his body. Roger maintained his shooting stance and released the ball before falling.
Down, the whistle blows.
Roger's brave shot earned him the chance to hit four points!
Kirk Hinrich complained loudly to the referee: "I didn't touch him until after he took the shot!"
But it didn't help. Roger stood on the free throw line, took a deep breath, and made the free throw steadily.
With 4 points in hand, the Warriors narrowed the point difference to 19 points.
After scoring the goal, Roger did not celebrate, but just clapped his hands vigorously: "Do the basics well, do the basics well!"
In this round, the entire Knicks team encountered personal pressure. Yao Ming pulled outside the three-point line. Seeing this, Wade shook off Roger and cut in like lightning, trying to attack the frame.
After Wade received the ball, he saw Roger covering him behind him, so he feinted a shot but did not take it.
As the leading side, Dwyane Wade would rather wait for the safest opportunity to appear before taking action.
But in this round, the Warriors' defense was very active and they did not relax because of the big score deficit.
In the end, the Knicks' ball turned around and Rashard Lewis made a strong shot.
The basketball came out of the basket. Stoudemire actively blocked the ball and fought against Yao Ming, giving the opportunity to grab the rebound to Stephen Jackson.
After protecting the backboard, Roger, who got the ball, pressed his hands down to signal everyone not to panic.
Immediately afterwards, Roger faced the fierce pressure and attack from Wade and Hinrich, and calmly fed the ball to Amare Stoudemire who came out to the mid-range. The latter easily hit the mid-range shot. , the score difference is 17 points.
Under Roger's rhythm control, the Warriors calmly played some basic tactics.
He did not panic because he was lagging behind. His courage allowed his brain to think calmly.
Of course, it's not that easy. When the Warriors chased the point difference to only 13 points, the score was once again opened up by the Knicks, and the lead was once again 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 take action because he knew he had to step up.
The Warriors have always played in the most basic way, and Roger is also playing in the most courageous way.
By the fourth quarter, the Knicks' physical fitness really began to have problems.
Their three-point shooting percentage plummeted, and their defensive pressure began to decline.
Tom Thibodeau kept yelling on the sidelines: "Be reckless, be faster, be tougher!"
But men shouting these words seems to have little motivating effect.
Moreover, the Knicks are plagued by a "winner's mentality."
They always pass the ball too much, looking for the safest opportunity to seize the lead. But doing so will make them hesitant to take action and 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 has regained its former vitality, and Mike Breen has stopped praising Knicks players.
In this round, Kevin Garnett and Stephen Jackson collided shoulder to shoulder and entered the penalty area forcefully. But Amar'e Stoudemire has already defended and returned to the basket. Since Yao Ming failed to hit the ball in his past two attempts from beyond the three-point line, Stoudemire no longer cares about the Oriental Tower beyond the three-point line.
Instead of forcing an attack against the four raised arms, KG threw the ball to Yao Ming, who had the best chance.
But the safest opportunity was no longer safe. Yao Ming, whose physical fitness was about to bottom out, took a shot, but the basketball only hit the front of the basket.
"Bang!"
Amar'e Stoudemire and Stephen Jackson worked hard to get in position, but Roger took advantage of it and got the rebound, and then quickly counterattacked.
He pushed past Kirk Hinrich and quickly pushed past half court. Rashard Lewis and Wade were guarding in front of Roger, but neither of them dared to foul, so Roger easily passed between them.
But as soon as the pass was passed, Kevin Garnett stepped up to defend. Without thinking, Roger jumped up and shot.
He won't think so much, he won't have stage fright, he will always chase victory and run until death on this road.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on the basketball, and Roger, who had landed, had already crossed his arms over his chest in advance.
The basketball hit and the whole place was shocked.
Five minutes before the end of the game, the Golden State Warriors finally evened the score difference!
The Warriors did not rely on any substitutions or strange moves to win. They just refused to give in, stayed with them to the end, and bravely faced the gap under the leadership of brave leaders.
This was fatal for the Knicks. They led by 23 points at most and were tied, which would be unacceptable for any player.
The Warriors' morale was greatly boosted. This was almost the biggest setback they had ever encountered in the playoffs, and now even this setback has been completely resolved by them.
In the last five minutes, the New York Knicks could no longer build an advantage. The Warriors won the game 106-101 at home, completing the largest reversal in the history of the Finals!
1-0, the Golden State Warriors still remain undefeated.
At the end of the game, Roger waved his fist vigorously, while Bill Simmons in the stands wrote the two sentences "Courage, the foundation of greatness" and "Run to death on the road to victory" on his mobile phone.
At this point, his six articles of faith have been established.
Roger's autobiography could be put to the finishing touches.
And Roger's perfect season is about to come to an end.
(End of chapter)