John Cage looked at the tickets in disbelief, fully aware of how expensive they were for this ga. Even seats in the upper tiers cost several tis more than regular season prices.
He himself wouldn’t have splurged so much to watch the ga.
"What are you standing there for? You know there are people outside the Oakland Arena paying extra for tickets. If you don’t need them, I could sell them."
"Jessica..."
"Go on, John, go witness greatness, and tell your kids every detail of this glorious night."
John Cage gave his wife a big hug, then dashed out the door, flagged a taxi, and headed to the Oakland Arena.
Unexpectedly for John, the taxi driver was also wearing Roger’s number 14 jersey and imdiately recognized him: "Hey, aren’t you that ugly fat guy who got taken off TV for dancing?"
John Cage: ...
The driver seed to realize he had blurted out a harsh truth, so he quickly waved his hand: "Uh... sorry, what I ant was, your dancing was very sexy. Are you going to the ga tonight?"
"Yes!" John looked at the tickets in his hand, his entire body trembling with excitent.
"You seem pretty familiar with Roger; he even took a picture with you privately."
"Not exactly familiar, but I think he might rember ."
"If you get the chance to see him again, please tell him thank you for everything he’s done for Oakland. Tell him that even if he moves to San Francisco, we’ll steadfastly support him. And tonight, shout with all your might, cheer for Roger and the Warriors! No fare needed, buddy; just do these things! Let’s go Warriors!"
The taxi driver shouted out, as fans outside the window held up signs and sang, with Roger’s "Coronation Mont" series posters displayed on billboards around the city.
The entire city, people from all walks of life, were eagerly awaiting that impending mont.
This was the celebration of the 29-year wait for the Oaklanders!
After getting out of the taxi, he found the plaza outside the arena already packed with people.
John Cage quickly joined the line of people queuing up for ticket checks, walking into the soon-to-be-fulfilled final mission of the Oakland Arena along with countless Warriors fans.
anwhile, those with VIP tickets had already entered through the VIP entrance.
Tom Brady was among them.
He wasn’t just entering; he was allowed into the players’ tunnel.
Inside the players’ tunnel, he saw Roger coming out of the locker room specifically to et him.
Just as Roger had seen Brady before the Super Bowl four months ago.
Tom smiled and opened his arms for a hug with Roger, then patted Roger’s back hard a few tis, almost knocking the wind out of him: "Damn Roger, you bastard! I asked you to get Adriana Lima’s phone number for , and you end up inviting her to your house! You’ve got so nerve!"
"I swear, she said she wanted to see my cat do a backflip."
"Bullshit! There’s no such thing as a cat doing a backflip! You think I’d believe that?"
"I also think it’s bullshit, and I don’t even own a cat! But she insisted on coming, you know, it’s wrong to go against a woman’s will, so what else could I do? I could only choose to respect won."
After joking, Tom Brady grabbed Roger by the shoulders, his expression turning serious: "Roger, it’s ti. Climb back to the top and reclaim what’s yours!"
"I already told you, Tom, I’d co back with you. I’ve got enough FMVP trophies in my cabinet; I wouldn’t mind trading for a Super Bowl MVP to add to my collection. Get that trophy ready, because tonight I can give it to you!"
With that, Roger headed back to the locker room.
Inside the locker room awaited a group of teammates with eager eyes.
For Roger, tonight was about returning to the top.
But for most of the Warriors players, they had never seen the view from the top, making them even more excited.
Allan Houston was brought in as a beacon of hope for the city, yet ended up experiencing the team’s lowest points. Over the years, Allan Houston had always felt he let Oakland’s fans down. And now, he finally had the chance to fulfill the expectations fans and the team originally had for him.
Dikembe Mutombo journeyed through multiple teams for the championship ring, once opposing Roger in the ’90s with the Jazz, then being defeated by Roger in Philadelphia in the early 2000s. But tonight, the strongest man would finally not stand against him, and Mount Mutombo was about to rise to an insurmountable height.
Marcus Camby sacrificed everything in New York and got nothing in return, but in Oakland, the ultimate reward was right before his eyes, within reach.
Amar’e Stoudemire knew that if not for asking Roger for an autograph, and Roger’s encouraging words during his toughest tis, he wouldn’t be here now, standing on the finals stage. He wouldn’t let that number 14 down; to ascend to the top with him was Amar’e Stoudemire’s ultimate dream.
Tayshaun Prince vowed never to be seen as "Serena’s rumored boyfriend" again.
Every Warriors player carried their own beliefs, which ultimately converged into their strength.
Everyone awaited their leader to take them to see the most beautiful view. Roger waved his hand: "Let’s go, guys, we’ve waited long enough!"
As they went onto the court, the Pistons players had already started warming up.
For them, this was truly a do-or-die battle.
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