698: 241: Not the ending they wanted (thanks to the landlord for the big shot’s 5000 reward, kneeling in gratitude!)_5 698: 241: Not the ending they wanted (thanks to the landlord for the big shot’s 5000 reward, kneeling in gratitude!)_5 “You may think I’m just spouting nonsense, but these are my heartfelt words.”
Roger was stunned for a few seconds, possibly reflecting, then patted Pippen on the shoulder and walked out.
—————–
Paul Pierce was sitting on the team bus, wearing headphones, waiting for the others to board.
He was in a bad mood today because he was outplayed by Vince Carter.
He just wanted to directly compete against Vince Carter, what was wrong with that?
Roger could compete against anyone he wished at any ti.
Roger had the freedom to take shots whenever he faced Iverson.
He could go against whoever he wanted to defeat, that was all he was asking for.
Pierce obviously knew this was Roger’s team; he didn’t want to be the team leader, but he hoped to have the rights he deserved.
At that mont, the bus lights turned on, indicating soone was about to board.
Pierce looked up and saw that the only person boarding was Roger.
Pierce didn’t dare to face Roger, since defying him was not his intention.
All that stuff in the dia was crap, he had no complaints about being Roger’s right-hand man.
He isn’t ungrateful; he rembered the monts Roger had his back, and who was the first to reach his hospital room when his life hung by a thread.
He acknowledged Roger as his big brother, which made it even harder for him to face Roger.
Roger sat down next to Pierce without saying a word.
Pierce gathered his courage and finally spoke, “Sorry, today I…”
“Maybe you should have competed against Vince Carter,” Roger interrupted before Pierce could continue.
“What?”
“Maybe you should have competed against Vince Carter.
I can understand that feeling, just like how I did everything in my power to perform better than Penny who was ranked higher than .
In the future, if you encounter similar matchups, you can go for it.
But you better, better not let personal reasons undermine the ga again, and don’t make demands on at critical monts.
When it’s crucial, I will naturally pass the ball to you.
Also, if you really end up competing against guys like Vince Carter or Antawn Jamison, you better win.
Otherwise, you can just fuck off to the corner and watch perform!
That’s it, I’m fine now.”
Pierce was stunned; he thought he would be scolded severely, possibly even causing a rift in their relationship.
Frankly, this was the second ti Roger had been tolerant towards him.
The first ti was last year in the Eastern Conference Finals, after a series of disastrous performances, he thought Roger would slap him.
But Roger beca one of the few who supported him, becoming one of the few shelters on that uncomfortable night in Pierce’s mind.
Pierce realized he might be the luckiest among Roger’s teammates.
Indeed, being Roger’s teammate ant facing pressure.
Now, Paul Pierce understood why Steve Smith would choose to leave despite not seizing the championship.
Not everyone was cut out to be Roger’s teammate.
But was Roger really a complete tyrant?
Pierce didn’t think so.
He was like a father, a blend of strictness and kindness.
Pierce cautiously spoke, “I promise I will never yell at you in front of everyone again.
No, not even in private.”
“Honestly Paul, today I really wanted to smack you.
Rember, you now owe two slaps.
I know I’m tough on you, but that’s the fate of a professional athlete.
I’ve been to so yacht parties where there were plenty of nineteen or twenty-year-olds participating.
The host might have spent millions to enjoy all that, and the other n invited?
Believe , they’re no ordinary people.
And those girls, what do they rely on?
Just makeup and swimsuits.
On the sa boat, the sa party, that’s the difference.
You’ve played chess, right?
The king can only move one square at a ti; you’ve got to work diligently, step by step.
The queen?
Flying here today, there tomorrow.
Unfortunately, you can’t be the queen, because you don’t have a dad nad Magic Johnson.
So Paul, you have to be strict with yourself, take it step by step; that’s why I’m strict with you.”
After pondering for a while, Pierce burst into laughter: “Hey, can you take to that kind of party next ti?”
—————–
The next day, all dia went berserk.
They finally saw the scene they had long wanted.
The talented Paul Pierce and Roger vying for the last shot?
That was explosive!
Moreover, this was just before their Christmas Day ga against the Miami Heat.
Would the balance of victory be swayed?
Would the Hawks lose to the Miami Heat again because of this?
At least Sprewell thought so.
Confidently speaking at a local radio station before the Christmas Day ga, Sprewell said,
“If those years I had been in the East, the strongest team in Florida would never have been the Orlando Magic.
Look at our achievents now?
I don’t understand why fans are still questioning whether the Heat can beat the Hawks.
Let remind you, this already happened last season.
Miami Heat is the only team since 1994 that’s been able to defeat Roger in the playoffs; that’s the fact.”
“Latrell, regarding victory, I think all Miami fans have no doubts, but they are more concerned about another matter.
This offseason, your conflict with Roger, would you like to talk about it with everyone?”
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