742: 254: The Hawks have a better duo (Soliciting monthly tickets!) 742: 254: The Hawks have a better duo (Soliciting monthly tickets!) At last, the long-awaited finals were staged as scheduled after a two-year delay.
Ever since the sumr of 1997 when Roger and Shaq parted ways, fans all over the world had been waiting for their encounter in the finals.
“Since you guys made such a fuss, why not have a real fight and see who needs to shut up?”
But in 1998, when Roger awaited at the pinnacle, Shaq stood everyone up in a very humiliating way.
After leaving Roger, he was actually swept 4-0 by the Utah Jazz.
In 1999, Roger didn’t make it to the finals.
But neither did Shaq, who even faced another sweep.
After leaving Roger, being swept two years in a row in the playoffs seriously worsened Shaq’s reputation.
However, all of this could be overturned in this year’s finals!
If O’Neal could defeat Roger in the finals and get his fourth ring, then no one could say that he was no match for Roger.
Not just that, but he could also make Roger’s 72 wins and MVP lose their value.
O’Neal was brimming with confidence because the Lakers were getting better and better in the playoffs.
In the first round, they were almost upset by King.
But in the second round, they swept the Timberwolves in a gentlemanly fashion.
In the third round, they didn’t even pretend to be gentlemanly and swept the Jazz.
This Lakers team was growing bigger, stronger, and tougher as they delved deeper into the playoffs!
All told, the Lakers’ record for the first three rounds was 11-3.
Is that very different from the Hawks?
Not really.
Upon arriving in Atlanta, O’Neal was imdiately greeted by a throng of dia interviews.
The hype for this year’s finals was several tis higher than last year’s.
Last year’s finals, between the Spurs and the Heat, neither were very popular teams.
Moreover, the defensive-centric style of both teams was almost a viewer’s disaster.
In fact, in the first decade of the 21st century, every ti the Spurs participated in the finals, it was a box office poison.
This year, the situation is completely different.
The Hawks and the Lakers are both teams with massive followings, the Hawks back in the finals ready to rebuild their dynasty, and the Lakers, after a decade, have returned to the finals, whetting everyone’s appetite.
Moreover, the war between Roger and Shaq is the main the of 21st-century basketball.
This year’s finals had maxed out everyone’s expectations.
That’s why as soon as the Lakers players arrived in Atlanta, they were already surrounded by reporters.
All dia didn’t want to miss out on the heat of the finals.
O’Neal savored this star-studded feeling; he enjoyed the bustle and the big stage.
He greeted every reporter, causing a stir again and again.
“Shaq, two years later, you and Roger are both on the stage of the finals again, how are you feeling right now?”
“Aweso!
I finally have a chance to prove that the jerk isn’t so legendary!
Hey, if I were Ben Wallace, I would pretend to have a groin strain and rest at ho rather than humiliate myself!”
“But they’ve had an 11-0 playoff record, do you still think Roger isn’t legendary?”
“I’m not going to say sothing stupid like their 11-0 record is nothing, it’s definitely impressive, but it’s overhyped.
I know the way Reebok does things, they always like to embellish.
The fact is, we have only lost three inconsequential gas more than the Hawks.
Their 11-0 is not leagues ahead of us.
It’s an outstanding record, but not that amazing.
But coming out of Reebok’s promotion, the Hawks might as well compete for the most dominant team in North Arican sports history, ridiculous!”
O’Neal was full of talk, while Kobe was much quieter.
“Winning and taking the championship ho, that’s what I want to do.
I’m not interested in anything else.”
“What do you think of the Sports Illustrated cover?
They seem to imply that you would kneel before Roger.”
“That will never beco a reality, we will win, no matter the cost.”
At that mont, O’Neal walked up and put his arm around Kobe’s shoulder.
After being beaten last season, the relationship between Kobe and Shaq had already grown closer.
And after Kobe overca his tendency to turn over in the last series, Shaq grew even fonder of him.
Shaq, with his arm around Kobe in front of the caras, shook his finger: “That’s right, no matter the cost!
Even if that idiot Paul Pierce deliberately farts while shooting a layup, I will block it despite the stink, fearless.
Hey, the newest strongest duo in history is right here!”
The brawl last season, the defeat this season, all these humiliations, O’Neal and Kobe rembered them.
In the first ga, they were determined to take the lead!
In fact, O’Neal had always been happy about Roger’s 11-0 playoff record.
Because that way, he could be the first person to end Roger’s streak in the playoffs!
In the regular season, Roger had beco the first player to defeat the Lakers.
Now it was ti to pay it all back!
Don’t ask why Shaq and Roger were so eager to take away each other’s first defeat, it’s sothing etched in a man’s genes.
In Ga 1 of the finals, the Hawks and Lakers played fiercely, not disappointing the fans.
This ti Shaq didn’t brag, on the opening attack, he powerfully dunked over Big Ben, and Marv Albert joked: “The Hawks can’t put AI in the paint to defend against Shaq!”
Reviews
All reviews (0)