Chapter 1216: Chapter 385: Don’t Let Anger Become a Cursed Mark
"You’ve won so many years, and yet you still don’t know how to comfort people?" Sweet Melon shook his head.
Roger truly didn’t know how to comfort Anthony, because he never knew what it felt like to lose in the first round.
At this moment, Roger suddenly remembered something and pressed Sweet Melon’s shoulder: "The most important thing for a person is to learn to be content. Yes, Dwyane went to the second round in his rookie year, and Darko even reached the finals with his team, and they’ll definitely go further this year. But you shouldn’t feel down because of that; don’t forget, there are also people who haven’t made the playoffs for two years in a row."
Thank the great LeBron!
If it weren’t for him, Roger wouldn’t know how to comfort Sweet Melon.
Even though the Nets didn’t form a trident this season, because the Magic had both T-Mac and Howard, they still secured the eighth spot in the East.
This means that among the most hyped young players of the Class of ’03, only the Chosen One hasn’t played in the playoffs yet.
Honestly, Roger didn’t understand why Anthony and Wade, who continuously made the playoffs, were far less famous than the playoff rookie LeBron on the original timeline.
It can only be said that Nike on the original timeline was indeed very adept at promotion.
Michael Jordan contributed an indelible force; his Bobcats won against the Cavaliers once in the last five games of the season, which was considered the biggest stumbling block to the Cavaliers ultimately falling outside the playoff door.
Nike was unhappy with Michael Jordan’s actions, but they couldn’t do anything about it and had to pay him a large sum every year.
This scene could have been foreseen. On the day of Roger’s statue unveiling, Jordan said to Roger: "It’s difficult to come up with a lineup that can win the championship, but it’s not that hard to create a lineup that can just take him down."
He simply did what he said.
So it’s not that Michael Jordan is weak; whenever his opponent wasn’t Roger, he suddenly appeared strong.
Hearing Roger say this, Carmelo Anthony raised his head again: "I feel a lot better, Roger."
"Bastard!" Roger muttered to himself.
Are you so happy to see others not make the playoffs?
The Warriors’ first-round match ended smoothly, and the next day, the Dallas Mavericks also effortlessly swept the Kings, who didn’t have Webber, with a total score of 4-0.
As expected, Vince Carter and Roger faced each other in the second-round match.
At the post-game press conference, reporters were extremely active; this might have been the most lively press conference for the Mavericks this season.
Because the upcoming matchup would be a battle for attention.
Whether it’s Shaq and Roger, or Carter and Roger, there’s no end to the topics for hype.
When Shaq attended the press conference, he was holding a crown.
The reporters were excited: "Shaq, have you grabbed Roger’s crown in advance?"
"Roger? No, I’m just saying that the Sacramento Kings don’t deserve a crown."
This answer disappointed the reporters. Did Shaq do all this just to mock the Sacramento Kings?
"Once again meeting Roger in the playoffs, do you have any special feelings?"
"Nothing special, just another round. Of course, I hope to win."
The reporters were disappointed again; Shaq didn’t say something like "I’m going to rip Roger’s head off and feed it to that pig Kobe."
What’s wrong with the big guy?
When did he become so civil?
Shaq didn’t notice the atmosphere becoming strange until the reporters asked Vince Carter: "Roger once claimed you couldn’t get past the second round, how will you fight back in the game?"
"That egomaniac will pay for underestimating us, we will play our best game, we are ready."
At that moment, Shaq realized what was wrong.
The reporters wanted to find some sparks from him, but he didn’t satisfy those reporters.
Shaq didn’t do it on purpose; his answers were completely his inner truth. It’s just, he seemed subconsciously unable to spit out harsh words.
After all, you can’t curse someone you don’t dislike that much.
The press conference ended, and Vince Carter asked Shaq a question in the locker room: "Shaq, what’s going on with you?"
"Huh? What did I do wrong?"
"Where’s your anger? Where’s your attitude? You acted as if you were very afraid of the upcoming game."
"Bullshit, where did you see that I’m scared?"
"You usually aren’t this mild when facing Roger. I can’t feel your passion. I don’t know if it’s right, but when I play with anger, I feel stronger."
Carter has indeed been playing with anger this season; the first time he returned to the Raptors’ home court after being traded to the Mavericks, he had a look on his face as if he wanted to wipe out everyone’s family there and scored 39 points.
In games against Roger, he seemed possessed by Iverson, showing off on the offensive end.
Now, Carter is still filled with anger.
He wants to personally step over the head of the one who said he couldn’t get past the second round!
Shaq was taken aback for a moment; he found that he indeed seemed different from before.
He should be angry; his fallout with Roger was the most famous basketball soap opera of the 90s, none other. Year after year, he lost to Roger after transferring to the Lakers; Roger is the one responsible for the decline in his career achievements.
But starting this season, Shaq found his anger gradually subsiding.
He still wanted to beat Roger, but didn’t hate him as much; he even praised Roger at a press conference after the opening game loss to him.
After a long pause, Shaq smiled and replied: "You know Vince, it’s already been 8 years since Roger and I parted ways back in 1997."
Eight years, time can dilute everything, it really can.
Now looking back, Shaq finds Roger doesn’t seem like such a bastard, especially compared to that pig Kobe.
Carter shook his head: "It’s not a matter of time; we must defeat that bastard."
After saying this, Vince Carter, still full of fire, walked out of the locker room. Shaq could feel that anger, similar to his own in recent years.
But can such anger really play a significant role in "defeating Roger," or will it just become his own curse?
Shaq didn’t know if Carter would become cursed or break free from fate.
Shaquille O’Neal stood up, glanced at his locker. There was always a Christmas card stored inside, sent by Roger this Christmas—the first time since their parting.
Just a simple "Merry Christmas," maybe not even penned by Roger, but indeed sent by him.
This was Roger’s slight response to Shaq’s friendliness expressed at the press conference.
Shaq closed the locker door, took out his phone, and sent a text to Carter.
"Of course we want to win, but don’t let anger become your curse. It will just trap you, doubling your pain."
Vince Carter didn’t reply, even by the start of the Western Conference semifinals Game 1, he hadn’t replied or brought up the message with Shaq.
Before the game started, Carter walked over to Roger with a serious face: "I’m happy to personally step over the second round from your head."
Roger glanced at Shaq, then stared at Carter.
From this moment, the King’s prey seemed to have shifted.
"Don’t get happy too soon, Vince; didn’t Shaq tell you not to jump to conclusions before playing me?"
"Damn!" Shaq shook his head.
The curse had already begun to envelop Carter.