Chapter 1212: Chapter 384: As If God Had Written the Script
The competition during the regular season had teams of varying strengths, and in certain games, the Argentinean’s performance as a starter was indeed impressive. This overall outstanding performance led Popovich to live in an illusion he had created, believing that Manu Ginobili was an excellent starter.
However, the consecutive poor performance against the Warriors proved that in high-level matchups, Manu Ginobili was not an exceptional starter.
In fact, Popovich had already discovered this issue in the original timeline during the 2005 Finals: "Manu plays too fiercely and actively, while an average player would tire after 8 to 9 minutes, his game intensity would exhaust him within 6 minutes. That’s why I considered having him play as a substitute, to completely destroy the opponent with his rhythm."
Now, Roger had let him realize his lineup shortcomings in advance. Maybe this could save Popovich in future games, but tonight, they were already powerless.
At the moment, the Argentinean, already out of stamina, struggled to contribute significantly, and Duncan found himself struggling under the combined defense of Stoudemire and Marcus Camby.
Tony Parker’s breakthrough could solve some issues, but it wasn’t enough to quench their thirst.
In contrast, Roger had been playing modestly for the first three quarters. But in the fourth quarter, when the team needed him to step up, he immediately scored 9 consecutive points to seal the game.
With 31 seconds left in the game, the Spurs were only 2 points behind, and Tim Duncan had a chance to turn things around. He received the basketball one step behind the free throw line, then forcefully pushed past Stoudemire for a high layup.
The basketball bounced on the rim three to four times, but ultimately still bounced out.
Tim Duncan missed the critical shot, Roger personally grabbed the rebound, and Ginobili immediately committed a tactical foul.
However, committing a tactical foul on Roger was akin to giving away points.
As a player whose free throw percentage remained between 89% and 91% over the years, Roger rarely made mistakes at the free throw line.
Tonight was no different. Under the hopeful eyes of the GDP trio for a miracle, Roger left them with no room for imagination.
He made both free throws, scored 9 consecutive points, and the game ended.
Roger turned to look at Ginobili. It was the first time he spoke to the Argentinean that night: "You just can’t."
He answered the question "Vince beat him, Kobe beat him, why can’t we."
Boris Diaw nudged Stoudemire with his elbow: "I thought he would speak Spanish. (The primary language of Argentinians)"
Stoudemire was always somewhat at a loss with Diaw’s untimely questions, but he still replied: "Next time, he will. He’ll discuss a Spanish girl just for Manu, trust me."
The 2004-05 San Antonio Spurs ended up being completely shut down by Roger in the regular season with a 0-4 record.
Manu Ginobili was greatly disappointed. The pain of losing to Team China at the Olympics and the pain at this moment merged, causing him immense agony.
At the end of the game, Mike Breen summarized: "Under Roger’s Iron Throne, Tim Duncan’s name will forever be etched."
"Don’t say that," Steve Kerr, who still felt for the Spurs, said, "At least Tim won a championship in the ’99 season."
Mike Breen didn’t want to respond this way, but in many people’s eyes, the ’99 season simply didn’t exist.
It was a chaotic, shortened season, and the Spurs’ championship was not a complete championship.
Even Tim Duncan himself was quite conscious of this point. He believed that the championship from the shortened season lacked weight.
This was why he still craved victory so much. He wanted a real ring.
But facing a 0-4 record, Stone Buddha was unsure about the playoff fate.
He stared blankly at the scoreboard on the big screen, lost in thought.
The victories of the Mavericks and Lakers gave people the illusion that Roger was no longer the ruler of the West.
But in reality, defeating him was never easy, and never would be.
Tim Duncan sighed, unsure if he was too pessimistic or if the Mavericks and Lakers were overly optimistic.
In the post-game press conference, Manu Ginobili also realized where his problem lay.
He publicly told Popovich in front of all the reporters: "I don’t care (about starting), just do whatever you think can help the team. I have only one goal, to win a championship."
This might be the first time in NBA history that an All-Star player voluntarily requested to play as a substitute during the same season.
He was willing to become the sword on the bench, the flame of changing the rhythm, the soul of transitional moments.
Manu Ginobili’s spirit of sacrifice filled the entire Spurs team, and this spirit was precisely why the Spurs could remain perennial contenders.
However, no matter how much Ginobili sacrificed, it couldn’t change today’s result.
The Warriors had thoroughly crushed the Spurs this season, ending the final heavyweight matchup of the regular season.
Before the playoffs arrived, Roger had dominated over Tim Duncan, the opponent they didn’t encounter last season until the Western Conference Finals.
Last season, defeating Duncan meant Roger once again centered himself in the West. But this year, conquering Duncan didn’t mean conquering the West, or even a beginning.
With the playoffs approaching, the media began to hype the feud between Kobe and Shaq, widely believing that the Lakers and Mavericks had a chance to meet in the playoffs this year.
They also started hyping the New York Knicks’ terrifying record and their chances of reaching the top.
Finally, after the last game day of the regular season on April 20th, everything about the regular season was concluded.