Chapter 1246: Chapter 395: We May Grow Weary, But We Will Never Fade Away
This might be the most arrogant "acknowledgment of mistakes" in NBA history.
Roger expressed the most proud words with the humblest attitude.
Erik Spoelstra, who attended the press conference with Roger, felt this was an interview worthy of being written into history, and many basketball documentaries in the future would feature this scene.
Roger’s series of statements could be summed up in one sentence: "As the idol of the Knicks players, I have the responsibility to tell them what real success requires and correct their mistakes."
The most brilliant aspect of this interview was that Roger didn’t even mention his single-game 53 points.
You know, when people talk about Magic, Michael Jordan, and Roger, these superstars, they recall Magic leading his team to a championship in his rookie season playing center, Michael Jordan’s first modern basketball dynasty, and Roger’s dynastic reign spanning two eras, rather than some inexplicable Excel data.
Players like Roger don’t need to deliberately mention their stats to highlight their prowess.
The star players of the Knicks have been trying hard to shed the "Roger’s little brother" label, to shake off this ingrained impression.
Because when people say "so-and-so is someone’s little brother," the implication is that their status is not equal.
However, Roger’s victory and interview made their efforts worthless, solidifying their subordinate status.
Bill Simmons stayed up late to update his column with: "If Roger’s performance on the court is 100 points, then his performance at the press conference is 200 points! This is the coolest interview moment I’ve ever seen. It’s the first time a player has evaluated his Finals opponent in such a paternalistic tone, and none of us question Roger saying it because he indeed qualifies."
With a single-game 53-point victory and a thrilling post-game interview, Roger reminded both New York fans and New York players of those old times. They were always filled with hope, only to have it killed by Roger.
The Knicks players now seem like a disgraceful pile of minced meat, trampled by Roger’s iron army, just as the Knicks had previously trampled other teams.
They were just as arrogant before the playoff rounds, scorning their opponents and trampling on the self-esteem of other teams.
They weren’t good people either. When Kevin Garnett arrogantly claimed after crushing the Pistons in the last round, "If I came to the East earlier, I could’ve played in the Finals often," New York media lauded his arrogance as "confidence of the strong," making KG’s insult to the Pistons seem justified, like soldiers from the United States carrying the flags of "civilization" and "democracy" making the Middle East into ruins.
And now, the definition of "confidence of the strong" belongs to Roger. He can unabashedly display his pride, disdain his opponents, without worrying about any moral condemnation.
The bullet ultimately hit New Yorkers right between the eyes.
Competitive sports are like this; winners have all privileges. People praise the virtues of humility, but when Roger appeared so arrogant at the press conference, countless media people like Bill Simmons even composed hymns for him just because he won.
Winning can even place you above morality.
At practice the day after losing the game, the Knicks players were not in high spirits.
Before the game, everyone on the Knicks had high expectations. They were unstoppable in the regular season, and didn’t even face a decent opponent in the playoffs. The blue-collar heroes who once dominated the East barely lasted six games against the Knicks, and if not for Chauncey Billups’ clutch play in Game 5, the Knicks might have swept the Pistons Gentlemen.
They were accustomed to victory, accustomed to crushing opponents, and always proud to leave the court.
Yet, in the most crucial game, their proud heads were suddenly dealt a blow, leaving everyone deeply disappointed.
Disappointment is the most destructive weapon in the world; it can quash a person’s will.
At the tactical meeting after practice, when Lenny Wilkens decided to adjust the defensive strategy, announcing double teaming and pressing defense against Roger in the next game, the Knicks players merely nodded blankly.
They all harbored a doubt in their hearts: Is this really effective?
If Roger could be so freakishly effective to score 53 points relying on jump shots from mid to long range, is there anything this greatest offensive player in history can’t do?
If it were a "man" standing in front of the Knicks players, they would surely fight heroically to the very last moment. But a god stood before them, and no matter how hard they tried, that god seemed to remain unscathed, making all efforts to defeat Roger seem pointless.
The Knicks are a young team, and the common problem with young people is often being uncontrollable, so the flames of passion burn brightly and also extinguish quickly.
When passion blazes, it seems it can melt everything, but just a bucket of cold water can extinguish the flame.
At this time, a veteran needs to step up and stabilize the situation, which is why players like Udonis Haslem are particularly important.
Gary Payton is the team’s oldest player, yet even he remained silent at this moment, for he too doubted his resolve.