Chapter 1253: Chapter 396: Transfers, Hype, Customization? Marching, Fighting, Conquering!
"OK."
Lenny Wilkens also thought of this point: "Guard against the right-side shot, Roger’s left side is already compromised!"
The injury to the left ribs has severely affected Roger. In crucial moments, he will definitely choose to break through to the right, making the action flow seamlessly.
The timeout ends, and the 2005 finals reach the climax of its final moments.
Spike Lee took off his glasses, then turned his head and looked at Toni Kukoc behind him: "Toni, I can’t bear to watch anymore, that bastard always likes to do the most nerve-wracking things, back in ’94 you and him teamed up once."
"What are you going to do? Leave early?"
"No, I’ll close my eyes later. If Roger scores, just tap my shoulder. If he misses, I assume the garden’s cheers will remind me to open my eyes."
"Okay, Spike."
"Thank you, Toni."
Roger took the court, as if simply straightening his body carried immense pain.
The Frenchman walked calmly to the sideline to inbound the ball, always wearing a nonchalant expression.
With his skilled and smart pass, the ball smoothly made its way to Roger, and the Warriors passed this first hurdle of the sideline inbound.
Roger delayed time, not wanting to give the Knicks another chance for a counterattack, as Lenny Wilkens still had one timeout.
The final 10 seconds, double screens set, Roger also initiated towards the right side according to strategy.
Yet the Knicks accurately guessed Roger’s breakthrough direction, Battier quickly circled around the screen, and KG directly double-teamed him.
The King was hunted down.
Roger cursed under his breath, executing Plan B, giving the ball to Boris Diaw, then running without the ball.
Roger used the off-ball screen to shake off Battier, receiving the pass at the top of the arc.
But Dwyane Wade quickly caught up, with 5 seconds remaining, Roger still couldn’t find a shooting space.
He took a step to the right, Wade reacted quickly, predictably right side again!
Just as Wade thought he had succeeded, Roger suddenly switched direction, dribbling with his left hand to the left side!
This direction switch completely left Wade behind, and Roger immediately shot.
He fought against instinct, overcame severe pain, forcing himself to maintain the completeness of the action, and released the ball.
Spike Lee closed his eyes, and the next second, Madison Square Garden erupted in cheers.
Just as this black director prepared to jump up in celebration, someone patted his shoulder.
His heart sank.
Opening his eyes, the cheers had faded.
The basketball had just kissed the front rim but fell into the net after a bounce!
"Sorry Spike," Toni Kukoc shrugged, "My friend is just that kind of person, you know."
"The game is over! Roger killed the game! He has won his second championship with the Golden State Warriors, adding crucial territory to his new kingdom! Marching, battling, conquering—for Roger, these steps are repeated to build his kingdom!"
Mike Breen’s commentary made LeBron James in front of the TV feel ashamed, contrasting sharply with the previous words of Rich Paul about transfer gossip and branding.
One is the creed of the strong, the other seems like an excuse for the weak.
Roger lay on the ground until his teammates helped him stand up. As the adrenaline receded, Roger’s pain doubled.
Approaching the scorer’s table, Roger stopped and pushed everyone away: "Don’t hold me!"
Then he painstakingly climbed onto the scorer’s table—before, he only needed a little jump.
Afterward, Roger struggled to straighten up, raising his hands, imitating the pose of the statue outside Oracle Arena.
A move he does every time he wins a championship.
He stood on the peak, raised his arms, and looked down at all beings.
You can’t truly understand great teams or players at the moment of victory, only when they strive to stay in the top ranks do you recognize them.
At this moment, the players of the New York Knicks finally understood the full meaning of this sentence.