Chapter 1254: Chapter 397: Tell Me Exactly How Much Stands Between You and Me
Spike Lee is practically the embodiment of tragedy; for over a decade, he has never seen his beloved team defeat his most hated player.
Though he was mentally prepared, the moment Roger clinched the game, his heart felt intense pain, as if it had been shot through with a pistol.
When Toni Kukoc patted his shoulder, it felt as though Satan was knocking on his heart’s door, an unforgettable feeling.
But watching Roger struggle to climb onto the stands, raising his arms, Spike Lee cursed while clapping for his least favorite player: “Congratulations, you bastard who ought to go to hell. Go get your championship, damn it!”
Toni Kukoc chuckled; Spike Lee’s criticism of Roger had become emotional.
In fact, Spike Lee wasn’t a mindless hater.
He would trash talk with Reggie Miller but also hug him.
He would boo Kobe wildly but also love to imagine Kobe wearing a Knicks jersey.
He wished Roger would die, but he acknowledged that Roger was an outstanding athlete, witnessing his miracles was both a blessing and a curse.
He simply supported his own team but did not deny the greatness of his opponents.
Watching Roger win this way, Spike Lee had nothing to say; he respected the man he utterly despised.
Respect comes from the game; Roger rarely won by relying on special treatment from referees or by taking advantage of loopholes in footwork. He never made excuses for losing and never forgot his teammates when winning. He’s a rogue, but you’ll find his victories are flawless.
Not only Spike Lee, now when Roger stands boldly on the technical stand with his injured ribs and fingers, no one will question Roger’s historical status, nor will anyone question whether it’s appropriate for Roger to already have a statue.
As the top figure in the basketball world, if Roger didn’t have his own statue, that would truly be unreasonable.
The sound of “Fuck Roger” was thunderous, but Roger enjoyed it; this was the first time he raised the championship trophy in “his city.”
The Mayor of New York happily waved to the stands, and with that wave, half of New York got high blood pressure.
After pampering his fans, Roger sat on the technical stand, dangling his leg over the edge.
He was exhausted and in excruciating pain.
The Warriors players gathered around Roger, trying to help him down from the technical stand.
Mikhail Prokhorov squeezed through the crowd, approaching Roger, his tall and strong frame like a dedicated bodyguard: “How do you feel?”
Roger didn’t answer, nor did he jump off the stand, but instead asked the Russian: “Boki, got any cigars?”
Mikhail Prokhorov pulled out a cigar box, helped Roger cut a cigar, and then lit it.
This was a championship celebration with distinct Golden State Gangsters flair.
Roger gently raised his hand, placing the cigar into his mouth. Sparks flickered, and passionate smoke billowed from his mouth.
His heart felt much more at peace, and the pain from his injuries eased considerably.
Roger held onto the cigar, greedily puffing, his expression indifferent as he watched everything in front of him, as if the “New York Ruins” around him were irrelevant.
To New Yorkers, that cigar in Roger’s hand seemed like a scepter, imparting him with unique nobility and majesty.
Mike Breen sat right behind Roger, watching Roger celebrate in front of him during the Finals every year was his greatest pleasure.
“Roger and Leonardo DiCaprio might be the most dedicated men in the world,” Mike Breen mused, “one insists on personally filming all bed scenes, one insists on winning every championship.”
This commentary amused many fans, but LeBron James didn’t laugh; he still pondered a question.
Transfers, publicity, customization.
Marching, fighting, conquering.
Which is the correct path for a great player?
Currently, the mainstream media acknowledges Roger and Jordan as the primary GOATs.
Michael Jordan conquered the Detroit Bad Boys, Drexler, Charles Barkley, and Magic Johnson.
Roger conquered Michael Jordan, Karl Malone, Kobe, Shaq, Duncan, Payton… the list goes on.
Their successes seem to have no connection with transfers, publicity, and customization.
Is Rich Paul really right?
“LeBron,” Rich Paul seemed to know what James was thinking, “that’s just commentary.”
“Yeah, I know.”
LeBron James didn’t dwell on the issue anymore; if he continued to stay in Cleveland, whom would he fight against? Who could he conquer?
He had made up his mind that the final outcome of the Cavaliers recruiting Andrei Kirilenko would directly determine his relationship with the Cleveland Cavaliers.
But for some reason, LBJ thought of Grant Hill from a few years ago.
As Jordan’s Successor who was nationally watched, he had immense popularity upon entering the League; he was one of the few who had defeated Roger to become an All-Star vote leader.
He was supposed to be a universally beloved player, but everything changed after that transfer.
In the early 21st century, when Grant Hill decided to join the Los Angeles Lakers as a free agent, this highly popular guy faced a barrage of criticism and a sharp decline in commercial value.