Chapter 1167: Chapter 371: When the Beast Breaks Its Chains
The average ticket price for today’s game is four times that of last season, yet even so, the twenty-thousand-seat Oracle Arena is still fully packed.
This is the benefit of the team moving to San Francisco and winning the championship; people expect the Warriors’ basketball revenue this season to rival the Knicks and Lakers.
Bay Area fans are fortunate. Two years ago, Roger retired Tom Meschery’s number 14 at Oakland Arena. At the bustling ceremony, Roger promised to bring a championship to the Bay Area.
Now, two years later, Roger has fulfilled his promise, allowing the massive championship banner to rise under the spotlight. Bay Area fans finally experience the joy of standing atop the world after 1975.
In the dark shadows, Shaquille O’Neal hooked an arm around Dirk Nowitzki’s shoulder: "The upgrades here aren’t just in arena facilities, even the quality of the cheerleaders has improved. Damn Russians, I heard he personally interviews these cheerleader girls. What a shameless bastard. Does his office have a secret door leading to a small closed room for in-depth interviews with the cheerleaders?"
Dirk sighed, disappointed with Shaq’s mindset: "Shaq, shouldn’t we focus on victory? When was the last time you attended a championship ring ceremony?"
This question made Shaq silent; he started to seriously recall the last time he attended such a ceremony.
The result of the recollection revealed a terrifying answer: 8 years ago.
The last time Shaquille O’Neal attended a similar ceremony was 8 years ago, almost the last glorious moment of his playing career. Though the Magic was also the champion in the 96-97 season, Shaq left Magic in ’97, thus did not attend the ceremony in person, so 1996 was the last time he attended the championship ring ceremony, the last time he wore the ring of honor in everyone’s reverence.
"Damn it." Shaq cursed under his breath, unknowingly failing for so many years.
Indeed, his opponents before were Dream, Ewing, Admiral.
Now?
There’s Yao Ming, Duncan, Ben Wallace.
He has played in the league for 12 years, these 12 years of life have flown by.
All his glory concentrated in the first four years of his career, his career has been a rollercoaster of high opening followed by a gradual decline.
He cannot continue to fail.
Shaq deeply realized that he was falling from the superstar who had just entered the league to a fading veteran.
As things stand, even Yao Ming is about to surpass him in popularity.
Roger has already left him far behind.
The title "strongest duo in history" is being mentioned less frequently, as the outside world no longer compares Roger to Shaq.
He cannot allow this to continue.
Seeing Roger raise yet another championship banner, Shaq recalled the statue of Roger outside the arena just now.
For basketball players, having a statue outside the arena is an incredible honor.
This means the player holds an important position in that city.
He must not only win the championship in that city but also become a unique legend, adored by everyone.
This is very difficult, only a very few players have this privilege.
Shaq knows very well inside that when he retires, probably no team will erect a statue for him.
He is truly unwilling; he doesn’t want to disappear unnoticed in Roger’s era.
Throughout Shaquille O’Neal’s career, there were probably very few seasons where he wanted to give everything for victory.
And this will be another season where he wants to give everything for victory.
The implementation of new rules often births a few winners who have chosen the right path.
Shaq believes the Dallas Mavericks are one of those teams on the right path.
Shaq took his hand off the German’s shoulder, his gaze no longer fixed on the cheerleaders’ half-exposed butts.
"I don’t remember when was the last time I attended a championship ring ceremony, but I know the next time will be next year."
After the championship ring ceremony concluded, the game was about to start.
The starting five for the Dallas Mavericks were Devin Harris, Jason Terry, Josh Howard, Dirk Nowitzki, and Shaquille O’Neal.
The Warriors’ adjusted starting lineup was Roger, Jason Richardson, Tayshaun Prince, Amar’e Stoudemire, and Marcus Camby.
Allan Houston sat on the bench, thoughtfully.
He hadn’t sat on the bench to watch the team jump ball for a very long time; he hated his current position.
But he still has a chance. If Jason Richardson’s effect as a starter is not good, Allan Houston could likely return to his spot.
Shaq drifted closer to the center circle, glancing at Roger.
The hatred once held has now twisted into a mix of jealousy, envy, and unwillingness, which makes Shaq still yearn to crush Roger.
"Roger, winning with low-level basketball and dirty defense is over; tonight you’ll see true artistry."
But to Shaq’s shame, Roger did not really respond this time, just nodded and then casually "hmm"-ed.
As if the proud emperor did not even see this team before him as a threat.