Chapter 1193: Chapter 379: Remember, No Japanese
The Knicks have proven with real examples that victory can indeed become a habit.
Constantly winning can become a duty, an expectation, and finally an attitude, an attitude that pursues perfect results.
The media predicted the Knicks would decline after their honeymoon period, but it didn’t happen.
The media predicted that other teams, after figuring out the Knicks, would start making them lose, but that didn’t happen either.
The more they win, the more exhilarating it becomes, the more passionate they play. Their chemistry and locker room relationships are as smooth as silk, seamlessly blending together like water.
An eight-game winning streak plus a nine-game winning streak has almost made the Knicks dominate the East.
And this formidable Eastern Conference leader, proudly called the "strongest Knicks in history" by Spike Lee, is the opponent Roger has been waiting for.
The opponent he now most desires to defeat.
The last time they faced off, Allan Houston’s selfishness ruined everything.
Of course, Roger is not the type to shift the blame for losing onto role players; that’s something only cowards would do.
The fact is, the last time they faced off, even if Allan Houston followed the tactics and returned the ball to Roger, and even if Roger made that three-pointer, the Warriors were still behind and might not have come out on top.
So the last loss wasn’t all Allan Houston’s fault, and even though the Golden State Gangsters are fully in sync this time, the outcome is still unknown.
But Roger loves this kind of challenge; only such an opponent is worthy of being the dazzling jewel in his crown.
In the week before the Christmas game, the prominent Payton, Yao Ming, Wade, and KG appeared in NBC’s Burbank studio—this was the recording site for the classic NBC program "Jay Leno Tonight Show."
And this episode happened to air right before the Christmas game, capturing some of the game’s buzz.
Such talk shows never shy away from creating controversy, so host Jay Leno, during the final Q&A session, asked the four: "Based on your current strengths, how do you all view Roger? Do you still find Roger unreachable?"
Yao Ming and Wade’s answers were rather dull; these two young men were basically still paying compliments to the top player in the basketball world today.
Gary Payton, on the other hand, went all out: "I am honored to have the chance to be the one who sends King Louis XVI to the guillotine at Paris Place de la Concorde. If possible, I’d even be willing to be the executioner."
However, Gary Payton doesn’t have enough presence now; his appearance on the show was entirely thanks to the other three. Even if he speaks boldly, it doesn’t bring much influence.
Ultimately, it was Kevin Garnett who stirred up a storm. Under the watchful eyes of millions of TV viewers, the highly popular KG said the following words.
"You know, I’ve always had immense respect for Roger. In 1995, when I was just a kid, when I was lost in the NBA, adapting alone to adult life in a cold Minneapolis, Roger was the only one who gave me a sense of security.
He taught me how to overcome nervousness, how to carve out a place for myself in the locker room, how to get along with teammates, and how to turn from a boy into a man.
Believe it or not, but in my first year of my career, the largest portion of my personal expenses was the long-distance phone bills calling Roger.
But now, I’m almost entering my tenth year in this league. Honestly speaking, I no longer want to continue; I am somewhat tired of the elder brother and little brother warm scene, and I don’t like this kind of scenario. I doubt anyone would like being stuck in the role of someone else’s little brother forever.
We have all given our everything for victory, so we also deserve to claim the honors, which are not exclusive to Roger. This season, we’re here to make it happen.
I don’t want to, nor can I, remain Roger’s little brother forever. I’ve grown and improved a lot; I’ll use this season to show him that I am now on equal footing with him because I can beat him.
I believe Roger won’t be angry with what I said because he has always encouraged me to have a heart eager to compete, and I’ve never been as hungry for victory as I am this year."
Kevin Garnett’s bold statement left Yao Ming and Wade gaping in surprise.
The show’s ratings indeed skyrocketed, and the Christmas game, already hotly anticipated, became even more awaited because of Kevin Garnett’s heart-to-heart monologue.
Roger sat in the hotel, holding Mary-Kate Olsen, who was nine years younger than himself, whom he had known for only ten days and who’d been cursed by Abby Hornacek for seven days, watching the "Jay Leno Tonight Show" with an impassive expression.
Mary-Kate Olsen had just been joking with Roger on the theme of: "How do you tell me apart from my twin sister Ashley Olsen and our youngest sister Elizabeth Olsen."
But after hearing KG’s words on TV, Mary-Kate Olsen no longer felt like joking.
She knew her boyfriend was definitely angry.
At 18, a girl often cares a lot about her boyfriend’s mood; she wrapped her arms around Roger’s neck, cupping his face: "Nothing to be mad about."
"Mad? No, not at all," Roger smiled, "KG is right; he can’t always be my little brother. After all, this is a competitive league, and ultimately we have to compete against each other."
There was another half he didn’t explain to the elder sister of the Scarlet Witch—his thinking is correct, but he should also be ready for what not being the little brother involves!