Champion Creed
Chapter 59 - 59 043 A penny is just loose change but I'm a big check!

59: 043: A penny is just loose change, but I’m a big check!

59: 043: A penny is just loose change, but I’m a big check!

This was destined to be a sleepless night.

Roger vs Penny round two, without Scottie Pippen to meddle.

To use an inappropriate analogy, the first encounter was like both sides still wearing a safety sheath, so it didn’t look as thrilling.

This time, the two of them were really going bare-knuckle.

Last time they clashed, it was at the United Center.

This time, the stage was moved to the Oakland Arena.

Fans of the Warriors had long been prepared to welcome Roger, and when he entered the arena in his training suit, the boos were almost as deafening as Boston Garden’s “Beat LA.”

The Zen Master was surprised by the reaction of the Warriors fans, knowing well that a person’s fame often takes a long time to settle before it becomes influential.

Take the Zen Master himself; he had been roughing it in the realm of professional basketball since ’67, securing two championships as a player.

But it wasn’t until after the ’91 finals as a head coach that he really became a household name.

What the Zen Master didn’t know was an even more exaggerated example—MacArthur, the five-star commentator, born in 1880 and passed away in 1964, reached the peak of his fame on the internet in 2024.

But that was exactly why the Zen Master felt bewildered.

Roger had been playing in the NBA for less than a month, just 11 games.

But look at the scene, his fame was truly the level of a superstar!

In fact, the fans on the scene were just the tip of the iceberg.

This game was about to break the season’s viewership record.

Even many NBA players were paying attention to this match.

O’Neal publicly supported Roger in front of the media, “The truth is indisputable.

He will prove himself to be the best player of the ’93 draft class.

Chris?

He still needs to learn how to control turnovers like Roger.”

Michael Jordan also commented on Roger for the first time, “I know he has a strong scoring ability, but he’s not mature enough.

He is very talented, but he doesn’t yet play the right kind of basketball.”

The Magic always played the nice guy as usual, “Regardless, this will be the start of a great new era.”

The fuel added by the NBA stars made this game almost a nationwide spectacle.

Everyone was very curious to see if Roger could win without Pippen.

Everyone wanted to know just how strong Jordan’s handpicked successor really was.

This was David Stern’s star-making ability; this was the benefit of the “Jordan’s Successor” halo.

Roger and Penny’s starting point was something other rookies did not possess.

But a good starting point is only temporary.

Whether you can laugh last depends on the sprint after the start.

It wasn’t until Penny and the Warriors entered the field that the booing finally ceased.

In its place came cheers of a decibel level even more terrifying.

Penny’s perfect marketing persona, combined with Jordan’s endorsement, had brought his popularity to a rather terrifying level.

Hardaway still carried his charming smile, still looked as innocuous as ever, waving to the fans in the stands.

Fans certainly like Penny because most of what they know about the NBA comes from news reports.

In the nineties, due to the underdevelopment of the internet, fans’ perception of players was filled with stereotypes.

Dr.

J will always be a flyer, with his highlight reel forever set on a windmill slam.

Karl Malone is always catching John Stockton’s passes for jump shots, and Jordan will always be the great hero.

As for Penny and Roger, one is forever amiable in the eyes of the fans, while the other is just a rebellious kid.

Roger, looking at those fans bewitched by Penny, couldn’t help but laugh.

A guy who can’t even admit to failure, who looks for excuses the moment he fails, who played dirty when his teammate sought a big contract— is he really perfect?

Fuck that.

Roger scoffed at the way Nike crafted player personas, but thinking about stripping this public idol naked in front of everyone, about having the chance to wipe the smirk off the face of a biased Michael Jordan—Roger was thrilled.

After warming up, NBC sideline reporter Hannah Storm found Roger again, “Truth, last game Penny said he was beaten by Scottie, not you.

Today, will you prove that you deserve your win?”

Of course, Hannah knew this would annoy the Penny on the other half of the court, but sometimes the media thrives on creating conflict and controversy.

Roger wasn’t like Penny, always showing off a smiling face; he was more serious, “Today, he can’t use my friend Scottie as an excuse anymore.

How about I find Penny a way to never lose?

Just never hit the court.

Penny is just loose change, while I’m a big check!”

Within minutes, as expected, Roger’s words were relayed to Penny by the media.

Penny still smiled, “I don’t want to engage in a slanging match like kids do, see you on the court.”

What a kind, generous gentleman.

But as soon as the reporters’ cameras shifted away, Penny’s signature smile disappeared in an instant.

He clenched his fists—it was likely he had run through every swear word he knew in his head.

Old Nelson noticed Penny’s mood swings and walked onto the court, patting his favorite player’s shoulder, “His scoring ability is a great challenge for us mentally, and his trash talking is an even greater challenge.

Roger is that kind of player; don’t let him affect you.

Play your own basketball, OK?”

Old Nelson was afraid that Penny would fall into Roger’s trap if affected by him and engage in a stubborn one-on-one fight.

After hearing his coach’s words, Penny nodded calmly, “I know what to do, sir.”

Both teams’ starters took to the court; the Bulls’ starting lineup today was Kukoc, Roger, Myers, Kerr, and A.

C.

Green.

The Zen Master was determined to engage in an offensive battle.

The Warriors countered with Hardaway, “Spree,” God’s Left Hand Chris Mullin, Bill Owens, and Victor Alexander.

In this Warriors lineup, center Victor Alexander was only 206 centimeters tall and, except for the center, everyone was able to shoot and pass—clearly the embryonic form of a small-ball death squad.

Both sides were ready to play a fast-paced offensive brand of basketball.

Before the game began, NBC commentator Steve Jones revisited old times, “Anfernee is the only successor Michael personally endorsed, even though Roger is Michael’s junior on the Bulls, he never won Michael’s favor.

Let’s see if Roger will make Michael regret his choice.”

Krause watched the television screen intently; please, there had to be someone in this world who could take Michael Jordan down a peg, right?

The game started, and A.

C.

Green fought for possession of the ball.

After grabbing it, Kerr tossed it powerfully down the court.

Spree was in charge of defending Roger.

It might be hard for many to believe, but Spree, only in his second season, had ultimately earned himself an All-Defensive Second Team honor.

In other words, he was at least a top three shooting guard in the league this season!

Spree averaged 2.2 steals per game this season, ranking tenth in the league.

Thus, he was quite confident in his ability to steal the ball.

Beyond the three-point line, he timed Roger’s dribbling and went for the steal.

But the next second, Roger didn’t dribble down as expected; instead, he merged the ball, causing Spree to swipe at air.

Following that, Roger raised his center of gravity and went straight up for the shot!

In the ’90s, pulling up for a three-pointer from beyond the arc was an act of sheer defiance.

Warriors fans scoffed at Roger’s unorthodox style, but this seamless fake dribble and real shot left Sprewell unable to interfere, and the basketball flew straight into the net.

3 to 0.

Then came Roger’s verbal performance, “Anfernee, no worries.

It’s normal to hide behind Spree.

Even Scottie hides behind me because you know, you can’t guard me.”

Pippen on the bench twitched the corner of his mouth, swearing he’d kill that bastard, in his dreams!

A possession later, Hardaway broke through, drawing Kukoc for the defensive help, then passed the ball to Bill Owens.

Kukoc’s speed didn’t allow him to reposition for the interference, and Owens’ mid-range shot was good.

A typical Penny possession—beautiful and logical—was much loved by the fans.

But the joy of the Warriors fans was short-lived as Roger scored again!

Roger played his own way, straightforward and fierce.

He tricked Spree with a triple-threat move, broke through, shouldering Spree and took off from mid-distance, tossing the ball from afar.

5 to 2.

Roger’s playstyle remained stubborn and unconventional.

In fact, Roger had played like this in the previous games as well.

He didn’t care what the media said; he only knew that scoring was his most advantageous weapon.

Today, he would use his best weapon to take down Penny!

After scoring, Roger beckoned Penny with his finger, “Anfernee, weren’t you complaining about not facing me much?

Then come at me, damn it.”

Hardaway remembered Old Nelson’s words, controlled his emotions, and remained unfazed.

He continued doing his job, dazzling Roger with a beautiful behind-the-back dribble, then leaped and found Spree cutting to the basket.

But Spree’s layup was blocked by A.

C.

Green who had timely made his way back.

Old Green’s years of abstinence weren’t in vain; though 30 years old, he was still full of energy, always quick to help on defense.

The Warriors had a failed offensive attempt, and you couldn’t say it was Penny’s bad pass.

His near-artistic motion was still rational and well-executed.

But people suddenly realized…

huh?

Proper basketball doesn’t seem to work as well as Roger’s reckless playing?

After snagging the blocked ball, Kukoc immediately found Roger, who took the ball up for a counterattack.

Since Spree had just been blocked and was still under the basket, it was up to Penny to defend Roger this time.

The crowd cheered, waiting for this very moment!

As Roger and Penny clashed at high speed, reaching the three-point line, Roger abruptly stopped with a two-handed gather.

Hardaway hit the brakes and shifted his center of gravity, ready to block.

But as he was about to jump to block Roger’s trailing three-pointer, Roger dribbled forward, accelerating.

He hadn’t actually gathered the ball; it was just a fake prayer motion.

Hardaway tried to follow, but his balance was completely disrupted, and he fell to the floor.

All he could do was watch as Roger glided by and scored with a one-handed slam dunk.

The NBC commentator excitedly shouted, “Roger just had at least three passing opportunities, but he chose to break through Penny directly!”

Roger used his much-criticized offensive style to score three consecutive baskets!

7 to 2, and after scoring, Roger looked back at Penny on the ground, then turned to his European friend, “Hey Toni, I found a penny on the roadside.”

The superior, team-oriented Penny, playing “proper basketball,” was humiliatingly struck down by the assertive Roger in front of his home crowd!

Without Pippen, the “safety net,” the shame was all the more intense and exposed!

People criticized Roger for his rebelliousness, for not conforming, desiring a sense of superiority in their condescension.

This included Michael Jordan as well.

If Roger played the game as they suggested, they would say, “Look, Roger won because he listened to us.”

If Roger didn’t play the way they said, they would say, “The guy totally deserves it.”

Resultingly, this man, unblest by his predecessors and criticized for his playing style, suppressed Penny his own way, leaving all of them out in the cold!

Proper basketball?

The kind that wins is proper basketball!

Now, not only the hearts of Warriors fans and Penny’s backside took a painful blow, but so did Michael Jordan’s face.

The eyes of God, behind the TV, were filled with rage.

But Roger wouldn’t stop.

Appointed successor?

Public idol?

He was going after you!

※※※

Thanks to Black Cat Loves Sugar Fruits, Back-Courter Carrying the Pot, Where the Clouds Drift Deep, Book Friend 20190521165020702, Xu Zi, and other major supporters for the rewards, kneeling down to thank you all!

Search the lightnovelworld.cc website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.