Champion Creed
Chapter 78 - 78 057 It's about time

78: 057: It’s about time 78: 057: It’s about time When Michael Jordan constantly thought about Roger, Roger’s mind was filled with the figure of Pat Riley.

Because the Knicks were the top seed in the East this year and the Bulls were second, the only possibility for the two teams to meet was on the stage of the conference finals.

This also meant that Roger and the Bulls had to securely cross the first two rounds to get the chance to take revenge on Riley.

And their opponent in the first round was the New Jersey Nets.

This young team, like Roger, was full of desire, with Derrick Coleman, the 1990 number one pick, and Kenny Anderson, the 1991 runner-up, both hoping to break through in their careers.

Well, these two might not have played well for more than two months in a season.

Skipping training, ignoring team rules, and hitting every nightclub in town were what these two talents usually did.

Their nightlife was much more colorful than their performance on the basketball court.

Even Chuck Daly, who created the Detroit Bad Boys, couldn’t control the two, especially Coleman, who was simply uncoachable.

A month ago, when Chuck Daly could no longer endure it and was about to fine Coleman for missing training, Coleman coolly handed Daly a blank check, “Fill it out as you wish.”

Logically, with the professional attitude of Coleman and Kenny Anderson, Nets fans should not have any expectations for the playoffs.

But this time, Coleman and Anderson approached the game with unusual seriousness.

“Asians can’t play tough playoffs, his scoring will seriously drop in the playoffs.

I don’t mean to disrespect Roger, I just think people have misunderstood me for too long.

I am the only one truly deserving among this year’s Eastern Conference All-Star starting guards.” Kenny Anderson was ready to beat Roger in the playoffs.

During the previous All-Star game, due to the lack of Jordan, the guard lineup from the East seemed somewhat shabby, prompting quite a few media jokes: “The East could barely select one deserving All-Star starting guard,” which angered Anderson.

He knew the person everyone considered deserving was Roger.

Finally making it as a starting All-Star only to be unrecognized naturally upset Anderson.

So when he realized his playoff opponent was Roger, his excitement surged.

Coleman was also thrilled, “The Bulls will easily pass the first round?

I won’t allow you to underestimate me anymore.

The playoffs are battles of grinding teeth and sucking blood, relentless confrontations, a struggle where no one gives way until one falls.

Roger is not yet prepared for this, he isn’t.

And I will let you all know who I really am.”

Coleman and Anderson were like two students who seldom studied, suddenly deciding to start working hard.

Obviously, they weren’t just struck by a sudden whim; standing out in a series against the popular Bulls team could at least give them more confidence the next time they sign endorsement contracts.

Facing the fierce momentum of Coleman and Anderson, reporters were looking forward to Roger’s next unusual comment, and he did not disappoint them, “I don’t want to talk about those two unprofessional guys, my only target in the East is the New York Knicks.”

The whole league was eager to see what kind of performance the 18-year-old Roger would bring out in the playoffs.

In the first game of the playoffs, in the first two minutes, Roger had only one missed shot and one turnover.

Kevin Edwards, who was guarding Roger, was very proud; he believed that high-end ingredients often only needed the simplest cooking methods, dealing with an arrogant rookie like Roger didn’t require any intense effort, just eat him raw.

Kevin Edwards’ performance in the first two minutes was indeed perfect, providing Roger with a strong confrontation, his steps moving quickly and tightly.

But he still made one mistake, which was to force Roger into shooting poorly then shake his face with a beard in front of Roger, “Kid, you’re still too green, go find Scott for some comfort.”

Roger’s mindset was a bit tense initially, but a strong desire for revenge made him forget all other sensations.

The avenger began his actions.

In the third minute of the first quarter, Roger backed down Edwards, easily turning around for a bank shot.

The next possession, Roger changed direction and broke through, scoring continuously with a signature Finger Roll layup.

A minute later, at the arc beyond the three-point line, Roger received a pass from Pippen.

Facing Edwards who was a step away, Roger shot a deep three.

“Swish.”

The familiar feeling made the Bulls fans cheer joyously, their No.

0 agent could still cleanly eliminate his target!

Coleman was right, the playoffs were different from the regular season.

But basketball was ultimately basketball, and as long as it was basketball, Roger could go on scoring frenzies!

Poor Kevin Edwards was publicly executed by Roger during the playoffs, becoming the backdrop for showcasing Roger’s versatile skills.

The Brooklyn Nets’ defense only lasted two minutes before Roger began to dominate.

What about the offense?

Just as bad.

When Kenny Anderson and Derrick Coleman initially teamed up, they were considered potentially the most brilliant pick-and-roll duo in history, the Eastern version of John Stockton and Karl Malone.

But Pippen ruthlessly exposed that fantasy, leading the defense against Kenny Anderson and disrupting even Anderson’s most basic pick-and-roll passes.

Every time Kenny Anderson looked up, he saw Pippen’s nearly limitless defensive range.

The disruption of their plays forced Coleman into isolation.

This talented power forward indeed had brilliant skills, with very solid back-to-basket techniques, effective with both hands, and delicate footwork.

But Coleman was ultimately not the type of player who could single-handedly decide the outcome of the game.

In the end, Chuck Daly had to find solutions on the defensive end.

Starting from the second half, people noticed the Nets began to double-team Roger whenever he drove below the free-throw line, with the nearest big man immediately joining in the hope of forcing Roger to pass.

Yet, this still couldn’t prevent Roger’s scoring strides; above the free-throw line, Chuck Daly was like a clothing store assistant, trying on outfit after outfit for Roger by testing all possible exterior options, but to no avail.

Against agile guards like Kenny Anderson and Kevin Edwards, Roger could use his height advantage to pull up or bank shots.

Against strong wings like Chris Morris and John Newman, Roger could use his speed advantage to create shooting space.

NBC commentator and Hall of Famer Bill Walton exclaimed, “The Nets’ perimeter defense is lining up one after another to be Roger’s backdrop!”

And whenever Roger drove to a spot below the free-throw line and encountered a double-team, he might miss, but because the Nets’ big men came out to double-team, the Bulls always managed to get the offensive rebounds.

Taking shots in double-teams was effectively making it a 4V3 fight for rebounds—not just a joke.

The reason AI’s Philadelphia 76ers were consistently among the top five in offensive rebounds was precisely this.

Any double-team comes at a price.

Roger completely went berserk, and Chuck Daly, the coach who had won two championships and led the Dream Team to astonish the world, could only shake his head as he watched the 18-year-old wreak havoc on the court, along with his two hardest-core players.

After just one game, it was clear that the playoffs would not be a stumbling block for Roger.

At least not for idiots like Coleman and Anderson.

At the end of the game, Roger, with 31 points, 2 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals, was worshipped by the Chicago fans.

At 18, making his playoff debut, his performance was undeniably perfect.

After the game, Kevin Edwards, who had made a critical mistake in the first two minutes of the game and shook his head mockingly at Roger, had completely changed his demeanor.

He frustratingly put his hands on his hips, “If you ask me whether to go see the dentist or defend ‘The Truth,’ I’d say I’d rather go to the dentist.

It hurts, but at least I don’t have to be fucking watched by twenty thousand people!”

Kenny Anderson also felt embarrassed, “Well, Roger really is the deserving Eastern Conference All-Star starting guard!”

Coleman revealed his true colors, “Listen, I scored the highest on the team with 22 points and 13 rebounds, I can’t see how the loss has anything to do with me.

Go find someone else to blame for the loss, anyone will do, but don’t bother me.”

As for Roger, he still didn’t talk about anything regarding the Brooklyn Nets.

Having secured his first playoff victory, he wasn’t even too excited, simply holding up one finger after the game, “Watch out, Pat, I’m one step closer to the New York Knicks.

Better enjoy your last bit of peace, time’s almost up.”