112: 070: A Completely Different Locker Room Atmosphere (Request for Monthly Tickets) 112: 070: A Completely Different Locker Room Atmosphere (Request for Monthly Tickets) After the trade between the Bulls and the Magic was finalized, everyone was curious about Jordan’s reaction, Roger’s reaction, and O’Neal’s reaction.
Reporters from major newspapers were dying to move in with them.
They even wished to ask questions as detailed as, “Roger, what’s the difference between taking a dump in Orlando and taking a dump in Chicago?”
But, hardly anyone cared about what Chris Webber was thinking.
Just a year ago, Chris Webber was the darling of the media, the focus of fans’ attention, and his popularity was the highest among the top three draft picks.
A year later, he was almost cast aside.
Although Roger also transferred after a year, it was a completely different concept.
Roger was gloriously taken away by Orlando with a hefty dowry, while Webber was almost kicked out of the door.
However, Webber finally managed to escape.
He didn’t have to see Shaquille O’Neal’s face anymore, nor endure O’Neal’s roaring.
And with the Bulls, no one could stop him from unleashing his talent in the low post.
He liked to pass and orchestrate plays; he could help Jordan open up space at the high post; he would thrive in the triangle offense.
Most importantly, he was going to win the championship before Shaq!
He would show the Orlando Magic how incredibly stupid it was to trade him away so cheaply!
Like Roger, Webber arrived at the Berto Center before the season started for a meeting with Krause and Reinsdorf.
Krause and Reinsdorf were not overly enthusiastic about Webber, simply giving him a polite introduction to the team and a welcome.
During the interactions with Webber, Krause kept muttering to himself, “God, I hope I don’t regret this!”
After the cool meeting, Webber headed to the training court and saw Michael Jordan preparing for his comeback.
You could question Jordan’s character, but his commitment to basketball was undeniable.
To smoothly transition from baseball player Michael to basketball player Michael, he was willing to temporarily leave the gambling tables and give it his all.
“Sir, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Webber greeted Jordan proactively.
Jordan put down the basketball and returned a friendly smile, “Chris, you’re just the man I was looking for!
From now on, you don’t have to call me ‘sir.’ Just Michael, or MJ, will do.”
In that moment, Webber couldn’t understand why Roger wouldn’t get along with Jordan.
This legendary man was clearly very kind.
“Enjoy this vacation, Chris, and forget everything unpleasant about Orlando.
When the new season’s training camp starts, I need a brand-new, confident you,” Jordan patted Webber’s shoulder, “You’ve got a bright future ahead.”
Webber was nearly in tears; for the first time, he felt the importance a top pick deserved.
He felt that his good days were still to come.
Walking out of the Berto Center, Chris Webber flashed a charming smile to the cameras.
He had never smiled so happily in Orlando: “Yes, I’ve already spoken to Michael.
Next season, you’ll all see, Michael and I, far stronger than Roger and Shaq!
And Roger, Airborne Majesty asked me to pass on a message: The only thing that loudmouth will be able to say next season is ‘No, Magic out!'”
Chris Webber was still young, he didn’t know that a person’s behavior before and after marriage could be completely different.
Before the marriage, he’s the sweet and considerate darling, but who knows what could happen after.
Yes, his good days were still ahead of him.
On the Bulls’ side, they almost completed their reinforcement with this trade alone.
They now had a point guard, as Anderson could play at the one.
They also strengthened the power forward position, and Jordan was certainly looking forward to playing with Webber.
However, this trade also locked up the Bulls’ salary space in advance, as they took on Anderson’s contract, which forced them to give up on Ron Harper, who they originally planned to sign.
On the contrary, getting rid of Anderson freed up more salary space for the Magic.
Nick Anderson was great, but Pat Williams didn’t need more scorers.
He had a clear goal; the team needed a bunch of people who could defend well.
The best way to handle Olajuwon was to emulate the SuperSonics, using a group of forwards to wear him down.
The same applied to defending against Jordan, emulating the Knicks, with a bunch of defensive stalwarts to deal with him.
Of course, defense alone couldn’t completely stop Olajuwon and Jordan.
But the Magic had scoring from Roger and O’Neal to complement their defense, giving them a good chance of breaking the myths of those two!
So, the Magic now needed defensive talent, not smooth scorers like Anderson.
Pat Williams continued with the plan and traded the team’s sixth man, who averaged 12.8 points last season, Dennis Scott, to the Pistons for the 206-centimeter forward Bill Curley.
The Pistons needed a solid player like Dennis Scott to assist their new king, Grant Hill, as their tanking days were over.
It was time to perform and strengthen the team with capable role players.
Curley, however, wasn’t the kind of forward who could defend.
In fact, he was practically useless.
Last season with the Pistons, he hardly won any playing time, averaging just 11 minutes and 2.7 points a game.
His only advantage was that his contract was only 910,000 this year.
Pat Williams was still clearing salary space!