196: 096: It must be so gratifying to ruin such a perfect night!
(Asking for monthly tickets!) 196: 096: It must be so gratifying to ruin such a perfect night!
(Asking for monthly tickets!) Before the start of Game 4 of the series, Chicago media wrote countless articles about Jordan defying fate.
It was the era’s equivalent of “the Lakers overturning the Mavericks 5-4.”
It belonged to the epoch that proclaimed, “We have no rivals in the West.”
It was the time of “I never flop.”
All were self-deceptive nonsense.
Though already on the brink of death, clutching at straws, Chicago fans still couldn’t believe the reality before them.
After all, they were accustomed to victory.
Even last season, without Jordan, they watched their team advance to the finals.
Now, with Michael Jordan back leading the team, the Bulls might actually be swept in the Eastern Conference Finals?
Even if not swept, being eliminated in the Eastern Conference Finals was unacceptable.
However, considering the Bulls’ performance in the first three games, whether the Magic could sweep Jordan in G4 remained uncertain, but clinching the series was a done deal.
ESPN’s “SportsCenter” offered the Bulls a strategy:
“If the Bulls want to stage a comeback, they actually only need to do three things.
First, now, immediately, have Michael’s old friend, Oak Tree Oakley in New York, abduct David Stern at the NBA headquarters at 645 Fifth Avenue in Olympic Tower, forcing him to immediately end the trade deadline.”
Then the second thing, the Bulls should immediately trade for the Defensive Player of the Year Dikembe Mutombo, confiscate his fishing rod, and get him back on the court.
The third thing, by any means possible, even if it means trading Jerry Krause’s brain, is to bring Karl Malone out of Salt Lake City, then there might be some suspense in the series.”
Host John Anderson humorously conveyed a harsh truth to Bulls fans: there was no solution.
Absolutely no solution; the only way he could think of for the Bulls to defy fate were those absurd, impossible methods.
If we stick to normal means, the Bulls are doomed.
Even if not swept, they would certainly be knocked out.
Jordan, of course, knew what being down 0-3 meant, but that man would never submit easily.
If he were someone who gave up easily, he would have been crushed by the Pistons long ago.
Tim Grover sighed as he watched Jordan torturing himself on the practice court.
He had to admit that Michael Jordan’s body was in perfect condition, no longer covered with the rust of a baseball player from last year.
The issue with this round of playoffs wasn’t Jordan’s body.
It was the Bulls’ lineup; they just couldn’t beat the Magic.
Even another round of averaging 40 points a game wouldn’t be enough to win.
Grover really wanted to tell Jordan, your extra training is useless now; this isn’t a problem you can solve alone.
But he didn’t say it.
Nothing could stop that man, except for a bloody victory or an equally bloody defeat.
All he could do was pray, pray that Jordan would win G4 and avoid the sweep.
At least that way, he could maintain some dignity.
As one of the closest people to Jordan on his team, Tim Grover truly didn’t want to see the once-king beaten down like a dignity-less old dog.
It wasn’t impossible for the Bulls to avoid a sweep, a detail: in the first three games, the point difference between the Magic and the Bulls was in single digits.
There was indeed a gap between the teams, but it wasn’t so wide that the Bulls couldn’t win a single game.
With their backs against the wall, the Bulls might just explode with a fearsome fighting spirit.
At that moment, Michael Jordan, who had missed a few shots on the court, suddenly stopped and looked at Grover: “Tim, I want to switch back to jersey number 23 for the fourth game.”
Just because Roger spouted some nonsensical reasoning?
You are you, Michael, you haven’t changed, don’t listen to him!”
“No, I just feel uncomfortable in 45; I haven’t felt comfortable for the whole season!
I can’t pinpoint what’s wrong, but it just feels off!”
“It’s impossible, Michael, you can’t switch, we don’t have a number 23 jersey.
And it’s not a simple matter, the league’s jersey sponsor Reebok has already printed thousands of number 45 jerseys, they’re hanging in stores nationwide, no, worldwide.
Suddenly switching back to 23, what about those unsold number 45 jerseys?
Besides, there’s no precedent for the league reissuing a retired jersey number, the league won’t allow it.”
Jordan got annoyed: “All I goddamn want is to change my jersey!”
At noon, Jordan went personally to find Krause: “Jerry, I want to wear number 23 next game, get me a jersey.”
Krause’s tone was impatient: “Stop causing me trouble, Michael, can’t you just play well?”
Jerry Krause was going mad, he had again received razor blades in the team mailbox that day.
Now, Jordan wanted to switch back to number 23?
Pitting the team against the sponsor?
Great, now David Stern will be sending me razor blades too!
“You think I’m causing trouble?”
“Alright, Michael, why don’t you tell me, where am I supposed to get you a fitted number 23 jersey?
Great idea, but I need to remind you, it’s not your size.
You don’t really think a fan-bought jersey from a store is the same as the one on your back, do you?”
“I’ve seen Bulls number 14 jerseys that fit Roger perfectly; you think there aren’t any number 23s?”