255: 114: Believe me one more time!
(Requesting monthly votes!) 255: 114: Believe me one more time!
(Requesting monthly votes!) Since I entered the NBA, I’ve worked with quite a few teammates.
Most of them were bastards, brutes, animals, parasites, but Grant Hill, he’s no bastard, no brute, no animal, and definitely not a parasite.
He personally led me, found back my confidence and form; he’s my hero.
I was actually quite happy to see those bastards from the Bulls get beaten.
— Chris Webber, whose performance finally picked up after transferring to the Pistons this season, talked about Hill during an interview with “Sports Illustrated.”
Shaquille O’Neal was spotted in a Los Angeles nightclub, performing his latest rap single among a group of sizzling backup dancers.
So, who can tell me, is Shaq nursing an injury or just on vacation?
— “Orlando Sentinel.”
In last night’s game, the Orlando Magic lost to the Indiana Pacers by a score of 76 to 88, making it our third consecutive defeat since starting with the Bulls.
The good news is, Roger will soon be ending his suspension and returning to the court.
Victory is within reach.
— “Orlando Sentinel.”
During the two games that Roger was suspended, as expected, the Magic endured two consecutive losses.
The Heat and Pacers both took advantage by stealing victories from the reigning champions, and with the loss to the Bulls, we’ve experienced a three-game losing streak, currently standing at 5 wins and 3 losses, only ranking fourth in the East.
The Bulls, Knicks, and Pacers are all ahead of the defending champions.
There’s nothing you can do, you can’t expect a team that’s lost two core players to maintain its fighting spirit.
If the Magic could still cause chaos without Roger and Shaq, then those two could pack up and leave.
And that’s exactly why Brian Hill was so angry.
The team could have won more games but instead lost due to foolish actions.
However, Brian Hill isn’t a real complainer like Scottie Pippen; he only grumbled a few words during the two days when Roger and the others were suspended, and then he stopped bringing it up.
But now, if the team loses again, it won’t just be Brian Hill who is complaining.
If Roger returns and we still lose, that would mean a four-game losing streak, and I reckon a lot of the media will say things that Roger doesn’t want to hear.
Shaquille O’Neal still spoke with confidence in the media: “Does it matter?
Even if it’s a 20-game losing streak, once I get back, I can still turn the record around.
Moreover, such a thing will never happen; Plato will take care of everything.”
Roger was impressed; Plato isn’t a nanny, Shaq.
It’s easy to act tough with words; who can’t talk the talk?
But I’m the one who has to actually win the games.
People have high expectations for Roger’s return.
Horace Grant claimed, “The significance of Roger’s return?
Let me put it this way, it’s like Orlando has stepped out of the Stone Age and into civilization!”
All the major media also believe that Roger will immediately lead the team back onto the winning track.
John Anderson from “SportsCenter” even feels that Roger could drop 40 points to celebrate his return.
Roger is pleased to see such a scene, being trusted by the people also proves his ability from another angle.
So, he’s also very excited about his comeback game.
The morning of November 18th, the atmosphere of a big game had not yet enveloped Orlando.
Today the weather is still clear, and Roger got up early, ate a tasty and nutritious breakfast made by the chef, and then drove to the AdventHealth Training Center.
On the morning of a game day, players generally gather at the training base and then take the bus to the game venue in the afternoon.
“Good morning, Roger,” Marciulionis once again arrived at the parking lot at the same time as Roger, still with his trademark polite smile, greeting Roger loudly.
After that one-on-one talk, Marciulionis showed no signs of awkwardness, and his relationship with Roger hadn’t gotten cold.
This shows that he wasn’t angry with Roger, but whether he took the advice to heart, only he himself knows.
“Good morning, Saru, how do you feel today?” Roger nodded to Marciulionis.
“Very good, I have a feeling that I’ll get to play tonight.”
In the previous two games, Marciulionis still remained on the DNP list, without getting even a minute of playing time.
It’s not Brian Hill’s fault.
If Marciulionis were a young player, no matter how well he played, the coach would definitely let him get some experience.
However, as an immediate-impact player, Marciulionis failed to seize his previous opportunity, so naturally, he didn’t get playing time.
He could only slowly win back the coach’s trust through training.
Luckily, in the last few days, Marciulionis had been performing better and better on the training court.
In yesterday’s inter-squad scrimmage, he knocked down 6 three-pointers consecutively at one point.
So, he believes his performance could persuade Brian Hill.
“I also think you’ll get to play tonight, and if things go well, this could be the game where you get back on track,” said Roger, and then he and Marciulionis both walked into the locker room together.
Once everyone had arrived, Brian Hill led everybody into the screening room to get a look at tonight’s opponent.
Assistant coach Erik Spoelstra brought his video edits into the screening room — thanks to Roger’s recommendation, this Filipino kid with dreams of working in the NBA had managed to land himself a job on the Magic coaching staff.
Of course, while he’s listed as an assistant coach, Spoelstra currently has no say in the team’s tactics.
He’s still doing video editing and analysis work.