509: 187: God will let Atlanta have everything it wants (Vote for monthly tickets!)_4 509: 187: God will let Atlanta have everything it wants (Vote for monthly tickets!)_4 Babcock took Roger to see CNN headquarters and the Coca-Cola headquarters, which were almost mandatory check-in spots for anyone visiting Atlanta.
However, Roger didn’t think there was anything special to see.
CNN is the world’s largest “fake news” distributor.
Coca-Cola is consumed by people all over the globe.
But the headquarters of these two places didn’t look as grand as one would imagine.
If it weren’t for the CNN and Coca-Cola sign on the rooftop, you wouldn’t give these two buildings a second glance.
They were too ordinary and too outdated.
This was the impression that the entire Atlanta area gave to Roger.
Compared to Orlando, downtown Atlanta felt much older and more dilapidated.
Now Roger understood why “The Walking Dead” was filmed in Atlanta—the sense of post-apocalyptic decay was so pervasive that there was no need to build a special set.
But in fact, Atlanta’s economy wasn’t bad at all: it was home to the world’s busiest airport and was one of the largest commercial cities in the United States, serving as a gateway to American metropolises.
The reason it seemed worn was because the city was too old.
Orlando is one of the few American cities that began large-scale construction in the 1970s.
Atlanta, on the other hand, was burned to the ground more than a century ago during the Civil War.
The car passed by the grand Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home to the Atlanta Falcons.
They are one of the contending teams for the championship in the NFL, with many fans believing they could make it to the Super Bowl this season.
However, the real pride of Atlanta sports came in the form of Turner Field, which they passed next.
Just a year ago, it served as the main stadium for the 1996 Centennial Olympic Games, which you could consider as Atlanta’s Bird’s Nest.
Not long after the Olympics ended, Ted Turner immediately purchased the stadium in a seemingly merciless fashion and invested heavily to transform it into a dedicated baseball park.
The reason was simple: the Atlanta Braves deserved such a gesture from Turner.
The Atlanta Braves are one of the most successful teams in baseball history.
Since 1991, they have won the division championship every year, have been to the World Series multiple times, and even took home the World Series championship in 1995.
It wasn’t just in Atlanta that the Braves were successful; looking at the entire history of North American sports, the Braves have been one of the longest continuously operating professional sports franchises.
The Braves’ player, Greg “Mad Dog” Maddux is Atlanta’s most beloved sports icon.
From 1990 to the present, he has swept the Gold Glove Awards every year and is considered one of the greatest pitchers in history.
This is the current state of sports in Atlanta.
The city is dominated by football and baseball.
The Atlanta Braves have captured all the attention, while the Atlanta Hawks have been relegated to an inconspicuous corner.
The last time this basketball team won a championship, their home was in St.
After moving to Atlanta, the Hawks have never had their own period of glory.
Even during the pinnacle of their film era, the team only made it to the division semifinals once.
Both the Mercedes-Benz Stadium and Turner Field were brilliantly lit, but the home of the Hawks, the Georgia Dome, looked old, desolate, and dim.
And this was the reason why Ted Turner needed Roger.
He loved baseball, and he loved basketball.
He was eager for Atlanta’s basketball team to achieve the same success as the other two teams.
He needed a superstar to save the team.
So he promised Roger the greatest authority and expressed his determination to win the championship at all costs.
If a luxury tax is needed, I’ll pay it.
If people are needed, I’ll buy them.
He believed in Roger’s abilities; he believed this was the Hawks’ only chance to soar.
“Everyone here loves Mad Dog,” Roger said, looking at the posters of Greg Maddux all over the city, feeling emotional.
“You know, that’s going to change soon.
Within a week, billboards across Atlanta will be covered with you,” he added.
I will definitely become the most popular sports star in Atlanta, but I also hope that the Atlanta Hawks will become the most popular professional sports team in Georgia, and the most hated professional sports team in other states,” Roger declared.
Roger looked towards the dark Georgia Dome and noticed some fans gathered outside the arena, holding up signs: “God of Truth, save us!!!”
Babcock saw this scene as well and focused his gaze on those fans: “Do you see them, Roger?
We need you, Atlanta needs you!” he exclaimed.
Roger clenched his fists.
He suddenly felt a sense of mission.
An owner willing to cooperate, a general manager no longer causing trouble…
There’s no second-in-command with the influence of Shaq, nor the shining legacy created by prior stars like Jordan.
This could be seen as the first team that truly belonged to Roger.
The dilapidated team was like a blank slate, ready for Roger to write its history.
This is the mission of a superstar.
“God will give Atlanta everything it wants,” Roger replied.
Pete didn’t know whether Roger was referring to God or himself.
Perhaps, as the news said, Roger was Atlanta’s god.
The magic of Magic World had passed.
Next, it was time for the miracles of the soaring Hawks.
Michael still hasn’t renewed his contract with the Knicks, and David Falk hasn’t been in contact with any team.
Is this a signal of Michael’s second retirement?
— “The New York Times”.
A fire broke out outside the Orlando Arena, caused by fans burning trash.
A fan was bitten by a crocodile during a parade and then bit the crocodile back three times.
Don’t worry, the crocodile is unharmed.
— “Orlando Sentinel”.
Don’t be sad, we’ve lost Roger, but we have Orlando’s Chosen Son, Tracy.
Our future is bright!
— “Orlando Sentinel”.
Roger’s aura may fade slowly in Atlanta, a city seemingly without basketball in its DNA.
Anyway, it’s time for others to seize the opportunity.
Who will take advantage and leave their mark in the ’90s?
Actually, it wasn’t a complicated conversation; that night, Roger just told us the essence of basketball.
He understands the essence of basketball, so he could succeed anywhere.
Look, Atlanta will become a great basketball city, certainly much greater than during my time.
What do I want to say before ending my career?
Victory is the only truth.
Win the victory, win everything.
— Dominique Wilkins discussing the mysterious conversation that changed the dynamic of the Magic Team earlier in the season, in his last documentary shoot before announcing retirement.