658: 230: You will repent for everything you did today (asking for monthly tickets!) 658: 230: You will repent for everything you did today (asking for monthly tickets!) The Los Angeles Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Spurs, a heavy addition to the shameful record of Shaq after he left Roger.
If he had been defeated by a team led by a perimeter player, it might not have been so humiliating.
But the one who defeated Shaq was Tim Duncan.
A sophomore big man who made the league’s top center, Shaq, unable to lift his head.
There really wasn’t a more humiliating sweep than this.
The only consolation for O’Neal was that at least Roger didn’t continue to win championships.
It meant that he needed only to win a ring next season to catch up to Roger and end all the humiliation.
Everything could still be salvaged.
Let the so-called basketball obituary be left to Roger himself.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, Paul Pierce had already started his summer training.
Roger generously lent Joe Abunassar to Pierce: “Train hard with him.
I hope next season, you won’t miss those damn open jump shots anymore.
Don’t treat him like a person, train hard as long as your health allows.”
“Don’t treat him as a person?
That doesn’t sound right.
Even if Old Joe doesn’t go home, his wife still needs him to come home,” Pierce showed his concern.
“You misunderstood, the second half was meant for Old Joe.”
Since the Eastern Conference Finals ended, he had been very obedient.
He finally lowered his proud head and chose to be a good boy.
Many people make excuses for their failures, like some Western swimmers who often blame others for using drugs without proof.
Please, if such effective drugs really existed, those countries would have given them to their mediocre basketball and football teams.
But Pierce didn’t make any excuses for himself; he admitted that it was his poor performance that led to the team losing Game 7.
He had made money, he had lived the millionaire lifestyle, but he voluntarily gave up the first vacation after becoming a millionaire, determined to use this time to improve himself.
Honestly, even Roger found this transformation a bit unexpected.
It’s like your rebellious son suddenly starts shaking hands with everyone, picks up trash, cleans his room, and studies hard one day.
As an old father, you’d really feel comforted.
Of course, Pierce was only a good boy in front of Roger.
Externally, he was still unrestrained, still with an air of a street thug.
Regardless, at least he was no longer the arrogant jerk who only superficially dealt with you but was unwilling to change anything in reality.
Having made arrangements for Pierce, Roger then made a trip to Boston.
This year, the Boston Summer League was sponsored by Reebok.
As the leading endorser for Reebok, Roger naturally had to grace the event, adding some popularity to the competition.
To attract attention, the first game of this year’s Boston Summer League was Hawks vs Heat.
Although there isn’t much connection between the summer league teams and the main teams, the gimmick was quite substantial.
Moreover, Shawn Marion would also play in this game.
On the plane, another of Roger’s younger ‘brothers,’ Kevin Garnett, was excited because he had just left the Nike camp to become a Reebok endorser.
This meant that he would often attend various commercial events with Roger in the future.
This time, he was to join Roger at the Boston Summer League.
Kevin Garnett, now a bona fide star player, hadn’t changed his respect for Roger.
He hadn’t forgotten who had treated him to meals and gave him guidance during those confusing days in the freezing Milwaukee.
“Roger, any plans tonight?
I heard there’s a decent strip club in Boston.
Then we can bring the party back to the room!”
“You go have fun, Kevin.
I can’t stay up late,” Roger replied.
“Didn’t you break up with that TV host?
What else is there to worry about?”
“It’s not for that reason.
I need to shoot a cover for ‘VOGUE’ magazine soon, so I have to keep my skin in good condition as much as possible.”
“You wouldn’t understand, it’s a fashion industry thing.”
“Come on, what’s there to understand?
It’s just like those magazine covers Pat Riley used to do, imitating Al Pacino, right?”
“Something like that, you can think of it in that way.”
“Well, good thing I’m not as famous as you.
If it were me, they’d have to beg me to do it, and I still wouldn’t go.”
It’s fair to say, Garnett really didn’t understand the fashion industry.
This isn’t just about wanting to shoot and then going to shoot.
Firstly, ‘VOGUE’ magazine seldom features male celebrities on the cover.
Secondly, the last time an Asian male celebrity was featured on the cover of ‘VOGUE’ magazine was John Lone in 1986.
So, being the second Asian male star to be featured on the cover 13 years later, speaks volumes about Roger’s current influence.
The right saying is, even if Garnett wanted to shoot, they might not necessarily pick him.
Once in Boston, Roger went back to the hotel early, and even put on a face mask.
Truth be told, Roger actually hated doing these things.
But Eric Fleisher told Roger, “This is a key step to expanding your influence.”
Alright then, just this once, experience being a refined boy staying at a hotel.
While lying in bed watching TV, Roger found the sports news reporting about Spree.
In 1999, Spree had performed commendably with the Miami Heat and hence experienced a sort of rebirth, also landing him a number of endorsement deals and earnings.
Thus, he embarked on his path of investment.