666: 232: I suggest from now until the end of the season, don’t trust any fart (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 666: 232: I suggest from now until the end of the season, don’t trust any fart (asking for monthly tickets!)_4 That afternoon during the media’s open segment, reporters were surprised to see Pierce appear.
Even the most optimistic reports had said he would miss at least half the season.
And yet, before the pre-season games had even started, Pierce was already back in training?
“Paul, how do you feel now?”
“Did the doctor allow you to play?”
“Are you just resuming training, or will you play in the games?”
The reporters had many questions, but Pierce answered them with a single sentence, “It’s a pity you’re still worried about whether I can play or not.
What am I here for if not to play?
I came back to defeat everyone who doubted me!”
Half a month later in the pre-season game, Pierce was a starter, scoring 23 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists in a versatile performance.
Compared to last season, Pierce’s physique was stronger, and his efficiency in breaking through was extremely high.
And on the defensive end, he was very serious.
Although his defensive skills still seemed raw, his defensive enthusiasm was a world apart from last season.
He showcased all the fruits of his efforts from the summer.
People couldn’t believe that this guy, who had just come out of the hospital not long before, could play so impressively.
Moreover, this level of performance wasn’t just for one game but continued throughout the entire pre-season!
With Roger playing only ten minutes per game, Pierce became the star of the team during the pre-season.
He was able to deliver 20+5+5 numbers in each game, showing a commendable defensive attitude in every match.
It was as if those 13 stabs had never existed.
Besides Pierce, Pippen’s performance was also delightful.
His defense was as torturous as ever, and back surgery did not turn Pippen into a useless old man.
In addition, Big Ben’s more mature help defense, Marion’s strong off-ball offensive capabilities, and Bowen’s more stable three-point shooting…
This Atlanta Hawks team looked immensely powerful.
Paired with Roger, who had already reached his prime, there was no doubt the Hawks would become the top favorites for the championship!
Fate had begun to be turned by their own hands.
It was like a swimming race where originally, Pierce’s incident caused the Hawks to be half a body length behind other teams.
But now, they were about to overtake them.
In the final pre-season game, the Hawks crushed the SuperSonics by 13 points.
After the game, Bob Costas shook his head and sighed, “Now, no team is more nervous than the defending champions because they will be the first team to be utterly dominated by a complete Hawks.
The dignity, prestige, and joy of a champion are likely to vanish completely!”
The outstanding performance of the Hawks in the pre-season kept the excitement high for the opening game.
On the game day, in Alamodome Stadium, Roger watched his opponents receive their championship rings silently in the dark for the first time.
Tim Duncan, hailed as the next era’s master, put on that supreme ring, lifted his hand, and admired its brilliance under the lights.
After a short ceremony, the starting players of both teams closed in.
Duncan and Roger shook hands, and the cold Number 21 said, “Hey Roger, you said in the past the future was mine.
The future is here, and I’m not planning on giving it back.”
If anyone really thought Tim Duncan was a person who couldn’t hold back a fart, they were deeply mistaken about him.
He liked to tell deadpan jokes in the locker room.
When he played away games, he enjoyed visiting his teammates’ rooms, chatting with them, playing games, and watching wrestling matches.
Similarly, he wasn’t that silent in front of his opponents.
Yet, his trash talk was different from others.
He wouldn’t spout obscenities or highly aggressive language at you, but a few simple words could let you feel the disdain and threat from the big fundamental.
Roger replied with a smile, “I’m not planning on letting you return it, I’ll take it back myself.”
The game was about to begin, and all the Spurs fans at the venue could hardly contain their restless hearts.
Although last season was about the exchange of champions, the two championship teams had not faced off.
This time, finally meeting, whetted everyone’s appetite.
Pierce bounced twice.
He didn’t want any slip-ups tonight.
He didn’t want fate to lead him by the nose anymore.
From the first game to the last, he had to be at his best!
At that moment, Roger came over and patted Pierce’s shoulder, “Paul, here’s a piece of advice.”
“Considering you also took two shots in the sphincter, I suggest you don’t trust any fart from now till the end of the season.”
“What?” Pierce was struck dumb; he never expected Roger to say that.
“Trust me, you might survive 13 stabs, but not this.
Alright, let’s get to work.”
Pierce scratched his head.
Since when did Roger start making deadpan jokes?
Who cares, Roger’s last sentence was right anyway.
First step, kill the defending champions!