686: 238: Tribute to Shaq—The Best Second-in-Command in the Basketball World (Vote for Monthly Ticket!)_2 686: 238: Tribute to Shaq—The Best Second-in-Command in the Basketball World (Vote for Monthly Ticket!)_2 Can’t be getting into another fight with Kobe, can I?
Truth be told, beating Kobe in a fight is like outswimming Shaq in length, not the slightest sense of accomplishment.
But Roger seriously doubted, could Pierce really concentrate on the game?
When they arrived at the hotel and got off the bus, Pierce was sweating profusely with nerves.
His 13 stab wounds seemed to throb faintly, reminding him of everything that happened that night in Los Angeles.
After entering the hotel lobby, Pierce’s heartbeat finally eased a bit.
Roger could tell, Pierce really wanted to perform well in the next game.
But fear had hijacked his soul.
If he was always in Los Angeles, wouldn’t that just be handing Kobe an easy victory?
Although his excellent performance over the past month had proven that once Pierce got on the court, he would be free from distractions.
But God knows if Los Angeles would be the exception.
After dinner, Roger, a bit worried, decided to check on Pierce in his room.
Roger pressed the doorbell of his room; it took a while before he heard the sound of the lock.
Pierce cracked the door open, sighed in relief upon seeing it was indeed Roger, then quickly pulled him into the room and locked the door again.
Once inside Pierce’s room, Roger couldn’t hold back his reaction.
He had barricaded the entrance with the sofa, surrounded the bed with chairs, and placed a baseball bat under the pillow.
Pierce himself was wearing a bulletproof vest, a helmet, and held a small knife in his hand.
“Los Angeles in the midst of a zombie apocalypse?” Roger joked.
“Don’t mock me, I just have a high sense of caution!
You know, Los Angeles has always been a place with high crime rates!”
“Paul, relax, nobody can hurt you anymore, those bastards who stabbed you are now in prison enjoying the stick treatment from their cellmates.”
“I am relaxed, do I look tense?” Pierce said, gripping the small knife in his hands.
Roger shook his head, are you sure you can play ?
He began to worry about Pierce’s condition truly.
Well, maybe Pierce will become a very quiet person tomorrow.
Maybe he won’t dare to speak out of turn in Los Angeles anymore.
The next day, game day.
Kobe arrived at the court early, practicing his mid-range jumper.
He hadn’t slept well last night; thinking about today’s game had him all fired up.
The 16-game winning streak gave Kobe unparalleled confidence, equalling the season-opening winning streak record set by Roger and Shaq, reinforcing Kobe’s psychological suggestion to himself: I am really no less than Roger!
Just one game away, and the impressive record set by Roger and Shaq was about to be broken.
Of course, Kobe wasn’t going to let this opportunity slip by.
Shaq was right, a 16-win streak is just a number.
What’s crucial is, they must surpass Roger.
Meanwhile, the Hawks’ team bus arrived at the Staples Center.
Paul Pierce was on the bus wearing headphones, not speaking to anyone.
Once off the bus, Pierce walked quickly to the locker room.
He was still a bit nervous, but that seemed to vanish completely the moment he put on his jersey.
During warm-ups, Pierce’s shooting percentage was very impressive.
He was calm, relaxed, and focused.
There was a moment, Roger had almost forgotten Pierce’s comical stance in his room the day before.
The basketball court truly seemed to be his safest harbor.
Soon, a courtside reporter approached Pierce for an interview.
Hannah’s question was simple: “You’ve been performing exceptionally this season, proving to be a reliable ball-handler.
Compared to last season, what do you think is your biggest change?”
Pierce stared seriously at the camera: “The biggest change is that last season, I wasn’t ready, neither mentally nor physically.
But this season, if Roger tells me, ‘Hey Paul, I don’t want to carry the game alone, can you help?’ I will confidently say, I am ready, I’ll help you!”
Roger, listening to Pierce’s answer nearby, suddenly realized he had underestimated the guy.
Roger had been worrying about Pierce’s condition, fearing his performance in Los Angeles would be affected due to the previous incident.
But after hearing Pierce’s answer, Roger felt there was no need to worry at all.
Paul Pierce had truly grown.
Even in Los Angeles, as long as he stepped onto the basketball court, Pierce would be in fighting mode.
He would momentarily forget fear, becoming the best support.
After speaking, Pierce turned to find Roger staring at him, blinked, and said: “I am ready, Roger!”
Roger nodded and fist-bumped Pierce.
You have Kobe Bryant with his chilling talent, and I have my battle-scarred Paul Pierce!
Half an hour later, the starting lineups were in place.
Near the center circle, the tension was, as always, palpable.
“Roger, I’m about to break the record,” Kobe said.
I’ve already got my fourth ring on.”
“Yes, you have four rings, but that’s all you’ll ever have.
I will get my fourth, fifth, sixth…”
“Rings like the FMVP that are Kobe’s?
I never knew you enjoyed the feeling of being second best so much,” Roger replied.
Every time O’Neal spoke with Roger, it felt like conversing with a devil!
O’Neal clenched his fists as Big Ben eyed Shaq intently.
On the bench, Andrae Patterson also stood up.