765: 259: The Rights of the Emperor (Request for Monthly Votes!)_4 765: 259: The Rights of the Emperor (Request for Monthly Votes!)_4 Ultimately, Roger held all the cards in his own hands.
Eric Fleisher would never allow a tragedy like Scottie Pippen’s to befall a legend like Roger.
Confident in Roger’s personal ability and health, Eric Fleisher dared to sign short-term contracts.
After all, Roger wasn’t the kind of person who needed to cling to a long contract for his entire life.
Besides, the lifetime contract with Reebok had already provided Roger with enough security; he didn’t need to be timid about these matters.
The courage Michael Jordan had to sign one-year deals with the Bulls also stemmed from his lifetime contract with Nike.
Roger casually nodded while eating his steak, “Okay Eric, let’s negotiate it like that.”
“You might be the most casual signee in the entire NBA,” Eric Fleisher thought Roger was not too bothered about the renewal because the money under the max salary rule didn’t mean much to him.
I’ve thought it through and decided a 2+1 is best suited for me.”
Roger wasn’t lying, but his reasons for wanting a 2+1 contract differed from Eric Fleisher’s.
Eric Fleisher was considering Roger’s interests purely from an income perspective, but Roger was thinking in terms of his career planning.
Last night, what impressed Roger the most wasn’t the fifth FMVP, not the roasted chicken in the nightclub wearing only torn stockings, and not the battle with Gisele Bundchen.
It was the stark contrast between the two bosses, Steve Belkin and Bruce Levenson.
At least for now, the goals of these two owners weren’t entirely aligned.
How would this affect the team?
Roger wasn’t sure if he wanted to be tied to these two owners for an extended period, but he needed at least another two years to complete his goals, so 2+1 was the best choice.
And regardless of contract length, the Hawks had no chips to refuse him.
Roger was going to create his own glory but didn’t want anyone to constrain him.
Fundamentally, Roger and Fleisher’s goals were aligned—only Roger could control others, not the other way around.
To control one’s own fate, that is the right of an emperor with five crowns.
“By the way, Roger, there’s one more thing,”
“Even though you didn’t participate in the Sydney Olympics, the fans’ desire to see you play internationally is getting louder.”
“Maybe, maybe there will be such a day, Eric.”
With the official birth of North America’s greatest sports team, is Roger now considered the NBA’s greatest player?
I don’t know, but he has definitely already completely surpassed Michael Jordan.
— “Atlanta Journal-Constitution”.
No player has ever established dynasties with two different teams, and Roger is in the process of creating such greatness.
11 Rings, Magic, Michael, and Bird proved time and again that defending one’s turf is what constitutes greatness, but Roger is telling people that a true king isn’t necessarily limited to one territory.
He is step by step reshaping our understanding of basketball, and more and more impossibilities are becoming reality in Roger’s hands.
Hasn’t anyone ever thought of this?
What if Roger went up against the United States team in an international match?
Oh, the Dream Team members from the Sydney Olympics needn’t panic, go ahead and change out of your scared-wet pants.
I’m just speculating, after all, Roger had already confirmed that he would not be participating in the Sydney Olympics.
— “The New York Times”.
Ted Turner has officially sold the Hawks to a consortium led by Steve Belkin and Bruce Levenson, putting an end to the Turner era that lasted since 1977.
Of course, we all know that no matter how the franchise ownership changes, it won’t affect Roger’s steps to greatness.
He won’t go back on his word, he won’t give up, he won’t flee.
Because he is the truth of Orlando, the savior of Atlanta, the Agent Zero that resets everything to zero.
Or rather, he is the man most qualified to be called the GOAT.
— “Sports Illustrated”.