91: 063: We don’t need MJ, now you only need me!
(Asking for monthly passes)_2 91: 063: We don’t need MJ, now you only need me!
(Asking for monthly passes)_2 “How long?” Falk wasn’t surprised by Jordan’s decision.
Jordan didn’t answer, just focused on watching the TV.
That depends on today’s result.
That depends on whether the Knicks are still a pushover.
Roger stood in Madison Square Garden, the shouts of “Fvck Roger” had been ceaseless since his entrance.
Even Michael Jordan never received such treatment; New Yorkers deeply recognized Jordan but not Roger.
They, like Riley, couldn’t accept the Knicks being crossed over by a high school rookie.
Their thunderous voices attempted to disturb the young All-Star guard.
Roger wasn’t affected, his shooting percentage during warm-ups remained perfect.
But the rest of the Bulls team might not be in the same good form as Roger.
After the game started, the Knicks’ defense was suffocating for the Bulls.
Steve Kerr’s first two shots both bounced out of the hoop, Pippen struggled against his former teammate Oakley, clanking mid-range shots and unable to penetrate the Knicks’ muscular defense inside.
The Bulls were scoreless after the game started, and the Knicks took the opportunity to make a perfect 8-0 run.
During another Bulls offense, Pippen at the post passed the ball to Kerr.
Kerr was ready to pass the ball to Roger when Starks stole it aggressively.
Starks immediately picked up the ball and launched a fast break.
All the fans in the arena stood up, a 10-0 lead was in sight.
But the player in the red jersey, number 14, embarrassed the New York fans again—he swiftly caught up with Starks from behind and delivered a solid chase-down block!
That block, like a timely brake, halted the Bulls’ slump.
That second deepened the hatred among New York fans for Roger; the high school rookie had spoiled their moment once more.
Starks scoffed at the block, standing beside Roger and incessantly saying, “You can’t change anything, rookie.
Madison Square Garden isn’t a place for you to do as you please.”
This was the third time Roger had heard someone say this, from The New York Times to Pat Riley and now to Starks, the message was the same.
They acted like Madison Square Garden was some kind of holy land.
To a good kid, maybe their repeated emphasis could be considered intimidation.
But for the rebellious Roger, the more they emphasized, the more he wanted to run wild right here!
Roger didn’t entertain Starks, instead, he quickly signaled everyone to come defend: “Enough, we can’t fall behind any further!”
The 18-year-old commanded on the court, and the three-time champions scrambled to defend.
The Bulls had grown accustomed to being led by Roger.
Indeed, Roger’s block had extraordinary significance, more than just adding to his block count.
It was like a powerful slap that woke the Bulls from their lethargy.
The following defense, the Bulls were notably serious, not giving the Knicks any chance.
Starks could only pass the ball to Ewing just before the 24-second shot clock expired, hoping the king of New York could break the deadlock.
Unfortunately, the desperate turnaround jumper of the big man rattled out.
Roger personally grabbed the rebound and led a fast break, helping his team to break the score drought.
2 to 8 and 0 to 10, the difference wasn’t merely 4 points.
What Roger had changed was the players’ mindset.
In the following game, Roger repeatedly showed similar performance whenever the Knicks were on the verge of momentum.
Every Knicks offense pressed down on everyone on the Bulls, but couldn’t suppress Roger.
In the sixth minute of the first quarter, Starks had another highlight moment of the game, dunking over A.
Green with a baseline breakthrough.
Green had never dunked on anyone in his life but had been dunked on quite a few times.
Players like him, diligent on defense, tend to be the ones who get posterized.
This dunk boosted the Knicks’ morale, as if they were ready to devour the Bulls.
But immediately afterward, Roger responded with a spectacular basket on the offense.
Pippen, after a strong drive against Oakley that drew the defense, passed the ball to Roger on the outside.
Roger lifted the ball as if to shoot but just feinted.
After getting Mason off his feet, Roger dashed straight into the paint, leaped over the still-recovering Oakley, and slammed the ball into the hoop!
Despite Oakley’s aggressive defense, he wasn’t a shot blocker, with only two seasons in his career averaging over 0.5 blocks per game.
So, facing the suddenly invading Roger, Oakley had no chance to stop him.
Roger, always known for his elegance and finesse, had this time shown a forceful finish!
NBC commentator Steve Jones couldn’t sit still: “I don’t know what Coach Pat Riley is thinking right now, but if I were him, I would be very regretful for aggravating Roger earlier.
Now, he’s so pressured he can barely catch his breath!”
After completing the slam, Roger didn’t even glance at Oak Tree Oakley, instead turning to stare straight at Riley: “I’m going wild, what are you going to do about it?
Shut your mouth, Pat, I’ve had enough of your crap during the regular season!”
Pat Riley was furious like thunder: “If that punk dares to come into the paint like that again, I swear there’ll be blood right here!”
Of course, Cartwright heard Riley’s roar, so he clapped his hands: “Stay alert on those bastards, we can’t let anything happen to Roger!”