Champion Creed-Chapter 1270 - 402: After Lu Buโs Death, Anyone Can Slay Lu Bu
Gary Paytonโs pride is being consumed bit by bit. ๐๐๐๐ฆ๐๐๐๐๐๐ท๐๐ญ.๐ธ๐ฐ๐
Deciding to join Rogerโs team was the first step in giving up his pride, and agreeing to a backup role was the second step.
And that was his final bottom line.
He was willing to be Rogerโs teammate, even willing to play as a substitute.
But that didnโt mean he was willing to be Rogerโs dog.
So he refused the training, refused this camp that seemed more like it was meant to showcase Rogerโs prestige.
The next day after Roger arrived at the camp, he didnโt go to talk to Gary Payton, not even bothering to contact him.
Roger had become friends with many people; he never thought he and Gary Payton could have that kind of relationship.
Roger certainly wouldnโt try to persuade him. If Gary Payton didnโt cooperate, it was easy to handleโjust cut him.
After all, itโs just a one-year veteran minimum contract, cutting him wonโt affect the teamโs future at all.
The cruelty of competitive sports is just like this. Each year, during the short time from the start of preseason to the start of the regular season, hundreds of players are cut. Teams sign many players during the offseason, but only a few make it to the final roster.
These hundreds might include high school super talents or once very successful veterans. No matter who you are, if youโre not strong enough, youโll be eliminated in this competition.
For someone like Gary Payton, who hasnโt figured out the situation, being cut once would teach him a lesson.
Roger once told Dominique Wilkins, and now it applies to Gary Payton: "You need me, I donโt need you."
Of course, Roger wouldnโt immediately have the team cut him.
If he remains like this during the preseason camp and games, Roger will have the team take decisive action.
This Golden State Warriors team is unprecedentedly united, and Roger wonโt allow any bad apples to spoil it.
As for Gary Paytonโs presence or absence, the Kings donโt care at all.
In the following days, Gary Payton didnโt show up at the camp.
Roger didnโt mention him at all, as if they were strangers.
Roger indeed had no intention to bother with the "Gloves," fully immersed in the joy of Matt Barnesโ significant improvement.
In the training camp, Roger found that Matt Barnesโ three-point shooting was vastly different from last season, frequently hitting threes even in scrimmages.
Moreover, his movements were smarter, more cunning. Last season, as solely a defensive player, he is now expanding his impact on offense.
Of course, Matt Barnesโ three-point consistency is not yet comparable to serious shooters.
But at least heโs a threat in open positions.
Besides, Rogerโs old teammate Kurt Thomas also made tremendous improvement in shooting.
Back in Atlanta, Kurt Thomas and Big Ben were practically the rim inspectors at Philips Arena.
Their free throws tested Lenny Wilkensโ patience and the rimโs durability.
But now, Kurt Thomas surprisingly developed a mid-range shot. Like Barnes, you canโt expect Kurt Thomasโ mid-range to be on the level of Stoudemire or Dirk.
But at least heโs a threat in open positions now; you canโt just easily leave him open.
I have to say, Daniel Gilbert really found LBJ a bunch of reliable partners.
Next season, the Cavaliersโ expected starters are LBJ, Larry Hughes, AK47, Kurt Thomas, and Big Z.
This is a starting lineup almost without flaws on defense, much stronger than the original timelineโs Cavaliers 1.0.
A small detail: the Larry Hughes in the original timeline was no longer the healthy Larry Hughes when he transferred to the Cavaliers, but now, this Larry Hughes has no injury history. When paired with the Chosen One, he will still have the quality of a first-team defensive guard.
Not to mention the team also acquired defensive stalwarts like AK47 and Kurt Thomas.
During breaks, Roger would jokingly say to Kurt Thomas: "Congratulations Kurt, you get another chance to play in the finals."
But Kurt Thomas just shook his head: "If you were leading this Cavaliers team, we might make it to the Finals. But LBJ? First, we have to make the playoffs."
"Daring, you shouldnโt doubt an emperor!"
"An emperor whoโs never played in the playoffs?"
"Donโt say that Kurt, you have a mid-range shot now, do you know what that means? It means next season, youโll have many chances in the final seconds to close out games. LBJ will find you, heโs very unselfish, and thatโs his biggest difference from other star players."
"I thank him for that!" Kurt Thomas called out jokingly.
In a joyful atmosphere, Rogerโs private training camp quickly came to an end. Thereโs just one week before the new media day begins.
During this time, Gary Payton seemed to be lost to the world, having no contact with anyone on the team.
It looks like he wonโt be filling the gap left by Cattino Mobleyโs departure.
But even so, major mainstream media outlets still gave Golden State Warriors a lot of credit in their predictions.
They all think the Golden State Warriors can defend their title, and Roger will establish his third career dynasty in the Bay Area.
Bill Simmons gave his reason in a column: "The Warriorsโ roster is still very complete, as long as the foundation of Roger + Amarโe doesnโt move, the Warriors are the team closest to the championship."
