Champion Creed-Chapter 511 - 188: I really want to have an in-depth discussion about basketball (asking for monthly passes!)_2
Chapter 511: 188: I really want to have an in-depth discussion about basketball (asking for monthly passes!)_2 fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
But even with difficulties, Roger was confident he could create the same success here.
There’s always a solution to a problem, and the summer was still long, one step at a time.
Before addressing all these issues, Roger had to make a public appearance in Atlanta.
When Ted Turner said he wanted Roger to make a grand public appearance, Roger thought he would be hosting a press conference for him at a luxury hotel.
Turner, it turned out, had greatly underestimated the team’s and Atlanta’s esteem for him.
Because Ted Turner, in conjunction with the city government, managed to arrange a very grand welcome parade for Roger.
It was quite the fanfare of a welcome.
On his third day in Atlanta, Roger took part in the parade.
It was fair to say, the scale was comparable to a championship parade.
He rode a double-decker bus emblazoned with the word "Truth", travelling along the Chattahoochee River all the way to Ponce de Leon Avenue, where passing vehicles honked in salute and fans gathered at the roadside in the blazing sun cheered on waves.
This gave Roger the illusion he was in a championship parade twice a year.
Upon arrival at the square outside the Georgia Dome, the red carpet had been rolled out, and Atlanta Mayor Bill Campbell was waiting with the key to the city for Roger.
The key to the city in the United States is traditionally given to respected residents or individuals whom the city wishes to honor.
This practice dates back to medieval times, when city walls and gates were guarded by sentries during the day and locked at night. Receiving the key to the city symbolized that the recipient was a trusted friend of the city’s residents, free to come and go as they pleased.
Now, it is a highly symbolic honor.
Roger hadn’t played a single game in Atlanta yet, but the mayor himself was there to present the key to the city, a clear indication of how much Atlanta valued Roger.
How could they not value him? The 1996 Atlanta Olympics had left Georgia’s economy rather lackluster.
They had hoped to cash in big, but instead, they ended up spending more than they earned.
And it didn’t do much for Atlanta’s reputation either.
Even Chinese commentator Huang Jianxiang criticized, "This is the most rudimentary Olympics ever; even my T-shirts and perfume got stolen from my room!"
This "Most Rudimentary Olympics" label was not usurped by Tokyo until the 21st century.
Bill Campbell really needed someone to stimulate Atlanta’s economy now.
What could Roger bring?
He brought a multitude of attention.
Next season, the Hawks would get countless national broadcasts, and tens of millions of fans would see Atlanta on their TV screens.
This would boost tourism, luring many visitors to spend their money in Atlanta.
The season tickets for the Hawks’ next season had sold out in the blink of an eye, meaning that the revenue for surrounding restaurants and hotels would increase significantly, raising the government’s tax revenue from ticket sales, parking lots, and accommodations.
Yes, "Mad Dog" was one of the greatest pitchers in Major League Baseball.
But his commercial value was far less than Roger’s.
So, was Roger just a basketball player?
No, he was the savior of Atlanta!
Roger got off the bus and walked onto the platform amidst the cheers of countless fans to receive the key to the city from the mayor.
Then, he took part in the unveiling ceremony for his jersey.
Right, Roger was only informed about this today.
His jersey for the next season even had an unveiling ceremony.
A large black cloth covered one side of the Georgia Dome, and as Roger pressed the button, the cloth slowly fell away to reveal an enormous Hawks number 14 jersey.
Reebok didn’t want Roger to change his number since the sales of the number 14 jersey were doing great, and there was potential for it to become a legendary number like 23.
After the jersey made its debut, the cheers that shook the Georgia Stadium followed.
Roger really hoped Wilkins wouldn’t see this scene.
Sorry buddy, your jersey retirement ceremony definitely wasn’t as grand as mine.
In the end, Roger took the microphone and spoke to the fans in Atlanta for the first time,
"I’m here for one reason only, and that’s to put Atlanta basketball on a winning track. Remember this, I will bring a championship to Atlanta, I promise you that. So, come watch the games next season, because it’s going to be a very, very exciting year!"
Roger was already bold enough, but he still didn’t say, "Not one, not two, not three, not four, not five..." etc.
In Roger’s view, being audacious was one thing, but blowing smoke was quite another.
After the welcome ceremony, Roger went to the welcome dinner prepared by Ted Turner and the city government.
There, he met many local politicians and businessmen of Atlanta, which was not bad for expanding his network.
As the dinner was drawing to a close, a woman with a standard hourglass figure, dressed in a black fitted evening gown and black stockings, walked up to Roger holding a glass of wine.
"Breast size proportional to arm thickness, hip size proportional to waist size" didn’t seem to apply to her.
"Welcome to Atlanta, ’Truth.’ " The woman raised her glass to toast with Roger.
"Thank you."
"I’m Sofia Vergara, the host of CNN’s Spanish-language travel show, and I’ll be guest-hosting sports programs and working as a reporter next season. We’ll be seeing each other fairly often. Any suggestions for a newcomer to the sports circle?" she asked jokingly.
