Champion Creed-Chapter 523 - 191: The First Triple Crown City? (Request for Monthly Tickets!)_4

This is Roger, a terrible person!

On the other hand, unlike the solemnity of the Hawks, the pre-season training camp for the Los Angeles Lakers was filled with a joyful atmosphere.

Would O’Neal bust your chops on the training court?

Would he yell at you during practice?

Of course not, because he was the one getting chewed out.

Jerry West had to have a man-to-man talk with O’Neal in his second week in Los Angeles:

"In Los Angeles, there are too many temptations. You’ve got to keep a low profile, stay away from the spotlight. Every night there’s revelry, endless parties, and countless women. You’ve got to control yourself. And that damned album of yours, did it have to be recorded right now? Frankly Shaq, your ’extracurricular activities’ are getting out of hand, to the point of showing up late and leaving early!"

Jerry West knew O’Neal was a playful guy, but he didn’t expect things to get out of hand after coming to Los Angeles.

In the past, O’Neal could only enjoy himself when he went to other cities.

But now, in Los Angeles, he faced temptations the moment he stepped out of his door.

O’Neal would respond with "Yes sir, Mr. West," then continue to do as he pleased.

Shaq didn’t think he was wrong. He told reporters, "I have twice the energy of normal people. Playing multiple roles is no issue for me. I can be basketball star Shaq, as well as rapper Shaq. That’s who I am."

Lakers’ head coach Del Harris urged Shaq to practice free throws more than once, but after every team practice, the only one who stayed for extra practice was always Kobe.

O’Neal didn’t give a damn about Harris. He had just signed a hundred-million-dollar contract, and before that, each time he came to Los Angeles, he would beat Harris’s teams badly. You, giving me orders?

O’Neal brought joy to Los Angeles; every teammate loved him because he didn’t put any pressure on them.

He also hit it off quickly with Eddie Jones and Van Exel.

They called Shaq "the greatest leader ever."

The difference was evident during the pre-season.

The Hawks secured a flawless record in five pre-season games.

Although Lenny Wilkens was adjusting his lineup, he didn’t use his main players for the pre-season games.

But whoever the Hawks put on the court, they worked their tails off defensively, with clear heads and proper rotations.

This meant the Hawks’ system was functioning smoothly.

And the most criticized by Roger, Stevie Smith, shot an astonishing 47% from the three-point line during pre-season.

He felt the defense of others seemed lax, and trash talk no longer disturbed his composure.

What about the Lakers?

If "the greatest leader" Shaq was in a good mood, the team might win; if Shaq didn’t feel like playing, the team would lose.

The Lakers lacked strong discipline on both offense and defense.

After the pre-season, O’Neal was dismissive of the Hawks’ 5-0 record.

"What does the pre-season prove? As long as Shaq gets serious, nothing stands in the Lakers’ way. The Hawks? What do they have to stop me? Expect Roger to guard me on stilts?

I’ll be like Superman on the court, and the only thing that can stop Superman, Kryptonite, doesn’t exist on Earth.

Atlanta might become two-time champions, but three-time champions? You’re overestimating Roger.

He’s the disgrace of Atlanta."

Just like in the previous ESPN show, Roger still didn’t respond to anything.

He saved all he wanted to say for the game tomorrow night.