Champion Creed

No matter which commentator participates in the Timberwolves' games, they will tirelessly introduce KG's contributions on the defensive end, constantly interfering and repositioning, highlighting his ability to limit points lost.

However, no matter how good the defense, no matter how much a team emphasizes defense, to go further requires the presence of a strong offensive player.

On the Pistons, this person could be Rasheed Wallace, or it could be Chauncey Billups.

On the Spurs, this person is Tim Duncan.

On the Timberwolves, this person is Sam Cassell and Sprewell. This is KG's biggest problem, he is the team's star player, drawing the highest salary, occupying the most preferred tactical position, but he himself cannot be the strong offensive player.

And because both Cassell and Sprewell can only be considered as All-Star level offensive players, the Timberwolves need both at the same time, so if one is off, the other can step up in time.

And when Cassell is not there, there is only Sprewell left on the team who can handle the ball.

You can't expect a player like Sprewell to single-handedly carry the offense of a championship-level team.

So, in Game 7, Spree's 8-for-22 performance led to the Timberwolves losing hope of advancing.

If Cassell were still there, Spree wouldn't face such great offensive pressure, and perhaps his efficiency would be higher.

Even if he still wasn't shooting well, Cassell could share the burden, and the probability of both shooting poorly at the same time is not high.

But with Cassell absent, and Garnett unable to be the offensive point, Sprewell had to grit his teeth and shoot relentlessly.

In the end, the San Antonio Stone Buddha had the last laugh.

Last season's Western champions once again overcame the hurdle and headed for the Western championship for the second consecutive year.

At the end of the game, Garnett flew into a rage in the locker room, almost smashing it into pieces.

He wasn't angry at Sprewell, you can't blame a partner after losing a game.

Garnett was angry with himself, this season's Timberwolves were the strongest in history, this season he had always longed for a head-to-head confrontation with Roger, to take over the banner from Roger.

But he messed everything up, when the offense stalled, he could only helplessly watch Spree handle the difficulties, while he was powerless.

After experiencing all these setbacks, the first person Garnett thought of was Roger.

He called Roger.

"What should I do? What should I do to become better? How can I defeat Tim? Damn, can't believe I have to wait another year to try again!"

Roger could fully understand Garnett's unwillingness and helplessness, because he experienced it in '94, '99, and also just last season.

When you lose a playoff series, you definitely want to try again, to get revenge fiercely.

But this isn't a 2K game, where you can just press a button for a rematch.

Nor is it a two-player game where you can take a ten-minute break and avenge yourself fiercely.

To try again means going through a long offseason, watching others lift the cup, then going through another training camp, experiencing a lengthy 82-game regular season, and going through the playoffs to earn the chance for another try.

This is why some players lose heart over time, because the cost of trying again is too high, and even in the next one, you're not guaranteed to win.

Roger said a lot to Garnett, but the most useful was: "Keep it up, at least you have huge room for improvement."

When you want to say someone is weak but don't want to be too blunt, "huge room for improvement" is the perfect synonym.

What can Garnett do? He is indeed very strong, but with his style, he can't win a championship with the Timberwolves.

The Timberwolves can't recruit a championship-level strong offensive player, without which Garnett can't break through, the reality is just that cruel.

But the relationship between Roger and Garnett is real, his personal friendship with KG was indeed good.

So in the end, Roger sincerely reminded: "Have you given your all for Minneapolis?"

"Of course!" Garnett replied decisively.

But quickly he amended: "No, I don't think I've done my best yet, so it doesn't count as giving my all."

"Good, then keep working hard, give everything. Then tell the team, you need them to keep the roster for you. No matter what, let the Timberwolves keep Sam and Latrell for you, no matter what stupid things Latrell says, no matter how ugly Sam Cassell is, you have to make a statement to the management, let the team know you need them! With the management level of the Timberwolves, I think you can't let them manipulate you."

After hanging up the phone, Roger laughed.

Yes, he laughed.

Kevin Garnett is his loyal little brother, so Roger wasn't gloating, but because he was excited about soon meeting Tim Duncan!

The one who won the championship in '99 during his era, the one who eliminated him in last season's playoffs, Tim Duncan!

Roger has never beaten Duncan in the playoffs, a fact Roger doesn't want to accept.

And that fact is about to be ended!

As for the Lakers?

Roger is very confident, because Spoelstra came up with a strategy that Roger appreciates very much.

At the press conference the day after training ended, reporters asked Spoelstra how he would ensure the team wins the Game 7 life and death match.

Spoelstra was unabashed, full of confidence, telling everyone.

"We all know the Timberwolves' best offensive players are Sam and Latrell, the best defender is KG. Tomorrow, I will let Roger become some combination of Sam, Latrell, and KG.

Just like a winning machine, Sam, Latrell, and KG are all key components, missing any one, and the machine cannot operate, this is why they lost to the Spurs.

And Roger, tomorrow he himself will be a winning machine!"

The reporters were puzzled, Roger is indeed a winning machine, but how can he produce KG's defensive impact while being offensively strong? What is Spoelstra planning to do?

On the other side, Phil Jackson, using the University of California, Berkeley gym as the team's temporary training base in San Francisco, heard from reporters about Spoelstra's words and just laughed indifferently.

"The rookie coach's last-minute trickery, nothing more."