Champion Creed

Gary Payton looked back at the Spurs' locker room one last time, unsure if he would return next season.

In the end, his first year with the San Antonio Spurs was a failure.

An utter failure.

Tim Duncan didn't win a championship, but he still has a future. He is not yet 30 and remains one of the most dominant post players in the league, able to stay competitive even in the 2010s.

The Admiral didn't win a championship either, but he received everyone's respect.

Look at how the fans at SBC Center just cried their hearts out, pleading for the Admiral to play another year.

Since he officially joined the NBA in 1989, the Admiral has been a symbol for the Spurs.

Even though David Robinson has not been considered a star player in recent seasons, the people of San Antonio find it hard to get used to life without him.

Some players are like that, no matter how poorly they play, you still want them in the league. Such players are a source of joy for fans, rather than just athletes.

Even though they lost, David Robinson just received the respect he deserved at SBC Center.

Duncan still has a future, and the Admiral earned respect.

But what about Gary Payton?

His season with the Spurs has been completely fruitless.

Gary Payton envies the Admiral, despite having only won one ring during his career, and often being a minor player under Michael Jordan and Roger's brutal reigns, he was lucky. He managed to spend his entire career with one city, win a championship there, and become the lasting symbol of the team.

Payton left Seattle for a championship, abandoning the splendor of spending his career in one city, and gave up the dignity of a superstar. But in the end, he still didn't get that championship.

Payton was tense before the series started, fearing he would face the same tragedy as Karl Malone.

And now, he and Karl Malone have become synonyms for tragedy.

Payton shut the locker room door, ready to leave. Deep down, he knew his chances of staying in San Antonio next season were slim.

At the Spurs, Tractor Pete Holt doesn't manage the team much, and that damned agent Gregg Popovich controls everything.

And Payton argued with him during the Finals.

Even though he still thinks he was right, Gregg Popovich surely wouldn't tolerate such an unstable factor.

At 36, empty-handed, he still has to float around the league like a beggar.

Payton really didn't know when things turned out like this.

Payton pondered this as he walked through the player tunnel, suddenly catching sight of someone coming toward him.

When did things turn out like this? This person is the answer! It all started changing from him! Otherwise, he would have at least got a ring in 1996!

"Hey Gary," Roger waved at Payton, "Still reflecting on the season?"

"You bastard won again, I really don't feel like congratulating you." Payton snapped.

"It's alright, I don't need your congratulations. So, where to try your luck next season?"

The question stumped Payton. Unlike Karl Malone, who was determined to retire, the Gloves didn't want to leave the league with nothing.

Those with a competitive spirit can't accept being a role-player just for a championship.

But similarly, those with a competitive spirit can't choose to exit without a ring.

Driven by a fierce competitive desire, a player can make one of these choices. And Payton's choice is similar to Chris Paul's twenty years later in similar circumstances, more inclined to the latter.

There is always a pent-up breath in their hearts; as once the league's best point guard, they refuse to believe they will never win a ring.

How long can Roger dominate this league? He's already won seven championships; surely he can't win eleven like Bill Russell, right? In the modern basketball environment, that's an impossible task.

Gary Payton refuses to believe that he can't win in Roger's era, he doesn't want to concede!

"I don't know where the next stop is, but someday I'll make you watch me wear a ring. That day will come, and soon," Gary Payton said with a stubborn twist of his mouth, with the same resolve as in 1996.

90s stars indeed have a different aura.

First, Karl Malone refused to join the Warriors.

Then, Gary Payton wanted to fight to the end.

Why don't they understand the brotherhood of basketball?

"Oh, a surprising answer, well good luck Gary." Roger said, waving with a smile before leaving.

Payton glared at Roger's departing figure, angrily clenching his fists.

That bastard's relaxed demeanor is just like hearing a little girl say, "I want to be a princess when I grow up," not taking it to heart at all.

But Payton is serious, he will never compromise. As long as there's a championship-contending team willing to have him, no matter his role, he will keep playing until he wears that ring!

After boarding the team bus, Roger sat down as Mutombo asked, "Why so late?"

"Ran into Gary in the player tunnel."

"Oh, I thought you might be like Magic, fighting everywhere outside the court. Our new female press officer seems interested in you, I can tell, the way she looks at you is exactly like the way lions look at antelope on the African savannah."