Champion Creed

Defense and offense are different; offense requires talent. Defense also requires it, but enthusiasm can make up for some deficiencies in talent.

Plus, in FIBA basketball, because there's no defensive three-second rule, Team China's three big centers can better leverage their advantages. Bateer, Yao Ming, and Wang Zhizhi rotating as the three interior defenders are excellent rim protection resources, even on the international stage. Such a team, as long as they have the right attitude, can certainly deliver above-average defense.

If Team China can deliver formidable defense, this team could achieve significant results in the Olympics.

So compared to ability, Roger values the attitude of others more.

As long as their attitude is correct, Roger will get along well with everyone.

He truly believes that he won't make any big news with the national team.

"I will get along with everyone just fine, definitely." Roger emphasized, thinking about this.

However, American journalists still feel that, given Roger's personality, there will surely be problems in his harmonious coexistence with teammates who are at a level below that of an NBA championship team.

It's like a 50-year-old man marrying a 30-year-old wife; when there's an imbalance in the strength of both parties, various troubles will definitely follow.

A "New York Times" reporter laughed and said, "If you don't have an argument with a teammate within a week, we'll believe you can get along well with them."

The crowd laughed, but Roger shook his head: "Ha, you have no idea how gentle I am now."

The enthusiasm on the second day of training camp was as high as ever.

Everyone was training earnestly, even though Roger raised the training demands and intensity, no one complained.

Yet there was an exception.

Just halfway through the morning training, Roger noticed someone was missing from the training ground.

"Old Joe, the count is off, isn't it? Someone's missing. Who's not here?"

"The Spurs' secret weapon went to the physiotherapy room," Joe Abunassar replied, evidently referring to Bateer.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He said he has a sore back."

"Does he have a back injury? Has it been evaluated by the team doctor?"

"As far as I know, the team doctor's report shows he's very healthy. No offense, but what kind of injury could a guy who can't get on the court have? A mental injury?"

"Then call him out for me!"

"Is this... okay?" Joe Abunassar hesitated.

"What do you mean? What kind of bullshit question is that?"

"I don't know this national team, and neither do you. But look, none of your local coaches seem to want to stop him. I guess he might have a privilege, just like you did on the Warriors, a privilege to rest."

"No, no one on this team has any special privileges. Get him out for me!" Roger's shout drew the entire team's attention.

Roger absolutely did not allow such things to happen; the attitude is what he needs the most right now.

And if anyone starts being special, everyone will relax their own demands.

Without attitude, without strict demands, it's impossible to build a defensive iron army.

Roger didn't want to waste his valuable vacation time with a bunch of lazy big shots here.

Zhu Fangyu saw Roger getting mad at Joe Abunassar and thought there was a conflict between them, so he walked over to Yao Ming: "Yao, can you translate what Brother Luo and that Old Black are babbling about?"

Yao Ming had a serious look on his face: "Someone's in trouble!"

"Huh? After all that babbling, the translation only comes down to one sentence?" Zhu Fangyu was dumbfounded, feeling disadvantaged by his lack of knowledge.

Joe Abunassar conveyed Roger's message to the Chinese trainers, but those Chinese coaches all looked embarrassed, and no one dared to enter the physiotherapy room where Bateer was.

"Damn, a bunch of idiots!" Roger cursed under his breath, stood up, and directly kicked open the door to the physiotherapy room.

Following that was a stream of curses that all the Chinese players could understand, leaving everyone dumbfounded: "What're you slacking off for here? We don't cater to big shots here. If you want to play, then train properly. If not, then take off your jersey and get out!"

Del Harris didn't understand what Roger was saying, but he knew Roger was furious, berating his teammates mercilessly.

The Silver Fox swallowed, glanced at assistant coach Jeff Hornacek, and shrugged: "Damn, it seems American sports journalists know Roger well."

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Roger's conflict with teammates? It's not surprising. We overestimated Roger, thinking he could last a week, but he only lasted two days. —"The New York Times".

Listen, stop spreading rumors that Team China can beat the Dream Team. In fact, Team China might fall apart before heading to Athens. I won't question Roger's leadership ability; he knows how to dominate among a pack of lions. But it's hard to imagine how a male lion can work with a bunch of rabbits. —"Los Angeles Times".

Kevin Garnett publicly stated he will not renew with the Timberwolves, officially becoming an unrestricted free agent. The free agent market has a big fish this year! —"Hoop".

New York missed out on Roger back then; they absolutely cannot miss Kevin now. We must do something to survive in Roger's era! —Spike Lee discussing Kevin Garnett becoming a free agent.