But when Stoudemire leaned on Foster, the equally agile Little O’Neal had also returned to the paint and slapped away Stoudemire’s dunk!
Jamal Tinsley, the player reputed to be the fastest in the league, quickly launched a counterattack after receiving the basketball, with Roger closely following, pressing hard. So, when he charged into the paint, he didn’t attack directly but passed the ball to the right 45-degree angle where Reggie Miller had just arrived!
The 38-year-old man with a bandage under his eye leapt, shot.
Under the watchful eyes of all the Warriors fans in the arena, Reggie Miller’s three-pointer was successful, cutting the gap to five points!
From being 11 points behind to just 5 points behind, it only took the Pacers two possessions, and now there are still 57 seconds left in the game!
Reggie Miller shouted triumphantly, "Still 8 points behind? I told you, it’s just the beginning, just the beginning!"
"Damn cornfield cockroach!" Roger muttered under his breath.
However, the outcome of the final 57 seconds was heartbreaking for the Pacers fans.
First, on this possession, Roger hit a turnaround fadeaway shot amid double interference from Pierce and Little O’Neal.
A possession later, Dikembe Mutombo blocked Little O’s hook shot, the ball fell into Pierce’s hands, and he attempted a quick second chance under the basket but got blocked again by Stoudemire.
In the paint, everyone fell into a heap, and the ball, having been blocked, was snatched up by Roger.
He didn’t wait for a timeout, didn’t wait for teammates, immediately dribbled for a fast break.
Reggie Miller gritted his teeth as he pressed on, but Roger’s quick stop at the three-point line left the already exhausted Old Miller flying far away and completely out of position.
He was still struggling to get up, but Roger had already taken the shot.
"Roger chases and shoots directly... Score! The gap is again widened to 8 points with 22 seconds left! The Pacers have indeed gotten better, but the GOAT is still here! As long as he’s here, Reggie Miller’s wishes will remain unfulfilled, it’s the insurmountable fate of Reggie Miller!"
Reggie Miller sat on the ground, the bandage under his eye already soaked red.
He stared at the net, completely captivated.
Roger walked over, extended his hand to him: "I told you, it’s over for you, old man."
Marcus Camby felt a sense of solace within, because in the end, all Reggie Miller received was Roger’s humiliation.
Roger has been humiliating him for ten years.
So why did he do all this? Why did others?
Only Roger is the sole winner, all the sacrifices of others are insignificant.
If you can’t become Roger, why fight so hard?
Marcus Camby felt his values confirmed in the pitiful presence of Reggie Miller, look at him, look at Reggie Miller like a defeated stray dog. Surely he’s also pondering, what’s the point of all he’s done, he’s probably already given up.
I’m not a lazy bastard, I just realized earlier than others that fighting so hard is pointless.
Reggie Miller only woke up at 38, and it’s too late.
But the following scene left Marcus Camby frozen in his seat.
Reggie Miller grabbed Roger’s hand and stood back up.
The blood had already seeped through the bandage like blood-red tears.
But this 38-year-old old man wasn’t disheartened.
"Laugh at a chicken neck, our season is just beginning."
-----------------
The undefeated record of the Indiana Pacers was broken in Oakland, and ten years later, Roger still reigns over Reggie Miller. The fact is, the Warriors indeed have the ability to defeat most teams in the league, but when will they break the Spurs’ curse? — "Slam".
The Cleveland Cavaliers started 2-6, and LeBron’s shooting percentage is only 41% so far, with an average of turnovers ranking third highest in the league. Can Michael still make the playoffs? — "SportsCenter".
The Bulls absolutely refuse to add that line about Roger under the statue, Jerry Reinsdorf claims it’s Michael’s personal action and has nothing to do with the Bulls. — "Chicago Sun-Times".
The Golden State Warriors have indeed become very strong, but it doesn’t matter, because we have a firm hold over the Warriors. Last season, they lost to the Spurs, and this season, only the Spurs are unconquerable for the Warriors. Roger’s era ended last season, the next era is that of Gary Payton, the Admiral, and Tim Duncan. Whether they improve or not, it’s useless as long as they cannot defeat us. — Gary Payton during an ESPN interview.