Champion Creed-Chapter 1461 - 457: Courage, the Foundation of Great Achievements

Chapter 1461: Chapter 457: Courage, the Foundation of Great Achievements

So, Roger believed that the Warriors’ comeback tonight didn’t require earth-shaking efforts. He told everyone: "We just need to do all the basics well, control the rebounds, be aggressive in defense, hit open shots, stay patient, and most importantly—don’t be afraid. If we do these things, we can walk out of here smiling."

As the second quarter began, with Kirk Hinrich’s three-pointer, the Knicks expanded the lead to 23 points.

New York fans were cheering, as they were about to break the Warriors’ undefeated record and become the only team in the playoffs this season without a loss.

But this three-pointer didn’t extinguish the Warriors’ passion. Brandon Roy handled the ball, and after being double-teamed, he passed it to Roger. Facing the aggressive Kirk Hinrich, Roger didn’t pass it again but shot directly without hesitation.

Sometimes, you can’t wait for the most secure opportunity to take a shot. Moreover, against a team like the New York Knicks, there is no such thing as the ’most secure chance’.

Kirk Hinrich charged too hard and couldn’t stop in time, his body colliding with Roger. Roger maintained his shooting posture and released the ball before falling.

Falling, whistle blows.

Roger’s brave shot earned him a four-point play opportunity!

Kirk Hinrich loudly complained to the referee: "I touched him after he released the ball!"

But it was to no avail as Roger stood at the free-throw line, took a deep breath, and smoothly made the shot.

Four points gained, the Warriors narrowed the gap to 19 points.

After scoring, Roger didn’t celebrate but clapped forcefully: "Do the basics well, do the basics well!"

This round saw the entire Knicks team encounter intense pressure. Yao Ming moved to the three-point line, Wade saw this and broke away from Roger, slicing in like lightning, intending to attack the basket.

When Wade received the ball, he saw Roger looming behind him, so he faked a shot but didn’t take it.

As the leading side, Dwyane Wade preferred to wait for the most secure opportunity before taking a shot.

But this time, the Warriors’ defense was active and didn’t slack off despite the large deficit.

Eventually, the Knicks’ ball circulated, ending with Rashard Lewis taking a forced shot.

The basketball rimmed out, Stoudemire actively boxed out, battling with Yao Ming, and allowed Stephen Jackson to get the rebound.

After securing the rebound, Roger got the ball, signaling with both hands to calm everyone down.

Then, Roger faced the fierce double-team pressure from Wade and Hinrich and calmly fed the ball to Amar’e Stoudemire, who had come out to mid-range, who easily hit a mid-range shot, narrowing the gap to 17 points.

Under Roger’s pacing, the Warriors played steadily using basic tactics.

He wasn’t impatient due to the deficit; his courage allowed his mind to remain calm.

Of course, it wasn’t easy. When the Warriors had closed the gap to just 13 points, the Knicks again extended the lead back to 19 points at one point.

Such a setback could cause despair for the timid, but the brave would choose to persist in doing the right thing.

Roger shouted to motivate his teammates, coolly passing the ball, not waiting for the perfect chance to shoot because he knew he had to step up.

The Warriors just kept playing using the most basic ways, and Roger played in the bravest way possible. 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂

By the fourth quarter, the Knicks’ stamina indeed began to show problems.

Their three-point percentage sharply declined, and their defensive intensity started to drop.

Tom Thibodeau kept shouting furiously on the sidelines: "Tougher, faster, harder!"

But shouting those words seemed to have little motivational effect.

Moreover, the Knicks were plagued by the "winner’s mindset."

They frequently overpassed, seeking the most secure opportunities to firmly grasp their lead. But this made them hesitate in taking shots and led to repeated turnovers.

In the seventh minute of the fourth quarter, when Kirk Hinrich drove the ball up, the Knicks’ lead was only 2 points.

Oracle Arena regained its usual vitality, and Mike Breen ceased his praises for the Knicks players.

This time Kevin Garnett and Stephen Jackson collided shoulder to shoulder, aggressively breaking into the paint. But Amar’e Stoudemire had already returned to defend under the basket, and given Yao Ming’s two previous misses from beyond the arc, Stoudemire wasn’t really concerned about the Oriental Giant at the three-point line.

KG didn’t forcefully attack the basket against the four high-raised arms but passed the ball to the best open Yao Ming.

But the most secure opportunity was no longer secure; with his stamina nearly spent, Yao Ming’s jump shot only hit the front of the rim.

"Bang!"

Amar’e Stoudemire and Stephen Jackson boxed out aggressively, and Roger seized the opportunity to grab the rebound and quickly counterattack.

He pushed past Kirk Hinrich, swiftly crossing half-court while Rashard Lewis and Wade guarded ahead of Roger, yet neither dared to foul, allowing Roger to easily pass between them.

But just after passing, Kevin Garnett came up to provide help defense. Without thinking, Roger jumped and lofted a floater.

He didn’t overthink, nor did he flinch; he was always chasing victory, racing to the death on this path.

Everyone’s eyes were on the basketball, and Roger, landing, already had his hands crossed over his chest.

The basketball went in, and the entire stadium shook.

With five minutes before the end of the game, the Golden State Warriors finally evened the score!

The Warriors didn’t rely on substitutions or tricky plays to win; they stood their ground, matched blow for blow, bravely facing the gap under the leadership of their fearless leader.

To the Knicks, this was fatal, having once led by 23 points only to be tied would be unacceptable to any player.

On the other hand, the Warriors were greatly encouraged; this was the biggest setback they had encountered in the playoffs, and now even this setback was completely resolved by them.

In the last five minutes, the New York Knicks could not establish a lead again, and the Warriors won the game at home 106 to 101, completing the largest comeback in finals history!

1-0, the Golden State Warriors remained undefeated.

When the game ended, Roger swung his fist vigorously, while Bill Simmons in the stands typed on his phone the phrases "Courage is the foundation of greatness" and "Race to death on the road to victory."

Thus, his six tenets were confirmed.

Roger’s autobiography could enter its finishing stages.

And Roger’s perfect season was also approaching its conclusion.