Silent Love

Some exist with pride, others struggle with pride, some compete with pride, and there are those who fail with pride, but very few can walk away with pride. 
Congratulations, for as you read these lines, you have witnessed the whole lives of many great basketball players.
This pronunciation was embodied when Stephen Curry, after facing defeat in 2021, claimed that no one would want to face them the following season; When Tim Duncan was convinced before the start of the 2014 Finals that they would not mess up; When Kobe Bryant promised at Old Buss's memorial to take the Lakers to the playoffs; When Nowitzki, shedding his label as a soft player, retreated to the locker room in tears at night; When Kevin Garnett let out a skyward howl after holding the championship trophy; When the 2004 Detroit Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost…

Our story begins in an era when pride still mattered.

Basketball Legend: When Pride Still Matters

The Western Conference Finals against the Lakers gave the Supersonics a significant psychological advantage.


They had swept their opponent during the regular season.


Although only one of those victories occurred after the Lakers had strengthened their lineup, it was enough to bolster confidence.


"Over the past few years, my record against them has not been pretty," Phil Jackson said before the game with the Supersonics began, "I think, this time we can properly compete like we didn't in the last game."


Jermaine O'Neal also made a statement: "We likewise defeated the Spurs, but I wouldn't say that I blew Tim Duncan away like someone else would."


To be fair, Duncan was the only one on the Spurs who could say he was innocent in the loss of the semifinal.


He averaged 24 points, 18 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 blocks per game, statistics that could be discussed alongside those of the ancient greats.


Chapter 405: A Little Boy from Kent