Slam Dunk: Muguro

Chapter 442 Winning the Championship with the Worst Record

After the match, Kogure was named the best player of the game.

Despite only playing half the game, he still managed to achieve a near triple-double.

Furthermore, he limited Kobe's performance when matched up against him.

This can be seen from Kobe's shooting percentage.

Kobe shot a remarkable 50% from the field against Ronnie Fields.

When it was Kobe's turn to face off against Kogure, Kobe's shooting percentage plummeted, eventually dropping to less than 40%.

If Kogure and Kobe were matched up for the entire game, Kobe's shooting percentage might even drop below 30%.

This demonstrates the strength of Kogure's defense.

Of course, this is also related to the fact that Kobe was too inexperienced at the time.

It will be several more years before Kobe reaches his peak.

After the game, Kobe stood up in front of Kogure.

"Kogure, I'm going to beat you next time!"

Kobe's eyes revealed his stubbornness; he decided to increase the intensity of his training when he got back.

If you can't train yourself to death, then train like you're going to die!
Looking forward to our next showdown!

Kogure responded.

The two men bumped fists, and Kobe turned and walked away.

Just as Kobe was about to step into the player tunnel, he seemed to remember something, turned around and said, "You better not lose the next game!"

Kogure didn't say anything, but responded with a confident smile.

Kobe continued walking, and soon his figure disappeared into the player tunnel.

"Mumu!"

Just as Kogure was about to head to the locker room with his teammates, Drexler suddenly called out to him.

It was only then that Kogure belatedly realized there were two 'treasures' here, especially Hakeem Olajuwon!
After Jordan's first retirement, Hakeem Olajuwon was undoubtedly the best player in the NBA at the time.

Many fans only remember Hakeem Olajuwon's solo championship in the 93-94 season!
In fact, the championship in the 93-95 season was no less impressive than that in the 94-94 season.

Because the Rockets won the championship in the 94-95 season with the worst regular season record!
Throughout the entire playoff run, they did not have home-court advantage in any round.

这次夺冠还创下多项纪录：NBA历史唯一分区第六名夺冠球队；季后赛连克四支50+胜球队（爵士60胜、太阳59胜、马刺62胜、魔术57胜），对手总胜场达238胜，历史第一。

In addition, after winning the championship, Coach Tommy also uttered that classic quote.

Never underestimate the heart of a champion!
This statement has become one of the most famous mottos in sports history.

"Clyde!"

Kogure walked steadily toward the VIP seats.

Drexler patted Kogure on the shoulder and said, "Kid, not bad! Right, Hakim?"

Drexler introduced Kogure to Olajuwon, hoping that the Rockets would select Kogure in the Rookie Challenge in the future.

As the team's leader, Hakeem Olajuwon had a say in the team's player recruitment.

Hakeem Olajuwon looked interested and asked, "Little guy, would you be interested in joining our Rockets in the future?"

This match made Hakeem Olajuwon acknowledge Kogure's skill.

The Rockets' point guard performance is currently poor and they urgently need to strengthen the team, and Kogure is undoubtedly a qualified candidate.

Unfortunately, Kogure had absolutely no interest in the Rockets.

It's worth noting that the Rockets are a notoriously poor team, having paid a total of $530 million in luxury tax over 58 years, making them the NBA team with the lowest luxury tax rate.

The key point is that this $530 million luxury tax is to be paid in the future... which means the Rockets have never paid a luxury tax. The reason Hakeem Olajuwon went to the Raptors in the future was because the Rockets were too stingy, even worse than Pippen's last contract.

In 2001, the Rockets offered Hakeem Olajuwon a three-year, $13 million contract.

Let's take a look at Pippen. The Bulls traded Pippen to the Rockets using a sign-and-trade deal. At the time, Pippen received a 5-year, $7736 million contract.

Pippen's last contract was in 2003, when his former team, the Bulls, offered him a two-year, $1033 million retirement contract.

In terms of total career earnings, Hakeem Olajuwon and Scottie Pippen are comparable—can you believe it?
It's worth noting that the reason Pi Lao Er became a unit of measurement in basketball culture is related to his seven-year, 2000 million yuan "child labor contract".

Pippen's contract allowed the Bulls to strengthen their roster and made an indelible contribution to Jordan's two three-peats.

Of all NBA teams, Kogure has the worst opinion of the Rockets.

The Rockets are not only stingy and lack human touch, but they have also produced scoundrels like "Moreydog" in the future.

“Hakim, I would be very willing to work with you in the future if the opportunity arises.”

Although he disliked the Rockets, Kogure did not explicitly refuse.

This is the adult world!
Even if he participates in the draft in the future, he doesn't think he will fall out of the lottery, and he might even have a chance to be in the top five.

Given the Rockets' performance over the past two years, their draft pick is unlikely to be high, and trading for a higher pick to make room for Kogure is improbable.

Before Olajuwon could reply, Kogure continued, "Hakeem, Clyde, I'd like to try out the intensity of NBA training. Can I train with you guys for the next few days?"

This is Kogure's main objective!

This is Hakeem Olajuwon, the strongest center in the NBA right now, especially his Dream Shake, which Kogure drools over.

If he can learn the Dream Dance, his offensive capabilities will become even more threatening.

Kobe's future inside footwork will be modeled after Hakeem Olajuwon.

Speaking of this, Kogure was reminded of gOat, who also sought advice from Hakeem Olajuwon.

Hakeem Olajuwon: Did you learn it?

gOat: Tuition fee!
It's too difficult to ask a player who consistently travels to perform the Dream Shake.

Rumor has it that Hakeem Olajuwon refunded his tuition to gOat!

This shows just how bad gOat's footwork is in the paint.

Hakeem Olajuwon did not reply immediately, but Drexler, who was standing to the side, became anxious and kept giving him signals with his eyes.

As teammates and alumni, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler had a good relationship, so it was impossible for him to refuse.

"Forget it, just consider it a way of mentoring a junior!"

Ultimately, Hakeem Olajuwon agreed.

For him, getting a high school student into the team is just a matter of a word.

Soon after, Hakeem Olajuwon also handed his contact information to Kogure.

Before leaving, Drexler quickly added, "Kogure, we'll head back now. See you at the training gym tomorrow morning at eight!"

Soon, Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler left through the VIP passage.

At this point, Kogure's teammates gathered around.

They had considered trying to get closer to the two big shots, but they simply couldn't muster the courage.

Garnett couldn't hide his envy of Kogure, saying, "I didn't expect you to know Olajuwon!"

In this era, Hakeem Olajuwon was absolutely the benchmark for interior players.

To improve his defensive skills, Garnett often watched Hakeem Olajuwon's games, and naturally envied Kogure for being able to train with Olajuwon.

(End of this chapter)