The last time Roger played a series-deciding Game 7 was in 1999, when Paul Pierce was still a rookie and messed everything up in the final moments of Game 7.
At that time, Roger had not yet established a dynasty in Atlanta, and there was still much debate about whether he or Michael was stronger.
Now, as time flies to 2004, the once inexperienced Paul Pierce has become the new core of the Pacers after Reggie Miller. Latrell Sprewell, who once sealed the game in that decisive Game 7, has also had his experience of messing up a series-deciding game, and the controversy between Roger and Jordan has long disappeared.
From the perspective of most mainstream media, Roger now is essentially the most qualified candidate for the GOAT. After all, at the press conference at the end of the regular season, even Michael Jordan himself admitted that it was a "fact I don't want to accept but cannot change".
