Seeing Karl Malone, who entered the league around the same time as him, still being tormented by Roger at over forty, Michael Jordan suddenly enjoyed his current life.
At least he could leisurely play cards, have fun with Cuban models, or even play cards with one hand and entertain a Cuban model with the other, without being tortured by Roger in the playoffs.
All those old buddies who were beaten up by Roger in the 90s wanted revenge, wanted to put a close to their careers without regrets.
So Karl Malone found Kobe, Gary Payton found Duncan, thinking that this would settle the score and erase the humiliation of the past.
In Michael Jordan's view, this was an extremely absurd idea.
Even if they won, the victory would belong to Kobe Bryant and Tim Duncan.
And if they lost?
Their shame would only double!
Michael Jordan had already accepted a fact that Malone and Payton had not: they all lived under Roger's curse.
