Some exist proudly, some struggle proudly, some compete proudly, and some fail proudly, but few can proudly quit. When you finish reading this, congratulations, you've witnessed the lives of many players. This is embodied in Stephen Curry's words after his 2021 failure that no one wants to face them next season; Tim Duncan's firm belief before the 2014 Finals that they wouldn't mess up; Kobe Bryant's promise at Jerry Buss' memorial service to bring the Lakers to the playoffs; Dirk Nowitzki's tears in the locker room after shedding the label of 'soft'; Kevin Garnett's roar to the heavens after winning the championship; the reasons why the 04 Pistons won and the F4 Lakers lost. Our story begins in that era when pride still mattered.