Coach: Coaching the Grizzlies at the beginning, playing the bantam

A week later, the Brooklyn Nets' press conference room was brightly lit and packed to capacity.

Media reporters from all over the world arrived early, setting up their cameras and microphones, waiting for the highly anticipated press conference.

The main figures at this press conference were none other than the Brooklyn Nets' legendary head coach Lu Yong and his lead assistant coach Kenny Atkinson.

Lu Yong sat in the center of the press conference room, with Atkinson beside him.

He was dressed in a well-tailored suit, with a faint smile on his face and a calmness in his eyes that revealed the vicissitudes of life.

Atkinson appeared somewhat nervous, but more excited, knowing he was about to take on a heavy responsibility.

The press conference officially began with the host's opening remarks.

The host first introduced the guests attending the press conference, and then changed the subject, saying, "Today, we are holding this press conference to announce an important message to everyone. I believe many of you have already heard about this message, but when it is officially announced, it will still shock us."

The atmosphere instantly became tense, with all the reporters' eyes fixed on Lu Yong and Atkinson.

The host paused for a moment, then solemnly announced, "After careful consideration, Coach Lu Yong has decided to step down as head coach of the Nets next season and will officially retire. His successor will be his protégé, our Nets' lead assistant coach, Kenny Atkinson."

As soon as this statement came out, the whole place was in an uproar.

Although the outside world already knew that Lu Yong, the greatest coach in NBA history, was considering retirement when he was traveling with his girlfriend Hannah, the news still shocked everyone when it was officially announced.

Reporters raised their hands eagerly to ask questions, and flashes of light went off one after another.

Lu Yong stood up with a smile. He first bowed slightly to all the reporters present, then picked up the microphone and said with a smile, "Dear media friends and fans, hello everyone. Today, I want to officially tell you that I will retire next season and hand over the coaching position to Atkinson. I am very relieved."

"He is a disciple I personally trained. He has outstanding coaching ability and a deep understanding of basketball. I believe that under his leadership, the Nets will remain a championship favorite in the league for the next few years."

Atkinson also stood up, bowed deeply to Lu Yong, and said, "Coach Lu, you are my mentor. Without your careful guidance and training, I wouldn't be who I am today. I will definitely take the baton from you and lead the Nets forward, living up to your expectations."

Next, Lu Yong began to review his coaching career.

He slowly said, "My basketball coaching career started when I became an assistant coach with the Grizzlies. There, I learned a lot and made many like-minded friends. Later, I was fortunate enough to become the head coach of the SuperSonics for the first time. That was an important turning point in my life. Standing on the court as a head coach for the first time, I was both excited and nervous, but I knew that this was my chance to realize my dream."

"After that, I coached the Philadelphia 76ers and the Knicks. Each team had its own unique culture and style, which allowed me to accumulate a wealth of coaching experience. Finally, I came to the Nets and became a minority shareholder and head coach."

"My time with the Nets was the most unforgettable time of my life. We shared the joy of victory and the pain of defeat, but no matter what, we always stayed together and worked hard for a common goal."

With tears welling up in his eyes, Lu Yong continued, "Along this journey, I want to thank many people. Thank you to my players; it is your hard work and dedication on the court that gave me the opportunity to stand here. Thank you to the Nets' management; it is you who gave me this platform, allowing me to realize my dream. I also want to thank all the fans; it is your passion and support that made me feel the charm of basketball."

"At the same time, I would also like to thank my friends in the media. It is through your words and images that I have recorded my coaching career, allowing more people to understand basketball and us."

"Although I am about to retire and no longer serve as a coach, I will still be active in the NBA and the basketball world. I will continue to pay attention to the development of basketball and make my own contributions."

As soon as Lu Yong finished speaking, the whole audience burst into enthusiastic applause.

This applause is an affirmation and praise of his coaching career, as well as a blessing for his future.

After the press conference, the news that Lu Yong would retire next season spread like wildfire throughout the basketball world.

The media reported on it extensively, and the news dominated the headlines of major sports websites.

On television, sports channel hosts were also excitedly discussing this topic.

Retired legends like Kobe Bryant, Paul Pierce, and Tracy McGrady also posted messages of congratulations.

Kobe wrote on his social media: "Coach Lue is a great coach whose coaching philosophy and tactical system have had a profound impact on the basketball world. I wish him all the best in his retirement."

Pierce also posted: "Coach Lue is a coach I greatly respect. His achievements with the Nets are amazing. I hope he can continue to enjoy the joy of basketball in the future."

McGrady said, "Coach Lue's retirement is a loss to the basketball world, but it is also a well-deserved rest for him. I thank him for his contributions to basketball."

Allen Iverson, Iverson's former protégé, was extremely excited.

In an interview, he said, "Coach Lu is the best head coach I have ever worked with. He not only taught me how to play basketball, but also how to be a person. Under his guidance, I became a better player. When I heard the news that he was retiring, I felt both sad and happy for him."

"It's sad that we won't hear news about him from the field anymore, but it's good that he can finally rest and enjoy life."

Fans who saw the news left messages online to bid farewell to Lu Yong. One fan wrote: "Coach Lu, you are a hero in our hearts. Thank you for the honors you brought to the Nets. We will always remember you."

Some fans said, "Although you are retiring, your spirit will continue to inspire us. We hope everything goes well for you in the future."

Some fans also created beautiful pictures and videos to review Lu Yong's coaching career and express their respect and gratitude to him.

In the streets and alleys of Brooklyn, people are also talking about Lu Yong's retirement.

Inside the bar, fans sat together, drinking beer and reminiscing about the glorious achievements Lu Yong led the Nets to.

In the park, elderly people sat on benches, reflecting on the fleeting nature of time and expressing their regret over Lu Yong's retirement.

The Nets players had mixed feelings upon hearing the news.

In an interview, Durant said, "Coach Lue is like a father to us. He not only guides us on the court, but also cares about us in life. We were all very sad to hear that he was retiring, but we will train hard and live up to his expectations."

Brunson also said, "Coach Lue's coaching style is unique. He always manages to bring out our potential. We will carry on his spirit and continue to win more honors for the Nets."

Although the three young players, Cui Yongxi, Liao Sanning, and Hu Jinqiu, have not been in the United States for long, they have great respect for Lu Yong.

Choi Young-hee said, "Coach Lu was our guide when we came to the United States. He arranged such a good training environment for us. We will remember his teachings and strive to improve our level."

Liao Sanning also said: "Coach Lu is a very kind and approachable coach. He always encourages us to try new things. We will take him as our role model and continue to move forward on the road of basketball."

Hu Jinqiu said, "We are very sorry about Coach Lu's retirement, but we will carry his expectations and perform well in the G League games."

For Atkinson, taking over Lu Yong's coaching position is both an honor and a huge pressure.

He knew he faced high expectations from fans and the media, as well as the heavy responsibility of leading the Nets to remain competitive.

In the days following the press conference, Atkinson held meetings with the team's management and coaching staff to discuss the tactical system and personnel arrangements for the new season.

Atkinson knew that Lu Yong left behind not just a championship team, but also a spirit.

He said, "I will inherit Coach Lue's coaching philosophy, while also adding my own ideas and style to keep the Nets competitive."

After news of Lu Yong's retirement spread, other NBA teams also expressed their respect for him.

Some head coaches said in interviews: "Lu Yong is a legendary coach in the NBA. His coaching achievements are admirable. His retirement is a loss for the NBA, but we should also be happy for him, after all, he has given so much to basketball."

Lu Yong himself did not leave the Nets immediately after the press conference.

He still comes to the training facility every day to talk to the players and offer Atkinson some advice.

He watched the players sweating on the training field, and his heart was filled with emotion.

Although his coaching career has ended, his love for basketball will never change.

One evening, Lu Yong arrived alone at the Barclays Center, the home court of the Brooklyn Nets.

He stood in the center of the stadium, looking at the empty stands, reminiscing about the moments he had spent there.

Those thrilling matches, those moments of celebrating victories with the players, all seem like they happened right before my eyes.

At that moment, Atkinson walked over.

He gently patted Lu Yong on the shoulder and said, "Coach Lu, you have given so much to this place. Every blade of grass and every tree here bears your mark."

Lu Yong smiled and said, "I'll leave this place to you from now on."

The two stood quietly in the center of the court, the afterglow of the setting sun casting long shadows on them.

At this moment, time seemed to stand still.

They seemed to be saying goodbye to the past, yet also welcoming a new future. (End of Chapter)