basketball player

Chapter 496 Chapter 494: Meeting the Giants

2014 is definitely a year that is enough to be recorded in NBA history.This year, the Pacers became the fourth team in the league to establish a three-peat dynasty after the Celtics, Lakers and Bulls.

The Pacers won the playoffs with 16 wins and 0 losses, which also created the best record in the playoffs in NBA history.Before that, the most dominant performance in the playoffs was the Millennium Lakers, who went 15-1 in the playoffs.The first three rounds were all sweeps, but the 76ers lost one game in the finals.And since the first round of that era was 5 wins and 3 wins, you can win the championship with 15 wins.

And there is no doubt that the record of 16 wins and 0 losses is more dominant than the "OK" combination of the year.This record is likely to never appear again in the future.The Pacers will sit on this great record, which will still be mentioned by countless people many years later.

Of course, 30 consecutive victories, 70+ wins in two consecutive seasons, and 73 wins to break records are countless. In 2014, it belonged to the Indiana Pacers.No one, any team, can compete with them.No, to be precise, this entire era belongs to the Indiana Pacers.

However, all these records and unbelievable statistics can't be overshadowed by one thing - Henson Joe announced his retirement at the championship award ceremony.

No one thought that this arrogant Chinese coach would choose to quit at his peak.You know, Henson is still a few months away from turning 35. Being able to become an NBA head coach at the age of 35 is considered a young coach.Not to mention, he retired as a head coach at the age of 35.

You know, in the Pacers team, there are several players older than 35 years old.However, they have no intention of retiring.

But no matter how unbelievable it was, it happened to him.The day after the Finals, Henson confirmed in an interview, "I will not joke about this kind of thing. I really want to retire. My heart is already fragile. I don't want to be the first head coach in NBA history to die suddenly on the sidelines."

In this context, when Henson and the Pacers returned with the O'Brien Cup heroes, Indianapolis fans were not only happy, but also many people cried bitterly.They frantically stretched out their hands under the interception of the security guard, as if trying to seize the last moment of Henson's stay in the team.

Henson was even more shocked when he took the team bus to the gate of the Bankers Life Arena.At this time, countless fans had gathered outside the arena.In addition to cheering, they held the same sign aloft.

There is nothing on the sign except a simple sentence.But it was this simple sentence that made Henson's eyes blush.

"Stay, Henson, please."

There is such a sentence written on the sign in the hands of every fan.

"Look, you can't leave at all, Henson. The fans here need you, the players here need you, everything here needs you!" Seeing this, Vogel had goosebumps all over his body.Even when Phil Jackson retired, no Los Angeles fan would hold up a sign like that.

This scene is really shocking.

For a moment, Henson admitted, he relented.Look how much these people love themselves.They need themselves, they adore themselves.

But looking down at his heart, and thinking of An Jiali who was taking care of him in the hospital, Henson calmed down instantly.

One day, they will find another "Coach Henson Joe", that bastard will be like himself, and lead the Pacers to the top road, and they don't know that they will take another highway of hoarding honors.The wheel of history always moves forward, whether it is a player or a coach, they can only be ruthlessly crushed by time.

Even if he chooses to stay, how long can he stay?a year?two years?ten years? 20 years?
No matter how long, there is always a head.Parting is a matter of time, Henson is just planning to rest early
After entering the arena, Henson put the third O'Brien Cup in the history of the Pacers in the glory exhibition room.

When Henson first visited the Pacers' glory room, it could only be described as empty.Except for an Eastern Conference championship trophy, there is not much hard glory here.

But now, the Hall of Glory is resplendent and magnificent.Among other things, the three O'Brien cups placed in the middle showcase are enough to attract people.After all, how many teams in the league can have three O'Brien Cups at the same time?What's more, these three O'Brien Cups are still "consecutive".

"This is a great season, guys. Congratulations, you have worked together to accomplish things that many people can't do in a lifetime. But you must not be complacent, and you must maintain hunger and thirst at all times. If a professional athlete does not even have a sense of hunger and thirst, then simply stop playing. There are never too many championships. Don't think that winning three consecutive championships can indulge yourself. Well, this season is over, now."

Having said that, Henson suddenly lost his voice.According to the procedure, he should tell the players next, now that the team is officially disbanded, enjoy your vacation.

But this year, Henson couldn't speak.Because if once disbanded, it is really disbanded.Next season, it won't be me who will accompany this group of guys in the preseason training camp.

So, Henson shook his head with a smile, and then changed his words, "Now, enjoy the fruits of your victory. The season is over, guys."

Everyone left reluctantly. They knew that this was Henson's last season-end summary for them.If it weren't for the opportunity to revel together in the championship parade in a few days, no player would be willing to leave now.

Later in the afternoon, Henson stopped by Byrd's office.In addition to Bird, there are also vice chairman Pritchard and the two owners of the Pacers, Stephen and Vivek.

"Thank you, Henson, you have made the history of the Pacers extremely bright." As soon as Henson entered the door, Stephen gave him a gentle hug.

"This is what I should do, Stephen, and that's what you're paying me to do."

"Is there really no room for recovery?" Stephen asked again, the team coaching change itself is not a child's play.What's more, this time it is the soul-level figure of the Pacers who will be replaced.

"There's nothing to redeem, I'm just not fit for the job anymore, Stephen."

"You can come and work at a higher level of management."

"Sitting in the office drinking coffee and smoking cigars? No Stephen, thank you for your kindness. I don't know how to do business, and I can't sit still in the office. I still prefer working on the basketball court, hahahahaha."

"In this case, I can only wish you a happy life in the future, and everything goes well. But as Bird once said, as long as you think, the door of the Pacers will always be open to you." Stephen Simon glanced at Bird after speaking, and his basketball operations chairman nodded, indicating that I really said this.

"Well, then can I come to the Bankers Life Arena to watch games for free anytime in the future?" Henson made a small joke, trying to calm down the atmosphere.

"Free for life, Henson! Not only you, your family, your friends, your future children, your children... you can watch the game anytime you want."

"Wait, I'll record your words with my mobile phone, so that you won't renege on the debt later."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha."

After laughing, several men started discussing business.After all, all the giants of the Pacers gathered together, not just for the sake of talking and joking.

First, Simon and Vivek decided to spend a lot of money on hosting this year's championship parade.After all, this year's championship parade is to celebrate the birth of three consecutive championships, and it must not be sloppy.Moreover, this time the championship parade also has the meaning of saying goodbye to Henson, which is very special.

Therefore, the planning of the championship parade requires suggestions from every Pacers leader.

Afterwards, Henson also personally stated in front of these managers who were truly in power that his successor could only be Frank Vogel.

"You can't just find another bastard. Vogel is from the Pacers. He deserves this position. Of course, I will not interfere with the operation of the team. But I pray, you can give him some time. Bird, don't you believe in the so-called 'three-year rule'? Then if Vogel can't produce results in three years, you can replace someone else. But now, I hope he can get a due opportunity."

The reason why Henson strongly recommends Vogel is not because they have a good personal relationship, but because Vogel is really capable.And compared to other coaches, he also knows everything about the Pacers.

"Don't worry, Henson, you have my promise. Frank Vogel has at least three years to prove himself, unless you decide to come back within three years."

"You don't have to worry about it, Bird, I will never come back to bother you." Henson said, touching the bridge of his nose.

Usually when people are lying, they like to touch around.
Through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the office, I watched the fans who were struggling to keep me outside the arena.Henson couldn't imagine what a magnificent sight the championship parade would be in a few days' time.

(End of this chapter)