basketball player

Chapter 504 Chapter 502: Once Invincible Battleship
When the wedding was going on, the guests toasted each other one after another, and the band's performance made the atmosphere of the whole manor extremely romantic.

Henson and An Jiali also started to take care of their friends, especially Henson, who made an exception and drank a lot of alcohol today.However, drinking some of it once in a day would not do much harm to Henson's body.

Finally, in a small gazebo in the manor, Henson met Leonard.This taciturn guy didn't seem to like such a lively occasion, so he waited until Henson was alone before choosing to come up to toast Henson.

"Congratulations, boss, happy wedding, I wish you happiness forever."

With a faint smile, Leonard raised his glass to Henson.Henson also raised his glass to clink with Leonard, but he knew that Leonard came to him, not just wanting to clink glasses.

As early as the summer of the previous year, Henson had predicted the difficulties the Pacers would face in renewing their contracts.

Sure enough, this season, the issue of contract renewal broke out in an all-round way.As one of the best young stars in the league right now, Leonard deserves a long-term max salary.

But with Horford, Paul and George already in place, it was difficult for the Pacers to give Leonard a satisfactory contract.

Coupled with the obstruction of Leonard's uncle, it even shakes Leonard, who trusts his family very much.Therefore, the rumors that Leonard will enter the free agent market this season have long been known throughout the United States.

Therefore, Henson believes that Leonard's trip is not only to bless himself, but also to say goodbye to himself.

"Thank you for your blessing, Kawaii. How are you doing? Have you figured out where your next stop will be?"

Henson asked bluntly, causing Leonard to hang his head in shame.

Henson naturally also knew that after losing Leonard, the strength of the Pacers would definitely decline sharply.But what could he do?He can't break the league rules, and he doesn't have the financial strength to invest in the Pacers and bear more luxury taxes for Vivek and Stephen.

Although the feat of a three-peat dynasty has been achieved, Indianapolis is not Los Angeles or New York after all.Burning money like Nets general manager Billy King is not something everyone can emulate.

"I" Leonard hesitated, seeming a little guilty.When he decided to leave, the hardest thing he faced was Henson.Although, he is no longer the Pacers coach.

"Come on, I won't be angry."

"I'm going to San Antonio." Leonard finished, looking up into Henson's eyes.But soon, the most terrifying perimeter defensive expert in the league timidly avoided Henson's gaze.

Henson was taken aback, but the surprised expression was only fleeting.Yes, the people of San Antonio have been coveting Leonard for a long time, but in the draft that year, Henson took the lead.

Now, the Spurs have plenty of salary space, and they urgently need a GDP successor.Therefore, there will definitely be a crazy pursuit of Leonard.

Moreover, the Spurs are also a championship team.Leonard goes to the Spurs, and he still has a chance to win the championship.How many players in this world do not aspire to play for the San Antonio Spurs?
Henson glanced at Popovich, who was eating and drinking, and shook his head.Did this cunning old man already have the idea of ​​the Pacers without saying a word?
"Boss." The silence between the two lasted for dozens of seconds, and it was finally broken by Leonard, "You don't blame me, do you?"

"Silly boy, why should I blame you? This is your career, and this is your choice. Although, I do prefer you to stay. But, I have no right to interfere. Because now, I am just a person who has nothing to do with basketball." Henson smiled wryly, yes, what right does he have to stop Leonard?

"I'm sorry, Boss. I didn't spend my entire career in Indianapolis, but that's why I chose to go West. At least that way, I can avoid fighting the Pacers as much as possible."

"Don't say sorry, I said it, it's a personal choice. Be happy, I don't want people crying at my wedding."

Henson patted Leonard on the sturdy shoulder, and the two drank another drink before the taciturn No. 2 forward blamed himself and left.

Leonard left, the damage to the Pacers is self-evident.Losing a top star in the league is a huge loss for any team.

But the Pacers suffered more than that, because just 15 minutes after Henson sent Leonard away, Jimmy Butler also found Henson alone.

Undoubtedly, he also came to say goodbye.The transfer rumors between him and Leonard have been going on since last year.Moreover, Jimmy Butler's desire to leave is much stronger than Leonard's.

On Leonard's side, to put it bluntly, it's just a matter of money.He is willing to play for the Pacers, but the money is not in place.

But on Jimmy Butler's side, it has risen to the issue of career planning.

"In Indianapolis, I will always be a sixth man, a fourth offensive player behind Paul, George, Leonard. But I think my value is more than that. I hope you can understand me, boss."

When Jimmy Butler said this, Henson was not surprised at all.Jimmy Butler is like a pit bull, not only because he's willing to bite like hell on the court, but also when he's off it.

Because of Jimmy Butler's problems, the atmosphere in the Pacers' locker room was not very good last season.Vogel is not the kind of coach who can fully integrate with players, and Bird is also very tough.As a result, his conversations with Jimmy Butler were usually ineffective.

When Leonard told Henson that he wanted to leave, Henson could sense Leonard's apology.But on Jimmy Butler, what Henson felt was mostly anger.

And when Henson knew that Jimmy Butler's next stop was Chicago, he understood why the "bulldog" was so eager to leave.

After Rose fell due to injury, the Chicago Bulls have been leaderless. In the 13-14 season, Rose, who had just returned from injury, only played 10 games before being reimbursed for the season again. In the 14-15 season, Rose's attendance rate was also not high, playing only 51 games.

而且这51场中场均17.7分4.9次助攻的表现，明显不符合芝加哥人对罗斯的预期。虽然季后赛中，罗斯场均能够轰下更漂亮的20.3分和6.5次助攻，但这是在出手数增加以及场均失误高达3.2次这个条件下拿到的数据。

Points and assists based on the number of shots and turnovers are not high in gold.

In other words, Rose has fallen due to continuous injuries. He is no longer the omnipotent "Windy City Rose", and he can no longer play at the level that the youngest MVP should have.

So now, the Bulls need a brand new leader.A younger, healthier and stronger leader.And the leader in the eyes of the Bulls is naturally Jimmy Butler.

In Indianapolis, Jimmy Butler was only the sixth man.But in Chicago, he was able to ride on Rose's head and become the number one star there.Under such conditions, you can also get a higher salary.

There is no doubt that such an attraction is something that Jimmy Butler cannot resist.

And unlike Leonard, Jimmy Butler chose to join the Eastern Conference team and is still an old opponent of the Pacers.Among them, it seems that there is some feeling of revenge in it.

You don't let me start, don't let me be the top card?OK, then I'll bring another team to beat you guys!

It's just that now in Henson, in front of the most prestigious man in the Pacers, Jimmy Butler tried hard to contain his anger.He dared to fight Vogel in the locker room, but that doesn't mean he also dared to challenge Henson.

Jimmy Butler gave Henson enough respect, so Henson didn't lose his temper.What's more, now he can't lose his temper casually.

"Then, I can only wish you smooth sailing in your future career, Jimmy." Henson reminded himself more than once in his heart that these have nothing to do with him, and he is no longer the head coach of the Pacers.

"I am very happy to receive your blessing, boss. Then, I wish you a happy wedding again. I hope that you will be happy forever in the future."

Henson looked at the back of Jimmy Butler going away, and curled his lips.When he saw the three giants of the Green Army parting ways, Henson was still a little gloating.

But now, when this "bastard" saw that the "Galaxy Battleship" he built began to disintegrate, he knew how heartbreaking this kind of thing is.

Once, they went from obscurity to global fame together.Once, they broke countless doubts together.Once, they defeated one terrible opponent after another.Once, they won three O'Brien Cups together, they won 73 wins, won 30 consecutive victories, and established a dynasty!
However, there is no permanent banquet in the world.How long has it been?The Pacers' dynastic lineup began to crumble.

Henson tried his best to calm down his emotions. He reminded himself over and over again that today is his day of great joy, and he should be happy.

But in the end, Henson Joe, a stubborn man, had to admit it.He couldn't let it go, and he felt bad for what happened to the Pacers.He didn't want to see the dynasty he built with his own hands fall.

In the end, it was Bird's request that broke Henson's last line of psychological defense.

"Come back, Henson. You also know how difficult it is for us now. You are the godfather of basketball in Indianapolis. A 'gang', how can there be no godfather for them!?" Byrd drank a little too much, and today he had the intention of using alcohol to relieve his sorrow.

Therefore, when he had a private conversation with Henson before he left, he spoke from his heart.

"I've retired, Bird. And three days later, I'm going to Venice with An Jiali for our honeymoon. Please, I don't belong to basketball anymore." Henson smiled wryly and stuck to his last line of psychological defense. For his body and An Jiali's sake, he couldn't be so selfish.

"I understand you, brother. I understand. Happy wedding to you again, I wish you."

"But if you want, I can give some advice on team building." Before Bird could finish speaking, Henson interrupted him. "Of course, I will not hold any position in the Indiana Pacers. Just, some personal suggestions."

"Huh!?" Bird raised his head suddenly, as if he was sober.

(End of this chapter)