basketball player

Chapter 509 Chapter 507: A Cigar and a Glass of Wine
"What did you say? Are you willing to come back!?"

In June 2016, the NBA Finals were in full swing.At this time, in a small villa in the Carmel district of Indianapolis.Two men who are no longer able to play are having a conversation that could change the league.

"Did you see? The little girl is very lively. With her mother's athletic genes, she must be very active when she grows up."

Sitting in the front yard of the villa, Henson smiled softly when he saw An Jiali who was teasing Emily through the window.

Bird can guarantee that after knowing Henson for so many years, this is the gentlest smile he has ever seen.

The bastard who was "unforgiving" back then seems to have become milder now.

"Anjiali's body plus your mind? Emily will be great in the future."

"My mind? Come on, I can play tricks too." Henson waved his hand.

"Small cleverness? You can't become a top student in the mathematics department by being clever. Why, have you forgotten that you have a background in statistics?"

Henson shook his head, indeed.If it wasn't for Bird's reminder, he seemed to have forgotten that his professional book had nothing to do with basketball.

The story of a down-and-out nerd turned legendary coach?Well, when there is time, Henson will write an autobiography like Phil Jackson did, and make another round of money.

"You said you want to come back, when do you plan to start working?" After a few pleasantries, Bird entered the topic.

Byrd had known what was going on a week earlier when Henson had told him he wanted to speak with him alone.And just now, Henson also confirmed Bird's conjecture.

This man who has been away from the basketball court for two years, he wants to come back.However, as the general manager of the Pacers.

"When will you start working? After the finals. After all, as long as the finals are not over, this season is not over. I haven't returned to the league for a long time. To be honest, I'm really excited. The Pacers have been blocked in the Eastern Conference semifinals for two consecutive years." Henson squinted his eyes and looked at the sky, thinking that the eventful years flashed one by one.

Once upon a time, the Pacers became a team that couldn't even play in the Eastern Conference Finals.

"Okay, I will arrange it as soon as possible. But I must remind you in advance that this summer, our work will be very busy. Many people on the team have expired contracts, and we need a lot of signings to make a team. Emily is still so young, what are you doing?"

"Don't worry Bird," Henson waved his hand, reassuring Bird's worries, "I will allocate time for work, family and rest. In less than half a year, I will be 37 years old, and I am not too young. So, I am not the stupid young man who just stayed up late."

Bird nodded, and it seemed that Henson was not only more mature on the outside.His psychology seems to be much more mature than before.

After all, he is also a father.

"Then our goal for next season is the Finals? Or the Eastern Conference Finals?"

"Stop joking, Bird," Henson joked, "My goal will always be the championship!"

Bird didn't answer, but took out the cigar box from his inner pocket, took out a cigar, and handed it to Henson.

This time, Henson did not refuse, but took over.Afterwards, Bird lit a cigar for the Chinese man in front of him.And the last coach who enjoyed the treatment of having a cigar lit by Bird was called Auerbach.

Henson has said that when he is willing to take a cigar from Bird one day, it will be his return.
The victory cigar of the Chinese-American coach lit up again.

※※※

The 2015-2016 season is a magical season.

After continuing the Pacers' record of 73 wins, there is a third team in the NBA that can win 70+ games in a single season, and that is the Golden State Warriors!
The rise of the Warriors has brought the entire league into the small ball era.Now, it is not unusual at all to have a lineup of one big, four small and five small.If any team goes to the traditional twin towers, it will be studied by the monsters on the spot.

Now, three-pointers and breakthroughs are the scoring methods used by all teams in the league.A mid-range shot?The technology has gone from being cost-effective to being an inexpensive way to score.

In the past, Henson used some insiders who could shoot three-pointers, which was regarded as putting the cart before the horse.Now, more than half of the centers in the league have a three-pointer.

Of course, one of the most incredible things this season is that the Cleveland Cavaliers led by James actually completed a shocking comeback when they fell behind 1 to 3, successfully defeated the Warriors, and won the O'Brien Cup.

When the Cavaliers won the championship and James shouted the words "This is for Cleveland", you can feel the inner cry of this player.

The vertical and horizontal alliance has been called alliance No.1 for so many years.And at this moment, he finally got his wish.

Without the obstruction of the Pacers or the harassment of the Warriors, LeBron James, a man who has been chasing a championship all his life, finally stepped onto the top of the world in his hometown.

So far, this dramatic 15-16 season has officially come to an end.But no one knew at this time that a bigger storm was about to form this summer.

However, far away in San Antonio, Texas, an old man named Greg Popovich felt the breath of the storm in advance.

※※※

San Antonio's Riverwalk is known as the most unmissable attraction in the city, not one of them.

This tree-lined boulevard attracts tourists from all over the world, and even locals frequent it.There are restaurants, shops, bars and many other entertainment venues on both sides of the river.The colorful parasols along the river also add a lot of color to the riverside walkway. Tourists walking on the riverside walkway, bathing in the breeze on the river surface, can feel a strong poetic flavor.

On the Riverwalk, listen to the music of buskers and the shouts of merchants.What you can feel is not only the beautiful scenery, but also the most authentic and characteristic side of the city of San Antonio.

Of course, when it comes to the riverside walk, you have to mention the night view here.

At night, the light show on the riverside walk will make the whole area colorful.It seems that the entire riverside walkway has instantly become the most dazzling part of the city of San Antonio.

At this time, in a small bar by the brightly lit river bank.Gregg Popovich and Henson Joe, who had long hair and a big beard, were enjoying the beer on the table.

"Are you serious? You came to San Antonio just to buy me a drink?" Popovich said, drinking half a glass of beer.

"Is it possible that I came to thank you for poaching Leonard and David West?" Henson asked deliberately.

"Come on, 'digging' isn't the right word. After all, it's a free-for-all transfer. So, are you really ready to come back?"

"That's right, starting this summer, I'm going to take over the Pacers' basketball affairs as general manager. I remember our bet, Pop. If I were to come back, I'd be the first to buy you a drink. Now, I've fulfilled my promise."

"I knew it," Popovich shook his head, "I knew it, you guys won't be so easily satisfied. But the league has changed, Henson. The Golden State Warriors have made the league completely changed. And your Pacers have also turned upside down. To be honest, Oladipo struggled in Indianapolis. Trading Horford for Oladipo is really out of standard."

"No, Oladipo will adapt. It's just that you need to adjust the way you use him. As for Horford, you won't know if the deal is worthwhile until he leaves Orlando this summer."

"Oh? Could it be that you were really involved in last year's transaction?"

"It's more than participation. This is what I negotiated."

"Hmph," Popovich snorted suddenly, "So next season, we'll be in big trouble."

"It won't be a problem, Pop. Because we're going to win the championship, and your Spurs are out. So, don't put so much pressure on yourself. I wish I could say the same to Steve Kerr and LeBron James."

The 37-year-old Henson has changed, becoming more mature and stable.But the 37-year-old Henson has not changed. For example, he is still as arrogant as before.

The former overlord of the alliance has already begun to attempt to recapture those things that belonged to him.
(End of this chapter)