basketball player

Chapter 553 Chapter 551: Life hangs in the balance

Henson is no stranger to the city of Chicago.

After all, he's here twice a season on the road.If you are lucky enough to meet the Bulls in the playoffs, there will be more times.

In addition, the annual joint trial training is also held in Chicago.Therefore, the number of times Henson comes to Chicago every year is quite a lot.

But never has Henson come to Chicago with such a heavy heart.

To play the Bulls away, Henson is usually impassioned.Come to participate in the joint trial training, Henson is often full of expectations.

But this was the first time, the first time Henson felt that the city of Chicago was so heavy.After all, he never came to Chicago to mourn the dead.

"...everything that passes quietly, this world has no end. Rest in peace, my love, your soul, will live on. You were born and you live only to pass on that poem of hope, forever, to you, this tear, a new language of love, and we will thank you for my dreams and days of happiness. I met you for the first time in this place, forever. I walk through that dark lawn, and I will not be afraid, because your soul is with me, amen."

The pastor finished his last eulogy in front of Sager's grave. Amid the tears of relatives and friends, the black wooden coffin was carefully lowered down.Sager will be buried in the ground from then on. Of course, Henson, an atheist, now believes that Sager is not buried in the ground, but has really gone to heaven.

A good man like him deserves to be treated like this.

After hearing the news of Sager's death, Henson rushed to Chicago immediately.Henson, who has no relatives in the United States, never imagined that he would one day attend the funeral.

Even when he had a heart attack, Henson never felt that he was so close to death.

Life is really fragile. He still remembers that more than a month ago, this old man who always liked to wear fancy suits was still playing haha ​​with himself on the court.For now, however, Sager's interview will forever remain purely in Henson's memory.

Following the team, Henson presented a white flower to Sager.Of course, the way he presented the white flower was different from others. Henson knelt down on one knee and carefully put the white flower on it, which showed his great respect for Sager.

Henson then walked over to Sager's wife.The woman is still in tears. Although she knew something like this would happen, the pain of the Sager family has not diminished in the slightest.

Henson hugged her, and when facing the media, Henson's mouth was like a "machine gun" and he was always able to make witty remarks.But facing Sager's wife, Henson simply said, "Take care."

The whole process was over, but Hansen was still reluctant to leave.Because he still has something to say, he wants to talk to Sage alone.

So Henson stepped aside and touched the inside pocket of his suit. At this moment, he wanted to smoke a cigar or something else to numb himself.

But after touching his empty pockets, he realized that he had quit cigars for several years.

"Do you need a fire?" At this moment, a person handed the lighter to Henson.

Henson looked up and saw that it was his old friend, and of course the old enemy, Gregg Popovich.

Popovich is here too, of course he will be.Like Henson, Popovich was one of Sager's best friends.

Courtside, Popovich loves to tease Sager.His classic dialogue with Sager is enough to write a joke book.

But beyond the ridicule, there is a sincere friendship between the two men.Sager appreciates Popovich's sense of humor, and Popovich also likes Sager.

So today, Popovich is the second NBA head coach to rush to the funeral besides Henson.

"No, Pop, I've quit smoking for many years." After being surprised, Henson waved his hand and forced a smile at Popovichki.

Henson found that Popovich's eye sockets were rosy, and I believe he must be very uncomfortable at this time.

"I really regret that I didn't get to see him for the last time." Seeing that Henson rejected him, Popovich put away the lighter and let the back of his head sigh with emotion.

"He will always live in our hearts, Pop. I remember today, the Spurs seemed to have a game."

"So what? I still have more chances to play games. But Sager's funeral cannot be missed. You are not the same, and you have to rush to New Orleans to play games tomorrow."

The two coaches looked at each other and smiled, they both liked winning.But at this time of year, winning doesn't seem to matter that much.

"Do you think you can go to the Finals?" After a few minutes of silence, Henson spoke again and asked Popovich a question.

"I don't know, I'm already an old man, Henson. I wouldn't say so impassionedly that the championship must be ours. The Warriors are very strong, I think you know as much as I do. I will try my best, but it is really not easy to defeat them."

It was the first time Henson had seen Popovich look sad for an opponent.

"What about you? Do you think you have a chance to win the championship?" Popovich kicked the "ball" to Henson.

"Of course, otherwise why would I come back?"

Henson's answer was crisp, as if the Warriors were nothing to fear.

"You are very confident, but this is you."

"It's not confidence, Pop, but I have to do it. It's my mission to win the championship." Henson stared at Sager's tombstone, remembering everyone's expectations of him.

Sager, Bird, a group of players, fans. Henson was willing to come back, not because he wanted to win the Eastern Conference championship.

"Have you ever heard of a phrase commonly used by Asians? Pop." Henson withdrew his gaze and stared firmly at Popovich
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"Old man, you said that people should be optimistic. So today at your funeral, I didn't shed a tear. I believe that you just went to a better place."

"I know that you have been working hard for the career you love all your life. Of course, you have finally stood on the stage of the finals. Don't worry, you go to the finals and wait for me. This season, I will not miss my appointment again."

"You don't believe me? Well, before the finals start, I will come to see you again. I will send you tickets to the finals as proof. Get a good night's sleep, Sag. This way you can leave the country refreshed when you interview me in the finals."

"Finally, I would also like to thank you. It is you who let me know what I should do in the future."

At this time, there were only two people left around Sager's graveyard - Henson Joe and Popovich.

Henson got down on one knee at Sager's grave to speak to him after everyone had left.

Popovich didn't bother because he knew Henson didn't want to be bothered either.Otherwise, he didn't have to wait until all the people left to do so.

Standing under a big tree, watching Henson muttering in front of Sager from a distance, Popovich kept thinking about the conversation he had just had with Henson.

"Have you ever heard of a phrase commonly used by Asians? Pop."

"what?"

"Life hanging life."

"Hanging your life? What do you mean?"

"In old Japanese, this phrase expresses the meaning of samurai who put their lives to guard the fiefdom."

"So what's the point now?" Popovich asked.

"Right now, it means working hard to do one thing, and this thing is worth spending a lifetime pursuing. For me, this thing is winning a championship. Now, this is my credo in life."

After recalling the conversation just now, Popovich licked his dry lips.No doubt, that's what Sager taught Henson.Golden State Warriors, you are in big trouble.

The not-so-strong sunlight was obscured by a few dark clouds, and Henson stood up, ready to leave with Popovich.

It's going to rain.

(End of this chapter)