basketball player

Chapter 554 Chapter 552: Another identity besides the head coach

Life hanging life.

Henson didn't just say these words casually. After returning from Chicago, Henson immediately devoted himself to the things he had to do his best to pursue.

The youthful Anthony Davis flies around the court, making three-pointers, breakthroughs, blocks, and steals. This thick-eyed guy is omnipotent.

But no matter how hard he tried, the Pelicans just couldn't break through the shackles set by the Pacers.

Zhu Holiday, as a player who has played for the Pacers and Henson, he knows it very well.The strength of the Pacers lies in their integrity.The integrity of the Pelicans, to be honest, cannot be compared with the Pacers.

In this game, Anthony Davis scored a large double-double with 35 points and 12 rebounds.Holiday is not soft, with 16 points and 14 assists, he is worthy of being a "Henson" player.

But in the end, with George and Antetokounmpo scoring 52 points together, the Pacers beat the Pelicans 102-95 in the away game.

When Davis broke out, the Pacers used the team to stabilize the situation.At the critical moment, the Pacers scored a key goal with a team offense.

Although the basketball game lasts for 48 minutes, it will take several hours to actually play it.But sometimes, it's those rounds that really make the difference.And there is no doubt that the Pacers are unique in their ability to grasp "those rounds".

After this game, the Pacers unknowingly won 11 consecutive victories!The Pacers are undefeated since losing to the Warriors in late November.

Henson, who had just returned from Chicago, was expected to be exhausted.But it turns out that as long as he steps on the basketball court, the Chinese coach will never feel tired.

After the game, the reporters wanted to have a good interview with Henson.After all, the tactical arrangement of the Pacers in the last few rounds today is really ingenious.

But Henson didn't give the reporter this chance. After hastily hugging Jrue Holiday, he returned to the player channel, leaving behind only a figure in a floral suit.

There is no doubt that Henson is wearing this as a tribute to Sager.Because today, not only Henson, many players and commentators, put on fancy clothes.Although Sager is only a sideline reporter, his influence in the NBA is still very large.

"Well, it seems that Coach Henson is in a bad mood?" The reporters looked at each other in blank dismay. They couldn't think of a reason why Henson didn't accept the interview when Sager had just passed away and the Pacers had won a big victory over their opponents.

Because today, even Popovich's "old stubborn" remembers Sager in front of reporters with red eyes.James, Lillard and other players also expressed their regret for Sager's death in front of the camera.

The social media of the major stars is even more lively. Almost everyone said that the NBA has since lost a legend.

But Henson, who was on good terms with Sager, didn't do that, which must have surprised reporters.

In fact, it's not that Henson is not sad.What should be remembered and what should be sad, Henson had already vented it all yesterday in Chicago.He doesn't need to express these emotions in front of reporters and on social media.Already expressed in front of Sag, that's enough.

Now, there is no sadness in Henson's heart, but only a rush of energy.And he believed that people like Sage absolutely didn't want everyone to cry.

So, Henson went straight to work after returning from Chicago.Tonight's wonderful game is proof.

However, Henson is now more than just a head coach.You know, he is also the general manager of the Pacers this season.Moreover, Bird, Vivek, and Stephen Simon all gave him a lot of power as the general manager.This includes the right to change the team's lineup and personnel.

Therefore, after the work of the head coach is over, Henson wants to immediately devote himself to the work of the general manager.Therefore, those reporters were ignored.

After returning to the locker room, Henson immediately turned on the TV.At this point, the game between the Portland Trail Blazers and the Denver Nuggets is over.

132 to 120, the Nuggets won at home.I have to say that the situation of the Pacers this season is really bad.

But Henson didn't care about the game's score, or Lillard's memory of Sager in front of the camera.During replays of the game, all of Henson's attention fell on a big, "chubby" white man.

In the collection, this big guy can always complete beautiful support in the high position.His low-post offense is very mature and has a soft touch.Like most insiders now, he also made a three-pointer today.

In the end, in just 19 minutes of playing time, the "big white fat" got 13 points, 5 assists and 4 rebounds.To be honest, even a coach like Henson who once coached Horford can't believe that this is the statistic of a center!
Nikola Jokic, he is really a treasure that has not yet radiated all its light!

Of course, it's impossible for Henson to see a player clearly with the highlights of a game.In fact, Henson has been following Jokic for a long time.

Only selected in the second round in 2014, this white insider from Serbia was not favored at the beginning.It just so happened that Henson retired in the summer of 2014, so he didn't care about the Pacers' draft.Otherwise, he's cheating and trying to turn Jokic into a Pacer.

But it's not too late to trick Jokic over.

That's right, in order to achieve what he wants to do with all his strength, Henson wants to strengthen.

Although the regular season has been played for a long time this season, and the year will be over in half a month, Henson believes that the Pacers still have room for reinforcement.

Especially inside, after the recent 11-game winning streak, Henson found that the Pacers' inside configuration did not meet his expectations.

The biggest problem inside is mainly Channing Frye and Kevin Rooney.

Frye shot right and was able to space the floor.Moreover, he has rich experience. Having experienced the injury in 2012 and the misfortune of his daughter, he also has amazing perseverance.

Kevin Rooney has excellent athletic ability, and Henson likes his wingspan of 2 meters.On the defensive end, Rooney's athleticism was on full display.Whether it is a big defense or a small defense, Rooney can do it.After all, Rooney and Henson personally suggested that the Pacers choose him, and the difference must not be much worse.

But at the same time, both of these guys also have fatal flaws.

Frye's athletic ability is really terrible. Although he works hard on the defensive end, his ability is average.In the face of an absolute gap in strength, it is useless to just work hard.In the playoffs, when encountering a strong inside team, once Antetokounmpo goes to the third position, Frye will be easily overwhelmed.

Rooney's problem is exactly the opposite of Frye's. Rooney on the defensive end has no problem, but on the offensive end Rooney basically only has the dunk.

When he first started playing basketball, Rooney played guard.But as his height and wingspan continued to grow, he played all five positions on the basketball court.In order to adapt to the NBA, Rooney stepped up his physical training and decided to play inside.

So now, Rooney's once soft touch is gone.Not to mention the development of three-pointers, he can't even make a stable mid-range shot.On the offensive end, Rooney is often hollowed out by others.People will only think of it when they "eat cakes and empty picks" occasionally.

"Oh, it turns out that Kevin Rooney also participated in the attack."

Therefore, Henson now hopes to strengthen the Pacers' inside line.For this player, it is best to combine the characteristics of Frye and Rooney.Has the athleticism to defend and some offensive threats to space the floor.

Frye and Rooney are certainly good, but for the sake of the championship and to increase the confidence of defeating the Warriors, Henson still hopes that the lineup can be more perfect.

And Nikola Jokic is undoubtedly the more perfect candidate.

Don't underestimate Jokic, he is actually very flexible.Athletic ability is not comparable to Rooney, but at least better than Frye.

On the offensive end, Jokic has nothing to say.Henson even thinks that guy has the potential to grow into a cornerstone player.

The only downside is that Jokic has shown talent this season.Therefore, it may be difficult for the Nuggets to release people.After all, we are not fools.If you want to trade, it may be very difficult to operate.

Of course, Henson doesn't fight unprepared.Anyway, he had a backup plan.

In order for players to benefit from their own "progress acceleration" effect, the sooner Henson completes the transaction, the better.Therefore, he couldn't wait for the All-Stars to do it.

After watching the highlights of the game between the Trail Blazers and the Nuggets, Henson turned off the TV and immediately called Bird.

"I want to talk to you about strengthening the lineup."

Byrd and Henson still don't like much nonsense.

(End of this chapter)