514: Mark of the championship
The summer of 2016 is coming to an end, and when fall arrives, teams are ready to start preparing for the new NBA season.
This summer, the NBA's landscape has undoubtedly changed dramatically once again. In particular, Durant's joining the Warriors has made most media think that the NBA has come to an end. The other 29 teams in the league will all "accompany the prince to study" next season.
But there are also some media that believe that there are still a few teams that can defeat the "invincible battleship" Warriors next season. For example, the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just completed a 1-3 comeback last season.
While the Cavaliers are significantly inferior to the Warriors in terms of configuration, everyone knows that you can't underestimate having LeBron. James's team.
To the west, the San Antonio Spurs are also expected to be high. As a veteran powerhouse in the West, the Spurs will actually have a very strong roster next season.
Although Duncan retired, Leonard + Aldridge, the two low-key people, are not easy to mess with. Plus Manu, Parker, and Paul. Gasol and other pieces of the puzzle, as well as the wise Popovich, undoubtedly gave the Spurs the capital to compete with the Warriors.
And the third team that is considered to be likely to wrestle with the Warriors is undoubtedly the Indiana Pacers, the former league hegemon.
"As we all know, Henson. Joe is an amazing coach. Two days ago, the Pacers officially announced that Henson will not only serve as the general manager of the Pacers next season, but also serve as the head coach himself! Before the Warriors dominated the league, Coach Henson's Pacers already had the rudiments of small-ball play. So, Coach Henson is a very forward-looking and flexible coach. Under his leadership, the Pacers are very much to look forward to. But don't forget, he won three championships in just four years! ”
"The Pacers' staffing has always been underrated, and Paul and George have been criticized for injury in the first two seasons. But in reality, the two of them are still two of the best stars in the league. And next season, no one knows how far Antetoquin will grow. Add to that Oladipo, and don't forget about the young defender. In Frank. Vogel's hand, he fought extremely hard. But in Henson's hands, Oladipo may be able to transform! ”
"This summer, the Pacers have quietly overhauled their staffing. With the exception of a few core members, the role players have changed almost all over again. I believe that Henson's change was not made on a whim. He knows how to match his own lineup, so the strength of the Pacers should definitely not be underestimated. ”
Henson's return has brought the Pacers, who have been dormant for two years, back into the spotlight. Even Phil. Jackson's re-emergence with the Lakers has not caused such a big stir. What's more, after Henson announced that he would be the head coach concurrently, the media exploded.
Of course, it's only a handful of media outlets that are bullish on the Pacers. Most people still think that the Warriors' championship is still unquestionable.
Most people still think the Warriors are invulnerable, Henson. Joe? No matter how good a manager is, can he beat those players who are actually playing?
Henson also knows that this season will be difficult for the Pacers to win a championship. If it had been three or four years ago, he would have been in a war of words with reporters. But this summer, Henson didn't bother with reporters. He just wants to be as ready as possible before the start of the season.
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At the end of July, when Larry. When Bird told Henson a name, he didn't care. But then on closer thought, Henson saw an opportunity.
So, at the end of August, not long before the start of pre-season training camp for the new season, Henson bought a plane ticket to Canada.
Of course, he didn't take his wife and children on a trip, after all, their current health is not suitable for long-distance travel.
This summer is what Henson considers his busiest summer. From the time Anjiali gave birth to the time he announced his comeback, he almost never stopped. Rather than a holiday, Henson feels more like a "game day" for himself.
Therefore, Henson also went to Canada to work.
When it comes to Canada and basketball, the first thing that comes to mind will not be the Toronto Raptors, nor will it be Andrew Wiggins, the champion of the Timberwolves, or Anthony, the most "water" champion in history. Bennett.
The first thing that comes to most people's minds is only two names. One is Vince. Carter, one is Steve. Nash. Of these two, only one is purely Canadian.
The purpose of Henson's trip was to find that man.
At 50 Corvoz Avenue in Montreal, Canada, Henson was received by a blonde.
Henson entered a gray-and-white office building, with a few prominent words on the outside of the building - Canadian National Basketball Association.
Following the blonde beauty into the elevator to the top floor, and then through the corners, Henson is finally taken to an office door.
The girl knocked on the door, and a shout of "Please come in" came from inside.
So behind the door, Henson finally saw the man who was both strange and familiar, Canadian basketball legend, one of the greatest traditional point guards in NBA history, "Son of the Wind", and now the general manager of the Canadian national basketball team. Nash!
"Henson. Mr. Qiao, it's really hard for you, haven't you had dinner yet? I've already booked a restaurant, I wonder if I can enjoy my face in the evening? As soon as Henson walked into the office, Nash greeted him warmly and shook his hand.
It looked like the two of them were old friends. In reality, however, this was the first time Henson and Nash had met in private. It's just that Nash's gentlemanly demeanor makes him extremely enthusiastic even for Henson, a "bastard".
"It's my pleasure to have dinner with you, Steve. Mr. Nash. ”
"Just call me Steve, sit down. Sir, do you need tea or coffee? ”
"Clear water is fine, Steve."
After the secretary poured water for Henson, the two of them sat down. It could be seen that Nash seemed to want to say a few more pleasantries, but Henson was a straightforward person. So he was the first to speak, and he led to the purpose of his trip to Canada.
"Steve, I don't know what I talked to you about on the phone...... How do you think about it? Henson kept smiling, of course, smiling from the heart.
After all, Steve. Nash is one of the players he has a lot of respect for. In front of respectful people, Henson was never a jerk.
"Tell me the truth, Coach Henson, I'd love to promise you. But first, I have my own business with the Canadian national team. Second, the Golden State Warriors also sent an invitation. So, I haven't really decided whether to accede to your request or not. ”
A few days ago, Henson reached out to Nash with Bird and asked if he would be interested in joining the Pacers' coaching staff as a player development consultant.
Henson is well aware that the Pacers' young players need an experienced veteran to lead them. A good player development consultant plays a very important role in the team.
To take on the Warriors and Cavaliers, Henson needs anyone who can boost the Pacers. That's true for the players, it's also for the coaching staff.
But Henson didn't expect that Nash would also receive an invitation from his worst enemy.
"Golden State Warriors?" Henson was surprised at first, but soon regained his composure. After all, current Warriors coach Steve Brown. Cole, who was the general manager of the Suns, was there. And Cole and Nash's personal relationship is also very good.
"I'm hungry for a championship, Henson. After all these years of my career, my only regret is that I don't have a championship ring of my own. But now, I can make up for that as a member of the coaching staff. And as we all know, the Warriors are the biggest favorites to win next season......"
"That's just what the media said," Henson interrupted Nash, "and the media said I was going to be fired in just a month, and what happened?" ”
Nash was not angry at Henson's interruption, but smiled, "The media are not all wrong, you are indeed full of confidence." ”
"You've seen Spike. Lee's documentary? My self-confidence does not come from arrogance, but from my thorough preparation and deployment for the game. Are the Warriors really that strong? Don't the Pacers have a chance at all? Think about it, Steve, if you did win a championship with the Warriors, how many people would remember you? After all, they have Curry, they have Thomson, and a Durant.
Henson's presence interrupted him by the blonde secretary, and after she put the tea down, Henson continued.
"But if you can help the Pacers win the championship and get a championship ring in Indianapolis. Then trust me, Steve, you're going to be a legend. You'll be in the NBA, forever leaving the mark of a championship. ”
Nash froze for a few seconds and didn't speak. After swallowing, Nash glanced at his watch, then looked up, "It's dinner time, Henson, let's go eat." ”
At dinner, Henson didn't talk to Nash about anything work-related. The next day, with Nash's farewell, Henson hurried back to Indianapolis.
Three days later, Wojnarowski broke the news that the general manager of the Canadian national basketball team, Steve Brown. Nash will serve part-time as a player development advisor for the Indiana Pacers.
Of course, in this crazy 2016, this is just another piece of less remarkable news......
The Indiana Pacers, unknowingly, are expanding their influence on the field.