"You're not kidding me, are you? Bird. ”

The day after returning to Indianapolis from Philadelphia, Henson immediately visited Bird's office. Because what Bird said to Henson yesterday made Henson feel unbelievable.

"Do you think I'm joking with you? At noon today, we will hold a press conference. When the time comes, hopefully you will be prepared. Bird stood up, took out a cigar, and lit it for Henson.

This is how they celebrate their victory.

Henson took a deep breath, then exhaled the smoke ring, narrowed his eyes slightly, and looked out the floor-to-ceiling window behind Bird's desk at the view of Indian-Pressepolis.

It's only been a few years since I've been here, but I've changed a lot. From a scout who was about to be fired to the best coach now......

That's right, Best Coach!

Bird called yesterday to inform Henson that he had become the league's Coach of the Year award winner this season! This honor is much higher than being selected as an All-Star!

As the first regular season award to be made public by the league, there has been a lot of debate in recent days about who will win the best coach award. After all, this year, there are three teams and three coaches with the same record of 50 wins and 16 losses. They are the Bulls, Pacers, Spurs, Thibodeau, Popovich and Henson.

Therefore, Henson was indifferent to the matter. Because from the very beginning, he never thought that he would win the award.

Yes, their record is indeed equal to theirs, but the principle of winning this award is not as simple as the record. Every invited sports journalist will participate in the vote, and the winner will be determined by the outcome of the vote.

And Henson's relationship with the media ...... It couldn't have been worse. Compared to last year's winners, Thibodeau and the esteemed Popovich, Henson believes that no media will choose him, so he really doesn't expect anything from this award.

But sometimes, happiness comes so suddenly.

Perhaps, Henson is not as annoying to the media as he thinks. Aren't journalists like Christine and Sag also on good terms with themselves? Isn't Popovich also a frequent critic of the media, but still respected?

Behind the media that attacks Henson every day, there may be a bunch of journalists who support him but remain silent. After all, not everyone is so loud.

"What's wrong with you?" Bird couldn't help but pat him on the shoulder when he saw Henson stunned with a cigar in his mouth.

"Uh...... Not much, it's just...... It's so sudden. Henson came to his senses and smiled at Bird.

"Too suddenly? I thought you were ready for everything at all times? ”

"That's true, Bird, but other than that."

The team easily broke through the first round 4-0, and Henson won the best coach again, which undoubtedly put Bird in a good mood. Become the Godfather of Basketball in Indianapolis? That day seems to be getting closer and closer.

※※※

At noon, in the media reception room of the Consec Arena, Larry, who had not appeared in front of the screen for a long time. In front of all the media, in front of countless cameras and glare flashlights, Bird personally handed Henson the Coach of the Year trophy.

Speaking of which, it is precisely because of Henson's excellent leadership results that Bird appears in public less and less, because reporters are now attracted to Henson. On a rare occasion like this, Bird was tasked with presenting an award to Henson.

The Coach of the Year award is actually called "Adeno. Auerbach Prize". The trophy is named after the legendary head coach "Cardinal" Auerbach, who led the Boston Celtics to nine NBA championships between 1956 and 1966.

Strangely, it was Auerbach who brought Bird to Boston in the first place, and Auerbach was undoubtedly Bird's mentor and gave him a brilliant career. Now, however, Bird is handing the trophy named after his mentor to a head coach he has personally chosen......

Behold, fate is so wonderful sometimes.

Henson took the trophy with both hands, and he had seen the trophy countless times on the Internet before, just a small bronze man sitting on the bench directing the game. However, at that time, he never imagined that he would be able to touch such an honor in person!

Henson held the trophy and smiled at the camera. Suddenly, the media reception room was filled with a "click" sound.

Henson felt a little dizzy, as if he couldn't see it as it really was. However, after the glitter, the Coach of the Year trophy was still in his hands.

It's not a dream!

At this time, reporters seem to have stopped caring about Henson's "half-hanging" status overnight. He came, and brought victory, and that was enough.

"Coach Henson, congratulations! Tell us how you feel at this time! "In fact, there is no way that anyone would have made things difficult for Henson today. Because most of the people who came at this time were local media in Indianapolis. Even if there were any doubts about the results of the awards, such doubts would only appear in online news and newspapers elsewhere.

"Excited, excited, surprised, happy, I didn't expect that I would one day be able to win such an honor. I have to thank Bird and the management for believing in me and, of course, my players. They are very obedient and it definitely makes my job a lot easier. ”

The last paragraph, Henson said, for the second time. In a previous interview with Christine, he said the same thing.

It can be seen that Henson is really grateful to the group of lads under him. Because he knows very well that coaches and players make each other better. A good coach will not succeed if he lacks good players.

The reporters hurried to take pictures, and it was very rare for Henson to smile so sincerely.

After a brief press conference, Henson hugged Bird and Pritchard again, looking a little incoherent.

"Don't get excited, Henson. It's not your end yet, and it's not the end for the Pacers. Let's play the next game, our playoffs have just begun. ”

Henson nodded, his expression calming down. yes, that's not the end of your own. Now, it's time to think about the opponents for the second round.

But until then...... There's no doubt that Henson should have chosen a hard-earned reward for unlocking such an achievement as Coach of the Year.

※※※

On May 10, 2012, four days after the Pacers advanced to the second round, Henson. It has been 3 days since Joe won the controversial Coach of the Year award.

There is no doubt that the news of Henson's award caused a stir across the league.

"Popovich can't compete with Henson right now. Joe!? ”

"It's a ridiculous award because the winner isn't the best coach."

"Henson. Coach Joe became the first person in NBA history to win the best coach by paying lip service. ”

But now, no matter how much the media attacks Henson, Henson doesn't care. Because the results of the poll have shown that the majority of journalists are actually on their side!

A total of 119 sports journalists and announcers from the United States and Canada voted for this year's NBA Head Coach of the Year awards. Henson received 77 first-pick votes in one fell swoop, which was undoubtedly a landslide.

Therefore, Henson did not care about the invective of the media, nor did he care about any praise. Instead, all the attention is focused on the next round of opponents.

On May 10, the Boston Celtics will play the Atlanta Hawks at home in Game 6 of the series. If the Celtics win today, it will inevitably be the Eastern Conference semifinals that Henson and Rivers will meet in the Eastern Conference semifinals.

Therefore, this game Henson is very concerned. And for the next round of games, whether the opponent is Celtic or Hawks, Hensendu is very confident.

After winning the Coach of the Year, Henson upgraded his "Facility" badge to increase the stamina and progress rate of all players from 10% to 20%!

Needless to say, the importance of stamina is not to be mentioned, and now, all of your players have a 20% speed bonus! Leonard's own "Enhancement Potential Level 2" badge is equipped, and the progress speed bonus is stacked to 40%!

Henson can't help but fantasize about how strong the Pacers will be next season. But until then, Henson is just as confident this season as he is more fit than the aging Green Shirts and Hawks.

As Bird said, the best coach is just the beginning. Will the victory continue......