NBA Finals, San Antonio Spurs, Popovich ......

These three words seem to be bound together by nature. When the Heat triumvirate was formed, people fantasized that the three guys could build a terrifying dynasty, but never imagined that the aging Spurs would make it to the NBA Finals for the second year in a row.

But Popovich and his players once again interpreted the meaning of the phrase "veterans don't die," and last season, they crushed the fast-rising Grizzlies. And this season, the Spurs have locked the very championship-looking Oklahoma City Thunder out of the door.

If it weren't for the Western Conference Finals the year before last, the league deliberately favored the Thunder, maybe the Spurs would have reached the Finals for the third consecutive year.

Before that, as long as the San Antonio Spurs reach the finals, it means that they will definitely take the O'Brien Cup. A 100% Finals win rate is something only Popovich's team can do.

However, this magical record was broken by the Pacers last season. There is no doubt that Popovich does not want to lose the O'Brien Cup against the same opponent in a row. Neither the Spurs nor the Pacers have had much roster change this season, so this year's Finals could well be seen as a replay.

When Popovich gets seven more fights, will he be able to take his chance to crush Henson. What about Joe? And the Pacers, can they continue the "OK combination" at the beginning of the century and build another incredible dynasty?

"If the Pacers end up building a dynasty this season, the Pacers' season can be called the greatest and most successful season in the entire history of the NBA, and there is no one!"

"Coach Henson has already done so many miracles this season and I'm sure he wouldn't mind creating another one."

"The Pacers are on the verge of building a dynasty, and they're not going to miss out. The Spurs will have a hard time stopping the Pacers moving forward, and this season the Indiana Pacers are unbeatable! ”

Before the Finals began, countless media outlets were playing up the greatness of the Pacers. Popovich and his Spurs, once again, are looked down upon.

But Popovich didn't care about it at all. The only thing he cares about now is how to finish Henson.

He didn't know how much turmoil it would bring to the league when Henson announced his imminent retirement. He only knew that if they didn't play well with Henson this season, they might not have this opportunity in the future.

Although Popovich bet that Henson would definitely return, at that time, God knew if the Spurs and Henson's teams would make it to the Finals.

That's right, Popovich doesn't know if the Spurs will make it to the Finals. Duncan, Manu, and Parker are all in their twilight years. And the worst thing is that the Spurs have not found a successor to GDP this time.

Once, Duncan's arrival allowed the Spurs to bring David to the Spurs. Robinson's flag was handed over to the "stone man". But now, Popovich has no players who can continue to take over the flag.

Therefore, he knows very well that this tournament is likely to be the last chance for the GDP combination to challenge for the championship. If you missed it...... Popovich would be very, very sorry.

"Cheer up, you won't be scared by the media's comments, will you!? I know the Pacers have set some incredible records this season. But you all remember to me that records are meant to be broken! And we're the team that will break these amazing records in Indianapolis! ”

The day before the start of the finals, Popovich was very excited on the training ground.

"What's going on, boss? It was as if he had gone back ten years. ”

"God knows if he was stimulated, I heard that yesterday Henson. Joe invited him for a drink. Miraculously, the two of them didn't even fight in the bar. ”

"It's not that there hasn't been a fight, it's that it's not started yet. You see, he's just counting on us to beat our opponents up. ”

"Manu, Tony, what are you two babbling about!" Popovich's roar interrupted the whispering between the French defender and the Argentine defender.

It seems that Popovich is really strict this time. Whether he wins the championship or not, Popovich is determined to have a great series with Henson.

On the other side, in the home team's training ground at the Bankers' Living Arena, Henson was unexpectedly calm.

"Relax, I won't let you go on physical contact this afternoon's confrontational training. Run-and-run tactics, familiarize yourself with my set-up. Get your mentality and your body in shape so you can do well in tomorrow's game. ”

"Yes, sir!"

After Henson finished speaking, the players who were doing individual training sessions answered in unison.

Instead of staying up late watching videos, not having nervous tactical meetings and not having the players train too intensely, Vogel had been with Henson for so many years, and it was the first time he would have felt so relaxed before the finals.

At first, Vogel was worried that Henson would be too careless. But then, he didn't think about it anymore. Henson does have a lot of shortcomings, but it's not one of them.

Vogel smiled and looked at the sweaty players on the court, the league's top point guard Chris Murphy. Paul, top scorer Paul. George, top outside defender Kavaj. Kawhi Leonard, all-around interior West and Horford, and Jimmy Brown, who was named to the All-Defensive Second Team. Butler, Stephenson, who Barkley called "one of the most talented players in the league", and Ray, the cold-blooded killer. Allen, Danny, who is always able to play as soon as he gets on the court. Green, Antetokounmpo, who can always catch the opponent off guard, Livingston, Yi Jianlian, and the hard-working Chris. Anderson......

yes, what else does Henson have to worry about? The Pacers have been single-handedly made into such a terrible appearance. Even the San Antonio Spurs will have a hard time leveraging the Henson-led army.

Henson: He's not arrogant, he's just really strong.

※※※

On June 5, as last year, it rained heavily in Indianapolis.

The city is a rainy city, and of course, this has contributed to the development of agriculture in Indianapolis. However, even in the pouring rain, there were still many fans wearing raincoats gathered outside the stadium.

Some fans waited outside the arena to check in, but most of them didn't even get tickets. They just wanted to gather at the door of the organ and watch Henson and the Pacers create a legend through the big screen outside the arena.

What's the point of heavy rain?

That's why traffic is restricted for two kilometres around the Banker's Living Arena. Popovich sat on the team bus, making his way through the crowd of fans on either side.

Unlike fans elsewhere, Indianapolis fans weren't prepared to attack each other's nameplates. Because they, like Henson, are full of absolute self-confidence. Those carving insect skills, they don't bother to use them at all.

It wasn't until the bus drove to the entrance of the arena that Popovich realized how different the Banker's Life arena is today.

Last night, the stadium staff had changed the stadium poster overnight. Today, the huge poster outside the arena was replaced with a golden yellow, with a makeup photo of every Pacers player. And underneath each poster, there is a line of small print.

"Become a legend!"

Yes, before you know it, Popovich and his spurs are at a crossroads that will leave history right.

They won, and they became legends themselves. If they lose, the Pacers will become one of the greatest teams in NBA history.

Championships, Battle of Legends, Henson's last Grand Final...... Popovich remembered the night he had a drink with Henson the day before yesterday, and this time the finals really had too many special meanings.

After changing clothes, warming up, making final deployments, and players coming on the field, the time has come to 8 o'clock in the evening. The eyes of the world are here, in a stadium that was once unnoticed.

Since today is the first game of the Finals, the Pacers officials have specially prepared a player introduction ceremony.

Popovich has participated in this ritual countless times. But usually, the protagonists of the player introduction ceremony are the players. Although the head coach is the last to be introduced, he is often only taken aside.

However, the introduction ceremony of the Bankers Living Arena was very different. After Paul, the climax is not over.

At that moment, both basketball hoops erupted in flames, and various shots of Henson's coaching game appeared on the big screen of the scene.

He pondered calmly, yelled angrily, gestured in celebration, and the Pacers even put up footage of Henson arguing with the referee.

At this point, everyone knows who is about to play. And so, the cheers inside the Banker's Life Arena reached its peak!

The cheers of the coaches on the field were louder than the players, which Popovich had never heard of before!

"Now, let's welcome the Kings of Indianapolis, the legendary creator of the Pacers, and the greatest sword wielder in the league. Head coach, Henson~~~~~~ Joe! ”

The lights suddenly turned on, and Henson raised his right hand to question the fans. Suddenly, all the fans in corn yellow T-shirts in the stands bowed slightly to welcome their "His Majesty the King"!

Popovich smiled and shook his head, look around. If you retire completely, you must be very unwilling!

After the wonderful player introduction ceremony, the players from both sides stepped into their designated positions. Seeing that Henson didn't make any lineup changes, Popovich breathed a sigh of relief. But he is also well aware that this "security" is only temporary.

Henson, on the other hand, sat directly back on the bench and crossed his legs. He gave Becky. Harmon and Vogel whispered a few words, but said nothing.

Seeing this, commentators from various countries and regions around the world are speaking a sentence in different languages.

"It seems, Henson. Coach Joe is full of confidence! ”

Yes, he's full of confidence! Just like the slogan off the field, he wants to be a legend!