698: The Road to the Last Overall Championship
Although the regular season has ended, Henson's heat has not diminished in the slightest.
Just one day after the 2018-2019 regular season ended, major media and TV stations were basically preparing summary programs or columns for the regular season.
This season is a season full of strong teams and fierce competition. Even the five-star Warriors managed just 57 wins in the regular season.
And Jimmy. Butler and Leonard joined the East, and James joined the West, which also changed the situation in the league. The retirement of Dirk and Wade has added a bit of sadness to this season.
So, there's a lot to talk about this season. But almost all the media and TV stations have focused on one person this season – Henson. Joe.
"This is Coach Henson's final season, and when he came back three years ago, few people thought he would be successful. Now, however, Henson. Joe is one step away from establishing a second dynasty. ”
"Coach Henson, even if he didn't win a title this season, was great enough. His record of 73 wins in the regular season was tied by the Warriors, but this year's record of 74 wins may be difficult to be touched by other teams. ”
"We all know that Henson. Joe is an ambitious manager. I'm ready for the second dynasty of Indianapolis basketball. He won't fail, even if his opponent is a five-star warrior! ”
"I know teams like the Celtics, Raptors and 76ers are eyeing the Eastern Conference title this season. But I would say that they don't have a team that can really match the Pacers. ”
It's rare that almost all the media and reporters have unanimous praise for the Pacers and are so optimistic about their playoff prospects.
In the past, there would always be one or two media outlets that jumped out and picked on the thorns, saying that the Pacers and Henson were not.
This year, however, Henson was almost unanimously praised by well-known media outlets. The Pacers' position in the league has reached an undoubted level.
The most the media can say is, "Pacers, don't think you're stable." ”
However, this sentence is almost a nonsense. It's like before the movie starts, there will be a sentence "This story is pure fiction".
After all, the Pacers' 74-win record is there. Judging by the regular season record, the Pacers are almost the only team in the league.
Moreover, the media was also scared of being slapped in the face by Henson. There is really no one who dares to stand up and beg for hardship.
On the morning after the regular season, the Pacers held an internal celebration for Henson. The celebration was mainly attended by Pacers management, and since the playoffs were only two days away, the team was not likely to have any big parties.
"It's a shame that you are still the top coach in the league, as it turns out. However, you have to choose to leave. Will you be coming back this time? ”
At the celebration party, Pacers big owner Stephen . Simon was very reluctant to give up on Henson. In one thing, Henson made the Pacers a giant team. Second, NBA teams earn as long as they win. And the Pacers' income in recent years has been even better than that of teams in big cities.
Such a manager who can bring money and victory at the same time, the boss is naturally reluctant.
"I'm afraid I'm not coming back this time, man. It's time for my time to come to an end, and sooner or later the Pacers have to move on to the next chapter. By the way, remember the promise between us? ”
"Of course I do." Stephen. Simon nodded, and Henson said no more.
The commitment between the two is simple, the same as Henson's first retirement. The Pacers must use Becky. Harmon replaced Henson as his successor for at least three years.
Henson thinks that this time Becky. Harmon is better than Frank last time. Vogel was more prepared. Vogel's ability is no problem, and he's had a great time with the Magic after leaving the Pacers. Isn't there now gossip that he has been in contact with the Los Angeles Lakers?
The reason why Vogel didn't succeed with the Pacers was because he encountered a big exodus of Pacers players. Also, he's not exactly ready to be the head coach of a championship team.
Now, the Pacers are united inside and out, and Henson believes that neither George nor Antetokounmpo will be able to leave Indianapolis in the future.
And, Becky. Harmon also spent a lot of time with Henson. A lot of the time this season, Henson has simply made Becky . Harmon went to direct the game.
In Henson's view, Becky. Harmon is more than capable of doing it alone. At that time, she will become the first female head coach in NBA history.
But Henson doesn't care about gender, he just knows, Becky. What Harmon can do is no worse than a man.
The celebration will end quickly, after all, Henson still needs to prepare for the playoffs, so the team management should not bother much.
It wasn't so much a celebration as it was a retention meeting for Henson and Bird. Almost everyone, to a greater or lesser extent, will say something to save Henson and Bird.
Well, Henson's determination to leave had been made up for a long time. Therefore, he did not waver easily.
40 years old, with a wife, a daughter and a good property. After this year, Henson really wanted to change his life.
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After this year, Henson wants to change his life, but he doesn't want to leave himself with regrets in this last year. Although the media generally believes that the Pacers have a good chance of winning the championship, the chances of reaching the Finals are close to 100%.
But Henson is well aware that there is no shortage of dark horses in the playoffs. Moreover, several Eastern teams in this year's playoffs do have the qualifications to become dark horses.
Looking at the playoff table in his hand, Henson sorted out the situation in this year's playoffs.
First, in the first round, the lucky Nets narrowly escaped death, while the hapless Detroit Pistons became the first "prey" of the Pacers.
To be honest, the Pistons were able to finish in the top eight in the East, which already surprised Henson. Look at the Pistons' staffing, and then look at the performance of Drummond, a "pseudo-superstar". Henson really doesn't think the Detroit Pistons are a promising team.
However, Blake. Griffin's upbringing changed all that. Today's Griffin, although his physical condition is not at his peak. But when it comes to individual ability, Henson believes that this is the beginning of Griffin's peak.
Dribbling, tackling, shooting, hitting the basket...... This "white monster" who used to be brainless is now an underrated all-round striker.
Well, Henson is going to be sorry for Griffin in the first round. Griffin, while strong, has never been a top superstar. What's more, Henson is not even afraid of the Warriors with five superstars, will he capsize in front of a mere Pistons?
As long as everything is in order, a 4-0 sweep of the pistons should have no problem.
So, Henson's thoughts came to the second round. The Pacers' opponents in the second round will be decided between the two "green army" of the Bucks and the Celtics.
The Bucks have a lot of potential this season, and the likes of Middleton, Bledsoe and Mirotic are not big names but are more powerful than famous.
However, Henson believes that Stevens' Celtics will not give away easily. The Celtics will definitely be able to defeat the Bucks and then join themselves in the Eastern Conference semifinals!
In the Eastern Conference Finals last season, the Pacers' opponent was none other than the Celtics. And Celtics fans threatened revenge and shouted for an entire season.
However, Henson believes that this season's Celtics are not as dangerous as last season.
Irving and Hayward's performance after their comeback did not live up to expectations. Brown and Jason. Tatum's growth also fell short of expectations. In Henson's view, the Celtics can be said to be a team that does not advance but retreat.
Although it is very unkind, Henson does not think he will meet Stevens more than four times in the second round.
As for the Eastern Conference Finals, Henson's opponent is the winner between the Raptors and the 76ers. Magic and Nets, Henson didn't think about it at all. He believes that the 76ers and Raptors will finish off their opponents and then meet.
76ers and Raptors, Jimmy. Butler and Leonard...... Both of these teams are a big headache for Henson. What's more, in the middle of the season, both the 76ers and the Raptors have different degrees of reinforcement.
Henson believes his team can win, but if any surprises or bad decisions arise, the situation could be completely ruined.
As for the finals...... Aside from the Warriors, Henson is not bullish on any team. Including the Rockets, who have Harden and Paul, Henson is not very optimistic. It's not that the rockets are weak, it's that the warriors are too strong!
Unless someone on the Warriors is injured, the Rockets should pray.
With this analysis, this year's playoffs, as usual, will really start from the Eastern Conference Finals. It's just that in this year's East Finals, Henson's opponent is not called LeBron. James.
Henson must admit that the 76ers, the Raptors and the Warriors, will pose a great risk to him. Although Henson has beaten them both in the regular season, the regular season and the series are different after all.
Henson circled the names of the three teams with a red pen and opened the interface in front of him.
For this final season, he has hoarded four badges and words to avoid risks.
Because of the Pacers' massive strength, Henson hasn't used these things for a long time. Because even without words and badges, the Pacers can win.
But this time, Henson is not only going to win, but to win outright, leaving no risk unturned. Therefore, he needs to use the power of badges and words.
The commas are all drawn so perfectly, how can there be no full stop?
On the road to the final championship, Henson can't wait.