088: Troublesome genius
It's been a long time since Henson has unlocked an achievement, because the more achievements you have unlocked, the less often you unlock them, after all, you can't unlock the same achievement twice.
In the beginning, just win a casual game to unlock achievements. But now, the conditions for unlocking achievements are undoubtedly becoming more demanding and difficult.
However, it was fortunate for Henson that he had actually obtained the Enhanced Potential Level 2 badge so quickly. He pondered over and over again the effect of the badge: a 20% increase in the player's potential development rate.
Don't underestimate the 20%, even if a superstar does not grow to his peak, his strength is quite gratifying. You can say that LeBron in his rookie years. Isn't James amazing? While this badge can't make a rookie player look at his peak overnight, the superstars are strong enough even when they're not in their prime.
For this badge, Henson also deliberately looked at the footage of Leonard's recent games. The taciturn lad didn't disappoint Henson, and the quality he showed on the basketball court was still very impressive.
He doesn't talk much, loves to defend, and is almost unstoppable when he breaks through...... But for the sake of insurance, Henson still hopes to be able to come to the scene and use the data analysis module to test how many pounds and taels Leonard's kid is. After all, strengthening the potential badge is not easy to come by, and if Henson uses the wrong person, the Pacers' revival may have to be delayed for years.
You can't work hard to develop players for several years, and in the end you are fired because you don't produce results, and let others pick up a big bargain.
Henson looked at the schedule again, and after the Jan. 9 game against the Hawks, the Pacers won't have a game until the 12th. In between, the team had two full days of rest, enough time for Henson to take a chance to visit San Diego State University to see the tall, arm-long, silent forward.
On January 10, reporters rushed into the training hall of the Consec Arena during media hours, hoping to capture Coach Henson training his players. However, when the reporters arrived, there was no sign of Henson.
In addition to the players and trainers on the field, there was only Frank. Vogel is in command. Curious reporters immediately caught Vogel, and it was hard to see Henson. Did Joe really get fired because of the party incident?
"Coach Henson was not well today, so I took charge for him for the day. But rest assured, he'll be back on the pitch tomorrow. Vogel faced the camera and replied in an unquestionable tone.
This is what Henson specifically instructed Vogel not to let anyone know that he was going to scout the rookie. Hasn't it always been Henson's rule not to let your opponent know what you've mastered?
muffled to make a fortune, the focus is on the word "muffled".
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At half past six in the afternoon, in San Diego State University's famous Viès Arena, Henson saw for the first time the silent teenager in a black uniform, with a black corn-haired head and unusually long arms, but extremely out of tune with the noise around him.
Although the Arena Vieus is only a university stadium, its capacity of 12,000 people makes it often the preferred venue for singers to hold concerts in San Diego. However, since 2009, the starlight of the Arena of Vies has been dominated by one person - Cavai. Leonard!
"With a height of 1.99 meters, his arm span is as long as 2.19 meters, which is completely 20 cm longer than his height! Oh my God, this guy's body was literally created to play basketball! The first time he saw Leonard, Henson was taken aback.
Silas, who accompanied him, thought that Henson had memorized Leonard's physical data, but he didn't know that Henson could see these numbers with the naked eye even if he didn't have to memorize the data.
"Pretty scary, huh? But that's not his final form, and I guess the kid will probably grow taller and his arms will get longer. In the end, his height should be able to reach 2.01 meters, and his arm span is no problem when he reaches 2.21 meters! Silas flipped through the data in his hand and said proudly.
"Reach 2.21 meters in reach!? Oh my God, you know, Shaquille. O'Neill's height is also 'only' 2.16 meters! He's arm length taller than O'Neill! If he defends with his arms completely open, the attacking players will face a brick wall at all! Henson laughed excitedly, Leonard's physical stats were perfect enough, but it wasn't enough. Henson's biggest interest now is Leonard's potential!
It didn't take much effort for the data analysis module to display Leonard's potential rating in front of Henson's eyes. At first, Henson believed that Leonard's potential must have been an A-level, and at the very least, an A-. But he didn't expect that the rating reported to him by the data analysis module was A+! Top talent and potential!
If he could, Henson would have used the potential badge on Leonard right now. But after calming down, Henson still didn't do it. Because if the Pacers didn't draft Leonard in the end, wouldn't it be cheaper for someone else?
The game that began then was entirely Leonard's solo performance. He often makes a steal on the defensive end, and immediately takes two big strides to push across the half-court, and stages a flying dunk on the other side of the court. Leonard's outstanding athleticism and long hands and feet seem to make the basketball court seem to be a lot smaller.
The 40-minute NCAA game was mesmerized by Henson, who was completely immersed in Leonard's performance. Although Leonard's scoring stats are not as good as Arizona's Derrick. Williams is so explosive and doesn't have scoring skills like Duke's talented guard Kelly. Owen is so gorgeous. But Henson is sure that the seemingly mediocre Leonard will be the most promising of the rookies in this class.
On top of that, Leonard's draft prospects until now are very mediocre, and the projection pick is not high. After all, the San Antonio Spurs, another team that is watching Leonard, are destined for nothing too high. So they, like Henson, are silent, just waiting for the low order to cut off their beards!
It's a good thing that no one is making a statement, and judging by the Pacers' record and goals this year, their draft pick should not be as high as in the previous two years. The fact that no one is making a statement means that Leonard's order will not rise. In the end, it will depend on the Spurs and the Pacers, who has more means.
In Henson's opinion, even if Leonard goes to play in the NBA now, there is no problem!
"How do you feel about watching him play a game?" Silas loves to hear Henson say about a rookie because he's really unique.
Look at the rookies who used to come under Henson, and now they basically play the main rotation with the Pacers, and they are all doing well. Even low-pick rookies like Matthews, Green, and Stephenson are the same. And they are the evidence of Henson's vicious vision.
Henson deliberately wore a hat and a mask in order to prevent the Spurs' scouts from finding out. But in winter, it's not a strange outfit. Therefore, Silas didn't know that the mouth behind Henson's mask had already been smiling from ear to ear.
"He has what it takes to be the top star in the league, Stephen, the top star!"
This is Henson's evaluation of the "long-handed monster".
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Since returning from San Diego, Henson has been in a very good mood. Recently, the team has not only achieved outstanding results, but also won awards of its own. Of course, Leonard's untapped "gold mine" will also be one of the reasons why Henson is in a good mood.
Henson's good mood is matched by the team's good form.
On January 12, Granger had 27 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists to hammer Iguodala and lead the Pacers to an easy victory in Philadelphia. In fact, it's a little unfair to say that Granger hammered Iguodala to blow it up. Because in this game, Granger was opposite the former All-Star forward, Elton. Brand.
Brand's sluggish footsteps are caught and beaten to death by Granger. Ahead of the start of the season, a number of people criticized Henson's move to play Granger in the No. 4 position, arguing that it was not a wise decision to push Granger inside. But the truth is, Granger has to eat and drink and play happily in the No. 4 position.
A day later, the Pacers returned to Conseco Arena to take on the incoming Dallas Mavericks.
The Mavericks have suffered a two-game losing streak recently due to Dirk. The Silver Horn King. Nowitzki is out injured. And in today's game, Dirk still can't make a comeback.
Paul. George made a wave of 4-of-6 three-pointers and scored 16 points in the game, leaving the leaderless Mavericks to the ground. "The King of Fighters" Tyson. Chandler was full of strength, but he couldn't do it in the face of Horford, who was floating on the outside, and let the young Eastern Conference All-Star center shoot down 24 points like chopping melons and vegetables.
Henson Ben is also looking forward to the game with Mavericks coach Rick. Carlisle battled his wits and courage, but Dirk's absence shattered it all. 102-89, the Pacers won easily.
The Pacers are on a three-game winning streak with a 23-12 record. It only needs one more win to overtake the Chicago Bulls and return to the top three.
However, at this juncture, the walker and the bull really met.
Derek. Rose, in Henson's opinion, that guy's potential may not be summed up in A+.
Heaven can bring you a good mood, but it can also bring you trouble.