617: An ending without regrets
Henson took the championship trophy, and all the members of the Pacers swarmed up and put their hands on the trophy that was cold on the surface, but it could make their hearts extremely hot.
For most of the players on the Pacers' roster, this O'Brien Cup is an unimaginable takeaway.
After all, just a few months ago, Pascal. Siakam is still worried about not being able to play in the NBA.
Last season, people didn't know how to pronounce the tongue-twisting name of Bogdanovic.
Brooke. Lopez is still wondering when he will be at the bottom of the league and when he will be able to win, and Brogdon doesn't know if he will be able to establish himself in the NBA.
And, Steve. Nash, he can't believe that he can really be associated with an NBA championship.
After the championship trophy, Adam. Xiao Hua from Bill. Russell took the FMVP trophy in his hand. The old man's health has not been very good in recent years, and he has even struggled to present awards. So, Bill. Russell is just showing his face now, and the award ceremony of the FMVP is also hosted by Xiao Hua.
Amid the endless boos of the Aucklanders, the youthful Antetokounmpo took the FMVP trophy from the league's president. Although the game just ended was made by Paul. George pulled off the deadliest kill. But looking at the whole series, it was Antetokounmpo who did shine a little brighter.
As has always been the case with the Pacers, Leonard and George announced their rise with the FMVP trophy.
At this time, Antetokounmpo, who averaged only 17 points per game last season and signed a 100 million yuan contract this season, has officially stepped into his superstar road from becoming an FMVP.
Ironically, before the Finals began, Warriors fans were debating whether the FMVP should go to Durant or Curry.
But now, Durant and Curry are gone.
This concludes the overall championship award ceremony. Afterwards, all the members of the Pacers sat on the stage and took a group photo. Henson. Joe has left another impressive championship roster in the history of the Pacers.
After that, the players jumped into the players' tunnel. They all knew that there was a whole box of $130,000 worth of champagne waiting for them in the locker room.
Tonight in Auckland, everyone is not drunk!
"Henson."
As Henson was putting his arm around George's shoulders and singing together, he heard someone call out to him from behind.
Henson turned his head and saw that it was Steve. Nash.
Nash's face flushed at this time, which should be the result of a spike in blood pressure. After all, it's the first time in history that the legendary Canadian point guard has been up close and personal with a championship.
While few fans know that Nash is now working as a player development advisor for the Pacers, Henson hasn't ignored Nash's contributions to the team.
Antetokounmpo, Siakam, Oladipo and Bogdanovic have made rapid progress with the likes of Nash. Arguably, Nash is Henson's second badge of rapid progress.
"What's wrong, Steve?" Therefore, Henson takes Nash very seriously. He put his arms around the Canadian, and today Henson will not be reserved anymore.
"I just wanted to say...... Thank you, thank you for coming to me in the summer. ”
"Thank me?" Henson smiled, "It's my duty to thank you, man. Thank you for listening to me last summer. At the same time, thank you for your trust. Because at the time, the Warriors did have a better chance of winning the championship, but you still joined the Pacers. So, thank you and I thank you, man. ”
"Don't be so polite, by the way, Henson, I'll ...... later," Nash said halfway through, but stopped talking.
"Say Steve, there's something else to talk about in front of me."
"I'll be able to ...... later. Hug the O'Brien Cup? ”
Hearing this, Henson suddenly stopped and looked at the Canadian in front of him in surprise.
"Are you kidding!? That's our O'Brien Cup, Steve! This 'we' naturally includes you! It's yours, you don't have to ask anyone's opinion, you can hold it however you want! Remember, Steve, you're part of the championship team! ”
With that, Henson beckoned Antetokounmpo over.
The kid rushed to the locker room with the O'Brien cup, probably missing the box of champagne. Before the game began, Henson noticed that the guy had been staring at the champagne.
When Antetokounmpo ran up to him, Henson snatched the O'Brien Cup and shoved it into Nash's hands.
Nash was flattered, but Antetokounmpo was unimpressed and rushed to the front again, ready to be the first to get the champagne.
It seems that Henson is right, in the hearts of everyone on the Pacers, Nash has long been an indispensable member of this team.
Nash held the trophy in his arms, and his eyes suddenly flushed. He didn't think that this trophy was so heavy, and it was even better than he imagined.
As he walked, Nash stopped holding the trophy. Without reporters and others noticing, the legendary NBA point guard gently snickered on the icy surface of the trophy.
Nash smiled, then silently said, "We're champions." ”
Henson knew what Nash was trying to do in the end, but he didn't bother him. This championship is not his own, but the effort of every player and coach on the Pacers. Therefore, Henson also believes that everyone has the right to be alone with the championship.
With an emphasis on teamwork, that's the locker room culture for the Pacers.
Upon entering the locker room, Henson found that the players had eagerly pulled champagne out of the boxes. The Mingyue Champagne purchased by Vivek was worth $1,250 for a single bottle. But today, no one feels like a waste.
Henson glanced around the changing clothes and took a bottle of champagne in his hand. The players are waiting for Henson, waiting for their boss to be the first to start the party.
However, Henson did not. He just clapped his hands and stood in the middle, motioning for everyone's attention to him.
"Congratulations, after two years, we finally got back what belonged to us! Thank you all for your hard work and cooperation, each of you is doing well. ”
Henson said, and the players nodded in agreement.
"But I would say that we have more than just one goal! To win, we have to win the most championships. So, don't be complacent, all of you, you have to cheer up in the coming days. ”
As Henson spoke, no one noticed that his champagne hand was shaking gently......
"Well, I know you guys must think I'm crazy to say this on Champions Night. Then I'll stop talking nonsense, let's start celebrating! ”
After saying that, the Chinese coach aimed his "gun" at this year's FMVP winner Antetokounmpo. A stream of cold white liquid erupted in an instant, and Antetokounmpo, who originally wanted to fix Henson, was instantly sprayed into a soup chicken.
The big battle was about to break out, and the players shook the champagne in their hands. Finally, the dressing room has something to look like after winning the championship.
Steve. Nash sat stupidly in the middle with an O'Brien cup, letting the others pour champagne over his head, but he was unmoved.
This morning, Nash also made a point of tidying up his outfit. He was neatly dressed and his hair was meticulously combed.
Now, however, Nash is covered in slimy fluids and his hair is messy.
But who cares? Like Henson said, let's start celebrating!
Nash finally got a happy ending in the NBA, and since then, he has no more regrets about not having a championship ring of his own.
But for Henson, the retirement plan he was going to take three years to implement had just begun.
Looking at the extremely contented Nash, Henson kept praying in his heart: "I hope that when I leave, I will not leave any regrets." ”