Fox Leon's shocking punch at Conseco Arena caused an uproar across the league, and although the Celtics eventually won the game with unparalleled momentum, slaughtering the Indiana Pacers to sacrifice the flag for their coach, no one cared about any topic related to victory or defeat after the game, everyone was only concerned with one question - how could an NBA head coach attack a player so impulsively.

At the post-match press conference, León was besieged by major media outlets, and almost no one wanted to interview Isaiah Thomas, who lost the ball and lost people, and was left to dry like a salted fish after the game.

But Isaiah Thomas is only afraid to be snickering now, and the scene Leon faces reminds him of what happened to him after the '87 Eastern Conference Finals when he agreed with Rodman's racial remarks, the overwhelming criticism and questioning, and the pressure from many parties finally led Thomas to apologize to the national audience on TV and hold a press conference to apologize to Larry Bird in person, where Bird didn't even look at Thomas in person.

The humiliation and frustration that Thomas still remembers to this day, even when he won two championships in 1989 and 1990 and his reputation was at its peak, the world forgot about this episode and only glorified him and his Detroit Pistons, Isaiah Thomas has not forgotten the scar left on his heart by this incident, which was a fatal blow to his haughty and conceited dignity.

Now, Thomas is happy to see Fox Leon suffer the same, and he even thinks that if Fox Leon can survive this, then he is truly a man in NBA coaching circles, and he has become a man with a story and a scar. It's like those veterans who have gone through hardships to lie in the best spot on deck and drink rum in the best spot on deck when the wind is calm and you don't have to mop the floor.

"Mr. Leon, can you give some explanation for your violent behavior on the pitch? It's rare for a coach to punch and kick a player on the court, which has never been done before in the history of the NBA. Mike Wells, a veteran reporter from the Indiana Star, the most well-known and veteran basketball reporter in the Indiana area, was the first to ask the question. That's why you get the opportunity to ask questions for the first time.

"Because there is no coach who can play like me, otherwise this would have happened a long time ago." Leon said blandly, sitting behind the press desk, his face still covered with ointment, and his coat had been taken off, leaving only a shirt and trousers. Without the cover of the blazer, Leon's muscular body was visible under the thin shirt. Those reporters also thought in their hearts, no wonder they can punch those NBA strong men, this guy is also a fierce man.

Wells was speechless at Leon's words. However, he immediately adjusted and continued to ask: "Do you think you need to apologize to the Pacers players?" ”

When you can't get the answer you want from the other person's answer, ask the "yes" or "no" question, Wells obviously knows this, since Leon changed the subject and choked him, he simply gave Leon a direct judgment question, and you answered yes, that's very simple. apologized directly, indicating that he confessed; If the answer is no. That's even better, even refusing to apologize, and the reporters have articles to do.

Leon thought for a moment, the expression on his face as calm as ever, without the slightest panic after making a mistake or the depression of being besieged by a large number of reporters, his eyes as resolute as that of a fearless revolutionary. He cleared his throat and said, "Mr. Wells, I'd love to tell you that each reporter can only ask one question, so I don't have to answer your question. But, I know. Your question will still be asked after all, and there is no point in avoiding it for a while. So, I can tell you here and tell every lady and gentleman in this room that I'm not going to apologize to the Pacers players, not to any of them, Reggie Miller, Artest, Jerry Foster, Tinsley, and Isaiah Thomas. Unless they can sincerely apologize for the brutal, rude behaviour done to my players in tonight's game, then I will also apologize for the harm done to them. And now, the only thing I want to apologize for is to the young fans who watched the game on the sidelines, the children who are not yet adults, and who are still with their parents, I am sorry for letting you see the ugly side of the world. But I still want to tell you that when you can correctly recognize the ugly, it means that you can appreciate the beautiful. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, my launch is over. “

Leon spoke at breakneck speed into the microphone, then got up and left his seat and left the media room, leaving behind a group of stunned reporters with a stomach full of questions. It's just that they didn't catch up and continue the interview, because they knew that it was already big news.

…………………………

On the plane leaving Indiana for New Orleans, Leon lay asleep in his seat in the first row, and after returning to the hotel after the game, the team decided to leave Indiana immediately, allowing their plane to take off eight hours early, as they had already felt the deep hostility from the city.

This time, their shuttle bus was not delayed, the plane left Indiana at half past one in the middle of the night, and Leon's tense nerves finally relaxed in the comfort of the cockpit after directing the game, fighting, and dealing with high-pressure interviews after the game, and he fell asleep in just two minutes.

Wang Zhizhi, who was sitting behind Leon, asked for a blanket from the flight attendant and draped it on Leon's body, and PJ Brown, a veteran next to Wang Zhizhi, saw Wang Zhizhi's actions, nodded and said, "Well-done." ”

The atmosphere in the cabin was a little solemn, and the wild win at Conseco Arena did not make the Celtics players happy, on the contrary, most people fell into deep worry, especially the veteran players like Pierce, Walker, and Brown who have been in the NBA for many years and know the general situation, and know how risky this incident is for Leon, especially after they heard about Leon's refusal to apologize in the post-game interview, they are likely to be heavily punished by the league.

For a rookie coach with no roots and no background, a heavy penalty is likely to bury his coaching career. The criminal record that has not completely subsided before, Danny Angie and the Boston media pressing him step by step, the huge pressure on his record, and this incident, is simply worse.

"Worried about what? I think the coach is just handsome, and if I had his kind of punches, I would have beaten Tinsley and Miller to pieces. Seeing everyone's worried looks, Arenas lowered his voice and said, but he couldn't hide the excitement in it, in his opinion, Leon, who was waving his fists during the match, was like a god of war.

"You should be glad that the coach was restrained and didn't punch anyone in the head, otherwise with his strength, he would probably be the second Kermit Washington, and then we would have lost him forever." Michael Reed glared at Arenas in response.

Reed is right, Leon was actually very calm when he decided to do it, hitting the opponent's arms, chest, and neck, although there are also reasons for height, but more out of danger, once it hits the chin, brain or temple, and there is a fracture or concussion, then the matter is really big.

"Michael is right, but it shows that the coach is still very calm, maybe we don't have to worry too much, he will have a way to deal with the past, we just need to support him." Paul Pierce concluded by saying that he is now the undisputed boss of the team.

"I don't care so much, if a coach dares to work hard for the players like this, I can work hard for him, no matter what happens in the future." Chris Anderson, who hadn't spoken much, suddenly took off his headphones and said. He almost got into a fight with O'Neal Jr. tonight, especially after Leon was off the court, and thankfully Cowens kept him on the bench, otherwise it would have been another big fight.

After saying that, Chris Anderson put on his headphones again and listened to the song and fell asleep.

……………………

It was early in the morning when they arrived in New Orleans, and the Celtics players were all looking very tired, so they hurried to the designated hotel and went back to catch up on sleep one by one.

Leon had slept enough on the plane, sitting on his bed in his room with the TV on, tuning in to the sports channel, and waiting for the news of the league's punishment to be delivered.

However, he didn't wait for the league's penalty, and first waited for Danny Angie's call, and as soon as the call was connected, he heard an angry roar from Angie: "Fox, are you crazy?" Are you crazy? Why don't you kill all the Pacers in Conseco, and then we'll automatically jump to third in the East! You're a coach, and the previous thing about your entry into the MCI hasn't subsided, so you come out like this, what are you thinking? ”

Leon still said to Angie in a calm voice: "I just do what I want to do and what I can, I want to tell every team in the league, tell those dirty guys, don't do it to my players, never." I'm not a great celebrity, superstar, I try to deal with things in a calm way, but obviously, sometimes violence is the best way to solve problems. “

"So, you're going to be banned for 15 games and fined $200,000!" Angie's voice also calmed down, and he told Leon of the penalty result, which will result in a 15-game ban, plus a fine.

Hearing the news, a stone in Leon's heart fell, the ban will be banned, and the fine can only be fined, he doesn't care about these anymore.

"Also, the old man has called me and asked you to go to Washington the day after tomorrow to find him, and he wants to discuss some issues with you." Angie delivered Auerbach's verbal message to Leon and hung up the phone. (To be continued.) )