'We're going to have a lot of pressure next season.'

"Well, so many incredible things happened this summer."

The two men looked at each other, followed by a two-minute silence.

"If we don't win next season...... Would you choose to coach for another year? If you leave like this, you will be very unwilling. Bird shook his head slightly.

It's not that the "forcing king" is not confident, but next season, the Pacers' competitors are too strong.

Let's put aside the west and talk about the east.

The Celtics are a big obstacle in the first place, Tatum and Jaylen. Brown showed their talent last season. This season, when Irving and Hayward return from injury, God knows how high the Celtics can go.

If the Pacers and the healthy Celtics meet in the playoffs next season, the Pacers will never be able to sweep each other 4-0 again.

Of course, how can you forget about the Toronto Raptors? The problem that the Raptors have always had is that DeRozan and Lowry, the two stars, can't compete at critical moments. But now, DeRozan has become Leonard, and the Raptors' biggest problem is solved.

When it comes time to play a superstar and a star to dominate the game, Leonard's ability to finish the game is more than a star and a half better than DeRozan. Leonard, after all, walked out with the Pacers, and Bird knew his strength too well.

In addition to the Celtics and Raptors, the Philadelphia 76ers should not be underestimated next season. This summer, the 76ers have added a lot of experienced puzzle players. As long as Embiid and Ben. Simmons plays steadily, and the 76ers will not be easily beaten.

In the past, the Pacers basically had James as an opponent in the East. But now, the situation has changed. The Eastern Conference has risen to prominence, and the Eastern Conference playoffs have become no longer safe.

Moreover, even if the Pacers break out of the East through a lot of hard work, they still have to face the Warriors with the Big Five!

It's no exaggeration to say that even without Cousins, the Warriors are still the best team to win a championship next season. Last season, the Pacers and the Warriors fought to a tiebreaker to decide the winner. And with the addition of that big guy, the Warriors seem to have lost the suspense of next season's championship.

Prior to Cousins' arrival, the Warriors already had four All-Stars. In the history of the NBA, there are only a handful of teams that can have four All-Stars at the same time.

And now, the Warriors have one more All-Star. The last time a team had five All-Stars at the same time was the 1975-76 Celtics, and for the first time in 43 years, the starting five were all All-Stars.

Such a lineup that I didn't dare to fantasize about in the game was stunned by the warriors alive.

With the other teams getting a lot of reinforcements, the Pacers moved on to Paul. So, it's not that Bird is instigated, it's that the situation is really, really bad for the Pacers.

That's why he asked Henson that question: "If we don't win the championship next season...... Would you choose to coach for another year? ”

Henson looked at Bird and didn't answer immediately. He's also well aware that next season will be challenging for the Pacers. But don't forget, the Pacers players are also growing all the time.

As before, although the Pacers don't make much of a move in the transfer market. But there is absolutely no team in the league that can match the arc of improvement of the Pacers.

Siakam, Kuzma, Bogdanovic, Brogdon, Antetokounmpo and even Paul. George! They're all still improving!

Who will win or lose next season is not certain!

So, Henson shook his head at Bird, "No, next season is my last year." And I'm not going to lose the championship. ”

They have all persevered to the last lap, how can they be willing to let others overtake?

The Golden State Warriors, whose starting five are all All-Stars? Well, then go for it!

※※※

Since Cousins joined the Warriors, the NBA transfer market has begun to calm down.

Throughout August, the sport of basketball finally said goodbye to the fans, and there was no more big news. Of course, from time to time, fans come out to complain, saying that there is nothing to see in the NBA next season.

Because the other 29 teams in the league seem to be the foil of the Golden State Warriors.

Henson didn't care about these complaints, nor did he think about the "five-star warriors" anymore, but threw himself wholeheartedly into his vacation.

It is precisely because next season is bound to be extremely difficult that Henson has to seize the time to enjoy this few family moments. As soon as the training camp for the new season begins, Henson will have to devote himself wholeheartedly to the tough battles of the new season.

It's his last season, but it's also quite possibly the hardest season he's ever played.

After a long tour of Europe, Henson and his family made their last stop back in the United States, Miami.

At this time, the time has come to the end of August. With another week in Miami, it's time for Henson to get busy with summer training camp for the new season.

With Paul leaving, Henson wants Antetokounmpo to play the No. 1 position next season. So, this summer's summer bootcamp is crucial. Whether the players can adapt to the new style of play and system depends on whether the effect of this season's training camp is significant.

Hearing that the Hensons were coming to Miami, Wade naturally welcomed them very warmly.

Wade stayed in Miami this summer on a $2.4 million one-year base salary contract. It's a lot of hope.

People are debating how long Wade can play and whether this will be his last season.

And Henson may have been the first to get an answer, besides Wade's family.

"You mean...... You're done this season and you're ready to retire? Henson looked at Wade, who had never worked with him and who had been their biggest rivals. But for some reason, Henson actually regretted it very much.

This alliance will lack a touch of scenery.

"yes, I can't beat anymore. People, sometimes you have to serve the old. Speaking of which, you owe me at least two championships, Henson! Wade and Henson joked, and it seemed that Wade had long been relieved about the retirement.

"Hey, if you're willing to come to the Pacers' coaching staff, like Nash, maybe I can give you two championships back...... Well, and maybe never again. Henson said halfway through, then abruptly changed his words.

At that moment, he almost forgot that after this season, he would also retire.

"Forget it, it's rare to come once, so let's not talk about work. This week, I'm going to have a great time in Miami, and I'm going to get you a guide who will definitely make Miami the most enjoyable. Wade smiled and raised his glass, and Henson noticed that the guy's cheeks seemed to be bigger again......

Although Wade and Henson were once their worst enemies, his enthusiasm did not surprise Henson in the slightest. After all, a great career requires a great opponent in addition to great glory.

And Henson has long been a part of Wade's great career. You say, can Wade not be enthusiastic about a figure who has played a pivotal role in his career?

After a week of playing in Miami, Henson is officially back to work. The players won't be reporting until mid-September, but the coaching staff will have to plan a detailed training plan before then.

On September 16, the day of the start of NBA summer training camp, Wade released a video announcing that the new season would be the last season of his career.

In the recorded video, Wade said: "It was the hardest decision I've ever made, but it's also one of the best decisions I've ever made. I asked myself, why not? From my family to fans around the world, I've been listening to them what I should and shouldn't do. But I always do things my own way, whether it's good or bad, and I'm here because I've been doing what I think is right for me and my family. ”

"I feel right, and I think it's time to invite you to do the last dance. The last season, that's it. ”

Wade's video made countless fans teary-eyed. The retirement of a great player is always accompanied by sadness. And Wade's metaphor of "The Last Dance" will definitely be enshrined as a classic.

But people definitely didn't expect at the time that Wade's retirement video was just an "appetizer".

On Sept. 17, the day after Wade announced he would retire this season. Indiana Pacers Meritorious Coach Henson. Joe's social media also exploded. Due to the sheer number of retweets and comments, INS officials even restricted fans' comments on Henson's post.

Henson's dynamics are not as elaborately recorded as Wade's, but just a simple sentence.

"On the last lap of my career, I'm going to be a Pacers!"

At least this time, Henson is no longer saying goodbye.