Summer in Boston in 2002 came a little later than usual.

Dennis Rodman took off his green jersey and left the court shirtless, saying to himself in his heart: My basketball career is over.

This is the sixth game of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals, at the North Shore Garden Arena, the Celtics host the New Jersey Nets, they fell behind 2:3 before the game, this is a battle to go home or go on, the Celtics tried their best, or lost this life-and-death battle, and ended the season with regrets.

This is the first time since 1988 that the Celtics have returned to the Eastern Conference Finals after 14 years, a long-lost feeling, a long-lost passion, and a long-lost hope, but in the end it was shattered, destroyed by the New Jersey Nets' crazy defense and fast break.

Fox Leon sat on the bench and didn't leave immediately, because there were also many fans in the stadium who didn't leave, applauding and cheering for the Celtic players, proud of the proud results played by this group of young people.

"Hey, let's go, let's go back to the locker room and wrap things up." Dick Hart reminded Leon before Leon got up from the bench and slowly walked to the players' tunnel. For the past year, at the end of every game, he would leave the hallway, away from the hustle and bustle of the pitch, back to the quiet dressing room, which meant the end of a happy or difficult night.

This time, the tunnel was very long and painful, and Leon knew that he didn't want to leave.

This is his 291st day as an assistant coach for the Celtics, and in those 291 days he has given a lot and received a lot for the team. When the All-Star break ended, Leon and the Celtics threw themselves into the real battle together. A fast, swift and energetic Celtic team was in front of everyone. Their powerful backcourt firepower, ubiquitous attacking points, and in-form twin stars have made the team nearly invincible in the Eastern Conference.

In the playoffs, they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers and Detroit Pistons in a row, and finally met the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals. This is a mountain that has always been difficult to cross in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. Although the two sides played a 2:2 record in the regular season, the style of play and the restraint of the lineup made the Celtics finally lose in the brutal playoffs.

For the first time, León was on the scene to experience the brutal, suffocating spectacle of the playoffs, the enormous pressure of the away game, the ecstasy after victory and the frustration after defeat. If the regular season is more like a game, then the playoffs are war, and in a real war, Leon is once again baptized. And now, he needs to walk back to the locker room **** the trauma of the battle.

"I want to tell everybody. My NBA career is over. In this season, I have experienced the last joy that basketball can bring me, thank you to this city, thank you, you have a lot more to come. But for me, it's over, it's all over. "When Leon first walked into the locker room, Dennis Rodman announced to everyone that he would retire at the end of the season. Wearing the Green Shirts to end his storied basketball career.

Rodman saw Leon walk into the locker room, threw the jersey he had taken off on Leon's head, and then laughed and said loudly, "It's all over!" I'm getting out of here! I won't gamble again! I'm going to the best brothel, to Atlantic City. Play for three days and three nights! I'm going to make a movie, I'm going to travel the world, I'm going to be on a TV show...... I don't want to get up early every day to train anymore! I don't want to be pushed the field by you! I don't want to practice passing in the triangle attack anymore...... I'm leaving, Fox. ”

Speaking of which, in the end. Rodman actually choked up a bit, and he received a lot of boos and criticism during his two seasons in Boston. But he miraculously persevered here, because he also received a lot of praise and love. Many young fans have fallen in love with this big guy with flowers, and some young fans often write to him, asking him why he dyes his hair green, why he has such tattoos on his body, and why he always likes to throw himself off the field on the field.

This racist Irish city is full of love, so Rodman rarely played two full seasons because of basketball, but he is also 41 years old, reaching the limit of a professional footballer's age, no matter how much he loves basketball, Boston or gambling, his career as an athlete should be over.

"I was hoping to take you to the finals and experience that magical place, but sorry boys, I don't think I'll ever be able to go there again." After saying that, there were tears in Rodman's eyes.

Leon took off the jersey that was covering his head, put it on his body, and then stepped forward to give Rodman a big hug, and the amazing basketball career of this amazing player was over. And that's how the Celtics' journey to the Eastern Conference Finals ended with a slightly miraculous season as they were so close to the highest stage and so far away.

And so, the summer of the Celts came.

…………………

"I don't think there's any way I'm going to be able to do it, so I'd better be an assistant coach or a consultant." Three days later, at the Boston Club Golf Course in Shemham, Massachusetts, Celtics head coach John Carroll, who was on vacation, tendered his resignation to the team's president, Danny Ainge.

"You're doing a good job Carroll, if a coach leads a team to the division finals and has to be dismissed, then there is no one in this league who can be called a coach." Angie looked like he was going to make some reservations, but Carol was unmoved, he smiled, and said with the golf ball in his hand to feel the soft turf of the pestle and said: "Everyone knows who is the real head coach of this team." One of the most valuable qualities of being a human being is having self-knowledge, and I feel that leading a team to the Eastern Conference Finals is a beautiful and great memory in my life. To be honest, I don't want to spoil it. ”

Angie also smiled and didn't say anything, he took Carroll to the golf cart to the next hitting point, yesterday Angie invited Carroll to Sheringham to play Orff, a small gathering of Celtics management after a more successful season. What Carroll said is exactly what Angie wanted to hear, and it looks like Auerbach's choice was right last year, and Carroll is indeed an honest, self-aware transitional coach. His gentle personality allowed the youngsters to thrive in the team, while giving the real successor the opportunity to make a difference.

Since the All-Star break, Fox Leon has really controlled the dominance of the team, the team's style of play, training arrangements, personnel rotation, everything is arranged by him, and all Carroll has done is to direct on the spot, give some guidance to the youngsters, and cheer up the players before the game. Of course, in the playoffs, Carroll made several important substitutions and tactical adjustments as head coach, and he was like a great role player on a team, always making a few key shots when it mattered.

"Thank you, Carroll, for all your dedication and contribution to the Celtics for most of the season. I'll be preparing a press conference in a while to announce your decision to step down as head coach, and the Boston fans will thank you. Angie pulled out the rhetoric he had prepared and stepped on the gas pedal to take Carroll to the next point.

…………………

Leon has been living with Ayatollah Khomeenez for a week at Listening to the Waves in Rhode Island, one of the most famous wealthy resorts in the United States. The two had agreed to vacation here during the All-Star break, but Leon was temporarily appointed as an assistant coach of the Eastern Stars, and Leon was busy with the team until the Celtics' season was completely over and began to vacation, and then came to the luxurious estate on the Cape with Ayatollah Khomeenez.

The mansion of the former American railroad tycoon Vanderbilt, this building full of European Renaissance atmosphere, was built on the shore, and the owner of this place can listen to the sound of the sea crashing on the shore at night.

Because it is now a National Historic Site, it is impossible for Leon and Ayatollah Khomeenez to stay in the lodge, but in a nearby hotel. Every day near dusk, the two of them would go to the shore of Tingtao Mountain Resort to take a walk and listen to the sound of the waves.

A season of intense and hurried life has made Leon feel extremely tired both physically and mentally, more than a week ago Dennis Rodman announced his retirement in Boston, followed by the Celtics' press conference, the team's head coach John Carroll decided to resign, and all the pressure came to Leon in an instant. Although the Celtics have not yet announced a new head coach for next season, everyone knows that this choice can only be Fox Leon, and even he knows it.

Isn't he just waiting for this day? Starting from an obscure scout, with the help of Auerbach's strength and his own intelligence and diligence, he took two years to complete the road that others could not finish in ten years, and now it is not the end, but a new starting point.

Walking side by side with Khomemenez on the churning shore of the white waves, Leon looked at the endless sea and blue sky, and only felt that his future was like them, big but endless. The sea breeze blowing in the summer night was already a little shivering, and after walking for a while, Leon put his arm around Khomeenes and prepared to take him away.

At this time, his phone rang, it was a New York phone number, Voynalovsky.

"Tell me what's going on, Andre." Leon knew that Wojnarowski had always been on the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and calling at such a time could only be because there was big news in the basketball world.

"Don't you know? You Celts have changed again! Chris Wallace has resigned! He's going to the Grizzlies as a player development consultant! The position of General Manager will be abolished directly, and President Danny Angie will be fully responsible for the management affairs. ”

Summer has just begun, and three Celtics have already left.

The new season for the Celtics came a little earlier than usual. (To be continued.) )