This year's All-Star Weekend was completely swiped by the Pacers.

At the beginning, before the All-Star Weekend, the news broke that the Pacers rejected the Lakers' trade request. The news that 4 of the 10 All-Star starters had played for the Pacers was also hotly discussed by commentators.

Of course, everything that happened at All-Star Weekend had nothing to do with Henson. After all, Henson is notoriously uninterested in All-Stars.

In Henson's view, basketball is a competitive sport. One of the most important characteristics of competitive sports is competitiveness. The All-Star Game, on the other hand, was a completely uncompetitive show.

During this year's All-Star Weekend, the league originally invited Henson to be the head coach of the Eastern Stars, but Henson turned it down on the grounds of "physical reasons". Considering that Henson does have a history of heart disease, the league is not reluctant.

So, Henson's good friend and good teacher Brad . Stevens took his place and participated in All-Star Weekend as the head coach of the Eastern Stars.

As for Henson, he spent a short and enjoyable vacation with his family in New Orleans.

When Charles. Barkley and Kenny. Smith was also in the New Orleans arena to discuss Antetokounmpo, Paul Smith. George, Leonard, and Jimmy. While the Butlers had a delicate relationship, Henson was wandering around New Orleans' French-speaking district, taking in the city's flair.

New Orleans may not be the busiest city in the country, but it certainly is the most exotic.

300 years ago, French colonists built New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River. Later, New Orleans was secretly handed over to Spanish rule by the French government as a political gift, but returned to French jurisdiction 40 years later. Therefore, the city's culture has multiple genes, and the closure of the buildings is also very distinctive, creating an exotic American city.

The French part of New Orleans has left many old buildings in the French and theater styles, and this generation has become a tourist attraction in New Orleans. The old, exotic style instantly contrasts with the high-rise buildings of the metropolis.

Walking down the rue Royale in the French Quarter, Henson and Angeli are shopping for local crocodile leather products.

Later, the family went to a small bar with a French flair. But because the hall is too noisy, I am afraid that it will affect Emily's rest. Therefore, Henson and Angeli opened a private room with a balcony separately.

On the balcony, the two ordered two glasses of wine, and then looked at the crowd below and the beautiful scenery around them, and Anjiali smiled unconfidently.

"It's been a long time since our family has been together so leisurely."

"It's been a while, but it's okay, there's four months left and the season is over." Henson shook Angeli's hand with the wedding ring and felt a little ashamed.

Indeed, this season, Henson did try his best to balance work and family, but his busy work made him basically have to spend time with his wife and children at home. To put it mildly, since deciding to return, Henson has indeed not spent enough time with his family.

What's more, now that he's the general manager and head coach, he's doubly busy.

"In three months, Emily will be one year old! You're in the playoffs then, and I hope you don't miss her birthday......"

Henson smiled and didn't answer. Because he didn't dare to pack a ticket, he would definitely be able to accompany his daughter for her birthday. If the Pacers happen to have a game on her birthday, Henson will definitely not be able to leave.

In the regular season, Henson was able to make Becky . Harmon and McMillan wield the sword. But in the playoffs, that's not going to be a joke.

The thought of this filled Henson's body with guilt.

"I'll be 38 in October, Ann."

"I know, you're a year older." Angeli smiled mischievously.

"Hmm...... If I could, I would like to quit after 40. ”

"What?"

"If I could, I wouldn't want to work in the NBA after I was 40. I will focus on business and, of course, most importantly, on family. ”

"Do you mean retirement? But you've retired once, Henson. Angeli's tone was a little teasing, she thought Henson was joking with herself.

"Yes, I retired once. But if there was a second time, I guess it would be gone forever. So, when I'm done with the last few years of my contract, okay? I'll give Bird an account, and then, I'll go home. ”

Looking at Henson's serious eyes, Anjiali also put away her hippie smile. She knew that Henson was getting down to business with her.

The woman didn't say anything, just held Henson's hand tightly. Then, together, the two looked at the bustling crowd of Royal Street and the artists on the street.

It was a wonderful night.

※※※

The All-Star season in New Orleans ended perfectly, but Henson didn't know if the West or the East had won. Besides, he wasn't interested in knowing.

After returning from New Orleans, perhaps because of the temperature difference between the two places, Emily caught a cold again. And what bothers Henson the most is that he can't accompany Emily and Angelie to the hospital.

Because as soon as the All-Star Weekend is over, it means that the regular season battle will continue. And the Pacers' first opponent after the All-Star break is still very simple, but it is the Cleveland Cavaliers, who just defeated their defending champion half a month ago!

The Cavaliers now have a 39-16 record, which doesn't look like anything impressive. Their results are not even as good as the Spurs, who are going through a generational change.

But everyone knows that James is a smart guy. He and his team don't usually work too hard during the regular season. James often played "health basketball" during the regular season, and only turned on the all-out mode in the playoffs.

Therefore, their actual strength is higher than this record.

In the tactical conference room of the Bankers Living Arena, Henson is gathering members of the team's coaching staff to watch a video of the previous game.

Although James likes to play "health basketball", Henson is sure that James will give his best when he meets him.

After all, he kept James out of the Finals for three years in a row. In other words, it is impossible for Henson to face such an opponent calmly.

Therefore, the next game will be a big test for the Pacers.

On the large projection screen, the Cavaliers' white shooter Korver hit another three-pointer. His three-pointer is still like a stab in Henson's heart again and again.

"As we all know, in the last game, we were almost killed by Korver." Seeing this, Henson paused the video and finally spoke.

"James, Irving and Love are actually on par with our George, Antetokounmpo and Paul. So, in fact, it was Korver who decided the outcome of the game. So in the next game against the Cavaliers, we need to do some targeted setup for this white shooter. ”

"Put a player on the court and harass him on both the defensive and offensive ends. In this way, it should be able to interrupt Korver's rhythm. As soon as Henson finished talking about this idea, the clever Becky. Harmon guessed what Henson was trying to do.

'That's right, we need someone to keep an eye on Korver for the whole game and he'll get our VIP treatment. When a shooter loses his stamina and rhythm, he loses his sole role. Henson said, approvingly at Becky. Harmon nodded.

"So who is this man? Paul. George? On the other side, McMillan spread his hands.

"No, George still has to deal with James. As for Kevin. Love, I don't want Frye to defend him. In that case, Love will eat all the rebounds. So, tomorrow there is only one man who will be free to deal with Korver. ”

Henson smiled mysteriously, remembering a conversation he had with Oladipo in his office yesterday.