I don't know how many times this is, Henson woke up lazily from the big bed, and next to him was still sleeping Angeli.

The NBA shutdown has been going on for longer than Henson thought, much longer. He and Angelie had fun almost all summer, and they traveled across most of the United States. From wearing a bikini on the beach, playing to now having to wear a thick coat.

It's already November, and as usual, the new season has already started a month. But now, it wasn't until yesterday, November 26, that the collective bargaining negotiations finally ended.

"Sleep a little longer, won't you stay with me for a while in the last morning?" An Jiali reached out and grabbed Henson, who was sitting next to the bed, a little reluctant.

"If you sleep again, you won't be able to catch the plane, and you still have classes later." Henson kissed An Jiali lightly on the forehead, yes, it is rare for an Arab to start school, and she can still be so idle.

Speaking of which, 2011 is coming to an end. And he is already 32 years old......

"You're going to be very busy when the season starts this year......" Angeli sat up and rubbed her eyes, she had nothing on her.

"Well, this year's season has been shortened, but that means it's going to be a very tight schedule. But don't worry, it's only four months from the start of the season to the end of the season. ”

"Four months? After the regular season, you still have to play the playoffs. Anjiali said, slowly putting on her clothes, and then began to toss her face.

Henson smiled, "That's right, maybe this year, our season will be a little longer." ”

Last season, the Pacers went out in seven Eastern Conference semifinals. This year, after getting Leonard, maybe the Pacers can go to the next level......

At noon, at San Francisco International Airport, Henson reluctantly said goodbye to Angeli.

Although he said goodbye to his girlfriend, Henson estimated that he was going to meet his girlfriend's father soon. Today is November 27th, December 25th, and the new season will begin. During this period, there was less than a month. December 8, Summer ...... No, the winter free agent market will open to be exact.

From reinforcements to run-ins to the start of the regular season, each team is running out on a tight schedule. Therefore, Henson believes that he will not be able to meet Vivek during this time. After all, Vivek is different from Herbert, and he is still quite concerned about the team's basketball affairs. In terms of the team's recruitment, even if he doesn't interfere much, he will definitely participate in the discussion.

As soon as he landed in Indianapolis in the afternoon, the driver, Carter, drove Henson to the Conseco Arena. There, Bird, Vivek and the members of the coaching team were already waiting for him.

The new season started very suddenly, and everything had to race against the clock.

"Henson, how was the holiday!?" As soon as Henson walked into the hall of the arena, he met Vogel, who had gained a lot of weight.

"I'm going bankrupt, hahahahaha. Looks like you're doing well, Frank, and your wife's cooking skills have grown again? ”

"Don't tease my tummy, I've got to play sports with the players during this time. When do you plan to start training camp for the new season? Vogel didn't say much, and after two or three sentences, he turned his attention to work.

"The sooner the better, now there is only one problem...... About Chris. Paul's deal, how Bird and Vivek were intended. Henson's expression suddenly became serious, and this deal will determine Henson's next reinforcement plan and line-up. Most importantly, it will allow Henson himself to experience first-hand the brutality of the NBA league.

Whoever was traded, they were all key players in helping build Henson's legacy last season. After all, you can't just scrap some leftovers to get Paul.

Although Henson has also traded several players before, such as McRoberts, Troy. Murphy and so on, but it must be admitted that Henson's relationship with these players is not as deep as that of the main team, and these players do not contribute much to the team.

"I've just arrived here like you, Henson. Hopefully, Bird and Vivek have made their decision. ”

Vogel spread his hands, and as he spoke, the two of them had already walked to the door of Bird's office.

Knocking on the door, Bird, Vivek, Pritchard, and Silas were already seated. Several of the Pacers' biggest names are in full swing and ready to discuss a winning plan for next season in a limited amount of time.

"Henson, thank you for being with my daughter this summer. You know, I just can't find the time. But with you with him, I'm much more relieved. ”

As soon as Henson entered, Vivek nodded at Henson.

"Uh...... It's nothing, in fact, I'm happy with her too. Henson touched his nose unnaturally, he didn't expect the scene to suddenly change to "meeting the parents".

"Okay, let's talk about your marriage later. Labor negotiations are over, and now we have more important things to do. Bird said, lighting a cigar.

"First of all, it's about the signings in the team. Chris. Paul has been openly peddled by the Hornets, but the Hornets are tough to handle because they are now hosted by the league. If the Hornets lose enough attractive stars, the league will certainly have a hard time shooting. So even if you want to trade Chris. Paul, the league will definitely open its mouth. ”

Bird's words instantly pulled Henson, who was still on vacation in the morning, into a state of work.

"So we can not do this deal and with the current squad we can do better than last season." Henson stretched out his hands, not that he didn't desire Paul, but that he couldn't bear his "children."

"Do you think it's better for the team not to make this deal?" Bird asked rhetorically.

This time, Henson couldn't answer. Because there is no doubt that get Chris. Paul, it will be more helpful to improve the strength of the team. After all, that's the best point guard in the league!

Seeing that Henson didn't answer, Bird seemed to see through Henson's thoughts, so he added: "I know you like the players under you, but it's always the NBA. While I don't agree with the notion that business is business, I believe the NBA is human. But from the team's point of view, we have to put results and quality above personal feelings. ”

"Well, I understand." Henson nodded, he was just a head coach, and the boss and the president were willing to discuss the transaction with him, which was already very face-saving for him.

Most NBA coaches are actually just part-time workers, and although they are in charge of the team, they have no right to care about the changes in the team. Many coaches and teams have conflicts, and this is actually the reason for the conflict.

Coaches need three-point shooters, and there's a good chance that management will get a bunch of physically strong guys on their own terms. The coach can't get the players he wants, he can't play the results, the management can't play the results, and the management is dissatisfied, and many teams are in a vicious circle......

Only a small number of respected coaches, such as Popovich and "Zen Master", are qualified to intervene in the team's recruitment. There are also some head coaches, even in the position of head coach and general manager.

But Henson is just a head coach, and a rookie coach. He was satisfied with his current situation. After all, from the beginning of his tenure to the present, the team has almost been built according to his wishes. During this period, Bird and the management never intervened. Even though Henson wanted to draft Stephenson last year, Bird helped Henson withstand the pressure from above.

So now, again, he can't let his personal emotions hinder the team's progress. Just as Bird respected him, Henson had to respect Bird's ideas.

"My plan is to use Daniel. Granger and Zhu. Holiday as a bargaining chip. Granger is an All-Star, and Holiday showed his ability last season. At most, we have another 2014 pick. Bird said his plan, the 2012 draft pick Henson has been given to the Hawks for Horford, the team can't trade first-round picks year after year, so the 2013 draft pick Bird can't be used, only the 2014 pick can be used.

Bird believed the Pacers must have been on track by that time and didn't need too many rookies, so he decided to invest in the pick.

NBA trading, many times, is really a choice between overdrawing the future and strengthening the present.

Henson was heartbroken, but the price was a bit big. But if the trading partner is Chris. Paul, too, is not unworthy.

"We've got to get in on the fray, and as far as I know, the Los Angeles Lakers are very close to Paul. Our opportunities are getting fewer and fewer. What do you think? Is this plan feasible? ”

After Bird finished speaking, he looked around the company and a half.

"Yes." Vivek spoke.

"If you can get Paul, it's certainly worth it." Silas breathed a sigh of relief.

"I listen to Henson, he's the one who directs the team." Vogel spread his hands.

In the end, everyone's eyes fell on Henson.

Henson hung his head, he didn't expect that the holiday had just ended, and he had to make such a difficult decision.

Granger and Holiday ...... Those are Henson's henchmen. Luckily, Henson has the "Goodbye Friend" badge to minimize the damage done to the locker room by trading.

After pondering for a moment, Henson sighed before staring at Bird.

"Then let's start asking for a price."