"It's an opportunity kid for you." Before heading to Philadelphia for All-Star Weekend, Leon received a call from Auerbach.

Since Leon cemented his position as an assistant coach with the Celtics, Auerbach has been hidden in Washington, D.C., calling once a month to chat with Leon and exchange views on the current situation and development of the Celtics. However, in most cases, Leon takes the initiative to call Auerbach, usually when he answers the phone, Auerbach is at home playing bridge or taking a nap, and when he receives a call, he has to scold Leon first before starting to chat.

This time, it was Auerbach who took the initiative to contact Leon, which is usually the case when there is a very important and urgent matter. The phone call before the All-Star break was some reminder from the bishop to Leon.

"Something went wrong in New Jersey, and I heard the news that Stern's crump was balancing again in New York. But it's a good opportunity for you, and you'll be an assistant coach at the All-Star Game. It's a great time to expand your presence in the league, mingle with the youngsters, the stars, and those relationships will always come in handy in the future. Auerbach was full of resentment towards Stern, after all, Stern was the one who single-handedly put up the NBA president throne, and in the end, it was Stern who ended the glory of the Celtics step by step. In 1985, Auerbach had coveted Ewing for a long time, but Stern used a lottery to send the champion to New York, and Ewing also went to the Big Apple.

Leon ignored the age-old feud between Auerbach and Stern, and replied mercilessly: "Yes, I know, but why don't the Celtics never seem to attract any superstars?" ”

"You little bastard, if you don't learn how to respect me, I'll throw you in the cupboard in the away locker room at the Garden Arena and eat stinky socks." Listening to Leon's sarcasm, Auerbach gritted his teeth and said.

If Leon were standing in front of Auerbach, Auerbach would definitely be slamming Leon's head with his cane. While Leon is not wrong at all, in the history of the Celtics their superstars have all come from the draft, and unlike the Lakers, who have a tradition of robbing superstars, the Celtics have never been a mercenary regiment, but a big family.

Of course, Auerbach is just talking. Only Fox Leon can speak so freely in front of Auerbach, and he is used to it.

"Times are always different, and there must be new ideas. Your draft vision is very good, about half my level, but I can't understand any of the complicated terms of the trade. You're nice guys with Angie and Wallace, you know the bullshit terms. Now that the world has new rules and everyone has adapted to it, make good use of them. And. I don't think I can wait for the day when the Celtics will rise from the draft, and I want to see another flag. Auerbach said to Leon in a compromising tone, and at the end his words suddenly revealed a touch of sadness.

Leon was silent on the phone for a long time, he looked at his watch, and at one o'clock in the afternoon, he said, "It's one o'clock, it's time for you to take a nap, take care of your old man." ”

After saying that, Leon hung up the phone. Before he could sigh, the phone rang again. It was Khomeenes calling. Since knowing that Leon could go to the All-Star as an assistant coach, Khamenez pressed Leon to take her to Philadelphia as a family member, because this All-Star weekend, the two of them had planned a trip to Rhode Island.

But Leon was a little hesitant, he has always been a person who has a clear distinction between public and private, and going to the All-Star Game is not so much entertainment for him. More like work, he didn't like Khomeinis to be mixed into his work, even if one day her dad would become the boss of the Celtics. He persuaded Ayatollah Khomeenez to go to Philadelphia on her own, she could watch the All-Stars in the arena and watch him command, and the two met to play in Philadelphia for a day after the game. Khomemenez, for her part, insisted on being a family member of her entourage. Eat and live with Leon, sit in the family seat and watch the All-Star Game.

After the phone rang seven or eight times, Leon pressed the answer button, and the voice of Holmeniz came from the earpiece, and she said, "Fox, I can give you a reason why I have to follow you to All-Star Weekend." ”

"Tell me, I'll think about it." Both of them have straightforward personalities, which makes their communication very enjoyable.

"Those superstars bring their wives or their children, so how can you be alone? Or just pull a girl who doesn't fall into the flow to follow you? Khomemenes gave Leon a reason he couldn't refuse.

"Okay, pack up, I'll pick you up right away, the plane at four o'clock in the afternoon."

……………………

After a half-hour flight on a regional plane, Leon and Ayatollah Khomeenez arrived in Philadelphia, the host of the All-Star event, just before 5 p.m. In both games in Philadelphia this season, the Celtics suffered defeats, and in the face of the 76ers' fierce and ferocious defense, their offense was completely unopen, and Iverson's point, the Celtics had no one to limit him. So Leon's impression of Philadelphia is not good, but this time he felt relaxed after getting off the plane, after all, it was All-Star Weekend, and his mentality was completely different.

There were no reporters, no flashing lights, no fan base, and Leon's arrival went unnoticed by anyone. During All-Star Weekend, there are plenty of reporters and fans lurking near airports and hotels, taking every opportunity to interview stars, ask for autographs or group photos. All famous coaches will also attract the attention of reporters, but Leon, an All-Star temporary assistant coach, is destined to have no topic of conversation.

"Temporary assistant coach, how many times have I been a temporary worker?" Arriving at the hotel where the NBA officially arranged to stay, Leon sat on the sofa in his room and read the newspaper, which contained a report on the players and coaches of the All-Star Game. When referring to Fox Leon, refer to him as an interim All-Star assistant coach. Since he was released from prison, Leon has worked as a temporary cleaner all the way to today, but he still hasn't taken off his hat as a temporary worker.

"Someday you're going to be interim head coach." Khomeenez, who was dressed in front of the mirror on the side, said with a smile.

Around 7 p.m., the rest of the Celtics who participated in this All-Star also came, head coach Carroll, Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker in the main game, and Michael Reed, Arenas and Joe Johnson in the rookie game. Paul Pearce also signed up for the three-point contest, so in addition to the slam dunk contest, the Celtics are present in every arena and position.

Before the official start of All-Star Weekend tomorrow, the NBA will have a large buffet dinner for all the team members participating in the All-Star Game at the hotel where they will stay, which is a great place for players, coaches and managers to socialize. At this time, Leon realized how right it was to bring Khomeenez, she had already dressed in a lake-green silk dress, with pearl jewelry, tied her originally loose red hair back to make a beautiful little fan, painted delicate makeup on her face, and her figure was no worse than some models and celebrities.

And it can be seen that she is not afraid of such a large-scale social occasion, and she also specially picked out a well-fitting dark suit for Leon, with a suitable tie and badge, so that Leon looks extraordinary. Khamenes also taught Leon a lot of social etiquette, and after all, Khamenez's father was a big businessman, and attending such a dinner party was really a piece of cake for her.

"I thought you could only climb mountains." Leon jokingly said to Holmenez that she was sorting out Leon's tie, and when she heard Leon's words, she couldn't help but tighten Leon's bow tie so hard that Leon almost lost his breath.

"Any goals, at the banquet?" Khomeinith asked, pulling Leon's tie, sounding jealous. Leon knew what Khomemenes meant, and he loosened his overly tight tie and replied, "I've always been single-minded and goal-oriented, and I just want Kevin Garnett, so he's my target." ”

The NBA is a business, but unlike many businesses, if you want something in the NBA, whether it's the players or the coaches, you have to say it out loud for everyone to know, instead of sneaking around behind the scenes. In the NBA business, winning hearts and minds is just as important as running a business, so Leon has never hidden his desire for a superstar like Kevin Garnett, and from the first time he saw Garnett play, he decided it was the player he wanted.

The two didn't know each other because of a misunderstanding, but since they met in Minnesota at that draft, the two have rarely had the opportunity to contact, after all, each has its own master, one in the east and the other in the west. In this All-Star Game, Garnett was also selected as a starter in the West with a high vote, and Leon will undoubtedly have many opportunities to contact the Wolves.

"How long are you going to take him down?" Khomemenes asked again, believing it would be a big job.

"Two years. Specifically, one year, six months and eleven days. If all goes well. Leon gave his answer. (To be continued.) )