Budenhozer's mood at this time was certainly not very beautiful, he did not expect that after last season's finals, he and Henson would meet again in such a way.

Mike. Budenhozer, who was one of Popovich's right-hand men last season. Once, in the case of Leonard, Budenholzer suggested that Popovich use George. Hill goes for Leonard. It can be seen that this guy's vision of players is also very unique.

After coming to the Eagles, Budenholzer's system has allowed many players to shine. Among them, including Jeff, who was also favored by Henson. Teague.

While the Hawks only finished eighth in the East this season, they lost Joe. Johnson and Josh. With Smith and the two, it's already remarkable that the Hawks can make the playoffs. During the time Henson rested, Budenholzer's Eagles also earned the nickname "Eastern Spurs".

However, after a successful regular season, Budenholzer had to face the dreaded Indiana Pacers and the Henson Warriors, who gave Veicky a huge headache last season. Joe.

If it were past seasons, the eighth-eighth team in the East would have been very satisfied to make the playoffs. But Budenhozer's ambitions don't stop there, and he wants his team to make a breakthrough in the playoffs, even against the Pacers, who have won 73.

He told himself that he must not be timid before the game starts. If you are timid, you will lose the game before it is even played. So while the Hawks were considered the unluckiest team in the first round of the playoffs, Budenhozer was still very relaxed in front of the media cameras.

"I don't think we're the unluckiest team, we're lucky to play against the best teams in the league. Basketball, especially the playoffs, is not just a matter of paper. No matter how the pre-match pundits and the media analyze it, there will be some changes in the final game. I'm sure even Coach Henson would admit it. ”

I have to admit that the Spurs coach is not only capable, but also has a unique way to deal with the media.

Budenhozer's answer affirmed Henson's quality and expressed his determination to win. That way, the Eagles players won't lose confidence before the game even starts.

On the other hand, Henson, who just had the best single-season regular season record in NBA history, also gave his opinion on the upcoming first round of the series in the Bankers' Life Arena. Henson's words were noticeably shorter and more powerful.

Facing the camera, Henson said, "I don't think the Eagles have a chance." ”

What Budenhozer has to do is to make the Eagles players feel confident, and what Henson has to do is kill the opponent's self-confidence before the game even starts!

Although Henson's words are a bit arrogant, he does have the capital of hubris. Don't look at the Hawks this season as eighth in the East, but their 38-44 record isn't good enough in Henson's opinion. And the Hawks don't have any real superstars on their roster, and Budenhozer has continued the Spurs' team-style play, where their offensive points are very dispersed, but it also shows that they don't have a single offensive strong point.

What Henson has to do is very simple, he doesn't even have to set up too complicated tactics for the Eagles. It only takes five individuals with excellent defensive ability to go up and the Eagles' offense will be in a stagnant pool.

The Hawks call the Eastern Spurs, but their true strength cannot be compared to the Spurs.

Just one Atlanta Hawk isn't enough to make Henson nervous. After all, his goal is to establish a dynasty!

After so many years of preparation since they first entered the league, the Pacers have finally become what Henson originally envisioned. Therefore, he will not be satisfied with just qualifying. This season Henson is not just going to win, it's going to win beautifully.

In Henson's view, the Pacers had nothing to worry about in the first two rounds. The Hawks in the first round, in terms of staffing, are really much worse than the Pacers. So, in order to let the players relax, but also to break the confidence of the opposing players. The day after the regular season, Henson didn't even schedule a training session, but organized a team-wide fishing trip.

Although Indianapolis is not near the sea, the White River, the city's most famous city, is also a great place for fishing.

Stephen. Simonti rented several dinghys for the players, allowing them to drive them to the middle of the river for fishing. Fishing in the river is much safer than going out to sea. After all, Stephen. Simon, the owner, doesn't want to see the favorite Pacers players end their championship journey early because of a ship accident.

Even in the river, the team has brought in the most famous fishing experts and yacht pilots to accompany the players and ensure their safety all the way.

Every day, the players on the ship are very excited, after all, the coach of an NBA team rarely takes the initiative to bring the players out to play. What's more, now that the playoffs are getting closer.

However, as things stand, Henson's goal of taking the players out to relax has been achieved. Everyone is enjoying this little leisure time in their own way.

People like George, Horford, and Leonard were fishing with sunglasses and straw hats.

And Stephenson, Anderson, and Jimmy. Butler was so noisy that he couldn't wait to take off his clothes and jump straight into the river to catch fish.

As for Paul's men, they almost almost organized a table of gambling on a small boat.

Henson, on the other hand, just stood on the board, feeling the breeze blowing across his face, feeling the faint smell of fish, feeling the vibrancy of the city, feeling the time spent with the team......

When he had just returned from illness, Henson still thought that there was still a long way to go before the end of the season, and he could put it off again and again without facing the problem of imminent retirement.

But in the blink of an eye, the regular season is over. Once the playoffs begin, it means that Henson's career will enter the countdown stage. He has been reluctant to announce the matter to the public, for fear that others will not be ready.

But it wasn't until now that Henson realized that the person who had not been ready was himself at all.

"Coach Henson? Why don't you give it a try? "In the end, it's Paul. George's voice pulled Henson back into reality.

"Uh...... Actually, I'm not very good at fishing. I just thought that there was no place in the city suitable for us to go, so I organized everyone to come fishing. Henson scratched his head, he couldn't take a bunch of players to a nightclub.

If so, Henson believes that he will really be popular in the United States. Of course, it's so hot because of the loss in the playoffs.

"Actually, I don't know how to do it, but I just sit on the boat so easily, don't have to think about anything, and I already enjoy it very much. Thank you, Coach Henson. ”

"Thank me for what? I didn't catch a fish for you. ”

"Thank you for making me what I am now. I couldn't believe I could get to this point in the NBA. If you hadn't brought me to Indianapolis, I wouldn't have had so many opportunities. I've already decided, in the future, you will be a legendary coach, and I will be your legendary player! Let's work together to make Indianapolis the next NBA powerhouse! ”

George smiled excitedly, and he looked at Henson like a child looking at his father expectantly.

"Yes, you will be a legendary player, and I will be a legendary coach..... Henson shook his head with a wry smile, it was impossible for him to fulfill George's request. Because before George became a legend, Henson would leave the basketball court completely.

I'm so sorry, George. Your wish may only be fulfilled with Vogel, a lucky bastard.

"Let's start with this year's playoffs, George. Three consecutive championships, this is an achievement that many players cannot achieve in their lifetime. And I think that's just the starting point. In the regular season, we've done so much of the impossible. It's the same in the playoffs, if someone asks me what my goals are in the playoffs. I would tell him that we don't just want to win, we want to perpetuate the magic. ”

Two days later, in a pre-game courtside interview at the Bankers Living Arena, George was asked, "What are your goals for the playoffs?" ”

George was stunned for a moment, remembering the conversation he had with Henson on the White River that day.

"Our goal is simple, it's to make the playoffs last."

The reporter's eyes widened, and it seemed that the victory alone could no longer satisfy the appetite of Henson, the guy and the Pacers......