By the way, isn't this Cao Cao's hero of cooking wine?

I didn't feel it at first, but with Popovich's answers.

If there is another thunderstorm outside, it will be amazing!

"You're the first person I've ever met worthy of the title of coach."

There was no thunder outside, but Popovich's words made Tang Tian almost drop the wine glass in his hand.

It's not "the hero of the world, only the king and the ear", the first meaning is that the old man doesn't even think he can be counted.

"I don't really understand." Tang Tian said and put down the wine glass.

"A head coach who can see the opponent's strategy on the field and then find out the tactics to deal with it is tactical execution; A head coach who can handle the relationship between stars and allows each player to give full play to their abilities is a communicative ability; A manager who is able to train young players quickly and effectively is the ability to develop. A manager who has these abilities is a real coach, so you're the first one I've ever seen. ”

Popovich's words were speechless, but his face was also red.

Half of this is due to the system, but it is really unprecedented to be able to get this kind of evaluation from the old man.

"So, are you interested in coaching the Spurs next season?"

However, Popovich's next sentence made Tang Tian almost flash.

I believe in your wickedness!

"I'm a little tired, especially after this year's playoffs, and I feel like I'm almost at the age of retirement." Popovich said in a heavy tone, and he could feel that this was his heartfelt words.

It seems that being eliminated by the Rockets 4-1 hit him hard.

Replacing Popovich at Spurs?

This sounds like a very good choice, although Duncan looks old, but Tang Tian knows that "Stone Buddha" did not retire until he was 38 years old in his previous life.

And he can still have the opportunity to coach Leonard, and if he selects some reliable role players, the dynasty may come faster than the Rockets.

"And, I've heard about what happened between you and Morey and I understand that being a good manager requires having an absolute say in the team."

Popovich said and looked straight at Tang Tian.

"So I can try to go to Pitt and ask him to appoint you as both general manager and head coach of the team."

Tang Tian's pupils closed, if he was only a little interested before, then what Popovich said next would make him full of interest.

"Although this kind of thing is rare, it is not unheard of in history, McHale of the Timberwolves in '04, Thomas in New York in '07, and Pitt has also approached me before and asked me if I am interested in taking on a part-time role, so I don't think it should be a big problem." Popovich continued.

Tang Tian was really moved.

The reason why he wants to leave the Rockets is because he has a say in team management.

"I'll think about it, but that will happen after the season." Tang Tian opened his mouth and said.

Although it is exciting, there are too many uncertainties and possibilities in the future, and he is now leading the team to the championship, from a professional point of view, it is not suitable to talk about these, and talking about this here today is also something he didn't expect before he came.

"Yes, I know." Popovich smiled and picked up the red wine glass and leaned towards Tang Tian.

Tang Tian picked up the wine glass, touched it with Popovich, and then drank it all.

After talking about business, the two of them chatted about some fun and laughter, and I have to say that the old man is still very humorous.

Tang Tian was finally sent back to Houston by Popovich's son-in-law, because he was unknowingly drunk by the old man.

The next day, the sixth game between the Lakers and the Nuggets had just ended.

121-112, the Lakers defeated their opponents by 9 points, thus advancing to the Western Conference Finals with a large score of 4-2.

In this way, the matchup of the East and West finals has finally been released.

The West is still the Rockets vs Lakers, and this is the second consecutive year that the two teams have met in the Western Conference finals.

The Eastern Conference match was somewhat unexpected, the Cavaliers, who had a better regular season record, faced the Magic and were finally eliminated by their opponents 2-4, and James was swept by the Rockets two years ago, and his record has been getting better year by year, but he has not been able to enter the Finals for two consecutive years.

However, for the Magic, taking out the Cavaliers is only the first step, and the final against the Celtics is the bigger test.

The Rockets Lakers' game ended earlier, and the finals also started early.

On May 16, less than a day before the start of the Western Conference Finals, the Lakers flew to Houston to prepare for the opening game of the Western Conference Finals.

Kobe, Maddy, Yao Ming, Gasol, and then counting Billups, Artest, Odom, Bynum, although the opponent has not changed in this year's Western Finals, the stars are shining more and more, plus the old opponents Tang Tian and Phil Jackson, the attention is rising again and again.

And this is the second year in a row that the two sides have played each other, whether the Lakers take revenge on the Rockets and avenge with one arrow, or the Rockets eliminate the Lakers and step on the former dynasty team to complete the new dynasty, no matter which script it is, it is full of highlights.

The intensity of the intense attention can be seen in the number of reporters on the sidelines during pre-match training.

There was a large row of people standing in a row, and there were twenty or thirty of them.

This is definitely the first time since the playoffs this year.

As soon as the Lakers' training was over, reporters were already flocking to it.

Jackson and Bryant were chatting, and the two of them were surrounded by reporters together.

"Phil, do you have any special tactics in store for tomorrow night's game?" The reporter at the front was the first to ask questions.

"Nope." Jackson said with a smile.

"You don't have to prepare any special tactics against the Rockets." Seeing the reporter's puzzled gaze, he then added.

"But the Rockets brought in Artest this season and made them a big bench strength, do you have any ways to deal with it?" The reporter asked.

"We've got Lamar, and that's a question you should ask Don, it's a headache for him." Jackson was as proud and pretending to be as proud and coercive as ever.

"Kobe Bryant, at the end of the playoffs last year, you said you were going to make a comeback, and now are you ready?" Perhaps a little unable to stand the pretending atmosphere revealed in Jackson's words, the reporter turned his head and targeted Kobe.

Bryant didn't answer, just glanced at the reporter coldly, as if he was asking a piece of nonsense.

"The Rockets traded Artest, plus the old rival Battier, they will still use wheel tactics against you, have you figured out how to deal with it?" The reporter on the side was obviously smarter, and took advantage of the half-second gap to ask a question first.

"This year, I'm even stronger." Bryant did not answer positively, but he gave a very positive answer.