The Basketball Court Swordsman

Chris Paul was suspended for three games and fined $25,000, which became the hottest topic in this game. The war of words between George Carr, an old gangster, and Henson, a gangster in the new era, has also intensified.

Even if JaVale McGee, the stupid big man, was banned for five games for taking the initiative to cause trouble, it still couldn't calm Henson's anger. McGee and Paul are not athletes at the same level, and their importance in the team is different. McGee's absence from the game and Paul's absence from the game, can the impact be equal?

Of course, the most serious impact of this incident on Henson is not anger, but the rotation problem he needs to face after Paul is absent.

In this regard, many Oklahoma fans remembered the experience of being cheated by Henson in the Finals last season.

"During the finals of last season, Coach Henson claimed that Paul would not be able to play due to injury, but it turned out to be a lie. Now it’s good, Coach Henson’s ‘dream’ has come true, and Chris Paul really cannot play."

"Chris Paul was banned for three games in the league. I want to see how Coach Henson can bring Chris Paul back to life this time."

"Don't forget, the total score in the finals last season was 4-1, and the Pacers lost to the Thunder only because they lost Chris Paul."

There is no doubt that Paul was suspended and the Thunder fans became the happiest party. On the Internet, countless Oklahoma fans have begun to gloat and wait for the revenge of last season at the Chesapeake Energy Arena.

This previously high-profile national live game has become even more popular because of the absence of Chris Paul...

Because everyone wants to know how Henson Joe would respond to the Thunder's counterattack without Chris Paul!

And this is why Henson is now having a headache.

This season, the weakest part of the Pacers staff reserve is the number one. Apart from Chris Paul, there is only D.J. Augustine as a pure point guard. Under normal circumstances, "Fun Bifensen" is the number one position in the rotation lineup, and Augustine has little chance to appear in the Pacers this season.

Therefore, in the next game against the Thunder, Henson definitely cannot use Augustine to control the overall situation and take risks. Take Augustine against Westbrook? Just thinking about it, Henson felt terrible.

But use Stephenson to start Pg for the entire game? It also seems inappropriate. How effective is Stephenson playing point guard, and the time period for scoring. The rotation lineup is no problem, and chaos is no problem, but it is definitely not stable enough as the master.

Yes, Paul also missed the game last season due to family reasons, and the Pacers also won that game. But don't forget, the New York Knicks last season and the Oklahoma City Thunder are not the same team. Without Paul, the Pacers can win the Knicks, does not mean they can also win the Thunder.

And Paul George, Danny Green and others are less suitable to play point guards than Stephenson... For this reason, Henson even gave himself a list of free agents.

But after another thought, there is no player in the free agent market who can become the Pacers' master. Players in other positions are injured or banned, you can also find "fire fighters" to help. But the relatively special position of the number one, as the brain of the team, cannot be replaced by the role of a "fire fighter".

After coming out of Bird's office, Henson has been considering the issue of employment. Last season, at any rate, there was a Hinrich who could do it, but this season he couldn't even get a substitute.

Augustine's defense made Henson uneasy, and Stephenson's stability made Henson uneasy. After much deliberation, only Paul is the most perfect.

Hmm... Maybe Stephenson and Augustine are not as unbearable as I thought, but it is not fair to compare them with Paul. After all, how many point guards in this league can meet Paul's standards?

So, in the training day before the start of the game, Henson gritted his teeth and stomped his feet to confirm the Pacers' starting position.

"We've done this before, but it's only occasionally a few rounds... You let him do this for the entire game, it's still too bold." On the training side, watching the players prepare for tomorrow Vogel couldn't help but be a little worried.

"Theoretically, there is no problem with this arrangement, but I am afraid that the Thunder's defense will make it difficult for us to run out of the open. The most important point of your approach is that the offensive without the ball has to get a chance. Otherwise, the offense will Turned into a pool of stagnant water." Stevens half agreed, half opposed.

"There's no other way, won't Westbrook of the Thunder organize an offense? You see, they are still No. 1 in the Western Conference." Henson held his hand, and although he was talking with two assistants, his eyes never The players who left the training.

"That's because Westbrook doesn't need the ball to organize." Vogel sighed.

"The same is true for us. There is no need to use Chris Paul to organize the offense every time. Oklahomaians must have waited for us to pass. There is no way out, guys. Either become a **** or lose the game. ! And," Henson looked at Vogel and Stephenson mysteriously, "In addition to this, I have a backup plan."

Either become a **** or lose. With such determination to win, Henson landed at Will Rogers International Airport in Oklahoma.

The Pacers players just walked out, and reporters with microphones came from all directions.

Henson was wearing sunglasses and earphones around his neck. He didn't even care about the reporters' intentions. Even though the reporters put the microphones to his lips, he just went on his own.

The only unusual scene the reporters found was that Henson patted Al Horford on the shoulder before getting on the team bus.

Of course, for reporters, this doesn't mean anything at all. But for Henson and Horford, it was all because of a brief conversation between the two an hour ago.

In the eyes of most Pacers players, Henson is a very special head coach. This is not just because of his special coaching style or background, but because Henson almost grew up with this group of players.

The Pacers players watched the scout who picked them step by step to achieve the position of head coach. The feeling of growing together is not what they can experience in other coaches.

Therefore, the Pacers players trust Henson and are more obedient. The most important thing is that they like to communicate with Henson on everything.

"Afraid? What are you afraid of?" That's why Henson heard the word fear from the All-Star center Al Horford.

"If I mess up later, then... the opponent is a Western Conference champion after all."

"It turns out that you are afraid of this. Don't think about it so much, Al. I know that tomorrow's task will be very onerous for you. But it is precisely because I think you are competent that I leave such an important thing to you. There is nothing to be afraid of, we just beat them to win the O'Brien Cup half a year ago."

"Ok......"

"Hey, listen to Al. You have this ability, you are an All-Star player, and you are our head center! Bah, throw away the center frame. You are one of our head players, just like you were back then No one is optimistic about you pulling out to shoot three-pointers, the result? Your tactical role has become richer. This time it is the same, no one said what the center must do, forget the inherent impressions."

"Okay, boss, I will do my best."

Conversations between men usually don’t need to be long, but they are often very efficient.

Since the Pacers arrived in Oklahoma on the day of the game, after a short break at noon, Henson led the team to the Chesapeake Energy Arena three hours earlier.

Normally, there will be no people outside the arena three hours before the start. But today, Henson found that Oklahoma fans were enthusiastic. Some of them also held various signs in their hands.

Although the contents of these signs are different, they can be summed up in one sentence: "Fuck the Pacers, you will die in Oklahoma!"

The Thunder fans cheered enthusiastically outside the arena, as if they had begun to celebrate the victory in advance.

In addition to the fans, the local reporters are no doubt very excited. Everyone knows how much the loss of Paul has had on the Pacers, so they all can’t wait to take pictures of Henson, who is always triumphant.

However, as always, Henson did not let anyone who hated him do what he wanted.

Not only does this guy have no frowning face, he even has a relaxed face.

"What do you think of this game? Two points. First, George Carr is a **** asshole. Second, the Thunder fans are too happy."

Henson smiled and nodded when he finished speaking, then closed the locker room door.

A plan A, a plan B, Henson has been fully prepared. Doesn't it mean the Pacers cannot win without Chris Paul? Then you too underestimate the defending champion.