The Basketball Court Swordsman

Before the draft began, the Pacers officially announced the resignation of Jim O’Brien, making local Indianapolis fans cheer. After three years, they finally ended O’Brien’s “dark reign”. A head coach is not successful, in fact, the reaction of the fans after he was fired can draw conclusions.

When everyone cheered because of your departure, it has proven your status in this team.

In three years, Jim O’Brien’s results are also quite “stable”. With 36 wins in the first two years, it ranks ninth in the East, only one spot away from the playoffs. As a result, in the third year, O’Brien went one step further and only won 32 games. This is still 32 wins in the last 14 games and 10 wins. If it weren’t for Henson’s intervention, O’Brien would really bring a higher draft pick to the Pacers.

So Bird often joked with Henson: “You really are a stumbling block for the Pacers.”

Even so, Bird valued Henson’s magical ability very much. With 14 wins and 10 wins, the same lineup, the same configuration, just another person to coach and train, has undergone earth-shaking changes. If this team is handed over to Henson from the beginning, the Pacers will reach the playoffs, it is no longer just a dream.

So the day after he fired Jim O’Brien, Bird called Henson back to his office. At this time, Henson was living a happy life of studying rookie profiles during the day and dating An Jiali at night.

He originally thought that Bird called him to witness the coronation of Frank Vogel, and then Bird gave them an account of his work by the way. To this end, Henson also prepared a gift for Vogel. But when Henson walked into Byrd’s office, he didn’t see Vogel.

“Hello Henson, gave it to me?” Bird sitting behind the desk pointed to the gift box in Henson’s hand.

“I’m sorry Bird, this is for Frank. How come that guy hasn’t come yet? He is never late.” Henson looked around, and there were only two people in the office, himself and Bird, even Pritchard was not there.

“Frank? Does Frank have his birthday today?” Byrd was confused by Henson.

“Birthday? I bought a gift to congratulate him on becoming the coach of the team. I said, you really need to take a good rest recently, Bird, just leave the draft to us.”

After listening to Henson, Bird couldn’t help but smile, but soon returned to a serious look. After all, this matter must be announced with a serious attitude.

“Listen, I will hold a press conference at the Conseco Arena at two o’clock tomorrow afternoon. You must come and attend.” Byrd said, taking out a cigar.

“Press conference? For what?” Henson used to be an assistant coach and rarely participated in press conferences unless O’Brien asked Henson to attend for him. But this kind of thing happened only three times in a season.

“To tell everyone that Henson Joe will become the new head coach of the Indiana Pacers.” After saying that, Bird stuffed the cigar into Henson’s mouth and helped him light it.

Henson took a sip of his cigar, but he coughed.

“I hope you won’t be so embarrassed when you light the Victory Cigar in the future.” Byrd patted Henson on the shoulder and smiled slightly.

So at noon the next day, under the camera of many media reporters, Larry Bird officially announced that Henson would replace Jim O’Brien as the new coach of the Pacers, and Frank Vogel would continue to serve as an assistant coach. , Assisting Henson’s work. For the next draft, Bird will be fully responsible for Henson.

“I believe that Mr. Joe will be able to lead the team on the right path.”

When Bird concluded the press conference with these words, the reporters in the media reception room were in an uproar! A Chinese American who has only had one year of experience as an assistant coach became a head coach so quickly. Is this speed too fast?

Although the Pacers desperately need a new head coach, Bird still has many candidates. For example, Jeff Van Gundy and Steve Cole, who are now idle at home, even Frank Vogel sounds more reliable than Henson.

But Bird used a rookie, a rookie coach who has never coached any team alone! What does Bird want to do? Join the race for the top pick next season?

“Bird, why did you make such a decision!”

“Frank, do you think you have been treated unfairly?”

“Henson Joe, can you talk about your mood at the moment!”

After the press conference, the reporters were still yelling from below, but Bird ignored it, and took Henson and Frank Vogel out of the reception room. Closing the door to the media reception room, the hustle and bustle behind him disappeared instantly.

“That group of reporters, there is a lot of nonsense.” Bird tidied up his suit impatiently. What reporters are best at is to complicate simple things. And Larry Bird, he always likes to make complicated things simple.

“Well, boy, now you are a temporary head coach. Don’t worry, I will sign a formal contract with you before the start of the season. You and Frank, this draft will be handled by you. Whether it is Paul George is someone else. I just hope you will bring the most suitable players to the Conseco Arena. In the afternoon, you will leave for New York. By the way, Stephen Silas will pick you up. After experiencing today After this incident, the whole world is waiting to see your performance in the draft. Work hard, I trust your vision.”

Bird confessed a few words casually, and after giving them the ticket, he left in a hurry. Bird has been very busy these days. I heard that the team’s management seems to have a new consortium involved, hoping to become one of the shareholders. But those things are beyond Henson’s jurisdiction.

“Congratulations, Henson.” After Bird left, Frank Vogel also shook hands with Henson sincerely.

Before that, Bird had actually talked with Vogel. Vogel has worked hard as an assistant coach for so many years. He thought he could be alone. But after comparing with Henson, I realized that I still have some way to go from the head coach. And Frank doesn’t know whether he can withstand the tremendous pressure after becoming the head coach.

Look at Jim O’Brien’s listless look at the end of last season, Frank didn’t want to be that way. Therefore, he decided to work as an assistant coach for a few more years and gain more experience. Frank still hopes to be able to stand on his own, but not now.

Henson stretched out his hand and clasped Vogel tightly. With such a powerful assistant as Frank Vogel, Henson’s work would be carried out without any difficulty.

“Let’s go, buddy, the first step, let’s take care of the draft.” Henson pulled Vogel out of the arena, like two lovers who just finished watching the game and are going home.

Ok? The style is wrong…

In the 2010 NBA Draft, this is the second time Henson has participated in the draft, so he is already familiar with all the procedures.

The goal of the Pacers this year is still very clear. To win Paul George in the first round, no one should compete with them. Because before the start of the draft, the Pacers did not reveal any news about George, and they will not be caught by others. George’s predicted pick is 20 out of the first round. After all, no one is willing to take a high overall risk and choose an NCAA second-level league player, except for Henson, who can see the player’s potential and roughly estimate its upper and lower limits.

In the second round, Henson plans to take down the behemoth Hassan Whiteside of Marshall University. If Whiteside is cut off, then Henson will use a backup plan to recruit the talented guard Lance Stephenson of the University of Cincinnati under his command.

For Paul George and Whiteside, the views within the Pacers are very consistent. But for Lance Stephenson, Frank was a little puzzled.

“Lance Stephenson? Unless you want the locker room to explode, Henson!” When the name Lance Stephenson was mentioned, Frank Vogel was like a ghost.

After all, Stephenson is also famous for this guy. Of course, the way he became famous is very special. When he was in elementary school, he was the main force in the competition and offended his teammates. At the age of 17, he wanted to participate in the draft at the age of 18 and wanted to participate in the draft because he was not enough age to emulate Jennings and go overseas. Later, he stayed. Because the scholarships of major basketball schools have been allocated, he only played a symbolic season at the University of Cincinnati. At the age of 20, he hurriedly participated in the draft. A few days ago, he also broke the scandal of pushing his girlfriend down the stairs because of an argument. ……He has good physical talent and scoring means, but due to his bad reputation, no one wants this hot potato, so he slipped to the second round.

“I know he is a bomb, Frank, but he may not blow us up.” Henson smiled, always so confident.

Others only saw Stephenson’s “brilliant deeds”, but Henson saw many different things.

Lance Stephenson High School attended Abraham Lincoln High School in New York. Lincoln High School is a traditional basketball school. Marbury, Telfair and others all came from here. Stephenson won the New York State regional championship for three consecutive years. He always talked about surpassing Marbury and others. At that time, he was considered a future star on par with Wall.

Stephenson likes to challenge recognized strong players, such as O.J. Mayo, who was considered the best high school player in the United States. In the Adidas training camp that year, Stephenson, who was only 12 years old, asked to single out Mayo, who was three years older than him. Not everyone has this kind of courage.

And in 2008, Stephenson was selected for the national u18 team. Although he was finally cut off by the team because of the “chemical reaction problem” and failed to play in the official game, it also proved Stephenson’s strength.

Most importantly, on the day of the joint trial, Henson saw Stephenson’s potential, A-, ability to grab the ball, A+. In the second round, this potential value was second only to Hassan Whiteside. And the ability to compete for the ball…presumably no one can match it.