The Basketball Court Swordsman

Chapter 698: : The road to the last championship

Although the regular season has ended, Henson's heat has not dropped at all.

Just one day after the 2018-2019 regular season is over, major media and TV stations are basically preparing regular season summary programs or columns.

This season is a season of strong teams and fierce competition. Even the Five-Star Warriors only won 57 wins in the regular season.

And Jimmy Butler, Leonard and others joined the East, and James joined the West, which also changed the league situation. The retirement of Dirk and Wade added a bit of sadness to this season.

So, there is actually a lot to talk about this season. But almost all the media and TV stations put the focus of this season on one person-Henson Joe.

"This is the last season of Coach Henson. When he came back three years ago, few people thought he could succeed. But now, Henson Joe is only one step away from establishing a second dynasty."

"Coach Henson is already great enough even if he didn't win this season. His record of 73 wins in the regular season was tied by the Warriors, but this year's record of 74 wins may be difficult for other teams to touch. ."

"We all know that Henson Joe is an ambitious head coach. I am ready for the second dynasty of Indianapolis basketball. He will not fail, even if his opponent is Five-star warrior!"

"I know that teams such as the Celtics, Raptors and 76ers are all eyeing the Eastern Conference championship this season. But let me say that they don't have a team that can truly engage the Pacers."

It is rare to see that almost all media and reporters have praised the Pacers and are so optimistic about their prospects for the playoffs.

In the past, there would always be one or two media outlets who jumped out to provoke the Pacers and Henson.

However, this year, the well-known media gave Henson almost all praise. The Pacers' status in the league has reached an unquestionable level.

At most, the media would say "Walkers, don't think you are stable."

However, this sentence is almost nonsense. Just like before the movie opens, there will always be a sentence "This story is purely fictitious."

After all, the Pacers' 74 win record lies there. Judging from the regular season record, the Pacers are almost the only team in the league.

Moreover, the media were scared by Henson's face. There is really no one who dares to stand up and ask for hardship.

The morning after the regular season, the Pacers also held a celebration party for Henson. The celebration party is mainly attended by the Pacers' management. Since there are only two days before the start of the playoffs, the team is not easy to hold any large gatherings.

"It's a pity, it turns out that you are still the top coach in the league. However, you have to choose to leave. This time, will you come back?"

At the celebration party, Pacers boss Stephen Simon was very reluctant to Henson. As a result, Henson made the Pacers a giant team. Secondly, NBA teams have income as long as they win. The Pacers' income in recent years is even better than those of the big cities.

Such a head coach who can bring money and victory at the same time, the boss is naturally reluctant.

"I'm afraid I won't be back this time, man. My era should be over, the Pacers will have to turn to the next chapter sooner or later. By the way, do you remember the promise between us?"

"Of course I remember." Stephen Simon nodded, and Henson didn't say more.

The commitment between the two is simple, the same as when Henson first retired. The Pacers must replace Henson with Becky Harmon as their successor for at least three years.

Henson believes that this time Becky Harmon is more prepared than Frank Vogel last time. Vogel has no problem with his ability, and he also spent a good time in Magic after leaving the Pacers. Isn’t it rumored that he has been in contact with the Los Angeles Lakers.

The reason why Vogel did not succeed in the Pacers was because he encountered the big departure of the Pacers players. Also, he is not fully prepared to be the head coach of a championship team.

But now it is different. The Pacers are united inside and outside. Henson believes that neither George nor Antetokounmpo will leave Indianapolis.

Moreover, Becky Harmon stayed with Henson for a long time. Many times this season, Henson simply asked Becky Harmon to direct the game.

In Henson's view, Becky Harmon is fully capable of being alone. By then, she will become the first female head coach in NBA history.

But Henson doesn't care about gender. He only knows that Becky Harmon can do nothing worse than men.

The celebration will end soon. After all, Henson still needs to prepare for the playoffs, so the team management will not bother much.

It is not so much a celebration party, as it is a retention meeting organized by the management for Henson and Bird. Almost everyone, more or less, will say something to keep Henson and Bird.

However, Henson's determination to leave has been made long ago. Therefore, he did not waver easily.

40 years old, has a wife, a daughter, and a good industry. After this year, Henson really wanted to change his way of life.

Henson wants to change his way of life after this year, but he doesn't want to leave regrets for himself in the last year. Although the media generally believe that the Pacers have a great chance of winning, the chance of reaching the finals is close to 100%.

But Henson knows that there is no shortage of dark horses in the playoffs. Moreover, several Eastern teams in this year's playoffs do have the qualifications to become dark horses.

Looking at the playoff matchup table in his hand, Henson sorted out the situation in the playoffs this year.

The first is the first round. The lucky Nets survived and the hapless Detroit Pistons became the Pacers' first "prey".

To be honest, the Pistons' ability to reach the top eight in the Eastern Conference has already surprised Henson. Look at the staffing of the Pistons, then look at the performance of Drummond, the "pseudo-superstar". Henson really doesn't think the Detroit Pistons are a promising team.

However, Blake Griffin's growth has changed everything. Griffin today, although his physical condition is not at his peak. But when it comes to personal ability, Henson thinks this is the beginning of Griffin's peak.

Dribbling, coping, shooting, hitting the basket... This "white monster" who used to only dunk without a brain, is now an underestimated all-around forward.

However, Henson will be sorry for Griffin in the first round. Although Griffin is very strong, he is not a top star. What's more, Henson is not even afraid of a Warrior with five superstars, will he capsize in front of a mere Piston?

As long as everything is normal, sweeping the piston 4-0, there should be no problem.

So Henson's thoughts came to the second round. The opponents of the Pacers in the second round will be decided between the Bucks and Celtics.

The Bucks have great potential this season. Although Middleton, Bledsoe and Mirotic are not big-name superstars, they are more powerful than famous.

However, Henson believes that Stevens' Celtics will not be easily given away. The Celtics can certainly defeat the Bucks and join themselves in the Eastern Conference semifinals!

In the Eastern Conference finals last season, the Pacers' opponent was the Celtics. The Celtics fans threatened revenge and shouted for a whole season.

But Henson believes that the Celtics this season is not as threatening as last season.

The performance of Irving and Hayward after their comeback did not meet expectations, and the growth of Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum also did not meet expectations. In Henson's view, the Celtics can be said to be a team that does not advance and retreat.

Although very unkind, Henson believes that in the second round, he and Stevens will not meet more than 4 times.

As for the Eastern Conference Finals, Henson's opponent is the winner between the Raptors and the 76ers. The Magic and the Nets, Henson simply ignored them. He believes that the 76ers and the Raptors will overcome their opponents and meet.

The 76ers and the Raptors, Jimmy Butler and Leonard... these two teams all give Henson a headache. Not to mention the mid-season, the 76ers and Raptors have different levels of reinforcement.

Henson believes that his team can win, but as long as there are any unexpected or wrong decisions, the situation is likely to be completely ruined.

As for the finals...Except for the Warriors, Henson is not optimistic about any team. Including the Rockets with Harden and Paul, Henson is not very optimistic. It's not that the Rockets are weak, but the Warriors are too strong!

Unless someone on the Warriors is injured, the Rockets should pray.

Based on this analysis, this year's playoffs are the same as usual, starting from the Eastern Conference Finals. Only this year's Eastern Conference finals, Henson's opponent is not called LeBron James.

Henson must admit that the three teams of the 76ers, Raptors and Warriors will bring him great risks. Although Henson has beaten them in the regular season, the regular season and the series are different after all.

Henson drew circles on the names of the three teams with a red pen, and then opened the interface in front of him.

For this final season, he has hoarded four badges and words to avoid risks.

Due to the increase in the Pacers' strength, Henson hasn't used these things for a long time. Because even without words and badges, the Pacers can win.

But this time, Henson not only has to win, but also to win thoroughly without leaving any risk. Therefore, he needs the power of badges and words.

The commas are so perfect, how can there be no periods?

Henson can't wait for the final championship road.

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