The Whip of the God of Basketball

Leon has been very relaxed these two days. The pattering rain since June has made the air in Boston very fresh and pleasant. He will take a walk after dinner, play golf with Carlisle, or go fishing in the harbor. The coming of the finals has made Leon fall into a kind of peace and calm. With the experience of last season, Leon already knows how to deal with such a big scene.

Yes, no one is born to win in big games and has to go through various setbacks and reflections. Of course, the guy from the Los Angeles Lakers seems to be an exception. As a coach, he has never failed in the finals. But Leon is not worried about this. There is no truly invincible person in this world. Jackson's success is only in the finals. In those seasons that did not reach the finals, he can never be called Be successful.

After experiencing a disappointing and disappointing trip to the finals, Leon clearly understood what this city needed and what this team needed.

Luck aside, the ratio of strength to will in a championship team is often debated. The history of the NBA has been full of super teams that were so powerful that they could easily defeat everyone and win the championship. There are also dark horses with extraordinary willpower who use their extraordinary fighting spirit and desire to overcome obstacles and win the crown.

After reaching the finals for the second time, the debate about who will win the championship between the Celtics and the Lakers has been overwhelming in the media. Some people think that the Celtics are stronger, while others think that the Lakers have more experience. , some people think that the Celtics' sweep of the Eastern Conference playoffs shows everything, while some people think that the Lakers' purgatory promotion process is a better training for the team.

In short, no matter which side has reasons to support their favorite team, not to mention these are the biggest enemies in NBA history, the two greatest giants, and countless basketball heroes play in these two places. Their different styles and long history make the confrontation between them always eye-catching.

When walking these days, Leon could feel the attention from all sides. In the community, on the golf course, on the street, in the parking lot, and in the store, someone would recognize him at any time. Some will cheer for the Celtics, some will voice their concerns, and some will just ask for an autograph.

Leon knows that this series will not be a simple championship battle, but a war, a war about basketball, history, city and honor. Regardless of tactics, team strength or past game experience, Leon has great confidence in shaving the Los Angeles Lakers in four games. Especially after he carefully watched the video of the Lakers' Western Conference playoffs, he was even more certain, because judging from the performance on the court, this Lakers would not be a match for the Celtics at all.

Even if they have Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton, this so-called Galaxy battleship is nothing more than a chicken and a dog in Leon's eyes. Their triangle offense has never been They have not really been successful in running in, and their defense is dependent on the weather. All teams in the Western Conference are dead because of the Lakers' superior offensive talent and rich game experience. But Leon firmly believes that the Celtics will not and the Lakers will not have a chance.

However, as the game approached day by day, Leon became a little worried. The debate about strength and willpower, and the wonderful and incredible history of the NBA, all made him feel that the finals were so unpredictable. Just like last year, he felt that the Celtics had a chance to drag the game to the seventh game, but they completely collapsed in the sixth game.

As a coach, you can have an extremely strong will, but you can't convey your strength to your players. This feeling of helplessness is one of the biggest problems that Leon faced after becoming an NBA coach. In the final analysis, the outcome of a basketball game is determined by the players. No matter how great a coach is, there is nothing he can do if the players can't throw the damn ball into the basket.

With this mentality, on June 5, the day before the game, Leon gathered all the players in the team and conducted a high-intensity practice at the training hall in Waltham. The whole team simulated confrontation and a full set of tactical training. . Halfway through training, Rick Carlisle reminded: "Fox, don't forget the 1989 Los Angeles Lakers."

The Los Angeles Lakers in 1989 also swept the Western Conference before the Finals. However, Pat Riley insisted that the team conduct heavy exercise training, which directly led to the injury of many main players. They were defeated by the Pistons 0:4 in the Finals. Shaved head. Now, Carlisle felt that today's training volume might be a bit dangerous.

Leon also realized this. He then canceled the entire tactical training and changed it to a forty-minute shooting training. After the end, he said that the training was over without saying anything and everyone went home to rest and prepare for tomorrow's game.

"You look a little nervous." Before leaving, Carlisle said to Leon in the parking lot. Leon shook his head and said, "No, I'm worried that I'm not too nervous."

After training, Leon did not go home. Instead, he drove to the apartment near Faneuil Hall, where he lived when Auerbach was still working in Boston. Auerbach has moved from Washington to Boston since the playoffs began. Starting from the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Cardinals will not pull down any of the Celtics' games at North Shore Garden.

As if he had expected Leon to come, Auerbach opened the door and stood in the entrance hall with just a few gentle knocks.

"Come on in, boy, you'd better bring me something delicious." Auerbach still had a cigar in his mouth. From the strong smell of cigars on his body, we could guess that he must have been shut up in his study just now. Close the door and enjoy the aroma of cigar smoke.

"I brought you barbecued pork from Chinatown, and a little rice wine." Leon went to Chinatown before arriving and bought some of Auerbach's favorite Chinese food. This obviously made Auerbach very happy, and the two started chatting while eating barbecued pork and drinking rice wine.

Inevitably, the two will talk about tomorrow's finals. Leon told Auerbach a little confusion in his heart. He said: "I was very confident that we could beat the Lakers before. They will not be our opponents; but the more the game becomes, the more likely we are to win." As it gets closer, I start to worry. In basketball, nothing is 100% certain, just like no shot is 100% sure."

Auerbach finished the barbecued pork in his mouth and said, "So you just sit here eating barbecued pork with me and do nothing?"

"What can I do? I wanted to lead the whole team to train today, but it seems that I practiced too hard..." Leon smiled bitterly and took a sip of rice wine. Such an expression was rare on his face.

"Of course there is something to do, why not do something, renovate the Lakers' locker room, set off firecrackers in front of their hotel, and if you go a little too far, you can give them something not so delicious, hahaha. "The things Auerbach listed are all things he has mastered and used to harm various opponents.

Hearing Auerbach's words, Leon shook his head and said: "This alliance has changed, and these things will not always work, right, Arnold..."

Before Leon finished speaking, Auerbach unexpectedly became furious. He stood up from his chair suddenly, pointed at Leon's nose and cursed: "The alliance has changed, the times have changed, and so have I. I'm old, but I tell you, the Celtics' pursuit of victory and the spirit of doing whatever it takes will not change! You told me the same thing last year, so I didn't do anything or say anything in the finals. , and then what? The purpose of doing these things is not just to interfere with the opponent, but to tell them that this team, this city, can do anything for the championship! What do you want to hear when you come here? Let me tell you Relax, be calm, and experience the love of this world like a Zen master... Let all those bullshit things in Jackson die! If he wants to be a monk, don't come to the NBA to compete for championships! I told you Fox, don't tell me again What are you confused about? This is not what the Celtics coach should do at this time. At this time, you have to give everything for the championship! This is the Celtics, this is Boston, this is our basketball."

Auerbach, who yelled at Leon, turned red in the face. He had not been so excited for a long time. After a cough, he calmed down and said in a slightly softer tone: "Russell would do it before the game. Because of nervousness, he suffered stomach cramps and vomited. Later, if he didn't vomit before the game, I would tell him to vomit as soon as possible and then come back and compete well. If you want to vomit, vomit as soon as possible. Tomorrow, there will be no chance. .”

Leon nodded and said, "Well, I'll check right away which hotel the Lakers are staying at tonight."