One Guard

With 13.5 seconds left in the game, the Kings relied on Cousins' dunk to tie the score at 95. The big, muscular man wearing the headband waved his arms as if to mark his territory.

On the sidelines, a young man who looked like he was in his early thirties calmly gestured to the referee to signal a timeout, completely ignoring Cousins' arrogant appearance. The referee blew his whistle to signal that the game was suspended.

"DeMarcus Cousins' dunk at the last moment was so exciting. He ended the offense in such a wonderful way and evened the score at the critical moment! If his mind were more mature, God knows what DeMarcus could have done What has happened!" Reggie Miller shook his head. Every time Cousins ​​is mentioned, the first reaction of most people is regret. If he didn't act like a child, he would be stronger now, right?

"Don't worry, the game only ends in 13.5 seconds. Every time that man arranges tactics, the team will play extremely efficiently." Webber, who was next to Miller, didn't seem to be very interested in Cousins. In this guy's eyes, , only the young coach in a suit and tie.

Brad Stevens, a young coach who has just turned 36 and has been involved with basketball since he was 8 years old, shouldered the heavy responsibility of reviving the Celtics as soon as he entered the league.

Although the Celtics' record this season is not pretty, many media have also labeled Stevens a "parallel import". They don't understand why a wealthy team like the Celtics would be willing to spend more than $22 million on a rookie coach who has never coached in the NBA.

Even John Calipari, who once dominated college basketball circles, suffered a severe setback in the NBA and retreated to campus obediently, not daring to show off. Stevens is a young coach who is less than 40 years old. How can he be so virtuous and capable?

This wealthy team should be led by a championship coach. Invite Stevens and sign him for 6 years? That guy Angie has really lost his mind!

But as the driving force behind the Green Army and one of the most successful managers in the NBA, the wily Danny Ainge believed in his own vision. According to ordinary people's predictions, after trading away Garnett and Pierce, the Celtics will take at least four years or more to complete their reconstruction. He doesn't expect Stevens to produce results in the first year. What he values ​​​​is Stevens' many shining points this season.

Now, facing another critical moment of life and death, Angie looks at the court with anticipation. What would you do? brad.

Stevens was not in a hurry. He walked slowly in front of the players, with a calmness that should not be expected at this age. But Rondo likes Stevens' style. If it's Rivers, his ugly voice must be torturing the players' ears again.

"There are 13.5 seconds left in the game, and we have enough time to resolve the game." Stevens had his signature smile on his face. In this guy's opinion, 13.5 seconds is called "enough time." Then, he squatted in front of the players and started writing and drawing...

The timeout ended and the Celtics players stepped onto the court again. According to Kings coach Mike Malone, among the Celtics' starting five, only Rondo has the ability to execute the final blow.

Although Rondo's strength is not scoring, his breakthroughs and fake moves at the basket are very sharp. Therefore, Mike Malone focused his defense on Rondo. As for what's left of the Celtics... Unless Stevens is crazy, there's no way he's going to let role players decide whether the team lives or dies.

After the game started, it turned out that someone else was setting a pick-and-roll for Rondo, and Green Army No. 9 went outside the three-point line to receive the basketball.

The Celtics' leading guard controlled the ball outside the three-point line. Rondo, who was appointed as the 15th captain of the Celtics just half a month ago, was stalling for time to play out the last 15 seconds.

With 5 seconds left in the game, Rondo finally moved! But Mike Malone is not afraid at all.

He has already set up a dragnet, and it is completely impossible for Rondo to break out of the siege within 5 seconds!

I saw the Kings players moving closer to Rondo. Now no matter which direction Rondo chooses to break through, someone can return to defense in time.

In the last three seconds, Rondo was surrounded by the Kings' defensive circle, and it seemed that Stevens' singles tactics were not working.

At this moment, Celtics forward Salinger, who was originally positioned inside, reached the mid-range. Rondo immediately passed the ball, and then everyone, including Angie, who was in the luxury box at this time, opened his mouth in shock.

Jared Sullinger, the 21st overall pick in 2012. If you ask what is this guy's biggest feature, maybe Celtics fans will answer you, this kid's butt is extremely fat.

But it was such a guy who left no impression except for his fat ass, who became the end point of Stevens' final shot! The damning thing is, Sullinger actually made the ball.

"A buzzer-beater! Jared Sullinger, he killed this game in Jiaozuo with a mid-range jumper! Hahaha, look at Cousins' expression, he doesn't know what just happened What happened!"

The scene was filled with jubilation, and Salinger was surrounded by his teammates. The buzzer beater, a thrilling moment of greatness, was born under Stevens.

Coach Stevens slowly walked from the bench to the technical stage, shook hands with coach Mike Malone of the Kings, and then patted each other on the shoulders.

Throughout the process, Stevens always had a calm smile on his face.

"Probably only Coach Stevens in this league dares to hand over the right to take the last shot to Sullinger! Let Rondo, an All-Star point guard, play ball for the unknown Sullinger at a critical moment, God! , Stevens is really a genius!" Reggie Miller still knows this basketball man from Indianapolis very well. The "Cinderella" myth he created with Hayward and Yiyang is still there today. It has always been talked about by the locals.

This guy does have such strength.

"Stevens never abuses stars, and uses role players superbly. This game will be one of the classics of Stevens' career."

The game was over, and the players were still cheering wildly on the court, while Stevens stood on the sidelines and looked into the court with a smile.

At this time, the reporters who had obtained admission had already walked up. One of the beautiful ESPN reporters put the microphone to Stevens' mouth.

"Congratulations, Coach Stevens. The team has won three consecutive games recently. You have a lot of momentum. Can you tell me about your tactical arrangements at the last moment? Was it your intention to shoot Sullinger? Or was it just a deliberate move? What about the accident?"

"Thank you. First of all, we were able to achieve three consecutive victories because the players played very hard. As for the last shot, Salinger's performance was very good. I just did what I should do." This answer is very " Stevens", because this young coach never takes credit and always attributes game victory to his players. And when he loses, he will take the initiative to admit his mistakes.

What player wouldn't love such a guy?

"Just three minutes ago, your two most proud students finished the game with Hayward at the American Airlines Center Arena. The Mavericks defeated the Jazz easily. What do you think of this result? Do you think Hayward is still Is it possible to become an NBA star?"

"There is no doubt about the strength of the Mavericks, and it is not surprising that they beat the Jazz. As for Gordon, he is a smart player and I believe he just needs time to grow."

"So, what will you do in the next game against the Mavericks, whose strength is beyond doubt?" After going around in a circle, the reporter finally asked the most important question.

Steven paused and did not answer immediately. The match with Yiyang...is finally here.

Stevens left the NCAA to coach the Celtics, largely due to the influence of Yiyang. Watching his once most proud protégé become so popular in the NBA makes Stevens want to try what it's like to play in the NBA.

Stevens is a more pure basketball fanatic than Yiyang. Yiyang originally chose to make a living by playing basketball, not only because of his love, but also because he had to support his family. And Stevens, this guy chose basketball purely because of love.

Would a person who is so passionate about basketball be afraid of challenges? Of course not, so he followed Yiyang's footsteps and came to this cruel alliance. Not for anything else, because the price the Celtics offered Stevens was not generous. This summer, Stevens was also offered a contract worth tens of millions of dollars.

He came here just for a further challenge! And Yiyang and Mavericks will undoubtedly be the most worthy opponents to challenge!

In today's league that overexaggerates the star effect, not many people seem to really care about the talent of the coach. But Stevens's existence and his coaching philosophy are a powerful force against such vulgar values. While most rebuilding teams are blindly chasing stars, Stevens is proving that the value of a quality coach may be higher than star players.

"We will definitely prepare well for the next game. Although the Mavericks are No. 1 in the league, we will not surrender just like that." Stevens faced the camera, smiling still.

If the coach of several other teams outside the playoff ranks said this, people would only think that he was overestimating his abilities. But when Stevens said this, people couldn't help but feel a little worried for the Mavericks.

"It seems that you and your team are full of confidence. So, I wish you good performance in the next games!" After the reporter answered, he leaned towards the players. After all, the most popular players in this league are young players.

Didn't the guy who had a conflict with his teammates on the first day he came to the locker room now become the hottest star in the league?

Stevens couldn't help but shook his head. It seemed that the game the day after tomorrow was destined to be quite exciting.

right? Yiyang.

※※※

"You must be more careful in the game the day after tomorrow."

"Do you know who I will fight the day after tomorrow?" Yiyang smiled. Hayward is still as meticulous as before.

"Of course I do. I've been looking forward to that game since the beginning of the season. I only give you one piece of advice, don't take them too lightly!" Hayward patted Yiyang on the shoulder, his expression not at all Like a joke.

Yiyang couldn't help but put away his playful smile. It seemed that the battle in Boston the day after tomorrow might be more difficult than he imagined.

right? Coach Brad Stevens.

Two people who are 1,768 kilometers apart seem to have surprisingly the same thoughts at the same time...