The Basketball Court Swordsman

I don't know how many times it was. Henson woke up lazily from the big bed, while An Jiali was still lying beside him.

The suspension of the NBA is longer than Henson imagined, much longer. He and An Jiali had fun almost all summer, and they traveled all over the United States. From wearing a bikini on the beach, playing to now have to wear a thick coat.

It is now November, and as usual, the new season has started for a month. But now, until yesterday, November 26, the labor-management negotiations finally ended.

"Sleep for a while, won't you stay with me for the last morning?" An Jiali stretched out her hand to hold Henson who was sitting next to the bed, a little bit disheartened.

"If you go to bed, you won't be able to catch up with the plane, and you will have classes later." Henson gently kissed An Jiali's forehead. Yes, it's a rare occasion that An Jiali has started school, and I can still be so leisurely.

Speaking of which, 2011 is coming to an end. And I am already 32 years old...

"After the start of this season, you will be very busy..." An Jiali sat up and rubbed her eyes. She was wearing nothing.

"Well, the season has shrunk this year, but it means that the schedule will be very tight. But don't worry, there are only four months from the start of the season to the end of the season."

"Four months? After the regular season, you still have to play the playoffs." An Jiali said, slowly putting on her clothes, and then began toss her face.

Henson smiled, "That's right, maybe this year, our season will be longer."

Last season, the Pacers eliminated seven games in the Eastern Conference semifinals. This year, after getting Leonard, maybe the Pacers can get to the next level...

At noon, at the San Francisco International Airport, Henson reluctantly said goodbye to An Jiali.

Although he said goodbye to his girlfriend, Henson estimated that he was going to see his girlfriend's father soon. Today is November 27, December 25, the new season is about to begin. During this period, there was less than one month. On December 8, summer...no, to be precise, the winter free agent market will open.

From reinforcement to running-in to the start of the regular season, each team has a very short time. Therefore Henson believed that he had to meet with Vivek during this time. After all, Vivek is different from Herbert, he is still very concerned about the team's basketball. Regarding the signing of the team, even if he does not interfere much, he will definitely participate in the discussion.

As soon as he landed in Indianapolis this afternoon, the driver Carter drove Henson to the Conseco Arena. There, Bird, Vivek and the coaches are already waiting for him.

The new season started very suddenly and everything must be raced against time.

"Henson, how about the vacation!?" As soon as Henson walked into the arena lobby, he ran into Vogel who was a bit fatter.

"You are going bankrupt after playing, hahahahaha. It seems you are doing well Frank, your wife's cooking skills have improved again?"

"Stop teasing about my belly. I have to exercise with the players during this time. When do you plan to start the training camp for the new season?" Vogel did not say much, and after two or three sentences, he turned his focus to Work.

"The sooner the better, there is only one question now... Regarding the Chris Paul deal, how did Bird and Vivek plan." Henson's expression suddenly became serious, and the deal will decide Henson's next signing plan and formation. Most importantly, this will allow Henson to experience the cruelty of the NBA.

Regardless of the players being traded away, they are all important members who helped Henson win the country last season. After all, Paul can't be obtained with just a few leftovers.

Although Henson has traded several players before, such as McRoberts, Troy Murphy, etc., it must be admitted that the relationship between Henson and these players is not as deep as that of the main players, and these players have also contributed to the team. Not big.

"I just got here just like you, Henson. I hope Bird and Vivek have made a decision."

Vogel stretched out his hands, and while talking, the two had already reached the door of Bird's office.

Knock on the door, Bird, Vivek, Pritchard and Silas are already sitting inside. Several giants of the Pacers are all here, ready to discuss the winning plan for next season in a limited time.

"Henson, thank you for staying with my daughter this summer. You know, I really can't spare time. But having you with him makes me more relieved."

As soon as Henson came in, Vivek nodded at Henson.

"Uh...it's okay, in fact, I am also very happy with her." Henson touched his nose unnaturally, but he did not expect that the scene would suddenly become "meeting the parents".

"Okay, let's talk about your marriage later. The labor-management negotiation is over, and now we have more important things to do." Byrd said, lighting a cigar.

"First, it's about the team signings. Chris Paul has been publicly peddled by the Hornets, but the Hornets are difficult to deal with because they are now managed by the league. If the Hornets lose attractive enough stars, then this ball The league must be difficult to make a move. So even if it wants to trade Chris Paul, the league will definitely speak up."

In a word by Bird, Henson, who was still on vacation in the morning, instantly pulled into the working state.

"So we don't have to make this deal. With the current lineup, we can do better than last season." Henson spread his hands. It's not that he doesn't want Paul, but that he is reluctant to bear his "children." .

"Do you think it's better for the team not to make this trade?" Bird asked rhetorically.

This time, Henson couldn't answer. Because there is no doubt that getting Chris Paul will be more helpful to the improvement of the team's strength. After all, that's the best point guard in the league!

Seeing that Henson did not answer, Bird seemed to see through Henson’s mind, so he added: “I know you like your players, but this is always the NBA. Although I don’t agree with the saying that business is business, I believe the NBA is also human. But from the perspective of the team, we must put performance and strength above personal feelings."

"Well, I understand." Henson nodded. He is just a head coach. The boss and the president are willing to discuss trade matters with him, which already gives him a lot of face.

Most NBA coaches are actually just part-time workers. Although they are in charge of the team, they have no right to intervene with the changes in team personnel. Many coaches and teams have conflicts, and the conflicts actually lie here.

The coach needs a three-point shooter, but the management is very likely to get a bunch of strong rough men according to their wishes. The coach can't get the players he wants, and the management is dissatisfied. Many teams are in a vicious circle like this...

Only a small number of highly respected coaches, such as Popovich and Zen Master, are eligible to intervene in the signing of the team. There are also some head coaches, even both head coach and general manager.

But Henson is just a head coach and a rookie coach. He was already satisfied with the current situation. After all, since taking office until now, the team has been built almost according to his wishes. During this period, Bird and the management never interfered. Even if Henson had to choose Stephenson last year, Bird helped Henson withstand the pressure above.

So now, too, he can't hinder the team's progress because of his personal emotions. Just as Bird respected him, Henson had to respect Bird's ideas.

"My plan is to use Daniel Granger and Zhu Holiday as a bargaining chip. Granger is an All-Star player, and Holiday has shown his good ability last season. At most, we will take it again. The last draft pick in 2014." Byrd said his plan. The 2012 draft pick Henson has given all to the Hawks for Horford. The team can’t trade the first round picks for consecutive years, so the 2013 draft Quan Bode can't move, only use the 2014 version.

Bird believed that the Pacers must have been on the right track at that time and didn't need too many rookies, so he decided to invest in this draft pick.

In NBA transactions, in many cases, it is actually a choice between overdrafting the future and strengthening the present.

Henson was heartbroken, but the price was a bit high. But if the trade partner is Chris Paul, it is not unworthy.

"We must join the competition as soon as possible. As far as I know, the Los Angeles Lakers are very close to Paul. Our opportunities are getting less and less. What do you think? Is this plan feasible?"

Byrd finished speaking and looked around the company a half.

"Yes," Vivek said.

"If you can get Paul, of course it's worth it." Silas said in relief.

"I listened to Henson, he is the one to command the team." Vogel spread his hand.

In the end, everyone's eyes fell on Henson.

Henson lowered his head. He didn't expect that the vacation had just ended and he had to make such a difficult decision.

Granger and Holiday...they are Henson's henchmen. Fortunately, Henson is equipped with a "goodbye friend" badge, which can minimize the damage caused by the transaction to the locker room.

After pondering for a while, Henson sighed first, then stared at Bird.

"Then start asking the price."