The Basketball Court Swordsman

NBA Finals, San Antonio Spurs, Popovich...

These three words seem to be bound together by nature. When the Heat's Big Three were formed, people were fantasizing that these three guys might build a terrible dynasty, but never thought that the aging Spurs could reach the NBA Finals for two consecutive years.

But Popovich and his players once again interpreted the meaning of the term "veterans immortal". Last season, they defeated the rapidly rising Grizzlies. This season, the Spurs have shut out the very champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

If it hadn't been for the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals the year before last, the Spurs might have reached the finals for the third consecutive year.

Prior to this, as long as the San Antonio Spurs reach the finals, it means that they will definitely take the O'Brien Cup. Only Popovich’s team can achieve a 100% finals win rate.

However, this magical record was broken by the Pacers last season. There is no doubt that Popovich does not want to lose the O'Brien Cup consecutively against the same opponent. The Spurs and Pacers have not changed much this season, so this year's Finals can be regarded as a rematch.

When Popovich gets another seven games chance, can he seize the opportunity to defeat Henson Joe? As for the Pacers, can they continue the "oK combination" at the beginning of the century and establish another incredible dynasty?

"If the Pacers finally establish a dynasty this season, then in the entire NBA history, this season of the Pacers can be called the greatest and most successful season, there is no one!"

"Coach Henson has done too many miracles this season, and I believe he will not mind creating one more."

"The Pacers are aiming to establish a dynasty. They will not miss. The Spurs can hardly stop the Pacers from moving forward. The Indiana Pacers this season is unparalleled!"

Before the start of the finals, countless media were exaggerating the greatness of the Pacers. Popovich and his Spurs were once again looked down upon by people.

But Popovich paid no attention to this. The only thing he cares about right now is how to end Henson.

He didn't know how much turmoil it would bring to the league when Henson announced that he was about to retire. He only knows that if they don't play well with Henson this season, they may not have this chance in the future.

Although Popovich bet that Henson would return, at that time, God knew whether the Spurs and Henson's team could reach the finals.

Yes, Popovich doesn't know if the Spurs will make it to the Finals. Duncan, Manu and Parker have all entered their twilight years. The most terrible thing is that the Spurs have not found a successor to gDP this time.

Once, the arrival of Duncan allowed the Spurs to hand over the banner of David Robinson to the "stone man". But now, Popovich has no players who can continue to take the flag.

Therefore, he is very clear that this game is likely to be the last chance for the gDP combination to hit the championship. If you miss it... Popovich will be very, very sorry.

"Come up, you guys won’t be scared by the media’s remarks!? I know that the Pacers have set some incredible records this season. But you all remember that records are used to be It broke! And we are the team that will break these amazing records in Indianapolis!"

The day before the finals, Popovich on the training ground was very excited.

"What's the matter with the boss? He seems to be back ten years ago."

"God knows if he was irritated. I heard that Henson Joe invited him to drink yesterday. Miraculously, the two of them didn't fight in the bar."

"It's not that the fight hasn't started, but the fight hasn't started yet. You see, isn't he expecting us to beat up the opponent."

"Manu, Tony, what are you two talking about!" Popovich's roar interrupted the whispering between the French and Argentine defenders.

It seems that Popovich is really strict this time around. Regardless of whether he can win the championship, Popovich has decided to play a wonderful series with Henson.

On the other hand, in the home team training ground of the Banker's Life Arena, Henson was unexpectedly calm.

"Relax, I won't let you come into contact with the confrontational training this afternoon. Run tactics and get familiar with my arrangement. Adjust your mentality and body so that you can perform well in tomorrow's game. "

"Yes, boss!"

After Henson finished speaking, the players who were doing each individual training answered in unison.

He did not stay up late to watch the video, did not have nervous tactical meetings, and did not let the players conduct too intense training. Vogel has been with Henson for so many years, and this is the first time I have seen him so easily before the finals.

At first, Vogel worried that Henson would be too careless. But later, he didn't think about that anymore. Henson does have many shortcomings, but taking it lightly is not one of them.

Vogel smiled and looked at the players sweating on the court, the league's top point guard Chris Paul, top scorer Paul George, top perimeter defensive gate Cavai Leonard, all-around inside Wes Te and Horford, Jimmy Butler, who was selected as the best defensive second team, Stephenson, who was called "one of the most talented players in the league" by Barkley, and the cold-blooded killer Ray Allen, are always able to make a difference as soon as they play Danny Green, Antetokounmpo, who always catches the opponent, the steady Livingston, Yi Jianlian, and the hard-working Chris Anderson...

Yeah, what else should Henson worry about? The Pacers have already been built into such a terrible appearance by him. Even for the San Antonio Spurs, it is difficult to move the army led by Henson.

Henson is not arrogant, but he is really strong.

On June 5, like last year, it rained heavily in Indianapolis.

This city is a rainy city, of course, this has also contributed to the development of Indianapolis' agriculture. But even in the downpour, many fans still gathered outside the arena wearing raincoats.

Some fans stood outside the arena waiting for tickets to enter the stadium, but most of them did not buy tickets at all. They just want to gather at the door of the organ and witness the process of Henson and the Pacers creating a legend through the big screen outside the arena.

What's the point of heavy rain?

Because of this, traffic control has been implemented within two kilometers of the Banker’s Life Arena. Popovich sat on the team bus and walked through crowded fans on both sides.

Unlike fans in other places, Indianapolis fans are not prepared to attack each other's name cards. Because they, like Henson, are full of absolute confidence. They didn't even bother to use those little bugs.

It wasn't until the bus drove to the entrance of the arena that Popovich realized that the Banker's Life Arena is so different today.

Last night, the stadium staff had replaced the stadium poster overnight. Today, the huge poster outside the arena has been changed to golden yellow, with a photo of each Pacers player. And under each poster, there is a line of small print.

"Become a legend!"

Yes, without knowing it, Popovich and his Spurs came to a crossroads in history.

They won, and they themselves became legends. If they lose, the Pacers will become one of the greatest teams in NBA history.

The championship, the battle of legends, Henson's last finals... Popovich remembered the night he had a drink with Henson the day before yesterday. This time the finals really has too many special meanings.

After changing clothes, warming up, making final deployments, and players playing, the time has come to eight o'clock in the evening. The eyes of the whole world are gathered here, in this stadium where no one paid attention at all.

Since today is the first game of the finals, the Pacers officials also specially prepared a player introduction ceremony.

Popovich has participated in this kind of ceremony countless times. But generally speaking, the protagonist of the player introduction ceremony is the player. Although the head coach was the last to be introduced, he was often only taken by one sentence.

However, the introduction ceremony of the Banker's Life Arena is quite different. After introducing the head guard Chris Paul, the climax is not over yet.

At that moment, both basketball hoops burst into flames, and various shots of Henson coaching the game appeared on the big screen.

He thought calmly, yelled angrily, and celebrated with gestures. The Pacers even put up the scene of Henson arguing with the referee.

At this point, everyone knows who is about to play. Thus, the cheers in the Banker's Life Arena reached its peak!

The coach's cheers when he came out were louder than the players, and Popovich had never heard of it before!

"Now, let us welcome the Kings of Indianapolis, the legendary creator of the Pacers, and the greatest swordsman in the league. Head coach, Henson~~~~~~ Joe!"

The lights came on suddenly, Henson raised his right hand to question the fans. Suddenly, all the fans wearing corn-yellow T-shirts in the stands bowed slightly to welcome their "Your Majesty"!

Popovich smiled and shook his head, look around. If you retire completely like this, you must be very unwilling yourself!

After the wonderful player introduction ceremony, the players from both sides stepped into the designated positions. Seeing Henson didn't make any lineup changes, Popovich let out a sigh of relief. But he is also very clear that this "security" is only temporary.

Henson, on the other hand, sat directly back on the bench, and raised his legs. He whispered a few words to Becky Harmon and Vogel, but didn't say anything.

Seeing this situation, narrators from various countries and regions all over the world spoke a sentence in different languages.

"It looks like Coach Henson Joe is full of confidence!"

Yes, he is full of confidence! Just like the slogan off the court, he wants to become a legend!