The Basketball Court Swordsman

On August 23, 2014, the three-way transaction between the 76ers, Timberwolves and Cavaliers was officially concluded, and Kevin Love officially became a Cleveland Cavaliers

On September 25, the pre-season training camp for the new NBA season officially began. Frank Vogel became another Pacers coach who was promoted from assistant coach to head coach after Henson Joe. At the same time, this is also the first time in six years that the Pacers have started preseason training camp without Henson Joe.

On October 28, the new NBA season officially began. Before the opening game of the Pacers VS Cleveland Cavaliers began, the Pacers held a championship ring award ceremony at home, and also raised the third NBA championship pennant to the dome of the Bankers Life Arena.

It is worth mentioning that the legendary Pacers coach Henson Joe did not attend the scene. According to the Pacers official statement, the ring will be sent directly to Henson's residence. The reason is that Henson Qiao politely declined the invitation to attend.

After 48 minutes, the Cleveland Cavaliers lost to the Indiana Pacers by 5 points. The Pacers fans cheered, and the first game of the new season can defeat the upstarts in the East, which undoubtedly represents the Pacers still dominating. But Bird couldn't laugh, he knew very well. Winning the opener is not the same as winning the entire season...

This is how the new season without Henson Joe started. The league seems to have been unaffected, but only the Pacers know how much impact Henson’s departure will have.

Until the end of December, Larry Bird was still very busy. Injuries, the locker room door Mao Dun and the various annoyances of the record decline made Bird feel a lot of pressure. Since the layoff of Jim O'Brien to straighten Henson, Bird hasn't been so busy for several years.

For example, today, he just calmed down Jimmy Butler, who always complained about not playing enough time. Before he could catch his breath, Pritchard notified someone to visit.

"If it's a reporter, let him go! I don't want to be disturbed by anyone right now!" Bird responded badly when he heard someone visiting.

"Then what if this person is Henson Joe?"

"What are you talking about!?" The angry expression on Byrd's face was swept away, but the magic of surprise appeared on his face instantly.

Henson Joe, how long has it been since I heard that guy's name?

In the afternoon, the sky in Indianapolis was gloomy. In December, the weather is always not so good, after all, the coldest season is approaching. The gloomy sky seemed to be in the mood of Byrd now.

But today, Bird's mood is slightly better. Because opposite him, there is a guy who always makes him feel comfortable.

"Damn it, your kid seems like the world has evaporated in the past six months! You guy, can't you turn on your phone often? What do you always write?" Bird drew the cigar box from the suit inner bag and took out a cigar Pass it to the man across from him.

The man's hair is very long, so I comb it all back with hair oil. He grows up scum, which makes him look a few years old. But this guy is not young anymore. Just two months ago, he had just passed his 35th birthday. But as a head coach, 35 years old is really young and jealous.

"I don't smoke, Bird. You know, I have quit cigars for a long time." The man waved his hand and looked curiously around this familiar and unfamiliar office.

"Come on Henson, An Jiali is not here again, what are you afraid of." Byrd gave a smirk, and Henson found that this guy's wrinkles had become more wrinkled than before. Needless to think about it, this is because Bird has to worry about more things this season.

"Forget it, I won't smoke if she isn't here. Remember I told you? The next time I take the cigar you handed me, it will be the moment I come back. In other words, I will never Smoke cigars again."

Byrd smiled bitterly, retracted his cigar hand, and lit himself.

"What? The team's situation is not very good?" Henson asked knowingly, because he had already seen the Pacers' situation roughly before visiting Bird.

"Yeah, not so good. Leonard was injured in training camp before the start of the season and only returned a few days ago. Paul has another ankle problem and has already rested five games. George just returned from injury. , The training of the US national team this summer made his ankle extremely vulnerable. As for Jimmy Butler...I just finished talking with that kid, he seems to be losing patience, he thinks he should go A team with a better chance, instead of wasting time on the bench at Bankers Life Arena. It sucks, Henson. Since you left, everything has sucked. This season until now, we don’t have it. A few games have a neat lineup. Injuries, contract extensions, negative player emotions...all the problems seem to have all exploded all at once."

"Yeah, it sucks..." Henson didn't know what to say, so he could only agree. He knew very well that leaving by himself would definitely leave a lot of mess. Because Vogel is a "pure" coach, he is very good at coaching games, but not so good at other things.

But Henson knew that Bird would handle all this, so he assuredly recommended Vogel as a pure head coach. But now it seems that Bird can't handle so much trouble.

"Are you...not going to come back? Or, you just came to tell me about the past. Where have you been in the past six months? What have you been doing? Oh my god, how long have we been together for a chat? "Byrd temporarily forgot those worries, and being able to meet Henson again today made him feel good, but he didn't want to lose his mood.

"In the past six months I have been in Brazil, in Paris, in Italy, and I have gone to many places with Anjiali. I invested in BodyArmor sports drinks, injected 6 million US dollars, and bought 10% of the shares. I started to learn to do business and I started Try to develop in another area. You know, BodyArmor's sales in 2012 were only US$3 million. But since Kobe took a stake last year, sales have instantly doubled by 10 times. I think this emerging functional drink has great potential. . This is what I have been doing for the past six months, Bird. By the way, the most important thing is that An Jiali and I have planned a wedding. In fact, I’m here today, I’m just sending invitations to you and others of."

"Married? Yeah, your kid is 35 years old and you should get married. It seems that you have had a very fulfilling half year, Henson. But you haven't answered my question yet. Are you not going to come back? If you don't want to As a head coach, I can give you a position of general manager. You don’t need to coach the game yourself, you just need to control the general direction of the team with me.” Byrd did not ask Henson when and where the wedding was held.

He now only hopes that Henson can come back.

But Henson's answer made Bird feel desperate, "Thank you for your kindness, Bird, but I have retired. And I also said that I am actually not suitable for the kind of work that sits in an office and drinks coffee. I like to control my team personally, as large as the whole, as small as the details. So, I can only do the job of the head coach. It doesn’t matter, even without me, we will always get out of the predicament, don’t we?"

Bird sighed, the twisted melon was not sweet, and he had no reason to force others to join. As a result, he regained his normal heart and chatted with Henson about homework instead of work.

"When are you going to get married?"

"In June 2015, there are still half a year, Bird."

"Where?"

"It's in Indianapolis. After all, this is my hometown."

"Does anyone else know?"

"Others will know soon, but I don't want this to be known to reporters. This is a private party, you know?"

"Okay, I see what you mean. Don't worry, Henson, I will attend your wedding on time. Will it be June? By then, the season should be over." Byrd looked at the gloomy sky, no Know when the weather will get better.

"At that time, what will become of the Pacers, there should be an answer." Henson smiled.

"If there is a serious problem with the team, will you come back?" This is the third time that Bird asked Henson today.

Henson looked out the window and found that the clouds were gradually dissipating, and a faint trace of sunlight was shining down. He didn't answer, but just got up.

"I have to send invitations to others, Bird."

"Then I will take it as your acquiescence?" Bird raised his mouth.

"I didn't agree, Bird. Remember to come to the wedding, we can have a few drinks when the time comes. I'm leaving first, and I'll talk about things later."

"Well, there are always infinite possibilities for things that haven't happened yet, don't they? Chris Paul told me this sentence."

The two men looked at each other meaningfully for a few seconds.

"Let's go!" Henson waved his hand, got up and walked out of Bird's office, closing the door.

He looked at the invitation card in his bag, but he was afraid to go to the training ground. Because just now, his heart was almost shaken...