The Basketball Court Swordsman

When the wedding was going on, the guests toasted to each other one after another, and the band's performance made the atmosphere of the entire estate extremely romantic.

Henson and An Jiali also began to take care of their friends, especially Henson. Today, he drank a lot of alcohol. But occasionally drinking so much a day does not actually do much harm to Henson.

Finally, in a small pavilion on the manor, Henson met Leonard. This taciturn guy didn't seem to like such a lively occasion, so he waited until Henson was alone before choosing to walk up to Henson to toast.

"Congratulations, boss, happy wedding, and wish you happiness forever."

With a faint smile, Leonard raised his glass to Henson. Henson also raised the cup and touched Leonard, but he knew that Leonard was not just trying to clink glasses when he came to find himself.

As early as the summer of the previous year, Henson predicted the difficulty of the Pacers' contract renewal.

Sure enough, this season, the issue of contract renewal broke out. As one of the best young stars in the league, Leonard deserves a long-term maximum salary contract.

But with Horford, Paul and George, the Pacers can hardly give Leonard a satisfactory contract.

In addition, Leonard's uncle was making troubles, and Leonard, who trusted his family so much, was shaken. Therefore, the rumors that Leonard will enter the free agent market this season have long been known throughout the United States.

Therefore, Henson believed that in addition to blessing himself on this trip, Leonard also came to say goodbye to himself.

"Thank you for your blessing, Kawai. How is it? Have you figured out where you will be next?"

Henson asked bluntly, causing Leonard to lower his head in shame.

Henson naturally knew that after losing Leonard, the Pacers' strength would definitely decline sharply. But what can he do? He couldn't break the rules of the league, nor did he have the financial strength to take a stake in the Pacers and bear more luxury taxes for Vivek and Stephen.

Although it has achieved three consecutive dynasties, Indianapolis is not Los Angeles and New York after all. Burning money like Billy King, general manager of the Nets, is not something that everyone can follow.

"I..." Leonard hesitated, seeming a little guilty. When he decided to leave, the hardest thing he faced was Henson. Although, he is no longer the Pacers coach.

"Go ahead, I won't be angry."

"I plan to go to San Antonio." Leonard finished, looking up into Henson's eyes. But soon, the most terrifying perimeter defense expert in the league, timidly avoided Henson's gaze.

Henson was taken aback, but the surprised expression only flashed past. Yes, the San Antonio people have long coveted Leonard, but Henson was the first to make the draft.

Now, the Spurs' salary space is extremely abundant, and they desperately need a successor to gDP. Therefore, Leonard will definitely pursue a crazy pursuit.

Moreover, the Spurs are also a team with championship background. Leonard goes to the Spurs and still has a chance to win. In this world, how many players are not eager to play for the San Antonio Spurs?

Henson glanced at Popovich who was eating and drinking, and shook his head. This cunning old man, if he doesn't say anything, has already made the Pacers' idea...

"Boss..." The silence between the two lasted for dozens of seconds, and was finally broken by Leonard, "You won't blame me."

"Stupid boy, why should I blame you? This is your career, and this is your choice. Although, I do want you to stay. But I have no right to interfere. Because now, I'm just a basketball player. Nothing." Henson smiled bitterly, yeah, what right does he have to stop Leonard?

"I'm sorry, boss. I didn't dedicate my entire career in Indianapolis, but that's why I chose to go to the West. At least that way, I can avoid the Pacers as much as possible."

"Don't say sorry, I said it, it is a personal choice. Be happy, I don't want anyone crying at my wedding."

Henson patted Leonard's sturdy shoulder, and the two had another drink before the taciturn No. 2 forward left blatantly.

Leonard leaves, the damage to the Pacers is self-evident. Losing a top star in the league is a huge loss for any team.

But the Pacers' experience did not stop there, because just 15 minutes after Henson sent Leonard away, Jimmy Butler also found Henson alone.

There is no doubt that he also came to say goodbye. The transfer rumors between him and Leonard have been in trouble since last year. Moreover, Jimmy Butler's desire to leave is much stronger than Leonard.

Leonard's side, to put it bluntly, it's just a matter of money. He is willing to play for the Pacers, but the money is not in place.

But Jimmy Butler's side has risen to the problem of career planning.

"In Indianapolis, I will always be a sixth man, a fourth attacker behind Paul, George, and Leonard. But I think my value is more than that. I hope you can understand. Me, boss."

Henson was not surprised when Jimmy Butler said this. Jimmy Butler is like a bulldog, which not only means that he is willing to bite desperately on the court, but also means that he is also unruly on the court.

Because of Jimmy Butler's problem, the Pacers' locker room atmosphere has not been very good last season. Vogel is not the kind of coach who can thoroughly integrate with players, and Bird is also very tough. Therefore, his conversations with Jimmy Butler usually have little effect.

When Leonard told Henson that he wanted to leave, Henson could feel Leonard's apology. In Jimmy Butler, Henson felt mostly anger.

And when Henson knew that Jimmy Butler's next stop was Chicago, he understood why the "bulldog" was so eager to leave.

After Rose fell behind due to injury, the Chicago Bulls have been without a leader. In the 13-14 season, Rose, who had just returned from injury, only played 10 games before being reimbursed again. In the 14-15 season, Rose's attendance rate was also not high, playing only 51 games.

And the average of 17.7 points and 4.9 assists per game in these 51 games obviously did not meet the Chicagoans' expectations of Rose. Although in the playoffs, Rose was able to score a more beautiful 20.3 points and 6.5 assists per game, but this is the data obtained under the conditions of increased shots and 3.2 turnovers per game.

The scores and assists piled up by the number of shots and turnovers are not high in gold.

In other words, Rose has fallen due to continuous injuries. He is no longer the omnipotent "Wind City Rose" and can no longer play the level that the youngest MVP should have.

So now, the Bulls need a brand new leader. A younger, healthier and stronger leader. The leader of the Bulls is naturally Jimmy Butler.

In Indianapolis, Jimmy Butler was only the sixth man. But in Chicago, he can ride on Rose to become the leading star there. Under these conditions, you can get a higher salary.

There is no doubt that this attraction is something Jimmy Butler cannot resist.

And unlike Leonard, Jimmy Butler chose to join the Eastern Conference team and is still the Pacers' old opponent. Among them, there seems to be some vengeance in it.

You won't let me start, let me be the first card? OK, then I will bring another team to beat you!

But now in Henson, in front of the most prestigious man in the All Pacers, Jimmy Butler has tried hard to contain his anger. He dared to fight Vogel in the locker room, but this does not mean that he also dared to challenge Henson.

Jimmy Butler gave Henson enough respect, so Henson did not lose his temper. What's more, he can't lose his temper casually now.

"So, I can only wish you all the best in your future career, Jimmy." Henson reminded himself more than once in his heart that these have nothing to do with him, and he is no longer the head coach of the Pacers.

"I can get your blessing and very happy, Boss. Then again, I wish you a happy wedding. I hope you will be happy forever in the future.

Henson looked at Jimmy Butler's back and curled his lips. When the Big Three of the Green Army parted ways, Henson was a little gloating in his heart.

But now, when the "bastard" saw that the "Galactic Battleship" he had built by himself was also beginning to disintegrate, he knew how heartbreaking this kind of thing was.

Once, together they went from obscurity to global fame. Once, they broke countless doubts together. Once, they defeated one terrible opponent after another. Once, they won three O'Brien Cups together, they won 73 wins, won 30 consecutive victories, and established a dynasty!

However, there is no permanent banquet in the world. How long has it been? The Pacers' dynasty lineup began to collapse.

Henson tried to calm down his emotions. He reminded himself over and over again that today is a day of great joy, and he should be happy.

But in the end, Henson Joe, a stubborn man, must admit. He couldn't let go, he felt sorry for the Pacers. He didn't want to see the dynasty he had established with his own hands, just fell away.

In the end, it was Bird's request that defeated Henson's last psychological line of defense.

"Come back, Henson. You also know how difficult we are now. You are the godfather of basketball in Indianapolis. How can a'gang' not have their godfather!?" Bird drank a little. Today, he has some intentions of using alcohol to relieve his sorrows.

Therefore, when he talked to Henson alone before leaving, all he said was from his heart.

"I'm retired, Bird. And in three days, I'm going to Venice with An Jiali for my honeymoon. Please, I no longer belong to basketball." Henson smiled bitterly, holding on to his last psychological line of defense, for his body , And for An Jiali, he can't be so selfish.

"I understand you, brother. I understand... I wish you a happy wedding again, and wish you..."

"But if you need it, I can give some suggestions for team building." Before Bird was finished, Henson interrupted him. "Of course, I won't hold any position in the Indiana Pacers. Just, Some private suggestions are nothing more."

"Huh!?" Bird looked up suddenly, as if he was awake from the wine.