The Basketball Court Swordsman

Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, an important financial city and a science and education city, and a very important industrial base in the United States. Of course, with the overall recession of the U.S. economy, like Detroit, Chicago has also entered an old age and appears to be faltering.

Every time Henson came to this city, he felt very heavy. Of course, the reason why he feels heavier is not because of the economic recession here, but because a good friend of his will always sleep here.

Graceland Cemetery, 4001 North Clark Street, Chicago. This is the resting place for the deceased, but because of its rich historical heritage and beautiful scenery, it has also become one of Chicago's tourist attractions.

Graceland Cemetery is like a treasure-like oasis hidden in this bustling city, quietly located in this corner.

The Graceland Cemetery was established in 1860. It is not a simple place to bury the dead, but is lush, full of carvings, with an idyllic and idyllic open landscape and a garden atmosphere created by carefully selected vegetation.

The “rural cemetery” designed in this way not only pays tribute to the dead, but also makes the living feel at ease. And some visitors will take a picnic in the garden after comforting the dead.

Such a long history of Graceland Cemetery is naturally the preferred resting place for many prominent citizens of Chicago, such as Philips Amor, a meat processing tycoon. John Peter Altgard, the 20th governor of Illinois. Marshall Field, a well-known philanthropist in Chicago.

And Craig Sage, a well-known basketball reporter in Chicago, affectionately called "Mr. Caiyi", is also buried here.

Henson strolled in this green park, but was not in the mood to appreciate the beauty. He walked to the tomb of Sage, and as always, the tombstone of Sage was always full of flowers. Compared to those historical figures more than a hundred years ago, Sager is obviously more familiar to Chicagoans now.

Therefore, from time to time, someone will come to offer flowers to Sager. He is still remembered, and his position in the hearts of Chicago basketball fans is still lofty, which makes Henson very gratified.

As long as it is remembered, a person is not actually leaving.

"Sag, did you watch the finals of last season? The tiebreaker, to the last minute! The Warriors are getting stronger and stronger, and the finals are getting more difficult. But it doesn’t matter, as long as you come, I can win. look."

Henson also put the flowers in his hand in front of Sague's grave. It has become Henson's habit to visit Sague once before the season and once before the start of the finals.

He believed that his friends would definitely be watching him on the sidelines. It's just that I can't see it.

"In a few days, the 2018-2019 season will begin. Did you know? LeBron James actually went to the Los Angeles Lakers! He actually left the Eastern Conference! God, this world is crazy. I don’t know if you heard this. What kind of expression will the news look like. Anyway, I almost dislocated my jaw."

"This is my last year. After playing this year, I want to retire. Well, I retire for the second time. But this time, I'm serious, I'm determined not to come back. So, look Go ahead, man. Kobe scored 60 points in his last game. And in my last game, I want to win the championship!"

Henson finished speaking, stroked the name on the tombstone, then got up and left.

Later, another man who was walking with Henson also walked to the tombstone and said a few words to Sage. This gray-haired guy is no one else, but the Spurs coach and Henson's good friend Gregg Popovich.

Popovich has followed Henson's footsteps since last year, and will come to see Sager at the beginning of the season. It can be seen that Popovich looked lonely in front of Sag’s grave and almost cried several times. After all, 2018 was a bit too difficult for this old man.

Last season, Leonard has been in conflict with the team and refused to play. This is the first time people have heard of the Spurs having a locker room conflict in more than 20 years!

With the Spurs without Leonard bumping into the playoffs, Popovich's beloved wife suddenly passed away. The two couples have lived together for 40 years, and the pain of losing their wives is simply incomprehensible to outsiders. So during that time, Henson didn't know how to console Popovich.

In the offseason, the bad news has not stopped. Leonard moved, Parker left, Ginobili retired... Popovich watched the era he built by himself, completely collapsed.

Therefore, Popovich, who came with Henson this year, has been very heavy. Sometimes Henson really admired Popovich, a 70-year-old man who could bear so many bad news, and he has been so strong.

This old man can become the idol of so many people, but it is not without reason.

"Come on, Henson, I'm done."

Just as Henson was thinking about Popovich's unsatisfactory year, the old man who had finished talking with Sager walked towards him.

"Well, let's go. By the way, Pop, where did you play the first game this season?"

"Come on, Henson, I don't want to talk about work today. Let's find a bar or somewhere else and have a few drinks. Then we will talk about work."

Henson smiled, so the two men strolled away on the green lawn, relaxing.

This is their last leisure time before the start of the season, after all, Henson and Popovich are very clear. This season is an unprecedentedly difficult season for them.

Today, it was their last peace.

October 16, 2018, the day before the start of the new NBA season. The Bankers Life Arena, the Pacers' training is still going on in an orderly manner.

The summer training camp is now, the Pacers' tactics have basically taken shape, and everyone has become accustomed to the new style of play without Paul. The way Antetokounmpo guides the team's offense is relatively mature in Henson's view.

He watched with satisfaction the state the players showed on the training ground. Tomorrow, the Minnesota Timberwolves will definitely be surprised!

After all, the Pacers' performance in the preseason was very poor. Moreover, in the preseason, Henson did not expose the tactics for Antetokounmpo to play the first position. Therefore, the coach of the Timberwolves, Henson's old rival Tom Thibodeau, just wanted to prevent it in advance, but couldn't start.

Speaking of Thibodeau, Henson was still a little emotional. Back then, Thibodeau killed himself with his sharpest sword, Ross. But now, Henson turned to use Rose to deal with him...

Perhaps the various personnel changes are one of the reasons why this alliance can always maintain its freshness and charm.

"Alright!" Seeing that the time was almost up, Henson clapped his hands on the sidelines. The game is going to be tomorrow, and he doesn't want the players to waste too much energy on the training ground.

"Stop it all, today we will end the training ahead of schedule. If anyone feels that they are not enjoying themselves yet, let them vent all their strength in tomorrow's game! Especially you, Lance. I don't want you to put extra energy on , Wasted on women."

When Henson said so, the Pacers players all laughed together. And Stephenson scratched his head in embarrassment.

Over the years, Stephenson felt very different to Henson this year. He doesn't look so "funny" anymore, but a lot of composure.

In training, he will actually guide some young players!

But on second thought, this post-90s generation is now 28 years old. A 28-year-old man should have matured somewhat.

"Tomorrow, the first game of the new season is about to begin. I know that the media said that after losing Paul, we are finished. They all said that we are just a foil for the Warriors. What's more, tomorrow we Will lose to the Timberwolves. Please, we are the defending champions! And we have just won two in a row!"

Henson showed two fingers, and the players underneath also nodded. It can be seen that their emotions have been mobilized by Henson.

"So, tomorrow's game. Just use our brand new style of play to let others take a good look. Offending the defending champion, what is the end of it!"

"Roar!" The players roared, seemingly wishing to upload the Timberwolves immediately.

On the other side, the Timberwolves players also arrived in Indianapolis early. Returning to this familiar city again, Jimmy Butler is undoubtedly very popular with reporters.

"Tomorrow we will go all out. Without Chris Paul's Pacers, we are not invincible. The first game of the new season, I don't want to lose."

Facing the reporters' camera, Jimmy Butler was extremely confident.

"So, what do you think of coach Henson who will retire after playing this season?"

"To be honest, I am reluctant. After all, he is the guide of my career. But reluctance will not let me take pity on the court. Beating him is the best way for me to respect him."

The proud and arrogant Indiana has stepped onto the land of this championship, and neither he nor everyone in the world know that what he is about to face is a subversive Indiana Pacers.