The rest is just noise

Prior to the 2006 media conference, Louis added two players to his "system responded well" list, namely Brandon Roy and Vassilis Spanoulis.

Roy has shown the tactical qualities he has developed after playing in the NCAA for four years. Although the team's system does not match his personal style, he can still find an entry point with his comprehensive skills and become an important part of the tactics.

As both rookies, Spanoulis is far more mature than Roy. He has played in European basketball for many years and is no stranger to complex tactical systems.

When he became familiar with the team's tactics in all aspects, the tactical execution ability developed during his European period actually accelerated his ability to realize his immediate combat effectiveness.

At the end of September, the Celtics' media day attracted many foreign media.

Because the Celtics are essentially an international team.

Although the team is mainly composed of Americans, there are also Chinese, Spanish, Mexicans, Argentinians, Puerto Ricans, Russians, Greeks, and Georgians. They have attracted more international attention to the Celtics. These players

The media in the host country voluntarily sent reporters to Boston to participate in the media day.

Attending media day as a coach (1) again after eight years, Louis is still the focus of the media's eyes.

(1)Due to the lockout in the 1999-00 season, there was no official media day.

Reporters from all sides asked many questions.

Some people who are concerned about Wade's injury have asked whether the Celtics will use the John Stockton clause on Alan Houston.

The so-called John Stockton clause is the "Allan Houston clause" in Louis' previous life. Officially called the amnesty clause, this clause stipulates that a team can lay off any player on the team, and the player's salary will not be

Taking up the team's salary cap - In this era, Houston has brought a group of young people to the Rockets since leaving New York, without causing any trouble, and there is no chance to sign a six-year, $100 million contract with a sky-high price. This clause is in Houston

Launched the year Stockton retired, Stockton was also the first NBA player to be pardoned, so it was called the Stockton Clause.

The reason why the media asked Louis whether he would pardon Houston was because the unreliable mid-range shooter was injured again in the preseason and is doubtful for the new season.

The last time Houston played systematically was back in the 2004-05 season, which was the Celtics' championship season. He contributed as a substitute, but no matter how much he contributed, he couldn't be so glassy.

In this regard, Louis expressed his understanding of Houston's injuries and flatly rejected the amnesty plan.

Then, there are the issues of whether Roy can adapt to the team's training rhythm, whether Wade can return in the new season, and the positioning of new aid Mike Dunleavy.

The most sensitive question was raised by "***" reporter RobRoberts: "Coach Lu, the Boston Celtics currently have only two African-American players on the roster. Many people think that

The Celtics are reversing the course of history and allowing racism to once again take root in professional basketball. What do you think of this?"

Louis took a deep look at Roberts, and he believed that the other party had no ill intentions.

However, if this question is not answered well, the entire American society will be hostile to him and the Celtics.

"I think this view is biased." Louis said, "Since the Reed Auerbach era, the Celtics have only one principle of hiring people, to promote those who are capable and to remove those who are incompetent. As long as our management has one thing

I have no chance of entering professional basketball because of my racist tendencies. I cannot accept this kind of remarks at all. It not only insults the efforts of Reid and his generation for the racial openness process of professional basketball, but also insults the leadership of our management.

All of them insulted my players. They trained hard and played hard and did not deserve this kind of criticism and accusation."

This problem is over, but the Celtics' problem of "too few black players" has not been solved.

Since Louis gave up Hinrich and drafted Wade in 2003, the plan to form a black-free team to win the championship has been basically in a state of semi-abandonment.

However, looking at the current number of black players on the Celtics, it is not difficult to see that although Boss Lu persuaded himself to give up, he

This is not the case during operation, so this is an incomplete abandonment.

However, some reporters come here with bad intentions.

The day after the media conference, a photo of Celtics players was posted on the Internet.

This photo deliberately excluded Roy and Allen, making it seem like the Celtics no longer had any black players.

This photo caused some trouble for the Celtics in public opinion, but it did not cause any problems because knowledgeable people who follow basketball know that this is not true.

As media day ends, the pace of preseason training camp picks up speed.

The number of players responding well to the system increased from seven to nine by the end of training camp.

In early October, the Celtics, Heat, Cavaliers, and Warriors played three preseason games against each other in China.

As the NBA's first overseas market, this is proof of the NBA's globalization, and the four participating teams all have Chinese players, allowing many fans who could only watch the game on TV to finally feast their eyes on it at home.

After three preseason games, the Celtics' system has shown very good actual results.

This is completely different from the "Beautiful Basketball" that just came out back then.

Although the quality of games in the preseason is not high, strong teams often perform well in the preseason.

On October 20, the Celtics returned to the United States. They had 12 days to prepare for the first regular season game of the new season.

On the last Saturday in October, Louis received a call from veteran Hemi at home.

"Coach Lu, Reid is gone."

At that time, Louis was stunned for a moment.

Then, he reacted, but his mind was completely blank and he could no longer think. He just asked mechanically: "When will the funeral be held?"

"I think Nancy (Auerbach's daughter) will call you." Hemi said, "Reed participated in the Navy event three days ago, and they presented him with a lifetime achievement award. He

We were having a great time, and then all of a sudden... you know, don't feel bad. Reid doesn't want us to feel bad, because you have to."

Shortly after Hemi's call, Auerbach's family indeed called. They informed Louis of Auerbach's death and informed him of the funeral arrangements.

That night, Louis sat alone in the garden, holding a cigar in his hand, thinking carefully about the whole process of visiting Auerbach in the hospital a few months ago.

Did he say everything he needed to say?

Do you have any regrets?

Late at night, Louis figured it out.

Even if he had unfinished words for Auerbach, it was impossible to say them out. Although they were not of the same generation, they had similar personalities and styles, and some words would always be hidden in his heart.

A few days later, Louie missed the Celtics' first game of the new season and flew to Washington with Lorraine to attend Auerbach's funeral.

As he set out on his journey, Louis felt a deep sense of loss.

He could no longer quarrel with Auerbach over trivial matters, nor could he hear the old man roaring at him with that rustling noise.

When Louis and Lorraine arrived at the funeral home, a large crowd had gathered - players, coaches, friends and Celtics staff. It seemed like the whole city was here. There were TV reporters everywhere, and they couldn't

Politely hold out the microphone and interview everyone.

"I will not be interviewed today."

After that, Louis took Lorraine to avoid reporters and entered through the back door.

Louis and the others found the large room where the coffin was placed, and said hello to Auerbach's two daughters, Nan and Randy, and then met with Bill Russell, Tom Heinsohn and others.

He nodded and found a seat in an inconspicuous corner and sat down.

Many people had something to say, and they wanted to express their condolences to Auerbach. Louis had many thoughts, because none of the Reed Auerbach these people told was consistent with the person he remembered.

"You don't want to go up and say something?

Really?" Lorraine asked.

Louis shook his head and said, "No, if it were me lying there, Reed would just say goodbye to me, and that's what he would do."

That's what I will do too.

Later, when the funeral came to a close, the guests began to leave, and Louis got up and walked towards the coffin.

When Louis approached the coffin, the words Auerbach said to him in the hospital rang in his mind.

"Don't fall."

How serious he was when he said this, that meaningful yet friendly warning deeply touched Louis at this moment.

Louis gently placed his hand on the coffin for no more than a second.

Goodbye, Reed.

When Louis was about to leave, Nancy handed him a book, "Coach Lu, this is what dad asked me to give to you."

Louis recognized it at a glance. It was the collection of poems by Dylan Thomas that he had given Auerbach.

"Reed is the spiritual leader of the Celtics. At the same time, he is also a shareholder of the team. His departure is a huge loss for us." Louis said politely, "If you have any difficulties in the future, you can call me at any time.

Telephone."

Louis flipped through the book Auerbach gave in return and found a small gift inside.

Auerbach slipped a note into the book on which he wrote a poem modeled after "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night."

Looking at the road ahead, Louis recalled the afternoon he went to visit Reed at George Washington University Hospital a few months ago.