The rest is just noise

Chapter 208 The ultimate winner’s dictation

"I'm not a person who advocates violence."

Louis' words made the reporter want to laugh, but he couldn't.

"However, I have to admit that basketball is a very intense sport and emotions are uncontrollable. They always get out of control."

"Coach Lu, don't you think the Celtics have lost control of their emotions too many times?"

"I object to your statement."

Although Louis criticized Guy Williams' mindless provocation in private, he still defended him in public: "If you watch the game carefully, you should know that my players often fight back after being beaten.

One side.”

Louis is very good at using the power of the media.

Both support and opposition from public opinion have their value.

Sometimes, public opinion can help him motivate his players, and sometimes, public opinion can also help him win over people's hearts.

Guy Williams is a player who has no impression on him. He believes that this player was only a small role in the 1980s. He may have played as a substitute for many years, and may have played for one or two years before fading out of the league.

Since the opponent is playing under him, he has the responsibility to lead him on the right path.

If he goes astray, adjust him back.

If he doesn't have a chance, try to give him a chance.

Louis wants every player under him to develop well, and this is also the coach's responsibility.

He returned to the locker room from the scene and emphasized that he did not want to see any conflict tonight.

"Seattle is not our competitor, they are not even in the East. I don't want anyone to be unhappy because of this. If anyone causes trouble for me in the second half, don't blame me for being dirty, and don't think that I'll be done with just scolding you, no matter if it's the main player.

Or a substitute, especially you, Bill, whoever dares to cause trouble tonight, I will never let him go!"

Louis' threats had a good effect.

The game in the third quarter was harmonious, and the Celtics continued to expand their lead.

Isiah Thomas' several one-on-ones during this period caused many Seattle fans to switch sides.

His fingertip dribbling, the killer change of direction with two snaps under his crotch, and his comprehensive method of taking shots at will without looking at the three-point line made him the protagonist of the third quarter.

He scored 32 points in three quarters and got off work early.

Louis patted his butt and encouraged: "After seeing your performance tonight, I want to treat you to a meal."

Thomas looked at him inexplicably.

Do you need to treat guests to dinner to play a good game? Is it that simple?

Of course, Louis didn't think that simple.

But I can't say it yet.

"Since you are silent, I will treat you as accepting my invitation. Remember to come with me after the game." Louis directly helped Thomas make the decision.

This was a new thing. Thomas wanted to know what kind of medicine Louis was selling, so he really agreed.

The fourth quarter became a training time for both sides.

It was impossible for the Sonics to come back, and Wilkens didn't want to waste the energy of the main players anymore, so he simply replaced them all with substitutes.

This is exactly what Louis wants.

Louis replaced John Paxson, Carr, Williams, Maxwell and Scott Weidman in the five-small lineup.

Because the Celtics lead by 30 points, there is no need to worry about this lineup even if it has obvious disadvantages.

At the end of the fourth quarter, the Sonics caught up to 17 points and ended the game with a decent point difference.

After the game, both Louis and Wilkens recognized each other's coaching ability.

Wilkens's evaluation of Louis is in sharp contrast to other coaches: "Little Lou is a mature coach. He is good at calculation and knows every opponent very well. Every arrangement I made tonight fell behind."

He. Moreover, he is not as impolite as the outside world said. When his players did something wrong on the court, he replaced him immediately and asked him to come over and apologize at the end of the first half.

"

"I believe many people have a wrong impression of him due to certain reports that are inconsistent with the facts. To me, he is not only an excellent coach, but also a good person."

Good guy, Louis hasn't heard anyone say that about him for a long time.

He and Isiah Thomas did not go back to the hotel with the team bus after the game, but took a taxi to a nearby restaurant.

The restaurant Louis chose was not a high-end restaurant.

It is impossible for high-end restaurants to open until now.

The name of the store is "Slade's".

There is an eye-catching sign posted on the door of the store "Owner: Bill Russell".

Using his name as an advertisement has the same meaning as Stephen Chow's later movies.

"Bill Russell's store?" Thomas asked.

"Don't ask knowingly." What Louis wants to know is whether the food in this store is as deceptive as Stephen Chow's movies from 2010 onwards.

They entered the center of the restaurant, where Russell sat.

"You are finally here." Russell put the menu in front of them, "I specially asked the chef to work overtime today, so you can order whatever you want. You let me watch a wonderful game today, and I'll treat you to it."

Thomas, like other black players, has a strong respect for Russell.

Not only because of his achievements on the court, but also because as an active civil rights activist, he made corresponding contributions to the current social status of black people.

"I believe that the ultimate winner's restaurant must have delicacies like the ultimate winner." Thomas flattered Russell very comfortably.

Louis said helplessly: "Bill, this guy never compliments me."

"Hehehehe!" Russell said with a shocking smile, "This means you have to work harder. The respect between players and coaches is mutual."

Louis said without any self-awareness: "I have enough respect for Isiah. Any more will make him uneasy."

Thomas smiled awkwardly and then ordered.

Louis didn't know much about black food, so he ordered the same thing as Thomas.

"If you have a discerning eye, this is our store's signature dish." Russell smiled mysteriously, "Only black people know how to enjoy this delicious dish!"

Thomas wanted to skip the polite parts and get to the point.

He knew that Louis invited him here for dinner, but it turned out that Russell had ulterior motives for the treat, but he didn't expect that there was a third party, and this third party was Russell.

"Bill, are we going to talk about everything tonight?" Louis asked.

Russell let go: "There's nothing I can't say."

"Then I have to ask a question for Isiah, why didn't you stay in Boston after you retired?" Louis came up and asked a sensitive topic.

A cold wind seemed to pass over the dining table.

"Actually, I don't want to know that much," Thomas said tactfully.

"It doesn't matter, there's nothing to say." After Russell said that, he was silent for a few seconds, and then laughed horribly, "Hey, it's funny to say that I left without saying goodbye, and Reid arranged a jersey for me.

For the retirement ceremony, I didn’t let any fans in, but chose to hold it behind closed doors. Only my old teammates came to witness my jersey being lifted into the air.”

It sounds irrelevant.

Both Louis and Thomas are serious. Louis' seriousness is fake. He acknowledges Russell's greatness and believes that he was in a bad environment at the time, but he really doesn't resonate that much.

He hopes to make Thomas face his situation.

Russell couldn't get what he dreamed about even after 11 championships in 13 years. Why should he get it?

The only way he can get something like that is to stand beside Bird and be his shadow.

"Before I went to Boston, they had never won a championship; in the 13 years since I went, they only missed the championship two years."

"You say, isn't it obvious who is the key factor?"

Russell has now transformed into a media person. He has a storyteller's mouth, and he simply lets Thomas and Louis take part in the story.

Louis simply listened to the story, while Thomas thought about himself.

"But the fans disagreed. We won the championship, but the attendance was very low. Even those fans who came to watch our game mostly came for Kuz (Cousy) and Willie (Sharman)."

"After Kuz retired, they said the Celtics were finished, and then we continued to win the championship, and they started to give the credit to Tom and Hondo."

"In order to prove that they were right, some fans made trouble for me and several other black players outside the court." Russell recalled this past incident and actually laughed, "Our relationship with the fans was really alienated at that time.

.”

Thomas couldn't help but be glad that he had not been in such a situation.

Although the media focuses on Bird, fans recognize him.

This can be seen from his jerseys to the sales of player cards.

His peripheral popularity is second only to Bird, and if you include stars from other teams, he is only less popular than Magic, Dr. J, and Bernard King.

The reason is simple, if fans don't like him, they won't spend a penny for his peripherals.

"So I always joke that the most loyal fans of the Celtics are sitting on our bench, and everyone else is unreliable. We only have ourselves." Russell said fondly, "This is a very difficult thing for today's players.

We understand the process of sharing the joys and sorrows. Although Kuz and the others have received more support, they always support us. This is an important reason why we respect each other, support each other, and achieve success together."

Louis smiled and echoed: "It's really admirable. I really hope your comradeship can be passed down forever."

Russell heard what Louis meant.

"Do you have any internal problems?" Russell couldn't tell during the game that it was a team with internal conflicts.

Because he has seen many teams with internal conflicts, those teams are usually his opponents in the playoffs.

"It can't be considered a problem. Although the comradeship of your generation has not been passed down, the standard of that generation of media to distinguish players by skin color is still followed today." Louis said insinuatingly, "I'm not sure if there is any shortcoming in our team.

The mean guy was jealous of Larry."