The Whip of the God of Basketball

Before the start of the game between the Celtics and the Hornets, Leon took a flight back to Boston early. On the morning of March 4, the NBA league office held a press conference to officially announce the punishment for the fight between the Celtics and Pacers on the night of March 3. Leon was suspended for 15 games for punching a Pacers player. This is also the most severe suspension punishment for a coach in the history of the NBA, because this is also the first time in history that a coach has beaten a player on the court.

What made Leon unexpected was that he received a hero's welcome at the Boston Airport. Many Celtics fans were waiting for him at the airport in advance. When he walked out of the aisle, he saw many people holding "Boston Forever" slogans in their hands. Support you" sign, which moved Leon very much.

Of course, he didn't know that except for Boston, he had become synonymous with "evil coach" in other places in the United States. A young coach with a criminal record and violent tendencies was very different from the image of the elegant and personable NBA head coach in people's minds. . Various malicious slanders, criticisms, and news reports rehashing old scores have appeared on the sports pages. Sports programs, talk shows, and interview programs on various TV stations have also used this matter as a topic, and without exception they have persisted. negative attitude.

When Leon returned to the Celtics headquarters, he could feel the strange looks from his colleagues. It was not that everyone had any prejudice against him, but that they all seemed to be saying, "You are in big trouble this time."

In the president's office, Danny Ainge said to Leon straight to the point: "Organize a press conference as soon as possible to apologize for your behavior. I have arranged the time. It will be at ten o'clock tomorrow morning, and then the people from the league office will make an appointment. Talk to you, talk to you about this behavior. It's really kind of shocking, Fox."

Faced with Anji's arrangement, Leon directly chose to refuse. He said: "I can't apologize unless the Pacers apologize to the Celtics players first."

"But you hit someone! It's you who's being punished now! It's you who's being criticized!" Angie was quite annoyed by Leon's response and couldn't help but slap the table.

"The United States dropped two atomic bombs on Japan in 1945, but to this day no American has apologized to the Japanese, right? I will take a plane to Washington to see the old man tomorrow morning. I am going back to Boston just to prepare my luggage for the holiday. , and, as a Celtic, don’t mention the apology thing again, why don’t you be tougher, Danny.”

Leon said it calmly, which made Anji even more angry, but he still held back his anger, calmed down and said to Leon: "15 games, one month, I hope you will come back in a month, Kai There's still a place for you on the Celtics bench!"

Leon nodded and left the team headquarters directly. The originally scheduled meeting with people from the league office in the afternoon was also cancelled. This is undoubtedly a provocation to the alliance, because the person who met Leon this time was none other than Adam Silva. The two are also old friends. They collaborated a lot during the formation of the NBDL, and he also took the initiative to invite him this time. Boston came to solve this problem, and he was confident that he could put this incident to rest.

Unexpectedly, when they came to Boston, they were rejected immediately. Anji received them for the first time and promised to meet with them when Leon came back and hold a press conference. In the blink of an eye, Anji changed his face and said that Leon could not show up because he was busy. , and he has full authority to handle his problems.

Although Angie was furious in front of Leon, he still stood firmly on Leon's side when it came to others. Since Leon was unwilling to apologize, Angie also bit the bullet and said that the Celtics would never apologize. The management will be on the same side as the head coach. On this issue, Ainge is obviously a seasoned, cunning and tough old Celtic. The team can be very noisy, but at critical moments, they must be consistent with the outside world.

When Leon returned home, he locked himself in his room and thought seriously about what to do during the suspension period. Khomeinis very obediently did not disturb him, nor did she ask him any questions related to fighting or suspension. She believed that Leon could get through this difficulty with his own wisdom and spirit.

However, Leon obviously needed the help of another person, so on the morning of the next day, March 5, when a press conference was supposed to be held, he took a flight to Washington. The press conference was still held as usual, because reporters from various media had already been notified, and it was impossible to cancel it temporarily. Therefore, Danny Ainge stated in front of the national media: "Unless the Indiana Pacers make a deal with the Celtics, Apologize, otherwise head coach Fox Leon and the Celtics will not issue an apology statement."

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"Danny's a good guy...although I can tell he's going crazy." In Auerbach's residence in Washington, the first thing the Cardinal said when he met Leon was to evaluate Angie, He also held the noon newspaper in his hand, which contained a report on Danny Ainge's statement at the press conference.

Leon had just dragged off his coat and hung it on the clothes rail. Three consecutive days of flying made him look exhausted, and the stormy reports and criticisms all over the city made him even more stressed. But here in Auerbach, he finally felt A place where you can relax your mind.

Auerbach called and ordered a meal for two from China Doll Restaurant. The two chatted while eating, talking about a lot of things about basketball, the NBA, coaches and players. Leon has always been a straightforward person and likes to get straight to the point, but this time he didn't. Instead, he chatted a lot with Auerbach. It wasn't until the two of them smoked a whole cigar after dinner that Auerbach said to Leon : "You did a good job in this matter. You can't bow to Stern no matter what. We have given up enough. Although you have been criticized, you have also received respect and the love of players and fans." You know the look on my face when I saw the news about your fight at Conseco Arena? I clenched my fists and wanted to punch Isiah Thomas! Hahaha"

Seeing Auerbach waving his fists and looking like a child, Leon just smiled, then took out a match from his pocket and refilled Auerbach's second cigarette.

"In the league, I will find a way to settle things. You can have a good rest in this month, but you are too concerned about external interference. Improve your tactical ideas and spend time with your family. Being a head coach is not an easy job. Son." Auerbach said to Leon in a gentle tone, which didn't sound like his style.

Leon stayed at Auerbach's house until the evening, and then returned to the hotel where he was staying. As soon as Leon left, Auerbach returned to his desk, picked up the old-fashioned telephone, and on this telephone, Many conversations that have changed the structure and direction of the league were completed through it. Today Auerbach picked up the receiver again and dialed the Boston area code.

The call went through, and Danny Ainge's voice came from the other end.

"Thank you for your hard work Danny, this kid is a little willful once in a while." Auerbach said to Angie.

"Once? He is always rational and calm in front of others, but to me, he is just a bad-tempered poltergeist!" Anji's tone was unkind, and he almost spent today being bombarded with phone calls.

"I know, so I said thank you for your hard work. I will leave the coaching work to Dave this month, and then let Siegfried do it for training, and give Leon a mandatory holiday. One month. , enough to test his ability to control the team. Also, increase the pressure on him and the Celtics in terms of public opinion, including on those boys! Let them feel what it is like to be the enemy of the world... If Leon can get through it with them, he will be the real Celtics coach. If not, let Dave come in!" Auerbach returned to his cold and ruthless face, and was as friendly and gentle as when he spoke to Leon just now. Sweep away.

Obviously, Auerbach's test against Fox-Leon is far from over. Auerbach will not put down the whip until Leon wins the championship.