The Whip of the God of Basketball

Grant Hill is undoubtedly a standard American gentleman. He comes from a good background, is highly educated, can play the piano, is passionate about charity, and has a happy family. In August this year, he had his second daughter. The birth of the child undoubtedly had an impact on Hill's choice. During negotiations with the Suns in August, Hill expressed his reluctance to give Fox -Leon plays basketball and has the idea of ​​retiring.

The warmth of the family and the cruelty of the court were in sharp contrast. Hill received much more pain than honor on the basketball court. He himself didn't know how much passion he still had for basketball.

However, in the face of the personal visit of Cole and Leon, Hill still warmly received the two at his home in Dallas. It is now November. Hill is wearing a warm gray sweater and cotton slippers at home, while Leon and Cole People look a little dusty.

Leon glanced at Hill from head to toe. It could be seen that Hill was in good shape without any signs of gaining weight. He walked steadily and powerfully and was in good spirits. He was thirty-five years old and had experienced many challenges. It may be a fatal injury for some players, but he still maintains good living habits and does not miss training.

The three of them chatted for a while. Because this visit was on a private basis, Cole did not bring any Suns staff. After the meeting, they did not rush to talk about basketball matters, but talked about personal topics.

Cole and Hill were both born in high-class families with intellectuals. They excelled in homework and sports since childhood, and played in the NCAA. Moreover, both of them played for prestigious schools, one at Duke and the other at Arizona. Both were strong players in the NCAA. For them, Generally speaking, they have endless topics to talk about about college and basketball.

In this regard, Leon can't get in the way. When these two guys were playing in the NCAA, "Fox-Leon" was still working as a gangster on the streets of Boston's South District, fighting, drinking, and attracting fans. As for his other half To be honest, if he had any memories, he would have gone back to China to see it.

In fact, in terms of knowledge, Leon can pretend to be three Coles and five Hilles. But making friends and chatting with people depends not on knowledge, but on experience, background, conversation and mutual impressions. The two of them had absolutely nothing in common in terms of personal experience. Leon watched them chatting about college and thought that I also went to college, but I just couldn't remember what college I went to.

Unable to speak, he chose to drink. On the wine shelf in Hill's study, Leon saw sherry. He asked for a glass and drank it while he was still looking around. The various trophies and honorary titles I have won from high school to college to the NBA - this study is a showcase of honors.

Hill and Cole continued to sit on the sofa and talk. Leon looked at these messy honors. He really wanted to say something to Hill: "Don't you think you are missing a championship ring? I have three, right away." I can give you one."

In Leon's honor showroom, there are only NBA championship rings and a title of best coach, but this is already the highest honor in basketball.

But Leon still held back. He knew that such words would make people feel aggressive. If Hill had taken a fancy to Leon's championship qualifications, he would have joined the Suns long ago, and there would be no need to exchange feelings with him now.

After looking around, none of these things aroused Leon's interest, but soon a photo attracted him. It was placed in a prominent position. It was a photo of Hill, his wife, and their newborn daughter. It had The date is exactly August 9 this year, which is his second daughter Lyle Rose Hill.

A warm group photo, Leon picked up the photo and looked at it. At this time, Cole shouted to Leon: "Hey, come over and have a chat. What are you looking at?"

Leon put the photo back and said: "A photo, a happy family. I thought of my daughter. She was just born in October. She is very young and is a little angel."

Hill nodded, and he took the initiative: "Yes, is this your first child?"

Leon said: "Yes, the first one, her name is Mikel, which means miracle. Arnold named her."

"Arnold, Cardinal? Unthinkable."

"Yes, he is actually very gentle, at least to me."

When Leon thought of Auerbach, he still had mixed feelings in his heart. The stubborn and proud old man had already slept underground and could no longer roar at him or teach him earnestly.

Next, Hill started chatting with Leon, starting with his daughter, talking about his views on basketball, his understanding of life, and his pursuit of championships.

Hill was surprised to find that this iron-fisted coach, who looked rough on the outside and had played as a player in the NBA, was actually a sharp-tongued, knowledgeable and insightful person.

Perhaps it is because he has always had a bad relationship with the media - especially the local media in Boston, as well as his poor "originality", which has led to some people's inherent prejudice against him, which has affected Hill's view of him, but after some contact, Hill can strongly feel that this is an excellent and trustworthy coach.

Moreover, another aspect of the Suns that is very attractive to Hill is their excellent medical team and Arizona's dry climate, which is very important for his injury-ravaged body.

This is why, without signing with the Suns, Hill also rejected other teams because he was worried about whether he could still play in other teams.

"One thing I have to be honest with you, Grant, let me call you that, if you come to the Suns, the main content of your job will be defense, and you will play off the bench. But at the same time, I can promise that the Suns will not It will become a meat grinder. You should have seen it in the first two games. Our style of play will be the most labor-saving in the league. And, I think you still have a lot of gas in the tank. After all, you have been locked in the parking lot for several years. .”

Later, Leon was able to joke with Hill. Of course Hill wouldn't mind such a harmless joke, and he did still have ambitions and unfinished basketball dreams in his heart.

Although he is thirty-five years old and although he is scarred, as long as there is still a chance to stand on the highest stage, who will give up?

When Cole and Leon had dinner at Hill's house that night and left with a full meal, Leon knew that he would not return empty-handed from this visit. Hill had made it clear that he would talk to his agent right away. Contact the Suns and start formal signing talks with the Suns.

Leon and Cole also immediately ordered a plane back to Phoenix. On the plane, Cole seemed very happy. He asked Leon: "Fox, I feel that you have indeed changed a lot from the past, although you just arrived." I didn’t notice it at the time, but now I’m gradually aware of it.”

Through this conversation, not only did Hill's impression of Leon change, but even Cole discovered that maybe he had underestimated this guy in the past. This ruthless megalomaniac, Auerbach's successor, is not the cold-blooded creature that people think he is.

Leon shrugged: "Everyone changes, and so do you. You see you are a stupid team manager now."

"Fu-ck-you, Leon."

……………………

Meeting Hill was just an episode in Leon's work in the Suns. After returning to Phoenix, Leon started preparing for the team's next game intensively.

Leon is a coach who takes his work very meticulously and seriously. He has very high requirements for details, but he is not the kind of paranoid who blindly pursues the perfection of details.

On the morning of the match day, Leon convened a video analysis meeting with all players and coaches to analyze the situation of the first two games. He used his super memory to pick out many details on the field and talk about them. Especially in the second game against the Lakers, how to defend Kobe.

This is still the regular season. Once it reaches the playoffs, if he meets the Lakers again, there is no doubt that he will systematically contain Kobe. These thoughts and ideas must be communicated with the players from now on.

Finally, he talked about the night's game. Tonight they will face the guests from the East at the American Airlines Center, last year's dark horse, the Cleveland Cavaliers with LeBron James.

"I'm here to remind everyone that it's different for Clevelanders and the Lakers tonight. Just stand farther away."