the rest, only noise

Chapter 1471 Not necessarily

"People talk about heroic moments in sports a lot, but I think they should be talking about someone like Hymie who can tell you what true heroism is."

The U.S. government awarded Haimi the Silver Star after the war for his bravery. The strange thing is that this World War II veteran who impressed Louis always has a good understanding of astronomy and geography. Whether you talk to him about Wilde’s absurd life or the zipper chain, he has something to say, but once he talks about his experience in the army, he becomes silent.

"Those who admire heroism in war are often those who have never fought in war."

For the first time, Louis discovered that Haimi's tone of voice could be so soft.

"There are no heroes in war. It represents absolute misery and disaster. Anyone who participates in war, even if he survives, will become another person. Whether he is healthy or not, whether he is awarded the Silver Star for carrying a fool who fell into the sea from the battlefield."

"I'm lucky. I survived. I can't tell you the name of the man I'm carrying. I don't know, and I don't want to know. I was never a hero. The most heroic thing I ever did was to survive a war."

Every Wednesday, Haimi also gathers with the veterans to talk about their children and grandchildren and TV shows, but they never recall the war or talk about heroism.

"Indeed, war is the worst."

Although it was strange to say such a view from an American population who had waged the most wars since World War II, Louis could only go along with it. Moreover, Haimi's words made the atmosphere of the lunch meeting sour that he had to say something to change the atmosphere.

"I think my most heroic moment was when I punched the referee in the ICU before the game started."

As soon as Louie opened his mouth, the luncheon came to life.

Paul Gaston said excitedly: "To tell you the truth, Coach, I was there."

Louis smiled complacently: "Have you seen with your own eyes the heroic posture of me punching the KO referee?"

"Yes."

Guston recalls the event 16 years ago and is still impressed.

However, things are certainly not as heroic as Louis said.

Gaston remembers Louie saying nothing at first until the irrational referee cornered him before he delivered a punch.

It can be said that that punch was the beginning of the name Louis breaking the circle from the basketball circle.

Since then, Little Lu has become a national celebrity.

Sportswriter John Feinstein was interested in the matter.

Because Louie boxing referee happened to be the same fight as Bird famously humiliated Dr. J.

"It's a long story"

Long-term locker room speeches allowed Louis to tell his story as clearly as an orator. He always knows how to word and speak, and pays great attention to tone. When he should be emotional, he will never deliberately lower the volume.

Louie's story revitalized the luncheon.

The story of the luncheon will continue.

Auerbach didn't seem to have a story to share today, and then the conversation shifted to the increasingly vulnerable athletes of today's era.

A college coach complained: "Kids these days are too delicate to withdraw from a game because of a slight cramp. You know, as an athlete, it is part of the spirit of sports to endure a certain degree of pain."

"I'm reminded of a story about Shaquille O'Neal." Feinstein laughed. "Someone questioned his professionalism because he postponed a minor surgery that could have been solved in the offseason until the season, and he said, 'My injury fell during the season, so it must be resolved during the season.'"

Hearing this, Auerbach, who was smoking a cigar, coughed.

"It's just nonsense!"

Auerbach said dissatisfied: "David Stern has spoiled the players, and they will only become more and more vulnerable!"

"That's right!" Haimi echoed, "The old-school tough style is dead in this entertainment age!"

Louie, who has always been opposed to players insisting on playing despite injuries, wants to ask: "What is the old-fashioned tough style?"

Hearing this, Haimi's eyes widened. He has always disliked Louis, because this guy who is obviously 40 years old but looks as tender as his early 20s constantly reminds him of the Japanese on the Pacific battlefield.

But when he wanted to contradict Louis, he was overwhelmed by the opponent's aura.

The self-confidence and calmness in Louis' words and deeds kept him from attacking for a long time.

This time, the opportunity finally came.

"Just like John Havlicek did in the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals, just like Bill Russell did in the 1958 Finals!"

What Havlicek did in the 1973 Eastern Conference Finals, Louie knew very well, torn his shoulder and then insisted on the game, and the Celtics lost in the end. It was indeed heroic.

What's wrong with Russell?
1958?Chamberlain hasn't entered the league yet, has he?

Louis couldn't help asking: "What happened to Russell that year?"

Haimi plausibly said: "The Celtics should have won ten consecutive championships. If Bill hadn't seriously sprained his ankle in the finals that year. At the time, this was a very serious injury, and one mistake would affect his subsequent career. However, Bill still decided to choose to come back in the sixth game. If Reed hadn't controlled his playing time within 20 minutes under his strong opposition, maybe Boston could have played against St. Louis in Game 50, and Bob Pettit would not have scored [-] points!"

"This is the toughness of old-school players. A soft bubble like Shaquille O'Neal will never win anything in his life!"

Louie smiled faintly: "If I were the head coach, Russell wouldn't even be able to play 20 minutes after the injury."

Haimi glared at Louis unhappily, because he could feel that Louis had objections to Russell's way of playing with injuries.

"What I mean is, even if I can see through the future and know in advance that Russell can win the finals that year by playing through pain, I will not let him play for another minute." Louis said naturally, "I will not overdraw Russell's career at the risk of ruining the next nine championships for a short-term championship."

Haimi was angry: "You don't understand the spirit of competition at all, and you have never played before."

"Well, I admit it." Louis smiled, "But you also have to admit that you don't know how to coach."

"1958," Auerbach said.

Speaking of the history of professional basketball, coupled with the hoarse voice of the old man, an inexplicable sense of weight came to his face, instantly extinguishing the small flame between Louis and Haimi.

"St. Louis was a very special team that year." Auerbach thought for a while, then changed his words, "No, they may be the most special team since 1958."

Hymie muttered: "Of course, they interrupted the Celtics' ten consecutive championships."

"That's not what I'm talking about." Auerbach paused. "What makes them special is that they are the only NBA championship team in 42 years without a black player."

Auerbach's words jingled like a needle falling to the ground.

The old man smiled dryly, "Hey, I guess there won't be another championship team without black players until basketball dies."

At that moment, Louis' heart was hit.

The reason why Louis can enjoy a peaceful life is that he can no longer find any goals in the professional basketball world.

And Auerbach's words made his heart beat fast.

He knows all the good non-black players of the next 20 years.

He could build an NBA championship team with no black presence.

why not?
The St. Louis Eagles have been buried in the heap of history and no one cares about it. This great record and legend should be inherited by a more suitable person.

After the lunch meeting, everyone came to the parking lot together.

Auerbach would say hello to the guests.

"I am leaving."

Every Tuesday, in addition to attending the luncheon, Auerbach also goes to the Woodrent Country Club in Lorenville, Maryland after the luncheon.

There he played golf and poker with members of the club.

Today, Louie made a point of going to his car window.

Auerbach rolled down the car window, "Is there something wrong?"

"Reid, are you saying that it is really impossible to have an NBA championship without black players?"

"Ask me this question? Don't you know how high the proportion of black players is?"

Louis smiled, "I know."

"Then you still ask?"

"I just want to say that nothing is absolute, and even outrageous things can happen. For example, the white rich man named Donald who played golf with you a while ago, I said that he may become the president of the United States in the future, do you believe it?"

Auerbach felt that Louis was teasing himself, "It's funny, but I really don't have time to talk to you now, and there's no way that idiot can be the boss!"

Immediately, a smile appeared on Louis's face that made Auerbach's hair stand on end: "Not necessarily?"

After Auerbach left, he kept thinking about Louis' words on the road.

What does that guy mean?Is it possible that he really wants to organize an NBA championship team without blacks?This is simply a fantasy!
As for whether the golden-haired white rich man who looked like a fool would have a chance to become the president of the United States in the future, Auerbach didn't even think about it, and he knew it was nonsense as soon as he heard it.

How bullshit is this?

Even if Louie started a dynasty in the NBA with a non-black team, that wouldn't happen.

Louis waved goodbye to Auerbach, turned around and saw Paul Gaston who hadn't left yet.

Gaston smiled and said, "Coach, let me take you to the airport."

"Okay, then I'll give you a ride."

Louis is used to flattering Gaston, Auerbach's words made him want to come back, but he hasn't really figured out how to take the next step.

It's just that once a thought is activated, its development speed is absolutely beyond imagination.

Just like Louis had thought about buying a private jet before.

Thought is another name for desire. For most of the world, desire is difficult to satisfy, but once one has the ability to satisfy one's own desire, then thought will often be transformed into strong motivation and momentum, which will be the end of all rationality.

(End of this chapter)