basketball player

Chapter 131 129: The Heart of a Champion

The entire press conference was quiet for a few seconds, and the thoughts of the reporters seemed to be knotted, and they couldn't sort it out at once.

Just a few hours ago, the rumors were almost all saying that the Clippers were infinitely close to Paul.As for the Pacers, there was no movement or statement. Henson returned from New Orleans a few days ago.

But why all of a sudden, the Pacers announced that Paul has joined! ?Henson Joe is not joking!No, it's impossible. Although this Chinese-American coach never speaks to the margins, he will never joke about such things!

At the same time, the outside news has been maxed out.The Hornets announced on their official Twitter that they have accepted the Pacers' trade offer!
The Hornets sent Chris Paul, while the Pacers sent All-Star forward Daniel Granger, potential point guard Jrue Holiday and the 2014 first-round pick!
One minute later, NBA officials confirmed the deal.No basketball reasons, no joke, no gossip!This transaction is a real, sure deal!
As Henson said: "Chris Paul is already a Pacer!"

"Coach Henson, can you reveal the details of the transaction!?"

"Bird, will sending Daniel Granger affect the team's locker room?"

"What changes do you think Paul joining will bring to the team!?"

Under Henson's nose, the reporters who didn't care just now exploded in an instant.Truth be told, Henson enjoys the moment, the surprise.

Of course he enjoyed it. In order to announce Paul's joining, he almost did everything in his power for one minute.Although Henson was calm on the surface these days, it was just to stabilize the emotions of the players.In fact, when Henson got home, he was so anxious that he couldn't sleep at all!
Squinting his eyes, Henson remembered his meeting with Paul.

※※※

"A plan about the championship, you really dare to say it, Coach Henson." Paul held two cups of coffee in his hand, one for himself, and the other for Henson who had just walked in and sat down.

He didn't expect that just after Leon Rose hung up the phone and told him that the Pacers might join the trade, the Pacers coach appeared.

Henson, who was sitting on the sofa, took the coffee, said thank you to Paul, and took a small sip.

"Is there anything I dare not say, didn't you see our performance last season? Fourth in the Eastern Conference, 55 wins, an easy win over the Magic in the first round, and a tiebreaker with the Bulls in the second round. In other words, we are a team with the strength of the Eastern Conference Finals. We are not far from the championship."

"But it's the east after all. With all due respect, the competition in the east is less than that in the west." Paul sat across from Henson, and Henson knew that at least Paul wasn't afraid to talk to him right now.As long as the other party doesn't resist it, it's easy to handle.

"So, with all due respect. If you can go to the Lakers, that's another story, but if you go to the Clippers, let alone the championship, I'm afraid it will be difficult for you to reach the Western Conference Finals. It's not that you are not strong enough, but as you said, the competition in the Western Conference is terrible."

Hearing what Henson said, Paul was not angry, but found it interesting.

When the head coaches or general managers of other teams talk to themselves, they are respectful and boast about themselves.This Chinese coach is fine, he just poured cold water on him and said that he couldn't make it to the Western Conference Finals!
As rumored, this guy never played his cards according to common sense.

"The Clippers might not be strong enough right now, but they're definitely going to add to the roster. And it's L.A., man."

"What about Los Angeles? In Los Angeles, the Lakers will always attract the most attention! Besides, don't expect the Clippers to really spend a lot of money to strengthen the lineup. They haven't made up their minds to give everything to the championship. But we are different. Our young people are full of potential, and the reinforcements will never be soft!"

Taking a sip of coffee, Henson continued, "Furthermore, our chips are absolutely unmatched by the Clippers. In order for the Hornets to rebuild quickly, the league needs potential rookies. Holiday is undoubtedly a potential rookie who can take over your position. In addition, we plan to give the Hornets an All-Star and a draft pick. What about the Clippers?

"You mean, I have no choice?" The queen bee smiled.

"Of course not. You can choose not to renew your contract with us after being traded, just like you said before. But I believe that the days in Indiana will make you change your mind." Henson looked relaxed, as if chatting with an old friend.

Even if the deal is not renewed, this can be said to be Paul's biggest bargaining chip to threaten other teams, and it is something that other teams avoid talking about.However, Henson took the initiative to put this condition on the stage, without any shyness, showing his strong self-confidence.

Paul stopped laughing, he found that Henson didn't come to talk to him simply, he made up his mind to bring himself to Indianapolis!
"You said that the Clippers have no determination, so do you have any reinforcement plans? I know that the Pacers have many potential rookies, but they are rookies after all." Paul became serious.

"How do you think we should strengthen? I had a little friend in the news circle tell me that you wanted the Lakers to take David West. Your teammate in the Hornets, you like him, right?"

"Can you tell me who your insignificant friend is?" Paul almost couldn't help applauding Henson, because he was well prepared!Moreover, all the preparations are dry goods.

First of all, it is the championship and reinforcement, not the history of the team, such as the big market.These dry goods all hit Paul's G-spot.

"That's not important," Henson waved his hand. Presumably Paul doesn't know Silas, "What's important is that the Clippers won't sign West for you, because they don't have the determination to win the championship. As a "strong team", they are already satisfied. The Lakers won't sign West for you, because their composition is too complicated, and the signing cannot be made by one person. New York? Well, I didn't say it. But we will definitely sign the partner you need for you. In terms of reinforcement, we are not just talking casually .”

"I appreciate your sincerity, but I'm afraid you won't have a chance. I just talked to David on the phone. He is going to the Celtics, in a sign-and-trade format."

"No, don't say it's impossible, Chris. Like last season, people said I couldn't play [-] games, said the Pacers couldn't make the playoffs, said we couldn't beat the Magic, said we couldn't trouble the Bulls. The result? The impossible became possible. We need you, not a box office guarantee, but a championship! Championship, Chris! You can't win a championship without a good team. We can't do it without a good leader and star. But if we cooperate, believe me, we can do something together. "

Paul didn't speak, but put his hands on his chin, thinking about something.

"Think about it and communicate at any time, and I won't disturb your beautiful morning. Now, I have to go to work on David West. David wearing a green jersey? God, that's really ugly." Henson accepted it as soon as he saw it, and didn't continue to put pressure on Paul.

The magic of the Pacers was witnessed by Paul last season.And their sincerity is also very sufficient.

A few days later, when the Clippers were still bragging to Paul about Griffin's potential and how big the Los Angeles market was, they didn't mention the championship and reinforcement plans.Paul's cell phone received a text from Henson, simple but solid: West will wear corn next season.

At that moment, a certain string in Paul's heart seemed to be touched.He felt that heart, Henson's heart of a champion who was as hot as himself!

A team without the heart of a champion will never be a champion!
After the meeting with the Clippers, in the face of countless rumors that "Paul is infinitely close to the Clippers", Paul looked at the scenery of New Orleans outside the window and said something to his manager Leon Rose.

"I want to go to Indianapolis."

(End of this chapter)