basketball player

Chapter 132 Chapter 130: The Final Lineup

Chris Paul and David West, no one expected that the farce of this offseason would end up like this in the end.

"The two captains of the Hornets defected collectively and reunited in Indianapolis!"

"Paul and West teamed up with Indiana, and the Pacers became the biggest winner of the offseason!"

"Wrong choice! The combination of Paul and Griffin disappeared!"

Since Henson and Bird held the press conference, it was the Pacers that no one expected at the beginning that finally caused a major earthquake in the league.The final decision between Henson and Bird also ended the "farce" that had ravaged the league throughout the offseason.

Regardless of whether the report is positive or negative, whether the reporter looks down on Paul's final attribution.One thing you have to admit is that the Indiana Pacers haven't attracted this much discussion and attention in a long time.Because this deal came so unexpectedly.

From David West's decision to jump out of the contract, to Paul's public proclamation that he wants to be traded.From the almost completed transaction between the Lakers and the Hornets, West and the Celtics are about to sign.

From beginning to end, the transfer of Paul and West seemed to have nothing to do with the Pacers.Coach Henson is taking care of his development. He brought back two more rookies from the draft, and it seems that he has no intention of participating in this shit.His meeting with Paul in New Orleans was seen as more of a routine.

However, just when Paul was infinitely approaching Los Angeles and David West was about to put on the Celtics jersey, the Indiana Pacers intervened, ending the "arms race" between the two giants, the Lakers and the Celtics.

After Paul finally negotiated with the Hornets, he airborne Indianapolis.And Paul's good partner, David West, one of the captains of the Hornets, suddenly decided to accept the Pacers' contract.

This sudden wave of "robbery" by the Pacers caught the entire league off guard.Everyone can clearly see their ambitions. Bird and Henson Joe don't just want to hoard rookies. What they want next season is to go further!
So, 5 days before the start of the new NBA season, on December 12, in the training ground of the Conseco Arena.Everyone in the Pacers finally saw Chris Paul!
Paul glanced at Henson as he walked into the training hall, and gave him a slight nod.Then he walked to his new teammates, ready to say hello to everyone.

He was very happy to see his good brother David West on the training ground, and the presence of West also made Paul feel less strange about this place.Of course, Paul is also very much looking forward to the performance of that group of hardworking young people full of potential in the new season.

"I don't need to introduce myself, let's skip the flattery. What I want to say is that I am very happy to play in a new environment. I lost to you twice last season, and I know everyone's ability. So this season, I hope everyone can join me and defeat all other opponents!" Paul walked into the arena without much nonsense, and immediately made everyone nervous.

Win, all Paul wants is to win.He's a superstar, but as long as you want to win and work hard for it, it shouldn't be too much trouble with Paul.

This is the benefit of having a superstar on the team, and now even if Henson doesn't show up in person, Paul will let the little guys tighten their skins.

A few days ago, the state of Paul George and others had declined due to the departure of Granger, the old leader, and the state of the locker room was also somewhat problematic.But after Paul appeared, Henson believed that he and West, the experienced captain, could regain stability in the locker room.What's more, Henson also has the badge that reduces the chemical reaction damage caused by the lineup change by 50%.

I believe it won't take long for the Pacers' team atmosphere to become as perfect as last season.

After Paul finished speaking, he nodded to everyone, and the young players applauded to welcome Paul's arrival.Afterwards, everyone continued to train, and Paul walked up to Henson.

"I knew that I could wait for you here." Henson shook hands with Paul enthusiastically. The two seemed to be very familiar with each other. "This is Frank Vogel, our defensive coach. This is Stephen Silas. Before you entered the league, he was the acting head coach of the Hornets."

After introducing Paul to his right-hand man, Henson wanted to hear what Paul would say to him.

"You promised me, Henson, the championship. I don't ask you to let me win the championship right away, but I want to see your determination to win the championship. I'm not kidding. If your team is lazy and has no desire or idea to win the championship, I really won't renew your contract. You don't want to pay for an All-Star and a potential point guard, just in exchange for my right to use for one year." Paul cut to the point, because he knew that Henson is also a person who doesn't like nonsense.In fact, this commonality between the two is one of the reasons why Paul has a good impression of Henson.

"Go to the training ground and practice with them and you'll know, Chris. My boys are definitely the hardest-working guys in the league! Hurry up and warm up, the confrontation training in the afternoon, I don't hope you can't get used to our high-intensity." Henson raised his eyebrows, signaling Paul not to think too easily about the Pacers.

"As you wish, boss!" Paul smiled and stepped onto the field.

Looking at the bustling scenes on the court, Henson let out a sigh of relief.After tossing the entire offseason, I finally tossed out this lineup.

"I can't believe that Chris Paul actually appeared in the training ground of the Conseco Arena." Vogel also felt emotional, "But only 5 days, can Paul really get along with others?"

"Time is indeed a bit tight, but when your master is a master of ball control, you don't have to worry about such problems at all." Henson folded his arms confidently, and he was already prepared for Paul's arrival.

In the confrontational training in the afternoon, Henson tried for the first time the style of play he was going to try in the new season.

Paul, George, Green, West and Horford are the starters. Compared with last season, the Pacers' lineup is more traditional.But on closer inspection, it's not that "normal".

First of all, both Horford and West have shooting ability. Although they can't eat alley-oop pies like flying into the sky, they can definitely eat their fill of open shots.And with two insiders with strong shooting ability at the same time, the Pacers will not be unable to implement a space-based play because of Granger's disappearance.

Granger's advantage in playing the [-] last season was not only his flexibility, but also his shooting ability.

Secondly, George, who is 2 meters tall, was placed in the position of shooting guard, making him extremely conspicuous.Whether it is defense or offense, this tall second position will bring great trouble to the opponent.Last season, Bogans of the Bulls was tortured to death by George's trick of playing the second position.If Henson didn't use George to play the second position last season, it would be impossible for the Pacers to fight the Bulls to tiebreaker.

So this season, Henson simply put George on the starting lineup.And originally, George was also Henson's key training target.

"Remember, space! Basketball is undoubtedly a game of gaining and squeezing space! As long as we have space, we have a chance to score! This is how we reached the Eastern Conference semifinals last season, and this season will be the same! No, we have to do better!" Henson opened his mouth and shouted from the sidelines. He wanted to pour the word "space" into the players' bones.

With Paul on the court, Henson doesn't have to worry about playing fast and slow.This lineup is indeed slower than last season's fast pace, but it's not as slow as the Spurs.Paul can lead the team's offense with the most appropriate rhythm and speed.

Moreover, Paul, West and Horford all have the ability to hit the ball accurately at the first time, and defensive counterattack is still the Pacers' strength.

Playing a little slower now has little effect on offense.And if the Pacers want to play a small lineup, Henson can also change.

Thinking of this, Henson turned his attention to the players of the substitute first team.Hinrich, Stephenson, Leonard, Yi Jianlian and Anderson.In addition, there are Matthews and Jimmy Butler.Henson's personnel reserves are very sufficient. If you play a small lineup, just a few adjustments can make the Pacers go crazy.

Yi Jianlian has shooting ability, and Anderson can run and jump. These two guys are simply perfect inside substitutes, and there is no problem as a center for a small lineup.As for those perimeter players, the defense is as good as it was last season.Whether playing fast or steady, the Pacers this season can handle it!
"Last season, once the game was forced into a positional battle, the team played very difficult, such as meeting the Bulls. Or the opponent had a strong inside, and we were very difficult to play, such as double-killing our Grizzlies, such as Griffin and Jordan. But this season, our lineup can change two styles of play, and the inside is more solid. The Achilles heel of last season, now no longer exists."

Looking at the players training on the field, Henson smiled smugly.

On the court, Paul passed a pass to George, but George missed it due to lack of movement.But Paul didn't lose his temper. Instead, he beckoned to George and explained in his ear.

"Paul is an excellent leader. He will reprimand those teammates who don't want to make progress. I respect this attitude. If someone feels inappropriate, then this kind of person should not play with us." This is what West told Henson after learning that Paul was about to join the Pacers.

Paul didn't lose his temper with George or others just now. It seems that it is because he has seen that this team has the same strong competitive spirit as him!
It's okay to make mistakes, what Paul doesn't like is to settle for the status quo.
On the first day of confrontational training, although the players were still a little unfamiliar with tactical movement and rhythm, overall Henson was still satisfied.

Experienced Paul and West, George, Leonard, and Stephenson who are ready to show their strengths in the new season, Green, Matthews, and Horford who are steadily improving, "Birdman" and Yi Jianlian who are suitable for the system, and by the way, there is also Jimmy Butler who is full of unknowns.
In 5 more days, the regular season is about to start.And Henson, with a brand new lineup, is ready to continue last season and the offseason that just ended, and once again surprise the league!

　Centers: Al Horford, Chris Anderson, Jeff Foster

　　Power forwards: David West, Yi Jianlian, Solomon Jones
　　Small forwards: Danny Green, Leonard

　　Shooting guards: Paul George, Wesley Matthews, Lance Stephenson, Jimmy Butler, Brandon Rush
　　Point guard: Chris Paul, Hinrich, TJ Ford
　　PS: Obviously there are only eight cards short of 300, but just now I saw that I was almost heading for 400!You are really ruthless, too ruthless.For ruthless people like you, I like to use Gagen to deal with them.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)