basketball player

Chapter 146 144: Kobe's determination
Kobe will never forget December 12 last year. It was just an ordinary day. He sweated in the training hall and seized every minute and every second to prepare for the arrival of the new season.

But that afternoon, a picture of a press conference broadcast on TV caused Kobe's peaceful heart to stir up waves.

On the TV in the training hall, Henson smoked a cigar, and then said the words that are enough to be written into the history of Indianapolis basketball: "Chris Paul is already a Pacer."

When the league originally rejected the deal between the Lakers and Paul, Kobe was already angry once.Little did he know that seeing Henson announce Paul's joining now, Kobe still felt a little unwilling.

During that time, everyone was discussing how many championships Paul and Kobe would be able to win.But with Henson's official announcement at the press conference, all these fantasies finally came to an end.

Paul's failure to join the Lakers, the impact on this team is not just as simple as the loss of a superstar.

First of all, the heartbroken Odom was finally traded, and the embarrassed Kupchak, who made Odom almost cry in a phone interview, traded the best sixth man of the Lakers to the Mavericks, just in exchange for a special case of the transaction.After all, the relationship between the two sides has become such that Odom can't do without a trade, he has to go, even if the Lakers almost sent the best sixth man for nothing.

And Pau Gasol, who was also injured in his heart, although he did not leave the team, although he seemed calm on the surface.But you can imagine with your toes, how disappointed Gasol is with the Lakers management.

As the hero of the Lakers nearly two consecutive championships, Gasol did his best in Los Angeles, but in the end he was put on the shelf easily.The morale of the Spaniards will be somewhat affected by this.

Therefore, the miscarriage of a Chris Paul trade has a huge impact on the Lakers.

The Lakers have played so far this season, with a record of 10 wins and 7 losses.Of course, this record cannot be said to be bad, but it is certainly far from meeting Kobe's expectations.In that poisonous snake's heart, he was still thinking about the championship!

So this time when he met the Pacers, Kobe held his breath.He desperately wants to prove, prove to himself, and prove to his teammates that even without Chris Paul, as long as you follow me, you can win!
"The team did go through a two-game losing streak recently, but we have no problems. All of us are ready and ready to crush the next opponent who blocks us." Kobe, wearing sunglasses, said at Indianapolis International Airport the day before the game.

"For Chris Paul, do you think he added any special meaning to this game?"

Hearing this question, Kobe was stunned, ".No, no matter who the opponent is, our goal is to win."

The determination of the Black Mamba and Paul George's injury give people reason to believe that the Lakers will end their losing streak in Indianapolis.The Pacers, who started with 11 consecutive victories, are likely to experience their first losing streak this season.

"An angry Kobe would destroy the Pacers guard."

"The Lakers' twin towers will completely collapse the Pacers' defense!"

"Coach Henson Joe's luck has come to an end, he has encountered the worst poisonous snake in the league!"

As always, legions of the media sat and watched Henson's jokes.Once the team has an injury, how to adjust the personnel will undoubtedly test the coach's skills.And most people think that this half-baked Chinese coach does not have such abilities.

He was not surprised by the reporters' evaluation of Henson.Sometimes, I get used to being scolded when I scold.Occasionally there are a few games without the media standing up to look down on him, but he will feel that something is missing.

Therefore, when the outside world is unanimously expecting Kobe to successfully "revenge", Henson sits on the sidelines of the training court with his assistant Frank Vogel, and his eyes fall on the No. 30 rookie Jimmy Butler, who has only played in garbage time before, who is practicing shooting with Frazier in the corner.

"Jimmy worked very hard, and his level of effort was comparable to Leonard's. It's just that compared to Leonard, his progress was slower. His shooting is still a mess, even worse than when Stephenson first joined the team. Stephenson was just not stable, but Jimmy was just the opposite. He was so stable that he could smash the basket."

Hearing Vogel's evaluation of Butler, Henson almost couldn't hold back his laughter.

"I know, and I don't need him to become a super scorer overnight. Although his progress may be slower, the rate is definitely great." Henson waved his hand, and the potential of A+ is not deceiving.

"Do you think he will be ready for the next game? In fact, we don't need Jimmy Butler to play, we still have Stephenson."

"Stephenson can try to play the No. [-] position in the next game. That kid's organizational skills are actually not bad. And Jimmy, his defense may help us. I won't let him play for too long, but George is not here. This is a good opportunity for us to see what he can do." While speaking, Butler's shooting practice came to an end, and he was sitting on the wooden floor to rest.

Henson got up and walked towards the young-looking senior guard.

"Jimmy, how does it feel to shoot a basketball?"

Hearing someone calling him, Butler raised his head slightly.After discovering that it was the head coach, he immediately got up and stood up respectfully, "It's not bad, boss!"

"No need to be so serious, I just wanted to have a casual chat with you. You know, I never cared what people say about a player, just like I don't care what people say about me. I always believe that seeing is believing. Know why I brought you to Indianapolis? Because I believe you have value in you that those bastards who look down on you don't see."

Butler didn't speak, just listened quietly.He didn't know why the Chinese coach suddenly said this to himself, so he couldn't get in the way.

"In the next game, I am going to let you show your value. Do you think, are you ready? I am willing to give you a chance. What can you bring to me?"

Chance!Jimmy Butler knows very well that for a rookie at the end of the first round, every opportunity is especially rare.Play well and you'll be in everyone's sights.If you don't play well, you may pack up and leave immediately.This is the cruel situation in which low-ranking rookies survive in the NBA.

Coaches and fans will not listen to you say one more word, think of one more excuse.Give you a chance, even if it is a 1-minute chance, you must find a way to make the coach's 1 minute worthwhile.

"I'll do whatever you ask me to do, boss. I'm willing to do any dirty or tiring work. Even if you don't score, it doesn't matter if you don't hold the ball." Butler replied decisively.

Henson smiled, this sentence is a bit like Stephen.

"Then get ready, be ready at any time. Because in the next game, I don't know when I will suddenly send you up to surprise those bastards."

Henson left smiling, seeing Butler's desire to move up, and that was enough.

Will George's injury affect the victory?In the next game, Henson will show the group of guys who are looking forward to losing every day, what is the depth of the bench!
(End of this chapter)