basketball player

Chapter 179: Chapter 177

To be or not to be, Henson used this phrase to describe the game against the Bulls, which is not an exaggeration at all.

So far this season, the Pacers have only played against the Bulls once.However, the game was still lost.

Although that loss to the Bulls was during the first wave of back-to-back this season.At that time, the Pacers' physical reserves were not good enough, and George was also sidelined due to injury.

But Henson never makes excuses for himself. Losing is losing. It is an out-and-out fact that the Pacers have not won the Bulls since last season.

Last year, the Pacers were kicked out by the Bulls.At the time, Henson could say that the Pacers' roster wasn't built for the Eastern Conference semifinals.

But now, after having the league's best point guard Chris Paul, the experienced West, and the potential Leonard and others, this statement is obviously untenable.

The Pacers' current goal is the Eastern Conference Finals, or even the Finals!You can't just paddle in the playoffs with a superstar.

And if the Pacers want to rush out of the East, the Bulls must be an unavoidable opponent.Before the playoffs come, Henson must accumulate enough experience to accumulate the experience of beating the Bulls.

Therefore, this matchup is regarded by Henson as one of the most important regular season games of the season.The curse of the Chicago Bulls, the Pacers must rush past anyway!
Thibodeau, on the other hand, has no arrogance.Although Thibodeau also looked down on this half-baked coach last season, but until now, Thibodeau even thinks that those who underestimate Henson are stupid.

In this era of superstars, although the Pacers have Paul, the lineup is far from luxurious.However, Henson led this not-so-luxury team to a record of 27 wins and 7 losses in such a high-intensity season.Regardless of whether he is half-baked or not, he definitely has some abilities.

Therefore, Thibodeau was also very cautious when interviewing reporters: "This is undoubtedly an important game. Although we have won the Pacers once before, it does not mean that we can continue to win easily. I will not allow the team to lose to the Pacers, so I also let the players prepare for tough battles."

At Indianapolis International Airport, Thibodeau looked dignified.Every game in Indianapolis has been tough for the Bulls.

Moreover, the most important point is that Rose this season seems to be emitting a lot less light than last year's MVP season.

Thibodeau is also very clear that the reason for this situation is not that Rose did not work hard, but that Rose, who played 81 games last season and finally needed a rotation due to tactics, has become minor injuries this season, playing and stopping.

In fact, Rose's attendance in the first three seasons has been quite good.He played 81 games in both his rookie season and last season, almost full attendance.Even in the 09-10 season, which played the least, they played 78 games, and the absence of three games is almost negligible.

However, so far this season, Rose has missed 15 games!This number is more than the previous three seasons combined!This play-and-stop mode will also affect Rose's state to some extent.

Last season, even Rose, who was omnipotent, made the Bulls and Pacers fight until the last moment of the tie-break before deciding the winner.

This season, Rose, who is in a weak state, has changed from the young Holiday to Chris Paul. This is indeed enough to make Thibodeau nervous.

The last time the two sides played against each other, it was not so much that the Bulls defeated the Pacers, but rather that the Pacers defeated themselves due to physical fitness and injuries.

Thibodeau shook his head, trying to keep his composure.The game hasn't started yet, so don't lose your confidence!
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When he is at 8 o'clock in the evening, Conseco Arena.Many fans who did not get the tickets are still gathering outside the arena at this time, and learn about the game trend through the large LED screen outside the arena.

At this point, on the big screen, players from both sides have finished warming up, and the game will start soon.

Although Rose did encounter some injury problems with the Bulls this season.But Henson doesn't think the Bulls are easy to deal with because of this. Since losing to the Heat last season, the Bulls' configuration has also been upgraded again.

They took down the veteran off-ball offensive weapon, Richard Hamilton, one of the souls of the "grassroots" of the Pistons.

Although this off-ball runner who can make Kobe crazy on the defensive end has passed his peak, he is bound to bring a lot of defensive pressure to George.

In addition, on the Bulls' bench, Ronnie Brewer, Taj Gibson and Korver's three substitute cores are becoming more mature, which is also a point that the Pacers must beware of.Henson even believes that the competition between the second teams of the two sides today will be the key to the outcome of the game!

"It seems that Leonard's shooting stability is indeed much better. But to be honest... I don't think he is ready to complete the task you gave him." Watching Leonard hit four goals in a row and hit the iron three times in a row, Vogel couldn't help but feel worried about Henson's plan.

"It's okay to let him try. If he doesn't make a shot today, we still have other scoring points. But if Thibodeau makes a shot, he will definitely be very 'happy'!" Henson said without looking back. He had already stood on the sidelines with his arms crossed before the game started.

In fact, Leonard's shooting level is much better than when he first joined the team.Firstly, Leonard himself worked hard, and secondly, Frazier is really good at teaching shooting.Thirdly, under the influence of two badges that increase the speed of progress, Leonard's progress is undoubtedly even faster.

At least Leonard has made greater progress in shooting than Jimmy Butler.So now, Jimmy Butler is only playing occasionally to get acquainted, but Leonard is already an important rotation for the Pacers.

It can be said that most of his talents have been fulfilled, and Henson has not been disappointed.

And now, for this game, it was time for this kid to take on part of the offensive task!
Whether the second team will be opened up by the Bulls will determine who will take away the victory of today's game!

"Beep~~~~~" The electronic buzzer made the wooden floor of the arena vibrate, indicating that this heavyweight battle was about to begin.

"It's not the first time we've met the Bulls, and it won't be the last time! The difference is that tonight we're going to win the game. I don't want to see any results other than victory!" Henson summoned all the players to boost their morale before he was willing to let them play.

Under Henson's instigation for the past few days, the Pacers players all looked solemn, and the murderous aura alone overwhelmed the Bulls.

Looking at the opposite side, Rose, "Deng Yingqiao", Boozer, Noah, and Thibodeau are all mortal enemies who eliminated the Pacers last season. Even if Henson didn't say anything, the players were extremely eager to get back what they lost.

As soon as the game started, the Bulls got a taste of the determination of the Pacers tonight.

Rose hit the iron with his first shot in the opening game, but the inside fight was very intense.The rebound has been tapped several times in the hands of the four big men, but the ownership has not yet been assigned.

In the end, the basketball was shot directly outside the three-point line by West, and the task of grabbing rebounds was handed over to his teammates on the outside.

But this racket was too big, and the basketball went straight to the technical table.The Bulls players were all standing still and ready to serve the sideline ball, but Paul froze towards the basketball that could not be caught.

I saw Paul leaping out of the field, stretching his arms and grabbing the basketball back alive!Then he knocked over several computer screens on the technical table and fell into the arms of a group of technicians.

At the same time, Paul George quickly caught up, received the basketball rescued by Paul, and immediately launched a fast break!

Until this time, the Bulls players came to their senses.But if you chase now, you will definitely not be able to catch up.Loel Deng just followed George for a few steps symbolically, and then watched as George, who had lost the slam dunk contest championship, set the Conseco Arena on fire with a back dunk with both hands!
Meanwhile, West and Horford rushed over to the tech table and "fished" their field general out of the chaos.

At the beginning, the Pacers expressed their desire for victory with a flying save and a wonderful dunk!

Noah ran over with a dazed face and was about to serve the sideline. The attitude of the Pacers to fight you when they came up was really scary.

Henson turned his head to look at Thibodeau, "Coach Penguin" still had a calm expression on his face.

"Hey, let's see how long you can stay calm." Henson smiled. This time, the two rival coaches before the game were not in the mood to fight any more.Because they left the most intense battles on the basketball court!
(End of this chapter)