basketball player

265 Chapter 263: Different Opponents
Anjali left Indianapolis and returned to the Bay Area early in preseason training camp to prepare for her final school year.So after that, Henson lived alone again.

While occasionally Henson hangs out with the coaching staff, it's only occasionally.After all, the Pacers are now a championship-level team. Everyone in the coaching staff is very busy, and there is not much time to come out to relax.

Silas was busy helping Henson observe rookies. Since Henson focused on the "spider monster" Antetokounmpo who has no nationality, this even forced Silas to travel to Europe from time to time.

Fraser is still the same as before, always likes to demonstrate and preach in person on the training ground.So after a training session, Frazier's consumption is not much smaller than that of the players.

As for the three who study tactics, Henson, Stevens, and Vogel, there are so many game videos that they can't finish watching.

At this time, when the Pacers are about to face the San Antonio Spurs, Henson is even more busy.

Gregg Popovich, the most elusive coach in the NBA, is undoubtedly a very strong opponent.

"Huh" Putting down the water glass in his hand, Hansen suddenly covered his chest.He felt as if his heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and then his chest began to hurt sharply.

However, Henson didn't seem worried about this, he just lay down on the table, motionless.Because this is not the first time he has experienced such a thing. He has experience, and often only needs to rest on his stomach for a few tens of seconds, and the symptoms will be relieved.

Sure enough, after lying on the table for a while, Henson straightened up again.San Antonio Spurs, oh San Antonio Spurs, it's not reassuring at all.
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On November 11, the day of the game between the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs, countless media have listed this game as the most important game of the day.

It goes without saying what kind of team the Spurs are.Although the Spurs don't make any big moves in the offseason every year, although GDP is getting old every year.But the strange thing is that the San Antonio Spurs, they have always been a very competitive team.

Whenever you think that this team is dead, or that they are old, the Spurs can always remind everyone with a championship: "Don't say that the Spurs are dead."

Last season, although the aging Spurs were overturned by the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals, they won four games in a row.But even so, no one will question the strength of the Spurs.This season, the San Antonio Spurs are still one of the favorites to win the championship.In other words, this is a direct dialogue between the Eastern and Western championship candidates!
Prior to this, the Pacers won three consecutive victories over the Raptors, Bobcats and Kings, and the Spurs are now also starting with 3 wins and 0 losses.They defeated the Hornets with Anthony Davis and Granger, the Thunder and the Utah Jazz who reached the finals last season.I have to admit that the three opponents defeated by the Spurs are indeed better than the three opponents defeated by the Pacers.

Especially in the game against the Thunder, the Frenchman Tony Parker's mid-range shot lore in the last 1.2 seconds can be regarded as revenge for the Spurs last season.

Although the three teams that the Pacers defeated were relatively weak, the Pacers also won by a large score accordingly.After a few games, the feeling is that the defending champion has not exerted much strength, and the opponent has already fallen. The hard power displayed is staggering.Therefore, comparing the two teams based on their records alone will not yield results at all.

However, no matter what method or angle the media uses to predict the outcome between the Pacers and Spurs, there is one evaluation that is almost one-sided.

"Even if the Spurs and Pacers have similar team building models, even if the two teams have similar records so far. But most people think that Popovich is better than Henson!"

Most of the media outside of Indianapolis have almost reached such a consensus.

These two coaches who also like to make a fortune from the draft, like to confuse opponents with tricks, like to run the train with their mouth full, and are very flexible in commanding on the spot, will usher in a head-to-head confrontation under the eyes of everyone.It goes without saying how topical this will be!
People must think that the coaches of both sides are very nervous at this time, and they are mobilizing before the game.

However, this is not the case. Popovich just quietly watched the players train at this time.Popovich knows what to do, if not what to do, with his guys.

As for Henson, the guy fell asleep with two big dark circles under his eyes as soon as he got on the team bus.Vogel shook his head. He had never seen someone as desperate as Henson after being an assistant coach for so many years.

That's right, among the coaches he worked with, only Henson became the champion coach in the end.
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Henson definitely doesn't like the ATT Center in San Antonio.First of all, the arena is mainly black, which makes it not look as lively as other arenas.Secondly, the teams here have been difficult to deal with for decades.

Although the Pacers can't touch the Spurs a few times a season, every time they meet, Henson will feel pressured.

"Henson, are you having diarrhea?" Vogel yelled at the toilet door, pulling Henson back to reality.

"No, I'm smoking." Henson said, throwing the cigarette butt into the toilet.Since smoking was banned throughout the tunnel and locker room, Henson had to hide in the bathroom to smoke one.

In the past, Henson hardly smoked except for cigars when he won.But now he must admit that smoking can really relieve stress inexplicably.

When Henson came out again, the players were ready.The starting list is clearly written on the tactical whiteboard, and Henson has not changed, even though Popovich may have thoroughly studied this starting lineup.But in the end Henson decided that if the enemy does not move, I will not move.

Facing an opponent like Popovich, any rash changes are very dangerous.

"Listen, I'm sure of one thing. This game, we're not going to take it easy. Forget the praise of the first three games, forget those easy wins! The real battle begins now! Only by beating the San Antonio Spurs can we prove that we are a top team and that we can prove that we are qualified to defend the title! Don't worry, hold on for 48 minutes. Let them know that we are not easy to deal with."

After Henson finished speaking, the originally calm players suddenly frowned and their eyes were determined.

Vogel smiled slightly. This team has been deeply imprinted with the brand of Henson Joe.Before the start of the game, he didn't say a few words, and the players couldn't find their status.

Before the start of the game, players from both sides warmed up almost at the same time.Henson dealt with several media, answering the hot topics of the past few days.

"If you think Popovich is better than me, then he is indeed better than me. You can even think that my two assistants are better than me, and I will never refute it. Because I don't fucking care at all. The only thing I care about is whether my team is strong or not."

As always, Henson remained outspoken.Only this time, Henson didn't point the finger at Popovich.Because from the bottom of his heart, Henson still likes Popovich as an opponent very much, and there is not much grievance between the two.

Just after Henson was interviewed by reporters, he saw Popovich walking straight towards him.

"Why? Want to eavesdrop on our tactics?" Respectfully, it's not Henson.Seeing Popovich coming, Henson started with a little joke.

"If I wanted to do it, I'd send Tim over." Of course, Popovich is not a fuel-efficient lamp.

"Thank you for scolding the league for me last season, otherwise the media would definitely treat me as a mad dog." Henson was referring to the grievances of Popovich and Duncan in the conference finals last season.

"Thank you? I was just complaining for myself, and I didn't think about you at all. Besides," Popovich looked at Henson with a smile, "you are a mad dog."

"I know now why not much media likes you, Pop."

"Both each other, Henson."

"So, what do you want to say to me when you come to me? Don't you just want to call me a mad dog?"

"When I win you tonight, I'd like to buy you a drink. It's rare to come to San Antonio, so you must be a landlord. I think we can chat very well." Popovich patted Henson on the shoulder. Although it wasn't the first time Henson had fought against the old man, Popovich was still unfamiliar with Henson.

He was very interested and chatted with this champion coach with clear thinking.

"Then what if I win?" Henson joked, without saying yes or no.

"You know, Henson, that's impossible." With that, Popovich turned and left.

Looking at the back of the old man, Henson smiled slightly.

Compete with interesting opponents, and the game becomes interesting in an instant.

That's why the media who only focus on "Who is stronger Henson or Popovich" will be so disgusted by the two.

(End of this chapter)