basketball player

269 ​​Chapter 267: Be the Protagonist
a year ago
"Coach Henson, I want to play."

"I'll give you 9 minutes."

"."

"What? Don't you think it's enough?"

"enough."

"Okay, just tell the truth Jimmy. Not enough, if I were a player, I would beat up the coach in front of me who didn't let me play."

"I dare not beat you, you are the boss."

"I'm glad you know that."

"Why did you trade me from Chicago?"

"I love watching you sit on the bench. Don't take it seriously. Well, I don't have the talent to joke. I chose to bring you to Indianapolis to prove that I need you, Jimmy. Not now, but later. If you think nine minutes is not enough to make you sweat. Then you go to the practice field, work yourself out, and then you won't feel less playing time."

"What if you don't need me in the future?"

"I'm going to need you, Jimmy. If you're going to trust me, just do as I tell you."

one day ago
"Jimmy, I need you to be ready for tomorrow's game."

"I've been preparing for a whole year, boss. I'm still wondering when you're going to need me."

"I need you tomorrow. I need you to surprise the Spurs. Use your defense, your offensive skills, and your toughness to torture the opponent's players."

"Still five minutes?"

"No, I need to let the whole world know you. What about you? Are you ready to let the world know yourself? I bring you on this stage, but I hope you will be the protagonist!"

"I said so, boss. I've been preparing for a whole year."

※※※

"Jimmy Butler! Blocked for the second time in this game! Gary Neal is no longer miraculous in front of Jimmy, and the San Antonio Spurs are in big trouble!" When Barkley saw Jimmy Butler blocked Neal's shot again, "Sir Flying Pig" could no longer contain his excitement.

When Henson replaced the guard in the second quarter, Barkley couldn't even recognize him.But now, Barkley can guarantee that he will never forget Jimmy Butler's name in his life!

After the block, Paul picks up the basketball and advances quickly.Popovich yelled from the sidelines, signaling his players to retreat quickly.But for the aging Spurs, this is indeed a bit too difficult.

Paul went to the basket, and the Spurs' defense shrunk the penalty area.But in the crowd, Paul delivered the ball accurately.The one who caught the ball was none other than Jimmy Butler who had just blocked the shot!
"Three-point shot, yes! Hahaha, Jimmy Butler, he can still shoot three-pointers! My God, what did Coach Henson do to him!? What did he do!?"

Henson hadn't done anything, and no amount of badges would have helped Henson if Jimmy hadn't exhausted himself in the training ground every night.

After Jimmy Butler hit a three-pointer, the difference between the two teams became 10 points again.Popovich had to stop the game again, and the Spurs had been passive since Jimmy Butler came on in the second quarter.Now seeing that the game will end in 3 minutes, the Spurs are still 10 points behind, which makes Popovich very annoyed.

He was fully prepared, and he thought he could handle all the situations that would come his way.But Mr. Popovich didn't expect that the Pacers had a surprise player, and they could kill a Jimmy Butler.

Popovich knew before the game that Henson had a better card than himself.But even so, Popovich is confident of winning.

But when someone with a better card also played cards differently, this made the Spurs a little bit overwhelmed.

Since then, Popovich has won Gary Neal. It seems that this magical undrafted pick cannot save the Spurs this time.On the Pacers side, Henson won Jimmy Butler, who played a lot of time today.Let Ray Allen play.

Henson hugged Butler as he stepped off the court.

"Thank you for keeping your word, boss."

"Thank you for your trust, Jimmy."

The camera lens of the on-site photographer undoubtedly captured this scene. Jimmy Butler, this stubborn guy who was abandoned by his parents and graduated from high school in the same year as Rose, became the focus of people's eyes for the first time!
Popovich shook his head. He knew why Henson hardly strengthened the lineup this summer.

The Pacers are like this now, is there any need for reinforcement?
In the next 3 minutes of the game, although the "big basic skills" scored consecutively in the interior, Ray Allen's fiery three-pointer as soon as he came up completely ignited the Spurs' hope of winning.

The moment the electronic buzzer sounded, Popovich could only sigh helplessly.He lost, but he also surrendered.

From Paul and Horford's reverse pick-and-roll to Jimmy Butler's sudden appearance, Henson has eaten himself to death.Popovich could only pat his players on the shoulders, "You have done a good job, don't be discouraged, go and rest."

"At the end of the game, 101 to 90, the Indiana Pacers took the victory at the ATT Center, ending the Spurs' three-game winning streak. Of course, today Coach Henson introduced us to his second-year guard Jimmy Butler! With 12 points, 2 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1 steal, Jimmy's appearance made the Spurs' second team offense almost stagnant. I think he must have been included in Neal's 'Most Hated Opponent' list."

As Barkley mentioned Butler's name, the T.NT reporter at the scene also found Jimmy Butler for a sideline interview.

Although Butler has been with the Pacers for a year, this is the first time he has ever given a sideline interview!This is the first time he has become the protagonist since playing basketball!
"Jimmy, do you think you can maintain this state today?" The reporter asked Butler a very easy question to answer.

Butler smiled shyly, turned to look at Henson who was shaking Popovich's hand, "As long as Coach Henson needs me, I can keep it."

"It seems that Coach Henson Joe's control over the locker room is very firm." Barkley smiled. Henson's army has become stronger and stronger.

※※※

"Damn it, Henson. You actually saved a hand, Jimmy Butler, I really didn't expect it, you cunning bastard!"

An hour and a half after the Spurs-Pacers game, in a small, very quiet local bar in San Antonio, two men were sitting at the bar chatting.And just an hour and a half ago, they were still fighting each other on the court.

"I didn't hold back. Jimmy has always been outstanding, but you underestimated him too much, just like you underestimated me back then. Pop, do you come here often?" Henson turned his head and looked around. This bar has a good environment, and there are many old photos of the Spurs on the wall.

"I don't come here often when I get older. You know, the head coach is a high-risk industry. Alcoholism is not good for us. Only occasionally, I will come to chat with old friends. But you, I think you have heavy dark circles today. You should not rest for a few days, right?"

"I'm used to it. Besides, can I rest well when I deal with you?"

"No, you can't get used to it," Popovich said, pinching a piece of ice into the glass. "The head coach needs to take care of his body just like the players. Why can I do it for so long? Because I protect myself all the time. Protecting my body means protecting my career. This is what I want to tell you today, Henson. I can read the fatigue on your face before the game starts."

Henson thought of his increasingly frequent chest pains, but didn't show any expression on his face. "Thank you for the advice, Pop. But until I get more championships, I will hold on."

"That's the best. Of course I have to remind you that the Spurs will win more championships. Cheers to health, Henson. I don't want to be the only jerk left in the league."

"Cheers to your health."

"By the way, Henson, the 2013 draft pick."

"Don't even think about it, Pop."

"I'm not done fucking, you bastard."

(End of this chapter)