basketball player

576 Chapter 574: The last piece of the puzzle

Siakam received the ball from outside the three-point line, and James Johnson pushed up like crazy.

However, Siakam didn't panic, he didn't act like a rookie at all.Under Johnson's hard press, Siakam shielded the basketball and waited for Antetokounmpo's screen to be in place.

After Antetokounmpo set up a screen, Siakam held the ball and prepared to break through.James Johnson immediately bypassed Antetokounmpo, intending to continue to block the impact of No. 43 in front of him.

However, Siakam changed hands with a back and rushed to the side without cover.James Johnson made a misjudgment, but he didn't look like he wanted to give up.

I saw Johnson rushing towards Siakam like crazy. In terms of athletic ability, he is much better than Luke Babbitt.

However, as Henson knows.James Johnson can be too crazy sometimes.This is both his strength and his weakness.

Siakam is already in the air.In fact, there is no need to stop it.But James Johnson jumped up and collided violently with Siakam. While getting a foul on his back, he failed to prevent Siakam from scoring.

James Johnson rushed to the referee angrily after landing, but his foul just now was actually not in dispute at all.

Siakam high-fived his teammates one by one, then stared at the American Airlines Center fans booing from the free throw line, and made a steady increase.

13 points, this is Siakam's 13th point in this game.Henson said he could score in double digits today, so he did.

Although in the bet between Henson and Siakam, this is Siakam's loss.But in fact, this has greatly enhanced Siakam's self-confidence.

"Pascal played really well today! If it was Kevin Rooney, he wouldn't be able to shoot three-pointers or break through with the ball." McMillan spent the entire game today in surprise.

When Henson was going to trade Rooney for Siakam, McMillan strongly opposed it.But now, Siakam's performance speaks for itself.It's not that Kevin Rooney is bad, but Siakam is more suitable for the Pacers than Rooney.

"That's right, so I said that in the middle of this season, we have added a Siakam, which is more than enough. There are 5 minutes left in the game, Nate, and I will leave it to you and Becky. If there is no accident, the Heat will not come back today."

Henson applauded Siakam while talking, then sat back on the bench and raised his legs.

Whenever Henson made this action, the commentators knew that the game had ended early.
Although the game is over, although the Heat are doomed to lose this game.But Henson's head was not empty. At this time, his thoughts were not on this game, but on the whole season.

Before and after the All-Star Game, the full strength of the Pacers has basically been brought into play.From Antetokounmpo's outbreak to Oladipo's awakening, and now Siakam's emergence.

Henson expected the Pacers to be in the strongest state, which is basically the case.If nothing else, the Pacers should use the current lineup to hit the playoffs and the championship.

Whether he can win the championship and succeed, Henson still needs to experiment in the regular season in the next one and a half months.So, although the All-Star game has just ended.But in fact, Henson has already planned to prepare for the start of the playoffs.

He has promised An Jiali that he will quit basketball completely at the age of 40.

The last time Henson retired, it was more due to physical reasons that he had to compromise.But this time, Henson wanted to retire on his own.

Henson is now 37 years old.By October, it will be 10 years old.There is not much time left for him to beat the Warriors, so every season, Henson does not intend to give up lightly.

The buzzer at the end of the game brought Henson back to his senses. 119 to 104, the Pacers took another victory at the American Airlines Center.It seems that relying on Whiteside alone, there is no way for the Heat to get out of the Pacers' haze.

On the court, Siakam looked around him, not quite believing he had had such a fantastic night.After all, just 24 hours ago, he thought he would play for the Mad Ants today.

然而此时，他已经带着13分5个篮板2次助攻1次封盖，以及3投2中的三分球命中率，完成了他步行者队的首秀。

Although Siakam's data is not very exaggerated, but overall, his performance is enough to satisfy Henson.

Later, Siakam patted his jersey.He has been wearing the No. 43 jersey. After every game, he will first touch the No. 4 four times, which represents his father and three older brothers.Then he will touch number 4 three times, which represents his mother and two sisters.

Finally, he will point his finger to the sky.He knew that his father had been there, smiling as he walked onto the field...

"Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly the best player today, with 32 points, 12 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks. He once again scored an MVP-level performance. Since the early contract extension with the Pacers, Antetokounmpo's performance has been very explosive."

After the game, Jeff Van Gundy immediately started summarizing today.

"That's right, Jeff. But let me say that the player coach Henson admires most today is definitely not Antetokounmpo, but Pascal Siakam, an unknown guy. Two months ago, Siakam was sent to Indianapolis in a deal involving Kevon Looney. I think most people don't understand the details of this deal at all. After all, Siakam only made his debut today, almost two months after the deal was completed."

Mark Jackson picked up Siakam's data sheet and took over the topic of Van Gundy.He vaguely felt that this Cameroonian guy was far from being an ordinary rookie.

He is very likely to be the last piece of the puzzle in Henson's championship map.

Golden State Warriors, are you ready for the challenge?

※※※

The night after the game, Henson went for a walk on the beach in Miami alone.

Although it is winter at this time, Miami is a city with not so distinct seasons.Even in February, the average temperature in Miami is 2°C, which shows how warm the city is.

Miami is a sex capital, but Henson isn't in the mood for venues of color.It's not that Henson is so detached from the world, but that most women are really overshadowed by his wife.

So, Henson's activities tonight are simple.Just take a walk on the beach in Miami, and find a bench to sit when you are tired.This year's Indianapolis winter is very cold, and Henson has a rare opportunity to enjoy such a pleasant climate.

While Henson was thinking about things related to the playoffs, he saw a black shadow suddenly rushing past his eyes.

Henson immediately stood up and yelled.The runner stopped immediately, and his white teeth became more conspicuous in the night.

"Boss!? Why are you here!"

"I would like to ask you, why are you running at the beach at night?" Standing in front of Henson was the last piece of the championship puzzle that turned out tonight-Pascal Siakam.

"I was so excited that I couldn't sleep. So, I went out for a run. What about you? Boss, are you excited too?"

Since today's game, Siakam has more and more smiles on his face.

"Me? I just want to find a quiet place to sit. How does it feel to be a real NBA player?" Henson said while motioning Siakam to sit down and chat.

"It's so cool. If my father can see this scene, he will be proud of me!" Siakam said, looking at an old-looking pendant on his neck.

Inside, there is a photo of his father.

When he was in college, Siakam's father died in a car accident.

Because of Siakam's visa issues, he had no way to leave the United States, nor could he return to Cameroon to attend his father's funeral.Because once he chooses to leave the United States, he can no longer return to play in college.So the biggest regret in his life was not being able to see his father for the last time.

But at the same time, it was also his father's long-cherished wish, which allowed him to persevere until the end in the eyes of people who looked down upon him.

"It's right to be cool. When you fall in love with the feeling of being a star, you will redouble your efforts to become stronger. Don't relax training, Pascal. The regular season is just a warm-up. We are a championship team. We have to face the most difficult challenge. So, continue to improve yourself. The quality of a player can only be tested in the playoffs. And the Pacers do not allow players who can't play in the playoffs."

Henson patted Siakam on the shoulder, stood up looking at the starry sky, "Let's go, let's go back together, it's getting late. Tomorrow morning, I have to go back to Indianapolis."

"Head."

"Huh?" Henson turned his head, but Siakam didn't speak again.

"It's nothing, let's go. I heard that Miami is not safe at night."

"Hahahaha, with such a big man standing beside me, are you still afraid of being unsafe?"

Henson's hearty laughter was finally swallowed by the sound of the waves.

Since his father, Henson is the only man who has encouraged Siakam to persevere and really thought about him.He never underestimates himself, and he keeps teaching himself how to be strong.

Siakam wanted to tell Henson that you are like my father in some ways.But in the end, Siakam held back.

Sometimes gratitude doesn't come with your mouth.The playoffs are coming, and that's just right.

Because Siakam has decided that he will use his performance on the court to repay Henson's trust.

By the sea, the cool sea breeze made Henson sneezes a few times.Siakam helped him into the taxi, looking a bit like a father and son.
(End of this chapter)