basketball player

Chapter 631 629: Annoying summer
Abandoning the beauty of Mount Cook, Henson rushed back to the United States as fast as possible.

Chris Paul, this is definitely one of Henson's favorite players.Henson was very happy and grateful that Paul was willing to put all his eggs in one basket to accompany him to Indianapolis.After all, the Pacers at that time had nothing to do with the word championship.However, Paul resolutely chose to trust himself.

Everyone likes to feel trusted.

Henson remembers that he had just been eliminated by the Chicago Bulls.At that time, his main competitor, the Los Angeles Clippers, was sitting on Griffin, the super champion.

What if Paul really partnered with Griffin back then?Henson didn't know.All he knew was that Paul's appearance instantly turned the Pacers into a championship-level team.And once the champion is won, there will be five.

Among the "Four Heroes", Wade has one ring, James only has one ring, and Anthony has never played in the finals in his life.As for Chris Paul, he already has championship rings on one hand!
People say that Henson and the Pacers made Paul.Without these five championships, Paul would not be where he is today in history.But Henson believes that Paul also made himself and the Pacers.

从1到2，从2到3很容易。但从0到1，从无到有，却非常困难。

If Paul hadn't joined that year, it might have been difficult for the Pacers to become a championship-level team.And if you can't win the first championship, the subsequent operations will not be so smooth.

Therefore, Henson has always regarded Paul as the team's treasure.As long as he is there, the Pacers' locker room will never be messy.As long as he's on the court, Henson doesn't have to worry too much about the Pacers' offense.

He and Paul had a very good understanding. Sometimes Henson would explain a few words casually, and Paul would know what to do.Their partnership was close, and they were considered the smartest point guard combined with the smartest coach.

But now, all that goodness may be about to fade away.

"Boss, I heard that you have gone camping these days? Where is it?"

When Henson entered Paul's Indianapolis home, it was empty.As much as he hates to admit it, Henson guesses Paul moved most of his furniture to Houston.
"New Zealand, have you seen The Lord of the Rings?" Henson replied casually, and sat on the sofa as if he was at home.

"Really? I will take my family there to play when I have time."

"Chris, how much are they bidding?" Henson did not continue to greet Paul, and Paul knew the purpose of Henson's visit.

Last season, Paul was still one of the best point guards in the league.However, due to injuries and other reasons, Paul's performance has declined significantly.

In May of this year, Paul was already 5 years old.As a veteran, and a veteran who can see his status decline, Henson believes that no team should take the risk of giving Paul a maximum salary contract.

This summer, the Pacers prepared Paul for a four-year contract with an average annual salary of $1500 million.Although it is not a maximum salary, it is already the greatest sincerity under the current salary structure of the Pacers.

Therefore, Henson thought that the Rockets would not pay too much.But when Paul said the Rockets' price tag, Henson was silent.

"4 million in 1.6 years, they gave me a maximum salary."

Henson swallowed and gave a maximum salary to a 33-year-old veteran who was in decline. Morey was desperate! 4 million in 1.6 years, an annual salary of 4000 million US dollars a year!Even for Paul, that's an astronomical figure!

Moreover, there is a big difference between 4000 million a year and 1500 million a year, and Henson believes that elementary school students can see it.

Henson originally planned to keep Paul. If the salary gap was not too big, Henson also planned to play the family card to keep Paul.

But in front of 1.6 million people, Henson believes that all his rhetoric is selfish.

He also said to Paul last summer, "If there is a team willing to give you a maximum salary, I will never stop you."

The head coach should pursue championships and achievements, but players also have the right to pursue their own happiness.

After taking the last four years of the contract worth 4 million US dollars, Paul can also consider retirement with peace of mind.At least in the latter part of his career, he doesn't have to worry about his own survival.Look at Anthony, who is still no one cares about, and look at how miserable Wade is.Paul has this opportunity to sign a maximum salary, and Henson has no reason to block it.

"Boss, I'm actually... very reluctant to leave. Indianapolis is almost my second hometown. I spent the most wonderful period of my career here. But you also said that basketball is not the whole of life. Considering the future, I really need this contract. And the Rockets are also a western team, I don't have to directly confront you."

"Well basketball isn't all there is to life. Go ahead, Chris, go after what you want. You've done enough for Indianapolis, I have no reason to stop you."

"Hahaha, I believe this is not the main purpose of your coming today."

"Yeah, my purpose was to keep you. I just didn't expect the Rockets to offer too much." Henson spread his hands, "But I still want to say sorry to you, Chris. We chose to renew George instead of you."

"Don't be sorry, renewing George's contract is the best choice for the team. Besides," Paul smirked, "George doesn't get as much as I do."

Henson smiled and waved his hands. It has to be said that the price of 4 million in 1.6 years is indeed a bit scary.

At that time, many people will definitely say that Paul signed a premium contract, but in this period, Paul is the Rockets' only choice.So, they went after Paul with all their might, and there was nothing wrong with that.

Morey is not a fool, and it is impossible for a fool to sit as the general manager of the Rockets for many years.

"By the way, boss, I'm leaving. Do you have a replacement for me?"

As soon as Paul said this, Henson's mood just got better and then became gloomy.

Instead of answering, he shook his head silently.Chris Paul's replacement is so easy to find.

※※※

On July 2018, 7, more than a week after the free agent market opened, the Houston Rockets dropped a nuclear bomb on the entire league.

"Chris Paul signed with the Rockets for 4 million in 1.6 years, and the most extravagant guard line combination in the league is released!"

"Chris Paul switched to the Rockets, and the relationship between Henson and Paul broke down?"

"The rocket is fully fueled, and it is bound to take off next season!"

"Without the best point guard, can the Pacers complete the defense and establish a second dynasty?"

The overwhelming reports let fans all over the world know the news of Paul's switch to the Rockets for the first time. In Indianapolis, half of the fans wished Paul success in the future.The other half of the younger fans began to burn Paul's jerseys in the street.

But this is the misunderstanding that a professional player should bear. Didn't Allen Iverson say it? "If one day I die, I will engrave misunderstanding on my tombstone".

Paul's transfer has been talked about by fans.But Henson and Byrd didn't react because they knew the result a long time ago.

"You mean, you didn't even try to keep him?" Bird sat in the office, watching the news of Paul's departure, somewhat heartbroken.

"There's no need for that, Bird, that's 1.6 million, 1.6 million!" Henson shook his head, the current salary in the NBA is really scary.

You must know that the total salary of Kobe in the NBA for 20 years is only more than 3 million, and Paul's contract is almost half of the total income of Kobe's career.

"So, who do you think we should control next season? Oladipo? Brogdon?"

"That's what I'm struggling with right now, Bird. To be honest, I don't have a perfect replacement for Paul right now. This last lap for the two of us this summer is going to be a tough one, Bird."

Henson clutched his forehead in distress. It seemed that he hadn't bothered about the reinforcements in the summer for a long time.

(End of this chapter)