The Basketball Court Swordsman

The 2013 draft did not arouse too much discussion. After all, there is neither a goddess nor a Jordanian heir in this draft. Even the top pick Anthony Bennett was quickly forgotten by people, because a more exciting and colorful free agency market is about to open.

If we have to say which player in this draft has attracted the most attention, it is undoubtedly Antetokounm who has just obtained the legal citizenship of Greece three days before participating in the draft and was selected by the Pacers with the 15th overall pick in the first round. Bo up.

It stands to reason that a mere 15th overall rookie shouldn't get so much attention. But the team and people who chose Antetokounmpo are really special.

As the defending champion, as the head coach who has personally directed several successful drafts, people do not believe that the Pacers chose Antetokounmpo with their eyes closed.

Before this Greek boy was selected, people didn't even know that there was such a man. I have to admit that Henson has done quite well in the confidentiality of his plan.

Even more shocking is that Antetokounmpo did not even participate in any NBA team's trial training. As a result, all the teams in the league know nothing about Antetokounmpo. Except for Henson, no one knows what this guy with tall and long arms has.

But Antetokounmpo's fame brought him more attention and more troubles.

Criticizing Antetokounmpo's remarks, the day after the end of the draft has been flying all over the sky.

"The time Antetokounmpo has been in contact with basketball is too short. He needs a lot of time to make up for the lack of basic skills. I admit that Antetokounmpo's physical condition is very attractive. But basketball is not better than anyone else. Gao's sport. If he can continue to honed in the European League for a year or two, he may still be useful. But it seems that the Pacers have no such plans."

"Although Antetokounmpo’s athletic ability is extremely good, he does not have the explosive power level of an elite level. In addition, he must do more training, especially in terms of lower body strength. Because Antetokounmpo He is really too skinny. As an insider, he needs to know how to play the role of muscle power when facing opponents."

"He basically doesn't have the ability to shoot mid-range. He basically doesn't consider making jump shots in his offensive choices, but chooses to attack the basket. Antetokounmpo's three-pointers in the Spanish League last season can reach 31.3 %, his three-pointers are not stable, they are not very natural in shooting, nor are they particularly smooth."

"On the whole, Antetokounmpo’s understanding of basketball is mainly based on his physical strengths, basketball talents and physical strengths. In addition, he has always played in the lower leagues, which will also affect his Judgment of his personal ability. Maybe in the NBA, it is difficult to perform so well."

These reports make Antetokounmpo very confused. He hasn't played a game in the NBA. Why do these people criticize themselves?

On this issue, Antetokounmpo, who met with the team after the draft, taught the first lesson after entering the league at Henson.

"You have to remember one sentence, Yang Nis. Everything the media says is fart! Others fart, will you listen carefully?"

When Henson said this, Antetokounmpo was shocked.

Before that, Antetokounmpo had spent a total of two professional teams, and the coaches of both teams were the kind of good gentlemen. Speaking loudly seems to be the limit of their tempers, and this Chinese coach is **** when he speaks...

"No, sir." Antetokounmpo shook his head again and again. He had heard some rumors and knew that this Chinese coach was not easy to provoke.

"Sir? Hmm... I'm really not used to it. In the future, you don't need to call me sir (sir), just call me boss (boss). From now on to the beginning of training camp. Before, you can enjoy your vacation. When the free agent market opens, we will officially sign with you, and then you will play the summer league on behalf of the team. Remember what I said, everything the media talks about is fart This is true whether it is praise or criticism. What you have to do is to do your best to win the game, understand?"

"Yes, sir... Boss!"

This is all the dialogue between Antetokounmpo and Henson when they first met. After Antetokounmpo's affairs are settled, it also means that the busy summer is about to begin.

As a championship team and a team that has won two consecutive championships, Henson believes that the Pacers' primary goal this summer is to ensure the integrity of the lineup. In other words, Henson does not plan to make any big moves this summer.

Currently the team is well-organized and there are no vacancies in any position. But even so, the Pacers are not without action. In fact, on the first day after the free agent market opened, the Pacers signed a big contract!

"Paul renewed his contract with the Indiana Pacers for 107 million in 5 years, the champion point guard left behind the champion team!"

"Chris Paul: There is no reason to leave, I want to win more championship trophies."

"Henson: Never thought Paul would leave. We are close partners."

To maintain the integrity of the lineup, to put it bluntly, is to stabilize the current lineup at any cost. Henson didn't want the Pacers to lose a player like Harden with millions of dollars like the Oklahoma City Thunder did.

So on Paul's contract extension, Bird, Henson and Stephen Simon agreed that it would be no exaggeration to provide Paul with a maximum salary. Most of the players in the Pacers team now have "child labor contracts", which are easy to use and cheap. Therefore, he is also able to provide Paul with a big contract. That being the case, naturally should not be stingy.

If all the rookies of the Pacers develop in accordance with Henson's expected track, then soon, the Pacers will inevitably face difficulties in renewal. After renewing Paul with the maximum salary and renewing George in advance, the Pacers' space will no longer be so rich. Even if there is room, Stephen Simon cannot accept that the team has multiple top players. After all, Indianapolis is not a gold spot like Los Angeles and New York. Excessive luxury tax is indeed a burden for walkers.

But Henson did not want to delay the current contract renewal work because of the future. It is meaningless to hold down prices on Paul. As long as Paul is there, Henson can build the lineup he needs as he wants.

Because he believes that a point guard like Paul can adapt to any environment.

The Pacers’ enthusiasm and Paul’s willingness are not surprising. Paul has won two championship trophies just two years after joining the Pacers. It is not an exaggeration to say that both sides are still in the honeymoon period. And Paul's five-year long-term contract also represents his determination to stay behind the Pacers.

Just a few hours after Paul’s contract renewal, the Pacers officially announced that they would formally sign David West and Antetokounmpo, who were just selected, at a price of 23 million in two years and $8.61 million in four years. Bo.

It seems that these two signings are not newsworthy. But for Henson, leaving the seasoned West and officially signing Antetokounmpo is an important step in the development of the Pacers!

If next year or the following summer, the Pacers’ contract renewal work really becomes difficult, and a few young people really run away, then Antetokounmpo is undoubtedly the hope and capital of the Pacers’ re-emergence!

Although the Pacers has a good team atmosphere and Henson has a very good personal relationship with the players, he has been in the league for so many years and he also knows very well that the NBA is a business league and does not care about humanity and personal relationships. Can personal relationships allow you to leave an All-Star player with a basic salary? Human touch, can a player suffer the cost of losing tens of millions of dollars a year?

There is no permanent banquet in the world. Although Henson does not want anyone to leave, he can't stop preparing because of wishful thinking. So the joining of Antetokounmpo is of great significance to Henson! Even if someone really leaves in the future, but with Antetokounmpo, Henson can still suffer such losses!

After these two contract extensions, the Pacers' reinforcement this summer can be said to be over. In addition to renewing Paul George in advance, even if the Pacers have reinforcements, it will not be a big move.

At this point, after leading the team to win the championship, completing the draft work and assisting the team to complete the contract renewal work, Henson finally started his summer vacation. But just as he and An Jiali were about to study where to travel this summer and where the wedding arrangements would be in the future, Bird told Henson that the team had yet to finalize an important signing.

"What is important to sign? Isn't George's early renewal until September?" Sitting in Bird's office, Henson was a little puzzled.

Although Henson is a workaholic, he is also a living person. Seeing that the finals were almost over for half a month, he hadn't started his vacation yet, so he was naturally a little worried.

"A renewal that is more important than Chris Paul's renewal, and you have to participate in this renewal."

"Who?"

Bird did not answer, but handed a contract to Henson.

27 million in 3 years, renewal for 3 years. Henson looked at the contract and then at Bird. The renewal of this contract is not someone else, but Henson himself!

Yeah, he almost forgot. This summer, his contract has expired.

"How about? Still thinking about it?" Byrd smiled slightly, 27 million in 3 years, 9 million in a year. This is a very high annual salary for a head coach. Of course, Henson's results are also very worthy of such a price.

You know, Henson's first contract was only worth 15 million. In just three years, Henson's wages have seen a huge increase!

"You're right, Bird, this is indeed an important contract extension." Henson raised the pen and wrote his name on the contract.

The legend of the champion coach will continue in Indianapolis...