Chicago is a city that Henson is no stranger to.

After all, he's here twice a season to play away from home. If you are lucky enough to meet the Bulls in the playoffs, there will be even more.

In addition, the annual joint tryouts are also held in Chicago. As a result, Henson visits Chicago a year a lot.

But not once did Henson come to Chicago with such a heavy heart.

Coming to the Bulls on the road, Henson is usually impassioned. Coming to the joint tryout, Henson is often full of anticipation.

But for the first time, Henson felt that the city of Chicago was so heavy. After all, he had mourned the dead from his future in Chicago.

“...... Everything that passes quietly, there is no end to this world. Rest in peace, my love, your soul, will continue. Your birth and your existence are only a poem of hope, forever, dedicating these tears to you, this is a new language of love, and we will thank you for the dreams and happy days you have given me. Meet you for the first time in this place, forever. I walk through that gloomy lawn, and I will not be afraid, because your soul is with me...... Amen. ”

The priest finished his last eulogy at Sag's grave, and the black wooden coffin was carefully lowered in the tears of friends and family. Sag would henceforth sleep in the ground, and of course, Henson, an atheist, now believes that Sag did not sleep in the ground, but actually went to heaven.

A good man like him deserves this kind of treatment.

When he heard the news of Sag's death, Henson rushed to Chicago. Henson, who has no relatives in the United States, never imagined that he would one day come to the funeral.

Even when he had a heart attack, Henson never felt so close to death.

Life is really fragile, and he still remembers that more than a month ago, this old man who always likes to wear fancy suits was still playing with himself on the court. Now, however, Sager's interview will always be purely in Henson's memory.

Following the team, Henson presented Sag with a white flower. Of course, the way he offered the white flower was different from the others, and Henson got down on one knee and carefully placed the white flower on it, highlighting his great respect for Sager.

Henson then walked over to Sag's wife. The woman was still in tears, and although she had known that this would happen, the pain of the Sag family had not diminished in the slightest.

Henson hugged her, and usually faced the media, Henson's mouth was like a "machine gun", and he was always able to make witty remarks. But in the face of Sager's wife, Henson simply said, "Take care."

The whole process is over, but Henson is still reluctant to leave. Because he still had something to say, and he wanted to talk to Sag alone.

So Henson stepped aside and touched the inside pocket of his suit, and at this moment, he wanted to numb himself with a cigar or something.

But when I felt the empty pocket, I realized that I had been quitting cigars for several years.

"Need fire?" Just then, a man handed the lighter to Henson.

Henson looked up and saw that it was his old friend and, of course, an old enemy, Greg. Popovich.

Popovich also came, of course he came. Like Henson, Popovich is one of Sager's best friends.

On the sidelines, Popovich likes to tease Sager. His classic dialogue with Sag is enough to make a book of jokes.

But beyond the ridicule, it is the sincere friendship of the two men. Sag admired Popovich's humor, and Popovich liked Sag too.

So today, Popovich is the second NBA head coach to arrive at the funeral scene besides Henson.

"No, Pop, I've quit smoking for years." Surprised, Henson waved his hand and squeezed out a smile at Popovichki.

Henson noticed that Popovich's eyes were ruddy, and I believe he must have been very uncomfortable at this time.

"I really regret that I didn't get to see him for the last time." Seeing that Henson rejected him, Popovich put away the lighter, which made him sigh back to the sky.

"He lives forever in our hearts, Pop. I think today, the Spurs seemed to have a game. ”

"So what? I've got a lot of opportunities to play. But Sag's funeral can't be missed. It's the same for you, and you're going to New Orleans tomorrow to play. ”

The two coaches looked at each other and smiled, they both liked to win. But at this time of year, victory doesn't seem to matter so much.

"What do you think...... Can you go to the finals? After a few minutes of silence, Henson spoke again and asked Popovich a question.

"I don't know, I'm an old man, Henson. I'm not going to be impassioned to say that the championship has to be ours. The Warriors are strong, and I think you know as well as I do. I'll do my best, but it's really not easy to defeat them. ”

It was the first time Henson had seen Popovich look sad about an opponent.

"What about you? Do you think you have a chance to win the championship? Popovich kicked the ball to Henson.

"Of course I would, otherwise why should I come back?"

Henson's answer was crisp, as if the Warriors weren't to be feared at all.

"You're pretty confident, but that's who you are."

"It's not confidence, Pop, it's that I have to. Winning the championship is my mission. Henson stared at Sag's tombstone, remembering what was expected of him.

Sager, Bird, the players, the fans...... Henson wasn't willing to come back because he wanted to win the Eastern Conference.

"Have you ever heard of a phrase commonly used by Asians? Pop。 Henson withdrew his gaze and stared at Popovich with determination......

※※※

"Old man, you said you should be optimistic. So today at your funeral, I didn't shed a single tear. I'm sure you just went to a better place. ”

"I know that you have spent your entire life working hard for the cause you love. Of course, you're finally on the stage of the finals. Don't worry, you go to the finals and wait for me first. This season, I won't miss my appointment again. ”

"You don't believe it? Well, I'll come back to see you before the finals begin. I'll send you a ticket to the finals as proof. Sleep well, Sag. So that when you interview me in the finals, you can leave the country in good spirits. ”

"Finally, I would like to thank you. It was you who let me know what I should do in the future......"

At this point, there were only two people left around Sag's graveyard - Henson. Joe and Popovich.

Henson only knelt down on one knee to speak to Sag after everyone had left.

Popovich didn't step forward to bother, because he knew that Henson definitely didn't want to be bothered either. Otherwise, he wouldn't have to wait until the people were gone.

Standing under a large tree, looking at Henson, who was muttering in front of Sag from afar, Popovich kept thinking back to the conversation he had just had with Henson.

"Have you ever heard of a phrase commonly used by Asians? Pop。 ”

"What?"

"A lifetime hangs in the balance."

"A lifetime hangs in the balance? What do you mean? ”

"In ancient Japanese, this phrase meant that the samurai used their lives to protect their fiefdoms."

"And what do you mean now?" Popovich asked.

Now, it means desperately trying to do something, and it's worth spending your whole life pursuing. For me, it's about winning the championship. And now, that's my life credo. ”

Reflecting on the conversation, Popovich licked his dry lips. Undoubtedly, that's what Sag taught Henson. Golden State Warriors, you're in big trouble.

The not-so-strong sunlight was obscured by a few dark clouds, and Henson stood up, ready to leave with Popovich.

It's going to rain.