Angela had left Indianapolis to return to the Bay Area early at the start of preseason training camp to prepare for her final school year. So after that, Henson lived alone at home again.

Occasionally, Henson would hang out with the coaching staff, but only occasionally. The Pacers are a championship-caliber team right now, after all, and everyone on the coaching staff is very busy and doesn't have much time to come out and relax.

Silas was busy helping Henson observe rookies, and because Henson focused on Antetokounmpo, who had no nationality yet, Silas even had to run to Europe from time to time.

Fraser, as always, always likes to demonstrate and preach on the training ground. So after a training session, Fraser's consumption is not much smaller than that of the players.

As for Henson, Stevens and Vogel, the three who study tactics, there are so many kinds of game videos that I can't watch them at all.

At this time, when the Pacers were about to face the San Antonio Spurs, Henson was even more busy.

Greg. Popovich, the NBA's most inscrutable coach, is undoubtedly a very formidable opponent.

"......" put down the water glass in his hand, and Henson suddenly covered his chest. He felt as if his heart was pounding suddenly, and then a sharp pain began in his chest.

However, Henson didn't seem to be worried about this, he just lay on the table, motionless. Because this is not the first time he has experienced such a thing, he has experience, and often only needs to rest on his stomach for a few tens of seconds before his symptoms are relieved.

Sure enough, after lying on the table for a while, Henson straightened up again. San Antonio Spurs, San Antonio Spurs, but it's not worry-free at all......

※※※

On Nov. 5, the day of the game between the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs, countless media outlets have listed the game as the most important game of the day.

What kind of team the Spurs are, of course, it goes without saying. Although the Spurs haven't made any big moves in the offseason every year, the GDP is getting older every year. But the odd thing is that the San Antonio Spurs, they have always been a very competitive team.

Whenever you think this team is not good, when you think they are old, the Spurs can always remind everyone with a championship: "But don't say the Spurs are not good." ”

Last season, although the aging Spurs were overturned by the Thunder in the Western Conference Finals. But even so, no one would question the strength of the Spurs. This season, the San Antonio Spurs remain one of the favourites to win the title. In other words, it's a direct conversation between the East and West championship candidates!

Prior to that, the Pacers had won three straight games against the Raptors, Bobcats and Kings, while the Spurs are now also starting the game with a 3-0 record. They respectively defeated Anthony who owned. Davis and Granger's Hornets, the Thunder, who reached the Finals last season, and the Utah Jazz. I have to admit that the three opponents that the Spurs have won are indeed better than the three opponents that the Pacers have defeated.

Especially in the game against the Thunder, Frenchman Tony. Parker's mid-range shot in the final 1.2 seconds was revenge for the Spurs last season.

Although the three teams that the Pacers defeated were relatively weak, the Pacers also won by large scores. After a few games, it feels like the defending champion hasn't made much effort before the opponent has fallen, and the strength of the hard power shown is staggering. So comparing two teams based on their records alone is not going to give you a result.

However, no matter how the media uses to predict the outcome of the Pacers and the Spurs, there is one assessment that is almost one-sided.

"Even if the Spurs and Pacers have a similar team building model, even if the two teams have similar records so far. But most people agree that Popovich is better than Henson! ”

Most media outlets, with the exception of Indianapolis native, have almost reached such a consensus.

These two coaches, who also like to make a fortune by drafting, like to confuse their opponents by trickery, like to run trains with their mouths full, and are very flexible in on-the-spot command, will face off head-to-head in the eyes of the public. Needless to say, you know, how topical this will be!

People must have thought that the coaches of both sides were nervous at this time, spitting on the pre-game mobilization.

However, this was not the case, and Popovich was just quietly watching the players train. Popovich is well aware of the group of guys under him, even if there is no pre-match mobilization, they know what to do.

As for Henson, as soon as this guy got on the team bus, he fell asleep with two big dark circles under his eyes. Vogel shook his head, he had never seen an assistant coach for so many years, and he had never seen someone as desperate as Henson.

That's right, among the coaches he has worked with, only Henson became the champion coach in the end......

※※※

San Antonio's ATT Center, Henson definitely doesn't like it. First of all, the arena's predominantly black color palette doesn't make it look as lively as other arenas. Secondly, the team here has been difficult to play against for decades.

Although the Pacers can't meet the Spurs a few times a season, every time they meet, Henson feels pressured.

"Henson, do you have diarrhea?" Vogel yelled at the toilet door, pulling Henson back to reality.

"No, smoking." Henson said, tossing the cigarette butt down the toilet. With smoking prohibited throughout the players' tunnel and dressing room, Henson had to duck into the toilet to smoke one.

In the past, Henson smoked almost no cigarettes except for cigars during victories. But now he has to admit that smoking can really be an inexplicable stress reliever.

By the time Henson came out again, the players were ready. The starting line-up was clearly written on the tactical whiteboard, and Henson didn't change the lineup, even though Popovich probably had studied the starting lineup thoroughly. But in the end, Henson decided that if the enemy didn't move, I wouldn't move.

In the face of an opponent like Popovich, any rash move is very dangerous.

"Listen, I'm sure of one thing. In this game, we can't pass it easily. Forget the accolades of the first three races and forget about the easy wins! The real battle is only now beginting! Only by beating the San Antonio Spurs can we prove that we are a top team and that we are worthy to defend the title! Don't worry, hold on for 48 minutes. Let them know that we are not easy to deal with. ”

After Henson finished speaking, the originally calm players suddenly frowned one by one, and their eyes were resolute.

Vogel smiled slightly, this team has been deeply imprinted with Henson. Joe's brand. He didn't come out to say a few words before the game started, and the players couldn't find their form.

Before the start of the game, players from both sides came on the pitch almost at the same time to warm up. Henson coped with several media outlets, answering the hot topics of the past few days.

"If you think Popovich is better than me, then he is better than me. You can even think that my two assistants are better than me, and I will definitely not argue with that. Because, I don't care. The only thing I care about is whether my team is strong or not. ”

As always, Henson remains open-mouthed. Only this time, Henson didn't point the finger at Popovich. Because from the bottom of his heart, Henson still likes Popovich very much, and there are not too many grudges between the two.

Just after Henson finished speaking to reporters, he saw Popovich walking straight towards him.

"What? Want to eavesdrop on how we set up our tactics? "Respectfully, that's not Henson. Seeing Popovich coming, Henson opened directly with a little joke.

"If I want to do that, I'll send Tim over." Of course, Popovich is not a fuel-efficient lamp either.

"Last season...... Thank you for helping me scold the Alliance, otherwise the media would have treated me like a mad dog. Henson was referring to the discord between Popovich and Duncan in the divisional finals last season.

"Thank me? I'm just complaining about myself, and I haven't thought about you at all. Besides," Popovich looked at Henson with a smile, "you're a mad dog." ”

"I know now why not many media outlets like you, Pop."

"Each other, Henson."

"So, what exactly did you come to me to tell me? No, it's just trying to scold me as a mad dog. ”

"When I win you tonight, I'd like to treat you to a drink. It's rare to come to San Antonio, and I think we must have a good conversation. Popovich patted Henson on the shoulder, although it was not the first time Henson had fought the old man, but Popovich was still a stranger to Henson.

He was very interested in talking to this clear-thinking champion coach.

"And what if I win?" Henson quipped, and didn't say yes or no.

"You know, Henson, it can't be." With that, Popovich turned to leave.

Looking at the old man's back, Henson smiled slightly.

Competing against interesting opponents, the game instantly became interesting.

Therefore, the media that is only entangled in "who is stronger Henson or Popovich" will be so disgusted by the two.