With the Nets and Bulls fighting for a tie-break in the first series, the Pacers' Eastern Conference semifinals opponent has been up in the air. And this also gave Henson's team a week-long break.

But there has always been a misconception that the longer the team rests, the more advantageous it should be, but this is not the case.

Generally speaking, the favorite rhythm of a game for professional players is to take a two-to-three-day break to play a game. In this way, they can both recover physically and mentally during this time, and they will not feel rusty about the game because of it. But if you don't play for a week or more, it will take the players out of rhythm and make it difficult to adjust their nerves from rest to high concentration in the playoffs.

So in the first game of the series, when the Bulls were still immersed in the killing state of the seventh-steal, and in doing so, they broke the Pacers. Henson's team, but not quite in the groove yet. After this game, even the Bulls' starting center Joaquin. "The Pacers haven't played in a while, so they're a little rusty," Noah said. ”

What's more, the Pacers didn't just have a week's rest. The first round was against the Bucks, although Jennings had claimed he would take six games to tackle the Pacers. But the truth is, the Pacers didn't face any pressure in the first round. 4 games, each with a double-digit point difference, speaks volumes.

So, it's fair to say that the Pacers haven't played a tough game for almost a month since the start of the April win over the Thunder. The Chicago Bulls, who were plagued by injuries, did their best to fight all the way from the regular season to the playoffs.

It turns out that the longer the break, the greater the advantage. But Henson believes the team will soon regain their game feel after the baptism of the first game. The Pacers aren't afraid to play hard, and as long as they get used to that pace of the game, the team has no problem.

Now the question is, Paul. George's guy seems to have "fallen" too badly.

Indeed, this season has been a year for George Soaring. He became the Pacers' leading scorer, an All-Star and the Most Improved Award. After a whole season, George had a smooth ride.

But he is, after all, a man, not a machine. As long as you are human, you can't perform so well in every game. What's more, George, who was born in 90, just celebrated his 23rd birthday a few days ago.

Henson remembers the birthday party where George said he wanted to be one of the greatest stars in Pacers history, just like Reggie. Miller like that. This shows how high George expects from himself.

However, the last game made George see the cruelty of this league. Knowing this, Henson wouldn't have let George make that last shot. It's not that he can't throw, but this time the lore failed, which greatly increased George's psychological burden.

"What's wrong with that guy? I don't feel very interested. On the sidelines of the training ground, Vogel stared curiously at the tall, lanky guard with his vest soaked. Although they lost the last game, the others who found their game form have been outstanding in training.

Only George, who always looked depressed and unhappy, couldn't get excited.

"Not every boy gets up quickly after a setback. George, this guy, is still immersed in yesterday's loss. I believe George is strong, but it will take time for him to get back strong. But in the playoffs, what we lack most is time. Henson shook his head and replied, George hadn't broken free from defeat yet, and that was his biggest trouble now!

"After training, you can talk to him." Vogel looked at Henson, he knew that Henson was close to the players, and he was also a mental master, always able to bring out all the passion of the players.

"Do you think I don't? I talked to him before training started today. But for now, it doesn't seem to be working. He always thought I was comforting him. Sometimes, there are some words that are not suitable for the manager. Henson sighed,

"Who's going to say that?"

"Something," Henson said, turning his gaze to Paul, "is more appropriate for a player to say." ”

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At the end of a hard day's training, some players are discussing where to relax in the evening, while others are planning to add a few more sets later. Of course, there are also players who are ready to go straight home.

And Paul. George was the most special of them all, he didn't do anything but sit in front of his locker, his phone in his hand. On the mobile phone, it is the picture of his missed shot at the last moment in the last game.

"Talk to George?" At this time, on the training ground, Henson grabbed Paul, who was about to go back to the locker room to change clothes.

Chris. Paul, though this is only his second season with the Pacers. But there's no doubt that the respected No. 1 point guard has been the leader of the Pacers' locker room. He and David. West's leadership skills, combined with Henson's prestige on the team, are the reasons why the Pacers haven't had any negative incidents.

"That's right, as a leader, as the big brother of the team, I want you to make George understand that a true leader doesn't dwell on past defeats. He must look forward to burst out with maximum strength! Henson shrugged, "I talked to him, but to no avail. So I hope you can talk to him again. ”

Paul nodded in understanding, and he also noticed that something didn't seem quite right with George's state today. But Paul also understood that talking to George so often would only put him under a greater psychological baggage.

"You only talked to him this morning, so I'm afraid now is not a good time to talk to him."

"You don't have to talk to him today, if you can," Henson looked at Paul and paused deliberately, "If you can, you can try to change his mentality in the game the day after tomorrow." ”

"In the game? Boss, you're really me. Paul held his chin as if to think of something, "Okay, I'll do my best." ”

Watching Paul walk into the locker room, Henson suddenly felt a lot more relieved.

He trusted Paul to be able to accomplish this mission, just as he believed that Paul would certainly be able to carry out the tactics he had arranged. There are few people in the world who know how to deal with defeat and how to be a true team leader better than Paul.

And the unthinking conversation between the two players in the game is likely to be the most sincere and effective.

I hope these two Pauls can regroup and continue to lead the team forward

※※※

May 8, 2013, Indianapolis, Bankers Living Arena, home team locker room.

He has missed nearly 9,000 goals in his career, lost about 300 games, and missed 26 times when he was hoping to make the last shot. He failed again and again, but that's exactly what made him successful! ”

Paul muttered to himself in his heart, but quickly shook his head. The above passage is Michael. One of Jordan's classic quotes comes from an advertisement related to Jordan. It can be said that it is a very famous passage in the basketball world. Of course, it also frequently appears in various "chicken soup articles".

Paul wanted to use this passage to motivate George, but on second thought, it was too vulgar. If George's matter could have been solved so simply, Henson wouldn't have found himself.

"Press and press the ball carriers and don't let their team's offense work! Tougher for me on the defensive end, if the Bulls want to be tough, then give them tough, give me a decisive breakthrough, and create damage! At this point, Henson was already making the final arrangements for his players, which meant that the players were getting closer and closer.

Paul, on the other hand, still hadn't figured out how to cheer George up.

Until the whistle blew to mark the start of Game 2 of the series, Paul still couldn't speak. Sure enough, as Henson said, he had to figure out how to do it in the game.

"You talked to George?" After the game began, Vogel asked Henson with concern.

"Not yet, talking to him too often will only backfire." Henson stared at the court with a serious face, and in the first offensive of the opening game, a somewhat timid George allowed Belinelli to get a shot. Fortunately, the Italian guard missed his own shot, which did not allow the Bulls to score as soon as they came up.

"So what to do, let it go?"

"Trust me, Frank. When the game reaches a certain point, everything will be solved. With that, Henson left the bench and stood on the sidelines.

The Pacers went on offense.