The Pacers already had an extra day off than the Celtics, and Henson gave the players a day off himself. Therefore, before the start of the Eastern Conference semifinals, Henson at least made sure that the players had no physical problems.

When he was on the training pitch today, Henson found his players full of energy. They have rested enough, and now they can't wait to go out and "hunt".

"Boss, do you want to arrange any special tactics for the Celtics?" After the start of the training, Becky. Harmon also thought that Henson was going to set up some new tactics. After all, only she knew that Henson was studying the Celtics long before the series with the Pistons ended.

People think that Henson is ignoring the Celtics, but in reality, Henson is just prepared.

"Nothing special, against the Celtics, we just have to do what we normally do." Henson stood on the sidelines, his face relaxed.

"Hmm...... Even for Kelly. Doesn't Owen make any special arrangements either? ”

"I don't think the shrink bag is a special arrangement, because we do it against any player."

"You always have to evaluate everything before the game starts." Becky. Harmon shook her head, and she suddenly felt that her worries were unnecessary. Because with what she knew about Henson, it was impossible for Henson to fight an unprepared battle.

"You'll have that ability sooner or later, Becky. I know that the media has a high opinion of Celtic. But I often say that the media just farts. ”

Henson also watched the sports news this morning, and there was no doubt that after the Celtics eliminated the Bucks 4-0, the pundits seemed to immediately forget about the Celtics' poor regular season record and instead boasted about the Celtics.

Indeed, compared to the Pacers sweeping the Pistons. The Celtics swept the Bucks, and the gold content is indeed higher. Because as we all know, the Bucks' progress this season is very noticeable. At least in Henson's opinion, the Pistons can't compare to the Bucks.

Last season, the Bucks ranked 18th in the NBA in defensive efficiency, and this season they have risen to fifth, and it can be said that the Bucks have made a qualitative leap. Budenholzer adjusted the Bucks' defensive strategy, making the Bucks closer defensively, and the principle of prioritizing the protection of the interior made many teams uncomfortable, which made the Bucks' blocks sixth in the league.

Last season, the Bucks were the worst team in the league to protect rebounds, especially defensive rebounds. As the saying goes, those who get rebounds win the world, so this season's Bucks have made a leap forward, with a defensive rebounding rate of 75.5%, second in the league, second only to the Pacers. It's enough to shock other teams, and I have to say, it's really incredible.

Budenholzer's arrival has changed the Bucks' system dramatically, and their record has improved dramatically. He is the coach who has made the most significant improvement on his team since Kerr took over from Mark Jackson at the helm of the Warriors in 2014.

In this era where winning depends on the stars, and the coach is blamed for losing. Budenholzer has become a living example of how important a good coach is to a team.

However, it was such a team that made great progress and did achieve good results that was easily swept by the Celtics.

Therefore, it is not for nothing that experts suddenly began to "kneel and lick" the Celts again.

While the Celtics deserve credit for sweeping the Bucks, Henson thinks the media has blown the Celtics too far.

First of all, the Milwaukee Bucks are actually not as strong as people think. It's like the Clippers won two games against the Warriors, and you can't just say the Clippers are a championship-caliber team based on that.

The Bucks have improved a lot this season, and the premise of a lot of improvement is that the Bucks played too poorly last season. Like the Pacers, people don't use the word "a lot of improvement" because the Pacers did a near-perfect job last season. This season, of course, there will be no room for improvement.

Secondly, the Bucks are a team without superstars. The likes of Bledsoe, Middleton and Mirotic are not first-line stars in the league. But the Celtics have Irving, Hayward and Horford, as well as Tatum and Jalen, who claim to have top talent. Brown.

With such a big gap in the lineup, the Celtics swept the Bucks, in fact, there is no need to be proud.

The Celtics are still the same Celtics, and even the opponents who swept in the first round of the series can't hide the fact that the Celtics have gotten weaker.

Thinking of this, Henson patted Becky. Harmon's shoulder. This female coach is still a little overly nervous sometimes.

"Remember, Becky. As the manager of the team, as the real controller of this team. As long as you have confidence, your players won't give up. So, stay calm at all times, especially in front of your players and coaching staff, you know? ”

Becky. Harmon nodded, knowing that she still had a lot to learn to become the head coach of the Pacers.

"Tonight, I told everyone to go back early to rest, and they were not allowed to practice. It's going to be tomorrow and I don't want them to overdraw all their stamina early. ”

"You didn't personally urge them to leave the training ground today?" Becky. Harmon smiled, in the past, if the players were to be prevented from training, Henson would rush everyone one by one before he was resigned.

"I'm not going to play cat and mouse with them today, I'm going to have an appointment in the evening."

"Oh? Going out with your family? ”

"No," Henson raised an eyebrow, "a date with the Celtics manager." ”

※※※

Two men sat in a quiet little bar, and the bartender was standing earnestly behind the bar, ready to take orders. The two men talked and laughed, and would clink glasses from time to time.

Located in downtown Indianapolis, this bar is one of the best bars in the world. But the reason why there are only two people here today is because these two men have rounded it up.

“...... Remember that time? If I hadn't pulled you in time, you might have beaten that damn referee into a panda! Oh my God, I can't imagine it. If you hit the referee, you might be banned for life, hahahahaha! ”

"yes, many times if it weren't for you, I don't know how much cargo I would have had. Hey, I was young. There's so much to do. ”

Henson laughed, it was a rare treat for him to get together with Stevens and talk about the old days.

"Actually, I still think ...... My time with the Pacers was the best time of my coaching career. "Opposite Henson, Celtics coach Brad. Stevens played with the wine glass in his hand.

Since Isaiah. Thomas and Kelly. After Irving swapped owners, Stevens didn't have a good time. Especially this season, when the world was expecting the Celtics, the Celtics did not play well in the regular season.

And the end result of the poor regular season record is that they must meet the Pacers in the Eastern Conference semifinals early!

"Don't say that, your good times haven't come yet. When you lead the Celtics to a championship, you know what true beauty is. ”

"Henson, is there no room for redemption? I mean, the thing about your retirement. With so many unforgettable pictures and so many beautiful years, are you going to leave it behind? Stevens looked at Henson, and the smile on his face froze.

Because all the pictures they recalled just now will be brought to an end.

"What is irretrievable, it is so sad to say. I'm just going to pursue a happier way of life, and you should bless me. ”

"I know Henson. Joe, there is nothing happier for him than directing a game on the basketball court. Stevens said something that made Henson look like a child who had been exposed to lies.

The two were silent for dozens of seconds, and in the end, it was Henson who broke the silence first.

"Another drink?" Henson proposed.

"No, your body and tomorrow's game won't allow us to do that."

"Well, that's the end of it?"

"That's it...... Henson, this series ......"

"I'm not going to let you win, Brad. I'm confident of winning and maybe one day after I retire, you'll win the O'Brien Cup, but not now. Don't think it's my last season and I'm going to have no desires. ”

"I know, and I want to say it. Don't think this is your last season, I'm going to show mercy. Let's go, I'll send you back, or Anjiali will blame me again. ”

With that, Stevens went to the bar to settle the bill. Henson sighed, Stevens is good anywhere, he just doesn't lie.

He could see that Stevens didn't have the confidence. The guy knew better than anyone else what was going on with the Celtics, but he decided to give it his all.

He doesn't want to leave Henson's final season with regrets, so he is willing to fight Henson one last time!

On the one hand, Henson is very grateful to Stevens as a dear friend, but on the other hand, he ......

Henson needs to knock out his best friend's team in the most brutal way possible, and he only hopes that Stevens won't be affected in any way at work.

If the Celtics were to cut Stevens one day, Henson would be the first to step up and invite Stevens back to the Pacers to assist Becky. Harmon.

Stevens is right when he said that the time they worked together was the happiest time. But in this year's playoffs, Henson expects Stevens to have the most unbearable time.