The Whip of the God of Basketball

? The summer of 2002 in Boston came later than in the past.

Dennis Rodman took off his green jersey and left the court shirtless. In his heart he said to himself: My basketball career is over.

This is the sixth game of the 2002 Eastern Conference Finals. At the North Shore Garden Arena, the Celtics played against the New Jersey Nets. Before the game, they fell behind 2:3. This is a battle to go home or go on. Kay The Alters tried their best, but still lost the life and death battle and ended the season with regret.

This is the first time the Celtics have returned to the Eastern Conference Finals since 1988. The long-lost feeling, the long-lost passion, the long-lost hope, but in the end it was shattered and was destroyed by the crazy defense and fast break of the New Jersey Nets.

Fox Leon did not leave immediately on the bench, because many fans did not leave. They were applauding and cheering for the Celtics players and proud of the impressive results of this group of young people.

"Hey, let's go, let's go back to the locker room to sum up." Dick Hart reminded Leon, and Leon only got up from the bench and walked slowly towards the player tunnel. In the past year, at the end of each game, he would leave this passage, leave the noisy stadium, and return to the quiet locker room, which means that a happy or difficult night is over.

This time, the player channel is very long and every step is very painful. Leon knows that he doesn't want to leave.

This is the 291st day he has become an assistant coach for the Celtics. In these 291 days, he has paid a lot for the team and gained a lot. When the All-Star Game was over, Leon and the Celtics went into the real battle together. A fast, swift and energetic Celtics appeared in front of everyone. Their strong backcourt firepower, ubiquitous offensive points, and the Gemini in good form make the team almost invincible in the Eastern Conference.

In the playoffs, they defeated the Philadelphia 76ers and the Detroit Pistons in succession, and finally met the New Jersey Nets in the Eastern Conference Finals, a mountain that has always been difficult to cross in the Eastern Conference during the regular season. Although the two sides played a 2:2 record in the regular season, there was restraint in play and lineup. The Celtics ultimately lost in the cruel playoffs.

For the first time, Leon experienced the cruelty of the playoffs, the suffocating scene, the away game facing great pressure, the ecstasy after victory and the frustration after defeat. If the regular season is more like a game. Then the playoffs are war. In a real war, Leon was once again baptized. And now, he needs to walk back to the locker room to take a look at the trauma of the battle.

"I want to tell everyone that my NBA career is over. In this season. I have experienced the last fun basketball can bring to me. Thank you this city. Thank you. You have a greater journey and glory. But yes. For me, it’s over, it’s over." When Leon just walked into the locker room, Dennis Rodman announced to everyone that he would retire after the season and end himself in a green shirt. Legendary basketball career.

Rodman saw Leon walk into the locker room and threw the taken off jersey on Leon's head. Then he smiled and said loudly: "It's all over! I'm leaving here! I won't go gambling anymore! I'm going to the best brothel, to Atlantic City, and playing for three days and three nights! I want to make a movie, I want to travel the world, I want to participate in TV shows...I don't want to get up early to train every day! I don't want to be urged by you to work **** the court! I don't want to practice the pass in the triangle offense...I am leaving, Fox."

Speaking of the end, Rodman actually had some choking. In the two seasons in Boston, he received a lot of boos and criticism, but he magically persisted here. Because he also received a lot of praise and love. Many small fans like this colorful big guy. Often some small fans write to him, asking him why he dyed his hair green and why he has such a tattoo on his body. Ask him why he always likes to throw himself out of the field.

This Irish city is full of racial discrimination, but because basketball is also full of love, Rodman rarely played two seasons, but he is also 41 years old, reaching the limit of the age of a professional player, no matter how much he Like basketball like Boston or like gambling. His career as an athlete should be over.

"I originally hoped to take you to the finals once to experience that magical place, but I'm sorry kids, I don't think I can go there anymore." There were tears in Rodman's eyes. Light.

Leon took off the jersey on his head, put it on his body, and then stepped forward to give Rodman a big hug. The magical basketball career of this magical player is over. The Celtics' miraculous Eastern Conference finals journey this season also ended, they are so close and so far from the highest stage.

Thus, the Celtics' summer has come.

…………………

"I don't think I can continue to do it. I'd better become an assistant coach or consultant." Three days later, at the Boston Club Golf Course in Sinham, Massachusetts, the Celtics head coach John was on vacation. -Carroll offered his intention to resign to team president Danny Angie.

"You did a good job Carroll. If a coach leads the team to the conference finals and has to dismiss class, then no one in this league can call it a coach." Angie seems to have to do some retention, but Ka Rohr was unmoved, he smiled, with a golf ball in his hand, and said, "Everyone knows who is the real head coach for this team. The most precious quality of people." One is to have self-knowledge. I think leading a team to the Eastern Conference Finals is already a wonderful and great memory in my life. To be honest, I don't want to spoil it."

Angie smiled and said nothing again. He took Carol into the golf cart and went to the next hitting spot. Yesterday Angie invited Carol to come to Sinham to play Orff together. This is a After the more successful season, a small gathering of Celtics management. What Carol said is exactly what Angie wants to hear. It seems that Auerbach’s choice last year was not wrong. Carol is indeed an honest, self-aware transitional coach. His gentle personality allows young people to thrive in the team, while giving the true successor the opportunity to show off.

From the beginning of the All-Star Game, Fox-Leon really controlled the dominance of the team, the team’s play, training arrangements, and personnel rotations. Everything was arranged by him. What Carol did was just direct command. Give young people some guidance and cheer up the players before the game. Of course, in the playoffs, Carroll made several important substitutions and tactical adjustments as the head coach. He is like an excellent role player in the team, who can always make a few goals at important moments. Key ball.

"Thank you, Carol, and thank you for your dedication and contribution to the Celtics this most of the season. I will prepare a press conference in a while and announce your decision to resign as head coach. Boston The fans will thank you.” Angie moved out the remarks he had prepared, and after he stepped on the gas, he took Carol to the next hitting point.

…………………

Leon has been living with Khomeinis for a week in Tingtao Mountain Resort in Rhode Island, a well-known resort for the rich in the United States. During the All-Star Game, the two met here on vacation, but because Leon temporarily served as the assistant coach of the Eastern Stars team, Leon was busy with the team work until the Celtics season was completely over. Only then came to this luxurious manor in the cape with Khomeinis.

This former American railroad tycoon Vanderbilt’s mansion, this building full of European Renaissance atmosphere, was built on the coast. At night, the owner can listen to the sound of the sea hitting the coast and fall asleep soundly, hence the name Tingtao Villa.

Because it is now a National Historic Relic of the United States, Leon and Khomeinis could not live in the villa, but in a nearby hotel. Every day approaching dusk, the two of them would walk to the shore of Tingtao Mountain Villa and listen to the sound of the waves.

The stressful and hurried life of a season made Leon feel immensely exhausted both physically and mentally. Dennis Rodman announced his retirement in Boston more than a week ago. Then the Celtics held another press conference. The team's head coach John Card. Rolle decided to resign, and all the pressure came to Leon in an instant. Although the Celtics have not announced the candidate for the new head coach for next season, everyone knows that this candidate can only be Fox Leon, and even he himself understands it.

Isn't he just waiting for this day? Starting from an unknown scout, with the help of Auerbach’s strength and his own intelligence, diligence ~ www.NovelMTL.com~ It took two years to complete the road that others have walked for ten years, and now it is here. It is not the end, but a new starting point.

Walking side by side with Khomeinis on the white-capped coast, Leon looked at the inexhaustible sea and blue sky. He only felt that his future was like them, but far too big. The sea breeze in the summer approaching night is already a bit shivering. After walking for a while, Leon puts Khomeinis in his arms and prepares to take him away.

At this time his phone rang. It was a New York phone number, Wojnarowski.

"Tell me what happened, Andre." Leon knew that Wojnarowski has always been in the Three Treasures. The call at this time is only possible because of big news in the basketball world. occur.

"Don't you know? Your Celtics have changed again! Chris Wallace has resigned! He is going to be a player development consultant for the Grizzlies! The position of general manager has been revoked directly, and the president Danny Angie Will take full responsibility for management affairs."

The summer has just begun, and three of the Celtics have left.

The new season for the Celtics comes earlier than usual. (To be continued.)