The Basketball Court Swordsman

On October 17th, the Bankers’ Life Arena was very lively. Outside the stadium, the Pacers officially posted a huge poster.

What's more peculiar is that the characters on the poster are not players, but a back figure who is about to step out of the player's tunnel.

This back figure is wearing a suit and does not look tall. There is no doubt that this is Henson Joe’s exclusive poster!

On the poster, there was a simple but powerful sentence!

"The road to dynasty!"

That's right, the Pacers have won two consecutive championships before. This year is an excellent opportunity for them to create a second dynasty! In addition, this year is the last season of Henson, so this poster also has some tribute to Henson in it.

The huge poster outside the arena does not show the players but the back of the head coach. This kind of thing is probably the first time in the entire NBA history.

That's why Jimmy Butler wanted to leave Indianapolis. Because here, no matter how well you play, you can't be the protagonist. The protagonist of the Pacers will always be the Chinese man in an Armani suit.

Henson is sitting in the locker room and the players are wearing their gear. Rose wrapped layers of protective gear on his knees, and George was very careful about protecting his legs.

Only Antetokounmpo, that guy wears the least protective gear among all players. After all, his physical condition is also the most abnormal.

Seeing that the players are almost ready, Henson also said a few words.

"Tactics, I think you all have practiced vomiting this month. So, I won't repeat it here. Today, I have only one request."

Henson paused, then looked at the crowd, "Do me some pretty!"

At the same time, Barkley, Kenny Smith and O'Neal also arrived at the talk station. The three looked very excited, and people wanted to see how the Pacers without Paul could reverse the preseason decline.

Moreover, a very cruel fact is that Henson's game was watched one game less. Therefore, the TNT trio is also extremely cherished.

Not long after they took their seats, the on-site staff handed over the starting list submitted by Henson today to the three. The rule of the NBA is that the head coach must submit the starting list to the referee before the start of the game, and then the referee will provide it to the commentator and live broadcast media.

This is why, no matter how the head coach changes, the correct starting list is always played on the screen during the live broadcast.

Because referees and commentators are often the first group to know the starting lineup.

After Barkley, Smith and O'Neal took over the list, they couldn't wait to take a look. Among them, Kenny Smith was surprised, Barkley and O'Neal smirked.

"I knew that the preseason was a **** pretense! That guy Henson Joe is really sinister!"

Barkley licked his fat lips, and the game started!

Tom Thibodeau was sweating, he had just finished tactics for his players, but he still felt a little uneasy.

That's right, the Pacers' performance in the preseason can be called the scene of a car accident. The Pacers left Paul and his strength was greatly reduced.

But for some reason, Thibodeau is very upset. Maybe it is because he has lost too many games in this arena...

Thibodeau predicted that the Pacers might use Rondo to replace Paul. With Rondo and Antetokounmpo, these two guys will squeeze the Pacers' offensive space.

Therefore, Thibodeau’s strategy is clear. Put Antetokounmpo and Rondo, the defenders in the first and fourth positions can unscrupulously help defend other players.

Especially for Paul George, Thibodeau believes that Jimmy Butler and his teammates will definitely make Paul George completely misfired.

At that time, it is impossible for the Pacers to win the game if Antetokounmpo alone hits the basket!

Thibodeau knows Rondo too, after all, Rondo also played for the Bulls. Compared with Paul, his scoring threat is not worth mentioning!

"Be more confident, be more confident!" Thibodeau muttered to himself in his heart, and then patted his cheek.

The whole Indianapolis pays tribute to Henson, but he would not do that!

Don't blame me for not giving face, old opponent!

Half an hour later, the Timberwolves players stepped confidently into the floor of the Banker’s Life Arena. At the end of the team was Tom Thibodeau, who looked arrogant.

He believes that he has found a way to limit the Pacers' offense. As long as the Pacers are not allowed to open up on the offensive end, the Timberwolves will have a big win!

"Hello everyone, audience friends, this is TNT, welcome to watch the 18-19 season, the live broadcast of the NBA opener! Today, we are live in Indianapolis to bring you a wonderful game between the Timberwolves and the Pacers!"

Seeing that both sides came to warm up, the TNT trio also started their work. O'Neill looked at Thibodeau, who was confident, couldn't help but smirk.

He looked forward to what Thibodeau would look like when he saw Henson's starting lineup.

"As we all know, Chris Paul signed a four-year contract with the Rockets worth $160 million this summer! His departure will undoubtedly have a lot of impact on the Pacers. The Pacers played in the preseason. Five games, only won one. Do you think they can bottom out in the regular season?"

Kenny Smith deliberately asked Barkley that although they knew the starting list, they still had to pretend not to know for the effect of the show.

"Definitely, no doubt. Henson Joe's team is the defending champion, and the Timberwolves last season was just a round trip. Responsibly speaking, there is a big difference in strength between the two sides." Barkley didn't even think about it. Want to answer.

Many fans smiled, fearing that this "big mouth" might be slapped again.

Indeed, the Timberwolves were indeed just one round last season. But one summer, Towns and Wiggins must have made great progress. Most believe that the Timberwolves are likely to be the first to break the Pacers' dominance.

When warming up, Thibodeau urged the players nervously. And Henson... a reporter photographed this guy buying an ice cream for his daughter who went to watch the game. He behaves like a fan, not a head coach about to direct the game.

Then Henson pretended to pull Rondo to his side and whispered a few words. Seeing this scene, Thibodeau couldn't help swallowing. Experience tells him that once Henson talks to a player before the game, that player will definitely perform well.

"How would he ask Rondo to do it?" Thibodeau speculated in his heart, "Is it possible to make him shoot a three-pointer? Did Rondo develop a three-pointer this summer? It doesn't make sense!"

The TNT trio on the commentary stage has already laughed. Henson’s not going to Hollywood to develop is really a big loss for the film and television industry.

Finally, at 8 o'clock in the evening, the referee urged the two coaches to let the starting five come out. On Thibodeau's side, he held a tactical board to shout at the players until the last minute.

"Don't put Rondo too far, he may shoot a three-pointer!" The former top coach of the league was trapped by Henson before the game started.

On Henson's side, he didn't even get a tactical board. Just casually waved his hands and let the players out.

He believes that even Thibodeau has no choice but to take his lineup.

After all, how can he deal with a point guard who is more than 2.10 meters tall!

"The starting players from both sides played, and the Timberwolves have not changed much from last season. Jimmy Butler and Jeff Teague partnered with the back line, Wiggins and Ty Gibson partnered with the forward line. Karl-Anthony Towns played. Center, Thibodeau has not changed! And the Pacers side..."

At this time, both the live fans and the fans in front of the TV were stunned. No, let alone a fan, even Thibodeau is stunned at this time.

He looked at the Pacers' lineup on the field. There were Brook Lopez, Siakam, Paul George, Oladipo, and...and Yannis Antetokounmpo!

Get two power forwards! ? The point guard! ? Where is the Pacers' point guard! ? Let Oladipo control the ball! ? At this time, Thibodeau's heart was full of Nick Young's question mark face, Henson Joe's changes, he couldn't understand!

"Coach Henson has a very different lineup. We can see that Rajon Rondo, Brogdon and Derek Rose are all sitting off the court. In other words, the Pacers have no point guard on the court. . And this lineup has never appeared in the preseason." Barkley looked at Antetokounmpo, if he guessed correctly, he is Paul's replacement!

In the eyes of people's astonishment, the players of both sides stood in the designated positions. Thibodeau swallowed. He made so many targeted arrangements for Rondo at first, but Rondo didn't play at all. In other words, his layout was completely in vain! At this time, the Timberwolves players were at a loss.

At the beginning of the new season, Thibodeau was hit by Henson!

The referee blew his whistle and Lopez scrambled for the ball to the cheers of the Pacers fans. Oladipo received the basketball, but he did not control the ball to advance, but gave the ball to Antetokounmpo next to him!

Antetokounmpo dribbled the ball while gesturing to direct his teammates to move. Thibodeau took a breath, Antetokounmpo is not a power forward, but a point guard!

Although these years, the ball-possession forward has been increasingly used by various teams. But a striker with a height of more than 2.10 meters still makes Thibodeau feel a little shocked.

What would Henson do? How will the Pacers play? Thibodeau had no bottom in his heart. Facing the unknown is the most feared thing for human beings.

Seeing people's surprised expressions, Henson put his hands around his chest triumphantly. The great play he directs is about to be staged.

The new point guard era is officially here!