The Whip of the God of Basketball

Auerbach has dealt with basketball all his life. Whether as a coach or a team general manager, he has always believed in one principle: When the authorities treat you in a favorable way, make it more favorable.

From improvisation on the field, to tricks off the field, and even bargaining on the contracts of his own players, Auerbach will never give up any opportunity to extract advantages and benefits. His style of acting is tough and aggressive, but And helpless.

Rick Pitino, sitting next to him, felt it all the time.

The 1999-2000 season has just ended. This is Pitino's third season coaching the Celtics, and he is still blocked from the playoffs. Compared with the ambition three years ago, Pitty at this time Nuo came to the lowest point of his coaching career. Because the entire Celtics from team operation to player selection, from off-court training to on-court command is all under Pitino, the glory of revival will belong to him, and the blame for failure will also be borne by him.

This proud Italian descendant does not want his second NBA career to be ruined in such a dismal way. He has also heard that the big boss is about to sell the Celtics. If the ownership of the team changes hands, then his failed coach The concurrent general manager will be the first choice for culling.

Auerbach is the last straw he can rely on in the Celtics. If the team is sold and has a new owner, Auerbach, who has been with the Celtics for fifty years, single-handedly created the NBA's first It is certain that a legend of a wealthy family will be brought back to revive his appearance.

As long as Auerbach agrees, it is not impossible for Rick Pitino to continue to try as the head coach for another season. At worst, he will hand over the power of other positions. Pitino only hopes that he can still lead the team with the title of team coach. The Celtics have reached the heights people expect, at least don't think they are in such a mess now.

Ironically, it was Rick Pitino who made Auerbach resign three years ago. Pitino's proud posture was incompatible, and Pitino, who was finally expected by the Bostonians, easily squeezed away the aging Auerbach. Feng Shui turns, in the NBA this score determines everything, the champion is the only cruel jungle, desperate Pitino can only come back and bow to Auerbach.

However, Auerbach is not a guy who needs to be forgiving and forgiving. Pitino carefully approached Auerbach, but Auerbach was unceremonious, pointing out straight to the point that Pitino's tactical philosophy and The idea of ​​​​building a team is unacceptable in the NBA, and said: "If you want to succeed in the Celtics, you must inherit the tradition of the Celtics and find the team temperament that belongs to the Celtics, instead of using Your crass 3-point attempt is as successful as it was in the NCAA. I've always said that, first, the three-point line is farther in the NBA than in the NCAA. Second, the closer the ball is to the basket, the easier it is to score. Finally, Basketball is not an arithmetic problem where three is greater than two!"

Auerbach’s words are not polite. Although Pitino came to reconcile with Auerbach, as a coach who has achieved success in both the NBA and NCAA, he cannot allow himself to believe in and implement the basketball philosophy that has been successful. Belittled by others, he still couldn't help arguing with Auerbach even though he was so proud, especially when Auerbach said "simple and rude three-point tactics", which made Pitino completely difficult to agree with.

Whether in the NCAA or the NBA, Pitino is known for his three-pointers and full-court pressing tactics, especially the three-pointer. He caused controversy because of the three-pointer, and he also succeeded because of the three-pointer.

The three-point shot, a new rule that has been introduced into the NBA for 20 years, is considered by a group of coaches such as Pitino to be the key to future basketball tactics. The dispute eventually led to a big conflict between the two.

"Although my coaching has not been successful, it is undeniable that three-pointers are used more and more in the game and are becoming more and more important. My three-point tactics are not simple and rude. I don’t do enough on this aspect, and deny the use of this new technology and new tactics. I bet that one day the league will be dominated by three-pointers.” Pitino tried his best to hold back his anger, and responded to Auerbach in a low voice. .

So, Auerbach said that sentence, "The three-pointers and full-court press you favor are so simple that even a cleaner can use them, and we can't let the cleaner be the head coach of the Celtics." .”

When Leon heard these words, he guessed that he had another job to do.

…………………

The quarrel between the two did not escalate. From a distance, they seemed to be having a long conversation. Only Leon, who was sitting nearby with sharp ears, knew that they were fighting openly and secretly. Pitino hoped to get Orr Bach's help was unwilling to give in completely, and he was still insisting on his last bit of dignity; Auerbach just wanted to tear up Pitino's last bit of dignity, so that Pitino would admit that his understanding of basketball was just Pediatrics, everything has to listen to his Cardinal.

Until the opening ceremony ended, the audience stood up and applauded. Auerbach picked up a basketball and threw it to the children in team uniforms. The two were still talking about each other. Finally, Auerbach agreed Pitino said: "I just said that your three-point tactics can even be used by a cleaner. This is not a metaphor. I can prove to you now that your tactics are really too simple. It is as simple as a cleaner for an hour. figure it out.”

Pitino has long been furious in the depths of his heart. Since he entered the Celtics three years ago, Auerbach, an old stubborn, has been in the way everywhere. To this day, the Celtics are the only NBA team in the league without a cheerleading team. Pitino, who was carrying the NCAA championship lineup at the time, logically squeezed out the aging Auerbach.

Now, for his last chance of redemption, Pitino abandons his former suspicions and visits Auerbach. He can bear Auerbach's cynicism, but it is difficult to bear Auerbach's doubts about his basketball philosophy, just like he did in 1990. Leaving the Knicks because of a disagreement with Bianchi.

"I don't think my tactics are so profound and effective, but it doesn't mean that a cleaner can figure out the secrets. I really didn't achieve what I deserved in the past. I'm here hoping to get your understanding and support , making the Celtics better, but that doesn't mean you can easily deny my basketball thinking."

Auerbach applauded while smoking a cigar, moved his mouth slightly and said: "Come to the office later, I want to make a bet with you, if you lose, listen to me obediently, if you win, I will I fully support you."

After finishing speaking, Auerbach went down from the stands to take a photo with the children, leaving Pitino in the stands with a depressed face, and he didn't know what kind of medicine Auerbach was selling in his gourd.

…………………

After the opening ceremony, Leon was called by Auerbach to the office at the entrance of the training hall, which is connected to the locker room and is where the team coach works. Because it is an old-fashioned gymnasium, the office is very small, with only one desk, two stools and a blackboard.

Pitino took off his suit and was sitting on a stool smoking a cigarette. Auerbach patted Leon on the shoulder and said, "This is our cleaner, a guy who knows nothing about basketball. He just came out of MCI and came to me to complete community service." Rick, you can spend 20 minutes to explain your tactical concept to him, draw a few tactical diagrams, and I will ask him to repeat it later, if possible, prove that your tactics are too simple, even a cleaner can I can figure it out; if not, I lose."

Pitino looked at Leon, a tall and big mixed-race boy with a blank expression. He noticed this guy, who stayed around him and Auerbach during the opening ceremony. He thought it was a bodyguard, but unexpectedly It's a glass cleaner.

It was impossible for Pitino to agree to Auerbach's playful bet. This was simply an insult to him. Explaining tactics to a cleaner, what is this?

However, Auerbach's behavior angered him. He picked up the chalk suddenly, tapped on the blackboard, squinted at Leon, and said: "Listen, this will be the development trend of NBA tactics in the next twenty years. ’s course costs $200 an hour, and I’m teaching you for free today.”

Fox-Leon actually didn't want to come in to listen to this guy named Pitino talk about basketball tactics, but just now Auerbach held him back after the opening ceremony and told him that as long as Leon can help him win the bet If Pitino is hired, he will find a way to help Leon end his community service early, and even consider helping Leon find a job with the Boston Celtics.

During the two months in prison, Leon has been thinking about what kind of job he should find. As a time traveler, he could not die and travel to the year 2000. He can neither compete for world hegemony nor invent and create, and this body My body is not my own, and I cannot invest in real estate to buy a house. The worst thing is that I have lost my memory.

What's the point of such a crossing?

Leon has even planned to go to a casino in Hamilton mentioned by Simmons to gamble and win some money after completing his community service, enroll in a night school to get a diploma, and then start his life again.

Now, he sits on a small stool in the basketball gym office and listens to Rick Pitino explain his own basketball philosophy and basic tactics.

"When the 3-point shot was first introduced, I told my team that we were going to lead the country in 3-point shooting! Look at this play, it's a double screen, and the starting point of the play is the shooting guard on the baseline - score Guard you know? God, I guess he doesn't know what a shooting guard is, shooter? The center is at point A, the power forward is at point B, double screens, the shooting guard runs to a 45-degree angle, catches the ball and shoots a 3-pointer."

Pitino used solid and dotted arrows, horizontal bars, crosses and circles marked with "SG", "PG" and "C" on the blackboard to cover up the offensive tactics of a three-pointer. Leon Jing Watching and listening quietly, he suddenly asked: "What if he can't make a move?"

Pitino looked at Leon and smiled contemptuously: "Then hand the ball to the referee and say you want to go home."

Leon was indifferent to Pitino's ridicule, and said calmly: "Maybe he can consider re-entering from the original line. If that 'PF' can do a cover, then he can do a second time... However, that 'C ' Standing there is going to get in the way, he should run away and find a place to stay."

Pitino looked at Auerbach in surprise after hearing Leon's words, meaning "This guy is really a cleaner, you found a basketball team to tease me?"

Auerbach shrugged and said, "He's really a cleaner, just a smart cleaner."