Since the Celtics gave their 2005 first-round pick to the Lakers a few years ago, after selecting Brandon Roy with the fourth pick, there was only a long wait.

The Celtics still hold the No. 27 pick in the second round.

Then, watching the Grizzlies draft Ronny Brewer, the Spurs draft Rajon Rondo, SpaceX go to the Golden State Warriors, Rudy Gay fall to the Houston Rockets, *** Redick go

He left the Hornets, Sefolosha went to the 76ers, Paul Millsap was passed up by the Jazz... Finally, two hours later, it was the Celtics' turn to make a choice again. The rest of this position is basically a mess.

, scouting director Andy Greer made a list for Louie.

Louis took one look and made his decision.

The Celtics selected Puerto Rican Jose Barea with the 27th overall pick in the second round.

Considering the current congestion level of the Celtics' roster, Barea will have to spend a long time in the Development League during his rookie season starting from the new season.

Moreover, it's not just Barea like Jose Calderon, Carlos Delfino, and Ersan Ilyasova who will also spend most of the second year of their careers in the Development League.

The day after the draft, the Celtics held a grand press conference in Boston.

At the press conference, Bird stated that he would temporarily step down from his head coaching duties and focus on behind-the-scenes administrative work.

As soon as this statement came out, the Boston media howled loudly.

Although they failed to defend their title this season, the Boston media are very satisfied with Bird's coaching work.

In the past three years, one championship and two Eastern Conference finals, Isiah Thomas could never have dreamed of such achievements.

Regarding leaving the coaching position, Bird explained this: "Seven consecutive years of high-intensity work have exhausted me physically and mentally. I must take a break."

Then, Louis announced the news that Bird would serve as vice president of team operations and general manager.

This is a consolation prize.

However, the media still want to know; "Who is Larry's successor?"

The standards set by Bird are too high, and whoever wants to take over will be under great pressure.

"We haven't made up our minds yet, and we welcome unemployed coaches to come forward bravely..." Seeing everyone's uneasy faces, Louis revealed his trump card, "Please rest assured, we will not make a hasty decision on the new coach."

.If there is really no suitable person, I will consider making a comeback."

Yes, this is what everyone has been waiting for.

The press conference ended in a pleasant atmosphere.

Backstage, Bird asked seriously: "Are you planning to come back?"

Louis hummed: "I'm coaxing them to play, are you serious?"

Bird truly felt that no one other than Louis could get the Celtics back on track.

Is the Celtics' problem difficult to say?

Clarify the core and have an iron fist to convince everyone so that the whole team can find a unified goal. Louis did this in 1984.

That was his "rookie" season.

Although Louis has been away from coaching for more than six years, Bird still believes that he is immortal.

In July, the off-season arrives.

The Celtics' roster is already bloated, and unless there are plans to trade, they will still not be seen in the free market and the trade market.

On this day, Louis and his wife came to Washington to attend a banquet.

The banquet was held in the evening, and in the afternoon, Louis went alone to the George Washington University Hospital to visit Reed Auerbach.

At the end of last year, Auerbach underwent bowel cancer surgery. Although he recovered well, the impact of the disease and surgery was also obvious. Since then, the luncheon has been suspended. In February this year, Auerbach was discharged from the hospital.

He planned to come to Boston to watch the Celtics playoff game - considering the situation of the team at the time, Louis was very glad that he did not come - but there are unforeseen circumstances, and cancer cannot be taken away from Auerbach, accident 1653/

1656

Can

.

One day, Auerbach accidentally fell down at home and was admitted to the hospital to recuperate. His health deteriorated.

Louis met Auerbach's daughter Naxi in the ward. She said hello and made an excuse to leave.

She knew Louis was a special guest.

"Louis, how are you doing lately?"

When he saw Louis, Auerbach got up from the bed and leaned against him, as if this could prove that he was still healthy.

Louis said calmly: "I'm fine, how are you?"

Auerbach smiled bitterly and said: "You know, as the days go by, nothing gets better. But don't worry, I'm fine too."

He doesn't look good.

If Auerbach looked like one of the most energetic people in the U80 before, then he looks older now, with obvious signs of weakness.

Louis didn't want to show sadness, because Auerbach's generation has a strong sense of machismo. They think they can take care of themselves and don't need other people's care.

Just when Louis was about to talk about something else, Auerbach took the initiative to bring up the Celtics, "I heard Larry resigned again?"

"Yeah, just like three years ago, he is a softie who shrinks when he encounters problems." Louis mocked Bird mercilessly, "I really don't know why he didn't show this when he was playing."

When it came to the topic of basketball, Auerbach returned to his masterful demeanor and said in Louis' familiar tone that could finalize any topic: "You should know that a great player is not necessarily a great coach."

Louis said helplessly: "I guess I can't find a better coach than him." Hearing this, Auerbach looked at Louis with a mocking face.

"Is there a problem?"

"There is a coach who is far greater than Larry who has taken six years off." Auerbach asked jokingly, "guess who he is?"

Louis smiled bitterly and said: "Spare me, I think I have lost my coaching ability."

"No, you are still young."

"Young? Maybe," Louis said. "When I led the Chinese team to win the Olympic championship, I lost my goal in the basketball world. Even though I was still young, I had nothing left to strive for."

Auerbach doesn't believe Louis has lost his faith in coaching.

"Did the way the Celtics ended this year really not touch you at all?" Auerbach asked, "Who else do you think can put the Celtics on the right track besides you?"

Louis did not answer because there was no answer to this question.

If Bird can't do it, who else can? He is already one of the best coaches currently active.

"Do you remember what you said to me in the summer of 1983 before you took over the team?"

Louis smiled and said: "I have said so many things, how can I remember them all?"

"I remember," Auerbach said, "I just want this team to be what it should be. That's what you said to me."

"Twenty-three years ago, I didn't believe you could do it at all. I thought it would be good if you could clean up the mess. However, your performance far exceeded my imagination."

When Auerbach said these words, the sunlight outside the window just illuminated half of his face.

"Go make this team what it should be, Louie, show me what it really looks like."

Louis asked: "On that day, can you see it?"

"I can definitely see it."

Before leaving, Auerbach asked about cigars: "Have you finished smoking the cigar I gave you?"

Louis only remembered that he smoked one when he left Boston. Later, he smoked one at the Celtics home court, and then he left it idle.

"No, it's back home in New York."

Hearing this, Auerbach got up from the hospital bed and took out a new-looking cigar box from somewhere.

"I won't smoke now." Auerbach said, "Please help me deal with it."

The Cuban cigar Auerbach smokes is not expensive, but his love for cigars is well known. Before quitting, he would feel uncomfortable if he didn't smoke a few cigars a day. When he gave cigars, he was not simply asking Louis for help.

deal with.

Louis accepted the gift and was about to leave when Auerbach stopped him again.

"Wait a moment!"

Louis looked at him, wondering if there was anything else he wanted to say.

Auerbach specifically stood up from the hospital bed and walked cautiously towards Louis with a cane.

Auerbach was deeply touched by the young man in front of him. When he first met Louis at the Greek Academy 28 years ago, he was just a young man with boundless energy and full of curiosity about everything.

Now, he is a successful godfather and even has a few gray hairs.

"Listen, Louis."

If there were any people like Bill Russell who had fought under Auerbach, they would immediately recognize that this was the tone in which Auerbach spoke during a serious internal meeting.
Chapter completed!