Chapter 97 [McMillan’s Confession]

Author: Can play the harmonica

Chapter 97 [McMillan’s Confession]

After coach Bob Hill arranged the tactics for the second half for the Sonics players, he turned around again and prepared to leave the locker room.

"Hey, Hill."

Ray Allen suddenly stopped him.

Bob Hill, stop.

Ray Allen hesitated, "Will you still be there in the second half?"

"……Maybe."

After Bob Hill finished speaking, he walked out.

He didn't notice that a piece of paper suddenly fell out of his pocket and fell on the ground.

"Coach, you dropped something." Wilkins reminded.

However, Bob Hill didn't hear it at all and had already walked away.

Ray Allen walked over and slowly picked up the piece of paper.

…

Bob Hill walked out of the locker room and did not go down the tunnel to the court.

Instead, go in the opposite direction.

At this moment, his face was already covered with tears.

The staff at the arena who passed by him couldn't help but look askance at him when they saw him like this.

"Hey, Hill."

Suddenly a man's deep voice came from behind.

Bob Hill couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this somewhat familiar voice.

Turn around slowly.

Standing behind him was a middle-aged and older black man with a big belly.

"Coach Milan?"

That's right, the person standing behind him is none other than the former head coach of the Sonics, McMillan.

Bob Hill was full of surprise. First, he did not expect McMillan to appear here.

The second reason is that since the last time Bob Hill saw him, Coach McMillan's condition has been completely different. His beard and hair are mostly gray, and he has gained a lot of weight.

"Hill, long time no see."

McMillan walked up to Bob Hill and gave him a warm hug.

Bob Hill quickly took the opportunity to wipe away his tears.

"Why are you here?" Bob Hill asked.

"I brought my grandson to Los Angeles for vacation," McMillan said. "There happened to be a game between the Supersonics and the Lakers today. My grandson is a fan of Kobe, so I took him and his family here to watch the game."

Bob Hill was stunned. It seemed that he probably knew everything about the conflict that just occurred.

"How are your family members? Say hello to them for me."

Hill had to try to talk about other topics.

"Oh, thank you, they're all fine."

McMillan paused and said, "Hill, what happened between you and Allen just now?"

Bob Hill didn't expect that McMillan went straight to the point.

"It's nothing, just a few quarrels over tactical issues."

"Isn't it that simple?" McMillan didn't believe it at all. "I have taken care of Allen for a long time. He is a gentle and humble child. He will not get into trouble with you just because of tactical matters. I heard

You two have always had conflicts, is that true?"

When Bob Hill heard what he said, there was no need to hide it anymore.

He sighed, "Yes, we have always been separated, not only with Ray Allen, but also with other players."

McMillan frowned, "Why is it like this?"

"I have to ask you."

"I?"

"I don't know what kind of magic you cast on them to make them care so much for you, just like a baby can't live without its mother. Since you left, most of their players have not listened to me at all.

Tactical arrangements and any requests I make of them are rejected by them. In their eyes, I will never be as good as you."

Bob Hill complained.

McMillan was silent after hearing this. After a moment, he said, "Most of these kids have been taken care of by me since they entered the league. Their backgrounds are similar to mine, so they have a lot of empathy, and I do take care of them."

As my own child, for five years, we did develop a deep bond..."

"Yes, they still think that I and the management teamed up to drive you away."

"Then why don't you tell them the truth?"

"I don't think it's necessary. They are professional players. No matter what the truth is about your departure, they must accept it and must quickly accept the new coach's tactical arrangements. This is a necessary quality for professional players."

Bob Hill said, "Moreover, Milan, I really don't know why you left, and later you specifically suggested to the management that I take over as the head coach."

McMillan sighed, "Sorry, I thought... you know, I remember I talked to you once."

"We talked about it once, but you didn't tell me the reason why you left."

McMillan scratched his hair and said, "I was just as ambitious as you. I wanted to take them to the finals and win the Altrain Cup with them. I led them to work hard for five years. For five years, I finally finally

, in the fifth year, we won a record of 50 wins and advanced to the Western Conference semifinals. At that time, their team and I were full of confidence. I felt that our dream was very close to us and could be realized soon.

"

"However, when we faced the Spurs led by Popovich, I suddenly realized that the concept I had always adhered to could not succeed at all. The three-point shooting tactics I had always been proud of were not successful under the Spurs'

In front of the defense, we can't fight at all, and our defense can't withstand their endless tactics."

McMillan sighed again and said sadly, "For a long time, the basketball philosophy I have adhered to is that defense is not important at all. The best defense is the ultimate offense, and a three-pointer is always one point more than a two-pointer.

, when you score more points than the opponent, you will definitely win the game, so I am obsessed with the three-point shooting tactic."

"I'm also very lucky to have met excellent three-point shooters like Lewis and Ray Allen in the SuperSonics. You know, Ray Allen may be a phenomenal three-point shooter in NBA history. I think this is

God recognized my basketball philosophy, so he took such good care of me, so I went even more desperate to promote my philosophy to them."

"But when I led them to meet the Spurs in the Western Conference semifinals and were defeated by them with no way to fight back, I suddenly realized how stupid I had been insisting on. When I have Ray in my team

When a historical three-point shooter like Allen can't win the game, then this concept is completely wrong. Offensive and defensive balance is the guarantee for a team to go further."

"It's a pity that I understood it too late. I deeply understood that I had cultivated too bad defensive habits for them. As long as I didn't leave, they couldn't really pay attention to defense. If I stayed, it would only destroy them."

They, especially Ray Allen and Lewis, may become historical stars, and I cannot let them use their legendary careers to pay for my mistakes."

"So, for them, I made up my mind to leave the team. And, in order to punish myself for my mistakes, I decided to retire and no longer do any basketball-related work. I didn't even say goodbye to them. After I left,

, and never took the initiative to contact any of them."

"I did this ruthlessly just to make them forget about me completely, so that they can accept the new basketball concept and start paying attention to defense. The reason why I recommended you to the management is exactly this. I know you are a very talented person.

Guy, you are very capable on the defensive end...but I didn't expect that this would actually hurt you..."

"Hill, I'm sorry, I'm really sorry..."

Bob Hill wiped his tears and said, "Forget it, it doesn't make much sense to talk about this now. Anyway, if something like this happens, I guess I will be dismissed from get out of class after this game..."

"I just regret it. I shouldn't have said that to them just now. I shouldn't have..."

Bob Hill burst into tears again...

"No, Hill, you can't leave. Hill, I can go to the management and explain to them that the conflict between you and the players is entirely my responsibility. I can also go to Ray Allen and explain to them why I left.

The reason is that you really can’t leave, you are very important to them.” The Milan coach said with deep pleading.

"No, Milan, I...I have to leave this position because of some personal reasons that are special to me."

"Special reason?" McMillan was stunned. He seemed to vaguely understand something, "Hill, is there anything you need my help with?"

"Stop talking, Mike. Thank you very much for coming to see me. I'll call you later." Hill said, "You know, the game has started. I have to get back to my position. This game

During the game, I am still their head coach, and I have to be with them."

Saying goodbye to MacMillan, Bob Hill had mixed feelings in his heart.

He straightened his clothes and walked to the tunnel. He knew that this might be the last game of his SuperSonics career.

Moreover, if something like this happens and the players are not interested in playing, it may be difficult to win.

After all, they collapsed at the end of the first half.

In the second half, when the Lakers switch to their main lineup, the point difference may be completely widened to an irreparable distance.

He walked into the arena with his head lowered. Everyone stared at the scene nervously, but no one noticed him.

And when Bob Hill looked up at the scorer, he couldn't help but be surprised!

He thought he had made a mistake, so he took a closer look.

He read it right. At this moment, the SuperSonics actually led the score 71 to 65!!!

What's happening here?

…………
Chapter completed!